A hillside with deciduous trees near AASE’s farm. A rushing river. An old mill on the opposite bank. A hot summer’s day. PEER GYNT, a strongly built twenty-year-old boy, comes down the path. AASE, his mother, small and slight, follows him. She is angry and scolding.
AASE: Lies, Peer, lies!
PEER [without stopping]:
Plain truth it is!
AASE: Swear then!
PEER: Why?
AASE: Affeared to? Fie!
Such stuff and all; such rigmarole!
PEER [stopping]:
’Strewth, Ma!
AASE [in front of him]:
You’re shameless! First you took
off up the fells, left me the work –
spent though I am – sloped off to stalk
reindeer (you said) among the crags.
Return in rags, without your gun –
months you were gone – and meatless too.
D’you think I’ll eat your lies, lad? So:
where was that buck you almost took?
PEER: West, by Lake Gjendin.5
More tall tales!
PEER: Bitter it was, mind, a dread wind,
and he behind an alder-tump the whiles.
Moss he was after.
AASE [as before]:
Take me for daft, Peer?
PEER: Heard his hoof scraping. Saw his tines.
Didn’t dare breathe, hugging the stones,
on my belly, there in the gully,
chanced a quick look – oh, Ma! – that buck
all plump and gleaming! You’ve
seen never the like!
AASE: Believe
that, who feels free to!
PEER: Crack-o! Whack!
Down goes the buck! I’m on his back,
grab his left ear, see here, rear-skull,
straight to the spot, my hunting-steel
to make the kill. The brute is up!
A single leap, a beastly cry,
and we’re away!
Knife lost, torn from my fist,
my calves, my thighs, gripped fast
by some contortionist
it seemed; I mean, his horns
gripped me like pincers: for, some twist
of nature there possessed that creature.
We rode at the charge
along Gjendin Ridge!6
AASE [involuntarily]:
Bless, us, sweet Saviour!
PEER: Have you ever
been up along that razor-back?
Two miles of track; and sheer
its drop. Look! scree, glacier,
voiding themselves to either side.
Two thousand feet you’d fall, not slide.
So: there we were, riding air,
me and my steed at such a speed,
racing those suns – ay, they were many –
whirling about us, small and shiny.
We could look down
on eagles high above the tarn,
a snatched look as we overtook.
Seen but unheard the ice-floes broke
against the shore. Those earth-sky-folk –
Vættir – you know – surrounded us,
shrilling wild songs, and hounded us.
AASE [dizzy]:
Lord ’a’ mercy!
PEER: In that very
place – now hear me! – quite the worst –
a ptarmigan, of all things, burst
out of hiding, flap and shriek,
just where the buck and I were striding.
Upon the instant, we had swung
out from the ridge and hung
over a gulf.
[AASE staggers and takes hold of a tree trunk. PEER continues.]
Behind us, sheer,
the cliff-side, black; beneath us, ne’er
a glimpse of ground. Mists we cleft, broke
through many a wailing flock
of seagulls. Down and down we came
until, deep in the tarn’s womb,
a thing began to glimmer palely,
whiteish, like a reindeer’s belly.
AASE [gasping for breath]:
Peer, lad, you mean …?
PEER: Lordy, yes! It was our own
image that rose as we plunged down,
pace for pace; the tarn’s face
broke like a mirror. Their horns lock –
buck from the air with phantom buck,
all in a fleeting! Spray’s far-flung,
rainbows we dip our toes among!
At length the buck begins to swim
in earnest; I hold fast to him;
we reach the north shore; I head home—
AASE: But where’s the buck?
PEER: Maybe still there;
[Clicks his fingers, turns on his heels and adds:]
first come first served, and none to spare!
AASE: Lad, let me take it in! Your neck
not broken! Both your legs and back,
right as a trivet: God be praised
for keeping safe the boy I raised!
The seat’s out of his trousers, h’m;
today, nary a word of blame
shall pass my lips. Even to think
how close he came …
[Suddenly stops, looks at him with open mouth and wide eyes, is speechless for a long time, finally bursts out.]
Damned mountebank!
God help us, what a liar,
what a liar you are!
That fable you’ve just spun:
Gudbrand Glesne7 ’twas that took
the famous ride astride a buck.
A wench of twenty, I first heard
that tale; it’s here, still in my head!
PEER: Ain’t I just like him? ‘Gudbrand rides again!’
