LUCKY 
 PEHR 
 
 BY 
 
 AUGUSXyiiH 
 
 STRINDBERG 
 
 TRANSLATED BY 
 
 VELMASWANSTON HOWARD 
 
 !' ' li
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 RIVERSIDE 
 
 SMI' ■-• ' S 
 
 "ACRES OF SOO 
 CINCINNATI
 
 LIBRARY EDITION OF 
 
 AUGUST STIUNDBERG'S 
 
 TWO GREATEST PLAYS 
 
 ATITHORIZED TRANSLATION BY 
 VELMA SWANSTON HOWARD 
 
 EASTER, A Play in Three Acts, 
 AND STORIES 
 
 Net, $1.50. Postage extra 
 
 LUCKY PEHR. A Drama in Five 
 Acts. 
 
 Net, $1.50. Postage extra 
 
 STEWART & KIDD COMPANY 
 PUBLISHERS
 
 AUGUST STRINDBERG 
 
 COURTESY OF FREDERICK KEPPEL&CO
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 (A Drama in Five Acts) 
 
 FROM THE SWEDISH OF 
 
 AUGUST STRINDBERG 
 
 AUTHOR OF " EASTER," ETC. 
 
 TRANSLATED BY 
 
 VELMA SWANSTON HOWARD 
 
 AUTHOR IZKD EDITIOV 
 
 CINCINNATI 
 STEAVART fk KID!) COMPANY
 
 L?/\3 
 
 Copyright 1912 
 
 STEWART & KIDD COMPANY 
 
 Entered at Stationers' Hall, London, England 
 
 j4n rights reserved 
 
 First Impression December, 1912 
 Second Impression -luiie, 1913
 
 Fncdimilo of Hfrr Sf rindlnTK'o niithori/ntion, whfri-in lu" kovc Io Mfh. Howard 
 ]0 the English rightu of tniiiHlntion for hiH |>liiy vnlitled "Lucky I'uhr," alBO 
 the producing rights in America of said play.
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Old Man in the 
 
 Tower. 
 Pehr. 
 Lisa. 
 Fairy. 
 Elf. 
 Rats (Nilla and 
 
 Nisse). 
 Butler. 
 Assessor. 
 Petitioner. 
 First Friend. 
 Second Friend. 
 A Woman. 
 Pillory. 
 Statue. 
 Wagon maker. 
 Shoemaker. 
 Chiropodist. 
 Street-paver. 
 
 Relative. 
 Burgomaster. 
 One of the People. 
 Chamberlain of the 
 
 Caliph. 
 Ameer. 
 
 Court Historian. 
 Court Mullah. 
 Grand Vizier. 
 Poet Laureate. 
 Bride. 
 Singer. 
 Death. 
 Wise Man. 
 Saint Bartholomew. 
 Saint Laurence. 
 Broom. 
 Pall. 
 A Voice. 
 
 Townspeople, Dancers, Viziers, Courtiers, 
 Court Attendants, etc.
 
 LUCKY PEER 
 
 (Allegorical Play in Five Acts) 
 
 From the Swedish of August Strindberg 
 Translated by Velma Swanstou Howard
 
 SYNOPSIS OF SCENES 
 
 Act I. — Kooui in a Churcli Tower. 
 
 Act IL — (a) Forest — (b) Eicli Man's Ban- 
 
 qnet Hall. 
 Act III. — Public Square and Town Hall. 
 Act IV. — (a) Calipli's Palace — (b) Seashore. 
 Act V. — Country Churcli (Interior). 
 
 Time: Middle Ages.
 
 ACT ONE
 
 ACT ONE 
 
 Scene: A Room in the Church Tower. 
 
 Window shutters at back tvide open, starlit 
 sky is seen through ivindoius. Background: 
 Snow covered house-roofs; gable luindoivs in 
 the distance brilliantly illuminated. In room 
 an old chair, a fire-pan and a picture of 
 the Virgin, luith u lighted candle before it. 
 Room is divided by posts — two in centre 
 thick enough to conceal an adult. 
 
 Chant, in unison, from the church below: 
 
 A Solis ortus cardine 
 
 Et usque torrae lijiiitcm 
 Christum caiiamus piincipem 
 
 Natum Maria Vir^ni. 
 
 [^Ohl Man comes up tower steps and enters 
 carrying a rat-trap, a haiicy-shcaj (iiid <i 
 dish of porridge, which he sets down on the 
 foor.\ 
 
 '6
 
 LUCKY PETIR 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 Now the elf shall have his Christmas por- 
 ridge. And this year he has earned it honestly 
 — twice he awakened me when I fell asleep and 
 forgot the tower shntters ; once he rang the bell 
 when fire broke loose. Merry Christmas, Elf! 
 and many of them. [Takes up rat-trap and 
 sets it.l Here's yonr Christmas mess, Satan's 
 rats ! 
 
 A Voice. 
 
 Curse not Christmas! 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 I believe there are spirits about to-night — 
 Ugh! it's the cold increasing; then the beams 
 always creak, like an old ship. Here's your 
 Christmas supper. Now perhaps you'll quit 
 gnawing the bell-rope and eating up the tallow, 
 you accursed pest ! 
 
 A Voice. 
 Curse not Christmas ! 
 
 Old Man. 
 The spooks are at it again! Christmas 
 eve — yes, yes! [Places rat-trap on the floor.] 
 
 4
 
 LFCKY PEHR 
 
 There! Now they have their portion. And 
 now conies the tuni of the feathered wretches. 
 They mnst have grain, of course, so they can 
 soil the tin roof for me. Such is life! The 
 church wardens pay for it, so it's not my af- 
 fair. But if I were to ask for an extra shilling 
 or two in wages — that they couldn't afford. 
 That wouldn't be seen! But when one sticks 
 out a grain-shoaf on a pole once a year, it looks 
 so generous. Ah, that one is a fine fellow! 
 — and generosity is a virtue. Now, if we were 
 to share and share alike, I should get back my 
 porridge, which I gave to the elf. [Shakes 
 sheaf and gathers the grain into a bowl.] 
 
 A Voice. 
 lie robs Christmas! Tie robs Christmas! 
 
 Oi,i) Max. 
 Now I'll put lliis tiling on the pole so that 
 if will look like a symbol, and as a symbol it 
 will also be of service — for i1 shows what is 
 not to be fouinl witliin. [fie puis sheaf 
 through wiudow and hangs if on pole, then 
 shahcs his fist at toivn IjcIoic] Ob, yon old bn- 
 nian pit down there! I spit on you! [Spits 
 
 5
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 through ivindoiv; comes down and sees the 
 hurning candle before the Virgin's picture.] 
 This must be the boy's doings! The thnes 
 are not such that one burns up candles need- 
 lessly. [Snuffs out light and puts the candle 
 into his pocket.'] 
 
 A Voice. 
 
 Woe ! Woe ! [Head of Virgin shakes three 
 times and a bright ray of light darts out from 
 the head.] 
 
 Old Man. 
 [Shrinking.] Is hell let loose to-night? 
 
 A Voice. 
 Heaven ! 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 Pehr, Pehr! Where are you? My eyes! 
 Light the candles — My son, my son ! 
 
 Virgin's Image. 
 My Son! 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 [Groping his ivay toward the stairs.] My 
 eyes! Hell-fire! [He rushes down the steps.] 
 
 6
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 [Tiuo rats, Nisse and Nilla, come on right, 
 one behind the other. They have mourning 
 veils swathed about their tails.] 
 
 Nisse. 
 I say, it smells like roast pig! 
 
 Nilla. 
 
 Oh, I promise you! Be careful, Nisse! I 
 see the trap over there. [Sits on hind legs.'\ 
 'Twas in that very trap that our little ones 
 were lost! dear, dear, dear! 
 
 Nisse. 
 
 If we could only hit upon some trick to play 
 on the bad old man it would do my bowels 
 good! Can you see if ho lias left anything 
 about which he values! 
 
 Nilla. 
 
 Suppose we gnaw the ropes so the bells will 
 tumble down on his head — 
 
 Nisse, 
 
 WHiy, Nilla! you know that I have only one 
 poor tooth loft in my head. 
 
 7
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 NiLLA. 
 
 But I have two — and where there's a will 
 there's — but you, you have no feeling for your 
 children ! 
 
 NiSSE. 
 
 Come now! we shan't quarrel on Christmas 
 Eve. 
 
 NiLLA. 
 
 Hush! What have we here? 
 
 NiSSE. 
 
 A dish of porridge — 
 
 NiLLA. 
 
 Which the old man has left — 
 
 NiSSE. 
 
 For the elf. He's afraid of him! 
 
 NiLLA. 
 
 Now I know! We'll eat up the porridge 
 so — 
 
 NiSSE. 
 
 The elf will get after him — 
 
 8
 
 LUCKY PEER 
 
 NiLLA. 
 
 And he can raise the mischief when he gets 
 angiy. [They are over by the dish now, and 
 eating. 'I 
 
 NiSSE. 
 
 Oh, move along and make room for me! 
 
 NiLLA. 
 
 Hush ! It creaks in the stairs. 
 
 NiSSE. 
 
 Now I see the bottom of the dish ; there 's the 
 lump of butter! 
 
 NiLLA. 
 
 Help me with this corner. 
 
 NiSSE. 
 
 Ah! — now we'll wipe our mouths and ran. 
 [They scurry off left.] 
 
 [Elf slides down hell- rope.] 
 
 Elf. 
 
 [Walks about and searches.] Wliore's my 
 Christmas porridge? I scented its aroma a 
 long way off. It will taste good to me on a cohl
 
 LUCKY PEIIR 
 
 night, like this. I hope he has given me a big 
 lump of butter this year, since I have been so 
 good to him. [Loosens belt.'] There! get you 
 ready, my stomach. I'll let out two holes in the 
 belt, which will make it about right. [He sees 
 dish.'] Ah, ha! what's this? Empty dishes! 
 What has come over the old man-hater? Has 
 he grown stingy and arrogant, or does he mock 
 me, when he sets out an empty dish! There 
 has been porridge here [smells] — butter, too! 
 Well, well, old man! I'm sorry for you, but 
 I shall have to punish you. The elf is for the 
 purpose of punishing and rewarding. I must 
 sit down and think out some real Christmas 
 gift. [Sits in chair.] Let me see! The old 
 man shuts himself up in this place with his 
 son, whom he wishes to shield from the evils 
 and shams of the world. The old man has seen 
 much of the world, and hates it ; the young one 
 has never been beyond the church door and has 
 seen the world only from the tower. But I 
 know that it tempts him, just because he has 
 seen it like this — from a bird's-eye view. The 
 old man has but one wish in life — that his son 
 shall succeed him and thus be spared the 
 
 10
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 struggles of life and the cruelty of men. It 
 is this wish which I shall cross; it is his only 
 vulnerable point. AYell and good! I'll call 
 his godmother. She shall take the boy in hand 
 and show him all the glories of the world; 
 afterwards, there will be nothing more for the 
 old man to do in the matter. The dreams of 
 youth — I know their powers. Well, then! 
 [Bloivs a whistle.} 
 
 [Fairy dressed Hie an old tmtcli, tvith 
 
 hroivn cloak and cane, emerges from behind 
 
 a post.] 
 
 Fairy. 
 Good evening, lad. 
 
 Elf. 
 
 Good evening, old lady. Can you corrupt a 
 young man? — Oh! understand me aright. 
 
 Fairy. 
 That depends — 
 
 Elf. 
 
 It won't go in tliai costume! You see, it's 
 a question of the old man's son. 
 
 11
 
 LUCKY PEim 
 
 Fairy. 
 Our Pehr? 
 
 Elf. 
 Just he! Hush, old hidy, I'm talking now! 
 The boy is very dear to my heart — that he has 
 been ever since his birth. We — you and I — 
 stood sponsor for him, and we each have our 
 duties. His education is being neglected; he 
 has seen nothing of the world, although he is 
 fifteen to-day. I want him to go out and look 
 around so he will be a credit to us. Have you 
 anything against it? 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 Nothing. But I fear that he will meet with 
 difficulties out there which we cannot adjust, 
 since our power does not extend beyond these 
 church walls. 
 
 Elf. 
 
 True; and I must search my brain for an- 
 other idea. Ah — I have it! We'll each give 
 him his godgift, which can serve him in all con- 
 ditions of life. 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 And what shall you give? Let us hear! 
 
 12
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Elf. 
 
 Life is rather ticklish, as you know, and the 
 boy is young! He has not as yet, through 
 proper training, had time to learn all the arts 
 by which one gains one's wishes. Now, I ask 
 nothing more of life, for I know what it gives ; 
 therefore he shall have my wish-ring. And 
 you? 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 I daresay that gift is a good one, but when 
 once he has got all that he wished for, he will 
 have made his journey like the blind ; therefore 
 I shall give him a gift which will show him mat- 
 ter's face value — I shall give him good com- 
 pany on the way. 
 
