ACT THIRD.

Burgomaster.

Yes. But that is not the worst. The work would take at least two years.

Dr. Stockmann.

Two years! Do you mean to say two whole years?

Burgomaster.

At least. And what are we to do with the Baths in the meanwhile? Are we to close them? We should have no alternative. Do you think any one would come here, if it got abroad that the water was pestilential?

Dr. Stockmann.

But, Peter, that’s precisely what it is.

Burgomaster.

And all this now, just now, when the Baths are doing so well! Neighbouring towns, too, are not without their claims to rank as health-resorts. Do you think they would not at once set to work to divert the full stream of visitors to themselves? Undoubtedly they would; and we should be left stranded. We should probably have to give up the whole costly undertaking; and so you would have ruined your native town.

Dr. Stockmann.

I—ruined——!

Burgomaster.

It is only through the Baths that the town has any future worth speaking of. You surely know that as well as I do.

Dr. Stockmann.

Then what do you think should be done?

Burgomaster.

I have not succeeded in convincing myself that the condition of the water at the Baths is as serious as your statement represents.

Dr. Stockmann.

I tell you it’s if anything worse—or will be in the summer, when the hot weather sets in.

Burgomaster.

I repeat that I believe you exaggerate greatly. A competent physician should know what measures to take—he should be able to obviate deleterious influences, and to counteract them in case they should make themselves unmistakably felt.

Dr. Stockmann.

Indeed—? And then—?

Burgomaster.

The existing water-works are, once for all, a fact, and must naturally be treated as such. But when the time comes, the Directors will probably not be indisposed to consider whether it may not be possible, without unreasonable pecuniary sacrifices, to introduce certain improvements.

Dr. Stockmann.

And do you imagine I could ever be a party to such dishonesty?

Burgomaster.

Dishonesty?

Dr. Stockmann.

Yes, it would be dishonesty—a fraud, a lie, an absolute crime against the public, against society as a whole!

Burgomaster.

I have not, as I before remarked, been able to convince myself that there is really any such imminent danger.

Dr. Stockmann.

You have! You must have! I know that my demonstration is absolutely clear and convincing. And you understand it perfectly, Peter, only you won’t admit it. It was you who insisted that both the Bath-buildings and the water-works should be placed where they now are; and it’sthat—it’s that damned blunder that you won’t confess. Pshaw! Do you think I don’t see through you?

Burgomaster.

And even itAnd even itwere so? If I do watch over my reputation with a certain anxiety, I do it for the good of the town. Without moral authority I cannot guide and direct affairs in the way I consider most conducive to the general welfare. Therefore—and on various other grounds—it is of great moment to me that your statement should not be submitted to the Board of Directors. It must be kept back, for the good of the community. Later on I will bring up the matter for discussion, and we will do the best we can, quietly; but not a word, not a whisper, of this unfortunate business must come to the public ears.

Dr. Stockmann.

But it can’t be prevented now, my dear Peter.

Burgomaster.

It must and shall be prevented.

Dr. Stockmann.

It can’t be, I tell you; far too many people know about it already.

Burgomaster.

Know about it! Who? Surely not those fellows on thePeople’s Messenger——?

Dr. Stockmann.

Oh yes; they know. The liberal, independent press will take good care that you do your duty.

Burgomaster.

[After a short pause.] You are an amazingly reckless man, Thomas. Have not you reflected what the consequences of this may be to yourself?

Dr. Stockmann.

Consequences?—Consequences to me?

Burgomaster.

Yes—to you and yours.

Dr. Stockmann.

What the devil do you mean?

Burgomaster.

I believe I have always shown myself ready and willing to lend you a helping hand.

Dr. Stockmann.

Yes, you have, and I thank you for it.

Burgomaster.

I ask for no thanks. Indeed, I was in somemeasure forced to act as I did—for my own sake. I always hoped I should be able to keep you a little in check, if I helped to improve your pecuniary position.

Dr. Stockmann.

What! So it was only for your own sake——!

Burgomaster.

In a measure, I say. It is painful for a man in an official position, when his nearest relative goes and compromises himself time after time.

Dr. Stockmann.

And you think I do that?

Burgomaster.

Yes, unfortunately, you do, without knowing it. Yours is a turbulent, unruly, rebellious spirit. And then you have an unhappy propensity for rushing into print upon every possible and impossible occasion. You no sooner hit upon an idea than you must needs write a newspaper article or a wholepamphletpamphletabout it.

