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Rosmersholm, a play by Henrik Ibsen |
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ACT IV |
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_ ACT IV
Mrs. Helseth (speaking in low tones and with a reserved manner). Rebecca. Thank you. You have ordered the carriage? Mrs. Helseth. Yes, miss. The coachman wants to know what time he Rebecca. I think at about eleven o'clock. The boat goes at Mrs. Helseth (with a little hesitation). But what about Mr. Rebecca. I shall start, all the same. If I should not see him, Mrs. Helseth. Yes, I dare say it will be all right to write. But, Rebecca. Perhaps I ought--Or perhaps not, after all. Mrs. Helseth. Dear, dear! I never thought I should, live to see Rebecca. What did you think, then, Mrs. Helseth? Mrs. Helseth. To tell the truth, miss, I thought Mr. Rosmer was Rebecca. Honester? Mrs. Helseth. Yes, miss, that is the truth. Rebecca. But, my dear Mrs. Helseth, what do you mean by that? Mrs. Helseth. I mean what is true and right, miss. He should not Rebecca (looking at her). Now look here, Mrs. Helseth. Tell me, Mrs. Helseth. Good Lord, miss--because it is necessary, I suppose. Rebecca (with a faint smile). Is it possible that you could think Mrs. Helseth. Not for a moment--until to-day, I mean. Rebecca. But why to-day? Mrs. Helseth. Well, after all the horrible things they tell me Rebecca. Ah! Mrs. Helseth. What I mean is this--if a man can go over to Rebecca. Yes, very likely. But about me? What have you got to say Mrs. Helseth. Well, I am sure, miss--I do not think you are so Rebecca. That is very true, Mrs. Helseth. We are all human, after Mrs. Helseth (in a low voice). Good Lord!--I believe that is him Rebecca (with a start). In spite of everything, then--! (Speaks Rosmer. What does this mean? Rebecca. I am going away. Rosmer. At once? Rebecca. Yes. (To MRS. HELSETH.) Eleven o'clock, then. Mrs. Helseth. Very well, miss. (Goes out to the right.) Rosmer (after a short pause). Where are you going, Rebecca? Rebecca. I am taking the boat for the north. Rosmer. North? What are you going there for? Rebecca. It is where I came from. Rosmer. But you have no more ties there now. Rebecca. I have none here, either. Rosmer. What do you propose to do? Rebecca. I do not know. I only want to make an end of it. Rosmer. Make an end of what? Rebecca. Rosmersholm has broken me. Rosmer (more attentively). What is that? Rebecca. Broken me utterly. I had a will of my own, and some Rosmer. Why not? What do you mean by being crushed under a law--? Rebecca. Dear friend, do not let us talk about that now--Tell me Rosmer. We have made our peace. Rebecca. Quite so. So it came to that. Rosmer. He got together all our old circle of friends at his Rebecca. Well, perhaps it is better so. Rosmer. Do you say THAT now? Is that what your opinion is now? Rebecca. I have come to that opinion--in the last day or two. Rosmer. You are lying, Rebecca. Rebecca. Lying--? Rosmer. Yes, lying. You have never believed in me. You have never Rebecca. I have believed that we two together would be equal to Rosmer. That is not true. You have believed that you could Rebecca. Listen to me, John Rosmer (sitting down wearily on the couch). Oh, let me be! I see Rebecca. Listen to me, John. Let us talk this thing over. It will Rosmer. Have you something more to tell, then? Rebecca. The most important part of it all. Rosmer. What do you mean? Rebecca. Something that you have never suspected. Something that Rosmer (shaking his head). I do not understand, at all. Rebecca. It is quite true that at one time I did play my cards so Rosmer. Well, you succeeded in carrying your scheme through, too. Rebecca. I believe I could have carried anything through--at that Rosmer. What--began? Speak so that I can understand you. Rebecca. There came over me--a wild, uncontrollable passion--Oh, Rosmer. Passion? You--! For what? Rebecca. For you. Rosmer (getting up). What does this mean! Rebecca (preventing him). Sit still, dear. I will tell you more Rosmer. And you mean to say--that you have loved me--in that way! Rebecca. I thought I might call it loving you--then. I thought it Rosmer (speaking with difficulty). Rebecca--is it really you-you- Rebecca. Yes, indeed it is, John. Rosmer. Then it was as the outcome of this--and under the Rebecca. It swept over me like a storm over the sea--like one of Rosmer. So it swept poor unhappy Beata into the mill-race. Rebecca. Yes--it was like a fight for life between Beata and me at Rosmer. You proved the strongest of us all at Rosmersholm-- Rebecca. I knew you well enough to know that I could not get at Rosmer. But I do not understand you, Rebecca. You--you yourself Rebecca. I have never stood farther from my goal than I do now. Rosmer. And nevertheless, I say, when yesterday I asked you--urged Rebecca. I cried out in