ACT 1

Produced by Martin Adamson. HTML version by Al Haines.

ROSMERSHOLM

A play in four acts

by

HENRIK IBSEN

Translated by R. FARQUHARSON SHARP

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

John Rosmer, of Rosmersholm, an ex-clergyman.

Rebecca West, one of his household, originally engaged as

companion to the late Mrs. Rosmer.

Kroll, headmaster of the local grammar school, Rosmer's

brother-in-law.

Ulrik Brendel.

Peter Mortensgaard.

Mrs. Helseth, Rosmer's housekeeper.

(The action takes place at Rosmersholm, an old manor-house in the

neighbourhood of a small town on a fjord in western Norway.)

ACT 1

(SCENE--The sitting-room at Rosmersholm; a spacious room, comfortably

furnished in old-fashioned style. In the foreground, against the

right-hand wall, is a stove decorated with sprigs of fresh birch and

wild flowers. Farther back, a door. In the back wall folding doors

leading into the entrance hall. In the left-hand wall a window, in

front of which is a stand filled with flowers and plants. Near the

stove stand a table, a couch and an easy-chair. The walls are hung

round with portraits, dating from various periods, of clergymen,

military officers and other officials in uniform. The window is open,

and so are the doors into the lobby and the outer door. Through the

latter is seen an avenue of old trees leading to a courtyard. It is a

summer evening, after sunset. REBECCA WEST is sitting by the window

crocheting a large white woollen shawl, which is nearly completed. From

time to time she peeps out of window through the flowers. MRS. HELSETH

comes in from the right.)

Mrs. Helseth. Hadn't I better begin and lay the table for supper, miss?

Rebecca. Yes, do. Mr. Rosmer ought to be in directly.

Mrs. Helseth. Isn't there a draught where you are sitting, miss?

Rebecca. There is a little. Will you shut up, please? (MRS. HELSETH

goes to the hall door and shuts it. Then she goes to the window, to

shut it, and looks out.)

Mrs. Helseth. Isn't that Mr. Rosmer coming there?

Rebecca. Where? (Gets up.) Yes, it is he. (Stands behind the

window-curtain.) Stand on one side. Don't let him catch sight of us.

Mrs. Helseth (stepping back). Look, miss--he is beginning to use the

mill path again.

Rebecca. He came by the mill path the day before yesterday too. (Peeps

out between the curtain and the window-frame). Now we shall see

whether--

Mrs. Helseth. Is he going over the wooden bridge?

Rebecca. That is just what I want to see. (After a moment.) No. He has

turned aside. He is coming the other way round to-day too. (Comes away

from the window.) It is a long way round.

Mrs. Helseth. Yes, of course. One can well understand his shrinking

from going over that bridge. The spot where such a thing has happened

is--

Rebecca (folding up her work). They cling to their dead a long time at

Rosmersholm.

Mrs. Helseth. If you ask me, miss, I should say it is the dead that

cling to Rosmersholm a long time.

Rebecca (looking at her). The dead?

Mrs. Helseth. Yes, one might almost say that they don't seem to be able

to tear themselves away from those they have left behind.

Rebecca. What puts that idea into your head?

Mrs. Helseth. Well, otherwise I know the White Horses would not be seen

here.

Rebecca. Tell me, Mrs. Helseth--what is this superstition about the

White Horses?

Mrs. Helseth. Oh, it is not worth talking about. I am sure you don't

believe in such things, either.

Rebecca. Do you believe in them?

Mrs. Helseth (goes to the window and shuts it). Oh, I am not going to

give you a chance of laughing at me, miss. (Looks out.) See--is that

not Mr. Rosmer out on the mill path again?

Rebecca (looking out). That man out there? (Goes to the window.) Why,

that is Mr. Kroll, of course!

Mrs. Helseth. So it is, to be sure.

Rebecca. That is delightful, because he is certain to be coming here.

Mrs. Helseth. He actually comes straight over the wooden bridge, he

does for all that she was his own sister. Well, I will go in and get

the supper laid, miss. (Goes out to the right. REBECCA stands still for

a moment, then waves her hand out of the window, nodding and smiling.

Darkness is beginning to fall.)

Rebecca (going to the door on the right and calling through it). Mrs.

Helseth, I am sure you won't mind preparing something extra nice for

supper? You know what dishes Mr. Kroll is especially fond of.

Mrs. Helseth. Certainly, miss. I will.

Rebecca (opening the door into the lobby). At last, Mr. Kroll! I am so

glad to see you!

Kroll (coming into the lobby and putting down his stick). Thank you.

Are you sure I am not disturbing you?

Rebecca. You? How can you say such a thing?

Kroll (coming into the room). You are always so kind. (Looks round the

room.) Is John up in his room?

Rebecca. No, he has gone out for a walk. He is later than usual of

coming in, but he is sure to be back directly. (Points to the sofa.) Do

sit down and wait for him.

Kroll (putting down his hat). Thank you. (Sits down and looks about

him.) How charmingly pretty you have made the old room look! Flowers

everywhere!

Rebecca. Mr. Rosmer is so fond of having fresh flowers about him.

Kroll. And so are you, I should say.

Rebecca. Yes, I am. I think their scent has such a delicious effect on

one--and till lately we had to deny ourselves that pleasure, you know.

Kroll (nodding slowly). Poor Beata could not stand the scent of them.

Rebecca. Nor their colours either. They made her feel dazed.

