University of Virginia Library

ACT FIRST

The Seventeenth of May.[1] A Popular fete in the Chamberlain's grounds. Music and dancing in the background. Coloured lights among the trees. In the middle, somewhat towards the back, a rostrum. To the right, the entrance to a large refreshment-tent; before it, a table with benches. In the foreground on the left, another table, decorated with flowers and surrounded with lounging-chairs.

A Crowd of People. LUNDESTAD, with a committee-badge at his button-hole, stands on the rostrum. RINGDAL, also with a committee-badge, at the table on the left.

Lundestad.

. . . Therefore, friends and fellow citizens,I drink to our freedom! As we have inherited it from our fathers, so will we preserve it for ourselves and for our children! Three cheers for the day! Three cheers for the Seventeenth of May!

The Crowd.

Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!

Ringdal

(as LUNDESTAD descends from the rostrum).
And one cheer more for old Lundestad!

Some of the Crowd

(hissing).
Ss! Ss!

Many Voices

(drowning the others).
Hurrah for Lundestad! Long live old Lundestad! Hurrah! [The CROWD gradually disperses. MONSEN, his son BASTIAN, STENSGARD, and ASLAKSEN make their way forward, through the throng.

Monsen.

'Pon my soul, it's time he was laid on the shelf!

Aslaksen.

It was the local situation[2] he was talking about! Ho-ho!

Monsen.

He has made the same speech year after year as long as I can remember. Come over here.

Stensgard.

No, no, not that way, Mr. Monsen. We are quite deserting your daughter.

Monsen.

Oh, Ragna will find us again.

Bastian.

She's all right; young Helle is with her.

Stensgard.

Helle?

Monsen.

Yes, Helle. But (nudging STENSGARD familiarly) you have me here, you see, and the rest of us. Come on! Here we shall be out of the crowd, and can discuss more fully what-- [Has meanwhile taken a seat beside the table on the left.

Ringdal

(approaching).
Excuse me, Mr. Monsen--that table is reserved--

Stensgard.

Reserved? For whom?

Ringdal

For the Chamberlain's party.

Stensgard.

Oh, confound the Chamberlain's party! There's none of them here.

Ringdal

No, but we expect them every minute.

Stensgard.

Then let them sit somewhere else. [Takes a chair.

Lundestad

(laying his hand on the chair).
No, the table is reserved, and there's an end of it.

Monsen

(rising).
Come, Mr. Stensgard; there are just as good seats over there. (Crosses to the right.) Waiter! Ha, no waiters either. The Committee should have seen to that in time. Oh, Aslaksen, just go in and get us four

bottles of champagne. Order the dearest; tell them to put it down to Monsen! [ASLAKSEN goes into the tent; the three others seat themselves.

Lundestad

(goes quietly over to them and addresses STENSGARD).
I hope you won't take it ill--

Monsen.

Take it ill! Good gracious, no! Not in the least.

Lundestad

(Still to STENSGARD).
It's not my doing; it's the Committee that decided--

Monsen.

Of course. The Committee orders, and we must obey.

Lundestad

(as before).
You see, we are on the Chamberlain's own ground here. He has been so kind as to throw open his park and garden for this evening; so we thought--

Stensgard.

We're extremely comfortable here, Mr. Lundestad--if only people would leave us in peace--the crowd, I mean.

Lundestad

(unruffled).
Very well; then it's all right. [Goes towards the back.

Aslaksen

(entering from the tent).
The waiter is just coming with the wine. [Sits.

Monsen.

A table apart, under special care of the Committee! And on our Independence Day of all others! There you have a specimen of the way things go.

Stensgard.

But why on earth do you put up with all this, you good people?

Monsen.

The habit of generations, you see.

Aslaksen.

You're new to the district, Mr. Stensgard. If only you knew a little of the local situation--

A Waiter

(brings champagne).
Was it you that ordered--?

Aslaksen.

Yes, certainly; open the bottle.

The Waiter

(pouring out the wine).
It goes to your account, Mr. Monsen?

Monsen.

The whole thing; don't be afraid. [The WAITER goes.

Monsen

(clinks glasses with STENSGARD).
Here's welcome among us, Mr. Stensgard! It gives me great pleasure to have made your acquaintance; I cannot but call it an honour to the district that such a man should settle here. The newspapers have made us familiar with your name, on all sorts of public occasions. You have great gifts of oratory, Mr. Stensgard, and a warm heart for the public weal. I trust you will enter with life and vigour into the-- h'm, into the--

Aslaksen.

The local situation.

Monsen.

Oh yes, the local situation. I drink to that. [They drink.

Stensgard.

Whatever I do, I shall certainly put life and vigour into it.

Monsen.

