Chapter 30

Falk[with constrained sarcasm].

Come, you grow warm—

Strawman.

Where you but jeered and flouted.So utterly unlike God made us two!I’m bare of that he lavished upon you.But I have won the game where you were routed.Seen from the clouds, full many a wayside grainOf truth seems empty chaff and husks. You’d soarTo heaven, I scarcely reach the stable door,One bird’s an eagle born—

Where you but jeered and flouted.

So utterly unlike God made us two!

I’m bare of that he lavished upon you.

But I have won the game where you were routed.

Seen from the clouds, full many a wayside grain

Of truth seems empty chaff and husks. You’d soar

To heaven, I scarcely reach the stable door,

One bird’s an eagle born—

Falk.

And one a hen.

Strawman.

Yes, laugh away, and say it be so, grantI am a hen. There clusters to my cluckA crowd of little chickens,—which you want!And I’ve the hen’s high spirit and her pluck,And for my little ones forget myself.You think me dull, I know it. PossiblyYou pass a harsher judgment yet, decreeMe over covetous of worldly pelf.Good, on that head we will not disagree.

Yes, laugh away, and say it be so, grant

I am a hen. There clusters to my cluck

A crowd of little chickens,—which you want!

And I’ve the hen’s high spirit and her pluck,

And for my little ones forget myself.

You think me dull, I know it. Possibly

You pass a harsher judgment yet, decree

Me over covetous of worldly pelf.

Good, on that head we will not disagree.

[SeizesFalk’sarm and continues in a low tone but with gathering vehemence.

You’re right, I’m dull and dense and grasping, yes;But grasping for my God-given babes and wife,And dense from struggling blindly for bare life,And dull from sailing seas of loneliness.Just when the pinnace of my youthful dreamInto the everlasting deep went down,Another started from the ocean streamBorne with a fair wind onward to life’s crown.For every dream that vanished in the wave,For every buoyant plume that broke asunder,God sent me in return a little Wonder,And gratefully I took the good He gave.For them I strove, for them amassed, annexed,—For them, for them, explained the Holy text;My clustering girls, my garden of delight!On them you’ve poured the venom of your spite!You’ve proved, with all the cunning of the schools,My bliss was but the paradise of fools,That all I took for earnest was a jest;—Now I implore, give me my quiet breastAgain, the flawless peace of mind I had—

You’re right, I’m dull and dense and grasping, yes;

But grasping for my God-given babes and wife,

And dense from struggling blindly for bare life,

And dull from sailing seas of loneliness.

Just when the pinnace of my youthful dream

Into the everlasting deep went down,

Another started from the ocean stream

Borne with a fair wind onward to life’s crown.

For every dream that vanished in the wave,

For every buoyant plume that broke asunder,

God sent me in return a little Wonder,

And gratefully I took the good He gave.

For them I strove, for them amassed, annexed,—

For them, for them, explained the Holy text;

My clustering girls, my garden of delight!

On them you’ve poured the venom of your spite!

You’ve proved, with all the cunning of the schools,

My bliss was but the paradise of fools,

That all I took for earnest was a jest;—

Now I implore, give me my quiet breast

Again, the flawless peace of mind I had—

Falk.

Prove, in a word, your title to be glad?

Strawman.

Yes, in my path you’ve cast the stone of doubt,And nobody but you can cast it out.Between my kin and me you’ve set a bar,—Remove the bar, the strangling noose undo—

Yes, in my path you’ve cast the stone of doubt,

And nobody but you can cast it out.

Between my kin and me you’ve set a bar,—

Remove the bar, the strangling noose undo—

Falk.

You possibly believe I keep the glueOf lies for Happiness’s broken jar?

You possibly believe I keep the glue

Of lies for Happiness’s broken jar?

Strawman.

I do believe, the faith your reasons toreTo shreds, your reasons may again restore;The limb that you have shatter’d, you can set;Reverse your judgment,—the whole truth unfold,Restate the case—I’ll fly my banner yet—

I do believe, the faith your reasons tore

To shreds, your reasons may again restore;

The limb that you have shatter’d, you can set;

Reverse your judgment,—the whole truth unfold,

Restate the case—I’ll fly my banner yet—

Falk[haughtily].

I stamp no copper Happiness as gold.

Strawman[looking fixedly at him].

