The Kitchen-master.[To theSmith, who is the foremost of the crowd.]Keep peace now!The Smith.[Pulling off his jacket.]No, we must fight it out here.[40]Peer Gynt or I must be taught a lesson.[41]Some Voices.Ay, let them fight for it!Others.No, only wrangle!The Smith.Fists must decide; for the case is past words.Solveig’s Father.Control yourself, man!Helga.Will they beat him, mother?A Lad.Let us rather taunt him with all his lies!Another.Kick him out of the company.A Third.Spit in his eyes.A Fourth.[To theSmith.]You’re not backing out, smith?The Smith.[Flinging away his jacket.]The jade shall be slaughtered!Solveig’s Mother.[ToSolveig.]There, you can see how that windbag is thought of.Åse.[Coming up with a stick in her hand.]Is that son of mine here? Now he’s in for a drubbing!Oh! how heartily I will dang him!The Smith.[Rolling up his shirt-sleeves.]That switch is too light for a carcase likehis.his.Some of the Crowd.The smith will dang him!Others.Bang him!The Smith.[Spits on his hands and nods to Åse.]Hang him!Åse.What? Hang my Peer? Ay, just try if you dare;—Åse and I,[42]we have teeth and claws!—Where is he? [Calls across the yard.] Peer!The Bridegroom.[Comes running up.]Oh, God’s death on the cross!Come father, come mother, and——!His Father.What is the matter?The Bridegroom.Just fancy, Peer Gynt——!Åse.[Screams.]Have you taken his life?The Bridegroom.No, but Peer Gynt——! Look, there on the hillside——!The Crowd.With thebride.bride.Åse.[Lets her stick sink.]Oh, the beast!The Smith.[As if thunderstruck.]Where the slope rises sheerestHe’s clambering upwards, by God, like a goat!The Bridegroom.[Crying.]He’s shouldered her, mother, as I might a pig!Åse.[Shaking her fist up at him.]Would God you might fall, and——![Screams out in terror.Take care of your footing!The Hegstad Farmer.[Comes in, bare-headed and white with rage.]I’ll have his life for this bride-rape yet!Åse.Oh no, God punish me if I let you!Footnotes:22. PronounceYendeen.23. This is the poet’s own explanation of this difficult passage.“Hvirvlens vætter,”he writes, is equivalent to“Svimmelhedens ånder”—i.e., spirits of dizziness or vertigo.24. See Appendix.25. Literally “bushels.”26. An ecclesiastical dignitary—something equivalent to a rural dean.27. “Jon med Skjæppen”—literally, “John with the Bushel”—a nickname given him in his days of prosperity, in allusion to his supposed bushels of money.28. PronounceMaass-Moo-en.29. It is believed in some parts of Norway that “changelings” (elf-children left in the stead of those taken away by the fairies) can, by certain spells, be made to fly away up the chimney.30. “Sendingsfolk,” literally, “folks with presents.” When the Norwegian peasants are bidden to a wedding-feast, they bring with them presents of eatables.31. A somewhat violent peasant dance.32. Foss (in the North of England “force”)—a waterfall.33. A sort of master of ceremonies.34. To kick the rafters is considered a great feat in the Halling-dance. The boy means that, in the open air, his leaps are not limited even by the rafters.35. A marriage party among the peasants will often last several days.36. Literally, “thoughts.”37. Literally, “last year.”38. “To read with the pastor,” the preliminary to confirmation, is currently used as synonymous with “to be confirmed.”39. Literally, “A reader.”40. Literally, “Here shall judgment be called for.”41. Literally, “Must be bent to the hillside,” made to bite the dust—but not in the sense of being killed.42. A peasant idiom.
The Kitchen-master.[To theSmith, who is the foremost of the crowd.]
The Kitchen-master.[To theSmith, who is the foremost of the crowd.]
The Kitchen-master.
[To theSmith, who is the foremost of the crowd.]
Keep peace now!
Keep peace now!
Keep peace now!
Keep peace now!
The Smith.[Pulling off his jacket.]
The Smith.[Pulling off his jacket.]
The Smith.
[Pulling off his jacket.]
No, we must fight it out here.[40]Peer Gynt or I must be taught a lesson.[41]
No, we must fight it out here.[40]Peer Gynt or I must be taught a lesson.[41]
No, we must fight it out here.[40]Peer Gynt or I must be taught a lesson.[41]
No, we must fight it out here.[40]
Peer Gynt or I must be taught a lesson.[41]
Some Voices.
Some Voices.
Some Voices.
Ay, let them fight for it!
Ay, let them fight for it!
Ay, let them fight for it!
Ay, let them fight for it!
Others.
Others.
Others.
No, only wrangle!
No, only wrangle!
No, only wrangle!
No, only wrangle!
The Smith.
The Smith.
The Smith.
Fists must decide; for the case is past words.
Fists must decide; for the case is past words.
Fists must decide; for the case is past words.
Fists must decide; for the case is past words.
Solveig’s Father.
Solveig’s Father.
Solveig’s Father.
