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Ten minutes and I go.
GULDSTAD.
Sufficient for my purpose.
SVANHILD [going].
Farewell.
GULDSTAD.
No, Remain.
SVANHILD.
Shall I?
GULDSTAD.
Until you've answered me.
It's time we squared accounts. It's time we three Talked out for once together from the heart.
FALK [taken aback].
We three?
GULDSTAD.
Yes,--all disguises flung apart.
FALK [suppressing a smile].
O, at your service.
GULDSTAD.
Very good, then hear.
We've been acquainted now for half a year; We've wrangled--
FALK.
Yes.
GULDSTAD.
We've been in constant feud; We've changed hard blows enough. You fought--alone-- For a sublime ideal; I as one Among the money-grubbing mult.i.tude.
And yet it seemed as if a chord united Us two, as if a thousand thoughts that lay Deep in my own youth's memory benighted Had started at your bidding into day.
Yes, I amaze you. But this hair grey-sprinkled Once fluttered brown in spring-time, and this brow, Which daily occupation moistens now With sweat of labour, was not always wrinkled.
Enough; I am a man of business, hence--
FALK [with gentle sarcasm].
You are the type of practical good sense.
GULDSTAD.
And you are hope's own singer young and fain.
[Stepping between them.
Just therefore, Falk and Svanhild, I am here.
Now let us talk, then; for the hour is near Which brings good hap or sorrow in its train.
FALK [in suspense].
Speak, then!
GULDSTAD [smiling].
My ground is, as I said last night, A kind of poetry--
FALK.
In practice.
GULDSTAD.
Right!
FALK.
And if one asked the source from which you drew--?
GULDSTAD [Glancing a moment at SVANHILD, and then turning again to FALK.
A common source discovered by us two.
SVANHILD.
Now I must go.
GULDSTAD.
No, wait till I conclude.
I should not ask so much of others. You, Svanhild, I've learnt to fathom thro' and thro'; You are too sensible to play the prude.
I watched expand, unfold, your little life; A perfect woman I divined within you, But long I only saw a daughter in you;-- Now I ask of you--will you be my wife?
[SVANHILD draws back in embarra.s.sment.
FALK [seizing his arm].
Hold!
GULDSTAD.
Patience; she must answer. Put your own Question;--then her decision will be free.
FALK.
I--do you say?
GULDSTAD [looking steadily at him].
The happiness of three Lives is at stake to-day,--not mine alone.
Don't fancy it concerns you less than me; For tho' base matter is my chosen sphere, Yet nature made me something of a seer.
Yes, Falk, you love her. Gladly, I confess, I saw your young love bursting into flower.
But this young pa.s.sion, with its lawless power, May be the ruin of her happiness.
FALK [firing up].
You have the face to say so?
GULDSTAD [quietly].
Years give right.
Say now you won her--
FALK [defiantly].
And what then?