Kroll. Yes, I remember. (Continues in a more cheerful tone of voice).

Well, and how are things going here?

Rebecca. Oh, everything goes on in the same quiet, placid way. One day

is exactly like another. And how are things with you? Is your wife--?

Kroll. Oh, my dear Miss West, don't let us talk about my affairs. In a

family there is always something or other going awry--especially in

such times as we live in now.

Rebecca (after a short pause, sitting down in an easy-chair near the

sofa). Why have you never once been near us during the whole of your

holidays?

Kroll. Oh, it doesn't do to be importunate, you know.

Rebecca. If you only knew how we have missed you.

Kroll. And, besides, I have been away, you know.

Rebecca. Yes, for a fortnight or so. I suppose you have been going the

round of the public meetings?

Kroll (nods). Yes, what do you say to that? Would you ever have thought

I would become a political agitator in my old age--eh?

Rebecca (smilingly). You have always been a little bit of an agitator,

Mr. Kroll.

Kroll. Oh, yes; just for my own amusement. But for the future it is

going to be in real earnest. Do you ever read the Radical newspapers?

Rebecca. Yes, I won't deny that!

Kroll. My dear Miss West, there is no objection to that--not as far as

you are concerned.

Rebecca. No, that is just what I think. I must follow the course of

events--keep up with what is happening.

Kroll. Well, under any circumstances, I should never expect you, as a

woman, to side actively with either party in the civic dispute--indeed

one might more properly call it the civil war--that is raging here. I

dare say you have read, then, the abuse these "nature's gentlemen" are

pleased to shower upon me, and the scandalous coarseness they consider

they are entitled to make use of?

Rebecca. Yes, but I think you have held your own pretty forcibly.

Kroll. That I have--though I say it. I have tasted blood now, and I

will make them realise that I am not the sort of man to take it lying

down--. (Checks himself.) No, no, do not let us get upon that sad and

distressing topic this evening.

Rebecca. No, my dear Mr. Kroll, certainly not.

Kroll. Tell me, instead, how you find you get on at Rosmersholm, now

that you are alone here--I mean, since our poor Beata--

Rebecca. Oh, thanks--I get on very well here. Her death has made a

great gap in the house in many ways, of course--and one misses her and

grieves for her, naturally. But in other respects--

Kroll. Do you think you will remain here?--permanently, I mean?

Rebecca. Dear Mr. Kroll, I really never think about it at all. The fact

is that I have become so thoroughly domesticated here that I almost

feel as if I belonged to the place too.

Kroll. You? I should think you did!

Rebecca. And as long as Mr. Rosmer finds I can be any comfort or any

use to him, I will gladly remain here, undoubtedly.

Kroll (looking at her, with some emotion). You know, there is something

splendid about a woman's sacrificing the whole of her youth for others.

Rebecca. What else have I had to live for?

Kroll. At first when you came here there was your perpetual worry with

that unreasonable cripple of a foster-father of yours--

Rebecca. You mustn't think that Dr. West was as unreasonable as that

when we lived in Finmark. It was the trying journeys by sea that broke

him up. But it is quite true that after we had moved here there were

one or two hard years before his sufferings were over.

Kroll. Were not the years that followed even harder for you?

Rebecca. No; how can you say such a thing! I, who was so genuinely fond

of Beata--! And she, poor soul was so sadly in need of care and

sympathetic companionship.

Kroll. You deserve to be thanked and rewarded for the forbearance with

which you speak of her.

Rebecca (moving a little nearer to him). Dear Mr. Kroll, you say that

so kindly and so sincerely that I feel sure you really bear me no

ill-will.

Kroll. Ill-will? What do you mean?

Rebecca. Well, it would not be so very surprising if it were rather

painful for you to see me, a stranger, doing just as I like here at

Rosmersholm.

Kroll. How in the world could you think--!

Rebecca. Then it is not so? (Holds out her hand to, him.) Thank you,

Mr. Kroll; thank you for that.

Kroll. But what on earth could make you take such an idea into your

head?

Rebecca. I began to be afraid it might be so, as you have so seldom

been out here to see us lately.

Kroll. I can assure you, you have been on the wrong scent entirely,

Miss West. And, in any case, the situation of affairs is unchanged in

any essential point; because during the last sad years of poor Beata's

life it was you and you alone, even then, that looked after everything

here.

Rebecca. But it was more like a kind of regency in the wife's name.

Kroll. Whatever it was, I--. I will tell you what, Miss West; as far as

I am concerned I should have nothing whatever to say against it if you.

But it doesn't do to say such things.

Rebecca. What things?

Kroll. Well, if it so happened that you were to step into the empty

place--

Rebecca. I have the place I want, already, Mr. Kroll.

Kroll. Yes, as far as material benefits go; but not--

Rebecca (interrupting him, in a serious voice). For shame, Mr. Kroll!

How can you sit there and jest about such things!

Kroll. Oh, well, I dare say our good John Rosmer thinks he has had more

than enough of married life. But, all the same--

Rebecca. Really, you almost make me feel inclined to laugh at you.

Kroll. All the same--Tell me, Miss West, if I may be allowed the

question, how old are you?

Rebecca. I am ashamed to say I was twenty-nine on my last birthday, Mr.

Kroll. I am nearly thirty.

Kroll. Quite so. And Rosmer--how old is he? Let me see. He is five

years younger than me, so he must be just about forty-three. It seems

to me it would be very suitable.