 Elf. 
 Feminine? 
 
 Faiey. 
 
 Naturally. 
 
 Elf. 
 
 You're a wise one! No — now you shall take 
 charge of the lad and see that he gets away. 
 
 13
 
 LUCKY PEITR 
 
 Fairy. 
 But how? He fears and obeys his father. 
 
 Elf. 
 
 Fiddlesticks! Do your hokus-pokus and 
 show him all the glories down there, in the 
 Christmas-bedecked homes. Then it will go 
 fast enough! 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 Do you think so? 
 
 Elf. 
 
 I know the young. Here's my ring — and 
 now to business! 
 
 Fairy. 
 Is it right to play with human destiny? 
 
 Elf. 
 We only play with human beings, their des- 
 tinies we do not control. Soon or late, the boy 
 will go out into the world, and he is better 
 equipped than many who have faced life before 
 him. When his journey is over, we can dis- 
 cuss the subject more at length. Are you 
 ready ? 
 
 14
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 [Going toward post.] Immediately. [Fairy 
 disappears.'] 
 
 Elf. 
 
 Then I'll whistle. [Disappears behind the 
 other post.] 
 
 [Pehr comes down steps leading from top 
 of tower.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 Wlio's there? 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 [Appears suddenly, dressed in luhite.] Your 
 godmother, Pehr. Don't you know mo? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Ah! you are the one who caught me in your 
 arms that time, when I fell from the tower. 
 \VIiat do you want of me to-day? 
 
 Fairy. 
 I want to give you a Christmas gift. 
 
 Pehb. 
 
 A gift? What is that? 
 
 15
 
 LUCKY PEER 
 
 Fairy. 
 Something that gives one pleasure. 
 
 Pehk. 
 Pleasure? 
 
 Faiey. 
 Fulfillment of one's wishes. 
 
 Pehk. 
 Wishes! Now I begin to understand. 
 
 Faiey. 
 Wlien standing out there on the balcony, 
 have you never felt as if something were draw- 
 ing you — sort of enticing you down? 
 
 Pehk. 
 
 Yes, that I have felt. You see the black 
 streak over there, where light and darkness 
 meet? In the daytime it looks different; and 
 when the wind blows, it moves. 
 
 Faiky. 
 
 The forest. 
 
 Pehe. 
 
 What is it like in the forest? 
 
 16
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Faiky. 
 It is cool and deliglitful. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 That's well! Thither I am drawn, some- 
 times, so powerfully that I want to rush 
 through the tower window and soar, like the 
 birds in the air! 
 
 Fairy. 
 Beyond the borders of the forest? 
 
 Pehr. 
 Is there something beyond? 
 
 Fairy. 
 There lies the world. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 The world! ^Y]mt is that? 
 
 Fahiy. 
 Would you like to see it? 
 
 Peiir. 
 
 Is it pleasant? 
 
 17
 
 LUCKY PEER 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 Some say it is; the majority say it is not. 
 Come over here and I will show you some pic- 
 tures from that checkered panorama which 
 people call life. [Transparency curtain.] 
 
 Do you see the great house on the square, 
 where all the windows are lighted? The rich 
 man lives there. Now look into the rooms. 
 On the table there is a lighted Christmas- 
 tree laden with all kinds of gifts: the golden 
 fruits of the tropics from across the seas; 
 earth's hidden treasures, to which people bend 
 the knee and which in their dazzling settings 
 reflect the lights. But, do you see the light in 
 the faces of the little children? That is the 
 earth-life's sun — that is happiness — which is 
 something you do not know, poor child! But 
 you shall know it. You want to, do you not? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Who is the good fairy that walks about and 
 gives the children the golden fruits? 
 
 Fairy. 
 That is the mother. 
 
 18
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehe. 
 Mother? — I don't understand. 
 
 Fairy. 
 You, too, had a mother, but she died when 
 you were very young. 
 
 Pehe. 
 And the old man in the corner, with the mild 
 look in his eyes? 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 He is the father, who in memory is living 
 over his childhood. 
 
 Pehr. 
 The father! But he looks so pleasant. 
 
 Fairy. 
 Yes, for he loves some one besides himself. 
 
 Pf.ttr. 
 And tlio youth who puts his arm around 
 the young giil's waist — [Kafjcjiy.'] Now lie 
 j)ressos his face [igainst hers — tlieir lips meet 
 — what does that mean? Does one speak like 
 thai ill life? 
 
 19
 
 LUCKY PKIIR 
 
 Fairy. 
 That is love's way of speaking. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Love! Then it must be glorious to see it 
 all? 
 
 Fairy. 
 Wait! Now look up there, in the gable win- 
 dow — a single candle bums, a poor, wretched 
 light. [Tableau.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 Poverty! That I know. Show me some- 
 thing pretty! 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 [Regarding him.] You are pleasure loving. 
 Very well ! — Look again up there, around the 
 same Christmas light — it shines dimly but 
 warmly on the contented table of poverty. 
 
 Peitr. 
 No! T want to see something beautiful. 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 Really! Is there anything more beautiful 
 than — but, wait! you shall see — Now look over 
 
 20
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 yonder — toward the castle, where the King 
 lives. [Tableau.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 Oh! 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 Do you see the beautiful robes, the glitter- 
 ing jewels? Do you see how the walls reflect 
 the brilliant lights and how in the middle of 
 winter real roses and blue lilies are in bloom? 
 
 Pehr. 
 Oh! 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 And the young girls, with the flowing locks, 
 who serve wine in silver goblets — 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 There I want to be ! 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 And now stewards, in white, cany on the 
 dishes. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Oh! 
 
 21
 
 LUCKY PFJTR 
 
 Fairy. 
 The heralds rap on the floor with their staves 
 — the tnimpets sound — [TIdcc strokes of a 
 bell are heard; the tower chamher takes on 
 its former appearance.^ Alas! the time is up. 
 Pohr, do you wish to 2:0 out and taste of lifel 
 
 Pehr. 
 Yes, yes! 
 
 Fairy. 
 Good and bad? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Bad ? That I think I know ; the good I would 
 learn to know. 
 
 Fairy. 
 You til ink so? But you shall soon see that 
 all which seems good is not good, and all that 
 seems bad is not bad. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Only let me get out — and away from here! 
 
 Fairy. 
 You may go; but first I want to give you, as 
 a help on your journey, a gift which will be 
 
 22
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 of service to you. AVhen you have it, you will 
 have been given more than others, and there- 
 fore more will be required of you at some fu- 
 ture time. 
 
 Pehk. 
 Let me see it ! 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 This ring has the power to grant you all your 
 wishes — to your credit, but to no one's harm. 
 
 Pehe. 
 
 a fine rin, 
 man sav? 
 
 That's a fine ring! But what will the old 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 He is only going to meet with his just pun- 
 ishment — punishment for his selfishness. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Yes, that is just. All the same I feel sorry 
 for him. 
 
 Fairy. 
 Do not grieve for him ; T shall watch over his 
 
 sorrow. 
 
 21]
 
 LUCKY PEITR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Sorrow! Nothing else? Sorrow, he says, 
 is tlie one pleasure in life. Let him sit and en- 
 joy it then. I shall probably furnish him with 
 opportunities. 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 And lastly, young man, will you take pro- 
 visions from the Wise Man? 
 
 Pehr. 
 What should they be?— Good advice? 
 
 Fairy. 
 Yes. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Alas, I have such quantities of that ! 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 I know that, and I know its fate. Farewell 
 then! ^Slay life so teach you to live that when 
 your journey is over you shall be — whether 
 great or obscure; successful or unsuccessful; 
 learned or ignorant — a man, and above all, a 
 manly man. Farewell! [Fairy disappears in 
 column.] 
 
 24
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehe. 
 
 [Alone.] Well, Pelir, you are going out into 
 life! Others before you have probably done 
 likewise. But is it, then, so difficult out there? 
 To be sure I have stood on the church roof 
 and watched the throngs of people down in the 
 street crawl around each other, going and com- 
 ing. To me they appear so quiet and orderly, 
 and I don't see that they trample on one an- 
 other, although they are as thick as gnats. 
 That dogs and apprentices fight sometimes, 
 that I have seen, but grown folk — never! The 
 old man and I never fight, although we pass 
 each other on the stairs ten times a day. 
 True, he has beaten me, but I have never beaten 
 him ; and other people may not be so bad either, 
 if the truth were told. Wasn't there a fire the 
 otlier day in the house of a rich merchant and 
 didn't a lot of poor wretches come running 
 from all directions, and didn't they go up to 
 the rich man's place and save his goods? Oh, 
 yes, I saw how they took silver pieces from 
 his table and earned tlicm far out of the city, 
 where thov hid them b-Oiiiid liavstaeks so the 
 silver wouldn't be burned up. Wasn't that 
 
 25
 
 LUCKY nam 
 
 kiiul of them? We shall see, we shall see! 
 Meanwhile, my dear Pelir, you shall go out and 
 have a look at the world and make use of your 
 gifts. [Examines ring.] Let's see! What 
 shall I wish for first? 
 
 [Old wan enters as if through luall.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Oh! so the old man is here. I did not hear 
 your footsteps on the stairs. Which way did 
 you come? 
 
 Old Man. 
 [Alarmed.] Did you see? 
 
 Pehb. 
 No. 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 Let me look at you! [Gazes fixedly at him.] 
 Something has happened here — 
 
 Pehr. 
 Nothing — nothing whatever! 
 
 26
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 My son, it will soon be midnight. Don't 
 you want to retire to your room so tliat I may 
 lock you in? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 You always want to sliut me in! Tell me, 
 Father, have you never meant to let me out in 
 the world? Surely you cannot have thought 
 that I should sit here forever, and dry up! 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 I have seen life; I know its Sodom apples — 
 therefore I wish to shield you. 
 
 Pehr. 
 But life is not as sour as you say, perhaps. 
 
 Old Man. 
 What do you know about it? 
 
 Peiir. 
 
 Oh, I can Koo tilings from my liigli place! 
 Come here and I will show you. 
 
 27
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 "What can you show me that I do not already 
 know? 
 
 Pehk. 
 
 [Leads Old Man to the ivindoiv.'] Look! Do 
 you see the great house on the square? 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 Yes; but make haste! Before the dock 
 strikes twelve, you must he in bed. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Do you see the Christmas-tree, with its gold 
 and silver? 
 
 Old Man. 
 Only paper, boy ! 
 
 Pehr. 
 And the golden fruits of the tropics? 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 Worm-eaten — 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 And the sun — Happiness — how it shines on 
 the children's faces! 
 
 28
 
 LUCKY PEER 
 
 Old Man. 
 Between times distorted by envy — 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 And the old man who sits there, contented 
 and happy — 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 It's a lie! He trembles in his heart for the 
 house rent, which nnist bo paid on the new 
 year — 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 He — the rich man? 
 
 Old Man. 
 Hides his approaching downfall! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 And those yonn.i!: peo]ilo — Do you see how he 
 stretches his arm — 
 
 Old Man. 
 After the father's money bag I 
 
 I^KIIR. 
 
 Shame on you! Tlicii- lips meet — 
 
 29
 
 LUCKY PETTR 
 
 In lust! 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 What is that? — Ah! Now look up there, at 
 the gable window, with the single light — 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 Prompted b)^ caution, which demands dark- 
 ness — 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 By the glow of contentment's calm light — 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 Wliich they stole from the spice stall, and 
 their delight is in planning the next expedi- 
 tion to the city market. I know it, do you 
 hear! And up there, in the palace, where the 
 lights glisten by the thousands and mirror 
 themselves in the wines' sour streams — there 
 they roll — empty heads and empty hearts — 
 who say that they think and feel for the peo- 
 jjle's welfare! There they roll, between bot- 
 tles and dishes — 
 
 30
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 "Why do you talk so fast? Let me con- 
 tinue — 
 
 Old Man. 
 No ! Away with you and obey, boy ! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Yes, away from here! I want to go out and 
 see the world. I want to see child-faces — 
 even if they can be clouded by envy's canker- 
 worm! I want to taste the fruit of the 
 tropics even if it is worm-eaten! I would 
 drink the wine though it were gall, and I want 
 to put my ai-m around a maid's waist, even if 
 a bankrupt father does sit at the hoartli stone! 
 I want silver and gold — if in the end it is noth- 
 ing but dross I 
 
 Old ]\1an. 
 Ilcll-firf! wlio's been licre? 
 