Folk can repeat the same feat.
AASE [furious]:
Well, yes, a lie can (truth to tell)
strut in fine clothes to work us ill.
Like a death’s head ’twould be, if known.
Such is your ill work, my son:
nothing decent and home-spun,
crazy high talk of eagles, bucks,
rides through the clouds on phantoms’ backs,
such dreadful lies – small things and great
made falsehood to give folk a fright.
And, what’s to me most terrible,
your own soul stuck ’twixt truth and fable!
PEER: If anyone else than you
said that to me, I’d beat ’em black and blue!
AASE [weeping]:
Wish to God I were dead,
that deep in black earth I was laid;
prayers and tears of no avail
to keep him from hell.
PEER: Dear little sweet Mother,
it’s true, all you say,
but best not to bother,
live life for the day.
AASE: I, who have borne
such a pig of a son?
Be happy – how can I,
without friends or money,
but rich in shame,
poor widow that I am?
[Renewed weeping]
Where have they gone,
those coffers of coin?
Grandad, old Rasmus Gynt,
got them, enjoyed their glint.
Your father gave them leave
to wander off, or scattered them like sand:
speculations in land!
A gilt coach he must have!
Then – the great winter feast
when he urged every guest
to break bottle and glass – all! –
in spendthrift wassail,
broken against the wall!
PEER: ‘Where are the snows of yesteryear?’
AASE: Be silent, Peer!
Look around: the farm, the house –
’most every window robbed of glass
and crammed with rags. Hedges stripped,
fences down; cattle stark-ribbed,
swept by the rain-soaked wind.
None left but us to scrape the ground.
Each month the bailiffs take yet more.
PEER: Old woman, what a Norn you are!
Fortune may fail; it soon gets well.
AASE: Soil that fed ours is strewn with salt,
and you’re a big man but in talk;
fancy yourself cock-o’-th’-walk.
Your witty tongue ne’er known to halt:
like when the pastor came to call –
a Copenhagen man8 and all –
to ask for your baptismal name.
He heard you, was quite overcome,
swore that such talents would go far –
Denmark itself had no such star –
which pleased your father, so that he
went off with horse and sled for fee.
Ah yes, mainfool, then all was well:
deacon, archdeacon, and the rest,
swigged, gorged, until they almost burst.
What’s that they say – ‘fair times, fair friends’?
When hardship strikes false friendship ends.
All went, the hour that ‘Gilded Jack’
took to the roads with peddler’s pack.
[Dries her eyes with her apron.]
I’m frail, now. Bide
here, as you’re bid.
Be my strength and stay.
Work the farm. Save
the little we have –
that’s what I pray,
[weeping yet again]
for all the good it does.
You lurk around the house
and fossick with the hearth.
When you swagger about
I’m shamed nigh to death.
You terrify the girls,
fight the worst men in miles.
PEER [moving away from her]:
Agh! – leave me be!
AASE [following]:
Deny,
if you dare,
it was you there
heading the pack that time
at Lunde Farm.
They fought like dogs, the rogues.
It was you that broke
his arm – Aslak
the smith’s – or put
his finger-joint out.
PEER: Who’s been telling tales?
AASE [agitated]:
The crofter’s wife heard the yells.
PEER [rubbing his elbow]:
My yells, though; he’s tough.
AASE: Who’s tough?
PEER: Aslak. He thrashed me.
AASE: Aslak? Ugh!
I could spit for shame.
Beaten by him,
that guzzling tosspot? All my days
I’ve suffered, but this takes the bays!
No matter what his strength
you should have made him measure his length.
PEER: Whether I thrash or am thrashed
your joy seems dashed.
[Laughs.]
Cheer up!
AASE: You’ve lied again!
You weren’t beaten, you mean?
PEER: A couple more lies, yes.
[Clenches his left fist.]
Look, in these iron tongs I gripped
and beat him. When he’s nicely hooped
my right fist here’s a sledgehammer—
AASE: You bully! I shall die of shame, Peer.
PEER: You deserve better than that,
twenty thousand times better,
without a doubt.
Little, angry, lovely Mother,
I pledge you my word.
You shall be honour’d
by folk near and far;
the whole village for sure.
Wait till I bring about
something truly great!
AASE [snorts]:
You? Great?
PEER: Who knows what I might meet?
AASE: I wish you had sufficient wit
that – just once! – you might mend
the rip in your own nether end.
