Bibliotheca Polyglotta

Olaf Liljekrans

Complete text

OTTENDE SCENE.
Alfhild. Fru Kirsten. Arne. Bryllupsgæster, bønder og karle (fra forskellige sider). Senere Olaf Liljekrans.

SCENE VIII
[ALFHILD, LADY KIRSTEN, ARNE, WEDDING GUESTS, PEASANTS and SERVANTS from various sides. Later OLAF LILJEKRANS.]

FRU KIRSTEN.
Der er hun! Stå stille, Alfhild! Prøv ikke på at undkomme, ellers skyder vi dig ned.

LADY KIRSTEN.
There she is! Stand still, Alfhild! Do not try to escape,--else we shall shoot you.

ALFHILD.
Hvad vil du mig?

ALFHILD.
What do you want of me?

FRU KIRSTEN.
Det skal du tidsnok erfare! (peger på bylten.) Hvad bærer du der?

LADY KIRSTEN.
That you shall learn soon enough.

LADY KIRSTEN.
[Points to her bundle.]
What is this you are carrying?

ALFHILD.
Min moders arv!

ALFHILD.
My mother’s treasures!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Giv hid! Se, se! En sølvkrone! Forsandt, Alfhild! er du din moders eneste datter, da frygter jeg stærkt, at brudekronen ikke mere vil trænges om i hendes æt. (til karlene.) I binde hende! Hun står der og lader så sorgløs i sind; ingen kan vide, hvad hun pønser på.
(Alfhild bindes.)

LADY KIRSTEN.
Give it here! See, see! A crown of silver! Indeed, Alfhild! If you are your mother’s only daughter I am very much afraid the bridal crown will nevermore be needed in her family.

LADY KIRSTEN.
[To the Servants.]
Bind her! She stands there and pretends to be sad; no one can know what she is scheming.
[ALFHILD is bound.]

FRU KIRSTEN
(højt og med undertrykt lidenskabelighed).
Retten er sat. Som I alle vide, har jeg lovlig hævd og adkomst til at værne om mine enemærker, til at fælde dom efter landets lov over hver den, der gør mig uskel på min egen grund. Dette er hvad du, Alfhild! har fordristet dig til, og derfor står du nu her som anklaget for din dommer. Forsvar dig, om du kan, men glem ikke, at det gælder livet.

LADY KIRSTEN.
[Aloud and with suppressed passion.]
The court is ready. As you all know, I have a legal and prescriptive right to protect my dominions, to pass judgment in accordance with the law of the realm on every one who does me harm on my own lands. This is what you, Alfhild, have presumed to do, and it is therefore that you now stand here accused before your judge. Defend yourself if you can, but do not forget it is a matter of life and death.

ARNE.
Men hør, fru Kirsten!

ARNE.
But listen, Lady Kirsten!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Forlad mig, herr Arne! Jeg er i min ret, og den vil jeg holde på. (til Alfhild.) Træd frem og svar mig!

LADY KIRSTEN.
Excuse me, Lord Arne! I am within my rights here, and I intend to insist on them.

LADY KIRSTEN.
[To ALFHILD.]
Come forward and answer me!

ALFHILD.
Spørg du kun, jeg skal svare!

ALFHILD.
Do you but question me,--I shall answer!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Mange og hårde er de beskyldninger, som rejses mod dig. Først og fremst påsiger jeg dig her ved ugudelige kunster at have dåret min søn, Olaf Liljekrans, så at hans sind og tanker vendte sig fra hans fæstemø, som han havde trolovet, – så at han, syg i hjertet, ingen dag fandt fred i sit hjem, men drog hid op til denne ukendte dal, hvor du har holdt til. Alt sligt kan ikke være tilgået på vanlig vis; du er derfor sigtet for trolddom, forsvar dig, om du kan.

LADY KIRSTEN.
Many and grievous are the charges that are directed against you. First and foremost I charge you here with having beguiled my son, Olaf Liljekrans, with your unholy arts, so that he turned heart and soul away from his betrothed to whom he was pledged,--so that he, sick in heart, never at any time found peace in his home, but came up here to this unknown valley where you have had your home. All this could not have happened in any ordinary way; you are therefore accused of witchcraft,--defend yourself if you can.