Bravo! Hear, hear! Another glass in honour of that promise.

Stensgard.

No, stop; I've already--

Monsen.

Oh, nonsense! Another glass, I say--to seal the bond! They clink glasses and drink. During what follows BASTIAN keeps on filling the glasses as soon as they are empty.

Monsen.

However--since we have got upon the subject --I must tell you that it's not the Chamberlain himself that keeps everything under his thumb. No, sir--old Lundestad is the man that stands behind and drives the sledge.

Stensgard.

So I am told in many quarters. I can't understand how a Liberal like him--

Monsen.

Lundestad? Do you call Anders Lundestad a Liberal? To be sure, he professed Liberalism in his young days, when he was still at the foot of the ladder. And then he inherited his seat in Parliament from his father. Good Lord! everything runs in families here.

Stensgard.

But there must be some means of putting a stop to all these abuses.

Aslaksen.

Yes, damn it all, Mr. Stensgard--see if you can't put a stop to them!

Stensgard.

I don't say that I--

Aslaksen.

Yes, you! You are just the man. You have the gift of gab, as the saying goes; and what's more: you have the pen of a ready writer. My paper's at your disposal, you know.

Monsen.

If anything is to be done, it must be done quickly. The preliminary election[3] comes on in three days now.

Stensgard.

And if you were elected, your private affairs would not prevent your accepting the charge?

Monsen.

My private affairs would suffer, of course; but if it appeared that the good of the community demanded the sacrifice, I should have to put aside all personal considerations.

Stensgard.

Good; that's good. And you have a party already: that I can see clearly.

Monsen.

I flatter myself the majority of the younger, go-ahead generation--

Aslaksen.

H'm, h'm! 'ware spies! DANIEL HEIRE enters from the tent; he peers about shortsightedly, and approaches.

Heire.

May I beg for the loan of a spare seat; I want to sit over there.

Monsen.

The benches are fastened here, you see; but won't you take a place at this table?

Heire.

Here? At this table? Oh, yes, with pleasure. (Sits.) Dear, dear! Champagne, I believe.

Monsen.

Yes; won't you join us in a glass?

Heire.

No, thank you! Madam Rundholmen's champagne-- Well, well, just half a glass to keep you company. If only one had a glass, now.

Monsen.

Bastian, go and get one.

Bastian.

Oh, Aslaksen, just go and fetch a glass. [ASLAKSEN goes into the tent. A pause.

Heire.

Don't let me interrupt you, gentlemen. I wouldn't for the world--! Thanks, Aslaksen. (Bows to STENSGARD.) A strange face--a recent arrival! Have I the pleasure of addressing our new legal luminary, Mr. Stensgard?

Monsen.

Quite right. (Introducing them.) Mr. Stensgard, Mr. Daniel Heire--

Bastian.

Capitalist.

Heire.

Ex-capitalist, you should rather say. It's all gone now; slipped through my fingers, so to speak. Not that I'm bankrupt--for goodness' sake don't think that.

Monsen.

Drink, drink, while the froth is on it.

Heire.

But rascality, you understand--sharp practice and so forth-- I say no more. Well, well, I am confident it is only temporary. When I get my outstanding law-suits and some other little matters off my hands, I shall soon be on the track of our aristocratic old Reynard the Fox. Let us drink to that-- You won't, eh?

Stensgard.

I should like to know first who your aristocratic old Reynard the Fox may be.

Heire.

Hee-hee; you needn't look so uncomfortable, man. You don't suppose I'm alluding to Mr. Monsen. No one can accuse Mr. Monsen of being aristocratic. No; it's Chamberlain Bratsberg, my dear young friend.

Stensgard.

What! In money matters the Chamberlain is surely above reproach.

Heire.

You think so, young man? H'm; I say no more. (Draws nearer.) Twenty years ago I was worth no end of money. My father left me a great fortune. You've heard

of my father, I daresay? No? Old Hans Heire? They called him Gold Hans. He was a shipowner: made heaps of money in the blockade time; had his window-frames and door-posts gilded; he could afford it-- I say no more; so they called him Gold Hans.

Aslaksen.

Didn't he gild his chimney-pots too?

Heire.

No; that was only a penny-a-liner's lie; invented long before your time, however. But he made the money fly; and so did I in my time. My visit to London, for instance--haven't you heard of my visit to London? I took a prince's retinue with me. Have you really not heard of it, eh? And the sums I have lavished on art and science! And on bringing rising talent to the front!

Aslaksen

(rises).
Well, good-bye, gentlemen.

Monsen.

What? Are you leaving us?

Aslaksen.

Yes; I want to stretch my legs a bit. [Goes.

Heire

(speaking low).
He was one of them--just as grateful as the rest, hee-hee! Do you know, I kept him a whole year at college?

