Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 4).djvu/181

Monsieur Ballon.

A scurvy business—but—enfin!^[1]

 [Follows the others.

 Trumpeterstråle. I'll have to follow, I suppose,— But I protest to all the world——!^[2] [Follows.

SCENE SECOND. Another part of the coast. Moonlight with drifting clouds. The yacht is seen far out, under full steam.

Peer Gynt comes running along the beach; now pinching his arms, now gazing out to sea.

Peer.

A nightmare!—Delusion!—I'll soon be awake!
She's standing to sea! And at furious speed!—
Mere delusion! I'm sleeping! I'm dizzy and drunk! [Clenches his hands.
It's not possible I should be going to die!

[Tearing his hair.

A dream! I'm determined it shall be a dream!
Oh, horror! It's only too real, worse luck!
My brute-beasts of friends——! Do but hear me, oh Lord!
Since though art so wise and so righteous——! Oh judge——! [With upstretched arms.

1. So in original.
2. An allusion to the attitude of Sweden during the Danish
   War of 1863-64, with special reference to the diplomatic notes
   of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Grev Manderström. He is
   also aimed at in the character of Hussein in the last scene of
   this act. See Introduction.