newspapers on a chair, right._
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_Entering from the composing-room._] Here I am, back again. [_Puts down
his hat and stick._]
HOVSTAD.
[_Writing._] Already, Doctor? Make haste with what we were speaking of,
Aslaksen. We’ve no time to lose to-day.
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_To ASLAKSEN._] No proof yet, I hear.
ASLAKSEN.
[_Without turning round._] No; how could you expect it?
DR. STOCKMANN.
Of course not; but you understand my impatience. I can have no rest or
peace until I see the thing in print.
HOVSTAD.
H'm; it will take a good while yet. Don’t you think so, Aslaksen?
ASLAKSEN.
I'm afraid it will.
DR. STOCKMANN.
All right, all right, my good friend; then I shall look in again. I'll
look in twice if necessary. With so much at stake—the welfare of the
whole town—one mustn’t grudge a little trouble. [_Is on the point of
going but stops and comes back._] Oh, by the way—there’s one other thing
I must speak to you about.
HOVSTAD.
Excuse me; wouldn’t some other time——?
DR. STOCKMANN.
I can tell you in two words. You see it’s this when people read my
article in the paper tomorrow, and find I have spent the whole winter
working quietly for the good of the town——
HOVSTAD.
Yes but, Doctor——
DR. STOCKMANN.
I know what you’re going to say. You don’t think it was a bit more than
my duty—my simple duty as a citizen. Of course I know that, as well as
you do. But you see, my fellow townsmen—good Lord! the poor souls think
so much of me——
ASLAKSEN.
Yes, the townspeople have hitherto thought very highly of you, Doctor.
DR. STOCKMANN.
That’s exactly why I'm afraid that—. What I wanted to say was this: when
all this comes to them—especially to the poorer classes—as a summons to
take the affairs of the town into their own hands for the future——
HOVSTAD.
[_Rising._] H'm, Doctor, I won’t conceal from you——
DR. STOCKMANN.
Aha! I thought there was something brewing! But I won’t hear of it. If
they are getting up anything of that sort——
HOVSTAD.
Of what sort?
DR. STOCKMANN.
Well, anything of any sort—a procession with banners, or a banquet, or a
subscription for a testimonial, or whatever it may be—you must give me
your solemn promise to put a stop to it. And you too, Mr. Aslaksen; do
you hear?
HOVSTAD.
Excuse me, Doctor; we may as well tell you the whole truth first as
last——
MRS. STOCKMANN _enters from the back, left._
MRS. STOCKMANN.
[_Seeing the DOCTOR._] Ah! just as I thought.
HOVSTAD.
[_Going towards her._] Mrs. Stockmann, too?
DR. STOCKMANN.
What the devil do _you_ want here, Katrina?
MRS. STOCKMANN.
You know very well what I want.
HOVSTAD.
Won’t you sit down? Or perhaps——
MRS. STOCKMANN.
Thanks, please don’t trouble. And you must forgive my following my
husband here; remember, I am the mother of three children.
DR. STOCKMANN.
Stuff and nonsense! We all know that well enough.
MRS. STOCKMANN.
Well, it doesn’t look as if you thought very much about your wife and
children to-day, or you wouldn’t be so ready to plunge us all into ruin.
DR. STOCKMANN.
Are you quite mad, Katrina! Has a man with a wife and children no right
to proclaim the truth? Has he no right to be an active and useful
citizen? Has he no right to do his duty by the town he lives in?
MRS. STOCKMANN.
Everything in moderation, Thomas!
ASLAKSEN.
That’s just what I say. Moderation in everything.
MRS. STOCKMANN.
You are doing us a great wrong, Mr. Hovstad, in enticing my husband away
from house and home, and befooling him in this way.
HOVSTAD.
I am not befooling any one——
DR. STOCKMANN.
Befooling! Do you think I should let myself be befooled?
MRS. STOCKMANN.
Yes, that’s just what you do. I know very well that you are the
cleverest man in the town; but you’re very easily made a fool of,
Thomas. [_To HOVSTAD._] Remember that he loses his post at the Baths if
you print what he has written——
ASLAKSEN.
What!
HOVSTAD.
Well now, really, Doctor——
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_Laughing._] Ha ha! just let them try—! No no, my dear, they’ll think
twice about that. I have the compact majority behind me, you see!
