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Love's
Comedy Act One:
SVANHILD: Just a slight headache. It will soon be over.
MRS. HALM: And yet you go round with your head uncovered! Please get the tea ready and tidy the room. I want it to look nice when the priest's wife comes. (SVANHILD goes into the house.)
STYVER (To FALK): Know anything about the priest's politics?
FALK: I doubt your office overtime will get his vote
STYVER: If he'd just some inkling of the poetic texts Hidden away in my desk that I managed to write -
FALK: It might help.
STYVER: If only. For you've got to believe me, It's a strain on us both setting up our love's nest. Maintaining a household's a burden at best.
FALK: Agreed. Then what are you doing in that galley?
STYVER: Love's a galley?
FALK: Maybe not, but marriage? It is Chains, manacles, fetters, lost liberties.
STYVER (Seeing MISS SKJAERE approach) You've no idea how much capital is stored In a woman's thoughts, in a woman's each word.
MISS SKJAERE (Softly) : Are you quite sure of Guldstad's guarantee?
STYVER (Irritated) Not just at this moment. But I'm waiting to see. (They leave, talking together).
LIND: (Quietly to FALK, while approaching with ANNA ) : I can hold back no longer. Any moment I'll burst; I must speak out –
FALK: Much better keep quiet, Where there's no pressing need to initiate Others into your secret.
LIND: That's preposterous! That you, Falk, my fellow lodger, my friend Should be kept in the dark and not share, instead In the halo of happiness circling my head.
FALK: It's more like a fool's cap you'll wear in the end. Well, my best buddy, if that's what you want, Spill everything out to your heart's content!
LIND: I've other reasons for breaking the news. Especially one, you must understand. Someone else might be lurking around here who's Preparing to play a strong winning hand Let's say he means to lay his cards on the table As suitor. That would be intolerable.
FALK: That's a good point! It had quite slipped my mind You've chosen a calling of a higher kind, And are in love's service only for a season, And sooner or later must change your station. But you must see it goes against all reason To undergo immediate ordination.
LIND: Well, there's Mr. Guldstad –
FALK: Yes, what's the trouble - ?
ANNA (Shyly): It's just something Lind imagines is so.
LIND: Don't say that! I'm warned he really could throw A wrench into our plans if he was able. The man's practically taken up residence here. He's wealthy, he's single, he takes you out Riding - love, there's a thousand things I fear He can do to put our happiness in doubt!
ANNA (Sighing) : Today's been perfect otherwise! What a shame!
FALK: (Sympathetically to LIND): Don't let groundless fear spoil your pleasure. But before you raise the flag, best bide your time.
ANNA: Careful! She's over there, watching us - Miss Skjaere!
(She and LIND go off in different directions).
FALK (Gazing after LIND): So off he goes to see his youth undermined.
GULDSTAD (Who meanwhile has stood by the steps in conversation with MRS.HALM and MISS SKJAERE, approaches FALK and pats him on the shoulder.)
GULDSTAD: So, meditating on a poem all this time?
FALK: No, on a drama.
GULSTAD: The devil you are! I'd no idea drama was in your line.
FALK: No, this little drama belongs to another. To a friend of mine – well known to you. Furthermore, he's quite a fine author, too. Imagine, just between mid-day and evening He's concluded his idyll in the very best style.
GULDSTAD: You say it is good?
FALK: Yes, at least the ending The ‘him' and ‘her' stuff – in the best sense, conventional. And that's just Part One of the whole trilogy. Now comes the part where the playwright must try Play Number Two, the comedy of intrigue And engagement! Five long acts endlessly spun out, Including the sequel the next play's all about, The scene of marriage, ending love's long siege.
GULDSTAD ( Smiling) : It seems as if this authorship is catching
FALK: Oh? In what way?
GULDSTAD: Only that I'm itching As well to launch into a poetic project – ( Confidentially) But, fact, not fiction's going to be my subject.
FALK: And who's to be this pragmatic saga's hero?
GULSTAD: You're not to find that out until tomorrow.
FALK: So it's yourself!
GULDSTAD: You don't think I'm up to it?
FALK: I can't think of anyone who's more fit. But regarding the heroine! Is she to be won From the open country or from this stuffy town?
GULSTAD: ( Admonishing with his finger) Sshh – that's an outcome we must wait upon! (Shifting his tone) Regarding our Miss Halm – what's your opinion?
FALK: As you know her better than I could claim My voice won't add or take much from her name. (Smiling) But watch out you don't now jeopardize The safety of your poetic enterprise. What if I proved a false confidante Spoiling your intrigue and its denouement?
GULDSTAD (Good-naturedly) : Then I will have to make do as best I can
FALK: You mean that?
GULDSTAD: Well, I'm a practical man. I can see how I'd be stupid to reject Help from your expertise in this respect.
(He withdraws into the background)
FALK: (To LIND in passing) You were right. Our merchant's hatching some design That could prove fatal to your happiness. (Moves off).
LIND: (Quietly, to ANNA) You see how right were those fears of mine? I think speaking out now would be best.
(They approach MRS HALM who is standing by the house with MISS SKJAERE)
GULDSTAD: (Speaking to STYVER) A delightful evening.
STYVER: It is, I suppose If you're in the mood for it.
GULSTAD: (Amused) : I hope there's no Snag in your love-life?
STYVER: No, – but close!
FALK (Who has approached) In your engagement, then?
STYVER That might be the case.
FALK: Terrific! You're not totally broke but carry Some small change still in your poetic purse?
STYVER (Offended) : I really don't see how my engagement's course Has the slightest connection with poetry.
FALK: Nor should you. A love that must search the ground Of its being is fundamentally unsound.
