Though Ingrid has jilted you, others are left;—
Think—son of Jon Gynt! Come on to the feast;
You’ll find there both lambkins and well-seasoned widows——
PEER.
To hell——
THE SMITH.
You will surely find one that will have you.—
Good evening! I’ll give your respects to the bride.—
[_They go off, laughing and whispering._
PEER.
[_Looks after them a while, then makes a defiant
motion and turns half round_.]
For my part, may Ingrid of Hegstad go marry
Whoever she pleases. It’s all one to me.
[_Looks down at his clothes._
My breeches are torn. I am ragged and grim.—
If only I had something new to put on now.
[_Stamps on the ground._
If only I could, with a butcher-grip,
Tear out the scorn from their very vitals!
[_Looks round suddenly._
What was that? Who was it that tittered behind there?
H’m, I certainly thought—— No no, it was no one.—
I’ll go home to mother.
[_Begins to go upwards, but stops again and listens
towards Hegstad._
They’re playing a dance!
[_Gazes and listens; moves downwards step by step, his
eyes glisten; he rubs his hands down his thighs._
How the lasses do swarm! Six or eight to a man!
Oh, galloping death,—I must join in the frolic!—
But how about mother, perched up on the mill-house——
[_His eyes are drawn downwards again; he leaps and
laughs._
Hei, how the Halling[31] flies over the green!
Ay, Guttorm, he can make his fiddle speak out!
It gurgles and booms like a foss[32] o’er a scaur.
And then all that glittering bevy of girls!—
Yes, galloping death, I must join in the frolic!
[_Leaps over the fence and goes down the road._
SCENE THIRD.
_The farm-place at Hegstad. In the background, the
dwelling-house. A THRONG OF GUESTS. A lively dance in
progress on the green. THE FIDDLER sits on a table. THE
KITCHEN-MASTER[33] is standing in the doorway. COOKMAIDS
are going to and fro between the different buildings.
Groups of ELDERLY PEOPLE sit here and there, talking._
A WOMAN.
[_Joins a group that is seated on some logs of wood._]
The bride? Oh yes, she is crying a bit;
But that, you know, isn’t worth heeding.
THE KITCHEN-MASTER.
[_In another group._]
Now then, good folk, you must empty the barrel.
A MAN.
Thanks to you, friend; but you fill up too quick.
A LAD.
[_To the Fiddler, as he flies past, holding a Girl by
the hand._]
To it now, Guttorm, and don’t spare the fiddle-strings!
THE GIRL.
Scrape till it echoes out over the meadows!
OTHER GIRLS.
[_Standing in a ring round a lad who is dancing._]
That’s a rare fling!
A GIRL.
He has legs that can lift him!
THE LAD.
[_Dancing._]
The roof here is high,[34] and the walls wide asunder!
THE BRIDEGROOM.
[_Comes whimpering up to his FATHER, who is standing talking
with some other men, and twitches his jacket._]
Father, she will not; she is so proud!
HIS FATHER.
What won’t she do?
THE BRIDEGROOM.
She has locked herself in.
HIS FATHER.
Well, you must manage to find the key.
THE BRIDEGROOM.
I don’t know how.
HIS FATHER.
You’re a nincompoop!
[_Turns away to the others. The BRIDEGROOM drifts across
the yard._
A LAD.
[_Comes from behind the house._]
Wait a bit, girls! Things’ll soon be lively!
Here comes Peer Gynt.
THE SMITH.
[_Who has just come up._]
Who invited him?
THE KITCHEN-MASTER.
No one.
[_Goes towards the house._
THE SMITH.
[_To the girls._]
If he should speak to you, never take notice!
A GIRL.
[_To the others._]
No, we’ll pretend that we don’t even see him.
PEER GYNT.
[_Comes in heated and full of animation, stops right
in front of the group, and claps his hands._]
Which is the liveliest girl of the lot of you?
A GIRL.
[_As he approaches her._]
I am not.
ANOTHER.
[_Similarly._]
I am not.
A THIRD.
No; nor I either.
PEER.
[_To a fourth._]
You come along, then, for want of a better.
