Books: The Master Builder
H >>
Henrik Ibsen >> The Master Builder
Pages:
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 | 6 |
7
MRS. SOLNESS.
Heavens! what deceitful eyes she has.
SOLNESS.
She? That poor little creature?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh--I can see what I can see, Halvard.--- Are you really dismissing
them?
SOLNESS.
Yes.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Her as well?
SOLNESS.
Was not that what you wished?
MRS. SOLNESS.
But how can you get on without her---? Oh well, no doubt you have
some one else in reserve, Halvard.
HILDA.
[Playfully.] Well, _I_ for one am not the person to stand at a desk.
SOLNESS.
Never mind, never mind--it will be all right, Aline. Now all you
have to do is think about moving into our new home--as quickly as
you can. This evening we will hang up the wreath--[Turns to HILDA.]
What do you say to that, Miss Hilda?
HILDA.
[Looks at him with sparkling eyes.] It will be splendid to see you
so high up once more.
SOLNESS.
Me!
MRS. SOLNESS.
For Heaven's sake, Miss Wangel, don't imagine such a thing! My
husband!--when he always gets so dizzy!
HILDA.
He get dizzy! No, I know quite well he does not!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh yes, indeed he does.
HILDA.
But I have seen him with my own eyes right up at the top of a high
church-tower!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, I hear people talk of that; but it is utterly impossible---
SOLNESS.
[Vehemently.] Impossible--impossible, yes! But there I stood all
the same!
MRS. SOLNESS.
O, how can you say so, Halvard? Why, you can't even bear to go out
on the second-storey balcony here. You have always been like that.
SOLNESS.
You may perhaps see something different this evening.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[In alarm.] No, no, no! Please God I shall never see that. I will
write at once to the doctor--and I am sure he won't let you do it.
SOLNESS.
Why, Aline---!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh, you know you're ill, Halvard. This proves it! Oh God--Oh God!
[She goes hastily out to the right.
HILDA.
[Looks intently at him.] Is it so, or is it not?
SOLNESS.
That I turn dizzy?
HILDA.
That my master builder dares not--cannot--climb as high as he builds?
SOLNESS.
Is that the way you look at it?
HILDA.
Yes.
SOLNESS.
I believe there is scarcely a corner in me that is safe from you.
HILDA.
[Looks towards the bow-window.] Up there, then. Right up there---
SOLNESS.
[Approaches her.] You might have the topmost room in the tower,
Hilda--there you might live like a princess.
HILDA.
[Indefinably, between earnest and jest.] Yes, that is what you
promised me.
SOLNESS.
Did I really?
HILDA.
Fie, Mr. Solness! You said I should be a princess, and that you
would give me a kingdom. And then you went and---Well!
SOLNESS.
[Cautiously.] Are you quite certain that this is not a dream--a
fancy, that has fixed itself in your mind?
HILDA.
[Sharply.] Do you mean that you did not do it?
SOLNESS.
I scarcely know myself. [More softly.] But now I know so much for
certain, that I---
HILDA.
That you---? Say it at once!
SOLNESS.
---that I ought to have done it.
HILDA.
[Exclaims with animation.] Don't tell me you can ever be dizzy!
SOLNESS.
This evening, then, we will hang up the wreath--Princess Hilda.
HILDA.
[With a bitter curve of the lips.] Over your new home, yes.
SOLNESS.
Over the new house, which will never be a home for me.
[He goes out through the garden door.
HILDA.
[Looks straight in front of her with a far-away expression, and
whispers to herself. The only words audible are:]---frightfully
thrilling---
ACT THIRD.
The large broad verandah of SOLNESS'S dwelling-house. Part
of the house, with outer door leading to the verandah, is
seen to the left. A railing along the verandah to the right.
At the back, from the end of the verandah, a flight of steps
leads down to the garden below. Tall old trees in the
garden spread their branches over the verandah and towards
the house. Far to the right, in among the trees, a glimpse
is caught of the lower part of the new villa, with scaffolding
round so much as is seen of the tower. In the background
the garden is bounded by an old wooden fence. Outside the
fence, a street with low, tumble-down cottages.