Remember then that, lately, one whose scentFor truth is of the keenest told us this:[With uplifted finger.“There runs through all our life a Nemesis,Which may delay, but never will relent.”[He goes towards the house.

Remember then that, lately, one whose scent

For truth is of the keenest told us this:

[With uplifted finger.

“There runs through all our life a Nemesis,

Which may delay, but never will relent.”

[He goes towards the house.

Stiver.

[Coming out with glasses on, and an open book in his hand.

Pastor, you must come flying like the blast!Your girls are sobbing—

Pastor, you must come flying like the blast!

Your girls are sobbing—

The Children[in the doorway].

Pa!

Stiver.

And Madam waiting![Strawmangoes in.This lady has no talent for debating.

And Madam waiting!

[Strawmangoes in.

This lady has no talent for debating.

[Puts the book and glasses in his pocket, and approachesFalk.

Falk!

Falk.

Yes!

Stiver.

I hope you’ve changed your mind at last?

Falk.

Why so?

Stiver.

For obvious reasons. To betrayCommunications made in confidence,Is conduct utterly without defence.They must not pass the lips.

For obvious reasons. To betray

Communications made in confidence,

Is conduct utterly without defence.

They must not pass the lips.

Falk.

No, I’ve heard sayIt is at times a risky game to play.

No, I’ve heard say

It is at times a risky game to play.

Stiver.

The very devil!

Falk.

Only for the great.

Stiver[zealously].

No, no, for all us servants of the state.Only imagine how my future chancesWould dwindle, if the governor once knewI keep a Pegasus that neighs and prancesIn office hours—and such an office, too!From first to last, you know, in our profession,The winged horse is viewed with reprobation:But worst of all would be, if it got windThat I against our primal law had sinn’dBy bringing secret matters to the light—

No, no, for all us servants of the state.

Only imagine how my future chances

Would dwindle, if the governor once knew

I keep a Pegasus that neighs and prances

In office hours—and such an office, too!

From first to last, you know, in our profession,

The winged horse is viewed with reprobation:

But worst of all would be, if it got wind

That I against our primal law had sinn’d

By bringing secret matters to the light—

Falk.

That’s penal, is it—such an oversight?

Stiver[mysteriously].

It can a servant of the state compelTo beg for his dismissal out of hand.On us officials lies a strict command,Even by the hearth to be inscrutable.

It can a servant of the state compel

To beg for his dismissal out of hand.

On us officials lies a strict command,

Even by the hearth to be inscrutable.

Falk.

O those despotical authorities,Muzzling the—clerk that treadeth out the grain!

O those despotical authorities,

Muzzling the—clerk that treadeth out the grain!

Stiver[shrugging his shoulders].

It is the law; to murmur is in vain.Moreover, at a moment such as this,When salary revision is in train,It is not well to advertise one’s viewsOf office time’s true function and right use.That’s why I beg you to be silent; look,A word may forfeit my—

It is the law; to murmur is in vain.

Moreover, at a moment such as this,

When salary revision is in train,

It is not well to advertise one’s views

Of office time’s true function and right use.

That’s why I beg you to be silent; look,

A word may forfeit my—

Falk.

Portfolio?

Stiver.

Officially it’s called a transcript book;A protocol’s the clasp upon the veil of snowThat shrouds the modest breast of the Bureau.What lies beneath you must not seek to know.

Officially it’s called a transcript book;

A protocol’s the clasp upon the veil of snow

That shrouds the modest breast of the Bureau.

What lies beneath you must not seek to know.

Falk.

And yet I only spoke at your desire;You hinted at your literary crop.

And yet I only spoke at your desire;

You hinted at your literary crop.

Stiver.

How should I guess he’d grovel in the mireSo deep, this parson perch’d on fortune’s top,A man with snug appointments, children, wife,And money to defy the ills of life?If such a man prove such a Philistine,What shall of us poor copyists be said?Of me, who drive the quill and rule the line,A man engaged and shortly to be wed,With family in prospect—and so forth?[More vehemently.O, if I only had a well-lined berth,I’d bind the armour’d helmet on my head,And cry defiance to united earth!And were I only unengaged like you,Trust me, I’d break a road athwart the snowOf Prose, and carry the Ideal through!

How should I guess he’d grovel in the mire

So deep, this parson perch’d on fortune’s top,

A man with snug appointments, children, wife,

And money to defy the ills of life?