PEER [becoming excited]:
I shall be emperor! A king!
AASE: Dear God, his fancy’s taken wing.
PEER: Don’t prate. Just wait.
AASE: ‘Bide time enough thou’lt come at t’crown,’
that saying’s well known.
PEER: Hold hard,
Mother!
AASE: No, I’ll be heard!
Your brain’s hexed. Though
it’s true enough
something splendid might have occurred
if only, day after day,
you’d not wasted, on daft play,
make-believe, downright lies,
the substance you had.
had tenderness in her eyes.
There was your future, Peer,
but you didn’t care.
PEER: You think not?
AASE: The old man
is a feeble creature
despite his stubborn nature;
wherever Ingrid leads he totters
after; his self-will’s his daughter’s,
that much is plain.
[Weeping]
Oh, my dear lad, oh such a prize:
Hæggstad’s endowments in her gift;
yours for the taking, once, with ease;
her fancied bridegroom, if you please.
Look at you now – in rags, bereft!
PEER [abruptly]:
I’ll get her to say ‘yes’
right now. When I propose!
AASE: Now? Where?
PEER: At Hæggstad!
AASE: My poor boy,
That path is closed; you’ll have no joy.
PEER: Why so?
AASE [sobbing]:
My dear son, let me weep.
Your luck is lost, your time is up.
[Sobbing]
While you were on your western jaunt
riding your fancy to the hunt,
Mads Moen …
PEER: That weed?
AASE: … went and proposed
and was accepted.
PEER: All’s not lost!
Wait! I’ll make ready mare and cart.
Begins to leave.
Tomorrow’s the great day.
PEER: That right? –
No matter: I’ll be there tonight.
AASE: Shame on you. Will you add the weight
of folks’ contempt: more shame and slight?
PEER: Be of good cheer, all shall be well!
[Shouting and laughing]
The cart would be too slow. I’ll …
Lifts her up.
AASE: Put me down! Put me down!
PEER: No fear!
I’ll carry you in my arms as far
as Hæggstad. Then we’ll see who’s wed.
Wades out into the river.
AASE: More likely we’ll both drown.
PEER: For something better I was born,
a nobler death!
AASE: Yes, to be sure,
you’ll end by dancing on the air.
‘None shall drown going gallows-ward,’
that’s what they say. You brute!
PEER: It’s hard to keep our foot-
ing here, ’s all weeds and mud.
AASE: You donkey!
PEER: Spit and swear.
There’s nothing that we can’t repair.
It’s getting shallower.
One, two, we’re almost through!
Let’s play! Let’s play ‘Peer and the Buck’!
I’ll be the Buck and you be Peer.
AASE: Where are we, lad? Lad! where’s the track?
PEER [wading ashore]:
Here. Right here. Now that we’re clear
across, give Buck a kiss,
say ‘thanks for the ride’.
AASE [boxing his ears]:
‘Thanks for the ride’, then!
Wish you’d kept that in your pouch!
AASE: Let be!
PEER: When we reach the farm
I need you to speak to him,
act go-between; your wits
are sharper than his. It’s
your job to run him down –
I mean Mads Moen –
and sing my praises.
AASE: You can bet I will!
A testimonial
you shall have – of curses.
I’ll rake you end to end,
you imp of the fiend –
for the world to admire.
PEER: Oh, Ma!
AASE [kicking him]:
My tongue won’t tire;
I’ll make that old man set the dog
on you, as if you’d come to beg.
PEER: H’m. Think I’d best leave you here.
AASE: I’ll not stay behind.
PEER: You’ve
not the strength, my dove!
AASE: Haven’t I just!
I’ve so much rage that I could brast
rocks wi’ bare hands; I could munch flint.
Leave go of me.
PEER: Promise me, then.
AASE: I’ll promise nothing; and I mean –
when they discover you’re Peer Gynt –
to tell my tale.
PEER: No; here you stay.
AASE: Think I’m not fit for company?
PEER: You’re not invited, that’s for sure.
AASE: What are you doing?
PEER: You’ll be safe
enough here, on the millhouse roof.
Puts her up there. AASE screams.
AASE: Get me down, you churl!
PEER: I would this minute if – stay still,
don’t lie full length or kick your legs,
don’t try your strength with hapless tugs;
otherwise things may not go well;
to put it plainly, you could fall.
AASE: You beast!
PEER: Don’t struggle.