Dr. Stockmann.

Isn’t it a citizen’s duty, when he has conceived a new idea, to communicate it to the public!

Burgomaster.

Oh, the public has no need for new ideas. The public gets on best with the good old recognised ideas it has already.

Dr. Stockmann.

You say that right out!

Burgomaster.

Yes, I must speak frankly to you for once. Hitherto I have tried to avoid it, for I know how irritable you are; but now I must tell you the truth, Thomas. You have no conception how much you injure yourself by your officiousness. You complain of the authorities, ay, of the Government itself—you cry them down and maintain that you have been slighted, persecuted. But what else can you expect, with your impossible disposition?

Dr. Stockmann.

Oh, indeed! So I am impossible, am I?

Burgomaster.

Yes, Thomas, you are an impossible man to work with. I know that from experience. You have no consideration for any one or any thing; you seem quite to forget that you have me to thank for your position as medical officer of the Baths——

Dr. Stockmann.

It was mine by right! Mine, and no one else’s! I was the first to discover the town’s capabilities as a watering-place; I saw them, and, at that time, I alone. For years I fought single-handed for this idea of mine; I wrote and wrote——

Burgomaster.

No doubt; but then the right time had not come. Of course, in that out-of-the-world corner, you could not judge of that. As soon as the propitious moment arrived, I—and others—took the matter in hand——

Dr. Stockmann.

Yes, and you went and bungled the whole of my glorious plan. Oh, we see now what a set of wiseacres you were!

Burgomaster.

AllIcan see is that you are again seeking an outlet for your pugnacity. You want to make an onslaught on your superiors—that is an old habit of yours. You cannot endure any authority over you; you look askance at any one who holds a higher post than your own; you regard him as a personal enemy—and then you care nothing what kind of weapon you use against him. But now I have shown you how much is at stake for the town, and consequently for me too. And therefore I warn you, Thomas, that I am inexorable in the demand I am about to make of you!

Dr. Stockmann.

What demand?

Burgomaster.

As you have not had the sense to refrain from chattering to outsiders about this delicate business, which should have been kept an official secret, of course it cannot now be hushed up. All sorts of rumours will get abroad, and evil-disposed persons will invent all sorts of additions to them. It will therefore be necessary for you publicly to contradict these rumours.

Dr. Stockmann.

I! How? I don’t understand you?

Burgomaster.

We expect that, after further investigation, youwill come to the conclusion that the affair is not nearly so serious or pressing as you had at first imagined.

Dr. Stockmann.

Aha! So you expect that?

Burgomaster.

Furthermore, we expect you to express your confidence that the Board of Directors will thoroughly and conscientiously carry out all measures for the remedying of any possible defects.

Dr. Stockmann.

Yes, but that you’ll never be able to do, so long as you go on tinkering and patching. I tell you that, Peter; and it’s my deepest, sincerest conviction——

Burgomaster.

As an official, you have no right to hold any individual conviction.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Starting.] No right to——?

Burgomaster.

As an official, I say. In your private capacity, of course, it is another matter. But as a subordinate official of the Baths, you have no right to express any conviction at issue with that of your superiors.

Dr. Stockmann.

This is too much! I, a doctor, a man of science, have no right to——!

Burgomaster.

The matter in question is not a purely scientificone; it is a complex affair; it has both a technical and an economic side.

Dr. Stockmann.

What the devil do I care what it is! I will be free to speak my mind upon any subject under the sun!

Burgomaster.

As you please—so long as it does not concern the Baths. With them we forbid you to meddle.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Shouts.] You forbid——! You! A set of——

Burgomaster.

Iforbid it—I, your chief; and when I issue an order, you have simply to obey.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Controlling himself.] Upon my word, Peter, if you weren’t my brother——

Petra.

[Tears open the door.] Father, you shan’t submit to this!

Mrs. Stockmann.

[Following her.] Petra, Petra!

Burgomaster.

Ah! So we have been listening!

Mrs. Stockmann.

The partition is so thin, we couldn’t help——

Petra.

I stood and listened on purpose.

Burgomaster.

Well, on the whole, I am not sorry——

Dr. Stockmann.

[Coming nearer to him.] You spoke to me of forbidding and obeying——

Burgomaster.

You have forced me to adopt that tone.

Dr. Stockmann.

And am I to give myself the lie, in a public declaration?

