Oh no,
that you’re certainly not; for I’ve heard the most on’t
from my grandfather —
Peer
Liar! It happened to me!
The Man
Yes, like everything else.
Peer [with a fling]
I can ride, I can,
clean through the air, on the bravest of steeds!
Oh, many’s the thing I can do, I tell you!
[Another roar of laughter.]
One Of The Group
Peer, ride through the air a bit!
Many
Do, dear Peer Gynt —!
Peer
You may spare you the trouble of begging so hard.
I will ride like a hurricane over you all!
Every man in the parish shall fall at my feet!
An Elderly Man
Now he is clean off his head.
Another
The dolt!
A Third
Braggart!
A Fourth
Liar!
Peer [threatening them]
Ay, wait till you see!
A Man [half drunk]
Ay, wait; you’ll soon get your jacket dusted!
Others
Your back beaten tender! Your eyes painted blue!
[The crowd disperses, the elder men angry, the younger laughing and jeering.]
The Bridegroom [close to PEER GYNT]
Peer, is it true you can ride through the air?
Peer [shortly]
It’s all true, Mads! You must know I’m a rare one!
The Bridegroom
Then have you got the Invisible Cloak too?
Peer
The Invisible Hat, do you mean? Yes, I have.
[Turns away from him. SOLVEIG crosses the yard, leading little HELGA.]
Peer [goes towards them; his face lights up]
Solveig! Oh, it is well you have come!
[Takes hold of her wrist.]
Now will I swing you round fast and fine!
Solveig
Loose me!
Peer
Wherefore?
Solveig
You are so wild.
Peer
The reindeer is wild, too, when summer is dawning.
Come then, lass; do not be wayward now!
Solveig [withdrawing her arm]
Dare not.
Peer
Wherefore?
Solveig
No, you’ve been drinking.
[Moves off with HELGA.]
Peer
Oh, if I had but my knife-blade driven
clean through the heart of them,— one and all!
The Bridegroom [nudging him with his elbow]
Peer, can’t you help me to get at the bride?
Peer [absently]
The bride? Where is she?
The Bridegroom
In the store-house.
Peer
Ah.
The Bridegroom
Oh, dear Peer Gynt, you must try at least!
Peer
No, you must get on without my help.
[A thought strikes him; he says softly but sharply:]
Ingrid! The store-house!
[Goes Up to SOLVEIG.]
Peer and Solveig at the Wedding
Have you thought better on’t?
[SOLVEIG tries to go; he blocks her path.]
You’re ashamed to, because I’ve the look of a tramp.
Solveig [hastily]
No, that you haven’t; that’s not true at all!
Peer
Yes! And I’ve taken a drop as well;
but that was to spite you, because you had hurt me.
Come then!
Solveig
Even if I would now, I daren’t.
Peer
Who are you frightened of?
Solveig
Father, most.
Peer
Father? Ay, ay; he