 A \'olfE, 
 
 Curse not Christmas! 
 
 ?A
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Wliat can this mean? It is so strange here 
 to-night — stranger than usual. Father, look 
 at me! Why, that's not his face! 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 [Kneeling.] My son! Listen to your fa- 
 ther — obey the old man, who wishes you only 
 good; remain within these peaceful walls! 
 
 Pehr. 
 It is too late ! 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 "What do I see? — that ring! who gave it to 
 you? [Tries to take the ring from Pehr.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 Who are you? You are not my father! 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 Your guilty, your unhappy father, who is 
 bound l>y the witchcraft of the Powers! [Old 
 Man is transformed into a hig black cat.] 
 
 32
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Jesu Maria, lielp! [Bright rays dart out 
 from Virgin's image; dock strikes twelve.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 The witch! The witch! Away, unclean 
 spirit! [Cat vanishes.] And now — [opens 
 tower shutters] for life! [Fingers ring.] To 
 tlie forest. [Going through window.] Out! 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 33
 
 ACT TWO
 
 ACT TWO 
 
 Scene One. 
 
 Snow-clad luoods; diagonally across stage is 
 an ice-covered brook. Dawn. Wind blows 
 through the trees as curtain rises. Pehr on. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 So this is the forest, whither my thoughts 
 have so often flown through the clear air, and 
 this is the snow! Now I want to throw snow- 
 halls, as I've seen school hoys do. It is sup- 
 loosed to he something uncommonly amusing. 
 \IJe takes up some snow and casts a few snow- 
 balls.] 11-111 ! That's not so wonderful! Once 
 again — I think it almost stujiid. 
 
 l>ut wliat is it that plays up in the tree 
 tops? The wind — Ah, it sounds rather well. 
 Zoo, zoo, zoo! But one grows sleepy if one 
 listens to that long. Zoo, zoo, zoo! Now it 
 sounds like the gnats on a summer's evening. 
 Strange hcnv slioit everything is ouf Ikmh' in 
 Nature! The dullness in tlic tower — that was 
 
 37
 
 LUCKY PEIIR 
 
 long! Kow it's not at all pretty or amusing. 
 [Sees brook.] Why, what is this? Ice! 
 "What pleasure can one get from that? Ah, 
 now I remember — one can skate on it. I. must 
 try that ! [He goes out on the brook; slides; 
 ice cracks; he falls from fright and lies there, 
 stunned.'] 
 
 [Enter Lisa.] 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 [Runs up to Pehr.] There he is! Ah — he 
 sleeps ! [Sees something that glitters.] What 
 is that? [Picks up ring, which Pehr dropped 
 when he fell.] A ring! He is sleeping in the 
 snow! What can have happened? He is 
 hurt! AVhat can I do? In the very heart of 
 the forest and right in the snow! Not a hu- 
 man being comes this way. He'll freeze to 
 death if he cannot get away. The good fairy 
 sent mo here to look up that boy, but she did 
 not tell me that I should find him half dead in 
 a snow drift ! If only it were summer, with the 
 sun shining on the green grass-carpet — 
 
 [Lisa fingers ring. Trausformnfion: Land- 
 scape is changed from winter into summer; 
 
 38
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 brook loses ice-cake and rims forth between 
 the stones; sun shines on the ichole.} 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 "Wliat can be the meaning of this! [Amazed, 
 glances in all directions. Pehr awakens.} 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Rubbing his eyes.] Why, what is this? — I 
 fly from, the church tower, come into a forest 
 of snow, throw snowballs, skate, bump my head 
 on the ice, lose my senses — then I wake up and 
 find that it is summer! Have I been lying 
 here under the snow six months ? No, it doesn 't 
 seem likely. [Looks at himself in the brook.] 
 I'm as red as a rose. [Bends over water.] 
 But what do I see down in the deep — A blue 
 sky, green trees, white water-lilies, and right 
 in their midst — a girl ! — just like tlie one the 
 youth had his arm around in ilio Christmas- 
 home: flowing hair, a mouth like a song, eyes 
 like the clove's! — Ah! she nods lo me — I'm com- 
 ing, I'm coming! [About to plunge into the 
 brook, ivhen Lisa gives a cry. He turns.] 
 
 39
 
 LUCKY PRIIR 
 
 There she is! A moment ago she was down 
 here. 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 So it seems, but do not alwaj^s believe your 
 eyes. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 A strange world, this! But let me see if it 
 is the same girll [Stares at her.] Yes, it is 
 she. [Starts to run toward her, then catches 
 sight of ring.] What! my ring? You robbed 
 me while I lay senseless! Oh, do not believe 
 your eyes, you said. No! for now I have my 
 first lesson — I wanted to embrace an angel, and 
 I find a thief. 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Do not always believe your eyes, Pehr; in- 
 vestigate before you judge. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 You are right. I shall do so. Girl, who are 
 you ? ^Miat is your name ? 
 
 Lisa. 
 Lisa is my name, but who I am you must not 
 know until the time is fulfilled. I came here 
 
 40
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 and found you senseless — on the ice I found 
 your ring, the powers of which I did not know. 
 
 Pehr. 
 You have saved me from certain death in 
 the snow. For.2:ive me! Lisa, you shall go 
 with me on my journey, and you shall see a 
 jolly life. 
 
 Lisa. 
 You are traveling, you say — AVhat is the ob- 
 ject of your journey? 
 
 Pehr. 
 I seek — like all the rest — happiness. 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 You seek happiness! That is a fleeting 
 thing. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Ah, say not so! I can have all that T wish 
 for. TTave we not been given the most de- 
 light ful siimmor in fho middle of winlor? See 
 how gloriously llic siui shines up in the ]Mnos! 
 ^'oii Jinist know that ;ill this is new to me. Oh, 
 look! [Picks lip a few spruce-cones.] Wliat 
 are these? 
 
 41
 
 LUCKY PEITR 
 
 Lisa. 
 The fruit of the trees. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Then it is good to eat. 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 No ; but children play with it. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Play — that I have never done! Shall we 
 play, Lisa? 
 
 Lisa. 
 Yes — but what? Shall we play a game of 
 tag? 
 
 Pehk. 
 How does it go? 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Watch me! [She runs behind a tree and 
 throws cones at Pehr.^ Now catch me! 
 
 Pehr. 
 [Rmining after her.] But that's not so 
 easily done! [Steps on a cone and hurts his 
 foot.] The damned spruce apples! 
 
 42
 
 LUCKY PEIIR 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Mustn't curse the fruit of the trees! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 One can do without such fruit ! I prefer the 
 kind I saw on a Christmas-tree. If this spruce 
 could hear such fruit, then — [^Instantly 
 spruce hears oranges.] Look, look! Let us 
 taste. [They pick fruit and eat.'\ 
 
 Lisa. 
 Well, what think you? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Oh! it's rather good — but not quite what I 
 had fancied. 
 
 Lisa. 
 So it is always — all through life. 
 
 Pehb. 
 
 My dear girl, how wise you arc! Lisa, may 
 I i)ut my arm aroun<l your waist? [A bird in 
 the tree begins to sing softly.] 
 
 TilSA. 
 
 Yes; but what for? 
 
 43
 
 LUCKY PFJTR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 May I kiss you also? 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Yes — there's no harm in that, surely. [Bird 
 sings louder.^ 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 I'm so warm after the play, Lisa! Shall we 
 hathe in the brook? 
 
 Lisa. 
 [Cov&rs her eyes ivith her hands.] Bathe! 
 
 Pehr. 
 [Throivs off coat.] Yes! 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 [Hides behind a tree] No, no, no! [Bird 
 sings.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 Who is that screech-owl up in the tree? 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 It is a bird that sings. 
 
 44
 
 LUCKY PEim 
 
 Pehr. 
 What does he sing about? 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Hush ! I understand bird langTiage ; that my 
 godmother taught me. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 It will bo fun hearing about it! iBird 
 sings.] 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 "Not so, not so!" he said just then. [Bird 
 sings again.] Pehr, do you know what he said 
 then? 
 
 Pehr. 
 No. 
 
 Lisa. 
 "Live .^niiltless! ^^Fino oyo sooth thee." 
 
 Pkiiu. 
 (luiltloss— what is that? 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 I don't know — but dress yourself! 
 
 45
 
 LUCKY VKUn 
 
 Pehr. 
 It's only nonsense; tliere's no one here to 
 see us. [Cuckoo calls.] Cuckoo! Cuckoo! 
 
 Pehr. 
 "Wliat is that rogue calling? 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 [Imitates cncJioo.'] Cuckoo, cuckoo! 
 
 Peiir. 
 
 Wliat a lot of tiresome formalities there has 
 got to be ! 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Can you not enjoy the great, innocent pleas- 
 ures of Nature? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Yes, for a little while — What was that? 
 [Tears off vest.] 
 
 Lisa. 
 An ant. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Beats right and left ivith his hat.] Only 
 look at all the horrid pests! Ouch! what was 
 it that stung me? A mosquito! 
 
 46
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Everything here in life is incomplete, Pehr. 
 Eemember that, and take the bad with the good. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Deuce take the bad! I want the good. 
 [Beats at the air.'\ Now I'm tired of the for- 
 est. Surely one cannot play all one's life! I 
 yearn for activity, and want to be among peo- 
 ple. Tell me, Lisa — you, who are such a wise 
 little creature, what do people value most? For 
 that I shall procure for myself. 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Pehr, before I answer you, listen to a sen- 
 sible word! People will cause you just as 
 much annoyance as the mosquitoes do, but they 
 will not give you the delight to be found in Na 
 ture's i^ereunial youth. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Nature! — Oh, yes, it is very pretty when 
 seen from a church tower, but it becomes 
 rather monotonous Tiear to. Doesn't every- 
 thing stand still? Don't the trees stand in the 
 
 47
 
 TAJCKY PETTR 
 
 selfsame jolaces where they stood fifty years 
 ago, and won't tliey be standing there fifty 
 years hence? My eyes are already weary of 
 this splendor! I want movement and noise, 
 and if the people are like mosquitoes, it will be 
 so much easier to keep them at a distance than 
 this company. [Beats about his head luith his 
 hat.} 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 You'll see, no doubt, you'll see! Experi- 
 ence will teach you better than my word. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 And now, Lisa, what do people value most 
 in a person? 
 
 Lisa. 
 I'm ashamed to say it. 
 
 Pehr. 
 You must tell me! 
 
 Lisa. 
 Gold. 
 
 48
 
 LUCKY PEER 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Gold? But that is something outside the 
 person which does not belong to his being. 
 
 Lisa. 
 Yes, that is known; but it is so nevertheless. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 What oxtraordinaiy qualities does gold pos- 
 sess? 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 All! It is good for everything — and noth- 
 ing. It gives all that earth has to offer; in 
 itself it is the most perfect of all the earth's 
 products whicli iiist cannot spot — but which 
 can put rust-spots into souls. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Well, then! AVill you follow mo, Lisa? 
 
 Lisa. 
 I will always follow you — at a distance. 
 
 Pi;iii{. 
 At a distance! iind why not nonr mo? Tjisn, 
 now 1 shall jiut my ann around your waist 
 
 49
 
 LUCKY PETTB 
 
 again. [Lisa tears herself away; bird sings.] 
 Why do you run away? 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Ask the bird! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 I can't understand what he says; you must 
 tell me. 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 lEmharrassed.] No, I cannot! 
 
 Pehr. 
 Cannot? What is it? 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 He is not singing for us now. He sings to 
 his sweetheart, so you must know what he is 
 saying. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 How should I know that ! 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 He says like this: [Running off] '*I love 
 you, I love you!" 
 
 50
 
 LUCKY PEim 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Stay! Shall you run away from me? Lisa! 
 Lisa! She's gone! Very well then! Come 
 hither palace and plates and wines and horses 
 and chariots and gold — gold ! 
 
 Scene Two. 
 
 A luxurious Banquet Ball. Servants bring on 
 a table, ivith food and wines; other servants 
 carry in a chest containing gold; others, 
 again, a table covered with plates, vases, can- 
 dle-sticks, etc. — all of gold. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Walks about and looks around.] So this is 
 the rich man's ahodo ! Well, it looks rather 
 promising. Slaves! Give me my best holi- 
 day-coat — hut it must 1)0 of gold. \Servants 
 hand him a gold-cloth coat."] A chaii'! {'I'hrg 
 place a gold chair at lahJc.] Xow, Pehr, you 
 shall enjoy life! and that is your right. 
 TTavon't you hoon up momimrs at four o'clock, 
 and luiiu' for early Mass; haven't you swept 
 tli(! church on Friflays and scoiirccl jlic sl:iirs 
 on Saturdavs; haven't von eaten bread .nul 
 
 51
 
 LUCKY PETIR 
 
 herring' three liimdred and sixty-five days in 
 the year and rinsed them down with cohl 
 water; haven't you slept on pease-l)olt wliieli 
 was so badly threshed that you could feel the 
 pease in your knee-joints? Oh, yes, you have 
 — therefore enjoy yourself! [Wants to sit at 
 table.] 
 