despair, John. Rosmer. Why? Rebecca. Because Rosmersholm has unnerved me. All the courage has Rosmer. Tell me how that has come about. Rebecca. It has come about through my living with you. Rosmer. But how? How? Rebecca. When I was alone with you here--and you had really found Rosmer. Yes, yes? Rebecca. For you never really found yourself as long as Beata was Rosmer. Alas, you are right in that. Rebecca. When it came about that I was living together with you Rosmer. What does this mean, Rebecca? Rebecca. All the other feeling--all that horrible passion that had Rosmer. Tell me more of it--all that you can. Rebecca. There is not much more to tell. Only that this was how Rosmer. Oh, if only I had had the slightest suspicion of all this! Rebecca. It is best as it is. Yesterday, when you asked me if I Rosmer. Yes, it was that, Rebecca, was it not! I thought Rebecca. For a moment, yes-I forgot myself for a moment. It was Rosmer. How do you explain what has taken place in you? Rebecca. It is the Rosmer attitude towards life- Rosmer. Infected? Rebecca. Yes, and made it sickly--bound it captive under laws Rosmer. Ah, if I dared believe that to be true! Rebecca. You may believe it confidently. The Rosmer attitude Rosmer. But? Well? Rebecca. But it kills joy, you know. Rosmer. Do you say that, Rebecca? Rebecca. For me, at all events. Rosmer. Yes, but are you so sure of that? If I asked you Rebecca. Oh, my dear--never go back to that again! It is Rosmer. Something more than you have told me? Rebecca. Yes, something more and something different. Rosmer (with a faint smile). It is very strange, Rebecca, but-- Rebecca. It has? And yet--notwithstanding that, you--? Rosmer. I never believed in it. I only played with the idea- Rebecca. If you wish, I will tell you all about it at once. Rosmer (stopping her). No, no! I do not want to hear a word Rebecca. But I cannot forget it. Rosmer. Oh, Rebecca--! Rebecca. Yes, dear--that is just the dreadful part of it-that Rosmer. Your past is dead, Rebecca. It has no longer any hold Rebecca. Ah, my dear, those are mere words, you know. What Rosmer (gloomily). Ah, yes--innocence. Rebecca. Yes, innocence--which is at the root of all joy Rosmer. Ah, do not remind me of that. It was nothing but a Rebecca (gently). Not by a tranquil love, do you think? Rosmer (thoughtfully). Yes, that would be a splendid thing- Rebecca. Do you not believe in me, John? Rosmer. Ah, Rebecca, how can I believe you entirely--you whose Rebecca (wringing her hands). Oh, this killing doubt! John, John--! Rosmer. Yes, I know, dear--it is horrible--but I cannot help it. I Rebecca. But is there nothing in your own heart that bears Rosmer. Ah, my dear, I do not believe any longer in my power to Rebecca (looking darkly at him). How are you going to live out Rosmer. That is just what I do not know--and cannot imagine. I do Rebecca. Life carries a perpetual rebirth with it. Let us hold Rosmer (getting up restlessly). Then give me my faith back Rebecca. Proof? How can I give you a proof--! Rosmer. You must! (Crosses the room.) I cannot bear this Rebecca (getting up from her chair). Did you hear that? (The door opens, and ULRIK BRENDEL comes in. Except that he wears Rosmer. Ah, it is you, Mr. Brendel! Brendel. John, my boy, I have come to say good-bye to you! Rosmer. Where are you going, so late as this? Brendel. Downhill. Rosmer. How--? Brendel. I am on my way home, my beloved pupil. I am homesick for Rosmer. Something has happened to you, Mr. Brendel! What is it? Brendel. Ah, you notice the transformation, then? Well, it is Rosmer. Really? I don't quite understand-- Brendel. And now, as you see me to-night, I am a deposed monarch Rosmer. If there is any way I can help you Brendel. You have preserved your childlike heart, John--can you Rosmer. Yes, most willingly! Brendel. Can you spare me an ideal or two? Rosmer. What do you say? Brendel. One or two cast-off ideals? You will be doing a good Rebecca. Did you not succeed in giving your lecture? Brendel. No, fair lady. What do you think?--just as I was standing Rebecca. But what of all your unwritten works, then? Brendel. For five and twenty years I have been like a miser Rosmer. But are you certain of that? Brendel. There is no room for doubt, my dear boy. The President Rosmer. The President? Brendel. Oh, well--His Excellency, then. Ganz nach Belieben. Rosmer. But whom do you mean? Brendel. Peter Mortensgaard, of course. Rosmer. What! Brendel (mysteriously). Hush, hush, hush! Peter Mortensgaard is Rosmer. Oh, come--don't you believe that! Brendel. It is true, my boy--because Peter Mortensgaard never Rosmer (in a low voice). Now I see that you are going away from Brendel. Bien! Then take an example from your old tutor. Erase Rebecca. Do you mean me? Brendel. Yes, most attractive mermaid! Rebecca. Why am I not fit to build upon? Brendel (taking a step nearer to her). I