Chapter 19

Peer.Build pyramids then, your highness,And carve out a greater Sphinx,And fight, as the Doctor puts it,With the Turks, both to rechts and links.The Fellah.Ay, that is all mighty fine talking!A fellah! A hungry louse!I, who scarcely can keep my hovelClear even of rats and mice.Quick, man,—think of something better,That’ll make me both great and safe,And further, exactly like toKing Apis that’s on my back!Peer.What if your highness hanged you,And then, in the lap of earth,’Twixt the coffin’s natural frontiers,Kept still and completely dead.The Fellah.I’ll do it! My life for a halter!To the gallows with hide and hair!—At first there will be some difference,But that time will smooth away.[Goes off and prepares to hang himself.Begriffenfeldt.There’s a personality for you, Herr Peer,—A man of method——Peer.Yes, yes; I see——;But he’ll really hang himself! God grant us grace!I’ll be ill;—I can scarcely command my thoughts!Begriffenfeldt.A state of transition; it won’t last long.Peer.Transition? To what? With your leave—I must go——Begriffenfeldt.[Holding him.]Are you crazy?Peer.Not yet——. Crazy? Heaven forbid![A commotion. The MinisterHussein[106]forces his way through the crowd.Hussein.They tell me a Kaiser has come to-day.[ToPeer Gynt.It is you?Peer.[In desperation.]Yes, that is a settled thing!Hussein.Good.—Then no doubt there are notes to be answered?Peer.[Tearing his hair.]Come on! Right you are, sir;—the madder the better!Hussein.Will you do me the honour of taking a dip?[Bowing deeply.I am a pen.Peer.[Bowing still deeper.]Why then I am quite clearlyA rubbishy piece of imperial parchment.Hussein.My story, my lord, is concisely this:They take me for a pounce-box,[107]and I am a pen.Peer.My story, Sir Pen, is, to put it briefly:I’m a blank sheet of paper that no one will write on.Hussein.No man understands in the least what I’m good for;They all want to use me for scattering sand with!Peer.I was in a woman’s keeping a silver-clasped book;—It’s one and the same misprint to be either mad or sane!Hussein.Just fancy, what an exhausting life.To be a pen and never taste the edge of a knife!Peer.[With a high leap.]Just fancy, for a reindeer to leap from on high—To fall and fall—and never feel the ground beneath your hoofs!Hussein.A knife! I am blunt;—quick, mend me and slit me!The world will go to ruin if they don’t mend my point for me!Peer.A pity for the world which, like other self-made things,Was reckoned by the Lord to be so excellently good.Begriffenfeldt.Here’s a knife!Hussein.[Seizing it.]Ah, how I shall lick up the ink now!Oh, what rapture to cut oneself![Cuts his throat.Begriffenfeldt.[Stepping aside.]Pray do notsputter.sputter.Peer.[In increasing terror.]Hold him!Hussein.Ay, hold me! That is the word!Hold! Hold the pen! On the desk with the paper——![Falls.I’m outworn. The postscript—remember it, pray:He lived and he died as a fate-guidedpen.pen.[108]Peer.[Dizzily.]What shall I——! What am I? Thou mighty——hold fast!I am all that thou wilt,—I’m a Turk, I’m a sinner——A hill-troll——; but help;—there was something that burst——![Shrieks.I cannot just hit on thy name at the moment;—Oh, come to my aid, thou—all madmen’s protector![Sinks down insensible.Begriffenfeldt.[With a wreath of straw in his hand, gives a boundand sits astride of him.]Ha! See him in the mire enthronëd;—Beside himself——To crown him now![Presses the wreath onPeer Gynt’shead, and shouts:Long life, long life to Self-hood’s Kaiser!Schafmann.[In the cage.]Es lebe hoch der grosse Peer!Footnotes:65. In the original, “Master Cotton.”66. A Swede. The name means “trumpet-blast.”67. In the original (early editions), “Werry well.”68. So in original.69. This may not be a very lucid or even very precise rendering ofVerdensborgerdomsforpagtning; but this line, and indeed the whole speech, is pure burlesque; and the exact sense of nonsense is naturally elusive.70. So in original.71. Literally, “pack-camel.”72. So in original.73. So in original.74. So in original.75. So in original.76. In the original “kejser.” We have elsewhere used the word “Kaiser,” but in this scene, and in Scenes 7 and 8 of this act, the ordinary English form seemed preferable.77. So in original.78. An allusion to the spurs with which Charles XII. is said to have torn the caftan of the Turkish Vizier who announced to him that the Sultan had concluded a truce with Russia. The boots and spurs, it would appear, have been preserved, but with the buckles missing.79. So in original.80. So in original.81. So in original.82. Mr. Cotton seems to have confounded Olympus with Parnassus.83. So in original.84. An allusion to the attitude of Sweden during the Danish War of 1863-64, with special reference to the diplomatic notes of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Grev Manderström. He is also aimed at in the character of Hussein in the last scene of this act. See Introduction.85. So in original.86. This is not to be taken as a burlesque instance of the poet’s supposed preoccupation with questions of heredity, but simply as an allusion to the fact that, in the East, thieving and receiving are regular and hereditary professions.87. This proposal was seriously mooted about ten years after the appearance ofPeer Gynt.88. Or “ego.”89. In original,“Pundsterling og shilling.”90. In the original,“De har snydt——hm; jeg mener syndet, mit barn!”91. In the previous edition we restored the exact wording of Goethe’s line, “zieht uns hinan.” We ought to have understood that the point of the speech lay in the misquotation.92. Literally, “on the basis of.”93. So in original.94. Literally, “you’re looed” or “euchred.”95. Literally, “behave as though sober andwakeful.”wakeful.”96. Literally, “spirituel.”97.Sidst—literally, “when last we met.”98. “Gå udenom,” the phrase used by the Boyg, Act ii. sc. 7.99. So in original.100. So in original.101. This is understood to refer to the authors of the Greek version of the Old Testament, known as the Septuagint. We are unable to account for the hundred and sixty recruits to their company.102. See Introduction.103. Literally, “generation.”104. Literally, “uninterpreted.”105. An allusion to the long period of stagnation in the history of Norway under the Danish rule—say, from 1400 to 1800.106. See note, p.140.107. The pounce-box (for strewing “pounce” or sand on undried ink) had not yet been quite superseded by blotting-paper.108. “En påholden pen.”“Underskrive med påholden pen”—to sign by touching a pen which is guided by another.

