Chapter 25

Hilda.

Of retribution? [Shakes her head.] I don’t understand that.

Solness.

Sit down, and I will tell you something.

Hilda.

Yes, do! At once!

[She sits on a stool by the railing, and looks expectantly at him.

Solness.

[Throws his hat on the table.] You know that I began by building churches.

Hilda.

[Nods.] I know that well.

Solness.

For, you see, I came as a boy from a pious home in the country; and so it seemed to me that this church-building was the noblest task I could set myself.

Hilda.

Yes, yes.

Solness.

And I venture to say that I built those poor little churches with such honest and warm and heartfelt devotion that—that——

Hilda.

That——? Well?

Solness.

Well, that I think that he ought to have been pleased with me.

Hilda.

He?Whathe?

Solness.

He who was to have the churches, of course! He to whose honour and glory they were dedicated.

Hilda.

Oh, indeed! But are you certain, then, that—that he was not—pleased with you?

Solness.

[Scornfully.]Hepleased withme! How can you talk so, Hilda? He who gave the troll in me leave to lord it just as it pleased. He who bade them be at hand to serve me, both day and night—all these—all these——

Hilda.

Devils——

Solness.

Yes, of both kinds. Oh no, he made me feel clearly enough that he was not pleased with me. [Mysteriously.] You see, that was really the reason why he made the old house burn down.

Hilda.

Was that why?

Solness.

Yes, don’t you understand? He wanted to give me the chance of becoming an accomplished master in my own sphere—so that I might build allthe more glorious churches for him. At first I did not understand what he was driving at; but all of a sudden it flashed upon me.

Hilda.

When was that?

Solness.

It was when I was building the church-tower up at Lysanger.

Hilda.

I thought so.

Solness.

For you see, Hilda—up there, amidst those new surroundings, I used to go about musing and pondering within myself. Then I saw plainly why he had taken my little children from me. It was that I should have nothing else to attach myself to. No such thing as love and happiness, you understand. I was to be only a master builder—nothing else. And all my life long I was to go on building for him. [Laughs.] But I can tell you nothing came ofthat!

Hilda.

What did you do, then?

Solness.

First of all, I searched and tried my own heart——

Hilda.

And then?

Solness.

Then I did theimpossible—I no less thanhe.

Hilda.

The impossible?

Solness.

I had never before been able to climb up to a great, free height. But that day I did it.

Hilda.

[Leaping up.] Yes, yes, you did!

Solness.

And when I stood there, high over everything, and was hanging the wreath over the vane, I said to him: Hear me now, thou Mighty One! From this day forward I will be a free builder—I too, in my sphere—just as thou in thine. I will never more build churches for thee—only homes for human beings.

Hilda.

[With great sparkling eyes.]Thatwas the song that I heard through the air!

Solness.

But afterwards his turn came.

Hilda.

What do you mean bythat?

Solness.

[Looks despondently at her.] Building homes for human beings—is not worth a rap, Hilda.

Hilda.

Do you saythatnow?

Solness.

Yes, for now I see it. Men have no use for these homes of theirs—to be happy in. And I should not have had any use for such a home, if I had had one. [With a quiet, bitter laugh.] See, that is the upshot of the whole affair, however far back I look. Nothing really built; nor anything sacrificed for the chance of building. Nothing, nothing! the whole is nothing!

Hilda.

Then you will never build anything more?

Solness.

[With animation.] On the contrary; I am just going to begin!

Hilda.

What, then? What will you build? Tell me at once!

Solness.

I believe there is only one possible dwelling-place for human happiness—and that is what I am going to build now.

Hilda.

[Looks fixedly at him.] Mr. Solness—you mean our castles in the air.

Solness.

The castles in the air—yes.

Hilda.

I am afraid you would turn dizzy before we got half-way up.

Solness.

Not if I can mount hand in hand with you, Hilda.

Hilda.

[With an expression of suppressed resentment.] Only with me? Will there be no others of the party?