Evening sky with sun-lit clouds.
On the verandah, a garden bench stands along the wall of the
house, and in front of the bench a long table. On the other
side of the table, an arm-chair and some stools. All the
furniture is of wicker-work.
MRS. SOLNESS, wrapped in a large white crepe shawl, sits
resting in the arm-chair and gazes over to the right.
Shortly after, HILDA WANGEL comes up the flight of steps
from the garden. She is dressed as in the last act, and
wears her hat. She has in her bodice a little nosegay of
small common flowers.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[Turning her head a little.] Have you been round the garden, Miss
Wangel?
HILDA.
Yes, I have been taking a look at it.
MRS. SOLNESS.
And found some flowers too, I see.
HILDA.
Yes, indeed! There are such heaps of them in among the bushes.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Are there, really? Still? You see I scarcely ever go there.
HILDA.
[Closer.] What! Don't you take a run down into the garden every
day, then?
MRS. SOLNESS.
[With a faint smile.] I don't "run" anywhere, nowadays.
HILDA.
Well, but do you not go down now and then to look at all the lovely
things there?
MRS. SOLNESS.
It has all become so strange to me. I am almost afraid to see it
again.
HILDA.
Your own garden!
MRS. SOLNESS.
I don't feel that it is mine any longer.
HILDA.
What do you mean---?
MRS. SOLNESS.
No, no, it is not--not as it was in my mother's and father's time.
They have taken away so much--so much of the garden, Miss Wangel.
Fancy--they have parcelled it out--and built houses for strangers--
people that I don't know. And they can sit and look in upon me from
their windows.
HILDA.
[With a bright expression.] Mrs. Solness!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes?
HILDA.
May I stay here with you a little?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, by all means, if you care to.
[HILDA moves a stool close to the arm-chair and sits down.
HILDA.
Ah--here one can sit and sun oneself like a cat.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[Lays her hand softly on HILDA'S neck.] It is nice of you to be
willing to sit with me. I thought you wanted to go in to my husband.
HILDA.
What should I want with him?
MRS. SOLNESS.
To help him, I thought.
HILDA.
No, thank you. And besides, he is not in. He is over there with
his workmen. But he looked so fierce that I did not dare to talk
to him.
MRS. SOLNESS.
He is so kind and gentle in reality.
HILDA.
He!
MRS. SOLNESS.
You do not really know him yet, Miss Wangel.
HILDA.
[Looks affectionately at her.] Are you pleased at the thought of
moving over to the new house?
MRS. SOLNESS.
I ought to be pleased; for it is what Halvard wants---
HILDA.
Oh, not just on that account, surely?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, yes, Miss Wangel; for it is only my duty to submit myself to
him. But very often it is dreadfully difficult to force one's mind
to obedience.
HILDA.
Yes, that must be difficult indeed.
MRS. SOLNESS.
I can tell you it is--when one has so many faults as I have---
HILDA.
When one has gone through so much trouble as you have---
MRS. SOLNESS.
How do you know about that?
HILDA.
Your husband told me.
MRS. SOLNESS.
To me he very seldom mentions these things.--Yes, I can tell you I
have gone through more than enough trouble in my life, Miss Wangel.
HILDA.
[Looks sympathetically at her and nods slowly.] Poor Mrs. Solness.
First of all there was the fire---
MRS. SOLNESS.
[With a sigh.] Yes, everything that was mine was burnt.
HILDA.
And then came what was worse.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[Looking inquiringly at her.] Worse?
HILDA.
The worst of all.
MRS. SOLNESS.
What do you mean?
HILDA.
[Softly.] You lost the two little boys.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh, yes, the boys. But, you see, that was a thing apart. That was
a dispensation of Providence; and in such things one can only bow in
submission--yes, and be thankful, too.
HILDA.
Then you are so?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Not always, I am sorry to say. I know well enough that it is my
duty--but all the same I cannot.
HILDA.
No, no, I think that is only natural.
MRS. SOLNESS.
And often and often I have to remind myself that it was a righteous
punishment for me---
HILDA.
Why?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Because I had not fortitude enough in misfortune.
HILDA.