 Butler. 
 
 [With staff in hand.'] Pardon, Your Grace! 
 The table is not laid. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Isn't it? 
 
 Butler. 
 In a couple of hours the roasts will be ready. 
 
 Pehr. 
 I don't want any roasts. 
 
 Butler. 
 
 [Intercepts Pehr with staff.] It can never 
 be that one sits down at an unlaid table ! 
 
 52
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 "Who forbids me in my own liouse? 
 
 Butler. 
 
 Etiquette, Your Grace, does not under any 
 circumstances permit it. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Etiquette! What kind of torment is that? 
 
 Butler. 
 
 Your Grace, listen to an old man's word! 
 He who in Your Grace's position violates the 
 rules of etiquette is lost. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Frightened.] Wliat a harsh gentleman! I 
 shall have to submit, although I'm beastly hun- 
 gry — P)ut, wait! Is there nothing that will 
 move that gentleman? I have heard that 
 gold — [Cioes over !<> chcsl (ind fdkes out a 
 handful of (j(dd coins.\ AVould not — 
 
 Buti>er. 
 
 Your (Iracc! 1 stand above llic scrxMiiis ; 
 above nic stands Yonr Grace, biil above us all 
 
 53
 
 LUCKY PETTR 
 
 stands — Conventionality. Its laws are per- 
 petual, for tliey have their foundation both in 
 common sense and in what we call historical 
 hypotheses. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 And the historical hypotheses — cannot they 
 be reached with gold? 
 
 Butler. 
 They are non-corruptible — in this instance ! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Wliat's the good of all my wealth if I cannot 
 eat my fill when I'm hungry? I am worse off 
 than the poorest bellringer. 
 
 [Butler stations himself at the table, and 
 stands like a statue.'] 
 
 [Eiiter Tax Assessor and assistants, who 
 walk ahout and take an inventory.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 Look — here's a new torture! With what 
 shall you gentlemen pester an innocent victim? 
 
 Tax Assessor. 
 
 Taxation, Your Grace. 
 
 54
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Indeed! So it is you who regulate people's 
 worth. How high is a human being estimated 
 these days? 
 
 Tax Assessor. 
 
 Two per hundred, Your Grace; — all depends 
 on what one is good for. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Tell me, can't I withdraw while the gentle- 
 men figure up? for I am both hungry and 
 thirsty. 
 
 Tax Assessor. 
 
 Impossible! It must be done in the owner's 
 presence. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 O Lord, what trials! P>nt I may ho allowed 
 to sit down at least? 
 
 Tax Assessor. 
 
 As you please! \To assistants.] Two 
 dozen plates with beveled edges — write! Six 
 wine-coolers, willi handles of ("nier iiielnl — 
 write! One sugar howl, with sifting spoon, 
 
 55
 
 LUCKY PEIIR 
 
 and two smaller ditto — write! Two dozen 
 knives, with handles of mother-of-pearl — 
 brand new — write! 
 
 Pehr. 
 See if I don't go crazy! 
 
 Tax Assessor. 
 
 Dining table of oak, with double leaves — 
 write! Six walnut chairs. 
 [Enter Laivyer.'] 
 
 Pehr. 
 One more! 
 
 Lawyer. 
 
 Your Grace is summoned to the City Court 
 to have tax No. 2867 legalized before twelve 
 o'clock this day. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 The Court? Litigation? I never institute 
 proceedings, sir! 
 
 Lawyer. 
 
 It's not a question of litigation — only to 
 verify facts. 
 
 56
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 I don 't wish to verify facts. 
 
 Lawyer. 
 But to put the case — 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 I don 't want to put the case — I want my din- 
 ner! Butler, can't I take a sandwich? [But- 
 ler raises staff threateningly; enter petty con- 
 stable.'] 
 
 Pehr. 
 Are there still more? 
 
 Petty Constable. 
 
 Your Grace is summoned to the Bar to-mor- 
 row at eleven o'clock for neglecting to keep the 
 street clean. 
 
 Pehr, 
 
 Must T keep the street clean — 1, who am such 
 a rich man! What, then, must I not do? 
 
 Petty Constable. 
 
 Tt is tlif duty of every householder to keep 
 clean in front of liis own lionse. 
 
 57
 
 LUCKY PP^TTR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Etiquette, taxation, pnt the case, keep yard 
 and street clean, hunger and thirst — is that the 
 rich man's lot! Then I would rather he a 
 street sweeper and own myself. And I'm not 
 allowed to turn these gentlemen out, who crowd 
 into my room, and I cannot go my way when I 
 choose ! 
 
 [Enter petitioner, folloiced hy a servant 
 
 carrying two baskets of papers. '\ 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Mr. Lawyer and Mr. Constable, can't the 
 law protect an unfortunate rich man so that he 
 may have peace in his home, or is the law only 
 for the poor? 
 
 Lawyer. 
 
 Your Grace can no longer be regarded as an 
 individual; for when one through riches has 
 risen to the community's heights, one belongs 
 to the whole. 
 
 Pehr. 
 And so one is placed outside the law. 
 
 58
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Lawyer. 
 
 [Smiles; glances about.] Above the law, 
 Your Grace! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Ha — ! "U^liat does this last friend want! 
 Are there any presents in those baskets? 
 
 Petitioner. 
 Your Honorable Grace is appointed Church 
 "Warden — 
 
 Pehr. 
 [Interrupts.] Called — 
 
 Petitioner. 
 Called to vote day after to-morrow. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Eleven o'clock — 
 
 Petitioner. 
 Eleven o'clock — to be present at the election 
 of the new Hector. But before that, Your 
 Grace must take pait in ilie preliminaries 
 which arc here inclosed, and wlilcli are for the 
 puri)ose of s]iowiii<j^ tlie incompetence of the 
 oi)posin^ candidate for the oflice. 
 
 59
 
 LUCKY PEITR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Must I read tlirongli two baskets full of 
 papers between now and day after to-morrow? 
 No, no ! 
 
 Petitioner. 
 
 Perhaps Your Grace would like to give your 
 vote to our candidate — 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Without having to read — is that permissi- 
 ble? Thank you, my good friend! Pen and 
 ink! 
 
 Petitioner. 
 
 [Hands Pehr pen, ink and paper for signa- 
 ture.} Admirable! I thank Your Grace. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Embracing him.] Ah, it is I that must 
 thank you! 
 
 Butler. 
 
 [Raps on table three times tcith staff; serv- 
 ants enter ivith dishes.] Dinner is served. 
 [All go except Pehr and butler.] 
 
 60
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 [Sits down at table.'] At last! [Soft mu- 
 sic] See, now tliey go when he commands; 
 but when I beg, it's useless! 
 
 Butler. 
 
 It is not my command they obey, Your Grace, 
 but the rules of etiquette. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 And they transcend my will? 
 
 Butler. 
 
 Laws are the agreements of many, and must 
 of course come before the individual's will. 
 
 Pehr. 
 I declare, he can answer all things! Now I 
 shall enjoy myself at all events. AViue warms 
 the heart, food warms the body — but where 's 
 the pleasure in loneliness? Mr. Butler, do the 
 rules of etiquette permit that one has company 
 when one is enjoying oneself? 
 
 Butler. 
 
 I almost believe lliat soiiielliing in that way 
 is required. 
 
 Gl
 
 T.UCKY PETTR 
 
 Pehr. 
 Well, then, I want — 
 
 [First Friend enters and rushes into 
 Pehr's arms.] 
 
 First Friend. 
 Friend of my heart! So I see thee again 
 after such a long separation! And yon are 
 like yourself— a little thinner than when I last 
 saw you; but how's everything now, dear old 
 chap? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Eyeing him.] Oh, thanks, thanks — very 
 
 well indeed, as — ahem — you see. Pray take a 
 chair and sit down. 
 
 First Friend. 
 Why, bless my soul! I've just had dinner, 
 but I'll go into your ante-room and wait there 
 while you finish yours. 
 
 Pehr. 
 No, that is just what you shall not do! I 
 remarked a while ago that I thought life so 
 empty when one must sit alone at table. Take 
 a chair and sit down. 
 
 62
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 First Friend. 
 
 Dear old friend, if you insist I will sit be- 
 side you while you dine; but it actually looks 
 as though I had come here for a meal. 
 
 Pehr. 
 AMiat matter even if it were so. 
 
 First Friend. 
 [Protests.] Oh—! 
 
 Pehr. 
 Wait a bit — I 'm not saying that it is so ! 
 
 First Friend. 
 
 [Seats himself.] So now you are in clover, 
 as they say. It is pleasant to contemplate that 
 fate can be so kindly, and it must ever rejoice 
 a sensitive soul to see that some one is favored 
 by fickle fortune. Not all — more's the pity! — 
 can praise fickle fortune. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Indeed! Have you any grievances? 
 
 First Friend. 
 I? 
 
 63
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Yes — for I don't want to hear any hard-luck 
 stories now, when I'm eating. Won't you be 
 good enough to favor me by trying a hazel- 
 grouse ? 
 
 First Friend. 
 
 If 5'ou speak of favors, my friend ! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Then you mustn't say "my friend"; you 
 must call me by name. 
 
 First Friend. 
 
 Christopher! You ask a service of poor me 
 — can I then deny you ! [He begins to eat, his 
 appetite increases during following repartee. 
 Pehr regards him ivith open-eyed wonder.'] 
 
 Pehr. 
 One should never deny another anything? 
 
 First Friend. 
 
 Well said! One should never deny oneself 
 anything — one another, I mean. 
 [Enter Second Friend.] 
 
 64
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Second Friend. 
 [Walking straight up to the table.] Good 
 day, Goran! Do you remember me! [Pehr 
 stares at him.] No you don't, but I remember 
 you. You see, I never forget my old friends! 
 In tlie hour of need I look them up. Here you 
 sit and eat and I have nothing to eat, therefore 
 I say right out : Boy, here am I ! [Seats him- 
 self at table.] 
 
 First Friend. 
 [To Pehr.] Who is that tramp! He eats 
 as though he had not seen food from Christ- 
 mas to Easter I 
 
 Pehr. 
 Oh, he's a friend of mine. 
 
 Second Friend. 
 [To Pehr.] AVho is that beggar? He stuffs 
 himself like a. wolf in tlie springtime! 
 
 Pehr. 
 Oil, he is a good friend of iiiiiic 
 
 First Friknd. 
 [To PiJir.] Beware false friends, Pehr! 
 
 65
 
 LUCKY PEIIR 
 
 Second Friend. 
 [To Pehr.] Beware false friends, Pelir! 
 
 Pehr. 
 Yes, yes ! 
 
 First Friend. 
 
 [To Pehr.] You'll see, lie is going to bor- 
 row money from you. 
 
 Second Friend. 
 
 [To Pehr.] If lie asks for a loan from you, 
 you must say no — for he never pays. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 You don't say so! Well, good friends, don't 
 you think this an excellent repast? 
 
 Second Friend. 
 I never flatter ! 
 
 First Friend. 
 
 No, my friend, you only stuff yourself! I 
 never flatter, either, but I cannot therefore 
 mask the truth and must acknowledge that any- 
 thing of this sort I have never before had a 
 share in, and it has to be Christopher that of- 
 
 66
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 fers such a treat! Your healtli, brother Chris- 
 topher ! 
 
 Pehr, 
 
 [Aghast.] Christopher? 
 
 Second Friend. 
 
 I'm a plain, everyday sort of man, and can- 
 not make pretty speeches — which I scorn, and 
 the expression of which from sucli a source I 
 can ascribe only to a secret desire to get 
 money. That is my plain, everyday opinion. 
 
 First Friend. 
 What insolence ! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 I must beg that no serious discussions inter- 
 rupt this delightful gathering, which would bo 
 even more agreeable if it were sweetened hy 
 some channing representative of the opposite 
 sex. 
 
 [A Wownn appears.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 Pohold! 
 
 67
 
 LUCKY PETIH 
 
 Woman. 
 
 So you couldn't wait for me! That was 
 most impolite, but I forgive you since you are 
 my friend. There 's my hand ! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Kisses Jier hand.] I beg a thousand par- 
 dons, my beauty, but I must have been mis- 
 taken as to the day? Meanwhile, be seated. 
 Will my friends make room at my side? 
 [Friends croivd nearer to him.] No? Well, 
 he who is the younger must do so. That per- 
 haps you do not know? Then he who is my 
 best friend will voluntarily give up his place, 
 for he is always just as near to my heart any- 
 how. [Both friends give up their places.] I 
 see that you are both my best friends. 
 
