The Master Builder and Other Plays

by Henrik Ibsen

  HILDE: Just the smoke?

  SOLNESS: First the smoke. But by the time we got to the garden gate the whole of that old wooden box would be ablaze. – That was how I wanted it to happen, you see.

  HILDE: Oh, dear God, why couldn’t it have happened like that?

  SOLNESS: Ah yes, why indeed, Hilde.

  HILDE: Yes, but listen, Mr Master Builder. Are you quite sure that the fire started from that tiny crack in the chimney?

  SOLNESS: No, on the contrary. I’m quite sure that that tiny crack in the chimney had absolutely nothing, as such, to do with the fire.

  HILDE: What!

  SOLNESS: It’s been clearly established that the fire broke out in a cloakroom – in another part of the house entirely.

  HILDE: Then why are you sitting here babbling on about that cracked chimney!

  SOLNESS: May I talk to you some more, Hilde?

  HILDE: Yes, but only if you’ll talk sense –

  SOLNESS: I’ll try to.

  He draws his chair closer.

  HILDE: Out with it then, Mr Master Builder.

  SOLNESS [confidentially]: Hilde, don’t you too believe that there are certain special, chosen people who have been granted the blessing and the power and the ability to wish for something, desire something, want something so deeply and so – so inexorably – that they’re bound to get it in the end. Don’t you believe that?

  HILDE [with an indefinable look in her eyes]: If that’s so, then some day we’ll see – whether I am one of those chosen ones.

  SOLNESS: You don’t accomplish such great things alone. Oh no – the helpers and servants – they have to play their part too, if anything is to be achieved. But they – they never come of their own accord. You have to call out to them loud and long. In your mind, I mean.

  HILDE: What are they, these helpers and servants?

  SOLNESS: Oh, we can talk about that some other time. For the moment let’s stick to this business of the fire.

  HILDE: Don’t you think the fire would have happened anyway – even if you hadn’t wished for it?

  SOLNESS: If old Knut Brovik had owned that house it would never have burned down so conveniently for him. Of that I’m certain. Because he doesn’t know how to summon the helpers, nor the servants either. [Getting up restlessly] So you see, Hilde – I am, after all, to blame for the fact that both those little boys had to pay with their lives. And might I not also, then, be to blame for Aline not becoming the person she could and should have been? And who she most wanted to be?

  HILDE: Yes, but if it’s only a matter of these helpers and servants –?

  SOLNESS: But who summoned the helpers and the servants? I did! And they came and bowed to my will. [Growing more and more agitated] That is what folk call having Fortune on your side. But let me tell you how that Fortune feels! It feels like a large, raw patch here on my chest. And the helpers and servants, they go around tearing chunks of skin off other people in order to close my wound! – But still the wound won’t heal. Never – never! Oh, if you only knew how it aches and stings sometimes.

  HILDE [eyeing him intently]: You are sick, master builder. Very sick, I almost think.

  SOLNESS: Say mad. Because that’s what you mean, surely?

  HILDE: No, I don’t think you’re especially wanting in your wits.

  SOLNESS: What’s wrong with me then? Tell me!

  HILDE: I do wonder whether you might have been born with an ailing conscience.

  SOLNESS: An ailing conscience? What sort of a devilish notion is that?

  HILDE: I mean that your conscience is very frail. Delicate, you might say. Can’t take any exertion. Can’t lift and carry heavy burdens.

  SOLNESS [gruffly]: Hm! And how should a conscience be, might I ask?

  HILDE: In you I would prefer a conscience that was – well –really robust.

  SOLNESS: Ah? Robust? I see. Do you by any chance have a robust conscience?

  HILDE: Yes, I think I do. I’ve never noticed any signs to the contrary.

  SOLNESS: It’s never seriously been put to the test, though, I don’t think.

  HILDE [with trembling lips]: Oh, it wasn’t so easy to leave my father, whom I’m so dreadfully fond of.

  SOLNESS: Oh, come now! Only for a month or two –

  HILDE: I’ll never go home again, I don’t think.

  SOLNESS: Never? Then why did you go away and leave him?

  HILDE [half in earnest, half in jest]: Have you forgotten again that the ten years is up?

  SOLNESS: Oh, nonsense. Was there some problem at home? Hm?

  HILDE [very serious]: There was this thing inside me that urged me on and drove me here. Beckoned and drew me here too.