But I don't see that---
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh, no, no, Miss Wangel--do not talk to me any more about the two
little boys. We ought to feel nothing but joy in thinking of them;
for they are so happy--so happy now. No, it is the small losses in
life that cut one to the heart--the loss of all that other people
look upon as almost nothing.
HILDA.
[Lays her arms on MRS. SOLNESS'S knees, and looks up at her
affectionately.] Dear Mrs. Solness--tell me what things you mean!
MRS. SOLNESS.
As I say, only little things. All the old portraits were burnt on
the walls. And all the old silk dresses were burnt, what had belonged
to the family for generations and generations. And all mother's and
grandmother's lace--that was burnt, too. And only think--the jewels,
too! [Sadly.] And then all the dolls.
HILDA.
The dolls?
MRS. SOLNESS.
[Choking with tears.] I had nine lovely dolls.
HILDA.
And they were burnt too?
MRS. SOLNESS.
All of them. Oh, it was hard--so hard for me.
HILDA.
Had you put by all these dolls, then? Ever since you were little?
MRS. SOLNESS.
I had not put them by. The dolls and I had gone on living together.
HILDA.
After you were grown up?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, long after that.
HILDA.
After you were married, too?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh yes, indeed. So long as he did not see it---. But they were all
burnt up, poor things. No one thought of saving them. Oh, it is so
miserable to think of. You mustn't laugh at me, Miss Wangel.
HILDA.
I am not laughing in the least.
MRS. SOLNESS.
For you see, in a certain sense, there was life in them, too. I
carried them under my heart--like little unborn children.
DR. HERDAL, with his hat in his hand, comes out through the
door, and observes MRS. SOLNESS. and HILDA.
DR. HERDAL.
Well, Mrs. Solness, so you are sitting out here catching cold?
MRS. SOLNESS.
I find it so pleasant and warm here to-day.
DR. HERDAL.
Yes, yes. But is there anything going on here? I got a note from
you.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[Rises.] Yes, there is something I must talk to you about.
DR. HERDAL.
Very well; then perhaps we better go in. [To HILDA.] Still in your
mountaineering dress, Miss Wangel?
HILDA.
[Gaily, rising.] Yes--in full uniform! But to-day I am not going
climbing and breaking my neck. We two will stop quietly below and
look on, doctor.
DR. HERDAL.
What are we to look on at?
MRS. SOLNESS.
[Softly, in alarm, to HILDA.] Hush, hush--for God's sake! He is
coming! Try to get that idea out of his head. And let us be friends,
Miss Wangel. Don't you think we can?
HILDA.
[Throws her arms impetuously round MRS. SOLNESS'S neck.] Oh, if we
only could!
MRS. SOLNESS.
[Gently disengages herself.] There, there, there! There he comes,
doctor. Let me have a word with you.
DR. HERDAL.
Is it about him?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, to be sure it's about him. Do come in.
She and the doctor enter the house. Next moment SOLNESS
comes up from the garden by the flight of steps. A serious
look comes over HILDA'S face.
SOLNESS.
[Glances at the house-door, which is closed cautiously from within.]
Have you noticed, Hilda, that as soon as I come, she goes?
HILDA.
I have noticed that as soon as you come, you make her go.
SOLNESS.
Perhaps so. But I cannot help it. [Looks observantly at her.] Are
you cold, Hilda? I think you look cold.
HILDA.
I have just come up out of a tomb.
SOLNESS.
What do you mean by that?
HILDA.
That I have got chilled through and through, Mr. Solness.
SOLNESS.
[Slowly.] I believe I understand---
HILDA.
What brings you up here just now?
SOLNESS.
I caught sight of you from over there.
HILDA.
But then you must have seen her too?
SOLNESS.
I knew she would go at once if I came.
HILDA.
Is it very painful for you that she should avoid you in this way?
SOLNESS.
In one sense, it's a relief as well.
HILDA.
Not to have her before your eyes?
SOLNESS.
Yes.
HILDA.
Not to be always seeing how heavily the loss of the little boys
weighs upon her?
SOLNESS.
Yes. Chiefly that.
[HILDA drifts across the verandah with her hands behind her
back, stops at the railing and looks out over the garden.