ALFHILD.
Lidet har jeg hertil at svare. Trolddom kalder du hin sælsomme magt, som drog Olaf hid op. Kanhænde du har ret; men denne trolddom kom ikke fra den onde; – hver den stund Olaf har været her, Guds øje måtte se derpå! hver den tanke jeg har fæstet på Olaf, Guds engle måtte kende den! og de skulde ikke blues derover.

ALFHILD.
I have little to say in answer to this. Witchcraft you call that strange power that drew Olaf up here. Perhaps you are right; but this witchcraft was not of evil;--every hour that Olaf has been here God must surely have witnessed! Each thought that I have had of Olaf the angels of God must have known! And they had no occasion to blush.

FRU KIRSTEN.
Nok, nok! Du føjer endnu bespottelser til din brøde. Ve dig, Alfhild! hvert et ord tynger med i skålen. Dog, du om det! (til de øvrige.) Jeg æsker eder alle til vidne på hendes svar. (vender sig til Alfhild.) Jeg beskylder dig dernæst for atter igen inat at have, ved de samme hemmelige kræfter, trukket Olaf her op, samt at du holder ham gemt herinde!

LADY KIRSTEN.
Enough, enough! You would add blasphemy to your transgression! Woe upon you, Alfhild! Your every word only adds weight to the scales. Yet, that is your affair!

LADY KIRSTEN.
[To the rest.]
I crave you all as witnesses to her answer.
[Turns to ALFHILD.]

LADY KIRSTEN.
I charge you next with having again, this very night, with the aid of these same secret powers, met Olaf up here, and furthermore that you keep him concealed in here!

ALFHILD.
Der har du ret! Lønligt er han gemt herinde!

ALFHILD.
There you are right! Secretly is he hidden here!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Det vedgår du?

LADY KIRSTEN.
You admit it?

ALFHILD.
Ja, men så mægtig du end er, fri ham ud kan du ikke. Kanhænde det bådede mig bedst, om du var dertil istand; men ikke du, ikke den hele vide jord har så stærk en magt og evne!

ALFHILD.
Yes, but however powerful you are, you will never be able to set him free. Perhaps it would be best for me if you were able; but neither you nor the whole wide world have the power to set him free!

FRU KIRSTEN
(i heftigt udbrud).
Nu er døden dig viss! Sig frem, hvor har du ham?

LADY KIRSTEN.
[In a violent outburst.]
Now death will certainly be your punishment! Out with it,--where have you got him?

ALFHILD
(trykker hænderne mod brystet).
Herinde – i hjertet! Kan du rive ham ud deraf, da hekser du bedre end jeg!

ALFHILD.
[Presses her hands to her bosom.]
In here--in my heart! If you can tear him out from it you can practice witchcraft better than I!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Det svar gavner lidet; sig frem! hvor er han?

LADY KIRSTEN.
That answer is nothing. Out with it,--where is he?

ALFHILD.
Jeg har svaret!

ALFHILD.
I have answered!

FRU KIRSTEN
(med tilbagetrængt forbitrelse).
Godt, godt!

LADY KIRSTEN.
[With repressed irritation.]
Good!

ARNE
(til de omstående).
Havde Hemming været ilive, så skulde han nok fået sandheden ud af hende; han var bleven så listig på sine sidste dage.

ARNE.
[To the spectators.]
Were Hemming alive he would have been able to get the truth out of her; he had become so crafty of late.

FRU KIRSTEN.
Nu kommer den tredie klage mod dig: du har inat stukket ild på min gård og brændt den af til grunden. Kanhænde menneskeliv er gået tilspilde, det véd vi endnu ikke, men hvad som end er, derved hverken skades eller rettes på din sag; thi din agt at brænde os inde alle tilhobe ligger klarlig for dagen. Nægter du mit påsagn at have brændt gården af inat?

LADY KIRSTEN.
Now the third charge against you: last night you set fire to my house and burned it clear to the ground. Perhaps human life has been lost,--that we not know as yet,--but whether or no, it will neither harm nor help your cause; for your intention to burn all of us is as clear as day. Do you deny my charge that you set fire to my home last night?