AASE: Why can’t you go
back where you came from, as changelings do?
PEER: Shame on you, mother.
AASE: Pah!
PEER: I’d rather
go with your blessing than your blather.
AASE: You, mother’s pride! I’ll tan your hide;
no matter what, you hulking brat!
PEER: Farewell for now, fair goodly dame.
[Begins to leave, but turns around and lifts a finger in warning.]
Back soon. Be patient. Do stay calm.
Exit.
AASE: Peer! God help me, he’s galloped off
across the fields. And will he heed?
No, of course not. Oh my head,
I’m dizzy! Help!
TWO WOMEN carrying sacks on their backs walk down towards the mill.
FIRST WOMAN: Who’s kicking up
that din, I wonder, raising the roof?
AASE: Here!
SECOND WOMAN: Aase? Well, you’ve surely come
up in the world for real this time!
AASE: Lord, heaven’s gate is my last hope.
When I get there …
FIRST WOMAN: God bless you, neighbour,
upwards and onwards as you labour.
AASE: Bah! Fetch a ladder; I’ll get down.
It’s my confounded son.
SECOND WOMAN: Your son?
AASE: My son. Now everyone can say
they’ve seen him at his work and play.
FIRST WOMAN: Well, count on us.
AASE: Lend me your aid
to get to Hæggstad.
SECOND WOMAN: Is he there?
FIRST WOMAN: He’ll have come-uppance, that’s for sure.
Aslak the smith will be a guest.
AASE: My lad! My lad! They’ll strike him dead!
FIRST WOMAN: It’s been arranged and much discussed.
He’ll meet with his predestined end.
SECOND WOMAN: Poor old soul’s out of her mind!
[Shouts up the hill.]
Eivind! Anders! Need you here!
A MAN’S VOICE: What’s happening?
SECOND WOMAN: It’s Peer
Gynt’s mother on the millhouse roof –
he’s put her there, the oaf!
A low hill with bushes and heather. The country road runs behind it, with a fence separating them. PEER comes along a path, walks quickly up to the fence, stops and looks across to where the view opens out.
PEER: There’s the farm. I’ve made good time.
[Begins to climb over fence; then stops to consider.]
I wonder if Ingrid
will be on her own there?
[Shades his eyes and looks into the distance.]
No; friends and kindred
are swarming all over the old place already.
Should I turn around? Go back over the ground? Well, should I?
[Swings his leg back over the fence.]
Backbiters – hordes! – will be there: they always are.
Down on your luck, they attack; it goes through you like fire.
[Takes a few steps from the fence and tears off some leaves, lost in thought.]
If only I’d brought strong spirits to drink, or could pass in a wink,
unseen by all. If my name were unknown. Yes, something strong!
Gone at a gulp! Despair’s best help. So their laughter can’t sting.
Suddenly looks around him as if frightened; then he hides among the bushes. Some people with provisions walk past on their way to Hæggstad.
A MAN [in conversation]:
’s old man was a tosspot, his mother’s a wretched creature.
A WOMAN: No wonder, then, that the lad has a skewed nature.
The people walk past. After a while PEER emerges; his face is red with shame. He looks after them.
PEER [quietly]:
Was it me that they spoke of? Well, let the slander go round,
[Makes a theatrical gesture with one arm.]
they’ll not steal what is mine, nor unbind what is bound.
[Throws himself down on the heather-covered slope and lies for a long time with his hands behind his head, gazing into space.]
What an odd cloud that cloud is! It looks like a horse
with a man on its back, and the proper tack, set on its course.
Behind, an old woman comes riding upon a new broom.
[Laughs quietly to himself.]
Good Lord! It’s my mother! My mother. From whence has she come?
Wailing and scolding, ‘You beast O you beast!’ and ‘Oh, Peer!’
[His eyes begin to close.]
My eyes I will close for a while. Ah, she melts in her fear.
Peer Gynt rides at the head of his troop; many follow his lead.
Gold shoes for his charger, a fine silver band for its head.
He’s wearing new gloves, and a sabre he has, and a sheath,
his cloak is of fine weave, lined with white silk underneath.
It is splendid, his meinie, yet none sits so tall on his mount
as this fellow does. Sun glitters, the harness bells chant!
Plain folk in dull weeds are crowding behind a low wall;
the men doff their hats, their wives and daughters turn pale,
make me low curtseys. Everyone, everyone, knows
who this emperor is – Peer Gynt – and these fine fellows
his liegemen, a thousand all told. He casts wide abroad
gold coins by the bushel: a peasant’s soon rich as a lord!