understood that my Rebecca. And if he has--? Brendel. He is certain of victory--but, be it distinctly Rebecca. What is that? Brendel (taking her gently by the wrist). That the woman who Rosmer. Must you go now--in this dark night? Brendel. The dark night is best. Peace be with you! (He goes out. Rebecca (breathing heavily). How close and sultry it is in here! Rosmer (sitting down on a chair by the stove). There is nothing Rebecca. Yes, I do not see that I have any choice. Rosmer. Let us make use of our last hour together. Come over here Rebecca (goes and sits down on the couch). What do you want, Rosmer. In the first place I want to tell you that you need have Rebecca (with a smile). Hm! My future! Rosmer. I have foreseen all contingencies--long ago. Whatever may Rebecca. Have you even done that for me, dear? Rosmer. You might have known that I should. Rebecca. It is many a long day since I thought about anything of Rosmer. Yes, of course. Naturally, you thought things could never Rebecca. Yes, that was what I thought. Rosmer. So did I. But if anything were to happen to me now-- Rebecca. Oh, John, you will live longer than I shall. Rosmer. I can dispose of my miserable existence as I please, you Rebecca. What do you mean? You surely are never thinking of--! Rosmer. Do you think it would be so surprising? After the Rebecca. Take up the fight again, John! Only try--and you will Rosmer. I, Rebecca, who no longer believe even in my having a Rebecca. But your mission has stood the test. You have at all Rosmer. Yes--if I dared believe you about that. Rebecca (wringing her hands). But, John, do you know of nothing-- Rosmer (starts, as if with fear). Don't venture on that subject! Rebecca. Indeed, that is just the subject we must venture upon. Rosmer. It is best for you not to know. Best for us both. Rebecca. No, no, no--I have no patience with that sort of thing! Rosmer (as if impelled against his will). Well, let us see. You Rebecca. I am quite ready. Rosmer. Then when shall it be? Rebecca. Whenever you like. The sooner the better. Rosmer. Then let me see, Rebecca, whether you--for my sake-this Rebecca. Yes, John! Yes, yes! Say it, and you shall see. Rosmer. Have you the courage--are you willing--gladly, as Ulrik Rebecca (gets up slowly from the couch, and says almost Rosmer. Yes, dear--that is the question I shall never be able to Rebecca. But if I had the courage?--and willingly and gladly? What Rosmer. Then I would believe in you. Then I should get back my Rebecca (takes up her shawl slowly, throws it over her head. and Rosmer. Have you the courage and the strength of will for that, Rebecca. Of that you must judge in the morning--or later--when they Rosmer (burying his head in his hands). There is a horrible Rebecca. Because I should not like to be left lying there--any Rosmer (springing up). But all this is madness, you know. Go Rebecca. Those are mere words, John. No more cowardice or Rosmer. But I do not want to see your defeat, Rebecca. Rebecca. There will be no defeat. Rosmer. There will. You will never have the heart to go Beata's Rebecca. Do you believe that? Rosmer. Never. You are not like Beata. You are not under the Rebecca. But I am under the influence of the Rosmersholm view of Rosmer (looking at her fixedly). Have you come to that decision? Rebecca. Yes. Rosmer. Very well. Then I too am under the influence of our Rebecca (misunderstanding his meaning). That too. That too. My Rosmer. Ah, there is nothing left to save in me. Rebecca. There is. But I--after this I should only be like some Rosmer. If you go--then I go with you. Rebecca (looks at him with an almost imperceptible smile, and Rosmer. I go with you, I said. Rebecca. As far as the bridge--yes. You never dare go out on to Rosmer. Have you noticed that? Rebecca (in sad and broken tones). Yes. That was what made my Rosmer. Rebecca--now I lay my hand on your head. (Does as he Rebecca (taking both his hands in hers, and bowing her head on to Rosmer. Man and wife should go together. Rebecca. Only as far as the bridge, John. Rosmer. And out on to it, too. As far as you go--so far I go with Rebecca. Are you absolutely certain that way is the best for you? Rosmer. I know it is the only way. Rebecca. But suppose you are only deceiving yourself? Suppose it Rosmer. It may be so. We can never escape from them--we of my Rebecca. Then stay, John! Rosmer. The man shall cleave to his wife, as the wife to her Rebecca. Yes, but first tell me this--is it you that go with me, Rosmer. We shall never get to the bottom of that. Rebecca. Yet I should dearly like to know. Rosmer. We two go with each other, Rebecca. I with you, and you Rebecca. I almost believe that is true. Rosmer. For now we two are one. Rebecca. Yes. We are one now. Come! We can go gladly now. (They Mrs. Helseth. The carriage, miss, is--. (Looks round the room.) Content of ACT IV _ |