Stensgard.

Indeed? Has Aslaksen been to college?

Heire.

Like young Monsen. He made nothing of it; also like-- I say no more. Had to give him up, you see; he had already developed his unhappy taste for spirits--

Monsen.

But you've forgotten what you were going to tell Mr. Stensgard about the Chamberlain.

Heire.

Oh, it's a complicated business. When my father was in his glory, things were going downhill with the old Chamberlain--this one's father, you understand; he was a Chamberlain too.

Bastian.

Of course; everything runs in families here.

Heire.

Including the social graces-- I say no more. The conversion of the currency, rash speculations, extravagances he launched out into, in the year 1816 or thereabouts, forced him to sell some of his land.

Stensgard.

And your father bought it?

Heire.

Bought and paid for it. Well, what then? I come into my property; I make improvements by the thousand--

Bastian.

Of course.

Heire.

Your health, my young friend!--Improvements by the thousand, I say--thinning the woods, and so forth. Years pass; and then comes Master Reynard--the present one, I mean--and repudiates the bargain!

Stensgard.

But, my dear Mr. Heire, you could surely have snapped your fingers at him.

Heire.

Not so easily! Some small formalities had been overlooked, he declared. Besides, I happened then to be in temporary difficulties, which afterwards became permanent. And what can a man do nowadays without capital?

Monsen.

You're right there, by God! And in many ways you can't do very much with capital either. That I know to my cost. Why, even my innocent children--

Bastian

(thumps the table).
Ugh, father! if I only had certain people here!

Stensgard.

Your children, you say?

Monsen.

Yes; take Bastian, for example. Perhaps I haven't given him a good education?

Heire.

A threefold education! First for the University; then for painting; and then for--what is it?--it's a civil engineer he is now, isn't it?

Bastian.

Yes, that I am, by the Lord!

Monsen.

Yes, that he is; I can produce his bills and his certificates to prove it! But who gets the town business? Who has got the local road-making--especially these last two years? Foreigners, or at any rate strangers--in short, people no one knows anything about!

Heire.

Yes; it's shameful the way things go on. Only last New Year, when the managership of the Savings Bank fell vacant, what must they do but give Monsen the go-by, and choose an individual that knew--(Coughs)--that knew how to keep his purse-strings drawn--which our princely

host obviously does not. Whenever there's a post of confidence going, it's always the same! Never Monsen--always some one that enjoys the confidence--of the people in power. Well, well; commune suffragium, as the Roman Law puts it; that means shipwreck in the Common Council, sir. [4] It's a shame! Your health!

Monsen.

Thanks! But, to change the subject--how are all your law-suits getting on?

Heire.

They are still pending; I can say no more for the present. What endless annoyance they do give me! Next week I shall have to summon the whole Town Council before the Arbitration Commission.[5]

Bastian.

Is it true that you once summoned yourself before the Arbitration Commission?

Heire.

Myself? Yes; but I didn't put in an appearance.

Monsen.

Ha, ha! You didn't, eh?

Heire.

I had a sufficient excuse: had to cross the river, and it was unfortunately the very year of Bastian's bridgeplump! down it went, you know--

Bastian.

Why, confound it all--!

Heire.

Take it coolly, young man! You are not the first that has bent the bow till it breaks. Everything runs in families, you know-- I say no more.

Monsen.

Ho ho ho! You say no more, eh? Well, drink, then, and say no more! (To STENSGARD.) You see, Mr. Heire's tongue is licensed to wag as it pleases.

Heire.

Yes, freedom of speech is the only civic right I really value.

Stensgard.

What a pity the law should restrict it.

Heire.

Hee-hee! Our legal friend's mouth is watering for a nice action for slander, eh? Make your mind easy, my dear sir! I'm an old hand, let me tell you!

Stensgard.

Especially at slander?

Heire.

Your pardon, young man! That outburst of indignation does honour to your heart. I beg you to forget an old man's untimely frankness about your absent friends.

Stensgard.

Absent friends?

Heire.

I have nothing to say against the son, of course --nor against the daughter. And if I happened to cast a passing slur upon the Chamberlain's character--

Stensgard.

The Chamberlain's? Is it the Chamberlain's family you call my friends?

Heire.

Well, you don't pay visits to your enemies, I presume?

Bastian.

Visits?

Monsen.

What?

Heire.

Ow, ow, ow! Here am I letting cats out of bags!

Monsen.

Have you been paying visits at the Chamberlain's?

Stensgard.

Nonsense! A misunderstanding--

Heire.

A most unhappy slip on my part. But how was I to know it was a secret? (To MONSEN.) Besides, you mustn't take my expressions too literally. When I say a visit, I mean only a sort of formal call; a frock-coat and yellow gloves affair--

Stensgard.

