The Master Builder and Other Plays by Henrik Ibsen

Author:Henrik Ibsen
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141964188
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2014-06-24T00:00:00+00:00

Act Three

A scrub-covered hill in the Allmers’s grounds. In the background a sheer drop bounded by a railing, with steps leading down on the left. Wide view of the fjord, far below. Over by the railing is a flagpole, with ropes but no flag flying. In the foreground on the right a summerhouse covered with vines and creepers. Outside it, a bench. It is late on a summer evening; the sky clear. Twilight is falling.

ASTA is sitting on the bench with her hands in her lap. She wears a coat and hat, her parasol is lying next to her and a small travelling bag is slung over her shoulder on a strap.

BORGHEIM comes up from the background on the left. He too has a travelling bag over his shoulder. Over his arm he carries a furled flag.

BORGHEIM [catching sight of ASTA]: Ah, so you’re up here are you?

ASTA: I’m just taking one last look out there.

BORGHEIM: Well, then it’s a good thing I came up here as well.

ASTA: Have you been searching for me?

BORGHEIM: Yes, I have. I wanted to say goodbye to you – for now. But not for the last time, I hope.

ASTA [with the glimmer of a smile]: You’re persistent, aren’t you?

BORGHEIM: A groundbreaker has to be.

ASTA: Have you seen anything of Alfred? Or Rita?

BORGHEIM: Yes, I’ve seen them both.

ASTA: Together?

BORGHEIM: No. Each in their own corner.

ASTA: What are you going to do with that flag?

BORGHEIM: Mrs Allmers1 asked me to come up and run it up.

ASTA: Run up the flag now?

BORGHEIM: To half-mast. It’s to fly both night and day, she says.

ASTA [sighing]: Poor Rita. And poor Alfred.

BORGHEIM [busy with the flag]: Do you have the heart to leave them? I only ask because I see you’re dressed for travelling.

ASTA [in a soft voice]: I must leave.

BORGHEIM: Well, if you must, then –

ASTA: And you’re leaving this evening too, I see.

BORGHEIM: I must as well. I’m taking the train. Are you?

ASTA: No. I’m going over on the steamer.

BORGHEIM [shooting a glance at her]: Going our separate ways, eh?

ASTA: Yes.

She sits and watches as he raises the flag to half-mast. This done, he goes over to her.

BORGHEIM: Miss Asta2 – you’ve no idea how I grieve for little Eyolf.

ASTA [looking up at him]: Yes, I’m sure you do.

BORGHEIM: And it hurts so much. Because it’s really not in my nature to be sad.

ASTA [looking up at the flag]: It’ll pass, in time – all of it. All our sorrows.

BORGHEIM: All of them? You think so?

ASTA: Like a shower of rain. Once you are far away, then –

BORGHEIM: It’d have to be very far away.

ASTA: And then of course you’ve that big new road to build.

BORGHEIM: But no one to help me with it.

ASTA: Oh, but of course you have.

BORGHEIM [shaking his head]: No, no one. No one to share the joy with. Because the joy is what matters most.

ASTA: Not the trouble and the hardship?

BORGHEIM: Bah – that sort of thing one can always get through alone.

ASTA:

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