SOLNESS.
[After a short pause.] Did you have a long talk with her?
[HILDA stands motionless and does not answer.
SOLNESS.
Had you a long talk, I asked? [HILDA is silent as before.
SOLNESS.
What was she talking about, Hilda? [HILDA continues silent.
SOLNESS.
Poor Aline! I suppose it was about the little boys.
HILDA.
[A nervous shudder runs through her; then she nods hurriedly
once or twice.
SOLNESS.
She will never get over it--never in this world. [Approaches her.]
Now you are standing there again like a statue; just as you stood
last night.
HILDA.
[Turns and looks at him, with great serious eyes.] I am going away.
SOLNESS.
[Sharply.] Going away!
HILDA.
Yes.
SOLNESS.
But I won't allow you to!
HILDA.
What am I to do here now?
SOLNESS.
Simply to be here, Hilda!
HILDA.
[Measures him with a look.] Oh, thank you. You know it wouldn't end
there.
SOLNESS.
[Heedlessly.] So much the better!
HILDA.
[Vehemently.] I cannot do any harm to one whom I know! I can't take
away anything that belongs to her.
SOLNESS.
Who wants you to do that?
HILDA.
[Continuing.] A stranger, yes! for that is quite a different thing!
A person I have never set eyes on. But one that I have come into
close contact with---! Oh no! Oh no! Ugh!
SOLNESS.
Yes, but I never proposed you should.
HILDA.
Oh, Mr. Solness, you know quite well what the end of it would be.
And that is why I am going away.
SOLNESS.
And what is to become of me when you are gone? What shall I have to
live for then?--After that?
HILDA.
[With the indefinable look in her eyes.] It is surely not so hard
for you. You have your duties to her. Live for those duties.
SOLNESS.
Too late. These powers--these--these---
HILDA.
---devils---
SOLNESS.
Yes, these devils! And the troll within me as well--they have drawn
all the life-blood out of her. [Laughs in desperation.] They did it
for my happiness! Yes, yes! [Sadly.] And now she is dead--for my
sake. And I am chained alive to a dead woman. [In wild anguish.]
_I_--_I_ who cannot live without joy in life!
[HILDA moves round the table and seats herself on the bench,
with her elbows on the table, and her head supported by her
hands.
HILDA.
[Sits and looks at him awhile.] What will you build next?
SOLNESS.
[Shakes his head.] I don't believe I shall build much more.
HILDA.
Not those cosy, happy homes for mother and father, and for the troop
of children?
SOLNESS.
I wonder whether there will be any use for such homes in the coming
time.
HILDA.
Poor Mr. Solness! And you have gone all these ten years--and staked
your whole life--on that alone.
SOLNESS.
Yes, you may well say so, Hilda.
HILDA.
[With an outburst.] Oh, it all seems to me so foolish--so foolish!
SOLNESS.
All what?
HILDA.
Not to be able to grasp at your own happiness--at your own life!
Merely because some one you know happens to stand in the way!
SOLNESS.
One whom you have no right to set aside.
HILDA.
I wonder whether one really has not the right! And yet, and yet---.
Oh! if one could only sleep the whole thing away!
[She lays her arms flat don on the table, rests the left side of
her head on her hands, and shuts her eyes.
SOLNESS.
[Turns the arm-chair and sits down at the table.] Had you a cosy,
happy home--up there with your father, Hilda?
HILDA.
[Without stirring, answers as if half asleep.] I had only a cage.
SOLNESS.
And you are determined not to go back to it?
HILDA.
[As before.] The wild bird never wants to go back to the cage.
SOLNESS.
Rather range through the free air---
HILDA.
[Still as before.] The bird of prey loves to range---
SOLNESS.
[Lets his eyes rest on her.] If only one had the viking-spirit in
life---
HILDA.
[In her usual voice; opens her eyes but does not move.] And the
other thing? Say what that was!
SOLNESS.
A robust conscience.
[HILDA sits erect on the bench, with animation. Her eyes have
once more the sparkling expression of gladness.
HILDA.
[Nods to him.] _I_ know what you are going to build next!
SOLNESS.