Burgomaster.

We consider it absolutely necessary that you should issue a statement in the terms indicated.

Dr. Stockmann.

And if I do not obey?

Burgomaster.

Then we shall ourselves put forth a statement to reassure the public.

Dr. Stockmann.

Well and good; then I shall write against you. I shall stick to my point and prove thatIam right, and you wrong. And what will you do then?

Burgomaster.

Then I shall be unable to prevent your dismissal.

Dr. Stockmann.

What——!

Petra.

Father!Dismissal!Dismissal!

Mrs. Stockmann.

Dismissal!

Burgomaster.

Your dismissal from the Baths. I shall be compelled to move that notice be given you at once, and that you have henceforth no connection whatever with the Baths.

Dr. Stockmann.

You would dare to do that!

Burgomaster.

It is you who are playing the daring game.

Petra.

Uncle, this is a shameful way to treat a man like father!

Mrs. Stockmann.

Do be quiet, Petra!

Burgomaster.

[Looking atPetra.] Aha! We have opinions of our own already, eh? To be sure, to be sure! [ToMrs. Stockmann.] Sister-in-law, you are presumably the most rational member of this household. Use all your influence with your husband; try to make him realise what all this will involve both for his family——

Dr. Stockmann.

My family concerns myself alone!

Burgomaster.

——both for his family, I say, and for the town he lives in.

Dr. Stockmann.

It is I that have the real good of the town at heart! I want to lay bare the evils that, sooner or later, must come to light. Ah! You shall see whether I love my native town.

Burgomaster.

You, who, in your blind obstinacy, want to cut off the town’s chief source of prosperity!

Dr. Stockmann.

That source is poisoned, man! Are you mad? We live by trafficking in filth and corruption! The whole of our flourishing social life is rooted in a lie!

Burgomaster.

Idle fancies—or worse. The man who scatters broadcast such offensive insinuations against his native place must be an enemy of society.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Going towards him.] You dare to——!

Mrs. Stockmann.

[Throwing herself between them.] Thomas!

Petra.

[Seizing her father’s arm.] Keep calm, father!

Burgomaster.

I will not expose myself to violence. You have had your warning now. Reflect upon what is due to yourself and to your family. Good-bye.

[He goes.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Walking up and down.] And I must put upwith such treatment! In my own house, Katrina! What do you say to that!

Mrs. Stockmann.

Indeed, it’s a shame and a disgrace, Thomas——

Petra.

Oh, if I could only get hold of uncle——!

Dr. Stockmann.

It’s my own fault. I ought to have stood up against them long ago—to have shown my teeth—and used them too!—And to be called an enemy of society! Me! I won’t bear it; by Heaven, I won’t!

Mrs. Stockmann.

But my dear Thomas, after all, your brother has the power——

Dr. Stockmann.

Yes, but I have the right.

Mrs. Stockmann.

Ah yes, right, right! What good does it do to have the right, if you haven’t any might?

Petra.

Oh, mother—how can you talk so?

Dr. Stockmann.

What! No good, in a free community, to have right on your side? What an absurd idea, Katrina! And besides—haven’t I the free and independent press before me—and the compact majority at my back? That is might enough, I should think!

Mrs. Stockmann.

Why, good heavens, Thomas! you’re surely not thinking of——?

Dr. Stockmann.

What am I not thinking of?

Mrs. Stockmann.

——of setting yourself up against your brother, I mean.

Dr. Stockmann.

What the devil would you have me do, if not stick to what is right and true?

Petra.

Yes, that’s what I should like to know?

Mrs. Stockmann.

But it will be of no earthly use. If they won’t, they won’t.

Dr. Stockmann.

Ho-ho, Katrina! just wait a while, and you shall see whether I can fight my battles to the end.

Mrs. Stockmann.

Yes, to the end of getting your dismissal; that is what will happen.

Dr. Stockmann.

Well then, I shall at any rate have done my duty towards the public, towards society—I who am called an enemy of society!

Mrs. Stockmann.

But towards your family, Thomas? Towards us at home? Do you thinkthatis doing your duty towards those who are dependent on you?

Petra.

Oh, mother, don’t always think first of us.

Mrs. Stockmann.

Yes, it’s easy for you to talk; you can stand alone if need be.—But remember the boys, Thomas; and think a little of yourself too, and of me——

Dr. Stockmann.