I tell you I haven't exchanged a single word with any of that family!

Heire.

Is it possible? Were you not received the second time either? I know they were "not at home" the first time.

Stensgard

(to MONSEN).
I had a letter to deliver from a friend in Christiania--that was all.

Heire

(rising).
I'll be hanged if it isn't positively revolting! Here is a young man at the outset of his career; full of simple-minded confidence, he seeks out the experienced man-of-the-world and knocks at his door; turns to him, who has brought his ship to port, to beg for-- I say no more! The man-of-the-world shuts the door in his face; is not at home; never is at home when it's his duty to be-- I say no more! (With indignation.) Was there ever such shameful insolence!

Stensgard.

Oh, never mind that stupid business.

Heire.

Not at home! He, who goes about professing that he is always at home to reputable people!

Stensgard.

Does he say that?

Heire.

A mere empty phrase. He's not at home to Mr. Monsen either. But I can't think what has made him hate you so much. Yes, hate you, I say; for what do you think I heard yesterday?

Stensgard.

I don't want to know what you heard yesterday.

Heire.

Then I say no more. Besides, the expressions didn't surprise me-- coming from the Chamberlain, I mean. Only I can't understand why he should have added "demagogue."

Stensgard.

Demagogue!

Heire.

Well, since you insist upon it, I must confess that the Chamberlain called you an adventurer and demagogue.

Stensgard

(jumps up).
What!

Heire.

Adventurer and demagogue--or demagogue and adventurer; I won't answer for the order.

Stensgard.

And you heard that?

Heire.

I? If I had been present, Mr. Stensgard, you may be sure I should have stood up for you as you deserve.

Monsen.

There, you see what comes of--

Stensgard.

How dare the old scoundrel--?

Heire.

Come, come, come! Keep your temper. Very likely it was a mere figure of speech--a harmless little joke, I have no doubt. You can demand an explanation tomorrow; for I suppose you are going to the great dinner- party, eh?

Stensgard.

I am not going to any dinner-party.

Heire.

Two calls and no invitation--!

Stensgard.

Demagogue and adventurer! What can he be thinking of?

Monsen.

Look there! Talk of the devil--! Come, Bastian. [Goes off with BASTIAN.

Stensgard.

What did he mean by it, Mr. Heire?

Heire.

Haven't the ghost of an idea.--It pains you? Your hand, young man! Pardon me if my frankness has wounded you. Believe me, you have yet many bitter lessons to learn in this life. You are young; you are confiding; you are trustful. It is beautiful; it is even touching; but-- but--trustfulness is silver, experience is gold: that's a proverb of my own invention, sir! God bless you! [Goes. CHAMBERLAIN BRATSBERG, his daughter THORA, and DOCTOR FIELDBO enter from the left.

Lundestad

(strikes the bell on the rostrum).
Silence for Mr. Ringdal's speech!

Stensgard

(shouts).
Mr. Lundestad, I demand to be heard.

Lundestad.

Afterwards.

Stensgard.

No, now! at once!

Lundestad.

You can't speak just now. Silence for Mr. Ringdal!

Ringdal

(on the rostrum).
Ladies and gentlemen! We have at this moment the honour of seeing in our midst the man with the warm heart and the open hand--the man we have an looked up to for many a year, as to a father--the man who is always ready to help us, both in word and deed --the man whose door is never closed to any reputable

citizen--the man who--who--ladies and gentlemen, our honoured guest is no lover of long speeches; so, without more words, I call for three cheers for Chamberlain Bratsberg and his family! Long life to them! Hurrah!

The Crowd.

Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! [Great enthusiasm; people press around the CHAMBERLAIN, who thanks them and shakes hands with those nearest him.

Stensgard.

Now may I speak?

Lundestad.

By all means. The platform is at your service.

Stensgard

(jumps upon the table).
I shall choose my own platform!

The Young Men

(crowding around him).
Hurrah!

The Chamberlain

(to the DOCTOR).
Who is this obstreperous personage?

Fieldbo.

Mr. Stensgard.

The Chamberlain.

Oh, it's he, is it?

Stensgard.

Listen to me, my glad-hearted brothers and sisters! Hear me, all you who have in your souls--though it may not reach your lips--the exultant song of the day, the day of our freedom! I am a stranger among you--

Aslaksen.

No!

Stensgard.

Thanks for that "No!" I take it as the utterance of a longing, an aspiration. A stranger I am, however; but this I swear, that I come among you with a great and open-hearted sympathy for your sorrows and your joys, your victories and defeats. If it lay in my power--

Aslaksen.

It does, it does!

Lundestad.