 Woman. 
 
 And I youi* best friend among women. Am 
 I not, Alonzo? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Quite right. And now as I raise the bum- 
 per, I want to drain it to Friendship ! Friend- 
 ship is like gold, for it is pure. 
 
 68
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Woman. 
 [To friends.] How prettily lie speaks ! 
 
 Pehr. 
 Friendship is like the moon — 
 
 Three Friexds. 
 Bravo ! Bravo ! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 For it borrows its gold— [Three Friends 
 exchange glances] — from the snn. And it 
 darkens when the sun departs; true, is it 
 not I 
 
 All Three Friends. 
 [SiiUenlg.] Very well said! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 But friondshi]) is a fire; it must be fed if it 
 is to be kept burnin<!:. ^'<)u liavo ^iven me your 
 friendshi)), wliat linvc I to ,nive you? [Three 
 friends glance around.] You look on my i;oUl. 
 Alack, it is but dust as compared with your 
 friendship ! 
 
 69
 
 LUCKY PEIIR 
 
 Woman. 
 
 [Adroitly.] One must not despise the tern- 
 poral because the eternal exists. 
 
 Friends. 
 Admirably expressed! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Very well, I wish to reward your faith. See 
 — all this gold I give you ! 
 
 All Three Frii^nds. 
 Ah ! [They upset the table.'] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 But remember, I have told you that gold is 
 nothing but dross. [Puts hand to mouth and 
 paces hack and forth.] my God! I believe 
 I'm dying! 
 
 Woman. 
 AVhat's wrong with you, Alonzo? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 I've got the toothache — oh, my teeth! You 
 see that the rich man, also, is exposed to the 
 
 70
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 annoyances of life. [Friends, ivith gold pieces, 
 move toward doors.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 No, don't leave me alone in my misery — 
 now, when I most need your company I 
 
 First Friend. 
 
 Oh, a little toothache is not dangerous ; it will 
 soon pass! 
 
 Sf nd Friend. 
 
 Take some cold water in your mouth, then 
 you'll be all right. 
 
 Woman. 
 
 Oh, the men! They arc so sensitive to a lit- 
 tle pain. You should see a woman suffer! 
 
 Pehr. 
 Ah, don't forsake me! I suffer so terribly! 
 
 First Friend. 
 
 I shall never forsake you! {Hand on doorS\ 
 I'll run for the dentist. 
 
 71
 
 LUCKY PEIIR 
 
 Pehk. 
 No, stay! 
 
 Second Friend. 
 
 [Near door.] No; as George's oldest friend 
 it devolves ui^on me to — 
 
 Pehe. 
 
 You want to run away from me ! Oh, I curse 
 this gold! I curse you, false friends! [Gold 
 pieces in their hands turn hlack.'\ 
 
 All Three Friends. 
 
 He has deceived us — look, look ! [All three 
 are stricken ivith toothache and begin to moan.'\ 
 Oh! Oh! 
 
 Pehe. 
 
 [Recovered.] Oh, it's only a little tooth- 
 ache; it will soon pass. — Take cold water in 
 your mouth, old friend, and then it will disap- 
 pear. [Woman faints.'] Surely a woman will 
 not faint for such a little pain! [Friends rush 
 out.] Now run to the dentist and let him draw 
 all your teeth, foxes! After that you'll not 
 bite any more sheep. 
 
 72
 
 LUCKY PEER 
 
 Woman. 
 
 ^Coming to.l Alfred! all have forsaken 
 you; but I shall remain with you. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Yes, but why should you? I'm as poor as 
 the poorest; soon the tax collector will be com- 
 ing around for the taxes, and he'll seize every- 
 thing. 
 
 Woman. 
 
 [Snuggles up to him.'] Then I want to be at 
 your side to support you — [seizes his hand 
 and steals ring during following speeches] and 
 extend to you the hand — 
 
 Pehr. 
 [Duped.] You! Can this be true? 
 
 Woman. 
 True? Look at nie ! 
 
 Pkiir. 
 
 All, f have been told Hiat woman is more 
 faithless tlian man — 
 
 73
 
 LUCKY PFJTR 
 
 Woman. 
 
 She is wiser than man [puts ring on], there- 
 fore she is called faithless. Oh, let me sit, I'm 
 so unstrung! [Pehr leads her to a chair by 
 the wall.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Compose yourself, my friend; I have only 
 
 frightened you. 
 
 Woman. 
 
 Give me a glass of wine ; I feel so faint after 
 all this commotion. 
 
 [Pehr goes over to table; wall back of the 
 chair opens and ivoman and chair disappear. 
 Only the hand with ring is seen as she is 
 heard speaking.] 
 
 Ila, ha — schoolboy! Learn from this not to 
 trust a woman whom you have tricked! 
 
 [Alone, Pehr runs to ivindow and looks 
 out, as he draws back his head, he has the 
 ears of an ass.] 
 
 74
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Curses on gold, friendship and women! 
 Now I stand alone — poor, deserted — with a 
 pair of long ears and without my magic ring! 
 Had I known that life was so utterly ignoble, 
 I should have stayed at home with the witch. 
 "Where shall I turn to now — without friends, 
 without money, without house and home? 
 Trouble awaits me at the door. Must I now, 
 in all seriousness, go out in the world and work 
 for the attainment of my every wish? If only 
 I were not so alone! Yet, why not as well be 
 alone, since there is no such thing as friend- 
 ship, and everj'thing is so false and empty? 
 Damnation! 
 
 [Enter Lisa.] 
 
 Lisa. 
 Don't curse, Pehr! 
 
 Pf.tir. 
 
 Lisa ! You do not forsake me, although I 
 forgot you in my jjrosperous days. 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 It is in our need that we find our friends. 
 
 75
 
 LUCKY PEITR 
 
 Pehe. 
 Friends'? A curse on friendship! 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Don't, Pelir! There are real friendships in 
 life as well as false friends. 
 
 Pehe. 
 
 I have now tried the good things of life, and 
 I found only emptiness and vanity! 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 You have tried in your way — meantime you 
 have made the first plunge of youth, and now 
 you shall be a man ! You have looked for hap- 
 piness in the wrong direction. Don't you want 
 to go out and do good, enlighten your fellow- 
 men, and be useful 1 For your clear vision can 
 penetrate the perversion and crookedness which 
 one finds in life. 
 
 Pehk. 
 And be a great man ! 
 
 76
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Lisa. 
 Great or obscure, it is all one. You shall be 
 useful — you shall be a reformer who leads hu- 
 manity onward and upward. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Yes, a reformer who will be honored and 
 idolized by the people, and whose name will be 
 on everj^one's lips. 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Oh, how far you are from the truth, Pehr! 
 You seek greatness only for personal honor; 
 you shall have it and you shall have a new ex- 
 perience. 
 
 Pehr. 
 But how? My ring is gone! 
 
 Lisa. 
 The qualities inherent in tliat ring are such 
 that it can never be away from its owner. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Looks at his hand.] Ah! Soo, fboro it is! 
 Well, ilicn, T want to bo a greni man — a re- 
 former; but you, Lisa, must follow me. 
 
 77
 
 LUCKY PEER 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Not yet. But I will follow thee at a dis- 
 tance, and when thou dost meet with sorrow 
 and need and the sun of happiness is for thee 
 o'erclouded, then I will be near thee with my 
 weak support. Go thou out into life, see what 
 wrongs are done there; but when 'midst filth 
 and mire thou hast seen how even the flower of 
 beauty thrives, tlien think on this: Life is 
 made up of both good and bad. 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
 78
 
 ACT THEEE
 
 ACT THKEE 
 
 Scene: A public square. To right, Court- 
 house arcade, above which there is a speak- 
 ers' cage ivith places for Burgomaster and 
 Councilmen; to left shoemaker's house, with 
 shop luindoiv and sign; outside a bench and 
 table, close to them a hen-coop and ivater- 
 tub. In the centre of the square stands a 
 pillory, ivith two neck-irons on chains, above 
 it a bronze figure tvith a switch in its hand; 
 to right centre, statue of Burgomaster Hans 
 Schulze, which leans toward a marble female 
 statue crowned ivith a laurel wreath. Back- 
 ground: view of city. 
 [Pillory and Statue.^ 
 
 Pillory. 
 
 [Bows low to statue.'] Good morning, 
 Statue. Did you sleoi) well last night? 
 
 Statue. 
 
 [Nods.^ Good nioniing, Pillory. Did you 
 sleep well yourself? 
 
 81
 
 LUCKY PETTR 
 
 Pillory. 
 
 To bo sure I did — and dreamed also! Can 
 you guess what I dreamed? 
 
 Statue. 
 [Crustily.] How should that be possible? 
 
 Pillory. 
 
 Well, I dreamt — can you imagine it? — that a 
 reformer came to the city. 
 
 Statue. 
 
 What — a reforaier? [Stamps.'] Hell! how 
 cold your feet get standing here ; but what does 
 one not do for glory's sake! A reformer? 
 Then he, too, is to have a statue? 
 
 PiLLOKY. 
 
 A statue — well, hardly! No, he had to play 
 statue himself, at my feet, while I clasped him 
 around the neck with both arms. [Neck-irons 
 clash.] You see, he was a real reformer, and 
 not a charlatan, such as you were in life ! 
 
 Statue, 
 
 Oh, bosh! You should be put to shame! 
 
 82
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pillory. 
 I should — but I always have justice on my 
 side. [Swings sicitch.'] 
 
 Statue. 
 "What, then, was his specialty? 
 
 Pillory. 
 He was a reformer in street paving. 
 
 Statue. 
 In street paving? Pestilence and cowardice! 
 He dabbles, then, in my profession. [Bumps 
 into female statue.'\ 
 
 Pillory. 
 No; he does intelligently what you dabbled 
 in, and you wouldn't be standing where you 
 are had you not been the burgomaster's father- 
 in-law ! 
 
 Statue. 
 Was not T tlic one wlio carried out llie new 
 idea of slone-j)aved streets! 
 
 rii.i.oKv. 
 
 Yes, tbat you did; biif tlu' idcn was Dot tu>w. 
 And what did you do? hi i)Iacc of llic soft 
 
 83
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 sand in wliicli one formerly placed one's feet, 
 one must now balance oneself on jagged and 
 roily stones, which destroy both feet and shoes 
 — save on the street which leads from your 
 house to the tavern, where you let lay a foot- 
 bridge of flat stones. 
 
 Statue. 
 
 And now this reformer — or charlatan — 
 wants to undo what I did? 
 
 Pillory. 
 
 He wants to tear up what you laid down and 
 pave all the streets with ''burgomaster" stones, 
 so that all may be equally comfortable. 
 
 Statue. 
 So he's a rabid radical! 
 
 Pillory. 
 
 Yes, that's it, and he has no party politics 
 back of him. You had the wagonmaker, the 
 shoemaker, the cliiropodist and the burgomas- 
 ter with you, therefore you succeeded. 
 
 84
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Statue. 
 
 He'd better be careful! Every stone whicli 
 he removes from my work the people will hurl 
 at him, and woe be unto him if he touches my 
 memory ! 
 
 Pillory. 
 
 Let us hope that he unmasks you, you old 
 fraud! Do you recall how you happened to 
 become one of the great ones after your death? 
 First, at the funeral, the parson embroidered 
 your virtues — for twenty marks; the contract- 
 or, who had grown rich on your streets, de- 
 livered a eulog}'; the chiropodist, who acquired 
 practice through your beautiful street stones, 
 had a medallion struck of you; then the 
 wagonmakor, who made money patching up 
 wagons, named a vehicle after you; and last, 
 the shoemaker held a memorial fest in your 
 honor. Tlioii i1 was done! Your son-in-law, 
 llic ])urgoniaster, sent out a subscription blank 
 for a statue — no one dared refuse, and now you 
 stand tbere. 
 
 85
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Statue. 
 
 Yes, I do, and it grieves you. To-day the 
 Sclmlze Society will come with wreaths and 
 will sing the memorial song ordered by my son- 
 in-law. I daresay having to stand and listen 
 to it will make you writhe. 
 
 Pillory. 
 
 I can't dispute that, but in the end we shall 
 see if I'm not a true dreamer! 
 
 Statue. 
 
 Hold your tongue! for here comes the So- 
 ciety. 
 
 Pillory. 
 
 I shall have to hold my sides for laughter — 
 three persons constitute the whole Society! 
 Last year they were six. You're a back num- 
 ber, Schulze. Soon you'll see that they will 
 move you into the ox-grove ! 
 
