cultural resources in henrik ibsen's early environment - Ibsen.net

ELISABETH.
You speak as befits a knight.
If your intention is half as good as your speech,
I am content.
EBBESEN.
How is that, my young lady?
Do you doubt the sincerity of my words?
ELISABETH.
I have not said that, or even thought it.
But you seem somewhat reserved;
And yet, if we are to act jointly,
Then we should meet half-way.
Now you are standing still, you do not move,
But only signal to me. Do you expect
Me to walk the whole way to you?
You make the first step, I shall make the next.
What do you mean?
EBBESEN.
ELISABETH.
It appears to me
You are courting a refusal. If I gave it,
The thing would be most comfortable for you.
Then on my responsibility alone, you could say:
"Miss Munk has given me a refusal; I cannot
Lead her to the altar by force; Heaven knows,
How deeply the refusal grieves me!"
EBBESEN.
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