Peer.

Build pyramids then, your highness,And carve out a greater Sphinx,And fight, as the Doctor puts it,With the Turks, both to rechts and links.

Build pyramids then, your highness,

And carve out a greater Sphinx,

And fight, as the Doctor puts it,

With the Turks, both to rechts and links.

The Fellah.

Ay, that is all mighty fine talking!A fellah! A hungry louse!I, who scarcely can keep my hovelClear even of rats and mice.Quick, man,—think of something better,That’ll make me both great and safe,And further, exactly like toKing Apis that’s on my back!

Ay, that is all mighty fine talking!

A fellah! A hungry louse!

I, who scarcely can keep my hovel

Clear even of rats and mice.

Quick, man,—think of something better,

That’ll make me both great and safe,

And further, exactly like to

King Apis that’s on my back!

Peer.

What if your highness hanged you,And then, in the lap of earth,’Twixt the coffin’s natural frontiers,Kept still and completely dead.

What if your highness hanged you,

And then, in the lap of earth,

’Twixt the coffin’s natural frontiers,

Kept still and completely dead.

The Fellah.

I’ll do it! My life for a halter!To the gallows with hide and hair!—At first there will be some difference,But that time will smooth away.[Goes off and prepares to hang himself.

I’ll do it! My life for a halter!

To the gallows with hide and hair!—

At first there will be some difference,

But that time will smooth away.

[Goes off and prepares to hang himself.

Begriffenfeldt.

There’s a personality for you, Herr Peer,—A man of method——

There’s a personality for you, Herr Peer,—

A man of method——

Peer.

Yes, yes; I see——;But he’ll really hang himself! God grant us grace!I’ll be ill;—I can scarcely command my thoughts!