Rebecca. No doubt, no doubt. It would be remarkably suitable--Will you

stop and have supper with us?

Kroll. Thank you. I had meant to pay you a good long visit, because

there is a matter I want to talk over with our excellent friend--Well,

then, Miss West, to prevent your taking foolish ideas into your head

again, I will come out here again from time to time, as in the old days.

Rebecca. Yes, please do. (Holds out her hand to, him.) Thank you, thank

you! You are really uncommonly good-natured.

Kroll (with a little grumble). Am I? I can tell you that is more than

they say at home. (ROSMER comes in by the door on the right.)

Rebecca. Mr. Rosmer, do you see who is sitting here?

Rosmer. Mrs. Helseth told me. (KROLL gets up.) I am so glad to see you

here again, my dear fellow. (Puts his hands on KROLL'S shoulders and

looks him in the face.) Dear old friend! I knew that one day we should

be on our old footing again.

Kroll. My dear fellow, have you that insane idea in your head too, that

any thing could come between us?

Rebecca (to ROSMER). Isn't it delightful to think it was all our

imagination!

Rosmer. Is that really true, Kroll? But why have you kept so

obstinately away from us?

Kroll (seriously, and in, a subdued voice). Because I did not want to

come here like a living reminder of the unhappy time that is past--and

of her who met her death in the mill-race.

Rosmer. It was a very kind thought on your part. You are always so

considerate. But it was altogether unnecessary to keep away from us on

that account. Come along, let us sit down on the sofa. (They sit down.)

I can assure you it is not in the least painful for me to think about

Beata. We talk about her every day. She seems to us to have a part in

the house still.

Kroll. Does she really?

Rebecca (lighting the lamp). Yes, it is really quite true.

Rosmer. She really does. We both think so affectionately of her. And

both Rebecca--both Miss West and I know in our hearts that we did all

that lay in our power for the poor afflicted creature. We have nothing

to reproach ourselves with. That is why I feel there is something sweet

and peaceful in the way we can think of Beata now.

Kroll. You dear good people! In future I am coming out to see you every

day.

Rebecca (sitting down in an arm-chair). Yes, let us see that you keep

your word.

Rosmer (with a slight hesitation). I assure you, my dear fellow, my

dearest wish would be that our intimacy should never suffer in any way.

You know, you have seemed to be my natural adviser as long as we have

known one another, even from my student days.

Kroll. I know, and I am very proud of the privilege. Is there by any

chance anything in particular just now--?

Rosmer. There are a great many things that I want very much to talk

over with you frankly--things that lie very near my heart.

Rebecca. I feel that is so, too, Mr. Rosmer. It seems to me it would be

such a good thing if you two old friends--

Kroll. Well, I can assure you I have even more to talk over with

you--because I have become an active politician, as I dare say you know.

Rosmer. Yes, I know you have. How did that come about?

Kroll. I had to, you see, whether I liked it or not. It became

impossible for me to remain an idle spectator any longer. Now that the

Radicals have become so distressingly powerful, it was high time. And

that is also why I have induced our little circle of friends in the

town to bind themselves more definitely together. It was high time, I

can tell you!

Rebecca (with a slight smile). As a matter of fact, isn't it really

rather late now?

Kroll. There is no denying it would have been more fortunate if we had

succeeded in checking the stream at an earlier point. But who could

really foresee what was coming? I am sure I could not. (Gets up and

walks up and down.) Anyway, my eyes are completely opened now; for the

spirit of revolt has spread even into my school.

Rosmer. Into the school? Surely not into your school?

Kroll. Indeed it has. Into my own school. What do you think of this? I

have got wind of the fact that the boys in the top class--or rather, a

part of the boys in it--have formed themselves into a secret society

and have been taking in Mortensgaard's paper!

Rebecca. Ah, the "Searchlight".

Kroll. Yes, don't you think that is a nice sort of intellectual pabulum

for future public servants? But the saddest part of it is that it is

all the most promising boys in the class that have conspired together

and hatched this plot against me. It is only the duffers and dunces

that have held aloof from it.

Rebecca. Do you take it so much to heart, Mr. Kroll?

Kroll. Do I take it to heart, to find myself so hampered and thwarted

in my life's work? (Speaking more gently.) I might find it in my heart

to say that I could even take that for what it is worth; but I have not

told you the worst of it yet. (Looks round the room.) I suppose nobody

is likely to be listening at the doors?

Rebecca. Oh, certainly not.

Kroll. Then let me tell you that the revolt and dissension has spread

into my own home--into my own peaceful home--and has disturbed the

peace of my family life.

Rosmer (getting up). Do you mean it? In your own home?

Rebecca (going up to Kroll). Dear Mr. Kroll, what has happened?

Kroll. Would you believe it that my own children--. To make a long

story short, my boy Laurits is the moving spirit of the conspiracy at

the school. And Hilda has embroidered a red portfolio to keep the

numbers of the "Searchlight" in.

Rosmer. I should never have dreamed of such a thing; in your family--in

your own house!

Kroll. No, who would ever have dreamed of such a thing? In my house,

where obedience and order have always ruled--where hitherto there has

never been anything but one unanimous will--

Rebecca. How does your wife take it?