Peer Gynt, who but he?, rides over the sun-kindled sea;
the Prince of England waits at his nation’s gates
in homage. Prim English maidens cry ‘welcome’ to him.
Grand English aldermen rise from their high teas,
England’s emperor happily bows both knees,
and says …
ASLAK THE SMITH [as he and others pass by on the other side of the fence]:
Well, look’ee here, Peer Gynt, the sot!
PEER [half-rising]:
My dear Emperor! …
ASLAK [leans on the fence, smirking]:
Hey, up you get!
PEER: Aslak the smith. I might have known.
ASLAK [to the others]:
Thinks he’s still at Lunde.9 Clown!
PEER [leaps up]:
I don’t want a fight!
ASLAK: All right. But – fecks! –
where have you been these past six weeks?
Were you bewitched, or what?
PEER: Strange deeds
have I done.
ASLAK [winking at the others]:
PEER: None of your business.
ASLAK [after a pause]:
Lass that weds
today at Hæggstad, she was one
that fancied you, the folk here say.
PEER: Don’t croak at me, vile bird of prey.
ASLAK [backing off slightly]:
Easy, now! There’s tastings more
left in that pot, you can be sure.
You’re Jon Gynt’s son! Come to the farm;
plenty of mutton dressed as lamb.
PEER: You go to hell!
ASLAK: I’ll kiss the bride
for you. You’ll make some old maid glad!
They leave, laughing and whispering.
PEER [stares after them for a short time, shrugs, half turns around]:
The Hæggstad girl, for all I care,
can wed with every fellow there.
[Looks down at his clothes.]
Look at yourself – your filthy rags –
I wish you had some decent togs.
[Stamps his foot.]
Curse them! I’d like to rip
their scorn from them with my iron butcher’s grip!
[Looks round, startled.]
What’s that? Who’s there? Snigger away!
I’ll break! Is no one here but me?
I must get home
to Mother.
[Begins to walk away; stops again, listening.]
Dancing at the farm!
[Gazes and listens intently; moves forward with cautious steps; his eyes shine.]
The fiddler’s striking up. They’re doing
the halling!10 The halling –
dancing it in the yard.
watches each lad as he whirls:
that can’t be bad!
I must join in
though Mother’s squatting like a djinn
on the millhouse yet.
Ah, that Guttorm is great
with his fiddle in spate,
it sings and it leaps,
plunges into the deeps!
And the girls there, so pretty!
I will join the party!
Leaps over the fence at a bound and goes down the road.
The farm enclosure at Hæggstad; the farmhouse furthest back. Many guests. There is lively dancing on a grassy slope. The FIDDLER sits on a table. The MASTER OF CEREMONIES stands in the doorway. SERVING WOMEN walk to and fro between the buildings; OLDER PEOPLE are sitting and chatting here and there.
A WOMAN [joins a group of people sitting on some logs]:
The bride? Yes, she’s sniffling a little, of course;
but I say, ignore that; it’s often a ruse.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES [in another group]:
Now, come up, good people, and help drain the keg!
A MAN: Thanks for such bounty! There’s almost too much here to swig!
A BOY [to the FIDDLER, as he flies past with a GIRL clinging to him]:
Hey-up there, Guttorm! Don’t spare the new fiddle strings!
A GIRL: Ply your bow so that now high over the meadows it sings!
SECOND GIRL [in a circle around a dancing BOY]:
That was a fine leap!
THIRD GIRL: Legs are they? Hey! they’re springs!
BOY [dancing]:
‘Here it’s high to the roof and it’s wide to the walls!’
THE BRIDEGROOM (who is MADS MOEN) approaches his FATHER, who is chatting, and tugs at his jacket. He is nearly in tears.
BRIDEGROOM: Dad, she won’t let me; it’s proud that she is!
FATHER: Won’t let you do what?
BRIDEGROOM: Door’s locked, and she won’t heed my calls.
Don’t know where the key is …
FATHER: Well, find it, you ninny!
Brains – haven’t you any?
He turns back and resumes his conversation. The BRIDEGROOM wanders across the yard.
A BOY [coming from behind the house]:
Things will be getting warm –
Peer Gynt’s at the farm!
ASLAK [joining in]:
Well, who invited him?