Control yourself, man!
Control yourself, man!
Control yourself, man!
Control yourself, man!
Helga.
Helga.
Helga.
Will they beat him, mother?
Will they beat him, mother?
Will they beat him, mother?
Will they beat him, mother?
A Lad.
A Lad.
A Lad.
Let us rather taunt him with all his lies!
Let us rather taunt him with all his lies!
Let us rather taunt him with all his lies!
Let us rather taunt him with all his lies!
Another.
Another.
Another.
Kick him out of the company.
Kick him out of the company.
Kick him out of the company.
Kick him out of the company.
A Third.
A Third.
A Third.
Spit in his eyes.
Spit in his eyes.
Spit in his eyes.
Spit in his eyes.
A Fourth.[To theSmith.]
A Fourth.[To theSmith.]
A Fourth.
[To theSmith.]
You’re not backing out, smith?
You’re not backing out, smith?
You’re not backing out, smith?
You’re not backing out, smith?
The Smith.[Flinging away his jacket.]
The Smith.[Flinging away his jacket.]
The Smith.
[Flinging away his jacket.]
The jade shall be slaughtered!
The jade shall be slaughtered!
The jade shall be slaughtered!
The jade shall be slaughtered!
Solveig’s Mother.[ToSolveig.]
Solveig’s Mother.[ToSolveig.]
Solveig’s Mother.
[ToSolveig.]
There, you can see how that windbag is thought of.
There, you can see how that windbag is thought of.
There, you can see how that windbag is thought of.
There, you can see how that windbag is thought of.
Åse.[Coming up with a stick in her hand.]
Åse.[Coming up with a stick in her hand.]
Åse.
[Coming up with a stick in her hand.]
Is that son of mine here? Now he’s in for a drubbing!Oh! how heartily I will dang him!
Is that son of mine here? Now he’s in for a drubbing!Oh! how heartily I will dang him!
Is that son of mine here? Now he’s in for a drubbing!Oh! how heartily I will dang him!
Is that son of mine here? Now he’s in for a drubbing!
Oh! how heartily I will dang him!
The Smith.[Rolling up his shirt-sleeves.]
The Smith.[Rolling up his shirt-sleeves.]
The Smith.
[Rolling up his shirt-sleeves.]
That switch is too light for a carcase likehis.his.
That switch is too light for a carcase likehis.his.
That switch is too light for a carcase likehis.his.
That switch is too light for a carcase likehis.his.
Some of the Crowd.
Some of the Crowd.
Some of the Crowd.
The smith will dang him!
The smith will dang him!
The smith will dang him!
The smith will dang him!
Others.
Others.
Others.
Bang him!
Bang him!
Bang him!
Bang him!
The Smith.[Spits on his hands and nods to Åse.]
The Smith.[Spits on his hands and nods to Åse.]
The Smith.
[Spits on his hands and nods to Åse.]
Hang him!
Hang him!
Hang him!
Hang him!
Åse.
Åse.
Åse.
What? Hang my Peer? Ay, just try if you dare;—Åse and I,[42]we have teeth and claws!—Where is he? [Calls across the yard.] Peer!
What? Hang my Peer? Ay, just try if you dare;—Åse and I,[42]we have teeth and claws!—Where is he? [Calls across the yard.] Peer!
What? Hang my Peer? Ay, just try if you dare;—Åse and I,[42]we have teeth and claws!—Where is he? [Calls across the yard.] Peer!
What? Hang my Peer? Ay, just try if you dare;—
Åse and I,[42]we have teeth and claws!—
Where is he? [Calls across the yard.] Peer!
The Bridegroom.[Comes running up.]
The Bridegroom.[Comes running up.]
The Bridegroom.
[Comes running up.]
Oh, God’s death on the cross!Come father, come mother, and——!
Oh, God’s death on the cross!Come father, come mother, and——!
Oh, God’s death on the cross!Come father, come mother, and——!
Oh, God’s death on the cross!
Come father, come mother, and——!
His Father.
His Father.
His Father.
What is the matter?
What is the matter?
What is the matter?
What is the matter?
The Bridegroom.
The Bridegroom.
The Bridegroom.
Just fancy, Peer Gynt——!
Just fancy, Peer Gynt——!
Just fancy, Peer Gynt——!
Just fancy, Peer Gynt——!
Åse.[Screams.]
Åse.[Screams.]
Åse.
[Screams.]
Have you taken his life?
Have you taken his life?
Have you taken his life?
Have you taken his life?
The Bridegroom.
The Bridegroom.
The Bridegroom.
No, but Peer Gynt——! Look, there on the hillside——!
No, but Peer Gynt——! Look, there on the hillside——!
No, but Peer Gynt——! Look, there on the hillside——!
No, but Peer Gynt——! Look, there on the hillside——!
The Crowd.
The Crowd.
The Crowd.
With thebride.bride.
With thebride.bride.
With thebride.bride.
With thebride.bride.
Åse.[Lets her stick sink.]
Åse.[Lets her stick sink.]