Kroll. Ah, that is the most incredible part of the whole thing. She,

who all her days--in great things and small--has concurred in my

opinions and approved of all my views, has actually not refrained from

throwing her weight on the children's side on many points. And now she

considers I am to blame for what has happened. She says I try to coerce

the young people too much. Just as if it were not necessary to--. Well,

those are the sort of dissensions I have going on at home. But

naturally I talk as little about it as possible; it is better to be

silent about such things. (Walks across the floor.) Oh, yes.--Oh, yes.

(Stands by the window, with his hands behind his back, and looks out.)

Rebecca (goes up to ROSMER, and speaks in low, hurried tones, unheard

by KROLL). Do it!

Rosmer (in the same tone). Not to-night.

Rebecca (as before). Yes, this night of all others. (Goes away from him

and adjusts the lamp.)

Kroll (coming back). Yes, my dear John, so now you know the sort of

spirit of the age that has cast its shadow both over my home life and

my official work. Ought I not to oppose this appalling, destructive,

disorganising tendency with all the weapons I can lay my hands upon? Of

course it is certainly my duty--and that both with my pen and my tongue.

Rosmer. But have you any hope that you can produce any effect in that

way?

Kroll. At all events I mean to take my share in the fight as a citizen.

And I consider that it is the duty of every patriotic man, every man

who is concerned about what is right, to do the same. And, I may as

well tell you, that is really the reason why I have come here to see

you to-night.

Rosmer. My dear fellow, what do you mean? What can I--?

Kroll. You are going to help your old friends, and do as we are

doing--take your share in it to the best of your ability.

Rebecca. But, Mr. Kroll, you know how little taste Mr. Rosmer has for

that sort of thing.

Kroll. Then he has got to overcome that distaste now. You do not keep

abreast of the times, John. You sit here and bury yourself in your

historical researches. Goodness knows, I have the greatest respect for

family pedigrees and all that they imply. But this is not the time for

such occupations, unhappily. You have no conception of the state of

affairs that is going on all over the country. Every single idea is

turned upside down, or very nearly so. It will be a hard fight to get

all the errors straightened out again.

Rosmer. I can quite believe it. But that sort of a fight is not in my

line at all.

Rebecca. Besides, I rather fancy that Mr. Rosmer has come to look at

the affairs of life with wider opened eyes than before.

Kroll (with a start). Wider opened eyes?

Rebecca. Yes, or with an opener mind--with less prejudice.

Kroll. What do you mean by that? John--surely you could never be so

weak as to allow yourself to be deluded by the accidental circumstance

that the demagogues have scored a temporary success!

Rosmer. My dear fellow, you know very well that I am no judge of

politics; but it certainly seems to me that of late years individual

thought has become somewhat more independent.

Kroll. Quite so--but do you consider that as a matter of course to be a

good thing? In any case you are vastly mistaken, my friend. Just

inquire a little into the opinions that are current amongst the

Radicals, both out here in the country and in town. You will find them

to be nothing else than the words of wisdom that appear in the

"Searchlight".

Rebecca. Yes, Mortensgaard has a great deal of influence over the

people about here.

Kroll. Yes, just think of it--a man with as dirty a record as his! A

fellow that was turned out of his place as a schoolmaster because of

his immoral conduct! This is the sort of man that poses as a leader of

the people! And successfully, too!--actually successfully! I hear that

he means to enlarge his paper now. I know, on reliable authority, that

he is looking for a competent assistant.

Rebecca. It seems to me surprising that you and your friends do not

start an opposition paper.

Kroll. That is exactly what we intend to do. This very day we have

bought the "County News." There was no difficulty about the financial

side of the matter; but-- (Turns towards ROSMER) Now we have come to

the real purport of my visit. It is the Management of it--the editorial

management--that is the difficulty, you see. Look here, Rosmer--don't

you feel called upon to undertake it, for the sake of the good cause?

Rosmer (in a tone of consternation). I!

Rebecca. How can you think of such a thing!

Kroll. I can quite understand your having a horror of public meetings

and being unwilling to expose yourself to the mercies of the rabble

that frequents them. But an editor's work, which is carried on in much

greater privacy, or rather--

Rosmer. No, no, my dear fellow, you must not ask that of me.

Kroll. It would give me the greatest pleasure to have a try at work of

that sort myself--only it would be quite out of the question for me; I

am already saddled with such an endless number of duties. You, on the

other hand, who are no longer hampered by any official duties, might--.

Of course the rest of us would give you all the help in our power.

Rosmer. I cannot do it, Kroll. I am not fitted for it.

Kroll. Not fitted for it? That was just what you said when your father

got you your living.

Rosmer. I was quite right; and that was why I resigned it, too.

Kroll. Well, if you only make as good an editor as you did a parson, we

shall be quite satisfied.

Rosmer. My dear Kroll--once for all--I cannot do it.

Kroll. Well, then, I suppose you will give us the use of your name, at

all events?

Rosmer. My name?

Kroll. Yes, the mere fact of John Rosmer's name being connected with it

will be a great advantage to the paper. We others are looked upon as

pronounced partisans. I myself even have the reputation of being a

wicked fanatic, I am told. Therefore we cannot count upon our own names

to give us any particular help in making the paper known to the

misguided masses. But you, on the contrary, have always held aloof from

this kind of fighting. Your gentle and upright disposition, your

polished mind, your unimpeachable honour, are known to and appreciated

by every one about here. And then there is the deference and respect

that your former position as a clergyman ensures for you--and, besides

that, there is the veneration in which your family, name is held!

Rosmer. Oh, my family name.