MRS. STOCKMANN.
That’s just the misfortune, that you should have such a horrid thing
behind you.
DR. STOCKMANN.
Nonsense, Katrina;—you go home and look after your house, and let me
take care of society. How can you be in such a fright when you see me so
confident and happy? [_Rubbing his hands and walking up and down._]
Truth and the People must win the day; you may be perfectly sure of
that. Oh! I can see all our free-souled citizens standing shoulder to
shoulder like a conquering army——! [_Stopping by a chair._] Why, what
the devil is _that_?
ASLAKSEN.
[_Looking at it._] Oh Lord!
HOVSTAD.
[_The same._] H'm—
DR. STOCKMANN.
Why, here’s the top-knot of authority!
[_He takes the_ BURGOMASTER’S _official cap carefully between
the tips of his fingers and holds it up._
MRS. STOCKMANN.
The Burgomaster’s cap!
DR. STOCKMANN.
And here’s the staff of office, too! But how in the devil’s name did
they——?
HOVSTAD.
Well then——
DR. STOCKMANN.
Ah, I understand! He has been here to talk you over. Ha, ha! He reckoned
without his host that time! And when he caught sight of me in the
printing-room—[_Bursts out laughing._]—he took to his heels, eh, Mr.
Aslaksen?
ASLAKSEN.
[_Hurriedly._] Exactly; he took to his heels, Doctor.
DR. STOCKMANN.
Made off without his stick and——. No, _that_ won’t do! Peter never left
anything behind him. But where the devil have you stowed him? Ah—in
here, of course. Now you shall see, Katrina!
MRS. STOCKMANN.
Thomas—I implore you——!
ASLAKSEN.
Take care, Doctor!
[DR. STOCKMANN _has put on the_ BURGOMASTER’S _cap and grasped
his stick; he now goes up to the door, throws it open, and
makes a military salute._
_The_ BURGOMASTER _enters, red with anger. Behind him comes_ BILLING.
BURGOMASTER.
What is the meaning of these antics?
DR. STOCKMANN.
Respect, my good Peter! Now, it’s I that am in power in this town.
[_He struts up and down._
MRS. STOCKMANN.
[_Almost in tears._] Oh, Thomas!
BURGOMASTER.
[_Following him._] Give me my cap and stick!
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_As before._] You may be Chief of Police, but I am Burgomaster. I am
master of the whole town I tell you!
BURGOMASTER.
Put down my cap, I say. Remember it is an official cap, as by law
prescribed!
DR. STOCKMANN.
Pshaw! Do you think the awakening lion of the democracy will let itself
be scared by a gold-laced cap? There’s to be a revolution in the town
to-morrow, let me tell you. You threatened me with dismissal; but now
_I_ dismiss _you_—dismiss you from all your offices of trust—. You think
I can’t do it?—Oh, yes, I can! I have the irresistible forces of society
on my side. Hovstad and Billing will thunder in the _People’s
Messenger_, and Aslaksen will take the field at the head of the
House-owners' Association——
ASLAKSEN.
No, Doctor, I shall not.
DR. STOCKMANN.
Why, of course you will——
BURGOMASTER.
Aha! Perhaps Mr. Hovstad would like to join the agitation after all?
HOVSTAD.
No, Burgomaster.
ASLAKSEN.
No, Mr. Hovstad isn’t such a fool as to ruin both himself and the paper
for the sake of a delusion.
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_Looking about him._] What does all this mean?
HOVSTAD.
You have presented your case in a false light, Doctor; therefore I am
unable to give you my support.
BILLING.
And after what the Burgomaster has been so kind as to explain to me, I——
DR. STOCKMANN.
In a false light! Well, I am responsible for that. Just you print my
article, and I promise you I shall prove it up to the hilt.
HOVSTAD.
I shall not print it. I cannot, and will not, and dare not print it.
DR. STOCKMANN.
You dare not? What nonsense is this? You are editor; and I suppose it’s
the editor that controls a paper.
ASLAKSEN.
No, it’s the subscribers, Doctor.
BURGOMASTER.
Fortunately.
ASLAKSEN.
It’s public opinion, the enlightened majority, the house-owners and all
the rest. It’s _they_ who control a paper.