If such a man prove such a Philistine,

What shall of us poor copyists be said?

Of me, who drive the quill and rule the line,

A man engaged and shortly to be wed,

With family in prospect—and so forth?

[More vehemently.

O, if I only had a well-lined berth,

I’d bind the armour’d helmet on my head,

And cry defiance to united earth!

And were I only unengaged like you,

Trust me, I’d break a road athwart the snow

Of Prose, and carry the Ideal through!

Falk.

To work then, man!

Stiver.

How?

Falk.

You may still do so!Let the world’s prudish owl unheeded flutter by;Freedom converts the grub into a butterfly!

You may still do so!

Let the world’s prudish owl unheeded flutter by;

Freedom converts the grub into a butterfly!

Stiver[stepping back].

You mean, to break the engagement—?

Falk.

That’s my mind;—The fruit is gone, why keep the empty rind?

That’s my mind;—

The fruit is gone, why keep the empty rind?

Stiver.

Such a proposal’s for a green young shoot,Not for a man of judgment and repute.I heed not what King Christian in his time(The Fifth) laid down about engagements broken-off;For that relationship is nowhere spoken ofIn any rubric of the code of crime.The act would not be criminal in name,It would in no way violate the laws—

Such a proposal’s for a green young shoot,

Not for a man of judgment and repute.

I heed not what King Christian in his time

(The Fifth) laid down about engagements broken-off;

For that relationship is nowhere spoken of

In any rubric of the code of crime.

The act would not be criminal in name,

It would in no way violate the laws—

Falk.

Why there, you see then!

Stiver[firmly].

Yes, but all the same,—I must reject all pleas in such a cause.Staunch comrades we have been in times of dearth;Of life’s disport she asks but little share,And I’m a homely fellow, long awareGod made me for the ledger and the hearth.Let others emulate the eagle’s flight,Life in the lowly plains may be as bright.What does his Excellency Goethe sayAbout the white and shining milky way?Man may not there the milk of fortune skim,Nor is the butter of it meant for him.

Yes, but all the same,—

I must reject all pleas in such a cause.

Staunch comrades we have been in times of dearth;

Of life’s disport she asks but little share,

And I’m a homely fellow, long aware

God made me for the ledger and the hearth.

Let others emulate the eagle’s flight,

Life in the lowly plains may be as bright.

What does his Excellency Goethe say

About the white and shining milky way?

Man may not there the milk of fortune skim,

Nor is the butter of it meant for him.

Falk.

Why, even were fortune-churning our life’s goal,The labour must be guided by the soul;—Be citizens of the time that is—but thenMake the time worthy of the citizen.In homely things lurks beauty, without doubt,But watchful eye and brain must draw it out.Not every man who loves the soil he turnsMay therefore claim to be another Burns.

Why, even were fortune-churning our life’s goal,

The labour must be guided by the soul;—

Be citizens of the time that is—but then

Make the time worthy of the citizen.

In homely things lurks beauty, without doubt,

But watchful eye and brain must draw it out.

Not every man who loves the soil he turns

May therefore claim to be another Burns.

Stiver.

Then let us each our proper path pursue,And part in peace; we shall not hamper you;We keep the road, you hover in the sky,There where we too once floated, she and I.But work, not song, provides our daily bread,And when a man’s alive, his music’s dead.A young man’s life’s a lawsuit, and the mostSuperfluous litigation in existence:Withdraw, make terms, abandon all resistance:Plead where and how you will, your suit is lost.

Then let us each our proper path pursue,

And part in peace; we shall not hamper you;

We keep the road, you hover in the sky,

There where we too once floated, she and I.

But work, not song, provides our daily bread,

And when a man’s alive, his music’s dead.

A young man’s life’s a lawsuit, and the most

Superfluous litigation in existence:

Withdraw, make terms, abandon all resistance:

Plead where and how you will, your suit is lost.

Falk[bold and confident, with a glance at the summer-house].

Nay, tho’ I took it to the highest place,—Judgment, I know, would be reversed by grace!I know two hearts can live a life complete,With hope still ardent, and with faith still sweet;You preach the wretched gospel of the hour,That the Ideal is secondary!

Nay, tho’ I took it to the highest place,—

Judgment, I know, would be reversed by grace!