ALFHILD.
Jeg nægter det ikke, jeg har brændt din gård!

ALFHILD.
I do not deny it; I have destroyed your house!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Og hvormed vil du besmykke din gerning? (med bitter spot.) Du skal ej kunne sige, at du handlede overilet. God lejlighed havde du, såvidt jeg mindes, til at tænke dig om; du stod udenfor, ingen kom dig nær, ingen hindrede dig fra at overlægge så roligt du kunde og vilde. Ej skal du sige, at gildestuens lystighed steg dig til hovedet, ej heller at vinen gjorde dig hed og fortumlet; thi du var nok ikke med derinde, du stod udenfor, og der var svalt nok, der var kølige vinde, som nok kunde gøre dig besindig.

LADY KIRSTEN.
And how will you extenuate your action?

LADY KIRSTEN.
[With bitter mockery.]
You shall not be able to say that you acted over hastily. Good opportunity you had, so far as I can remember, to stop and consider; you stood outside there, no one came near you, no one prevented you from deliberating as calmly as you could. Nor shall you say that the merriment of the festive occasion went to your head, nor that the wine distracted you; for you were not on the inside at all; you stood on the outside, and it was cool enough there,--the biting wind should have made you sober.

ALFHILD.
Ja, jeg har brændt din gård inat; men du og Olaf og alle I andre derude har øvet en værre færd mod mig. Verden var mig en højsal, som hørte den store fader til. Himlen blå var dens tag, stjernerne var de lamper, som lyste fra dens loft. Jeg gik glad og rig derinde; men I, I kastede en brand midt ind i den gyldne herlighed; nu er alting dødt og fortørret!

ALFHILD.
Yes, I destroyed your house last night; but you and Olaf and all the rest of you out there have done me a greater wrong. The world was to me a festive hall which belonged to the Great Father. The blue heaven was its roof, the stars were the lamps that shone from its ceiling. I wandered happy and rich in all this; but you, you threw a brand right in the midst of this golden splendor; now is everything withered and dead!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Slig tale båder dig lidet! End engang spørger jeg, hvor er Olaf Liljekrans, min søn?

LADY KIRSTEN.
Such talk will profit you little! Still once more I ask, where is Olaf Liljekrans, my son?

ALFHILD.
Jeg har svaret!

ALFHILD.
I have answered!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Så har du også fældet din dom, og jeg vil bekræfte den.
(Olaf kommer frem på klippepynten mellem træerne, uden at bemærkes af de tilstedeværende.)

LADY KIRSTEN.
Then you have also passed your own sentence, and I shall confirm it.
[OLAF appears on the rocky cliff among the trees, unnoticed by the rest.]

OLAF
(afsides).
Alfhild –! Hjælp Gud! hvad er det?
(trækker sig uset tilbage.)

OLAF.
[Aside.]
Alfhild! God help me! What is that?
[Withdraws unseen.]

FRU KIRSTEN.
Som skyldig i trolddomskunster og mordbrand er du efter landets lov hjemfalden til døden. Denne straf udsiges herved over dig, og skal den ufortøvet samt her på stedet fuldbyrdes.

LADY KIRSTEN.
You have, in accordance with the law of the land, incurred the penalty of death as guilty of witchcraft and arson. This sentence is herewith pronounced upon you, and forthwith right here on the spot it shall be executed.

ARNE.
Men hør, fru Kirsten!

ARNE.
But listen, Lady Kirsten!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Dommen er fældet! Alfhild skal lide døden!

LADY KIRSTEN.
Judgment is pronounced! Alfhild shall die!

ALFHILD.
Gør som dig lyster; lidet skal jeg være dig hinderlig deri. Da Olaf fornægtede sin kærlighed, da slukkedes mit liv, – jeg lever ikke længer.

ALFHILD.
Do as you please; little shall I be of hindrance to you. When Olaf denied his love, then ceased my life,--I live no longer.

FRU KIRSTEN.
Før hende op på fjeldstupet der!
(To karle fører Alfhild op.)