GULDSTAD ( To STYVER): If there's anyway we can come to the rescue, Let us know.
STYVER: Thanks, I've been worrying all day , Trying to come up with the right things to say; But in fact it's not an easy thing to do.
FALK: I'll help you: what's more I'll try to be brief. Right from the moment Love raised you up, You feel at the same time, in some kind of trap.
STYVER Yes, and at times that's caused me some grief.
FALK (Continuing) : You find yourself in a web of obligation Which, if you could, you'd pack right off to hell; Am I right?
STYVER: I reject that insinuation! I've always been punctilious and careful With debts. (To GULDSTAD) But next month's bringing along new. You see, when one marries, one acquires a wife –
FALK (Merrily) : And the clouded sky of youth starts turning blue, - An echo, there, from your earlier lyric life -! Let it do so! The answer now appears - You just need wings and a sharp pair of shears.
STYVER: Shears?
FALK: Yes, sheer will and sheer determination To cut your bonds and fly to your salvation. Just get away!
STYVER: Sir, now you go too far; Do you imply I'd disobey the law? That I'd up and abscond if I were able? I consider that an absolute gross libel, A slander.
FALK: Are you totally out of your mind? Explain how I meant anything of the kind!
GULSTAD (Laughing) : You see, you need to explain your meaning. What's up?
STYVER: (Getting a grip on himself) :: It's about a bank loan I'm obtaining -
FALK: A loan?
STYVER (Quickly, to GULSTAD): No, it's an endorsement I need, For about a hundred dollars I'm guaranteed.
MISS SKJAERE (Who meanwhile has been chatting to MRS. HALM, LIND and ANNA):
Well, congratulations! That's simply splendid!
GULDSTAD: What's going on? (He goes to the ladies).
STYVER: (My outburst was unintended).
FALK (Throwing his arm enthusiastically over his shoulder) : Bravo! The trumpet clarion's announcing Another Cupid's brother, new born and bouncing! (He leads him across to the others)
MISS SKJAERE (Overwhelmed, to the gentlemen) : Just think, our Lind's engaged to Anna – ! They're now engaged.
MRS. HALM (With tears of joy as the pair are congratulated) : The eighth breadwinner To issue into the world from out this house! (Confides to FALK) Seven nieces, and now! – all with lodgers – every one! (Overcome, holds a handkerchief to her eyes)
MISS SKJAERE (to ANNA): Just wait for the congratulations to pour in!
LIND (Seizing FALK'S hands) : My friend! It's like I'm drunk with happiness!
FALK: Hush! As officially engaged, you're now enrolled In the blessed brotherhood of temperance, Whose regulations definitely don't hold With orgies. (Turns to GULDSTAD with a faint air of malicious solicitude) Well, Mr. Guldstad!
GULDSTAD (Pleased) : What a happy circumstance For the lucky couple this turns out to be.
FALK (Startled) : You bear your sorrow very manfully. I'm impressed.
GULSTAD: Whatever do you mean?
FALK: Only that someone whose own hopes have been Leading in that direction…
GULDSTAD: Oh? They were?
FALK: Well, at the least, that is what it would appear. You named Miss Halm. I was standing here when you Asked me….
GULDSTAD (Smiling) I did. But then, are there not two?
FALK: Then it's…to the other sister, you referred!
GULDSTAD: Other sister ….. yes, I meant her precisely. You should know this ‘other sister' more exactly, Then judge if she's not really to be preferred. Or at least to be appreciated a little more Highly than this house considered her before.
FALK (Frostily) : There's no fine quality she doesn't possess.
GULDSTAD: Well, maybe… I could mark up a slight debit A little on the side of social grace.
FALK: That's bad?
GULSTAD: All that's needed is for Miss Halm to make that Her mission this winter and I guarantee She'll be second to none.
FALK: I do not doubt it.
GULSTAD (Laughing) : It's the amazing thing with the sorority!
FALK (Cheerfully) : Like the way the seeds of rye in winter grow Sprouting unnoticed in the frost and snow -
GULSTAD: Come Yuletide, they're transplanted to the ballroom –
FALK: - to be immersed in the fertilizer of scandal and blame –
GULDTAD: - then in the rush of Spring they suddenly emerge and bloom,
FALK: - little morsels of maidenhood now come into their prime.
LIND (Coming over and grasping FALK's hand) How smart I acted. It turned out for the best Now I can feel both happy and more sure.
GULDSTAD: Tell me young lover, since it's off your chest, How does it feel - your engagement now secure?
LIND (Disagreeably affected) It's not a subject I want to have discussed.
GULDSTAD (Playfully): What, in a bad mood? I'll take this up with Anna. (Goes over to the ladies)
LIND (Looking after him) : That man has an insufferable manner!
FALK: You were wrong about him, though.
LIND: Was I?
FALK: Anna wasn't the one who had caught his eye.
LIND: What? Was it Svanhild?
FALK: I'm not sure, - maybe. (With an enigmatic expression) I'm sorry you suffered in another's cause.
LIND: What do you mean?
FALK: Did you happen to see Today's paper?
LIND: No.
FALK: You should read the story Of a poor soul whose destiny was to lose A perfectly good tooth and all because His cousin was in dire need of dentistry. MISS SKJAERE (Looking towards the left.) Here comes our priest!
MRS. HALM: Just look at his attendants!
STYVER: Four, six, seven, eight offspring.
FALK Grace in abundance!
MISS SKJAERE: Uff! I'd call it verging on indulgence.
(Meanwhile, a carriage can be heard drawing up outside to the left. The priest, his wife and their eight little children, all in travelling clothes, enter one by one.)
MRS. HALM: Welcome, dear sir, a heartfelt welcome.
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