MASTER OF CEREMONIES:
No one I know of.
Goes towards the house.
ASLAK [to the GIRLS]: If he comes up, and speaks …
A GIRL [to the others]:
Ignore him, or, better, give him unfriendly looks.
PEER [enters, flushed, in high spirits, stops in front of the group and claps his hands]:
Who ‘trips the light fantastic’ best?
A GIRL [to whom he turns]:
Not me.
SECOND GIRL [likewise]:
Nor me.
THIRD GIRL: Nor me neither.
PEER [to a fourth GIRL]:
You, then, before I choose another!
FOURTH GIRL [turning away from him]:
I don’t have time.
You, then!
FIFTH GIRL [leaving]:
I’m going home.
PEER: The night is young! Madame, you jest!
ASLAK [after a pause, sotto voce]:
Look, Peer, see there! See, there she goes,
dancing around an old man’s toes!
PEER [quickly addressing an older MAN]:
Are there any still in need
of partners?
A MAN: Find them yourself, my lad.
Turns away. PEER has suddenly become quiet. He glances surreptitiously and timidly towards the group that rejected him. Everyone stares, but no one speaks. He tries approaching other groups. Whenever he comes close they fall silent. As soon as he moves off they smile and follow him with their eyes.
PEER [hushed]:
Knife-sharp their ill-will, each hateful smile;
all grates like saw-blade scraped with file.
Humiliated, he makes his way along the fence. SOLVEIG, holding little HELGA by the hand, enters the enclosure, together with her PARENTS.
FIRST MAN [to another standing not far from PEER]:
There’s those new incomers.
SECOND MAN: Out o’ the west?
FIRST MAN: Ay, from Hedalen.11
SECOND MAN: That so?
PEER [steps into the path of the newcomers, points to SOLVEIG and asks the MAN walking with her]:
May I dance
with your daughter, sir?
MAN [quietly]:
That you may. First, we must
go to the house – that’s good manners! – announce
our arrival.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES [to PEER as he offers him a drink]:
Some beer?
PEER [is immobile, gazing after SOLVEIG and her FAMILY]:
Not that much of a thirst,
but thanks. There’s dancing calls to be done!
[The MASTER OF CEREMONIES moves away. PEER gazes at the house; smiles.]
There! So fair! So modest! Her eyes cast down
to the tips of her shoes, to the hem of her gown;
the fresh white apron – how it gleams –
I see she carries a book of psalms
wrapped in trim cloth; her other hand
clasping her mother’s skirt. Beauty new-found,
[Begins to enter the room.]
I must see you again!
A BOY [comes out with several others]:
Why are you leaving
so early?
PEER: I’m not!
BOY: But you’re oddly behaving –
that’s quite the wrong way!
Takes PEER by the shoulder, attempting to turn him around.
PEER: Here, let me through!
BOY: You’re scared of Aslak, aren’t you, though!
PEER: Me? Frit?
BOY: Like at Lunde!
The crowd laughs, jeers; goes across to the dancing area.
SOLVEIG [in the doorway]:
You’re the one
that’s keen to dance?
PEER: I am indeed!
Don’t say you’d forgotten!
SOLVEIG: But not too far, so Mother said.
PEER: She said! She said! Are you still
wet behind the ears, fair chiel?
How old are you?
last spring.
PEER: And have you yet been named?
SOLVEIG: They call me Solveig. Pray, what’s yours
to be remembered by your heirs?
PEER: Peer Gynt.
SOLVEIG [pulling her hand from his]:
Law’ sakes!
PEER: What now, you goose?
SOLVEIG: Ah, let me be! My garter’s loose.
Exit.
BRIDEGROOM: Mother, she won’t!
MOTHER: Won’t what? Won’t what?
BRIDEGROOM: Unbolt the door; she’s in a state!
FATHER [quietly furious]:
You should be tethered to a mule!
MOTHER: Don’t ’rate him so, poor lad; he’ll thole.
A BOY [accompanied by a large group comes across from the dancing]:
Some brandy, Peer?
PEER: No.
FIRST BOY: Wet your lips?
PEER: You have some on you?
FIRST BOY: Well, perhaps …
[Pulls out a pocket flask and drinks.]
It burns so sweetly.
PEER: Let me taste.
SECOND BOY: Have some of mine; ’twill slake your thirst.
PEER: I’ll not take more.