Then you know more than I do, Hilda.
HILDA.
Yes, builders are such stupid people.
SOLNESS.
What is it to be then?
HILDA.
[Nods again.] The castle.
SOLNESS.
What castle?
HILDA.
My castle, of course.
SOLNESS.
Do you want a castle now?
HILDA.
Don't you owe me a kingdom, I should like to know?
SOLNESS.
You say I do.
HILDA.
Well--you admit you owe me this kingdom. And you can't have a kingdom
without a royal castle, I should think.
SOLNESS.
[More and more animated.] Yes, they usually go together.
HILDA.
Good! Then build it for me! This moment!
SOLNESS.
[Laughing.] Must you have that on the instant, too?
HILDA.
Yes, to be sure! For the ten years are up now, and I am not going
to wait any longer. So--out with the castle, Mr. Solness!
SOLNESS.
It's no light matter to owe you anything, Hilda.
HILDA.
You should have thought of that before. It is too late now. So--
[tapping the table]--the castle on the table! It is my castle! I
will have it at once!
SOLNESS.
[More seriously, leans over towards her, with his arms on the table.]
What sort of castle have you imagined, Hilda?
[Her expression becomes more and more veiled. She seems gazing
inwards at herself.
HILDA.
[Slowly.] My castle shall stand on a height--on a very great height--
with a clear outlook on all sides, so that I can see far--far around.
SOLNESS.
And no doubt it is to have a high tower!
HILDA.
A tremendously high tower. And at the very top of the tower there
shall be a balcony. And I will stand out upon it---
SOLNESS.
[Involuntarily clutches at his forehead.] How can you like to stand
at such a dizzy height---?
HILDA.
Yes, I will! Right up there will I stand and look down on the other
people--on those that are building churches, and homes for mother
and father and the troop of children. And you may come up and look
on at it, too.
SOLNESS.
[In a low tone.] Is the builder to be allowed to come up beside the
princess?
HILDA.
If the builder will.
SOLNESS.
[More softly.] Then I think the builder will come.
HILDA.
[Nods.] The builder--he will come.
SOLNESS.
But he will never be able to build any more. Poor builder!
HILDA.
[Animated.] Oh, yes, he will! We two will set to work together.
And then we will build the loveliest--the very loveliest--thing in
all the world.
SOLNESS.
[Intently.] Hilda--tell me what that is!
HILDA.
[Looks smilingly at him, shakes her head a little, pouts, and speaks
as if to a child.] Builders--they are such very--very stupid people.
SOLNESS.
Yes, no doubt they are stupid. But now tell me what it is--the
loveliest thing in the world--that we two are to build together?
HILDA.
[Is silent a little while, then says with an indefinable expression
in her eyes.] Castles in the air.
SOLNESS.
Castles in the air?
HILDA.
[Nods.] Castles in the air, yes! Do you know what sort of thing a
castle in the air is?
SOLNESS.
It is the loveliest thing in the world, you say.
HILDA.
[Rises with vehemence, and makes a gesture of repulsion with her
hand.] Yes, to be sure it is! Castles in the air--they are so
easy to build, too--[looks scornfully at him]--especially for the
builders who have a--a dizzy conscience.
SOLNESS.
[Rises.] After this day we two will build together, Hilda.
HILDA.
[With a half-dubious smile.] A real castle in the air?
SOLNESS.
Yes. One with a firm foundation under it.
RAGNAR BROVIK comes out from the house. He is carrying a
large green wreath with flowers and silk ribbons.
HILDA.
[With an outburst of pleasure.] The wreath! Oh, that will be
glorious!
SOLNESS.
[In surprise.] Have you brought the wreath Ragnar?
RAGNAR.
I promised the foreman I would.
SOLNESS.
[Relieved.] Ah, then I suppose you father is better?
RAGNAR.
No.
SOLNESS.
Was he not cheered by what I wrote?
RAGNAR.
It came too late.
SOLNESS.
Too late!
RAGNAR.
When she came with it he was unconscious. He had had a stroke.
SOLNESS.
Why, then, you must go home to him! You must attend to your father!
RAGNAR.
He does not need me any more.
SOLNESS.