  SOLNESS [excitedly]: There we have it! There we have it, Hilde! There’s a troll dwelling inside you as well. As there is in me. Because the troll inside us – that’s what summons those outside powers, you see. And we have to surrender to them – whether we want to or not.

  HILDE: I think you might be right, master builder.

  SOLNESS [walking around the room]: Oh, there are so impossibly many devils in the world that we can’t see, Hilde!

  HILDE: Devils too?

  SOLNESS [standing still]: Good devils and bad devils. Fair-haired devils and black-haired ones. If only we could always tell whether it was the fair ones or the dark ones that had hold of us! [Wanders around.] Ho-ho! Then there would be no problem!

  HILDE [following him with her eyes]: Or if one had a really vigorous, strong and healthy conscience. So one dared to do what one really wanted.

  SOLNESS [stopping by the console table]: I believe, though, that most people are every bit as cowardly8 as I am when it comes to that.

  HILDE: That might well be true.

  SOLNESS [leaning against the table]: In the sagas –. Have you read any of the old sagas?

  HILDE: Of course! In my book-reading days, I –

  SOLNESS: The sagas tell of Vikings who sailed to foreign lands and plundered and burned and killed men –

  HILDE: And carried off women –

  SOLNESS: – and held on to them –

  HILDE: – and took them home with them on their ships –

  SOLNESS: – and carried on with them like – like the worst sort of trolls.

  HILDE [staring into space, misty-eyed]: I think that must have been so exciting.

  SOLNESS [with a gruff little laugh]: What, capturing women?

  HILDE: Being captured.

  SOLNESS [with a quick glance at her]: Aha.

  HILDE [as if to change the subject]: But what are you getting at with all this talk of Vikings, Mr Master Builder?

  SOLNESS: Well, you see, those fellows, they had robust consciences! And when they got home they ate and they drank. And were as happy as sandboys. And the women! Many a time those women had no wish ever to leave again. Can you believe such a thing, Hilde?

  HILDE: Oh, I can well understand those women.

  SOLNESS: O-ho! Do you think you could do the same?

  HILDE: Why not?

  SOLNESS: Live – of your own free will – with such a brute?

  HILDE: If it was a brute I’d really come to care for, then –

  SOLNESS: Could you come to care for such a character?

  HILDE: Heavens, we can’t help who we come to care for, I’m sure.

  SOLNESS [considering her thoughtfully]: No – I suppose it’s the troll within us that decides that.

  HILDE [with a little laugh]: And all those blessed devils that you know so well. Both the fair-haired and the dark-haired.

  SOLNESS [softly and tenderly]: Then I hope those devils will choose kindly for you, Hilde.

  HILDE: For me they have already chosen. Once and for all.

  SOLNESS [eyeing her intently]: Hilde – you’re like a wild woodland bird.

  HILDE: Not at all. I don’t go hiding myself under bushes.

  SOLNESS: No, no. There’s probably more of the bird of prey in you.

  HILDE: More that – possibly. [Fiercely
] And why not a bird of prey! Why shouldn’t I go hunting too? Catch whatever quarry I please. If I can get my claws into it that is. Overpower it.

  SOLNESS: Hilde – do you know what you are?

  HILDE: Yes, I’m some sort of weird bird apparently.

  SOLNESS: No. You are like a new day dawning. When I look at you – it’s as if I were looking at the sunrise.

  HILDE: Tell me, master builder – are you sure you never called out to me? Inwardly, I mean?

  SOLNESS [softly and slowly]: I’m beginning to think I must have done.

  HILDE: What did you want of me?

  SOLNESS: You, Hilde, are the younger generation.

  HILDE [smiling]: That younger generation that you’re so afraid of.

  SOLNESS [nodding slowly]: And that, deep down, I yearn for so much.

  HILDE gets up, walks over to the little table and picks up RAGNAR BROVIK’s portfolio.

  HILDE [handing him the portfolio]: Now, about these drawings –

  SOLNESS [curtly, dismissively]: Put those things away! I’ve seen enough of them.

  HILDE: Yes, but you have to endorse them for him.

  SOLNESS: Endorse them! Never.

  HILDE: But now, when that poor old man is lying at death’s door! Couldn’t you do him and his son one kindness before they are parted? And maybe he’ll even have the chance to build to these designs.