THE GIRL.
Haven’t got time.
PEER.
[_To a fifth._]
Well then, you!
THE GIRL.
[_Going._]
I’m for home.
PEER.
To-night? are you utterly out of your senses?[35]
THE SMITH.
[_After a moment, in a low voice._]
See, Peer, she’s taken a greybeard for partner.
PEER.
[_Turns sharply to an elderly man._]
Where are the unbespoke girls?
THE MAN.
Find them out.
[_Goes away from him._
_PEER GYNT has suddenly become subdued. He glances shyly and
furtively at the group. All look at him, but no one
speaks. He approaches other groups. Wherever he goes there
is silence; when he moves away they look after him and
smile._
PEER.
[_To himself._]
Mocking looks; needle-keen whispers[36] and smiles.
They grate like a sawblade under the file!
[_He slinks along close to the fence. SOLVEIG, leading
little HELGA by the hand, comes into the yard, along
with her PARENTS._
A MAN.
[_To another, close to PEER GYNT._]
Look, here are the new folk.
THE OTHER.
The ones from the west?
THE FIRST MAN.
Ay, the people from Hedal.
THE OTHER.
Ah yes, so they are.
PEER.
[_Places himself in the path of the new-comers, points
to SOLVEIG, and asks the FATHER_:]
May I dance with your daughter?
THE FATHER.
[_Quietly._]
You may so; but first
We must go to the farm-house and greet the good people.
[_They go in._
THE KITCHEN-MASTER.
[_To PEER GYNT, offering him drink._]
Since you are here, you’d best take a pull at the liquor.
PEER.
[_Looking fixedly after the new-comers._]
Thanks; I’m for dancing; I am not athirst.
[_The KITCHEN-MASTER goes away from him. PEER GYNT gazes
towards the house and laughs._
How fair! Did ever you see the like!
Looked down at her shoes and her snow-white apron—!
And then she held on to her mother’s skirt-folds,
And carried a psalm-book wrapped up in a kerchief—!
I must look at that girl.
[_Going into the house._
A LAD.
[_Coming out of the house, with several others._]
Are you off so soon, Peer,
From the dance?
PEER.
No, no.
THE LAD.
Then you’re heading amiss!
[_Takes hold of his shoulder to turn him round._
PEER.
Let me pass!
THE LAD.
I believe you’re afraid of the smith.
PEER.
I afraid!
THE LAD.
You remember what happened at Lundë?
[_They go off, laughing, to the dancing-green._
SOLVEIG.
[_In the doorway of the house._]
Are you not the lad that was wanting to dance?
PEER.
Of course it was me; don’t you know me again?
[_Takes her hand._
Come, then!
SOLVEIG.
We mustn’t go far, mother said.
PEER.
Mother said! Mother said! Were you born yesterday?[37]
SOLVEIG.
Now you’re laughing——!
PEER.
Why sure, you are almost a child.
Are you grown up?
SOLVEIG.
I read with the pastor last spring.[38]
PEER.
Tell me your name, lass, and then we’ll talk easier.
SOLVEIG.
My name is Solveig. And what are you called?
PEER.
Peer Gynt.
SOLVEIG.
[_Withdrawing her hand._]
Oh heaven!
PEER.
Why, what is it now?
SOLVEIG.
My garter is loose; I must tie it up tighter.
[_Goes away from him._
THE BRIDEGROOM.
[_Pulling at his MOTHER’S gown._]
Mother, she will not——!
HIS MOTHER.
She will not? What?
THE BRIDEGROOM.
She won’t, mother——
HIS MOTHER.
What?
THE BRIDEGROOM.
Unlock the door.
HIS FATHER.
[_Angrily, below his breath._]
Oh, you’re only fit to be tied in a stall!
HIS MOTHER.
Don’t scold him. Poor dear, he’ll be all right yet.
[_They move away._
A LAD.
[_Coming with a whole crowd of others from
the dancing-green._]
Peer, have some brandy?
PEER.
No.
THE LAD.
Only a drain?
PEER.
[_Looking darkly at him._]
Got any?
THE LAD.