But surely you ought to be with him.
RAGNAR.
She is sitting by his bed.
SOLNESS.
[Rather uncertainly.] Kaia?
RAGNAR.
[Looking darkly at him.] Yes--Kaia.
SOLNESS.
Go home, Ragnar--both to him and to her. Give me the wreath.
RAGNAR.
[Suppresses a mocking smile.] You don't mean that you yourself---?
SOLNESS.
I will take it down to them myself [Takes the wreath from him.]
And now you go home; we don't require you to-day.
RAGNAR.
I know you do not require me any more; but to-day I shall remain.
SOLNESS.
Well, remain then, since you are bent upon it.
HILDA.
[At the railing.] Mr. Solness, I will stand here and look on at you.
SOLNESS.
At me!
HILDA.
It will be fearfully thrilling.
SOLNESS.
[In a low tone.] We will talk about that presently, Hilda.
[He goes down the flight of steps with the wreath, and away
through the garden.
HILDA.
[Looks after him, then turns to RAGNAR.] I think you might at least
have thanked him
RAGNAR.
Thanked him? Ought I to have thanked him?
HILDA.
Yes, of course you ought!
RAGNAR.
I think it is rather you I ought to thank.
HILDA.
How can you say such a thing?
RAGNAR.
[Without answering her.] But I advise you to take care, Miss Wangel!
For you don't know him rightly yet.
HILDA.
[Ardently.] Oh, no one knows him as I do!
RAGNAR.
[Laughs in exasperation.] Thank him, when he has held me down year
after year! When he made father disbelieve in me--made me disbelieve
in myself! And all merely that he might---!
HILDA.
[As if divining something.] That he might---? Tell me at once!
RAGNAR.
That he might keep her with him.
HILDA.
[With a start towards him.] The girl at the desk.
RAGNAR.
Yes.
HILDA.
[Threateningly, clenching her hands.] That is not true! You are
telling falsehoods about him!
RAGNAR.
I would not believe it either until to-day--when she said so herself.
HILDA.
[As if beside herself.] What did she say? I will know! At once!
at once!
RAGNAR.
She said that he had taken possession of her mind--her whole mind--
centred all her thoughts upon himself alone. She says that she can
never leave him--that she will remain here, where he is---
HILDA.
[With flashing eyes.] She will not be allowed to!
RAGNAR.
[As if feeling his way.] Who will not allow her?
HILDA.
[Rapidly.] He will not either!
RAGNAR.
Oh no--I understand the whole thing now. After this, she would merely
be--in the way.
HILDA.
You understand nothing--since you can talk like that! No, _I_ will
tell you why he kept hold of her.
RAGNAR.
Well then, why?
HILDA.
In order to keep hold of you.
RAGNAR.
Has he told you so?
HILDA.
No, but it is so. It must be so! [Wildly.] I will--I will have
it so!
RAGNAR.
And at the very moment when you came--he let her go.
HILDA.
It was you--you that he let go! What do you suppose he cares about
strange women like her?
RAGNAR.
[Reflects.] Is it possible that all this time he has been afraid of
me?
HILDA.
He afraid! I would not be so conceited if I were you.
RAGNAR.
Oh, he must have seen long ago that I had something in me, too.
Besides--cowardly--that is just what he is, you see.
HILDA.
He! Oh yes, I am likely to believe that!
RAGNAR.
In a certain sense he is cowardly--he, the great master builder. He
is not afraid of robbing others of their happiness--as he has done
both for my father and me. But when it comes to climbing up a paltry
bit of scaffolding--he will do anything rather than that.
HILDA.
Oh, you should just have seen him high, high up--at the dizzy height
where I once saw him.
RAGNAR.
Did you see that?
HILDA.
Yes, indeed I did. How free and great he looked as he stood and
fastened the wreath to the church vane!
RAGNAR.
I know that he ventured that, once in his life--one solitary time.
It is a legend among us younger men. But no power on earth would
induce him to do it again.
HILDA.
To-day he will do it again!
RAGNAR.
[Scornfully.] Yes, I daresay!
HILDA.
We shall see it!
RAGNAR.
Pages:
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 | 6 |
7