  SOLNESS: Oh, that’s exactly what he does have. He’ll have made sure of that, I’ll bet – that fellow-my-lad!

  HILDE: Well, good heavens – in that case – couldn’t you lie just a teeny-weeny bit?

  SOLNESS: Lie? [Furious] Hilde – get away from me with those blasted drawings!

  HILDE [drawing the portfolio towards her slightly]: Now, now – don’t bite my head off. – You talk about trolls, sir. If you ask me, you’re behaving like a troll yourself. [Glancing round about] Do you have a pen and ink somewhere?

  SOLNESS: I’ve nothing of that sort in here.

  HILDE [making towards the door]: But out on that girl’s desk you must have –

  SOLNESS: Stay where you are, Hilde! – I should lie, you said. Oh well, for his old father’s sake I suppose I could. Seeing that I once broke him. Brought him down.

  HILDE: Him too?

  SOLNESS: I needed room for myself. But this Ragnar – he must on no account be allowed to get on.

  HILDE: Poor soul, he’s not likely to anyway. If he’s no good, I mean –

  SOLNESS [drawing closer, looking at her and whispering]: If Ragnar Brovik gets on, then he’ll bring me down. Break me – the way I broke his father.

  HILDE: Break you! So he is good?

  SOLNESS: Oh, you bet your boots he’s good! He’s the younger generation that’s all set to knock on my door. And put paid to Solness the master builder completely.

  HILDE [regarding him quietly, reproachfully]: And still you would shut him out. For shame, master builder!

  SOLNESS: The battle I’ve fought has cost enough of my heart’sblood. And besides, I’m afraid that the helpers and servants, they’re no longer obeying me.

  HILDE: Well, then you’ll just have to get by on your own. There’s nothing else for it.

  SOLNESS: It’s hopeless, Hilde. The turn is coming. A little sooner or a little later. Because the retribution, there’s no escaping that.

  HILDE [in distress, covering her ears]: Don’t talk like that! Do you want to be the death of me! Rob me of what is dearer to me than life itself!

  SOLNESS: And what is that?

  HILDE: To see you covered in greatness. See you with a wreath in your hand. High, high up on a church tower. [Calm again] Now, get out your pencil. You do have a pencil on you, don’t you?

  SOLNESS [taking out his wallet]: I have one here.

  HILDE [laying the portfolio on the coffee table]: Good. Now we’re going to sit down here, you and I, master builder.

  SOLNESS sits down at the table.

  HILDE [behind him, leaning over the back of the chair]: And we’re going to write an endorsement on these drawings. Write something really, really nice and sincere. For this horrid Roar – or whatever his name is.

  SOLNESS [writing a few lines, turning his head and looking up at her]: Tell me something, Hilde.

  HILDE: Yes?

  SOLNESS: If, as you say, you waited ten years for me –

  HILDE: Well, what of it?

  SOLNESS: Why didn’t you write to me? Then I could have replied to you.

  HILDE [hastily]: No, no, no! That’s just what I didn’t want.

  SOLNESS: Why not?

  HILDE: I was afraid that then it would all be ruined for me. But we were supposed to be endorsing these drawings, master builder.

  SOLNESS: So we were.

  HILDE [leaning over and watching him write]: So kind and generous. Oh, how I hate – how I hate this Roald –

  SOLNESS [writing]: Have you never been really – you know, fond of anyone, Hilde?

  HILDE [tightly]: What did you say?

  SOLNESS: I asked whether you’d ever been fond of anyone.

  HILDE: Of anyone else, you mean?

  SOLNESS [looking up at her]: Of anyone else, yes. Have you never? In all these ten years? Never?

  HILDE: Oh, yes, now and then. When I was really mad at you because you didn’t come.

  SOLNESS: Then you did care for others too?

  HILDE: A little. For a week or so. Heavens, master builder, you know how these things are.

  SOLNESS: Hilde – what did you come here for?

  HILDE: Don’t waste time talking. That poor old man could be drawing his last breath as we speak.

  SOLNESS: Answer me, Hilde. What do you want of me?

  HILDE: I want my kingdom.

  SOLNESS: Hm –

  He shoots a glance at the door on the left then carries on writing on the drawings.

  Just then MRS SOLNESS comes in, carrying some packages.