Kroll (pointing to the portraits). Rosmers of Rosmersholm--clergymen,

soldiers, men who have filled high places in the state--men of

scrupulous honour, every one of them--a family that has been rooted

here, the most influential in the place, for nearly two centuries.

(Lays his hand on ROSMER'S shoulder.) John, you owe it to yourself and

to the traditions of your race to join us in defence of all that has

hitherto been held sacred in our community. (Turning to REBECCA.) What

do you say, Miss West?

Rebecca (with a quiet little laugh). my dear Mr. Kroll--it all sounds

so absurdly ludicrous to me.

Kroll. What! Ludicrous?

Rebecca. Yes, because it is time you were told plainly--

Rosmer (hurriedly). No, no--don't! Not now!

Kroll (looking from one to the other). But, my dear friends, what on

earth--? (Breaks off, as MRS. HELSETH comes in, by the door on the

right.) Ahem!

Mrs. Helseth. There is a man at the kitchen door, sir. He says he wants

to see you.

Rosmer (in a relieved voice). Is there? Well, ask him to come in.

Mrs. Helseth. Shall I show him in here, sir?

Rosmer. Certainly.

Mrs. Helseth. But he doesn't look the sort of man one ought to allow in

here.

Rebecca. What does he look like, Mrs. Helseth?

Mrs. Helseth. Oh, he is not much to look at, Miss.

Rosmer. Did he not give you his name?

Mrs. Helseth. Yes, I think he said it was Hekman, or something like

that.

Rosmer. I do not know any one of that name.

Mrs. Helseth. And he said his Christian name was Ulrik.

Rosmer (with a start of surprise). Ulrik Hetman! Was that it?

Mrs. Helseth. Yes, sir, it was Hetman.

Kroll. I am certain I have heard that name before.

Rebecca. Surely it was the name that strange creature used to write

under--

Rosmer (to Kroll). It is Ulrik Brendel's pseudonym, you know.

Kroll. That scamp Ulrik Brendel. You are quite right.

Rebecca. So he is alive still.

Rosmer. I thought he was travelling with a theatrical company.

Kroll. The last I heard of him was that he was in the workhouse.

Rosmer. Ask him to come in, Mrs. Helseth.

Mrs. Helseth. Yes, sir. (Goes out.)

Kroll. Do you really mean to allow this fellow into your house?

Rosmer. Oh, well, you know he was my tutor once.

Kroll. I know that what he did was to stuff your head with

revolutionary ideas, and that in consequence your father turned him out

of the house with a horsewhip.

Rosmer (a little bitterly). Yes, my father was always the commanding

officer--even at home.

Kroll. Be grateful to his memory for that, my dear John. Ah!

(MRS. HELSETH shows ULRIK BRENDEL in at the door, then goes out and

shuts the door after her. BRENDEL is a good-looking man with grey hair

and beard; somewhat emaciated, but active and alert; he is dressed like

a common tramp, in a threadbare frock coat, shoes with holes in them,

and no visible linen at his neck or wrists. He wears a pair of old

black gloves, carries a dirty soft hat under his arm, and has a

walking-stick in his hand. He looks puzzled at first, then goes quickly

up to KROLL and holds out his hand to him.)

Brendel. Good-evening, John!

Kroll. Excuse me

Brendel. Did you ever expect to see me again? And inside these hated

walls, too?

Kroll. Excuse me. (Points to ROSMER.) Over there.

Brendel (turning round). Quite right. There he is. John--my boy--my

favourite pupil!

Rosmer (shaking hands with him). My old tutor!

Brendel. In spite of certain recollections, I could not pass by

Rosmersholm without paying you a flying visit.

Rosmer. You are very welcome here now. Be sure of that.

Brendel. And this charming lady--? (Bows to Rebecca.) Your wife, of

course.

Rosmer. Miss West.

Brendel. A near relation, I presume. And our stranger friend here? A

colleague, I can see.

Rosmer. Mr. Kroll, master of the grammar school here.

Brendel. Kroll? Kroll? Wait a moment. Did you take the Philology course

in your student days?

Kroll. Certainly I did.

Brendel. By Jove, I used to know you, then

Kroll. Excuse me--

Brendel. Were you not--

Kroll. Excuse me--

Brendel. --one of those champions of all the virtues that got me turned

out of the Debating Society?

Kroll. Very possibly. But I disclaim any other acquaintance with you.

Brendel. All right, all right! Nach Belieben, Mr. Kroll. I dare say I

shall get over it. Ulrik Brendel will still be himself in spite of it.

Rebecca. Are you on your way to the town, Mr. Brendel?

Brendel. You have hit the nail on the head, ma'am. At certain intervals

I am obliged to do something for my living. I do not do it

willingly--but, enfin--when needs must--

Rosmer. My dear Mr. Brendel, will you not let me be of assistance to

you? In some way or another, I mean--

Brendel. Ah, what a proposal to come from you! Could you wish to soil

the tie that binds us together? Never, John--never!

Rosmer. But what do you propose to do in the town, then? I assure you,

you won't find it so easy--

Brendel. Leave that to me, my boy. The die is cast. The unworthy

individual who stands before you is started on an extensive

campaign--more extensive than all his former excursions put together.

(To KROLL.) May I venture to ask you, Professor--unter uns--are there

in your esteemed town any fairly decent, respectable and spacious

assembly-rooms?

Kroll. The most spacious is the hall belonging to the Working Men's

Association.