No interruptions! You have no right to speak.

Stensgard.

You still less! I abolish the Committee! Freedom on the day of freedom, boys!

The Young Men.

Hurrah for freedom!

Stensgard.

They deny you the right of speech! You hear it--they want to gag you! Away with this tyranny! I

won't stand here declaiming to a flock of dumb animals. I will talk; but you shall talk, too. We will talk to each other, from the heart!

The Crowd

(with growing enthusiasm).
Hurrah!

Stensgard.

We will have no more of these barren, white- chokered festivities! A golden harvest of deeds shall hereafter shoot up from each Seventeenth of May. May! Is it not the season of bud and blossom, the blushing maiden- month of the year? On the first of June I shall have been just two months among you; and in that time what greatness and littleness, what beauty and deformity, have I not seen?

The Chamberlain.

What on earth is he talking about, Doctor?

Fieldbo.

Aslaksen says it's the local situation.

Stensgard.

I have seen great and brilliant possibilities among the masses; but I have seen, too, a spirit of corruption brooding over the germs of promise and bringing them to nought. I have seen ardent and trustful youth rush yearning forth--and I have seen the door shut in its face.

Thora.

Oh, Heaven!

The Chamberlain.

What does he mean by that?

Stensgard.

Yes, my brothers and sisters in rejoicing! There hovers in the air an Influence, a Spectre from the dead and rotten past, which spreads darkness and oppression where there should be nothing but buoyancy and light. We must lay that Spectre; down with it!

The Crowd.

Hurrah! Hurrah for the Seventeenth of May!

Thora.

Come away, father--!

The Chamberlain.

What the deuce does he mean by a spectre? Who is he talking about, Doctor?

Fieldbo

(quickly).
Oh, it's about-- [Whispers a word or two.

The Chamberlain.

Aha! So that's it!

Thora

(softly to FIELDBO).
Thanks!

Stensgard.

If no one else will crush the dragon, I will! But we must hold together, boys!

Many Voices.

Yes! yes!

Stensgard.

We are young! The time belongs to us; but we also belong to the time. Our right is our duty! Elbowroom for faculty, for will, for power! Listen to me! We must form a League. The money-bag has ceased to rule among us!

The Chamberlain.

Bravo! (To the DOCTOR). He said the money-bag; so no doubt you're right--

Stensgard.

Yes, boys; we, we are the wealth of the country, if only there's metal in us. Our will is the ringing gold that shall pass from man to man. War to the knife against whoever shall deny its currency!

The Crowd.

Hurrah!

Stensgard.

A scornful "bravo" has been flung in my teeth--

The Chamberlain.

No, no!

Stensgard.

What care I! Thanks and threats alike are powerless over the perfect will.-- And now, God be with us! For we are going about His work, with youth and faith to help us. Come, then, into the refreshment-tent--our League shall be baptised this very hour.

The Crowd.

Hurrah! Carry him! Shoulder high with him! [He is lifted shoulder high.

Voices.

Speak on! More! More!

Stensgard.

Let us hold together, I say! Providence is on the side of the League of Youth. It lies with us to rule the world--here in the district! [He is carried into the tent amid wild enthusiasm.

Madam Rundholmen

(wiping her eyes).
Oh, Lord, how beautifully he does speak! Don't you feel as if you could kiss him, Mr. Heire?

Heire.

Thank you, I'd rather not.

Madam Rundholmen.

Oh, you! I daresay not.

Heire.

Perhaps you would like to kiss him, Madam Rundholmen.

Madam Rundholmen.

Ugh, how horrid you are! [She goes into the tent; HEIRE follows her.

The Chamberlain.

Spectre--and dragon--and money- bag! It was horribly rude--but well deserved!

Lundestad

(approaching).
I'm heartily sorry, Chamberlain--

The Chamberlain.

Yes, where was your knowledge of character, Lundestad? Well, well; we are none of us infallible. Good-night, and thanks for a pleasant evening. [Turns to THORA and the DOCTOR.) But bless me, I've been positively rude to that fine young fellow!

Fieldbo.

How so?

Thora.

His call, you mean--?

The Chamberlain.

He called twice. It's really Lundestad's fault. He told me he was an adventurer and--and I forget what else. Fortunately I can make up for it.

Thora.

How?

The Chamberlain.

Come, Thora; let us see to it at once--

Fieldbo.

Oh, do you think it's worth while, Chamberlain--?

Thora

(softly).
How?

The Chamberlain.

When one has done an injustice one should lose no time in undoing it; that's a plain matter of duty. Good-night, Doctor. After all, I've spent an amusing hour; and that's more than I have to thank you for to-day.

Fieldbo.

Me, Chamberlain?

The Chamberlain.