  MRS SOLNESS: Here you are, Miss Wangel, I’ve brought you a few things. The larger parcels will be delivered later.

  HILDE: Oh, but that’s so very kind of you.

  MRS SOLNESS: Just plain duty. No more than that.

  SOLNESS [reading what he has written]: Aline!

  MRS SOLNESS: Yes?

  SOLNESS: Did you notice whether that girl – the bookkeeper – was in there?

  MRS SOLNESS: Yes, of course she was.

  SOLNESS [slipping the drawings into the portfolio]: Hm –

  MRS SOLNESS: She was at her desk, as she always is – when I pass through the room.

  SOLNESS [getting up]: Then I’ll give this to her now. And tell her –

  HILDE [taking the portfolio from him]: Oh no, let me have the pleasure! [Moves towards the door, then turns.] What’s her name?

  SOLNESS: Her name is Miss Fosli.

  HILDE: Ugh, that sounds so cold! No, her first name, I mean?

  SOLNESS: Kaja – I believe –

  HILDE [opening the door and calling through it]: Kaja! Come in here! Hurry! The master would like a word with you.

  KAJA FOSLI comes in.

  KAJA [eyeing him timidly]: Here I am –?

  HILDE [holding the portfolio out to her]: See here, Kaja! You can take these away with you. Because now the master has endorsed them.

  KAJA: Oh, at last!

  SOLNESS: Give them to the old man as soon as you can.

  KAJA: I’ll take them home right away.

  SOLNESS: Yes, do that. Then Ragnar will be able to start building.

  KAJA: Oh, sir, may he come to see you and thank you for everything –?

  SOLNESS [harshly]: I want no thanks! You can tell him that from me.

  KAJA: Yes, I will –

  SOLNESS: And while you’re about it you can tell him that I have no further use for him. Nor for you.

  KAJA [softly, her voice trembling]: Nor me?

  SOLNESS: You’ll have other things to think about now. And to see to. And that’s just as it should be. Right, then, off you go home with those drawings, Miss
Fosli. Quickly now! D’you hear!

  KAJA [as before]: Yes, Mr Solness.

  She leaves.

  MRS SOLNESS: Goodness, what shifty eyes she has.

  SOLNESS: Her! That poor little fool.

  MRS SOLNESS: Oh – I see what I see, Halvard. – Are you really dismissing them?

  SOLNESS: Yes.

  MRS SOLNESS: Her too?

  SOLNESS: Wasn’t that what you wanted?

  MRS SOLNESS: But how you are to manage without her –? Oh, well – no doubt you already have someone else up your sleeve, Halvard.

  HILDE [blithely]: Well, I certainly wouldn’t be any good behind a desk!

  SOLNESS: There, there, Aline – it’ll be all right. Now all you have to think about is moving into our new home – as soon as you can. This evening we’ll put the wreath on the top – [turning to HILDE] – right on the very top of the spire. What do you say to that, young Hilde?

  HILDE [gazing at him with sparkling eyes]: How terribly splendid it will be to see you so high up again.

  SOLNESS: Me!

  MRS SOLNESS: Oh, good heavens, Miss Wangel, don’t even think of such a thing! My husband –! With such a bad head for heights as he has!

  HILDE: A bad head for heights! No, that he certainly does not have!

  MRS SOLNESS: Oh, but I assure you he has.

  HILDE: But I’ve seen him with my own eyes, standing at the very top of a tall church tower!

  MRS SOLNESS: Yes, well I’ve heard talk of that, of course. But it’s absolutely impossible –

  SOLNESS [vehemently]: Impossible – impossible, yes! Nonetheless I did stand up there!

  MRS SOLNESS: Oh, how can you say that, Halvard? You can’t even step out on to the balcony on the first floor of this house. You’ve always been like that.

  SOLNESS: You might see something different this evening.

  MRS SOLNESS [fearfully]: No, no, no! That I shall never see, please God! I’m going to write to the doctor straight away. And he’ll talk you out of it, you’ll see.

  SOLNESS: But Aline –!

  MRS SOLNESS: Yes, because you’re sick, Halvard! There can be no other explanation for this! Oh, dear God – dear God!

  She hurries out to the right.

  HILDE [eyeing him intently]: Is it true or is it not?

  SOLNESS: That I have a bad head for heights?

  HILDE: That my master builder dare not – cannot – climb as high as he actually builds?