Well, I won’t say but I have.
[_Pulls out a pocket flask and drinks._
Ah! How it stings your throat!—Well?
PEER.
Let me try it.
[_Drinks._
ANOTHER LAD.
Now you must try mine as well, you know.
PEER.
No!
THE LAD.
Oh, what nonsense; now don’t be a fool.
Take a pull, Peer!
PEER.
Well then, give me a drop.
[_Drinks again._
A GIRL.
[_Half aloud._]
Come, let’s be going.
PEER.
Afraid of me, wench?
A THIRD LAD.
Who isn’t afraid of _you_?
A FOURTH.
At Lundë
You showed us clearly what tricks you could play.
PEER.
I can do more than that, when I once get started!
THE FIRST LAD.
[_Whispering._]
Now he’s forging ahead!
SEVERAL OTHERS.
[_Forming a circle around him._]
Tell away! Tell away!
What can you——?
PEER.
To-morrow!
OTHERS.
No, now, to-night!
A GIRL.
Can you conjure, Peer?
PEER.
I can call up the devil!
A MAN.
My grandam could do that before I was born!
PEER.
Liar! What _I_ can do, that no one else can.
I one day conjured him into a nut.
It was worm-bored, you see!
SEVERAL.
[_Laughing._]
Ay, that’s easily guessed!
PEER.
He cursed, and he wept, and he wanted to bribe me
With all sorts of things——
ONE OF THE CROWD.
But he had to go in?
PEER.
Of course. I stopped up the hole with a peg.
Hei! If you’d heard him rumbling and grumbling!
A GIRL.
Only think!
PEER.
It was just like a humble-bee buzzing.
THE GIRL.
Have you got him still in the nut?
PEER.
Why, no;
By this time that devil has flown on his way.
The grudge the smith bears me is all his doing.
A LAD.
Indeed?
PEER.
I went to the smithy, and begged
That he would crack that same nutshell for me.
He promised he would!—laid it down on his anvil;
But Aslak, you know, is so heavy of hand;—
For ever swinging that great sledge-hammer——
A VOICE FROM THE CROWD.
Did he kill the foul fiend?
PEER.
He laid on like a man.
But the devil showed fight, and tore off in a flame
Through the roof, and shattered the wall asunder.
SEVERAL VOICES.
And the smith——?
PEER.
Stood there with his hands all scorched.
And from that day onwards, we’ve never been friends.
[_General laughter._
SOME OF THE CROWD.
That yarn is a good one.
OTHERS.
About his best.
PEER.
Do you think I am making it up?
A MAN.
Oh no,
That you’re certainly not; for I’ve heard the most on’t
From my grandfather——
PEER.
Liar! It happened to me!
THE MAN.
Yes, like everything else.
PEER.
[_With a fling._]
I can ride, I can,
Clean through the air, on the bravest of steeds!
Oh, many’s the thing I can do, I tell you!
[_Another roar of laughter._
ONE OF THE GROUP.
Peer, ride through the air a bit!
MANY.
Do, dear Peer Gynt——!
PEER.
You may spare you the trouble of begging so hard.
I will ride like a hurricane over you all!
Every man in the parish shall fall at my feet!
AN ELDERLY MAN.
Now he is clean off his head.
ANOTHER.
The dolt!
A THIRD.
Braggart!
A FOURTH.
Liar!
PEER.
[_Threatening them._]
Ay, wait till you see!
A MAN.
[_Half drunk._]
Ay, wait; you’ll soon get your jacket dusted!
OTHERS.
Your back beaten tender! Your eyes painted blue!
[_The crowd disperses, the elder men angry, the younger
laughing and jeering._
THE BRIDEGROOM.
[_Close to PEER GYNT._]
Peer, is it true you can ride through the air?
PEER.
[_Shortly._]
It’s all true, Mads! You must know I’m a rare one!
THE BRIDEGROOM.
Then have you got the Invisible Cloak too?
PEER.
The Invisible Hat, do you mean? Yes, I have.
[_Turns away from him. SOLVEIG crosses the yard, leading
little HELGA._
PEER.