Yes, yes, yes--you and others.

Fieldbo.

May I ask what I--?

The Chamberlain.

Don't be curious, Doctor. I am never curious. Come, come--no offence--good-night! [THE CHAMBERLAIN and THORA go out to the left; FIELDBO gazes thoughtfully after them.

Aslaksen

(from the tent).
Hei, waiter! Pen and ink! Things are getting lively, Doctor!

Fieldbo.

What things?

Aslaksen.

He's founding the League. It's nearly founded.

Lundestad

(who has quietly drawn near).
Are many putting down their names?

Aslaksen.

We've enrolled about seven-and-thirty, not counting widows and so forth. Pen and ink; I say! No waiters to be found!--that's the fault of the local situation. [Goes off behind the tent.

Lundestad.

Puh! It has been hot to-day.

Fieldbo.

I'm afraid we have hotter days to come.

Lundestad.

Do you think the Chamberlain was very angry?

Fieldbo.

Oh, not in the least; you could see that, couldn't you? But what do you say to the new League?

Lundestad.

H'm; I say nothing. What is there to be said?

Fieldbo.

It's the beginning of a struggle for power here in the district.

Lundestad.

Well, well--; no harm in a fight. He has great gifts, that Stensgard.

Fieldbo.

He is determined to make his way.

Lundestad.

Youth is always determined to make its way. I was, when I was young; no one can object to that. But mightn't we look in and see--

Heire

(from the tent).
Well, Mr. Lundestad, are you going to move the previous question, eh? To head the opposition? Hee-hee! You must make haste!

Lundestad.

Oh, I daresay I shall be in time.

Heire.

Too late, sir! Unless you want to stand godfather. (Cheering from the tent.) There, they're chanting Amen; the baptism is over.

Lundestad.

I suppose one may be permitted to listen; I shall keep quiet. [Enters the tent.

Heire.

There goes one of the falling trees! There will

be a rare uprooting, I can tell you! The place will soon look like a wood after a tornado. Won't I chuckle over it!

Fieldbo.

Tell me, Mr. Heire, what interest have you in the matter?

Heire.

Interest? I am entirely disinterested, Doctor! If I chuckle, it is on behalf of my fellow citizens. There will be life, spirit, go, in things. For my own part--good Lord, it's all the same to me; I say, as the Grand Turk said of the Emperor of Austria and the King of France--I don't care whether the pig eats the dog or the dog the pig. [Goes toward the back on the right.

The Crowd

(in the tent).
Long live Stensgard! Hurrah! Hurrah for the League of Youth! Wine! Punch! Hei, hei! Beer! Hurrah!

Bastian

(comes from the tent).
God bless you and every one. (With tears in his voice.) Oh, Doctor, I feel so strong this evening; I must do something.

Fieldbo.

Don't mind me. What would you like to do?

Bastian.

I think I'll go down to the dancing-room and fight one or two fellows. [Goes out behind the tent.

Stensgard

(comes from the tent without his hat, and greatly excited).
My dear Fieldbo, is that you?

Fieldbo.

At your service, Tribune of the People! For I suppose you've been elected--?

Stensgard.

Of course; but--

Fieldbo.

And what is to come of it all? What nice little post are you to have? The management of the Bank? Or perhaps--

Stensgard.

Oh, don't talk to me like that! I know you don't mean it. You are not so empty and wooden as you like to appear.

Fieldbo.

Empty and wooden, eh?

Stensgard.

Fieldbo! Be my friend as you used to be! We have not understood each other of late. You have wounded and repelled me with your ridicule and irony. Believe

me, it was wrong of you. (Embraces him.) Oh, my great God! how happy I am!

Fieldbo.

You too? So am I, so am I!

Stensgard.

Yes, I should be the meanest hound on earth if all heaven's bounty didn't make me good and true. How have I deserved it, Fieldbo? What have I, sinner that I am, done to be so richly blessed?

Fieldbo.

There is my hand! This evening I am your friend indeed!

Stensgard.

Thanks! Be faithful and true, as I shall be! --Oh, isn't it an unspeakable joy to carry all that multitude away and along with you? How can you help becoming good from mere thankfulness? And how it makes you love all your fellow creatures! I feel as if I could clasp them all in one embrace, and weep, and beg their forgiveness because God has been so partial as to give me more than them.

Fieldbo

(quietly).
Yes, treasures without price may fall to one man's lot. This evening I would not crush an insect, not a green leaf upon my path.

Stensgard.

You?

Fieldbo.

Never mind. That's apart from the question. I only mean that I understand you.

Stensgard.

What a lovely night! Listen to the music and merriment floating out over the meadows. And how still it is in the valley! I tell you the man whose life is not reconsecrated in such an hour, does not deserve to live on God's earth!

