Love's Comedy Part 38

Only a little; till the leaves are falling.

[She goes towards the verandah; MRS. HALM seeks out GULDSTAD.

STRAWMAN [among the guests].

One lesson, friends, we learn from this example!

Tho' Doubt's beleaguering forces hem us in, The Truth upon the Serpents's head shall trample, The cause of Love shall win--

GUESTS.

Yes, Love shall win!

[They embrace and kiss, pair by pair. Outside to the left are heard song and laughter.

MISS JAY.

What can this mean?

ANNA.

The students!

LIND.

The quartette, Bound for the mountains;--and I quite forgot To tell them--

[The STUDENTS come in to the left and remain standing at the entrance.

A STUDENT [to LIND].

Here we are on the spot!

MRS. HALM.

It's Lind you seek, then?

MISS JAY.

That's unfortunate.

He's just engaged--

AN AUNT.

And so, you may be sure, He cannot think of going on a tour.

THE STUDENTS.

Engaged!

ALL THE STUDENTS.

Congratulations!

LIND [to his comrades].

Thanks, my friends!

THE STUDENT [to his comrades].

There goes our whole fish-kettle in the fire!

Our tenor lost! No possible amends!

FALK [Coming from the right, in summer suit, with student's cap, knapsack and stick.

_I'll_ sing the tenor in young Norway's choir!

THE STUDENTS.

You, Falk! hurrah!

FALK.

Forth to the mountains, come!

As the bee hurries from her winter home!

A twofold music in my breast I bear, A cither with diversely sounding strings, One for life's joy, a treble loud and clear, And one deep note that quivers as it sings.

[To individuals among the STUDENTS.

You have the palette?--You the note-book? Good, Swarm then, my bees, into the leafy wood, Till at night-fall with pollen-laden thigh, Home to our mighty mother-queen we fly!

[Turning to the company, while the STUDENTS depart and and the Chorus of the First Act is faintly heard outside.

Forgive me my offences great and small, I resent nothing;-- [Softly.

but remember all.

STRAWMAN [beaming with happiness].

Now fortune's garden once again is green!

My wife has hopes,--a sweet presentiment-- [Draws him whispering apart.

She lately whispered of a glad event-- [Inaudible words intervene.

If all goes well . . . at Michaelmas . . . thirteen!

STIVER [With MISS JAY on his arm, turning to FALK, smiles triumphantly, and says, pointing to STRAWMAN: I'm going to start a household, flush of pelf!

MISS JAY [with an ironical courtesy].

I shall put on my wedding-ring next Yule.

ANNA [similarly, as she takes LIND's arm].

My Lind will stay, the Church can mind itself--

LIND [hiding his embarra.s.sment].

And seek an opening in a ladies' school.

MRS. HALM.

I cultivate my Anna's capabilities--

GULDSTAD [gravely].

An unromantic poem I mean to make Of one who only lives for duty's sake.

FALK [with a smile to the whole company].

I go to scale the Future's possibilities!

Farewell! [Softly to SVANHILD.

G.o.d bless thee, bride of my life's dawn, Where'er I be, to n.o.bler deed thou'lt wake me.

[Waves his hat and follows the STUDENTS.

SVANHILD [Looks after him a moment, then says softly but firmly: Now over is my life, by lea and lawn, The leaves are falling;--now the world may take me.