Solness.

Who else should there be?

Hilda.

Oh—that girl—that Kaia at the desk. Poor thing—don’t you want to take her with you too?

Solness.

Oho! Was it about her that Aline was talking to you?

Hilda.

Is it so—or is it not?

Solness.

[Vehemently.] I will not answer such a question You must believe in me, wholly and entirely!

Hilda.

All these ten years I have believed in you so utterly—so utterly.

Solness.

You must go on believing in me!

Hilda.

Then let me see you stand free and high up!

Solness.

[Sadly.] Oh Hilda—it is not every day that I can do that.

Hilda.

[Passionately.] I will have you do it! I will have it! [Imploringly.] Just once more, Mr. Solness! Do theimpossibleonce again!

Solness.

[Stands and looks deep into her eyes.] If I try it, Hilda, I will stand up there and talk to him as I did that time before.

Hilda.

[In rising excitement.] What will you say to him?

Solness.

I will say to him: Hear me, Mighty Lord—thou may’st judge me as seems best to thee. But hereafter I will build nothing but the loveliest thing in the world——

Hilda.

[Carried away.] Yes—yes—yes!

Solness.

—build it together with a princess, whom I love——

Hilda.

Yes, tell him that! Tell him that!

Solness.

Yes. And then I will say to him: Now I shall go down and throw my arms round her and kiss her——

Hilda.

—many times! Say that!

Solness.

—many, many times, I will say.

Hilda.

And then——?

Solness.

Then I will wave my hat—and come down to the earth—and do as I said to him.

Hilda.

[With outstretched arms.] Now I see you again as I did when there was song in the air!

Solness.

[Looks at her with his head bowed.] How have you become what you are, Hilda?

Hilda.

How have you made me what I am?

Solness.

[Shortly and firmly.] The princess shall have her castle.

Hilda.

[Jubilant, clapping her hands.] Oh, Mr. Solness——! My lovely, lovely castle. Our castle in the air!

Solness.

On a firm foundation.

[In the street a crowd of people has assembled, vaguely seen through the trees. Music of wind-instruments is heard far away behind the new house.

Mrs. Solness,with a fur collar round her neck,Doctor Herdalwith her white shawl on his arm, and some ladies, come out on the verandah.Ragnar Brovikcomes at the same time up from the garden.

Mrs. Solness.

[ToRagnar.] Are we to have music, too?

Ragnar.

Yes. It’s the band of the Mason’s Union. [ToSolness.] The foreman asked me to tell you that he is ready now to go up with the wreath.

Solness.

[Takes his hat.] Good. I will go down to him myself.

Mrs. Solness.

[Anxiously.] What have you to do down there, Halvard?

Solness.

[Curtly.] I must be down below with the men.

Mrs. Solness.

Yes, down below—only down below.

Solness.

That is where I always stand—on everyday occasions.

[He goes down the flight of steps and away through the garden.

Mrs. Solness.

[Calls after him over the railing.] But do beg the man to be careful when he goes up! Promise me that, Halvard!

Dr. Herdal.

[ToMrs. Solness.] Don’t you see that I was right? He has given up all thought of that folly.

Mrs. Solness.

Oh, what a relief! Twice workmen have fallen, and each time they were killed on the spot. [Turns toHilda.] Thank you, Miss Wangel, for having kept such a firm hold upon him. I should never have been able to manage him.

Dr. Herdal.

[Playfully.] Yes, yes, Miss Wangel, you know how to keep firm hold on a man, when you give your mind to it.

[Mrs. SolnessandDr. Herdalgo up to the ladies, who are standing nearer to the steps and looking over the garden.Hildaremains standing beside the railing in the foreground.Ragnargoes up to her.

Ragnar.

[With suppressed laughter, half whispering.] Miss Wangel—do you see all those young fellows down in the street?

Hilda.

Yes.

Ragnar.

They are my fellow students, come to look at the master.

Hilda.

What do they want to look athimfor?

Ragnar.

