Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/222

No, faith, the State is not a fool;
And all our course would run amiss,
Did not the State, by strictest rule,
Look only to the life that is.
But the State's object, my good friend,
Through its officials must be gain'd,
In this case through its priests——

Brand.

                                     Each word
Is wisdom! Speak!

The Dean.

                  I'm near the end.
This Church, you see, you have conferr'd
Upon the State, for its sole profit;
And, therefore, all the uses of it
Must to the State's advantage tend.
This is the meaning, note it well,
Of our forthcoming celebration,
This shall be meant by chiming bell,
And this by Gift-deed's recitation.
A promise thus the Gift implies,
Whose force I'd have you scrutinise——

Brand.

By God, I never meant it so!

The Dean.

Yes; but it's now too late, you know——

Brand.

Too late? Too late! That will be seen!

The Dean.

Be sensible! I can't keep grave!
What is the tragedy therein?