Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 3).djvu/83

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Frosty showers on her—and other
Fiercer frost upon my heart—?
God of grace! It is my Mother!

Brand's Mother.


[Comes up, stops when half seen above the slope, holds her hand up to shade her eyes, and looks round.]


He's here, they told me.


[Coming nearer.]


                         Drat the blaze,—
It nearly takes away my sight!
Son, is that you?

Brand.

                  Yes.

His Mother.


[Rubbing her eyes.]


                       Hoo, those rays,
They burn one's very eyes outright;
I can't tell priest from boor.

Brand.

                               Sun's light
At home I never saw at all
'Twixt fall of leaf and cuckoo's call.

His Mother.


[Laughing quietly.]


Ay, <g>there</g> 'tis good. One's gripped with frost
Like icicles o'er a plunging river,
Strong to <g>dare</g> anything whatever,
—And yet believe one is not lost.

Brand.

Farewell. My leisure time is spent.