LADY KIRSTEN.
Take her up on the rocky ledge over there.
[Two Servants take ALFHILD up.]

FRU KIRSTEN.
For sidste gang, Alfhild! giv mig min søn tilbage!

LADY KIRSTEN.
For the last time, Alfhild! Give me back my son!

ALFHILD.
Jeg svarer ikke mere!

ALFHILD.
I will answer no more!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Det ske da, som du vil! (til karlene.) Styrter hende ud! Nej, vent! Der falder mig noget ind. (til Alfhild.) Som du der står, kommer jeg til at mindes dig, da du igår trådte frem med guldkronen på og mente, at du var Olaf Liljekrans værdig til brud. Nu skal vi dog se, hvormeget du agtes; her er bønder og karle og mange ringe mænd tilstede; – kanhænde dit liv end står til at frelses! Ja, Alfhild! Du ser på mig, men så er det; jeg vil være dig nådig! (vender sig til de øvrige.) Ej sandt, I kender alle den gamle vedtægt, at når en kvinde er dømt for en halsløs gerning, som hun der, da frelses hendes liv og hun er fri, ifald en uberygtet mand træder frem og nævner hende uskyldig og siger sig villig og rede til at ægte hende. Ej sandt, den vedtægt kender I?

LADY KIRSTEN.
Just as you please!

LADY KIRSTEN.
[To the Servants.]
Cast her down! No, wait! I have an idea!

LADY KIRSTEN.
[To ALFHILD.]
As you stand there, I remember you again as you yesterday came forward with the golden crown and thought you were worthy to be Olaf Liljekrans’ bride. Now we soon shall see how much you are worth; there are present here peasants and servants and many humble men;--perhaps your life can still be saved! Yes, Alfhild! You stare at me, but so it is; I will be merciful to you!

LADY KIRSTEN.
[Turns to the rest.]
You all know the old custom, that when a woman is sentenced to death for a capital offence, as she is, her life will be saved and she will be free if an irreproachable man comes forth and upholds her innocence and declares himself ready and willing to marry her. That custom you know?

ALLE.
Ja, ja!

ALL.
Yes, yes!

ALFHILD
(med frembrydende tårer).
O, at måtte forhånes, forhånes så dybt i min sidste stund!

ALFHILD.
[Bursting into tears.]
O, to be mocked,--mocked so terribly in my last hour!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Nuvel, Alfhild! Denne vedtægt skal komme dig tilgode. Ifald kun den ringeste karl i mit følge træder frem og siger sig villig til at ægte dig, da er du fri. (ser sig om.) Er der ingen som melder sig?
(Alle tier.)

LADY KIRSTEN.
Well then, Alfhild! This custom you shall have the benefit of. If the most humble man in my company comes forth and declares himself willing to marry you, then are you free.

LADY KIRSTEN.
[Looks about.]
Is there no one who applies?
[All are silent.]

FRU KIRSTEN.
Giv hende sølvkronen på; den skal følge med i købet; kanhænde, Alfhild! at du derved stiger i pris!
(Kronen sættes på Alfhilds hoved.)

LADY KIRSTEN.
Give her the silver crown; that shall go in the bargain; perhaps, Alfhild, you will then rise in value!
[The crown is placed on ALFHILD’s head.]

FRU KIRSTEN.
For anden gang, spørger jeg, er ingen villig til at frelse hende?
(Hun ser sig om. Alle tier.)

LADY KIRSTEN.
For the second time I ask,--is any one willing to save her?
[She looks about. All are silent.]

FRU KIRSTEN.
Nu gælder det; nu frygter jeg for, at dine øjeblikke er talte. Hører mig vel, I karle deroppe! Ifald ingen svarer på det tredje opråb, da agte I på mit tegn og styrter hende i søen! Brug nu dine kunster, Alfhild! se til, om du kan kogle dig fra døden. (Med høj røst.) For sidste gang! Der står heksekvinden og mordbrændersken; hvo frelser og ægter hende?
(Hun ser sig om. Alle tier. – Fru Kirsten hæver raskt hånden til tegn, karlene griber Alfhild; i samme øjeblik styrter Olaf frem på klippepynten i fuld bryllupsklædning.)