 Statue. 
 
 A people who reverence their great men and 
 cherish past events can never sink so low as to 
 consign their statues to the ox-grove. 
 
 86
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 [Shoemaker comes out from his house and 
 opens shop window.'] 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 I believe there has been rain in the night, 
 brother Schnlze looks so shiny. If it will only 
 be fair weather when the singing society makes 
 its appearance ! [Shouts back into the house.] 
 Hans! 
 
 Hans. 
 
 [At luindow.] Yes, master. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 Sit here by the window with your work, I'm 
 going out to fulfil a civic duty. 
 
 Hans. 
 Yes, master. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 If you don't watch out, I'll let the strap do 
 a dance on your back ! Do you hear that, 
 knave? 
 
 Hans. 
 
 Yes, master. 
 
 [Enter Wdfjonmakcr, irilk a banner.] 
 
 87
 
 LUCKY PEIIR 
 
 Wagon MAKEK. 
 'Morning, Shoemaker. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 Good morning. 
 
 [Enter Chiropodist, with a laurel wreath.] 
 
 Chiropodist. 
 
 Good morning, good morning. Shall we 
 wait for the burgomaster? I think we'd better 
 hurry along, it's preparing for more rain. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 That's just what I said to myself this morn- 
 ing, therefore I was wise and brought my rain- 
 coat. 
 
 Wagon MAKER. 
 
 The people should now assemble here and 
 form a procession, but I don't see a cat ! Shoe- 
 maker, didn't you tell the printer that we were 
 to celebrate the Memorial Festival to-day? 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 ^^liy certainly, certainly! 
 
 88
 
 LUCKY PEER 
 
 Wagon MAKER. 
 
 "Will the gentlemen please form a semi-circle 
 around the object's pedestal — so! 
 
 Chiropodist. 
 
 We might begin with the cantata — then per- 
 haps the people will come. 
 
 Wagonmaker. 
 
 I can't understand why the burgomaster 
 isn't here? He always treated us to brandy 
 other years. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 If you start the song he'll wake up, if he has 
 overslept himself. Tune up, gentlemen — do, 
 mi, sol, do! 
 
 Wagonmaker. 
 
 Then, I'll begin — biii watch out for the trio 
 so as to make it a re^nilai* oar-splitting ensem- 
 ble! 
 
 [iSolo Recitative.] 
 
 Hail in tliee. Burgomaster! 
 Ilail to tliof, l)enefactor! 
 89
 
 LUCKY PEIIR 
 
 Life burns our deeds within its envious fire, 
 But mem'r>^, like a phoenix from the pyre, 
 Rises on stalwart wing to waft them higher. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 Well whistled, Wagonmaker! Any signs of 
 the grog yet? 
 
 Wagonmaker. 
 
 Go on. Shoemaker! Now comes the aria; it 
 must be rendered with feeling. Then you shall 
 see that the burgomaster will wake up ! 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 [Sings aria.] 
 
 ARIA. 
 
 The breath of the rose and carnation-bud's fra- 
 grance, 'mongst wonder-flowers' fated! 
 As false at heart 
 As glitter-wave. 
 
 She held toward him her billow}^ hair, 
 ^\Tiere all the ocean's freshness breathes. 
 And lily so red and lily so white 
 Confidingly muse on death and life. 
 
 90
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Chiropodist. 
 
 That was a rare strophe! But it doesn't 
 seem to have anj^ special bearing upon the sub- 
 ject and our present conditions. Where did 
 you get it? 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 Well, 5'ou see, I have an apprentice at home 
 who is one of your idealists ; he does things of 
 this sort when he's free, on Sundays. 
 
 Wagonmaker. 
 
 If I may venture an opinion, I think it incon- 
 ceivably difficult to get at the pith of the 
 strophe. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 That's just the fine point, you see! But 
 husli — methinks we have the rain here. [Puts 
 on coat.] 
 
 "Wagonmakkr. 
 
 Do the gentlemen iliink if worlli while to 
 stand here in the rain and get soaked on that 
 old duffer's account? 
 
 91
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 But we are paid to support the song and we 
 must at least do llie trio before we go; for 
 wlien we all pitch in together the object itself 
 won't be able to sleep! The oration, on the 
 other hand, can be given at any time; besides, 
 there is too small a public for so big a speech. 
 We'll take the trio — do, mi, sol, do. It is not as 
 ideal as the aria, but it evinces greater famil- 
 iarity with the specific conditions. [Rain pat- 
 ters, wind iiicreases,] 
 
 Chiropodist. 
 
 Damned if I stand here any longer and catch 
 cold for that old charlatan! Eemuneration? 
 Six marks each ! One can do without that. 
 
 Wagonmaker. 
 I think so, too. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 Were you not in on the subscription for the 
 statue, perhaps? Were you not there and 
 helped, with a medallion, to turn him into a 
 great man? 
 
 92
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Wagoxmakek. 
 
 Well, we bad to, didn't we? otherwise they 
 would have downed iis. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 True — but it is ungrateful not to respect his 
 memory. I shall sing the trio alone. 
 
 Chiropodist. 
 
 Oh, you can do it — you, with your sou'- 
 wester! I'm going home to breakfast. [Flhigs 
 wreath on pedestal, dashes hood of cloak over 
 head and runs off.l 
 
 Wagonmaker. 
 
 This is the last time I'm going to lend my- 
 self to such tomfoolery! Good-bye! 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 [Alone.1 And now I'm going to the burgo- 
 master's for ;i l)i'andy. Piut fii-sf, T must de- 
 liver ]iiy s])eecli io llic old ni;in on llie i)edes- 
 1;il; llicii my conscience will be easier. [Talks 
 to statue.] You tliiiik, you old Schulze, it is 
 for 3'our sake tliai we sing, for your sake tliat 
 we speecliii'y; can't you comprehend tliat we 
 
 93
 
 LUCKY PEER 
 
 do so for our own sakes? We need a big 
 man to piisli forward when we turn out to be 
 too little ourselves. We need your word to 
 quote, since no one credits ours. Our little 
 town needed your statue in order to become a 
 great city; your insig-nificant relatives needed 
 your statue to help them get on and find occu- 
 pation in this troublesome world — and there- 
 fore, mark you, you stand so high above us all 
 — a figure for naught but ciphers! Now you 
 have heard a true remark, you poor wretch! 
 the first and the last you'll hear, perhaps — 
 [Alanned.] Surely no one has been listening 
 to what I said! Ah! here comes the great 
 man's relative. 
 
 [Enter Relative.] 
 
 Relative. 
 Good morning, Shoemaker. Have you heard 
 — have you heard of the scurrilous attack? 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 What now? What's up, Herr Relative? 
 
 Relative. 
 
 A reformer has come to tlie city; haven't you 
 read his broad-sheet? 
 
 94
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Shoemakek. 
 
 No, no! 
 
 Relative. 
 Oh, it is unprecedented — read for yourself! 
 
 Shoemaker, 
 I'm too agitated to read; yon read it. 
 
 Relative. 
 
 Then listen to what the scoundrel writes : 
 "A quarter of a century has hardly elapsed 
 since Burgomaster Schulze gladdened this 
 community with weighty improvements as re- 
 gards its street paving, by giving us in place 
 of the old sand-ground rough cobble stones." 
 Do you hear ! Do you hear ! 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 Yes, I hear. But that was not very alarm- 
 ing. 
 
 Relative. 
 
 Not alarming! Doesn't ho call lilni lUirrjo- 
 master Scliulzc? One docs nol say Ijiirgomas- 
 ter of a dead man — one says Our Illustrious — 
 
 95
 
 LUCKY PETIR 
 
 Does not the wretch write about rough cob])le 
 stones? Does he not attempt with that to 
 undermine his worth? 
 
 Shoemakek. 
 
 But one cannot call it an attack, if he says 
 that cobble stones are rough when they are 
 rough. 
 
 Relative. 
 
 Of course they are rough, but one must not 
 say that they are when a great man is respon- 
 sible for them. Have a care, Master Shoe- 
 maker! I see that you are a sceptic. Have a 
 care — you know the consequences! 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 For God's sake, I'm no sceptic! Haven't 
 been st 
 Schulze? 
 
 I been standing here chanting odes to brother 
 
 Relative. 
 
 Brother! If you were a brother to him in 
 life, please remember that all titles are an- 
 nulled by death. Will you admit that this is 
 an attack? 
 
 96
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Shoemakek. 
 
 Of course I will — Have I said anything to 
 the contrary! Can you prove that I said any- 
 thing to the contrary? 
 
 Relative. 
 
 No ; but be careful ! We hold Common Coun- 
 cil liere on the square at nine o'clock, when 
 that reformer will speak for his cause. Do 
 YOU know what he wants? 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 No. 
 
 Relatrt:. 
 
 Can you imagine it ! He wants to repave 
 all our streets with flagstones. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 But tliat's rather considerate of him. 
 
 Relative. 
 [Laughs ironicdll I/.] Considerate? Oh, very! 
 How will it go, for exaini)l(' just to mention 
 your calling — how will it go with the jirecious 
 shoemakiiig trade wIkh the people no longer 
 wear out any shoes? 
 
 97
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 What — what say you? Forgive me, my 
 friend, but you are right. However, I'm not 
 thinking of my humble calling, but of all the 
 poor innocent working men who will be robbed 
 of their bread — and of their poor wives and 
 children ! 
 
 Hans. 
 
 [At ivindoiv, makes faces.'] Poor unfortu- 
 nate workingmen! 
 
 Relative. 
 
 You see, you see ! [Pointing to statue.'] He 
 was the friend of the poor, and he was a man 
 that knew what he did! 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 You may depend upon it that both the wagon- 
 maker and the chiropodist will share my opin- 
 ion. 
 
 Relative. 
 
 Am I quite sure of that ? 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 In life and in death ! 
 
 98
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Relative. 
 
 Happy the people who respect their great 
 men! [Rims.'] 
 
 [Enter populace. Relative is talking icitli 
 the wagonmaker and the chiropodist.^ [The 
 Courthouse clock strikes nine; two trum- 
 peters and a drummer come on and sound a 
 call. Whe7i the music has ceased Pehr en- 
 ters, and is joined by Street-Paver.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Good morning, master. How do yoii think 
 this matter will go for me? 
 
 Steeet-paver 
 Badly, ver>^ badly ! 
 
 Pehr. 
 Don't the people want iniprovementsj then? 
 
 Street-paver, 
 
 There's no question as to tlial — it's a ques- 
 tion of the great man's rcinitaiion, which you 
 have attacked. 
 
 Pkhh. 
 Have T attacked liiiii? [ /k//>/ Jias ceased.] 
 
 99
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Street-paver. 
 
 You called him burgomaster^ and that title 
 has become a by-word in the town; you said 
 that his paving stones were rough — in a word, 
 you have expressed the common opinion of the 
 man, therefore you are ruined. 
 
 Pehr. 
 It's a very remarkable world that we live in! 
 
 Street-paver. 
 
 It's rather see-saw, and has its little eccen- 
 tricities, but do not try to help it, sir, for then 
 it will send you straight to tophet ! 
 
 Pehr, 
 
 The people are dissatisfied and when one 
 wants to dig up the cause of their dissatisfac- 
 tion, they throw stones at one ! [A boy thrusts 
 a leaflet into their hands, hurries along and dis- 
 tributes more among the populace.'] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Glances at leaflet.] But this is outrageous! 
 They have sketched us. Have I a nose like 
 that? 
 
 100
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Stkeet-paver. 
 
 They have hit us off rather well — but surely 
 I haven't such ears! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 I can't understand this — Yesterday the edi- 
 tor was for the cause and to-day he abuses me. 
 
 Street -PAVER. 
 
 Public opinion, you see ! He said to me, also, 
 that he approved of this movement, but that he 
 dared not defy pul3lic opinion. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 A curious way of working for his cause! 
 "Who, then, is public opinion for him? 
 
 Street-paver. 
 
 First, the customers ; then the burgomaster, 
 money, and power. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Then why did he caricature you? 
 
 Street-paver. 
 Becaus«^ I entered info yoiii- proposition. 
 As a matter of course, 1 did it because I could 
 
 101 
 
 LIB.'?ARY 
 
 UNIVEKSITY OF CALIFORNW 
 
 RIVERSIDE
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 make money by it. Meautime, lie is selling hun- 
 dreds of these poems to-day — [Trumpets and 
 drum sound; Burgomaster, Councilmen and 
 Clerks come out into speakers' cage.] 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 
 Well, my children, you nmst have heard that 
 an impostor has come to town. 
 