Åse.
[Lets her stick sink.]
Oh, the beast!
Oh, the beast!
Oh, the beast!
Oh, the beast!
The Smith.[As if thunderstruck.]
The Smith.[As if thunderstruck.]
The Smith.
[As if thunderstruck.]
Where the slope rises sheerestHe’s clambering upwards, by God, like a goat!
Where the slope rises sheerestHe’s clambering upwards, by God, like a goat!
Where the slope rises sheerestHe’s clambering upwards, by God, like a goat!
Where the slope rises sheerest
He’s clambering upwards, by God, like a goat!
The Bridegroom.[Crying.]
The Bridegroom.[Crying.]
The Bridegroom.
[Crying.]
He’s shouldered her, mother, as I might a pig!
He’s shouldered her, mother, as I might a pig!
He’s shouldered her, mother, as I might a pig!
He’s shouldered her, mother, as I might a pig!
Åse.[Shaking her fist up at him.]
Åse.[Shaking her fist up at him.]
Åse.
[Shaking her fist up at him.]
Would God you might fall, and——![Screams out in terror.Take care of your footing!
Would God you might fall, and——![Screams out in terror.Take care of your footing!
Would God you might fall, and——![Screams out in terror.Take care of your footing!
Would God you might fall, and——!
[Screams out in terror.
Take care of your footing!
The Hegstad Farmer.[Comes in, bare-headed and white with rage.]
The Hegstad Farmer.[Comes in, bare-headed and white with rage.]
The Hegstad Farmer.
[Comes in, bare-headed and white with rage.]
I’ll have his life for this bride-rape yet!
I’ll have his life for this bride-rape yet!
I’ll have his life for this bride-rape yet!
I’ll have his life for this bride-rape yet!
Åse.
Åse.
Åse.
Oh no, God punish me if I let you!
Oh no, God punish me if I let you!
Oh no, God punish me if I let you!
Oh no, God punish me if I let you!
Footnotes:
22. PronounceYendeen.
22. PronounceYendeen.
23. This is the poet’s own explanation of this difficult passage.“Hvirvlens vætter,”he writes, is equivalent to“Svimmelhedens ånder”—i.e., spirits of dizziness or vertigo.
23. This is the poet’s own explanation of this difficult passage.“Hvirvlens vætter,”he writes, is equivalent to“Svimmelhedens ånder”—i.e., spirits of dizziness or vertigo.
24. See Appendix.
24. See Appendix.
25. Literally “bushels.”
25. Literally “bushels.”
26. An ecclesiastical dignitary—something equivalent to a rural dean.
26. An ecclesiastical dignitary—something equivalent to a rural dean.
27. “Jon med Skjæppen”—literally, “John with the Bushel”—a nickname given him in his days of prosperity, in allusion to his supposed bushels of money.
27. “Jon med Skjæppen”—literally, “John with the Bushel”—a nickname given him in his days of prosperity, in allusion to his supposed bushels of money.
28. PronounceMaass-Moo-en.
28. PronounceMaass-Moo-en.
29. It is believed in some parts of Norway that “changelings” (elf-children left in the stead of those taken away by the fairies) can, by certain spells, be made to fly away up the chimney.
29. It is believed in some parts of Norway that “changelings” (elf-children left in the stead of those taken away by the fairies) can, by certain spells, be made to fly away up the chimney.
30. “Sendingsfolk,” literally, “folks with presents.” When the Norwegian peasants are bidden to a wedding-feast, they bring with them presents of eatables.
30. “Sendingsfolk,” literally, “folks with presents.” When the Norwegian peasants are bidden to a wedding-feast, they bring with them presents of eatables.
31. A somewhat violent peasant dance.
31. A somewhat violent peasant dance.
32. Foss (in the North of England “force”)—a waterfall.
32. Foss (in the North of England “force”)—a waterfall.
33. A sort of master of ceremonies.
33. A sort of master of ceremonies.
34. To kick the rafters is considered a great feat in the Halling-dance. The boy means that, in the open air, his leaps are not limited even by the rafters.
34. To kick the rafters is considered a great feat in the Halling-dance. The boy means that, in the open air, his leaps are not limited even by the rafters.
35. A marriage party among the peasants will often last several days.
35. A marriage party among the peasants will often last several days.
36. Literally, “thoughts.”
36. Literally, “thoughts.”
37. Literally, “last year.”
37. Literally, “last year.”
38. “To read with the pastor,” the preliminary to confirmation, is currently used as synonymous with “to be confirmed.”
38. “To read with the pastor,” the preliminary to confirmation, is currently used as synonymous with “to be confirmed.”
39. Literally, “A reader.”
39. Literally, “A reader.”
40. Literally, “Here shall judgment be called for.”
40. Literally, “Here shall judgment be called for.”
41. Literally, “Must be bent to the hillside,” made to bite the dust—but not in the sense of being killed.
41. Literally, “Must be bent to the hillside,” made to bite the dust—but not in the sense of being killed.
42. A peasant idiom.
42. A peasant idiom.