Yes, yes; I see——;

But he’ll really hang himself! God grant us grace!

I’ll be ill;—I can scarcely command my thoughts!

Begriffenfeldt.

A state of transition; it won’t last long.

Peer.

Transition? To what? With your leave—I must go——

Begriffenfeldt.[Holding him.]

Begriffenfeldt.

[Holding him.]

Are you crazy?

Peer.

Not yet——. Crazy? Heaven forbid!

[A commotion. The MinisterHussein[106]forces his way through the crowd.

Hussein.

They tell me a Kaiser has come to-day.[ToPeer Gynt.It is you?

They tell me a Kaiser has come to-day.

[ToPeer Gynt.

It is you?

Peer.[In desperation.]

Peer.

[In desperation.]

Yes, that is a settled thing!

Hussein.

Good.—Then no doubt there are notes to be answered?

Peer.[Tearing his hair.]

Peer.

[Tearing his hair.]

Come on! Right you are, sir;—the madder the better!

Hussein.

Will you do me the honour of taking a dip?[Bowing deeply.I am a pen.

Will you do me the honour of taking a dip?

[Bowing deeply.

I am a pen.

Peer.[Bowing still deeper.]

Peer.

[Bowing still deeper.]

Why then I am quite clearlyA rubbishy piece of imperial parchment.

Why then I am quite clearly

A rubbishy piece of imperial parchment.

Hussein.

My story, my lord, is concisely this:They take me for a pounce-box,[107]and I am a pen.

My story, my lord, is concisely this:

They take me for a pounce-box,[107]and I am a pen.

Peer.

My story, Sir Pen, is, to put it briefly:I’m a blank sheet of paper that no one will write on.

My story, Sir Pen, is, to put it briefly:

I’m a blank sheet of paper that no one will write on.

Hussein.

No man understands in the least what I’m good for;They all want to use me for scattering sand with!

No man understands in the least what I’m good for;

They all want to use me for scattering sand with!

Peer.

I was in a woman’s keeping a silver-clasped book;—It’s one and the same misprint to be either mad or sane!

I was in a woman’s keeping a silver-clasped book;—

It’s one and the same misprint to be either mad or sane!

Hussein.

Just fancy, what an exhausting life.To be a pen and never taste the edge of a knife!

Just fancy, what an exhausting life.

To be a pen and never taste the edge of a knife!

Peer.[With a high leap.]

Peer.

[With a high leap.]

Just fancy, for a reindeer to leap from on high—To fall and fall—and never feel the ground beneath your hoofs!

Just fancy, for a reindeer to leap from on high—

To fall and fall—and never feel the ground beneath your hoofs!

Hussein.

A knife! I am blunt;—quick, mend me and slit me!The world will go to ruin if they don’t mend my point for me!

A knife! I am blunt;—quick, mend me and slit me!

The world will go to ruin if they don’t mend my point for me!

Peer.

A pity for the world which, like other self-made things,Was reckoned by the Lord to be so excellently good.

A pity for the world which, like other self-made things,

Was reckoned by the Lord to be so excellently good.

Begriffenfeldt.

Here’s a knife!

Hussein.[Seizing it.]

Hussein.

[Seizing it.]

Ah, how I shall lick up the ink now!Oh, what rapture to cut oneself![Cuts his throat.

Ah, how I shall lick up the ink now!

Oh, what rapture to cut oneself!

[Cuts his throat.

Begriffenfeldt.[Stepping aside.]

Begriffenfeldt.

[Stepping aside.]

Pray do notsputter.sputter.

Peer.[In increasing terror.]

Peer.

[In increasing terror.]

Hold him!

Hussein.

Ay, hold me! That is the word!Hold! Hold the pen! On the desk with the paper——![Falls.I’m outworn. The postscript—remember it, pray:He lived and he died as a fate-guidedpen.pen.[108]

Ay, hold me! That is the word!

Hold! Hold the pen! On the desk with the paper——!

[Falls.

I’m outworn. The postscript—remember it, pray:

He lived and he died as a fate-guidedpen.pen.[108]

Peer.[Dizzily.]

Peer.