 One of the People. 
 He's no impostor; he is a reformer. 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 
 It comes to the same thing — but you must 
 hold your tongue, my lad, you have no vote ! 
 
 Peiir. 
 
 Herr Burgomaster, I would beg that my 
 proposition be presented in a proper manner 
 before this honored popular assembly — 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 
 Just listen to him! We know his proposi- 
 tion and it simply remains for us to express 
 ourselves. Well and good, I consign it to the 
 madhouse! It is the man's wish — think of it, 
 
 102
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 my children! that all may be permitted to tread 
 upon smooth pavements. So long as Our Lord 
 creates different kinds of human beings, there 
 must be different kinds of stones on our streets. 
 Is there anybody who would add further re- 
 marks? 
 
 One of the People. 
 That isn't true! Our Lord does not create 
 different kinds of human beings. 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 Who gave you permission to shriek? 
 
 One of the People. 
 Since we have no voice in things, we may 
 at least be allowed to shriek! 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 Yos, shripk, and I'll put you in the lockup! 
 There is no one, of course, wlio lias something 
 to add? 
 
 Relative. 
 
 Horr IJui'gouiastor, as a man of honor, iiuiy 
 T not be permitted to enter a ])rotest against 
 the scandalous attack Hint has been made! 
 
 103
 
 LUCKY PFJIR 
 
 Pehe. 
 I cliallenge the relative! 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 
 And I, on the other hand, attach more weight 
 to the Relative's utterance since he is allied to 
 a great man; that is always the community's 
 best guarantee — 
 
 Rooster. 
 
 [Froin hen-coop outside the shoemaker's.] 
 
 Cockelicoo ! 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 
 What's that devilish racket? 
 
 One of the People. 
 That 's one who is blessed with a voice ! 
 
 Rooster. 
 Cockelicoo ! 
 
 One of the People. 
 Arrest him! [Laughter and groans."] 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 Quiet, back there! Secondly: Said adven- 
 turer has spoken outrageously of the admin- 
 
 104
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 istratioii in that he has made defamatory 
 speeches against the city's departed burgomas- 
 ter. We would hear a few impartial citiaens — 
 Master Shoemaker, what, in your opinion, does 
 he merit! 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 I vote with the administration. 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 
 Quite right; he should be held in contempt. 
 What say you, Master Chiropodist? 
 
 Chiropodist. 
 I concur. 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 And the wagoniiiakor? 
 
 Wagon MAKER. 
 
 I have the honor to agree with the last 
 speaker. 
 
 One of the People, 
 
 Those who have tlie riglit to speak are si- 
 lent. 
 
 105
 
 LUCKY PEim 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 
 Silence, back there ! On the ground of what 
 has already been advanced, with the support 
 of conclusive evidence, the adventurer named 
 Pelir (no family name) is hereby sentenced 
 for vicious utterances against the administra- 
 tion to stand in the pillory two hours, later to 
 be expelled from the city, to his everlasting dis- 
 grace and as a warning to others. 
 
 Pehk. 
 Herr Burgomaster, the proofs are lacking. 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 
 We require none. Axiom, or self-evident 
 points, neither can nor need be proved. Away 
 with him! \Pehr is led off.] 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 
 Thirdly: In consideration of the vexatious 
 as well as unforeseen incident that the city's 
 dogs give unseemly expression to their inward 
 feelings for the hideous around the pedestal 
 of Hans Schulze's statue, an appropriation is 
 demanded for an iron railing around the same. 
 
 106
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Surely no one will refuse a deserving man such 
 a trifling act of respect? 
 
 Qualified Voters. 
 
 No! 
 
 OxE OF THE People. 
 
 That is the first time we've heard the voters 
 say no! 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 
 Officer, put him in the lockup! The ques- 
 tion has lieen answered, then, in the affirma- 
 tive. 
 
 Qualified Voters. 
 
 Yes. 
 
 One of the People. 
 
 [Makes noise like a sheep.] B-a-a-a! [An 
 instant of laughter and comtnotion.] 
 
 Burgomaster. 
 
 The Common Council is adjourned. [Triini' 
 pets and drum sound, after which silence on 
 stage.l 
 
 107
 
 LUCKY PRHR 
 
 Relative. 
 
 [To Shoemaker.'] He's an uncommonly firm 
 expeditor, that burgomaster. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 He ought to be in the Legislature — then it 
 would go a little faster with the common mo- 
 tions. 
 
 [Burgomaster, Councilmen and Secretary 
 go into Courthouse. People continue to cir- 
 culate on square; Street-paver keeps aloof.'] 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 [To Chiropodist, Wagonmaker and Relative.] 
 Gentlemen, won't you sit down and drink a 
 glass of ale with me? 
 
 Chiropodist, Wagonmaker, Relative. 
 Thank you ! 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 [At door, gives order; Hans brings on ale.] 
 Well, Herr Relative, you did not choose to be 
 present this morning at the memorial fest for 
 vour illustrious kinsman? 
 
 108
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Eelative. 
 
 Wliere was the need of my going out in the 
 rain? You were there with the Society. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 The whole Society ! There were three of us. 
 
 Relative. 
 Did you sing? 
 
 Chiropodist. 
 Yes, a little. 
 
 Relative. 
 [Laughing.'] Were there many people? 
 
 "Wagonmakkr. 
 Not a soul ! 
 
 Relative. 
 And the burgomaster — 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 Overslci)t liiinsclf. 
 
 109
 
 LUCKY PETTR 
 
 Relative. 
 [Laugliing.'] Have you seen the Morning 
 
 Crowf 
 
 No. 
 
 All. 
 
 Relative. 
 
 l^Tahes up a pamphlet,^ Would you like to 
 hear, then? — "Tribute. The customary trib- 
 ute paid by the Schulze Society to the memory 
 of our worthy citizen, wliom we commemorate 
 in bronze on the city's public square, took 
 place this morning in presence of a great crowd 
 of people that greeted the memorial songs, 
 sung in honor of the illustrious departed, with 
 hearty applause. The songs were rendered by 
 the great chorus with the usual precision and 
 good ensemble. The oration, which had been 
 prepared with the utmost care, was delivered 
 in clear, resonant tones by the worthy shoe- 
 maker, Pumpen-Block. Among the notables 
 present we observed the city's burgomaster, 
 the kinsman of the departed, and others. 
 \_All laugh.] 
 
 110 
 
 ? >
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Relative. 
 Isn't that rich? 
 
 All. 
 Oh, it's priceless! — You wrote that. 
 
 Relative. 
 
 By the by, have you seen the cartoon of the 
 reformer and the street-paver? It's capital! 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 But it was a bit extravagant to caricature 
 them in that way! 
 
 Relative. 
 
 Oh, no sensible person has anything against 
 the proposition ; but that it should fall into such 
 hands — Ilush, here he comes ! 
 
 [Pehr is led on by guards, ivho place him 
 in the pillory and adjust neck-irons. The 
 populace nudge each other and point at him. 
 Shoemaker's company slightly embarrassed. 
 Enter a lyre player and an old blind woman, 
 with a painted canvas on a pole. Old woman 
 sings and points at canvas, which is painted 
 in six panels — one for each stanza.} 
 
 Ill
 
 LUCKY PEIIR 
 
 Old Woman. 
 
 There was a guileless youth : 
 
 Who heard the people's wail; 
 Lawgivers sat in the square 
 
 And gaily quaffed their ale. 
 
 The youth to the people said: 
 "I would make your pathway fair!" 
 
 ''There's trouble," the rulers cried, 
 "Sedition breeds in the air." 
 
 Still they sat in the square, 
 And still they quaflPed their ale; 
 
 They talked of the people's good. 
 But heard not the people's wail. 
 
 The youth in the pillory stood. 
 For there he 'd been given his place ; 
 
 In the wag'nmaker's hen-coop the cock crew 
 As of yore in Caiphas' palace. 
 
 The great respect the law, 
 
 Their own renown they buy 
 With statues and tombs and gold 
 
 To praise them when they die. 
 
 112
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 The people pass under the yoke, 
 
 They wail through the vigils of night, 
 
 And wait till the cock shall crow 
 To herald an era of light. 
 
 [Shoemaker's company make wry faces 
 and pretend not to he listening; the people 
 are interested and drop pennies into the old 
 ivoman's hank. The women are moved to 
 tears and wipe their eyes now and then.'] 
 
 Relative. 
 
 [To shoemaker.] Have you many orders 
 now-a-days f 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 Oh, so-so — 
 
 Old Woman. 
 Give the old blind woman a coin? 
 
 Chiropodist. 
 Begging is prohil)it('d, don't you know that? 
 
 One of the People. 
 She's not begging; she asks remuneration. 
 
 113
 
 LUCKY PETTR 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 What kind of rot is he talking? 
 
 One of the People. 
 
 The Schulze Society is paid to sing for the 
 statue yonder, l)ut the men pocket the coins and 
 stay away. This morning only three were 
 there. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 [To his guests.] Think, they know all that 
 goes on, the villains ! 
 
 Old Woman. 
 Give the blind old woman a coin! 
 
 Eelative. 
 One must pay, to boot, for her croaking? 
 
 One of the People. 
 
 She sings better than the shoemaker sang 
 this morning, when we stood round the corner 
 listening to him. He certainly does not sing 
 ideally about carnations and roses, but a true 
 word spoken at the right moment is also ideal ! 
 
 114
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Relative. 
 
 If you don't go, old hag, you'll be locked up! 
 [Thunder and lightning, wind, rain, commo- 
 tion.] 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 Egad! it's raining again. Step inside, gen- 
 tlemen. [They break up.] 
 
 Old Woman. 
 
 Must that poor wretch in the pillory stand 
 out in the rain? 
 
 Relative. 
 
 If my kinsman, who is so great a personage, 
 can stand outside, then that fellow may as well 
 stay where he is. 
 
 Shoemaker. 
 
 It cools these reformers off so nicely to get 
 a little cold water over them. [Trips, stubs 
 toe against a stone.] The damned cobble 
 stones! [Hops into house on one leg. Exit 
 all but Pehr and Old Woman — Lisa.] 
 
 Lira. 
 [TJiroirs off disguise.] Well, Pclir! ^'()U 
 have become a famous man ; your name is now 
 
 115
 
 LUCKY PFJIR 
 
 on every one's lips, your picture is being car- 
 ried round on all streets and public squares 
 and the people hail you as a reformer. Are 
 you satisfied? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Yes, Lisa, now I am satisfied with being a re- 
 former ! 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Shall you leave your work half-done? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Yes, Lord save us ! If only I can escape with 
 my skin. 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 You sought glory and renown — 
 
 Pehr. 
 But all do that ! 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Not all. But you had the approval of the 
 people. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 The people ! They have nothing to say. 
 
 116
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 So it was the approval of the great that you 
 wanted. Then stand there and be ashamed! 
 You did not even believe in the cause for which 
 you stood. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Frankly, I think it a matter of slight conse- 
 quence whether one walks upon smooth or 
 rough stones. 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 "\Mien one walks in calfskin boots — yes; but 
 not when one goes barefooted ! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Moreover, the community isn't worth a 
 straw; the whole thing is only a sham! The 
 common good, the common good — one never 
 talks of anything else. AVIiat, tlien, is the com- 
 mon good? It strikes me as being an agree- 
 ment between a few private individuals. 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 It should be ever^^one's good, but it isn't. 
 Make it so, and it will be so. 
 
 117
 
 T.UCKY PKHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 I want to — oh, I want to do it, but I haven't 
 the power! 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Then get it, Pehr, and let's see if I have 
 made a mistake. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Breaks irons and comes down stage.] You 
 shall see, Lisa, that I will do something big 
 when I have the power. 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 "WHiy something big? Something good would 
 be better. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 But you must always be by my side, Lisa. 
 What was it that the bird in the wood sang? 
 
 Lisa. 
 That I will tell you next time. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 No, now ! 
 
 118
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 He said: *'I love you!" 
 
 Pehr. 
 AVon't you love me, Lisa? 
 
 Lisa. 
 Yes, when you love me. 
 
 Pehr. 
 But I do ! 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 No, you do not; so far you love only your- 
 self. Out again, Pehr, and learn something! 
 There are not many wishes left to you; the 
 greatest but most dangerous one is ahead of 
 you — Power! That is the highest thing a frail 
 mortal can attain. But woe to him who mis 
 uses it! He is the world's greatest criminal, 
 for he makes a caricature of Our Blessed Lord ! 
 Farewell, King! thy crown awaits thee! [Dis- 
 appears.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 Oh, my quoon ! 
 
 curtain. 
 119
 
 ACT FOUR
 
 ACT FOUR 
 
 Scene One. 
 