Brendel. May I ask, sir, if you have any special influence with that no

doubt most useful Association?

Kroll. I have nothing whatever to do with it.

Rebecca (to BRENDEL). You ought to apply to Peter Mortensgaard.

Brendel. Pardon, madame--what sort of an idiot is he?

Rosmer. Why do you make up your mind he is an idiot?

Brendel. Do you suppose I can't tell, from the sound of the name, that

it belongs to a plebeian?

Kroll. I did not expect that answer.

Brendel. But I will conquer my prejudices. There is nothing else for

it. When a man stands at a turning-point in his life--as I do--. That

is settled. I shall, put myself into communication with this

person--commence direct negotiations.

Rosmer. Are you in earnest when you say you are standing at a

turning-point in your life?

Brendel. Does my own boy not know that wherever Ulrik Brendel stands he

is always in earnest about it? Look here, I mean to become a new man

now--to emerge from the cloak of reserve in which I have hitherto

shrouded myself.

Rosmer. In what way?

Brendel. I mean to take an active part in life--to step forward--to

look higher. The atmosphere we breathe is heavy with storms. I want now

to offer my mite upon the altar of emancipation.

Kroll. You too?

Brendel (to them all). Has your public here any intimate acquaintance

with my scattered writings?

Kroll. No, I must candidly confess that--

Rebecca. I have read several of them. My foster-father had them.

Brendel. My dear lady, then you have wasted your time. They are simply

trash, allow me to tell you.

Rebecca. Really?

Brendel. Those you have read, yes. My really important works no man or

woman knows anything about. No one--except myself.

Rebecca. How is that?

Brendel. Because they are not yet written.

Rosmer. But, my dear Mr. Brendel--

Brendel. You know, my dear John, that I am a bit of a sybarite--a

gourmet. I have always been so. I have a taste for solitary enjoyment,

because in that way my enjoyment is twice--ten times--as keen. It is,

like this. When I have been wrapped in a haze of golden dreams that

have descended on me--when new, intoxicating, momentous thoughts have

had their birth in my mind, and I have been fanned by the beat of their

wings as they bore me aloft--at such moments I have transformed them

into poetry, into visions, into pictures. In general outlines, that is

to say.

Rosmer. Quite so.

Brendel. You cannot imagine the luxury of enjoyment I have experienced!

The mysterious rapture of creation!--in, general outlines, as I said.

Applause, gratitude, eulogies, crowns of laurel!--all these I have

culled with full hands trembling with joy. In my secret ecstasies I

have steeped myself in a happiness so, intoxicating--

Kroll. Ahem!

Rosmer. But you have never written anything of it down?

Brendel. Not a word. The thought of the dull clerk's work that it would

mean has always moved me to a nauseating sense of disgust. Besides, why

should I profane my own ideals when I could enjoy them, in all their

purity, by myself? But now they shall be sacrificed. Honestly, I feel

as a mother must do when she entrusts her young daughter to the arms of

a husband. But I am going to, sacrifice them nevertheless--sacrifice

them on the altar of emancipation. A series of carefully thought-out

lectures, to be delivered all over the country!

Rebecca (impetuously). That is splendid of you, Mr. Brendel! You are

giving up the most precious thing you possess.

Rosmer. The only thing.

Rebecca (looking meaningly at ROSMER). I wonder how many there are who

would do as much--who dare do it?

Rosmer (returning her look). Who knows?

Brendel. My audience is moved. That refreshes my heart and strengthens

my will--and now I shall proceed upon my task forthwith. There is one

other point, though. (To KROLL.) Can you inform me, sir, whether there

is an Abstainers' Society in the town? A Total Abstainers' Society? I

feel sure there must be.

Kroll. There is one, at your service. I am the president.

Brendel. I could tell that as soon as I saw you! Well, it is not at all

impossible that I may come to you and become a member for a week.

Kroll. Excuse me--we do not accept weekly members.

Brendel. A la bonne heure, my good sir. Ulrik Brendel has never been in

the habit of forcing himself upon societies of that kind. (Turns to go)

But I must not prolong my stay in this house, rich as it is in

memories. I must go into the town and find some suitable lodging. I

shall find a decent hotel of some kind there, I hope?

Rebecca. Will you not have something hot to drink before you go?

Brendel. Of what nature, dear lady?

Rebecca. A cup of tea, or--

Brendel. A thousand thanks to the most generous of hostesses!--but I do

not like trespassing on private hospitality. (Waves his hand.) Good-bye

to you all! (Goes to the door, but turns back.) Oh, by the

way--John--Mr. Rosmer--will you do your former tutor a service for old

friendship's sake?

Rosmer. With the greatest of pleasure.

Brendel. Good. Well, then, lend me--just for a day or two--a starched

shirt.

Rosmer. Nothing more than that!

Brendel. Because, you see, I am travelling on foot--on this occasion.

My trunk is being sent after me.

Rosmer. Quite so. But, in that case, isn't there anything else?

Brendel. Well, I will tell you what--perhaps you have an old, worn-out

summer coat that you could spare?

Rosmer. Certainly I have.

Brendel. And if there happened to be a pair of presentable shoes that

would go with the coat.

Rosmer. I am sure we can manage that, too. As soon as you let us know

your address, we will send the things to you.

Brendel. Please don't think of it! No one must be put to any

inconvenience on my account! I will take the trifles with me.

