Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/220

But now the worst of it is ended,
And all gives promise of a splendid
Day for our function. Don't despair!
All will go well. Reflect! A throng
Has gather'd, many thousand strong,
From far-off parishes,—and who
Can vie in eloquence with you?
See where your reverend brethren stand,
To welcome you with heart and hand;
While all these lowly bosoms beat
With ardour for you, first to last!
And then, the work, so ably plann'd,
The decoration, so complete,—
The general theme—How great! How vast!
—And the unparallel'd repast!
Into the kitchen I was looking
Just now, and saw the calf a-cooking.
Nay, Brand, a pretty beast, I vow!
You must have had some trouble, now,
In these hard times, before you found
So fine a bit of flesh to cater,
With meat at half a crown a pound!
But that can be deferr'd till later.
I'm on another errand bound.

Brand.

Speak freely; slash, stab, rive and rend!

The Dean.

I have a milder way, my friend.
But briefly; for our duties press.
One little matter, I confess,
I'd have you from to-day set right;
A task that cannot but be light.
Nay, I imagine you can guess
Half what I'm hinting at, at least?