Solveig - Be it mean or brave, here is all to my mind, One so lightly draws breath in the teeth of the wind. Down below it was airless; one felt as though choked: That was partly what drove me in fear from the dale. But here, with the fir branches soughing o'erhead, What a stillness and song! I am here in my home. Peer-And know you that surely? For all your days? The path I have trodden leads back nevermore. Peer-You are mine then! In! In the room let me see you! Go in! I must go to fetch fir-roots for fuel. Solveig Warm shall the fire be and bright shall it shine; You shall sit softly and never be a-cold. [He opens the door; SOLVEIG goes in. He stands still for a while, then laughs aloud with joy and leaps into the air. Peer- My king's daughter! Now I have found her and won her! Hei! Now the palace shall rise, deeply founded! [He seizes his ax and moves away; at the same moment an OLDLOOKING WOMAN, in a tattered green gown, comes out from the wood; an UGLY BRAT, with an ale flagon in his hand, limps after, holding on to her skirt. The Woman - Good evening, Peer Lightfoot! Peer What is it? Who's there? The Woman - Old friends of yours, Peer Gynt! My home is near by. We are neighbors. Peer Indeed? That is more than I know. The Woman· - Even as your hut was builded, mine built itself too. Peer [going]- - I'm in haste The Woman – Yes, that you are always, my lad; But I'll trudge behind you and catch you at last. Peer You're mistaken, good woman! The Woman · I was so before; Peer You've forgotten the night when you drank with my sire? I've forgot what I never have known. What's this that you prate of ? When last did we meet? The Woman When last we met was when first we met. [To the Brat] Give your father a drink he is thirsty, I'm sure. you I should think you might well know the pig by its skin! Peer Why, where are your eyes? Can't you see that he's lame in Would you have me believe-? The Woman. Peer-This long-legged urchin ? Peer Would you wriggle away? He's shot up apace. Dare you, you troll-snout, father on me The Woman · Come now, Peer Gynt, you're as rude as an ox! [Weeping. Do but this, dear my love, and I'll soon lose my snout! Peer-Begone from me, troll-witch! The Woman Peer-I'll split your skull open! Ay, see if I do! you Just try if dare! When you're sitting with your girl on the fireside bench, - When you're tender, Peer Gynt, when you'd pet and caress her, I'll seat myself by you, and ask for my share. She there and I, we will take you by turns. Farewell, dear my lad, you can marry to-morrow! Peer You nightmare of hell! The Woman By-the-by, I forgot! You must rear your own youngster, you light-footed scamp! The Brat [spits at him] Faugh! I'll chop you with my hatchet; only wait, only wait! The Woman [kisses the Brat] What a head he has got on his shoulders, the dear! You'll be father's living image when once you're a man. Peer [stamping] – Oh, would you were as far- .! The Woman Peer [clinching his hands] And all this- ! As we now are near? Solveig, my fairest, my purest gold! The Woman Oh ay, 'tis the guiltless must smart, said the Devil: His mother boxed his ears when his father was drunk! [She trudges off into the thicket with the Brat, who throws the flagon at Peer Gynt. Peer [after a long silence] – The Boyg said, "Go roundabout!" so one must here. Roundabout, lad! There's no way to be found That can guide me aright in the pathless wood. And clinch it together in fragments and shards? You can do it with the fiddle, but not with a bell. Where you'd have the sward green, you must mind not to trample. 'Twas naught but a lie though, that witch-snout business! Now all that foulness is well out of sight. Ay, out of sight maybe, not out of mind. Ingrid! And the three, they that danced on the heights! And see that it bring me nor gain nor loss. One must put such things from one, and try to forget. It's a holy-day evening. For me to keep tryst, Solveig [in the doorway] It is dark, and I've got something heavy to fetch. Solveig-Wait; I will help you; the burden we'll share. Peer Peer Be my way long or short Be patient, my girl; you must wait. Yes, I'll wait! Solveig [nodding to him as he goes] [Peer Gynt goes down the wood-path. Solveig remains standing in the open half-door. SELWYN IMAGE. SELWYN IMAGE, artist, born about 1850. Educated at Brighton College and Marlborough, and took a degree at New College, Oxford, 1872. Was ordained in the same year, and continued in orders until 1880, when he gave up clerical work altogether and began the study of art. With Herbert Stone, he started the Hobby Horse in 1886. DE PROFUNDIS. (From "Poems and Carols.") BECAUSE the world is very stern; Because my spirit ebbs away; Because my spirit's eyes are dim; Because forbidden ways invite; Because the smile of sin is sweet; Because God's face I long to see; Because God's image stamps me yet; FINIS. A LITTLE While, and all in silence ends. |