Fieldbo.

Yes; but tell me now: what do you mean to build up out of it-to-morrow, and through the working-days to come?

Stensgard.

To build up? We have to tear down first.-- Fieldbo, I had once a dream--or did I see it? No; it was a dream, but such a vivid one! I thought the Day of judgment was come upon the world. I could see the whole curve of the hemisphere. There was no sun, only a livid storm- light. A tempest arose; it came rushing from the west and

swept everything before it: first withered leaves, then men; but they kept on their feet all the time, and their garments clung fast to them, so that they seemed to be hurried along sitting. At first they looked like townspeople running after their hats in a wind; but when they came nearer they were emperors and kings; and it was their crowns and orbs they were chasing and catching at, and seemed always on the point of grasping, but never grasped. Oh, there were hundreds and hundreds of them, and none of them understood in the least what was happening; but many bewailed themselves, and asked: "Whence can it come, this terrible storm?" Then there came the answer: "One Voice spoke, and the storm is the echo of that one Voice."

Fieldbo.

When did you dream that?

Stensgard.

Oh, I don't remember when; several years ago.

Fieldbo.

There were probably disturbances somewhere in Europe, and you had been reading the newspapers after a heavy supper.

Stensgard.

The same shiver, the same thrill, that then ran down my back, I felt again to-night. Yes, I will give my whole soul utterance. I will be the Voice--

Fieldbo.

Come, my dear Stensgard, pause and reflect. You will be the Voice, you say. Good! But where will you be the Voice? Here in the parish? Or at most here in the county! And who will echo you and raise the storm? Why, people like Monsen and Aslaksen, and that fat-headed genius, Mr. Bastian. And instead of the flying emperors and kings, we shall see old Lundestad rushing about after his lost seat in Parliament. Then what will it all amount to? Just what you at first saw in your dream--townsfolk in a wind.

Stensgard.

In the beginning, yes. But who knows how far the storm may sweep?

Fieldbo.

Fiddlesticks with you and your storm! And the first thing you go and do, hoodwinked and blinded and

gulled as you are, is to turn your weapons precisely against all that is worthy and capable among us--

Stensgard.

That is not true.

Fieldbo.

It is true! Monsen and the Stonelee gang got hold of you the moment you came here; and if you don't shake him off it will be your ruin. Chamberlain Bratsberg is a man of honour; that you may rely on. Do you know why the great Monsen hates him? Why, because--

Stensgard.

Not a word more! I won't hear a word against my friends!

Fieldbo.

Look into yourself, Stensgard! Is Mr. Mons Monsen really your friend?

Stensgard.

Mr. Monsen has most kindly opened his doors to me--

Fieldbo.

To people of the better sort he opens his doors in vain.

Stensgard.

Oh, whom do you call the better sort? A few stuck-up officials! I know all about it. As for me, I have been received at Stonelee with so much cordiality and appreciation--

Fieldbo.

Appreciation? Yes, unfortunately--there we are at the root of the matter.

Stensgard.

Not at all! I can see with unprejudiced eyes. Mr. Monsen has abilities, he has reading, he has a keen sense for public affairs.

Fieldbo.

Abilities? Oh, yes, in a way. Reading, too: he takes in the papers, and has read your speeches and articles. And his sense for public affairs he has, of course, proved by applauding the said articles and speeches.

Stensgard.

Now, Fieldbo, up come the dregs of your nature again. Can you never shake off that polluting habit of thought? Why must you always assume mean or ridiculous motives for everything? Oh, you are not serious! Now you look good and true again. I'll tell you the real root of the matter. Do you know Ragna?

Fieldbo.

Ragna Monsen? Oh, after a fashion--at second hand.

Stensgard.

Yes, I know she is sometimes at the Chamberlain's.

Fieldbo.

In a quiet way, yes. She and Miss Bratsberg are old schoolfellows.

Stensgard.

And what do you think of her?

Fieldbo.

Why, from all I have heard she seems to be a very good girl.

Stensgard.

Oh, you should see her in her home! She thinks of nothing but her two little sisters. And how devotedly she must have nursed her mother! You know the mother was out of her mind for some years before she died.

Fieldbo.

Yes, I was their doctor at one time. But surely, my dear fellow, you don't mean that--

Stensgard.

Yes, Fieldbo, I love her truly; to you I can confess it. Oh, I know what you are surprised at. You think it strange that so soon after--of course you know that I was engaged to Christiania?

Fieldbo.

Yes, so I was told.

Stensgard.

The whole thing was a disappointment. I had to break it off--it was best for all parties. Oh, how I suffered in that affair! The torture, the sense of oppression I endured--! Now, thank heaven, I am out of it all. That was my reason for leaving town.