You’re surely out of your senses, Katrina! If I were to be such a pitiful coward as to knuckle under to this Peter and his confounded crew—should I ever have another happy hour in all my life?

Mrs. Stockmann.

I don’t know about that; but God preserve us from the happiness we shall all of us have if you persist in defying them. There you will be again, with nothing to live on, with no regular income. I should have thought we had had enough of that in the old days. Remember them, Thomas; think of what it all means.

Dr. Stockmann.

[Struggling with himself and clenching his hands.] And this is what these jacks-in-office can bring upon a free and honest man! Isn’t it revolting, Katrina?

Mrs. Stockmann.

Yes, no doubt they are treating you shamefully. But God knows there’s plenty of injustice one must just submit to in this world.—Here are the boys, Thomas. Look at them! What is to become of them? Oh no, no! you can never have the heart——

EilifandMorten,with school-books, have meanwhile entered.

Dr. Stockmann.

The boys——! [With a sudden access of firmness and decision.] Never, though the whole earth should crumble, will I bow my neck beneath the yoke.

[Goes towards his room.

Mrs. Stockmann.

[Following him.] Thomas—what are you going to do?

Dr. Stockmann.

[At the door.] I must have the right to look my boys in the face when they have grown into free men.[Goes into his room.

Mrs. Stockmann.

[Bursts into tears.] Ah, God help us all!

Petra.

Father is true to the core. He will never give in!

[The boys ask wonderingly what it all means;Petrasigns to them to be quiet.

ACT THIRD.

The Editor’s Room of the “People’sMessenger.Messenger.” In the background, to the left, anentrance-door—entrance-door—to the right another door, with glass panes, through which can be seen the composing-room. A door in the right-hand wall. In the middle of the room a large table covered with papers, newspapers, and books. In front, on the left, a window, and by it a desk with a high stool. A couple of arm-chairs beside the table; some other chairs along the walls. The room is dingy and cheerless, the furniture shabby, the arm-chairs dirty and torn. In the composing-room are seen a few compositors at work; further back, a hand-press in operation.

Hovstadis seated at the desk, writing. PresentlyBillingenters from the right, with theDoctor’smanuscript in his hand.

Billing.

Well, I must say——!

Hovstad.

[Writing.] Have you read it through?

Billing.

[Laying the MS. on the desk.] Yes, I should think I had.

Hovstad.

Don’t you think the Doctor comes out strong?

Billing.

Strong! Why, strike me dead if he isn’t crushing! Every word falls like a—well, like a sledge-hammer.

Hovstad.

Yes, but these fellows won’t collapse at the first blow.

Billing.

True enough; but we’ll keep on hammering away, blow after blow, till the whole officialdom comes crashing down. As I sat in there reading that article, I seemed to hear the revolution thundering afar.

Hovstad.

[Turning round.] Hush! Don’t let Aslaksen hear that.

Billing.

[In a lower voice.] Aslaksen’s a white-livered, cowardly fellow, without a spark of manhood in him. But this time you’ll surely carry your point? Eh? You’ll print the Doctor’s paper?

Hovstad.

Yes, if only the Burgomaster doesn’t give in——

Billing.

That would be deuced annoying.

Hovstad.

Well, whatever happens, fortunately we can turn the situation to account. If the Burgomaster won’t agree to the Doctor’s proposal, he’ll have all the small middle-class down upon him—all the House-owners' Association, and the rest of them. And if he does agree to it, he’ll fall out with the wholecrew of big shareholders in the Baths, who have hitherto been his main support——

Billing.

Yes, of course; for no doubt they’ll have to fork out a lot of money——

Hovstad.

You may take your oath of that. And then, don’t you see, when the ring is broken up, we’ll din it into the public day by day that the Burgomaster is incompetent in every respect, and that all responsible positions in the town, the whole municipal government in short, must be entrusted to men of liberal ideas.

Billing.

Strike me dead if that isn’t the square truth! I see it—I see it: we are on the eve of a revolution!

[A knock at the door.

Hovstad.

Hush! [Calls.] Come in!

Dr. Stockmannenters from the back, left.

Hovstad.

[Going towards him.] Ah, here is the Doctor. Well?

Dr. Stockmann.

Print away, Mr. Hovstad!

Hovstad.

So it has come to that?

Billing.

Hurrah!

Dr. Stockmann.

Print away, I tell you. To be sure it has come to that. Since they will have it so, they must. War is declared, Mr. Billing!

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