[Dizzily.]

What shall I——! What am I? Thou mighty——hold fast!I am all that thou wilt,—I’m a Turk, I’m a sinner——A hill-troll——; but help;—there was something that burst——![Shrieks.I cannot just hit on thy name at the moment;—Oh, come to my aid, thou—all madmen’s protector![Sinks down insensible.

What shall I——! What am I? Thou mighty——hold fast!

I am all that thou wilt,—I’m a Turk, I’m a sinner——

A hill-troll——; but help;—there was something that burst——!

[Shrieks.

I cannot just hit on thy name at the moment;—

Oh, come to my aid, thou—all madmen’s protector!

[Sinks down insensible.

Begriffenfeldt.[With a wreath of straw in his hand, gives a boundand sits astride of him.]

Begriffenfeldt.

[With a wreath of straw in his hand, gives a bound

and sits astride of him.]

Ha! See him in the mire enthronëd;—Beside himself——To crown him now!

Ha! See him in the mire enthronëd;—

Beside himself——To crown him now!

[Presses the wreath onPeer Gynt’shead, and shouts:

Long life, long life to Self-hood’s Kaiser!

Schafmann.[In the cage.]

Schafmann.

[In the cage.]

Es lebe hoch der grosse Peer!

Footnotes:

65. In the original, “Master Cotton.”

66. A Swede. The name means “trumpet-blast.”

67. In the original (early editions), “Werry well.”

68. So in original.

69. This may not be a very lucid or even very precise rendering ofVerdensborgerdomsforpagtning; but this line, and indeed the whole speech, is pure burlesque; and the exact sense of nonsense is naturally elusive.

70. So in original.

71. Literally, “pack-camel.”

72. So in original.

73. So in original.

74. So in original.

75. So in original.

76. In the original “kejser.” We have elsewhere used the word “Kaiser,” but in this scene, and in Scenes 7 and 8 of this act, the ordinary English form seemed preferable.

77. So in original.

78. An allusion to the spurs with which Charles XII. is said to have torn the caftan of the Turkish Vizier who announced to him that the Sultan had concluded a truce with Russia. The boots and spurs, it would appear, have been preserved, but with the buckles missing.

79. So in original.

80. So in original.

81. So in original.

82. Mr. Cotton seems to have confounded Olympus with Parnassus.

83. So in original.

84. An allusion to the attitude of Sweden during the Danish War of 1863-64, with special reference to the diplomatic notes of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Grev Manderström. He is also aimed at in the character of Hussein in the last scene of this act. See Introduction.

85. So in original.

86. This is not to be taken as a burlesque instance of the poet’s supposed preoccupation with questions of heredity, but simply as an allusion to the fact that, in the East, thieving and receiving are regular and hereditary professions.

87. This proposal was seriously mooted about ten years after the appearance ofPeer Gynt.

88. Or “ego.”

89. In original,“Pundsterling og shilling.”

90. In the original,“De har snydt——hm; jeg mener syndet, mit barn!”

91. In the previous edition we restored the exact wording of Goethe’s line, “zieht uns hinan.” We ought to have understood that the point of the speech lay in the misquotation.

92. Literally, “on the basis of.”

93. So in original.

94. Literally, “you’re looed” or “euchred.”

95. Literally, “behave as though sober andwakeful.”wakeful.”

96. Literally, “spirituel.”

97.Sidst—literally, “when last we met.”

98. “Gå udenom,” the phrase used by the Boyg, Act ii. sc. 7.

99. So in original.

100. So in original.

101. This is understood to refer to the authors of the Greek version of the Old Testament, known as the Septuagint. We are unable to account for the hundred and sixty recruits to their company.

102. See Introduction.

103. Literally, “generation.”

104. Literally, “uninterpreted.”

105. An allusion to the long period of stagnation in the history of Norway under the Danish rule—say, from 1400 to 1800.

106. See note, p.140.

107. The pounce-box (for strewing “pounce” or sand on undried ink) had not yet been quite superseded by blotting-paper.

108. “En påholden pen.”“Underskrive med påholden pen”—to sign by touching a pen which is guided by another.

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