[_Goes towards them; his face lights up._]
Solveig! Oh, it is well you have come!
[_Takes hold of her wrist._
Now will I swing you round fast and fine!
SOLVEIG.
Loose me!
PEER.
Wherefore?
SOLVEIG.
You are so wild.
PEER.
The reindeer is wild, too, when summer is dawning.
Come then, lass; do not be wayward now!
SOLVEIG.
[_Withdrawing her arm._]
Dare not.
PEER.
Wherefore?
SOLVEIG.
No, you’ve been drinking.
[_Moves off with HELGA._
PEER.
Oh, if I had but my knife-blade driven
Clean through the heart of them,—one and all!
THE BRIDEGROOM.
[_Nudging him with his elbow._]
Peer, can’t you help me to get at the bride?
PEER.
[_Absently._]
The bride? Where is she?
THE BRIDEGROOM.
In the store-house.
PEER.
Ah.
THE BRIDEGROOM.
Oh, dear Peer Gynt, you must try at least!
PEER.
No, you must get on without my help.
[_A thought strikes him; he says softly but sharply._
Ingrid! The store-house!
[_Goes up to SOLVEIG._
Have you thought better on’t?
[_SOLVEIG tries to go; he blocks her path._
You’re ashamed to, because I’ve the look of a tramp.
SOLVEIG.
[_Hastily._]
No, that you haven’t; that’s not true at all!
PEER.
Yes! And I’ve taken a drop as well;
But that was to spite you, because you had hurt me.
Come then!
SOLVEIG.
Even if I wished to, I daren’t.
PEER.
Who are you frightened of?
SOLVEIG.
Father, most.
PEER.
Father? Ay, ay; he is one of the quiet ones!
One of the godly, eh?—Answer, come!
SOLVEIG.
What shall I say?
PEER.
Is your father a psalm-singer?[39]
And you and your mother as well, no doubt?
Come, will you speak?
SOLVEIG.
Let me go in peace.
PEER.
No!
[_In a low but sharp and threatening tone._
I can turn myself into a troll!
I’ll come to your bedside at midnight to-night.
If you should hear some one hissing and spitting,
You mustn’t imagine it’s only the cat.
It’s me, lass! I’ll drain out your blood in a cup,
And your little sister, I’ll eat her up;
Ay, you must know I’m a were-wolf at night;—
I’ll bite you all over the loins and the back——
[_Suddenly changes his tone, and entreats, as if in
dread_:
Dance with me, lass!
SOLVEIG.
[_Looking darkly at him._]
You were ugly then.
[_Goes into the house_
THE BRIDEGROOM.
[_Comes sidling up again._]
I’ll give you an ox if you’ll help me!
PEER.
Then come!
[_They go out behind the house. At the same moment a
crowd of men come forward from the dancing green;
most of them are drunk. Noise and hubbub. SOLVEIG,
HELGA, and their PARENTS appear among a number of
elderly people in the doorway._
THE KITCHEN-MASTER.
[_To the SMITH, who is the foremost of the crowd._]
Keep peace now!
THE SMITH.
[_Pulling off his jacket._]
No, we must fight it out here.[40]
Peer Gynt or I must be taught a lesson.[41]
SOME VOICES.
Ay, let them fight for it!
OTHERS.
No, only wrangle!
THE SMITH.
Fists must decide; for the case is past words.
SOLVEIG’S FATHER.
Control yourself, man!
HELGA.
Will they beat him, mother?
A LAD.
Let us rather taunt him with all his lies!
ANOTHER.
Kick him out of the company.
A THIRD.
Spit in his eyes.
A FOURTH.
[_To the SMITH._]
You’re not backing out, smith?
THE SMITH.
[_Flinging away his jacket._]
The jade shall be slaughtered!
SOLVEIG’S MOTHER.
[_To SOLVEIG._]
There, you can see how that windbag is thought of.
ÅSE.
[_Coming up with a stick in her hand._]
Is that son of mine here? Now he’s in for a drubbing!
Oh! how heartily I will dang him!
THE SMITH.
[_Rolling up his shirt-sleeves._]
That switch is too light for a carcase like his.
