Brand by Henrik Ibsen--Delphi Classics (Illustrated) by Henrik Ibsen

Author:Henrik Ibsen [IBSEN, HENRIK]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Parts Edition 9 of 29 by Delphi Classics
Publisher: Delphi Classics (Parts Edition)
Published: 2017-08-23T00:00:00+00:00

ACT FIFTH.

A year and a half later. The new Church stands complete, and adorned for consecration. The river runs close beside it. A misty morning, early.

The SEXTON is busy hanging garlands outside the Church; shortly after comes the SCHOOLMASTER.

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

At work already?

THE SEXTON.

None too soon.

Lcnd me a hand; I must festoon

The path, to keep the march in trim.

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

Before the Manse I see ascending

Something that rears a rounded rim —

THE SEXTON.

Ay, surely, surely!

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

What is pending?

THE SEXTON.

Why, it is what they call a shield

With Parson’s name in a gold field.

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

To-day the valley’s in high feather.

From far and wide they’re flocking hither,

The fjord with sails isagleam.

THE SEXTON.

Yes; they’ve awaken’d from their dream.

In the late Pastor’s day, no breast

With bitterness and strife was cumber’d,

Each slumber’d as his neighbour slumber’d,

-I’m not quite certain which is best.

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

Life, Sexton, life!

THE SEXTON.

Yet you and I

Pass this “life” unregarding by; How comes it?

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

Why, before, the folk

Sluniher’d, and nowise toil’d, as we did;

We fell asleep when they awoke,

Because we were no longer needed.

THE SEXTON.

But yet you said that life was best?

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

By Dean and deacon that’s profess’d.

And I too say so, like the rest, —

Provided, mind, the “life” in view

Is that of the great Residue.

But we two serve another law

Than that which holds the mass in awe;

Set by the State to guard and guide, —

Look, w e must stand against the tide,

Cherish the Church and Education,

And keep aloof from agitation.

Briefly, in nothing take a side.

THE SEXTON.

But Parson’s in it, heart and soul.

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

And just in that forgets his role.

His own superiors, well I know,

Look with displeasure on his action,

And, dared they but offend his faction,

Had thrown him over long ago.

But he is fine; he smells a rat;

He’s got a recipe for that.

He builds the Church. Here you may glue

All eyes up, if you will but d o .

What’s done none has a thought to spare for;

The doing of it’s all they care for.

So they who follow, and we who lead,

All equally are men of deed.

THE SEXTON.

Well, you have sat in the great Thing,

And ought to know the Land and Folk;

But one who travell’d through the glen

A little after we awoke

Said, we’d been sleeping folks till then,

But, having waked,-were promising.

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

Yes; we’re a promising folk, of course, —

And mighty promises we’re giving, —

So fast we stride, we’ll soon be living

Elucidations of their force.

THE SEXTON.

One thing I’ve ponder’d many a day;

You’ve studied,-what do folks intend

By that same “People’s Promise,” pray?

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

A People’s Promise, my good friend?

That were a long investigation;

But ‘tis a thing that is pursued

By force of sheer anticipation;

A grand Idea they must make good

In f u t u r e, be it understood.

THE SEXTON.

Thanks; I see that at any rate;

But there’s another point I’d fain

Beg of you briefly to explain.

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

Speak freely.

THE SEXTON.

Tell me, at what date

Comes, what is call’d the future?

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

Why.

It never does come!

THE SEXTON.

Never?

THE SCHOOLMASTER.

No,

And only follows Nature so.

For when it comes, you see, ‘tis grown

The Present, and the Future’s flown.

THE SEXTON.

Why, yes, to that there’s no reply;

That logic one must needs accept.

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