Love's Comedy Part 32

Oft as she wakens those pathetic notes, From the white keys reverberating floats An echo of the "yes" that made her mine.

And when our pa.s.sions shall one day decline, To live again as friendship, to the last That song shall link that present to this past.

And what tho' at the desk my back grow round, And my day's work a battle for mere bread, Yet joy will lead me homeward, where the dead Enchantment will be born again in sound.

If one poor bit of evening we can claim, I shall come off undamaged from the game!

[He goes into the house. FALK turns towards the summer-house. SVANHILD comes out, she is pale and agitated. They gaze at each other in silence a moment, and fling themselves impetuously into each other's arms.

FALK.

O, Svanhild, let us battle side by side!

Thou fresh glad blossom flowering by the tomb,-- See what the life is that they call youth's bloom!

There's coffin-stench wherever two go by At the street corner, smiling outwardly, With falsehood's reeking sepulchre beneath, And in their blood the apathy of death.

And this they think is living! Heaven and earth, Is such a load so many antics worth?

For such an end to haul up babes in shoals, To pamper them with honesty and reason, To feed them fat with faith one sorry season, For service, after killing-day, as souls?

SVANHILD.

Falk, let us travel!

FALK.

Travel? Whither, then?

Is not the whole world everywhere the same?

And does not Truth's own mirror in its frame Lie equally to all the sons of men?

No, we will stay and watch the merry game, The conjurer's trick, the tragi-comedy Of liars that are dupes of their own lie; Stiver and Lind, the Parson and his dame, See them,--prize oxen harness'd to love's yoke, And yet at bottom very decent folk!

Each wears for others and himself a mask, Yet one too innocent to take to task; Each one, a stranded sailor on a wreck, Counts himself happy as the G.o.ds in heaven; Each his own hand from Paradise has driven, Then, splash! into the sulphur to the neck!

But none has any inkling where he lies, Each thinks himself a knight of Paradise, And each sits smiling between howl and howl; And if the Fiend come by with jeer and growl, With horns, and hoofs, and things yet more abhorred,-- Then each man jogs the neighbour at his jowl: "Off with your hat, man! See, there goes the Lord!"

SVANHILD [after a brief thoughtful silence].

How marvellous a love my steps has led To this sweet trysting place! My life that sped In frolic and fantastic visions gay, Henceforth shall grow one ceaseless working day!

O G.o.d! I wandered groping,--all was dim: Thou gavest me light--and I discovered him!

[Gazing at FALK in love and wonder.

Whence is that strength of thine, thou mighty tree That stand'st alone, and yet canst shelter me--?

FALK.

G.o.d's truth, my Svanhild; that gives fort.i.tude.

SVANHILD [with a shy glance towards the house].

They came like tempters, evilly inclined, Each spokesman for his half of humankind, One asking: How can true love reach its goal When riches' leaden weight subdues the soul?

The other asking: How can true love speed When life's a battle to the death with Need?

O horrible!--to bid the world receive That teaching as the truth, and yet to live!

FALK.

How if 'twere meant for us?

SVANHILD.

For us?--What, then?

Can outward fate control the wills of men?

I have already said: if thou'lt stand fast, I'll dare and suffer by thee to the last.

How light to listen to the gospel's voice, To leave one's home behind, to weep, rejoice, And take with G.o.d the husband of one's choice!

FALK [embracing her].

Come then, and blow thy worst, thou winter weather!

We stand unshaken, for we stand together!

[MRS. HALM and GULDSTAD come in from the right in the background.

GULDSTAD [aside].

Observe!

[FALK and SVANHILD remain standing by the summer-house.

MRS. HALM [surprised].

Together!

GULDSTAD.

Do you doubt it now?

MRS. HALM.

This is most singular.

GULDSTAD.

O, I've noted how His work of late absorb'd his interest.

MRS. HALM [to herself].

Who would have fancied Svanhild so sly?

[Vivaciously to GULDSTAD.

But no--I can't think.

GULDSTAD.

Put it to the test.

MRS. HALM.

Now, on the spot?

GULDSTAD.

Yes, and decisively!

MRS. HALM [giving him her hand].

G.o.d's blessing with you!

GULDSTAD [gravely].

Thanks, it may bestead.

[Comes to the front.

MRS. HALM [looking back as she goes towards the house].

Whichever way it goes, my child is sped.

[Goes in.

GULDSTAD [approaching FALK].

It's late, I think?

FALK.