I know two hearts can live a life complete,

With hope still ardent, and with faith still sweet;

You preach the wretched gospel of the hour,

That the Ideal is secondary!

Stiver.

No!It’s primary: appointed, like the flower,To generate the fruit, and then to go.

No!

It’s primary: appointed, like the flower,

To generate the fruit, and then to go.

[Indoors,Miss Jayplays and sings: “In the Gloaming.”Stiverstands listening in silent emotion.

With the same melody she calls me yetWhich thrilled me to the heart when first we met.

With the same melody she calls me yet

Which thrilled me to the heart when first we met.

[Lays his hand onFalk’sarm and gazes intently at him.

Oft as she wakens those pathetic notes,From the white keys reverberating floatsAn echo of the “yes” that made her mine.And when our passions shall one day decline,To live again as friendship, to the lastThat song shall link that present to this past.And what tho’ at the desk my back grow round,And my day’s work a battle for mere bread,Yet joy will lead me homeward, where the deadEnchantment will be born again in sound.If one poor bit of evening we can claim,I shall come off undamaged from the game!

Oft as she wakens those pathetic notes,

From the white keys reverberating floats

An echo of the “yes” that made her mine.

And when our passions shall one day decline,

To live again as friendship, to the last

That song shall link that present to this past.

And what tho’ at the desk my back grow round,

And my day’s work a battle for mere bread,

Yet joy will lead me homeward, where the dead

Enchantment will be born again in sound.

If one poor bit of evening we can claim,

I shall come off undamaged from the game!

[He goes into the house.Falkturns towards the summer-house.Svanhildcomes out, she is pale and agitated. They gaze at each other in silence a moment, and fling themselves impetuously into each other’s arms.

Falk.

O, Svanhild, let us battle side by side!Thou fresh glad blossom flowering by the tomb,—See what the life is that they call youth’s bloom!There’s coffin-stench of bridegroom and of bride;There’s coffin-stench wherever two go byAt the street corner, smiling outwardly,With falsehood’s reeking sepulchre beneath,And in their blood the apathy of death.And this they think is living! Heaven and earth,Is such a load so many antics worth?For such an end to haul up babes in shoals,To pamper them with honesty and reason,To feed them fat with faith one sorry season,For service, after killing-day, as souls?

O, Svanhild, let us battle side by side!

Thou fresh glad blossom flowering by the tomb,—

See what the life is that they call youth’s bloom!

There’s coffin-stench of bridegroom and of bride;

There’s coffin-stench wherever two go by

At the street corner, smiling outwardly,

With falsehood’s reeking sepulchre beneath,

And in their blood the apathy of death.

And this they think is living! Heaven and earth,

Is such a load so many antics worth?

For such an end to haul up babes in shoals,

To pamper them with honesty and reason,

To feed them fat with faith one sorry season,

For service, after killing-day, as souls?

Svanhild.

Falk, let us travel!

Falk.

Travel? Whither, then?Is not the whole world everywhere the same?And does not Truth’s own mirror in its frameLie equally to all the sons of men?No, we will stay and watch the merry game,The conjurer’s trick, the tragi-comedyOf liars that are dupes of their own lie;Stiver and Lind, the Parson and his dame,See them,—prize oxen harness’d to love’s yoke,And yet at bottom very decent folk!Each wears for others and himself a mask,Yet one too innocent to take to task;Each one, a stranded sailor on a wreck,Counts himself happy as the gods in heaven;Each his own hand from Paradise has driven,Then, splash! into the sulphur to the neck!But none has any inkling where he lies,Each thinks himself a knight of Paradise,And each sits smiling between howl and howl;And if the Fiend come by with jeer and growl,With horns, and hoofs, and things yet more abhorred,—Then each man jogs the neighbour at his jowl:“Off with your hat, man! See, there goes the Lord!”

Travel? Whither, then?

Is not the whole world everywhere the same?

And does not Truth’s own mirror in its frame

Lie equally to all the sons of men?

No, we will stay and watch the merry game,

The conjurer’s trick, the tragi-comedy

Of liars that are dupes of their own lie;

Stiver and Lind, the Parson and his dame,

See them,—prize oxen harness’d to love’s yoke,

And yet at bottom very decent folk!