Fieldbo.

And with regard to Ragna Monsen, are you quite sure of yourself?

Stensgard.

Yes, I am, indeed. There's no mistake possible in this case.

Fieldbo.

Well, then, in heaven's name, go in and win! It means your life's happiness! Oh, there's so much I could say to you--

Stensgard.

Really? Has she said anything? Has she confided in Miss Bratsberg?

Fieldbo.

No; that's not what I mean. But how can you, in the midst of your happiness, go and fuddle yourself in

these political orgies? How can town tattle take any hold upon a mind that is--

Stensgard.

Why not? Man is a complex machine--I am, at any rate. Besides, my way to her lies through these very party turmoils.

Fieldbo.

A terribly prosaic way.

Stensgard.

Fieldbo, I am ambitious; you know I am. I must make my way in the world. When I remember that I'm thirty, and am still on the first round of the ladder, I feel my conscience gnawing at me.

Fieldbo.

Not with its wisdom teeth.

Stensgard.

It's of no use talking to you. You have never felt the spur of ambition. You have dawdled and drifted all your days--first at college, then abroad, now here.

Fieldbo.

Perhaps; but at least it has been delightful. And no reaction follows, like what you feel when you get down from the table after--

Stensgard.

Stop that! I can bear anything but that. You are doing a bad action--you are damping my ardour.

Fieldbo.

Oh, come! If your ardour is so easily damped--

Stensgard.

Stop, I say! What right have you to break in upon my happiness? Do you think I am not sincere?

Fieldbo.

Yes, I am sure you are.

Stensgard.

Well, then, why go and make me feel empty, and disgusted, and suspicious of myself? (Shouts and cheers from the tent.) There--listen! They are drinking my health. An idea that can take such hold upon people--by God, it must have truth in it! THORA BRATSBERG, RAGNA MONSEN, and MR. HELLE enter from the left and cross, half-way back.

Helle.

Look, Miss Bratsberg; there is Mr. Stensgard.

Thora.

Then I won't go any further. Good-night, Ragna dear.

Helle

and Miss Monsen. Good-night, good-night. [They go out to the right.

Thora

(advancing).
I am Miss Bratsberg. I have a letter for you, from my father.

Stensgard.

For me?

Thora.

Yes; here it is. [Going.

Fieldbo.

May I not see you home?

Thora.

No, thank you. I can go alone. Good-night. [Goes out to the left.

Stensgard

(reading the letter by a Chinese lantern).
What is this!

Fieldbo.

Well--what has the Chamberlain to say to you?

Stensgard

(bursts into loud laughter).
I must say I didn't expect this!

Fieldbo.

Tell me--?

Stensgard.

Chamberlain Bratsberg is a pitiful creature.

Fieldbo.

You dare to--

Stensgard.

Pitiful! Pitiful. Tell any one you please that I said so. Or rather, say nothing about it-- (Puts the letter in his pocket.) Don't mention this to any one! [The COMPANY come out from the tent.

Monsen.

Mr. President! Where is Mr. Stensgard?

The Crowd.

There be is! Hurrah!

Lundestad.

Mr. President has forgotten his hat. [Hands it to him.

Aslaksen.

Here; have some punch! Here's a whole bowlful!

Stensgard.

Thanks, no more.

Monsen.

And the members of the League will recollect that we meet to-morrow at Stonelee--

Stensgard.

To-morrow? It wasn't to-morrow, was it--?

Monsen.

Yes, certainly; to draw up the manifesto

Stensgard.

No, I really can't to-morrow--I shall see about it the day after to-morrow, or the day after that. Well, good-night, gentlemen; hearty thanks all round, and hurrah for the future!

The Crowd.

Hurrah! Let's take him home in triumph!

Stensgard.

Thanks, thanks! But you really mustn't--

Aslaksen.

We'll all go with you.

Stensgard.

Very well, come along. Good-night, Fieldbo; you're not coming with us?

Fieldbo.

No; but let me tell you, what you said about Chamberlain Bratsberg--

Stensgard.

Hush, hush! It was an exaggeration--I withdraw it! Well, my friends, if you're coming, come; I'll take the lead.

Monsen.

Your arm, Stensgard!

Bastian.

A song! Strike up! Something thoroughly patriotic!

The Crowd.

A song! A song! Music! [A popular air is played and sung. The procession marches out by the back to the right.

Fieldbo

(to LUNDESTAD, who remains behind).
A gallant procession.

Lundestad.

Yes--and with a gallant leader.

Fieldbo.

And where are you going, Mr. Lundestad?

Lundestad.

I? I'm going home to bed.

[He nods and goes off. DOCTOR FIELDBO remains behind alone.