They want to see how he daren’t climb to the top of his own house.

Hilda.

Oh,thatis what those boys want, is it?

Ragnar.

[Spitefully and scornfully.] He has kept us down so long—now we are going to see him keep quietly down below himself.

Hilda.

You will not see that—not this time.

Ragnar.

[Smiles.] Indeed! Then where shall we see him?

Hilda.

High—high up by the vane! That is where you will see him!

Ragnar.

[Laughs.] Him! Oh yes, I daresay!

Hilda.

Hiswillis to reach the top—so at the top you shall see him.

Ragnar.

Hiswill, yes; that I can easily believe. But he simplycannotdo it. His head would swim round, long, long before he got half-way. He would have to crawl down again on his hands and knees.

Dr. Herdal.

[Points across.] Look! There goes the foreman up the ladders.

Mrs. Solness.

And of course he has the wreath to carrytoo.too.Oh, I do hope he will be careful!

Ragnar.

[Stares incredulously and shouts.] Why, but it’s——

Hilda.

[Breaking out in jubilation.] It is the master builder himself?

Mrs. Solness.

[Screams with terror.] Yes, it is Halvard! Oh my great God——! Halvard! Halvard!

Dr. Herdal.

Hush! Don’t shout to him!

Mrs. Solness.

[Half beside herself.] I must go to him! I must get him to come down again!

Dr. Herdal.

[Holds her.] Don’t move, any of you! Not a sound!

Hilda.

[Immovable, followsSolnesswith her eyes.] He climbs and climbs. Higher and higher! Higher and higher! Look! Just look!

Ragnar.

[Breathless.] Hemustturn now. He can’t possibly help it.

Hilda.

He climbs and climbs. He will soon be at the top now.

Mrs. Solness.

Oh, I shall die of terror. I cannot bear to seeitit

Dr. Herdal.

Then don’t look up at him.

Hilda.

There he is standing on the topmostplanksplanksRight at the top!

Dr. Herdal.

Nobody must move! Do you hear?

Hilda.

[Exulting, with quiet intensity.] At last! At last! Now I see him great and free again!

Ragnar.

[Almost voiceless.] But this is im——

Hilda.

So I have seen him all through these ten years. How secure he stands! Frightfully thrilling all the same. Look at him! Now he is hanging the wreath round the vane!

Ragnar.

I feel as if I were looking at something utterly impossible.

Hilda.

Yes, it is theimpossiblethat he is doing now! [With the indefinable expression in her eyes.] Can you see any one else up there with him?

Ragnar.

There is no one else.

Hilda.

Yes, there is one he is striving with.

Ragnar.

You are mistaken.

Hilda.

Then do you hear no song in the air, either?

Ragnar.

It must be the wind in the tree-tops.

Hilda.

I hear a song—a mighty song! [Shouts in wild jubilation and glee.] Look, look! Now he is waving his hat! He is waving it to us down here! Oh, wave, wave back to him! For now it is finished! [Snatches the white shawl from the Doctor, waves it, and shouts up toSolness.] Hurrah for Master Builder Solness!

Dr. Herdal.

Stop!Stop!Stop!For God’s sake——!

[The ladies on the verandah wave their pocket-handkerchiefs, and the shouts of “Hurrah” are taken up in the street below. Then they are suddenly silenced, and the crowd bursts out into a shriek of horror. A human body, with planks and fragments of wood, is vaguely perceived crashing down behind the trees.

Mrs. Solness and the Ladies.

[At the same time.] He is falling! He is falling!

[Mrs. Solnesstotters, falls backwards, swooning, and is caught, amid cries and confusion, by the ladies. The crowd in the street breaks down the fence and storms into the garden. At the same timeDr. Herdal,too, rushes down thither. A short pause.

Hilda.

[Stares fixedly upwards and says, as if petrified.]MyMaster Builder.

Ragnar.

[Supports himself, trembling, against the railing.] He must be dashed to pieces—killed on the spot.