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_Calmly._] And all these powers I have against me?
ASLAKSEN.
Yes, you have. It would mean absolute ruin for the town if your article
were inserted.
DR. STOCKMANN.
So _that_ is the way of it!
BURGOMASTER.
My hat and stick!
[DR. STOCKMANN _takes off the cap and lays it on the table along
with the stick._
BURGOMASTER.
[_Taking them both._] Your term of office has come to an untimely end.
DR. STOCKMANN.
The end is not yet. [_To_ HOVSTAD.] So you are quite determined not to
print my article in the _Messenger_?
HOVSTAD.
Quite; for the sake of your family, if for no other reason.
MRS. STOCKMANN.
Oh, be kind enough to leave his family out of the question, Mr. Hovstad.
BURGOMASTER.
[_Takes a manuscript from his pocket._] When this appears, the public
will be in possession of all necessary information; it is an authentic
statement. I place it in your hands.
HOVSTAD.
[_Taking the MS._] Good. It shall appear in due course.
DR. STOCKMANN.
And not mine! You imagine you can kill me and the truth by a conspiracy
of silence! But it won’t be so easy as you think. Mr. Aslaksen, will you
be good enough to print my article at once, as a pamphlet? I'll pay for
it myself, and be my own publisher. I'll have four hundred copies—no,
five—six hundred.
ASLAKSEN.
No. If you offered me its weight in gold, I dare not lend my press to
such a purpose, Doctor. I daren’t fly in the face of public opinion. You
won’t get it printed anywhere in the whole town.
DR. STOCKMANN.
Then give it me back.
HOVSTAD.
[_Handing him the MS._] By all means.
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_Taking up his hat and cane._] It shall be made public all the same. I
shall read it at a great mass meeting; all my fellow citizens shall hear
the voice of truth!
BURGOMASTER.
Not a single society in the town would let you their hall for such a
purpose.
ASLAKSEN.
Not one, I'm quite certain.
BILLING.
No, strike me dead if they would!
MRS. STOCKMANN.
That would be too disgraceful! Why do they turn against you like this,
every one of them?
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_Irritated._] I'll tell you why. It’s because in this town all the men
are old women—like you. They all think of nothing but their families,
not of the general good.
MRS. STOCKMANN.
[_Taking his arm._] Then I'll show them that an—an old woman can be a
man for once in a way. For _now_ I'll stand by you, Thomas.
DR. STOCKMANN.
Bravely said, Katrina! I swear by my soul and conscience the truth shall
out! If they won’t let me a hall, I'll hire a drum and march through the
town with it; and I'll read my paper at every street corner.
BURGOMASTER.
You can scarcely be such a raving lunatic as that?
DR. STOCKMANN.
I am.
ASLAKSEN.
You would not get a single man in the whole town to go with you.
BILLING.
No, strike me dead if you would!
MRS. STOCKMANN.
Don’t give in, Thomas. I'll ask the boys to go with you.
DR. STOCKMANN.
That’s a splendid idea!
MRS. STOCKMANN.
Morten will be delighted; and Eilif will go too, I daresay.
DR. STOCKMANN.
Yes, and so will Petra! And you yourself, Katrina!
MRS. STOCKMANN.
No no, not I. But I'll stand at the window and watch you—that I will.
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_Throwing his arms about her and kissing her._] Thank you for that!
Now, my good sirs, we’re ready for the fight! Now we shall see whether
your despicable tactics can stop the mouth of the patriot who wants to
purge society!
[_He and his wife go out together by the door in the back,
left._
BURGOMASTER.
[Shaking his head dubiously.] Now he has turned _her_ head too!
-----
Footnote 10:
It will be remembered that Aslaksen figures in _The League of Youth_,
of which Stensgård is the central character. Stensgård, we see, has
justified Lundestad’s prophecy by attaining the high administrative
dignity of “Stiftamtmand,” here roughly translated “Governor.”
Footnote 11:
The reference is to the continental feuilleton at the foot of the
page.
ACT FOURTH.