LADY KIRSTEN.
Now for it; I am afraid your moments are numbered. Hear me well, you servants up there! Should no one answer my third call, then do you watch for a sign from me and cast her into the lake! Use now your arts, Alfhild! See if you can conjure yourself free from death.

LADY KIRSTEN.
[With a loud voice.]
For the last time! There stands the witch and incendiary! Who will save and marry her?
[She looks about. All are silent.--LADY KIRSTEN raises her hand quickly as a signal, the Servants seize ALFHILD; in the same moment OLAF rushes out on the ledge in full wedding garb.]

OLAF.
Jeg frelser og ægter hende!
(Han støder karlene bort og afriver hendes bånd. Alfhild synker med et skrig til hans bryst; han omslynger hende med den venstre arm og løfter den højre truende ivejret.)

OLAF.
I will save and marry her!
[He thrusts the SERVANTS aside and unbinds her. ALFHILD sinks with a cry on his bosom; he puts his left arm around her and raises his right arm threateningly in the air.]

ALLE
(står som forstenede med udråbet):
Olaf Liljekrans!

ALL.
[Stand as if turned to stone.]
Olaf Liljekrans!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Olaf Liljekrans, min søn! hvad har du gjort? Beskæmmet dig for evig!

LADY KIRSTEN.
Olaf Liljekrans, my son! What have you done? Disgraced yourself for all time!

OLAF.
Nej, jeg aftvætter den skam og skændsel, som jeg pådrog mig ved min færd mod hende! Min brøde vil jeg udsone og gøre mig selv lykkelig derved! (fører Alfhild frem ) Ja, for eder alle nævner jeg højt og lydt denne unge kvinde som min brud! Hun er uskyldig i alt det, som er påsagt hende; kun jeg har forbrudt mig. (bøjer knæ for hende.) Og for din fod beder jeg dig glemme og forlade –

OLAF.
No, I blot out the shame and disgrace which I brought on myself by my treatment of her! My sin I shall expiate and make myself happy the while!

OLAF.
[Brings ALFHILD forward.]
Yes, before all of you I solemnly proclaim this young woman my bride! She is innocent of all that has been charged against her; I only have transgressed.
[Kneels before her.]

OLAF.
And at your feet I beg you to forget and forgive--

ALFHILD
(hæver ham op).
Ak, Olaf! Du har givet mig al verdens herlighed tilbage!

ALFHILD.
[Raises him.]
Ah, Olaf! You have given me back all the glory of the world!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Du vil ægte hende! Godt og vel, så er jeg ikke længere moder for dig!

LADY KIRSTEN.
You will marry her! Well and good; then am I no longer a mother to you!

OLAF.
Stor sorg voldes mig derved, skøndt det er længe siden I var en sand moder for mig. I brugte mig kun til at bygge eders egen stolthed ivejret, jeg var svag og fandt mig deri. Men nu har jeg vundet kraft og vilje; nu står jeg fast på mine fødder og grunder min egen lykkes bygning!

OLAF.
You will cause me great sorrow, although it is now long since that you were a real mother to me. You used me merely to build aloft your own pride, and I was weak and acquiesced. But now have I won power and will; now I stand firmly on my own feet and lay the foundation of my own happiness!

FRU KIRSTEN.
Men betænker du da ikke –

LADY KIRSTEN.
But do you stop to consider--

OLAF.
Intet vil jeg mer betænke, jeg véd hvad jeg vil. Nu først forstår jeg min sælsomme drøm. Det blev mig spået, at jeg skulde finde den fagreste blomst, at jeg skulde plukke den sønder og drysse den ud for alle vinde. O, således er det sket! En kvindes hjerte er den fagreste blomst i verden; alle de rige og gyldne blade deri har jeg sønderrevet og drysset ud for alle vinde. Men trøst dig, Alfhild! Mangt et sædefrø er fulgt med, sorgen har modnet det, og deraf skal spire et rigt liv for os herinde i dalen; thi her vil vi bo og bygge!