SOME OF THE CROWD.
The smith will dang him!
OTHERS.
Bang him!
THE SMITH.
[_Spits on his hands and nods to Åse._]
Hang him!
ÅSE.
What? Hang my Peer? Ay, just try if you dare;—
Åse and I,[42] we have teeth and claws!—
Where is he? [_Calls across the yard._] Peer!
THE BRIDEGROOM.
[_Comes running up._]
Oh, God’s death on the cross!
Come father, come mother, and——!
HIS FATHER.
What is the matter?
THE BRIDEGROOM.
Just fancy, Peer Gynt——!
ÅSE.
[_Screams_.]
Have you taken his life?
THE BRIDEGROOM.
No, but Peer Gynt——! Look, there on the hillside——!
THE CROWD.
With the bride.
ÅSE.
[_Lets her stick sink._]
Oh, the beast!
THE SMITH.
[_As if thunderstruck._]
Where the slope rises sheerest
He’s clambering upwards, by God, like a goat!
THE BRIDEGROOM.
[_Crying._]
He’s shouldered her, mother, as I might a pig!
ÅSE.
[_Shaking her fist up at him._]
Would God you might fall, and——!
[_Screams out in terror._
Take care of your footing!
THE HEGSTAD FARMER.
[_Comes in, bare-headed and white with rage._]
I’ll have his life for this bride-rape yet!
ÅSE.
Oh no, God punish me if I let you!
-----
Footnotes:
-----
Footnote 22:
Pronounce _Yendeen_.
Footnote 23:
This is the poet’s own explanation of this difficult passage.
“Hvirvlens vætter,” he writes, is equivalent to “Svimmelhedens
ånder”—_i.e._, spirits of dizziness or vertigo.
Footnote 24:
See Appendix.
Footnote 25:
Literally “bushels.”
Footnote 26:
An ecclesiastical dignitary—something equivalent to a rural
dean.
Footnote 27:
“Jon med Skjæppen”—literally, “John with the Bushel”—a
nickname given him in his days of prosperity, in allusion to
his supposed bushels of money.
Footnote 28:
Pronounce _Maass-Moo-en_.
Footnote 29:
It is believed in some parts of Norway that “changelings”
(elf-children left in the stead of those taken away by the
fairies) can, by certain spells, be made to fly away up the
chimney.
Footnote 30:
“Sendingsfolk,” literally, “folks with presents.” When the
Norwegian peasants are bidden to a wedding-feast, they bring
with them presents of eatables.
Footnote 31:
A somewhat violent peasant dance.
Footnote 32:
Foss (in the North of England “force”)—a waterfall.
Footnote 33:
A sort of master of ceremonies.
Footnote 34:
To kick the rafters is considered a great feat in the
Halling-dance. The boy means that, in the open air, his leaps
are not limited even by the rafters.
Footnote 35:
A marriage party among the peasants will often last several
days.
Footnote 36:
Literally, “thoughts.”
Footnote 37:
Literally, “last year.”
Footnote 38:
“To read with the pastor,” the preliminary to confirmation, is
currently used as synonymous with “to be confirmed.”
Footnote 39:
Literally, “A reader.”
Footnote 40:
Literally, “Here shall judgment be called for.”
Footnote 41:
Literally, “Must be bent to the hillside,” made to bite the
dust—but not in the sense of being killed.
Footnote 42:
A peasant idiom.
-----
ACT SECOND
SCENE FIRST.
_A narrow path, high up in the mountains. Early morning._
_PEER GYNT comes hastily and sullenly along the path. INGRID,
still wearing some of her bridal ornaments, is trying to
hold him back._
PEER.
Get you from me!
INGRID.
[_Weeping._]
After this, Peer?
Whither?
PEER.
Where you will for me.
INGRID.
[_Wringing her hands._]
Oh, what falsehood!
PEER.
Useless railing.
Each alone must go his way.
INGRID.
Sin—and sin again unites us!
PEER.
Devil take all recollections!
Devil take the tribe of women—
All but one——!
INGRID.
Who is that one, pray?
