The Works of Henrik Ibsen Volume . 4 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911 Excerpt: ...Ballon. And so the matter ended, eh? Peer. Oh no, far otherwise I found it; For busy-bodies mixed themselves, With furious outcries, in the business. The juniors of the clan were worst; With seven of them I fought a duel. That time I never shall forget, Though I came through it all in safety. It cost me blood; but that same blood Attests the value of my person, And points encouragingly towards The wise control of Fate aforesaid. Von Eberkopf. Your outlook on the course of life Exalts you to the rank of thinker. Whilst the mere commonplace empiric Sees separately the scattered scenes, And to the last goes groping on, You in one glance can focus all things. One norm 1 to all things you apply. You point each random rule of life, Till one and all diverge like rays From one full-orbed philosophy.--And you have never been to college? Peer. I am, as I've already said, Exclusively a self-taught man. Methodically naught I've learned; But I have thought and speculated, And done much desultory reading. I started somewhat late in life, And then, you know, it's rather hard To plough ahead through page on page, And take in all of everything. I've done my history piecemeal; I never have had time for more. And, as one needs in days of trial Some certainty to place one's trust in, I took religion intermittently. That way it goes more smoothly down. One should not read to swallow all, But rather see what one has use for. 1 So in original. Mr. Cotton. Ay, that is practical Peer. Lights a cigar. Dear friends Just think of my career in general. In what case came I to the West? A poor young fellow, empty-handed; I had to battle sore for bread; Trust me, I often found it hard. But life, my friends, ah, life is dear, And, as the phrase goes, death is bitter. Well Luck, you see, ...