Rosmer. Very well. Will you come upstairs with me, then?

Rebecca. Let me go. Mrs. Helseth and I will see about it.

Brendel. I could never think of allowing this charming lady--

Rebecca. Nonsense! Come along, Mr. Brendel. (She goes out by the door

on the right.)

Rosmer (holding BRENDEL back). Tell me--is there no other way I can be

of service to you?

Brendel. I am sure I do not know of any. Yes, perdition seize it!--now

that I come to think of it--John, do you happen to have seven or eight

shillings on you?

Rosmer. I will see. (Opens his purse.) I have two half-sovereigns here.

Brendel. Oh, well, never mind. I may as well take them. I can always

get change in town. Thanks, in the meantime. Remember that it was two

half-sovereigns I had. Good-night, my own dear boy! Good-night to you,

sir! (Goes out by the door on the right, where ROSMER takes leave of

him and shuts the door after him.)

Kroll. Good heavens--and that is the Ulrik Brendel of whom people once

thought that he would do great things!

Rosmer. At all events he has had the courage to live his life in his

own way. I do not think that is such a small thing, after all.

Kroll. What? A life like his? I almost believe he would have the power,

even now, to disturb all your ideas.

Rosmer. No, indeed. I have come to a clear understanding with myself

now, upon all points.

Kroll. I wish I could believe it, my dear Rosmer. You are so dreadfully

susceptible to impressions from without.

Rosmer. Let us sit down. I want to have a talk with you.

Kroll. By all means. (They sit down on the couch.)

Rosmer (after a short pause). Don't you think everything here looks

very pleasant and comfortable?

Kroll. Yes, it looks very pleasant and comfortable now--and peaceful.

You have made yourself a real home, Rosmer. And I have lost mine.

Rosmer. My dear fellow, do not say that. There may seem to be a rift

just now, but it will heal again.

Kroll. Never, never. The sting will always remain. Things can never be

as they were before.

Rosmer. I want to ask you something, Kroll. You and I have been the

closest of friends now for so many years--does it seem to you

conceivable that anything could destroy our friendship?

Kroll. I cannot imagine anything that could cause a breach between us.

What has put that into your head?

Rosmer. Well--your attaching such tremendous importance to similarity

of opinions and views.

Kroll. Certainly I do; but then we two hold pretty similar opinions at

all events on the most essential points.

Rosmer (gently). No. Not any longer.

Kroll (trying to jump up from his seat). What is this?

Rosmer (restraining him). No, you must sit still. Please, Kroll.

Kroll. What does it all mean? I do not understand you. Tell me,

straight out!

Rosmer. A new summer has blossomed in my heart--my eyes have regained

the clearness of youth. And, accordingly, I am now standing where--

Kroll. Where? Where are you standing?

Rosmer. Where your children are standing.

Kroll. You? You! The thing is impossible! Where do you say you are

standing?

Rosmer. On the same side as Laurits and Hilda.

Kroll (letting his head drop). An apostate. John Rosmer an apostate.

Rosmer. What you are calling apostasy ought to have made me feel

sincerely happy and fortunate; but for all that I have suffered keenly,

because I knew quite well it would cause you bitter sorrow.

Kroll. Rosmer, Rosmer, I shall never get over this. (Looks at him

sadly.) To think that you, too, could bring yourself to sympathise with

and join in the work of disorder and ruin that is playing havoc with

our unhappy country.

Rosmer. It is the work of emancipation that I sympathise with.

Kroll. Oh yes, I know all about that. That is what it is called, by

both those who are leading the people astray and by their misguided

victims. But, be sure of this--you need expect no emancipation to be

the result of the spirit that relies on the poisoning of the whole of

our social life.

Rosmer. I do not give my allegiance to the spirit that is directing

this, nor to any of those who are leading the fight. I want to try to

bring men of all shades of opinion together--as many as I can

reach--and bind them as closely together as I can. I want to live for

and devote all the strength that is in me to one end only--to create a

real public opinion in the country.

Kroll. So you do not consider that we have sufficient public opinion!

I, for my part, consider that the whole lot of us are on the high road

to be dragged down into the mire where otherwise only the common people

would be wallowing.

Rosmer. It is just for that reason that I have made up my mind as to

what should be the real task of public opinion.

Kroll. What task?

Rosmer. The task of making all our fellow-countrymen into men of

nobility.

Kroll. All our fellow-countrymen--!

Rosmer. As many as possible, at all events.

Kroll. By what means?

Rosmer. By emancipating their ideas and purifying their aspirations, it

seems to me.

Kroll. You are a dreamer, Rosmer. Are you going to emancipate them? Are

you going to purify them?

Rosmer. No, my dear fellow--I can only try to awake the desire for it

in them. The doing of it rests with themselves.

Kroll. And do you think they are capable of it?

Rosmer. Yes.

Kroll. Of their own power?

Rosmer. Yes, of their own power. There is no other that can do it.

Kroll (getting up). Is that speaking as befits a clergyman?

Rosmer. I am a clergyman no longer.

Kroll. Yes, but--what of the faith you were brought up in?

Rosmer. I have it no longer.

Kroll. You have it no longer?

Rosmer (getting up). I have given it up. I had to give it up, Kroll.

Kroll (controlling his emotion). I see. Yes, yes. The one thing implies

the other. Was that the reason, then, why you left the service of the

Church?