PEER.
’Tis not you.
INGRID.
Who is it then?
PEER.
Go! Go thither whence you came!
Off! To your father!
INGRID.
Dearest, sweetest——
PEER.
Peace!
INGRID.
You cannot mean it, surely,
What you’re saying?
PEER.
Can and do.
INGRID.
First to lure—and then forsake me!
PEER.
And what terms have you to offer?
INGRID.
Hegstad Farm, and more besides.
PEER.
Is your psalm-book in your kerchief?
Where’s the gold-mane on your shoulders?
Do you glance adown your apron?
Do you hold your mother’s skirt-fold?
Speak!
INGRID.
No, but——
PEER.
Went you to the Pastor[43]
This last spring-tide?
INGRID.
No, but Peer——
PEER.
Is there shyness in your glances?
When I beg, can you deny?
INGRID.
Heaven! I think his wits are going.
PEER.
Does your presence sanctify?[44]
Speak!
INGRID.
No, but——
PEER.
What’s all the rest then?
[_Going._
INGRID.
[_Blocking his way._]
Know you it will cost your neck
Should you fail me?
PEER.
What do I care?
INGRID.
You may win both wealth and honour
If you take me——
PEER.
Can’t afford.
INGRID.
[_Bursting into tears._]
Oh, you lured me——!
PEER.
You were willing.
INGRID.
I was desperate!
PEER.
Frantic I.
INGRID.
[_Threatening._]
Dearly shall you pay for this!
PEER.
Dearest payment cheap I’ll reckon.
INGRID.
Is your purpose set?
PEER.
Like flint.
INGRID.
Good! we’ll see, then, who’s the winner!
[_Goes downwards._
PEER.
[_Stands silent a moment, then cries_:]
Devil take all recollections!
Devil take the tribe of women!
INGRID.
[_Turning her head, and calling mockingly upwards_:]
All but _one_!
PEER.
Yes, all but _one_.
[_They go their several ways._
SCENE SECOND.
_Near a mountain tarn; the ground is soft and marshy round
about. A storm is gathering._
_ÅSE enters, calling and gazing around her despairingly, in
every direction. SOLVEIG has difficulty in keeping up with
her. SOLVEIG’S FATHER and MOTHER, with HELGA, are some way
behind._
ÅSE.
[_Tossing about her arms, and tearing her hair._]
All things are against me with wrathful might!
Heaven, and the waters, and the grisly mountains!
Fog-scuds from heaven roll down to bewilder him!
The treacherous waters are lurking to murder him!
The mountains would crush him with landslip and rift!—
And the people too! They’re out after his life!
God knows they shan’t have it! I can’t bear to lose him!
Oh, the oaf! to think that the fiend should tempt him!
[_Turning to SOLVEIG._
Now isn’t it clean unbelievable this?
He, that did nought but romance and tell lies;—
He, whose sole strength was the strength of his jaw;
He, that did never a stroke of true work;—
He——! Oh, a body could both cry and laugh!—
Oh, we clung closely in sorrow and need.
Ay, you must know that my husband, he drank,
Loafed round the parish to roister and prate,
Wasted and trampled our gear under foot.
And meanwhile at home there sat Peerkin and I—
The best we could do was to try to forget;
For ever I’ve found it so hard to bear up.
It’s a terrible thing to look fate in the eyes;
And of course one is glad to be quit of one’s cares,
And try all one can to hold thinking aloof.
Some take to brandy, and others to lies;
And we—why we took to fairy-tales
Of princes and trolls and of all sorts of beasts;
And of bride-rapes as well. Ah, but who could have dreamt
That those devil’s yarns would have stuck in his head?
[_In a fresh access of terror._
Hu! What a scream! It’s the nixie or droug![45]
Peer! Peer!—Up there on that hillock——!
[_She runs to the top of a little rise, and looks out
over the tarn. SOLVEIG’S FATHER and MOTHER come up._
ÅSE.
Not a sign to be seen!
THE FATHER.
[_Quietly._]
It is worst for him!
ÅSE.
[_Weeping._]
Oh, my Peer! Oh, my own lost lamb!
