Early Plays — Catiline, the Warrior's Barrow, Olaf Liljekrans

One of the most remarkable facts about Ibsen is the orderly development of his genius. He himself repeatedly maintained that his dramas were not mere isolated accidents. In the...

LADY KIRSTEN. Give it here! See, see! A crown of silver! Indeed, Alfhild! If you are your mother's only daughter I am very much afraid the bridal crown will nevermore be needed...

ARNE. Yes, Olaf, indeed! Ha, ha, ha! I must have been blind; 'tis well the bride sees better than I; for I have not noticed that the bridegroom is lacking; but now I understand...

OLAF. Ah, if it were--for certain I cannot doubt it. Alfhild herself said that her father played such music that no one who heard it could ever forget. He mentioned Lady Ingrid...

ASGAUT. Bethink yourself,-- Your standing with your warriors is at stake. Your word you pledged Valhalla's mighty gods, And if you fail a dastard you'll be judged. Do not forget...

BLANKA. [Seated at the left busily weaving a flower wreath.] Fountains may murmur in the sunny vales, Resplendent billows roll beneath the shore; Nor fountain's murmur, nor the...

[OLAF LILJEKRANS. ALFHILD from the back of the stage. She is fantastically dressed and adorned with flowers and garlands of leaves; she looks about anxiously until she discovers...

ALFHILD. [Remains lying motionless for a long time with her face concealed in her hands. At length she half raises herself, looks about bewildered, rises, and speaks with quiet...

ALFHILD. [Runs eagerly to meet him.] Olaf! Olaf! You have led me to the land Where I walk amid flowers, where before I trod on sand. In truth you have here so pleasant an isle,...

ASGAUT. No, wait till we have gone beyond the wood. There was still standing on the rocky cliff Against the sea a remnant of the wall,-- I dare say it is standing there to-day.

LADY KIRSTEN. [To herself.] I have not seen Olaf alone; but when I think it over, it is probably best that he know nothing about it until it is all over.

HEMMING. The golden ring unto me she has granted, Then still is she true, I am not deceived! 'Twas only in jest that she scolded and ranted As though she were bitterly grieved....

BLANKA. Lo! the sky in dying glory Surges like a sea ablaze,-- It is all so still before me, Still as in a sylvan maze. Summer evening's mellow power Settles round us like a dov...

HEMMING. [To himself.] Nowhere is Ingeborg to be found; she will bring me to my grave,--that is certain. Yesterday she was gracious to me; she gave me her ring; but then she too...

[ARNE of Guldvik appears with his relatives, men and women, minstrels, etc., in the background to the right on the other side of the river; they are all in festive attire. Short...

ARNE. [Aside.] This has been a cursed day for me! O, he is a cunning dog, this Hemming! He knew that Ingeborg had a fancy for him; it was therefore so galling to him that Olaf s...

ALFHILD. O, you must tell me still more of the world! Your words to my soul are refreshing indeed; It seems as if here in the wonders you tell My innermost longings you read!....

ARNE. [Sits down on the bench to the left.] Hemming! it is well that the wedding is to be held tonight. Tomorrow I go home; yes, that I will. Not a day longer will I remain in L...

OLAF. [To himself.] Yesterday and today! There is but a midsummer night between the two, and yet it seems to me that both autumn and winter have overtaken my soul since the time...

HEMMING. Alas, Lady Ingeborg! Once you were so kind to me; but now since you have become a real grown-up lady--and especially, I imagine, since you gave your betrothal vow--

ARNE. And that on a day like this, when you have enough things to attend to; 'tis at your house we celebrate the wedding of our children, since my estate lies too far from the c...

THORGJERD. [Mischievously.] Elves and sprites hold sway here. Be you of good cheer! If you find him not he is at play with the elves; they are fond of all who love little birds,...

LADY KIRSTEN. [As if she suddenly has an idea.] But in case I--Ah, if that could succeed, then would he be cured,--that I can promise. But Alfhild--? Well, nevertheless, it must...

HEMMING. There are plenty of them around here. Over the whole valley there are deserted huts; everything is just the same as it was when the last people died in the terrible pla...

INGEBORG. I, too! Aha,--'tis a jolly coincidence; I fled from you, and you from me! We both fled up here, and now just as our relatives are after us we meet again! Listen, Olaf...

LADY KIRSTEN. See, here will we begin the hunt. Our people must spread about and search all around the tarn;--she shall come forth and then--woe upon her! no mercy or pity is th...

They are gone! Can I trust my eyes;--is it true? Yes, here in the moonlight they stood in full view! There I see them again down the mountain side, And I must go with them, for...

ALFHILD. First to my father farewell I shall say! Then into the mountains I make my way! Down here I see Olaf wherever I go; I must up in the heights to steel my mind! I must de...

THORGJERD. Wherever the mind is at rest, there is one at home; that is why I like best to wander in here;--my neighbors shall not do me any injustice.

OLAF. Yes, yes, old man! There are people and merriment in here today, and hereafter it shall always be thus. It is your daughter's wedding we are celebrating; for love has she...

LADY KIRSTEN. Say nothing, good Hemming! say nothing of what he just said! You did well to let me alone know he was here. You shall be richly rewarded for this, but first we mus...

[ALFHILD lies sleeping and half concealed among the bushes beside the hut; soft music indicates her shifting dreams. OLAF comes down the hillside to the right. Over his wedding...

ARNE. [To the Guests.] Now quick, my good men! Spread out and search for him on every ridge and in every hillock! Away! Quite so! Tomorrow we drink to the wedding!

LADY KIRSTEN. The evil and cursed woman! Happy and gay she is though she knows that Olaf is to wed another. But that very fact will serve me well; it will go easier than I had t...

LADY KIRSTEN. [To herself.] Hard have I labored and struggled to bring things to this point; but now I shall give a feast that shall be heralded far and wide.

CHORUS OF LADY KIRSTEN'S RETINUE. [Deep in the wood to the right.] With ringing of bells we hurry along, We wander in field and in dell; O Christian, come, give heed to our song...

OLAF. [Gazes out to the right.] As merry she is as the youthful roe, As it plays with no thought of the morrow; But soon will she wring her small hands in woe, And suffer in ang...

OLAF. [As he tears to pieces some flowers he has gathered off the stage.] "Of all the flowers on the hill over yonder Must you the fairest one find; And bit by bit you must tear...

GANDALF. I thought to hide it from you,--hence I went To call my people to the ship again And sail away; you never should have known,-- The trumpet warns me that it is too late,...

BLANKA. [Alone.] He is gone! Ah, perfect stillness Rules upon the barren strand. Perfect stillness, grave-like stillness Rules my heart with heavy hand. Came he then to vanish o...