Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/219

The Dean.

                   How say you, friend?
Is Consecration not the end?

Brand.

A House new-builded asks, as well,
A cleansed Soul, therein to dwell.

The Dean.

All that will come without our stir.
So gay, so elegant a roof
Will be an adequate reproof
To every unwash'd worshipper.
And that delightful sounding-board,
That doubles every pious word,
Will render without fail our flocks
Fivescore per cent. more orthodox,
Results so notable as these
The first-rate Nationalities
Themselves, 'tis said, can hardly better.—
For this your Country is your debtor,
Yours only; let me then express
These heartfelt, brotherly thanks of mine,
To be re-echoed, as I guess,
In winged words across the wine,
By many a fiery young divine,
When at the festal board we crown
This the great day of your renown.—
But, my dear Brand, you look so faint—?

Brand.

My heart and hope have long been spent.

The Dean.

No wonder;—with so grave a care,
And all unaided and unfriended.