SECOND BOY: Ah, don’t be frit.
PEER: Then just the smallest taste of it.
Drinks again.
A GIRL [in a low voice]:
We’d best be off.
PEER: So you’re afeard
as well, my lass. The things you’ve heard?
THIRD BOY: Ay, tales she’s heard of Lunde Farm!
FOURTH BOY: We know what skills you can perform!
PEER: I can do more if I’ve a mind.
FIRST BOY [whispering]:
He’s warming to it!
A group forms around PEER.
ONE OF THE GROUP: Come, show your hand!
PEER: Tomorrow, then.
ONE OF THE GROUP: No, no, right here!
PEER: Well, I can make Old Nick appear!
A MAN: My gran did that, in years gone by.
PEER: Fool! I can do what she could not.
I conjured him into a nut.
There was this little wormhole. He
cursed and promised things, and wept …
ONE OF THE GROUP [laughing]:
And then? And then?
ANOTHER: Then in he crept!
PEER: I sealed the hole up with a pin;
he buzzed and made a merry din
just like a drunken bumble bee.
A GIRL: Well, fancy that!
D’you still keep him in the nut?
PEER: Moved with the times to kinder climes.
It’s his fault that the smith and I
no longer quite see eye to eye!
I went to Aslak’s forge to ask
him to perform a simple task,
to crack the nutshell. He agreed,
and placed it on the anvil’s head.
But he’s a heavy-handed churl;
the sledgehammer’s his favourite tool!
ONE OF THE GROUP: He struck?
PEER: Ay, like a man inspired!
That crafty devil, though, self-fired,
rushed in a flame, out through the roof,
vanished with an almighty whoof!
ONE OF THE GROUP: Aslak?
PEER: Just stood there with scorched hands.
And since that day we’ve not been friends.
General laughter.
ONE OF THE GROUP: That’s a right good ’un!
ANOTHER: Well-nigh his best!
PEER: I didn’t invent it!
A MAN: That’s true; for most
came from my grandad.
PEER: Plain truth, I swear!
MAN: Like all you tell us.
PEER [with a swagger]:
I take rides
high in the sky on airy steeds.
I can work other wonders.
Uproarious laughter again.
ONE OF THE GROUP: Peer,
ride through the skies!
MANY: Ride! Ride the air!
PEER: No need to beg; no need to bawl –
I’ll ride the storm! I’ll blast you all!
The parish at my feet shall fall!
AN OLDER MAN: He’s raving mad.
SECOND MAN: Or a mere fool.
THIRD MAN: Loudmouth I’d call him.
FOURTH MAN: Hopeless liar.
A MAN [half-drunk]:
Just wait; you’ll get your reckoning, Peer!
ONE OF THE GROUP: With a good dusting, too! Your back
beaten and aching; both eyes black.
The crowd disperses; the older ones angry, the younger ones laughing.
BRIDEGROOM [moving close to PEER]:
Peer, say it’s true. You truly can
work wonders? Ride on air, I mean?
PEER [somewhat curtly]:
You heard me, Mads.
BRIDEGROOM: That means you wear
the cloak that makes folk disappear?
PEER: Hat, Mads, hat! I do; I shall.
He turns away. SOLVEIG walks across the enclosure, holding HELGA’s hand.
PEER [goes over to them; he appears somewhat more cheerful]:
Solveig, welcome! My cup is full!
[Holds her by the wrist.]
Ah, let me swing you high! And higher!
SOLVEIG: No, let me be!
PEER: But why, my fair?
SOLVEIG: You’re crazy-wild.
PEER: The tined reindeer
is crazy-wild when summer’s near.
Come, dance, dear girl, don’t look so stricken.
SOLVEIG [freeing her arm]:
I daren’t.
PEER: But why?
SOLVEIG [solemn]:
You have drink taken.
Walks off, with HELGA.
PEER: I could murder them all;
my knife through each loath’d caul
ere I unstuck the blade …
BRIDEGROOM [elbowing him]:
My bride, eh, my bride?
PEER [as if absent-mindedly]:
Your bride? She’s where …?
BRIDEGROOM: Oh, Peer! She’s shut
in the girls’ summer sleeping-hut.
So work your will to fetch her out,
I beg you, Peer!
PEER: Fetch her yourself.
I’ll not cast spells on your behalf.
[A sudden thought strikes him; he says, quietly but urgently.]