OLAF.
Nothing will I now consider,--I know what I want. Now first I understand my strange dream. It was prophesied of me that I was to find the fairest of flowers,--that I was to tear it asunder and strew it to all the winds. O, thus it has happened! A woman’s heart is the fairest flower in the world; all its rich and golden leaves I have torn asunder and scattered to the winds. But be of good cheer, my Alfhild! Many a seed has gone too, and sorrow has ripened it, and from it shall grow a rich life for us here in the valley; for here shall we live and be happy!

ALFHILD.
O, nu er jeg salig som den første stund vi mødtes.

ALFHILD.
O, now I am happy as in the first hour we met.

FRU KIRSTEN
(afsides).
Ingeborg er borte, denne rige dal hører Alfhild til; ingen anden har ret dertil – (højt.) Nuvel, Olaf! Jeg vil ikke være din lykke imod. Mener du at finde den på den vis, så – – Mit minde har I dertil!

LADY KIRSTEN.
[Aside.]
Ingeborg is gone; this rich valley belongs to Alfhild,--no one else has a claim to it--

LADY KIRSTEN.
[Aloud.]
Well, Olaf! I shall not stand in the way of your happiness. If you think you will find it in this way, then--well, then you have my consent!

OLAF.
Tak, min moder, tak! Nu fattes mig Intet mere!

OLAF.
Thanks, mother, thanks! Now I lack nothing more!

ALFHILD
(til fru Kirsten).
Og mig forlader du al min brøde?

ALFHILD.
[To LADY KIRSTEN.]
And me you forgive all my sin?

FRU KIRSTEN.
Nu, nu! Kanhænde der var fejl på min side med, lad os ikke tale mere derom!

LADY KIRSTEN.
Yes, yes! Perhaps I too was wrong,--let us not say any more of that!

ARNE.
Men jeg da? Og min datter, som herr Olaf havde trolovet – Dog, det er jo sandt, kanhænde hun ikke mere er til!

ARNE.
But I, then? And my daughter, whom Olaf had pledged--Yet, it is true, perhaps she is no longer alive!

OLAF.
Jovisst er hun til!

OLAF.
Of course she’s alive!

ARNE.
Hun lever! Hvor er hun? Hvor?

ARNE.
She lives! Where is she? Where?

OLAF.
Det kan jeg ikke sige; men det er at nævne, at vi begge to i venskab har brudt trolovelsen.

OLAF.
That I can not say; but I may say that we both in all friendliness have broken our pledge.

FRU KIRSTEN.
I ser, herr Arne! at jeg – –

LADY KIRSTEN.
You see, Lord Arne! that I--

ARNE.
Ja, ja, min datter skal ikke tvinges på nogen. Alfhild var det beskåret at få en riddersmand; det samme kan vel times Ingeborg. (med værdighed.) I ædle herrer og velbyrdige mænd! Hører mit ord! Det er kommet mig for øre, at jeg, blandt mange af jer, holdes for en mand, der er lidet bevandret i høviske sæder og skikke. Jeg vil nu vise, at det er løgn i jer hals! I de gamle krøniker fortælles, at når en brav konge mister sin datter, så udlover han hendes hånd og halvdelen af riget til den, som finder hende igen. Jeg vil gøre som de gamle, brave konger; den, som finder Ingeborg igen, får hendes hånd og mit halve gods og eje dertil. Er I med på det?

ARNE.
Well, my daughter shall not be forced upon any one. Alfhild was fated to marry a knight; the same may happen to Ingeborg.

ARNE.
[With dignity.]
Noble lords and honorable men, hear me! It has come to my ear that many of you hold me to be little skilled in courtly manners and customs. I will show you now you are completely mistaken. In the old chronicles it is frequently told that when a noble king loses his daughter he promises her hand and half his kingdom to him who may find her; he who finds Ingeborg shall receive her hand in marriage and in addition half of all that I own and possess. Are you with me on that?

DE UNGE KARLE.
Ja, ja!

THE YOUNG MEN.
Yes, yes!

Permanent link

http://www2.hf.uio.no/common/apps/permlink/permlink.php?app=polyglotta&context=ctext&uid=0e6b1c70-f356-11e0-ab97-001cc4df1abe

Choose languages

Choose images, etc.

Choose languages

Choose display