_A large old-fashioned room in CAPTAIN HORSTER’S house. An open
folding-door in the background leads to an anteroom. In the wall
on the left are three windows. About the middle of the opposite
wall is a platform, and on it a small table, two candles, a
water-bottle and glass, and a bell. For the rest, the room is
lighted by sconces placed between the windows. In front, on the
left, is a table with a candle on it, and by it a chair. In front,
to the right, a door, and near it a few chairs._
_Large assemblage of all classes of townsfolk. In the crowd are a few
women and schoolboys. More and more people gradually stream in
from the back until the room is quite full._
FIRST CITIZEN.
[_To another standing near him._] So you’re here too, Lamstad?
SECOND CITIZEN.
I never miss a public meeting.
A BYSTANDER.
_I_ suppose you’ve brought your whistle?
SECOND CITIZEN.
Of course I have; haven’t you?
THIRD CITIZEN.
I should think so. And Skipper Evensen said he’d bring a thumping big
horn.
SECOND CITIZEN.
He’s a good ’un, is Evensen!
[_Laughter in the group._
A FOURTH CITIZEN.
[_Joining them._] I say, what’s it all about? What’s going on here
to-night?
SECOND CITIZEN.
Why, it’s Dr. Stockmann that’s going to lecture against the Burgomaster.
FOURTH CITIZEN.
But the Burgomaster’s his brother.
FIRST CITIZEN.
That makes no difference. Dr. Stockmann’s not afraid of him.
THIRD CITIZEN.
But he’s all wrong; the _People’s Messenger_ says so.
SECOND CITIZEN.
Yes, he must be wrong this time; for neither the House-owners’
Association nor the Citizens' Club would let him have a hall.
FIRST CITIZEN.
They wouldn’t even lend him the hall at the Baths.
SECOND CITIZEN.
No, you may be sure they wouldn’t.
A MAN.
[_In another group._] Now, who’s the one to follow in this business, eh?
ANOTHER MAN.
[_In the same group._] Just keep your eye on Aslaksen, and do as he
does.
BILLING.
[_With a portfolio under his arm, makes his way through the crowd._]
Excuse me, gentlemen. Will you allow me to pass? I'm here to report for
the _People’s Messenger_. Many thanks.
[_Sits by the table on the left._
A WORKING-MAN.
Who’s he?
ANOTHER WORKING-MAN.
Don’t you know him? It’s that fellow Billing, that writes for Aslaksen’s
paper.
CAPTAIN HORSTER _enters by the door in front on the right,
escorting_ MRS. STOCKMANN _and_ PETRA. EILIF _and_ MORTEN
_follow them._
HORSTER.
This is where I thought you might sit: you can so easily slip out if
anything should happen.
MRS. STOCKMANN.
Do you think there will be any disturbance?
HORSTER.
One can never tell—with such a crowd. But there’s no occasion for
anxiety.
MRS. STOCKMANN.
[_Sitting down._] How kind it was of you to offer Stockmann this room.
HORSTER.
Since no one else would, I——
PETRA.
[_Who has also seated herself._] And it was brave too, Captain Horster.
HORSTER.
Oh, I don’t see where the bravery comes in.
HOVSTAD _and_ ASLAKSEN _enter at the same moment, but make their way
through the crowd separately._
ASLAKSEN.
[_Going up to_ HORSTER.] Hasn’t the Doctor come yet?
HORSTER.
He’s waiting in there.
[_A movement at the door in the background._
HOVSTAD.
[_To BILLING._] There’s the Burgomaster! Look!
BILLING.
Yes, strike me dead if he hasn’t put in an appearance after all!
BURGOMASTER STOCKMANN _makes his way blandly through the
meeting, bowing politely to both sides, and takes his stand
by the wall on the left. Soon afterwards,_ DR. STOCKMANN
_enters by the door on the right. He wears a black
frock-coat and white necktie. Faint applause, met by a
subdued hissing. Then silence._
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_In a low tone._] How do you feel, Katrina?
MRS. STOCKMANN.
Quite comfortable, thank you. [_In a low voice._] Now do keep your
temper, Thomas.
DR. STOCKMANN.
Oh, I shall keep myself well in hand. [_Looks at his watch, ascends the
platform, and bows._] It’s a quarter past the hour, so I shall begin——
[_Takes out his MS._
ASLAKSEN.
But surely a chairman must be elected first.
DR. STOCKMANN.