To the girls’ summer-hut she went …
[Approaches SOLVEIG and speaks.]
You’ve changed your mind?
[SOLVEIG tries to leave, he stands in her way.]
Seeing me here,
you grieve that I’m this man-of-mire?
SOLVEIG [quickly]:
Don’t speak as if God’s truth were spent.
PEER: Too true, alas! I’m drunk for spite
of cruel things you’ve said: a spate!
Come, girl!
SOLVEIG: But even if I so desired,
even if, mark you! I’m too scared …
PEER: Of him?
SOLVEIG: Yes, Father.
PEER: A Quietist,
a Seeker, some such pious sect,
is he not? Who bows his head
each day above his bitter bread?
A Bible-thumper? And the rest!
Who binds you with God’s interdict?
Well? Answer me!
SOLVEIG: No; let me go in peace.
PEER: Never!
[In a low-pitched voice, but vehement, terrifying]
I’ll turn myself into a troll!
Midnight tonight I shall pass through your bedroom wall.
So be well warned. Hear someone, some thing, hiss and spit;
it’s not, you know, the household cat.
It’ll be me: and your poor heart must pay the price.
I’ll drain your blood into a cup, and I’ll eat up
your little sister. A werewolf I become each night.
Your back, even your thighs, shall feel my bite …
[Suddenly his tone changes; he begs, as if terrified]
Dance, dance with me, Solveig!
SOLVEIG [looking appalled]:
That was vile!
She goes into the house.
BRIDEGROOM [wanders in, looking even more helpless than before]:
I’ll give you an ox if you’ll help me; so help me, I will!
PEER: Quickly then!
Both men go behind the house. At the same moment a large crowd leaves the dancing area; most of them are drunk. Tumult. SOLVEIG, HELGA and their PARENTS come to the door, accompanied by a number of the older folk.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES [to ASLAK, who heads the rabble]:
Order! Keep the peace!
ASLAK [pulling off his shirt]:
Not likely! Let’s see justice done.
Peer Gynt and me fight one to one!
A MAN: Ay, let ’em scrap, ’tis sound advice.
SECOND MAN: A disputation – that’s my motion!
THIRD MAN: I second that!
ASLAK: Nah, fists ’n’ blood!
Fists it shall be; words ain’t no good!
SOLVEIG’S FATHER: Restrain yourself!
HELGA: Mama, will he get hurt?
A BOY: Let’s rub his pack o’ lies in the dirt!
SECOND BOY: Boot him back where he came from!
THIRD BOY: Spit in his eyes!
FOURTH BOY [to ASLAK]:
You’re not chucking it in?
ASLAK [throwing down his shirt]:
‘The jade
to the knacker’s yard’, that’s what is said.
SOLVEIG’S MOTHER [to SOLVEIG]:
That fool’s awarded his well-earned prize.
AASE [enters, carrying a stick]:
My son, where is he? I’ll whack his bones,
ay, good and proper! I’ll tame him for once!
ASLAK [rolling up his sleeves]:
That puny switch won’t make its mark
on Peer Gynt’s hide!
FIRST BOY: Let the smith set to work!
SECOND BOY: Thrash him!
THIRD BOY: Tear him!
ASLAK [spitting on his hands and nodding to AASE]:
Hang and be sure!
AASE: Eh? Hang my Peer?
Old Aase and me – you see? you see! –
still have our tooth and claw.
Where’s the lad now?
[Calls across the enclosure.]
Peer? Peer!
BRIDEGROOM [running frantically in]:
Mam! Dad! Oh, oh!
I need you so!
HIS FATHER: What’s wrong, lad?
BRIDEGROOM: That Peer Gynt …
AASE [screaming]:
You’ve killed him! Woe!
BRIDEGROOM: I can’t
believe he’s done it. Look, my wife
and him!
AASE [lowering her stick]:
Come down, come down, you thief!
BRIDEGROOM: My wife with Gynt …
ASLAK [standing as if thunderstruck]:
There! On the cliff,
nearing the crest sure-footed. It’s
like watching a pair of goats.
BRIDEGROOM [weeping]:
More as a man might heft a pig!
AASE [calls up to PEER, threateningly]:
I hope you fall!
[Screams in terror.]
Don’t fall, I beg!
BRIDE’S FATHER [rushes in, bareheaded, white with rage]:
I’ll murder him! He’s got the bride!
AASE: If I let you, then let God strike me dead!