Each wears for others and himself a mask,

Yet one too innocent to take to task;

Each one, a stranded sailor on a wreck,

Counts himself happy as the gods in heaven;

Each his own hand from Paradise has driven,

Then, splash! into the sulphur to the neck!

But none has any inkling where he lies,

Each thinks himself a knight of Paradise,

And each sits smiling between howl and howl;

And if the Fiend come by with jeer and growl,

With horns, and hoofs, and things yet more abhorred,—

Then each man jogs the neighbour at his jowl:

“Off with your hat, man! See, there goes the Lord!”

Svanhild[after a brief thoughtful silence].

How marvellous a love my stepshavehaveledTo this sweet trysting place! My life that spedIn frolic and fantastic visions gay,Henceforth shall grow one ceaseless working day!O God! I wandered groping,—all was dim:Thou gavest me light—and I discoveredhim![Gazing atFalkin love and wonder.Whence is that strength of thine, thou mighty treeThat stand’st unshaken in the wind-wrecked wood,That stand’st alone, and yet canst shelter me—?

How marvellous a love my stepshavehaveled

To this sweet trysting place! My life that sped

In frolic and fantastic visions gay,

Henceforth shall grow one ceaseless working day!

O God! I wandered groping,—all was dim:

Thou gavest me light—and I discoveredhim!

[Gazing atFalkin love and wonder.

Whence is that strength of thine, thou mighty tree

That stand’st unshaken in the wind-wrecked wood,

That stand’st alone, and yet canst shelter me—?

Falk.

God’s truth, my Svanhild;—that gives fortitude.

Svanhild[with a shy glance towards the house].

They came like tempters, evilly inclined,Each spokesman for his half of humankind,One asking: How can true love reach its goalWhen riches’ leaden weight subdues the soul?The other asking: How can true love speedWhen life’s a battle to the death with Need?O horrible!—to bid the world receiveThat teaching as the truth, and yet to live!

They came like tempters, evilly inclined,

Each spokesman for his half of humankind,

One asking: How can true love reach its goal

When riches’ leaden weight subdues the soul?

The other asking: How can true love speed

When life’s a battle to the death with Need?

O horrible!—to bid the world receive

That teaching as the truth, and yet to live!

Falk.

How if ’twere meant for us?

Svanhild.

For us?—What, then?Can outward fate control the wills of men?I have already said: if thou’lt stand fast,I’ll dare and suffer by thee to the last.How light to listen to the gospel’s voice,To leave one’s home behind, to weep, rejoice,And take with God the husband of one’s choice!

For us?—What, then?

Can outward fate control the wills of men?

I have already said: if thou’lt stand fast,

I’ll dare and suffer by thee to the last.

How light to listen to the gospel’s voice,

To leave one’s home behind, to weep, rejoice,

And take with God the husband of one’s choice!

Falk[embracing her].

Come then, and blow thy worst, thou winter weather!We stand unshaken, for we stand together!

Come then, and blow thy worst, thou winter weather!

We stand unshaken, for we stand together!

[Mrs. HalmandGuldstadcome in from the right in the background.

Guldstad[aside].

Observe!

[FalkandSvanhildremain standing by the summer-house.

Mrs. Halm[surprised].

Together!

Guldstad.

Do you doubt it now?

Mrs. Halm.

This is most singular.

Guldstad.

O, I’ve noted howHis work of late absorb’d his interest.

O, I’ve noted how

His work of late absorb’d his interest.

Mrs. Halm[to herself].

Who would have fancied Svanhild was so sly?[Vivaciously toGuldstad.But no—I can’t think.

Who would have fancied Svanhild was so sly?

[Vivaciously toGuldstad.

But no—I can’t think.

Guldstad.

Put it to the test.

Mrs. Halm.

Now, on the spot?

Guldstad

Yes, and decisively!

Mrs. Halm[giving him her hand].

God’s blessing with you!

Guldstad[gravely].

Thanks, it may bestead.[Comes to the front.

Thanks, it may bestead.

[Comes to the front.

Mrs. Halm[looking back as she goes towards the house].

Whichever way it goes, my child is sped.[Goes in.

Whichever way it goes, my child is sped.

[Goes in.

Guldstad[approachingFalk].

It’s late, I think?

Falk.

Ten minutes and I go.

Guldstad.

Sufficient for my purpose.

Svanhild[going].

Farewell.

Guldstad.