No, that’s not at all necessary.
SEVERAL GENTLEMEN.
[_Shouting._] Yes, yes.
BURGOMASTER.
I should certainly say that a chairman ought to be elected.
DR. STOCKMANN.
But I've called this meeting to give a lecture, Peter!
BURGOMASTER.
Dr. Stockmann’s lecture may possibly lead to differences of opinion.
SEVERAL VOICES IN THE CROWD.
A chairman! A chairman!
HOVSTAD.
The general voice of the meeting seems to be for a chairman!
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_Controlling himself._] Very well then; let the meeting have its way.
ASLAKSEN.
Will not the Burgomaster take the chair?
THREE GENTLEMEN.
[_Clapping._] Bravo! Bravo!
BURGOMASTER.
For reasons you will easily understand, I must decline. But,
fortunately, we have among us one whom I think we can all accept. I
allude to the president of the House-owners' Association, Mr. Aslaksen.
MANY VOICES.
Yes, yes! Bravo Aslaksen! Hurrah for Aslaksen!
[DR. STOCKMANN _takes his MS. and descends from the platform._
ASLAKSEN.
Since my fellow citizens repose this trust in me, _I_ cannot refuse——
[_Applause and cheers._ ASLAKSEN _ascends the platform._
BILLING.
[_Writing._] So—“Mr. Aslaksen was elected by acclamation——”
ASLAKSEN.
And now, as I have been called to the chair, I take the liberty of
saying a few brief words. I am a quiet, peace-loving man; I am in favour
of discreet moderation, and of—and of moderate discretion. Every one who
knows me, knows that.
MANY VOICES.
Yes, yes, Aslaksen!
ASLAKSEN.
I have learnt in the school of life and of experience that moderation is
the virtue in which the individual citizen finds his best advantage——
BURGOMASTER.
Hear, hear!
ASLAKSEN.
——and it is discretion and moderation, too, that best serve the
community. I could therefore suggest to our respected fellow citizen,
who has called this meeting, that he should endeavour to keep within the
bounds of moderation.
A MAN.
[_By the door._] Three cheers for the Temperance Society!
A VOICE.
Go to the devil!
VOICES.
Hush! hush!
ASLAKSEN.
No interruptions, gentlemen!—Does any one wish to offer any
observations?
BURGOMASTER.
Mr. Chairman!
ASLAKSEN.
Burgomaster Stockmann will address the meeting.
BURGOMASTER.
On account of my close relationship—of which you are probably aware—to
the present medical officer of the Baths, I should have preferred not to
speak here this evening. But my position as chairman of the Baths, and
my care for the vital interests of this town, force me to move a
resolution. I may doubtless assume that not a single citizen here
present thinks it desirable that untrustworthy and exaggerated
statements should get abroad as to the sanitary condition of the Baths
and of our town.
MANY VOICES.
No, no, no! Certainly not! We protest!
BURGOMASTER.
I therefore beg to move, “That this meeting declines to hear the
proposed lecture or speech on the subject by the medical officer of the
Baths.”
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_Flaring up._] Declines to hear——! What do you mean?
MRS. STOCKMANN.
[_Coughing._] H'm! h’m!
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_Controlling himself._] So I am not to be heard?
BURGOMASTER.
In my statement in the _People’s Messenger_ I have made the public
acquainted with the essential facts, so that all well-disposed citizens
can easily form their own judgment. From that statement it will be seen
that the medical officer’s proposal—besides amounting to a vote of
censure upon the leading men of the town—at bottom only means saddling
the ratepayers with an unnecessary outlay of at least a hundred thousand
crowns.
[_Sounds of protest and some hissing._
ASLAKSEN.
[_Ringing the bell._] Order, gentlemen! I must beg leave to support the
Burgomaster’s resolution. I quite agree with him that there is something
beneath the surface of the Doctor’s agitation. In all his talk about the
Baths, it is really a revolution he is aiming at; he wants to effect a
redistribution of power. No one doubts the excellence of Dr. Stockmann’s
intentions—of course there cannot be two opinions as to that. I, too, am
in favour of self-government by the people, if only it doesn’t cost the
ratepayers too much. But in this case it would do so; and therefore I'll
be hanged if—excuse me—in short, I cannot go with Dr. Stockmann upon
this occasion. You can buy even gold too dear; that’s my opinion.