THE FATHER.
[_Nods mildly._]
You may well say lost.
ÅSE.
Oh no, don’t talk like that!
He is so clever. There’s no one like him.
THE FATHER.
You foolish woman!
ÅSE.
Oh ay; oh ay;
Foolish I am, but the boy’s all right!
THE FATHER.
[_Still softly and with mild eyes._]
His heart is hardened, his soul is lost.
ÅSE.
[_In terror._]
No, no, he can’t be so hard, our Lord!
THE FATHER.
Do you think he can sigh for his debt of sin?
ÅSE.
[_Eagerly._]
No, but he can ride through the air on a buck, though!
THE MOTHER.
Christ, are you mad?
THE FATHER.
Why, what do you mean?
ÅSE.
Never a deed is too great for him.
You shall see, if only he lives so long——
THE FATHER.
Best if you saw him on the gallows hanging.
ÅSE.
[_Shrieks._]
Oh, cross of Christ!
THE FATHER.
In the hangman’s hands,
It may be his heart would be turned to repentance.
ÅSE.
[_Bewildered._]
Oh, you’ll soon talk me out of my senses!
We must find him!
THE FATHER.
To rescue his soul.
ÅSE.
And his body!
If he’s stuck in the swamp, we must drag him out;
If he’s taken by trolls, we must ring the bells for him.
THE FATHER.
H’m!—Here’s a sheep path——
ÅSE.
The Lord will repay you
Your guidance and help!
THE FATHER.
It’s a Christian’s duty.
ÅSE.
Then the others, fie! they are heathens all;
There was never a one that would go with us——
THE FATHER.
They knew him too well.
ÅSE.
He was too good for them!
[_Wrings her hands._
And to think—and to think that his life is at stake!
THE FATHER.
Here are tracks of a man.
ÅSE.
Then it’s here we must search!
THE FATHER.
We’ll scatter around on this side of our sæter.[46]
[_He and his wife go on ahead._
SOLVEIG.
[_To ÅSE._]
Say on; tell me more.
ÅSE.
[_Drying her eyes._]
Of my son, you mean?
SOLVEIG.
Yes;—
Tell everything!
ÅSE.
[_Smiles and tosses her head._]
Everything?—Soon you’d be tired!
SOLVEIG.
Sooner by far will you tire of the telling
Than I of the hearing.
SCENE THIRD.
_Low, treeless heights, close under the mountain moorlands;
peaks in the distance. The shadows are long; it is late in
the day._
_PEER GYNT comes running at full speed, and stops short on the
hillside._
PEER.
The parish is all at my heels in a pack!
Everyman of them armed or with gun or with club.
Foremost I hear the old Hegstad-churl howling.—
Now it’s noised far and wide that Peer Gynt is abroad!
It is different, this, from a bout with a smith!
This is life! Every limb grows as strong as a bear’s.
[_Strikes out with his arms and leaps in the air._
To crush, overturn, stem the rush of the foss![47]
To strike! Wrench the fir-tree right up by the root!
This is life! This both hardens and lifts one high!
To hell then with all of the savourless lies!
THREE SÆTER GIRLS.[48]
[_Rush across the hillside, screaming and singing._]
Trond of the Valfjeld![49] Bård and Kårë!
Troll-pack! To-night would you sleep in our arms?
PEER.
To whom do you call?
THE GIRLS.
To the trolls! to the trolls!
FIRST GIRL.
Trond, come with kindness!
SECOND GIRL.
Bård, come with force!
THIRD GIRL.
The cots in the sæter are all standing empty!
FIRST GIRL.
Force is kindness!
SECOND GIRL.
And kindness is force!
THIRD GIRL.
If lads are a wanting, one plays with the trolls!
PEER.
Why, where are the lads, then?
ALL THREE.
[_With a horse-laugh._]
They cannot come hither!
FIRST GIRL.
Mine called me his sweetheart and called me his darling.
Now he has married a grey-headed widow.
SECOND GIRL.
Mine met a gipsy-wench north on the upland.
Now they are tramping the country together.
THIRD GIRL.