No,Remain.

No,

Remain.

Svanhild.

Shall I?

Guldstad.

Until you’ve answered me.It’s time we squared accounts. It’s time we threeTalked out for once together from the heart.

Until you’ve answered me.

It’s time we squared accounts. It’s time we three

Talked out for once together from the heart.

Falk[taken aback].

We three?

Guldstad.

Yes,—all disguises flung apart.

Falk[suppressing a smile].

O, at your service.

Guldstad.

Very good, then hear.We’ve been acquainted now for half a year;We’ve wrangled—

Very good, then hear.

We’ve been acquainted now for half a year;

We’ve wrangled—

Falk.

Yes.

Guldstad.

We’ve been in constant feud;We’ve changed hard blows enough. You fought—alone—For a sublime ideal; I as oneAmong the money-grubbing multitude.And yet it seemed as if a chord unitedUs two, as if a thousand thoughts that layDeep in my own youth’s memory benightedHad started at your bidding into day.Yes, I amaze you. But this hair grey-sprinkledOnce fluttered brown in spring-time, and this brow,Which daily occupation moistens nowWith sweat of labour, was not always wrinkled.Enough; I am a man of business, hence—

We’ve been in constant feud;

We’ve changed hard blows enough. You fought—alone—

For a sublime ideal; I as one

Among the money-grubbing multitude.

And yet it seemed as if a chord united

Us two, as if a thousand thoughts that lay

Deep in my own youth’s memory benighted

Had started at your bidding into day.

Yes, I amaze you. But this hair grey-sprinkled

Once fluttered brown in spring-time, and this brow,

Which daily occupation moistens now

With sweat of labour, was not always wrinkled.

Enough; I am a man of business, hence—

Falk[with gentle sarcasm].

You are the type of practical good sense.

Guldstad.

And you are hope’s own singer young and fain.[Stepping between them.Just therefore, Falk and Svanhild, I am here.Now let us talk, then; for the hour is nearWhich brings good hap or sorrow in its train.

And you are hope’s own singer young and fain.

[Stepping between them.

Just therefore, Falk and Svanhild, I am here.

Now let us talk, then; for the hour is near

Which brings good hap or sorrow in its train.

Falk[in suspense].

Speak, then!

Guldstad[smiling].

My ground is, as I said last night,A kind of poetry—

My ground is, as I said last night,

A kind of poetry—

Falk.

In practice.

Guldstad[nodding slowly].

Right!

Falk.

And if one asked the source from which you drew—?

Guldstad.

[Glancing a moment atSvanhild,and then turning again toFalk.

A common source discovered by us two.

Svanhild.

Now I must go.

Guldstad.

No, wait till I conclude.I should not ask so much of others. You,Svanhild, I’ve learnt to fathom thro’ and thro’;You are too sensible to play the prude.I watched expand, unfold, your little life;A perfect woman I divined within you,But long I only saw a daughter in you;—Now I ask of you—will you be my wife?[Svanhilddraws back in embarrassment.

No, wait till I conclude.

I should not ask so much of others. You,

Svanhild, I’ve learnt to fathom thro’ and thro’;

You are too sensible to play the prude.

I watched expand, unfold, your little life;

A perfect woman I divined within you,

But long I only saw a daughter in you;—

Now I ask of you—will you be my wife?

[Svanhilddraws back in embarrassment.

Falk[seizing his arm].

Hold!

Guldstad.

Patience; she must answer. Put your ownQuestion;—then her decision will be free.

Patience; she must answer. Put your own

Question;—then her decision will be free.

Falk.

I—do you say?

Guldstad[looking steadily at him].

The happiness of threeLives is at stake to-day,—not mine alone.Don’t fancy it concerns you less than me;For tho’ base matter is my chosen sphere,Yet nature made me something of a seer.Yes, Falk, you love her. Gladly, I confess,I saw your young love bursting into flower.But this young passion, with its lawless power,May be the ruin of her happiness.

The happiness of three

Lives is at stake to-day,—not mine alone.

Don’t fancy it concerns you less than me;

For tho’ base matter is my chosen sphere,

Yet nature made me something of a seer.

Yes, Falk, you love her. Gladly, I confess,

I saw your young love bursting into flower.

But this young passion, with its lawless power,

May be the ruin of her happiness.

Back to Index Next