[_Loud applause on all sides._
HOVSTAD.
I, too feel bound to explain my attitude. Dr. Stockmann’s agitation
seemed at first to find favour in several quarters, and I supported it
as impartially as I could. But it presently appeared that we had been
misled by a false representation of the facts——
DR. STOCKMANN.
False——!
HOVSTAD.
Well then, an untrustworthy representation. This the Burgomaster’s
report has proved. I trust no one here present doubts my liberal
principles; the attitude of the _Messenger_ on all great political
questions is well known to you all. But I have learned from men of
judgment and experience that in purely local matters a paper must
observe a certain amount of caution.
ASLAKSEN.
I entirely agree with the speaker.
HOVSTAD.
And in the matter under discussion it is quite evident that Dr.
Stockmann has public opinion against him. But, gentlemen, what is an
editor’s clearest and most imperative duty? Is it not to work in harmony
with his readers? Has he not in some sort received a tacit mandate to
further assiduously and unweariedly the interests of his constituents?
Or am I mistaken in this?
MANY VOICES.
No, no, no! Hovstad is right!
HOVSTAD.
It has cost me a bitter struggle to break with a man in whose house I
have of late been a frequent guest—with a man who, up to this day, has
enjoyed the unqualified goodwill of his fellow citizens—with a man whose
only, or, at any rate, whose chief fault is that he consults his heart
rather than his head.
A FEW SCATTERED VOICES.
That’s true! Hurrah for Dr. Stockmann!
HOVSTAD.
But my duty towards the community has constrained me to break with him.
Then, too, there is another consideration that impels me to oppose him,
and, if possible, to block the ill-omened path upon which he is
entering: consideration for his family——
DR. STOCKMANN.
Keep to the water-works and sewers!
HOVSTAD.
——consideration for his wife and his unprotected[12] children.
MORTEN.
Is that us, mother?
MRS. STOCKMANN.
Hush!
ASLAKSEN.
I will now put the Burgomaster’s resolution to the vote.
DR. STOCKMANN.
You need not. I have no intention of saying anything this evening of all
the filth at the Baths. No! You shall hear something quite different.
BURGOMASTER.
[_Half aloud._] What next, I wonder?
A DRUNKEN MAN.
[_At the main entrance._] I'm a ratepayer, so I've a right to my
opinion! And it’s my full, firm, incomprehensible opinion that——
SEVERAL VOICES.
Silence up there!
OTHERS.
He’s drunk! Turn him out!
[_The drunken man is turned out._
DR. STOCKMANN.
Can I speak?
ASLAKSEN.
[_Ringing the bell._] Dr. Stockmann will address the meeting.
DR. STOCKMANN.
A few days ago, I should have liked to see any one venture upon such an
attempt to gag me as has been made here to-night! I would have fought
like a lion for my sacred rights! But now I care little enough; for now
I have more important things to speak of.
[_The people crowd closer round him._ MORTEN KIIL _comes in
sight among the bystanders._
DR. STOCKMANN.
[_Continuing._] I have been pondering a great many things during these
last days—thinking such a multitude of thoughts, that at last my head
was positively in a whirl——
BURGOMASTER.
[_Coughing._] H'm——!
DR. STOCKMANN.
But presently things seemed to straighten themselves out, and I saw them
clearly in all their bearings. That is why I stand here this evening. I
am about to make great revelations, my fellow citizens! I am going to
announce to you a far-reaching discovery, beside which the trifling fact
that our water-works are poisoned, and that our health-resort is built
on pestilential ground, sinks into insignificance.
MANY VOICES.
[_Shouting._] Don’t speak about the Baths! We won’t listen to that! No
more of that!
DR. STOCKMANN.
I have said I would speak of the great discovery I have made within the
last few days—the discovery that all our sources of spiritual life are
poisoned, and that our whole society rests upon a pestilential basis of
falsehood.
SEVERAL VOICES.
[_In astonishment and half aloud._] What’s he saying?
BURGOMASTER.
Such an insinuation——!
ASLAKSEN.
[_With his hand on the bell._] I must call upon the speaker to moderate
his expressions.
DR. STOCKMANN.