Rosmer. Yes. When my mind was clearly made up--when I felt the

certainty that it Was not merely a transitory temptation, but that it

was something that I would neither have the power nor the desire to

dismiss from my mind--then I took that step.

Kroll. So it has been fermenting in your mind as long as that. And

we--your friends--have never been allowed to know anything of it.

Rosmer, Rosmer--how could you hide the sorrowful truth from us!

Rosmer. Because I considered it was a matter that only concerned

myself; and therefore I did not wish to cause you and my other friends

any unnecessary pain. I thought I should be able to live my life here

as I have done hitherto--peacefully and happily. I wanted to read, and

absorb myself in all the works that so far had been sealed books to

me--to familiarise myself thoroughly with the great world of truth and

freedom that has been disclosed to me now.

Kroll. An apostate. Every word you say bears witness to that. But, for

all that, why have you made this confession of your secret apostasy? Or

why just at the present moment?

Rosmer. You yourself have compelled me to it, Kroll.

Kroll. I? I have compelled you?

Rosmer. When I heard of your violent behaviour at public meetings--when

I read the reports of all the vehement speeches you made there of all

your bitter attacks upon those that were on the other side--your

scornful censure of your opponents--oh, Kroll, to think that

you--you--could be the man to do that!--then my eyes were opened to my

imperative duty. Mankind is suffering from the strife that is going on

now, and we ought to bring peace and happiness and a spirit of

reconciliation into their souls. That is why I step forward now and

confess myself openly for what I am--and, besides, I want to put my

powers to the test, as well as others. Could not you--from your

side--go with me in that, Kroll?

Kroll. Never, as long as I live, will I make any alliance with the

forces of disorder in the community.

Rosmer. Well, let us at least fight with honourable weapons, since it

seems we must fight.

Kroll. I can have nothing more to do with any one who does not think

with me on matters of vital importance, and I owe such a man no

consideration.

Rosmer. Does that apply even to me?

Kroll. You yourself have broken with me, Rosmer.

Rosmer. But does this really mean a breach between us?

Kroll. Between us! It is a breach with all those who have hitherto

stood shoulder to shoulder with you. And now you must take the

consequences.

(REBECCA comes in from the room on the right and opens the door wide.)

Rebecca. Well, that is done! We have started him off on the road to his

great sacrifice, and now we can go in to supper. Will you come in, Mr.

Kroll?

Kroll (taking his hat). Good-night, Miss West. This is no longer any

place for me.

Rebecca (excitedly). What do you mean? (Shuts the door and comes nearer

to the two men.) Have you told him--?

Rosmer. He knows now.

Kroll. We shall not let you slip out of our hands, Rosmer. We shall

compel you to come back to us again.

Rosmer. I shall never find myself there any more.

Kroll. We shall see. You are not the man to endure standing alone.

Rosmer. I am not so entirely alone, even now. There are two of us to

bear the solitude together here.

Kroll. Ah! (A suspicion appears to cross his mind.) That too! Beata's

words!

Rosmer. Beata's?

Kroll (dismissing the thought from his mind). No, no--that was odious

of me. Forgive me.

Rosmer. What? What do you mean?

Kroll. Think no more about it. I am ashamed of it. Forgive me--and

good-bye. (Goes out by the door to the hall.)

Rosmer (following him). Kroll! We cannot end everything between us like

this. I will come and see you to-morrow.

Kroll (turning round in the hall). You shall not set your foot in my

house. (Takes his stick and goes.)

(ROSMER stands for a while at the open door; then shuts it and comes

back into the room.)

Rosmer. That does not matter, Rebecca. We shall be able to go through

with it, for all that--we two trusty friends--you and I.

Rebecca. What do you suppose he meant just now when he said he was

ashamed of himself?

Rosmer. My dear girl, don't bother your head about that. He didn't even

believe what he meant, himself. But I will go and see him tomorrow.

Goodnight!

Rebecca. Are you going up so early to-night--after this?

Rosmer. As early to-night as I usually do. I feel such a sense of

relief now that it is over. You see, my dear Rebecca, I am perfectly

calm--so you take it calmly, too. Good-night.

Rebecca. Good-night, dear friend--and sleep well! (ROSMER goes out by

the door to the lobby; then his footsteps are heard as he goes

upstairs. REBECCA goes to the wall and rings a bell, which is answered

by MRS. HELSETH.) You can clear the table again, Mrs. Helseth. Mr.

Rosmer does not want anything, and Mr. Kroll has gone home.

Mrs. Helseth. Gone home? What was wrong with him, miss?

Rebecca (taking up her crochet-work). He prophesied that there was a

heavy storm brewing--

Mrs. Helseth. That is very strange, miss, because there isn't a scrap

of cloud in the sky.

Rebecca. Let us hope he doesn't meet the White Horse. Because I am

afraid it will not be long before we hear something of the family ghost.

Mrs. Helseth. God forgive you, miss--don't talk of such a dreadful

thing!

Rebecca. Oh, come, come!

Mrs. Helseth (lowering her voice). Do you really think, miss, that some

one here is to go soon?

Rebecca. Not a bit of it. But there are so many sorts of white horses

in this world, Mrs. Helseth--Well, good-night. I shall go to my room

now.

Mrs. Helseth. Good-night, miss. (Rebecca takes her work and goes out to

the right. MRS. HELSETH shakes her head, as she turns down the lamp,

and mutters to herself): Lord--Lord!--how queer Miss West does talk

sometimes!