One of the Ladies.

[Whilst Mrs. Solness is carried into the house.] Run down for the doctor——

Ragnar.

I can’t stir a foot——

Another Lady.

Then call to some one!

Ragnar.

[Tries to call out.] How is it? Is he alive?

A Voice.

[Below, in the garden.] Mr. Solness is dead!

Other Voices.

[Nearer.] The head is all crushed.—He fell right into the quarry.

Hilda.

[Turns to Ragnar, and says quietly.] I can’t see him up there now.

Ragnar.

This is terrible. So, after all, he could not do it.

Hilda.

[As if in quiet spell-bound triumph.] But he mounted right to the top. And I heard harps in the air. [Waves her shawl in the air, and shrieks with wild intensity.]My—myMaster Builder!

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26. In the original “Appelsinia,” “appelsin” meaning “orange.”

Transcriber’s NoteThere are quite a few instances of missing punctuation. The conventional period following the character’s name is sometimes missing and has been added for consistency’s sake without further comment. Those missing from setting and stage direction are also added without comment, since there is no obvious purpose to be served by the omission. However, the restoration of punctuation missing from dialogue is noted below, since the punctuation can be expressive. Several instances of dubious ‘?’ marks have been corrected, based on context.A line at45.22ends with no punctuation, which could plausibly be either an exclamation or a question mark. A stage direction at93.10ends with an exclamation which perhaps should be a colon. A line at362.9also ends with no punction which could be a full stop or exclamation. A line at172.18lacks punctuation should be a full stop or exclamation. At line362.13punctuation could be also be a full top of exclamation.Volume I of this series included errata for each succeeding volume, and noted the following for Volume X. Each of these was corrected in printing.Other errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, and are noted here. The references are to the page and line in the original.19.23a whole flood of sunshine[.]Added.34.15Isn’t that good news, [’]Hedda?Removed.36.27write him a cordial, friendly letter[.]Added.43.21And for Eilert Lövb[e/o]rg, Thea.Replaced.47.30stands between Eilert Lövb[e/o]rg and me.Replaced.52.6are still wanting[,/.]Replaced.58.25how can you be so indifferent about it[./?]Replaced.127.25And no onemustknow it[.]Added.\how could you treat148.7her so heartlessly[./?]Replaced.177.23to see under that lamp[.]Added.201.15No, [on/no]; I suppose you can’t.Transposed.205.2[In nervous exaltation.][.] My God! My God!'Removed.215.20had gone to the dogs[.]Added.217.18That was most extraordinary[.]Added.228.2And don’t you know any one here[?]Added.240.20But did I reallysayall that[?]Added.243.8then Ididdo it, I suppose[.]Added.259.24moved into the new house[.]Added.275.4What was it[?]Added.298.27I should think[.]Added.320.9and bu[li/il]t houses for strangersTransposed.331.13You have your duties to her[.]Added.338.28[I ]promised the foreman I would.Restored?361.5he has the wreath to carry too[.]Added.364.2Stop! Stop[!] For God’s sake——!Added.

Transcriber’s Note

There are quite a few instances of missing punctuation. The conventional period following the character’s name is sometimes missing and has been added for consistency’s sake without further comment. Those missing from setting and stage direction are also added without comment, since there is no obvious purpose to be served by the omission. However, the restoration of punctuation missing from dialogue is noted below, since the punctuation can be expressive. Several instances of dubious ‘?’ marks have been corrected, based on context.

A line at45.22ends with no punctuation, which could plausibly be either an exclamation or a question mark. A stage direction at93.10ends with an exclamation which perhaps should be a colon. A line at362.9also ends with no punction which could be a full stop or exclamation. A line at172.18lacks punctuation should be a full stop or exclamation. At line362.13punctuation could be also be a full top of exclamation.

Volume I of this series included errata for each succeeding volume, and noted the following for Volume X. Each of these was corrected in printing.

Other errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, and are noted here. The references are to the page and line in the original.

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