Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/192

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Silk and broider'd jacket small!
Nought's too good, and nought too bad,
If 'twill warm my starving lad.
He'll be going by-and-by.
Thaw his body ere he die!

Brand.


[To Agnes.]


Choice is calling! Hear'st thou now?

The Woman.

Store enough of clothes hast thou
For thy dead child: hast thou none
For my death-doom'd living one?

Brand.

Is not this a warning cry
Importuning bodefully?

The Woman.

Give!

Agnes.

      'Tis sacrilege blood-red
Desecration of the dead!

Brand.

Vainly given to death he was
If thou at the threshold pause.

Agnes.


[Crushed.]


I obey. My heart's quick root
I will trample under foot.
Woman, come thou and receive,
I will share it with thee.