 Interior of a palace in Oriental style. To 
 right a throne, before it a table, tvith royal 
 regalia; to left a divan, pillows arranged on 
 floor in a semi-circle. 
 
 At rise of curtain The Ameer discovered lying 
 on floor icriting on a paper scroll. 
 
 [Enter Chamberlain of the Caliph.] 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 Is that the young Calipli's genealogical 
 chart ? 
 
 Ameer. 
 
 Yes, Cliamberlain. 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 It certainly looks very im])osing. Whom, 
 have you given him as progenitor? 
 
 Ameer. 
 
 Caliph Omar, of course. 
 
 123
 
 LUCKY PETTR 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 I think that Haroun-al-Kaschid would have 
 been better. 
 
 Ameer. 
 
 He was certainly more popular — but in that 
 case our gracious sovereign would not be re- 
 lated to the ancient house. 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 Very true. Will you be ready soon? We 
 expect him at any moment. 
 
 Ameer. 
 Has your Excellency seen the new caliph? 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 Yes ; he looks like all the rest — It is only the 
 genealogical tree that separates him from us. 
 
 Ameer. 
 Yes, the genealogical tree! 
 
 124
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 [Examines ancestral chart again.] You 
 have got an awful widtli to it ! 
 
 Ameer. 
 
 I had to put in a bastard line; it looks so 
 flourishing on paper, and gives to the race 
 a semblance of strength, which is always flat- 
 tering. 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 [Laughs.] AVhat will the Caliph Omar say 
 to this? 
 
 [Enter Court Mullah.] 
 
 Mullah. 
 Allah akliar barai ! TTow dost? 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 Allah! Eloim! 1 lliaiik you, excellently. 
 
 Mullah. 
 
 Is the Renunciation Act made out in dupli- 
 cate form? 
 
 125
 
 LUCKY PEIIR 
 
 Chamberlain, 
 
 In duplicate form. Will you be good enough 
 to compare, then he will only have to add his 
 signature. 
 
 Mullah. 
 
 If there 's time enough, it would be the better 
 way. 
 
 [Chamherlain takes tivo papers from table 
 and hands one to the Mullah.'] \ 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 [Reads aloud.] "We, Omar the twenty- 
 seventh, do hereby solemnly forswear our — 
 the Roman Catholic — faith, and adopt the Mo- 
 hammedan doctrine as it is determined in the 
 Koran and the sacred writings." 
 
 Dated, etc. 
 
 Omar. 
 Correct? 
 
 Mullah. 
 Correct. 
 
 [Enter Pehr — Grand Vizier and Royal 
 Historian having entered just before him. 
 Ameer jumps up from the floor with the gene- 
 
 126
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 alogical chart; Royal Historian stands quietly 
 and jots down in a hook what he hears."] 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 Will it please Your Highness to scan this 
 ancestral chart, which our — and the Kingdom's 
 Ameer has made of Your Highness' illustrious 
 old family tree. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 My ancestral chart! I have never known of 
 any relative but my father, the old sexton. 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 [Pretends not to hear.] It begins with a 
 great and glorious name — Caliph Omar — 
 
 Pehr. 
 Caliph Omar! Wliat kind of fish is that? 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 [Sternly.] Tliat is no fisli. lie was a great 
 and honorable ruler. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Be that as it may, Inil I was l)oni in wccUock 
 and not between satin slicots, good gentlemen! 
 
 1:^7
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 It does not become a ruler to be selfish; he 
 must in all particulars sacrifice his personal 
 interests and tastes for the welfare of the peo- 
 ple. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Very good; but does the welfare of the peo- 
 ple demand that I shall be illegitimate? 
 
 ViZIEE. 
 
 Yes. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Then hand me the paper! [Ameer delivers 
 ancestral chart and a pen.] It begins with a 
 lie, and will probably end with theft. [Signs.] 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 There remains a slight formality — Will it 
 please Your Highness to sign this paper also. 
 [Mnllali presents Renunciation Act.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 What now? 
 
 128
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 Your Highness need not trouble liimself to 
 read ; it is only a matter of form. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Eenounce my forefathers' Faith — But that 
 is outrageous! 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 Political considerations — the people's wel- 
 fare — 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 T must become a Mohammedan and may not 
 drink a glass of wine? 
 
 Vtztkr. 
 There are substitutes in all polities. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 What are tlioy? 
 
 Vizier. 
 Compromises, modifications — 
 
 Pkiiu. 
 
 Circumventions, eh ? 
 
 129
 
 LUCKY PEim 
 
 Vizier. 
 Will it please Your Highness to sign! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 But I shall despise myself if I begin with a 
 low action, and all the more will the people 
 have the right to despise me! 
 
 ViZIEE. 
 
 The people demand that the ruler sacrifice 
 all personal considerations for their welfare. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Their welfare, then, is to be built upon a lie 
 and a crime? 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 [Goes toward windoiv.] Your Highness, the 
 people await their chief. They are always 
 ready to offer their sweat and blood for the 
 ruler, therefore they demand, also, that the 
 ruler make his sacrifices. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Is what you say true? Well, then, give it 
 me! [Accepts paper — hesitates.] The belfry, 
 
 130
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 the chimes, the singing, the lights, Christmas 
 — all pass before mine eyes ! No more Christ- 
 mas Eve ! Life is so pitiless ; it only demands, 
 but never gives anything ! 
 
 Vizier. 
 Your Highness, the people are clamoring! 
 They would see their chief in the attire of the 
 old caliphs — the crown and sceptre await to be 
 borne anew by a branch of the old ancestral 
 tree. 
 
 Pehr. 
 [Catches sight of crown and sceptre.] 
 Ah ! Vizier, who can command me to forswear 
 my faith? 
 
 Vizier. 
 The laws. 
 
 Pehr. 
 "Who made tlio laws? 
 
 Vizier. 
 Our forffatliors. 
 
 Pr.nR. 
 They wor«' weak inorials, like ourselves. 
 Well and good, I'll make over all the laws! 
 
 131
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 The Caliph does not reconstruct laws, for our 
 form of administration has not given him law- 
 making rights. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 What is the form of administration in this 
 land? 
 
 Vizier. 
 Constitutional Despotism. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Answer! Am I Caliph, or not? 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 You will be as soon as you have aflSxed your 
 signature. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Then hand me the paper! [Signs. Enter 
 Viziers, Court Attendants, etc. Crowning 
 Cereinony.] 
 
 People. 
 
 [Without.] Long live Omar the twenty-sev- 
 enth! Allah, Allah, Allah! 
 
 132
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 Will it please Your Eoyal Highness to ascend 
 the throne and begin the reign? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 That will be quite diverting. Admit the peo- 
 ple! 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 The people ? The people have nothing to do 
 with the Government! 
 
 Pehr. 
 But surely I shall have someone to rule over? 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 That is done in writing. [Takes out a few 
 documents.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 Proceed ! 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 In order to spare Your Koyal Highness the 
 weighty burdens of governmont on this, the 
 first day of liis J'oign, we Imvc tabled nil peti- 
 tions but one, which can very easily be dis- 
 posed of. 
 
 133
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 That was stupid, but it can't be helped now. 
 Let's hear it! 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 Aschmed Sheik, with face in the dust and 
 with his heart's prayers, begs that he may go 
 over to the Sunnees' faith. 
 
 Pehr. 
 What is the Sunnees' faith? 
 
 Vizier. 
 It is a sect, a dangerous sect. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 In what particular does it differ from the — 
 ahem! — true doctrine? 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 A true Moslem greets Allah in this manner — 
 [crosses hands on hreasf] but a sectarian 
 does like this — [Pinches his nose and pokes 
 his fingers into his ears.] 
 
 134
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Laughing.] Well, can't the man poke his 
 fingers in his ears? 
 
 Vizier. 
 No ; the laws of the land do not permit it. 
 
 Pehr. 
 There is no religions liberty, then? 
 
 Vizier. 
 Yes, for the true faith. 
 
 Pehr. 
 But for the others? 
 
 Vizier. 
 There must be no others ! 
 
 Pehr, 
 Then I shall give them religions liberty! 
 
 Vizier. 
 That the Calipli can not do. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 "Who can, then? 
 
 1.35
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Vizier. 
 The Government alone. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Wlio is the government? 
 
 [Vizier and all others present place a fin- 
 ger to mouth.'l 
 
 Pehr. 
 A secrets 
 
 Vizier. 
 That is the constitutional despotism's secret. 
 
 Pehr. 
 But I had the liberty of changing the reli- 
 gion? 
 
 Vizier. 
 Politics is another matter! 
 
 Pehr. 
 Then God save all peoples from politics ! 
 Must I begin my reign with the refusal of an 
 humble petition? 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 Your Highness cannot begin better than by 
 strengthening the laws of the realm. 
 
 136
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 But I'll never sisnil 
 
 ■^o^ 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 It is not necessary; the Administration will 
 attend to that. The Cabinet is adjourned. 
 Will it please Your Hig'hness to lay aside his 
 official attire and return to private life, with 
 its petty diversions. The Chamberlain is at 
 Your Highness' service. [Goes.] 
 
 [The Chaynherlain removes Caliph's crown 
 and sceptre and conducts him to divan. En- 
 ter Dancers, Singers and Poet Laureate. 
 The Dance.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 What is this company? 
 
 Chambkrlain. 
 This is the Court. 
 
 Peiir. 
 
 Wliy do tlH*y wear such shorj drosses? I 
 do not like that custom 
 
 137
 
 LUCKY PFJTE 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 It is the custom of the country, Your High- 
 ness. 
 
 Pehr. 
 This at least is not politics. 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 The first Court Singer begs that she may 
 entertain Your Highness with an idealistic 
 song written by the celebrated poet laureate, 
 Hourglass-Link. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Be good enough to entertain me! 
 
 Singer. 
 
 [With lute, sings.] 
 
 Then say farewell to Iloraire, the march is al- 
 ready broken. 
 
 army, hast thou the strength to say a fare- 
 well ! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Where's the rhyme? 
 
 138
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Poet Laureate. 
 There are no rlijines in this kind of poetry. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 That's bad! Continue — 
 
 Ameer. 
 
 [Aside to historian.] He's not long for this 
 place. 
 
 Singer. 
 
 Your Highness must pardon me, but I am in- 
 disposed to-day. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Chaniborlaiii, is there not something in the 
 constitution called bastinado? 
 [Panic] 
 
 CUAMBEKLAIN. 
 
 A s su red I y — l)u t — 
 
 Pi:tti{. 
 [To singer.] Continue, tlien ! 
 
 lao
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Singer. 
 [Sings.'l 
 Marble brow, flowing hair, sparkling rows of 
 
 teeth, 
 She steps as light as the pacer, lest she soil her 
 hoof in the mud. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Mud? I don't like dirt in poetry. Goon! 
 
 Singer. 
 Swelling bosom, slender waist, throbbing now 
 
 anew; 
 As she gives each fresh embrace, she is like to 
 
 break in two ! 
 
 Pehr. - ^ 
 
 Oh!— 
 
 Singer. 
 
 happy man with perfume laden! 
 
 Man of high estate! 
 Who may in some dreary hour 
 
 Hold her in his sweet embrace. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 That will do! Where's the author? Au- 
 thor! 
 
 140
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Poet Laureate. 
 Your Highness, I have not learned to flatter. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Haven't you? That's a poor poet laureate! 
 Then play up your strophe so we may hear if 
 you lie. 
 
 Poet Laureate. 
 
 Your Highness — surely I can never ques- 
 tion — 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Don't talk — just reel off I 
 
 Poet Laureate. 
 
 The soul hath lost itself since love's flame it 
 hatli grasped, 
 Nor doth it awaken to reason, under the witch- 
 craft of eyes. 
 
 But my love for hinds T leave — 
 
 Pehr. 
 Pardon — what did you say I 
 
 141
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Poet Laureate. 
 
 [Irritated.] My love for liinds I leave and 
 
 cherish a noble prince, 
 Generous and well born — nor tainted by low 
 
 base deeds; 
 The prince who hath vanquished his foemen. 
 
 Whatever the cost might be, 
 Strong in the Faith is he! Heresy's dreaded 
 
 scourge ! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Springs to Jiis feet.] Do you mean it seri- 
 ously or are you joking? 
 
 Poet Laureate. 
 
 I mean it seriously. Your Highness. How 
 should anything else be — 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Indeed! It is in all seriousness, then, that 
 you praise my low actions? 
 
 Poet Laureate. 
 
 Your Highness stands as high above low ac- 
 tions as the sun above a mud-puddle! 
 
 142
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 I know yon and your gang, counterfeiter! 
 You call me, who foreswore my faith, the De- 
 fender of the Faith; you say that I, a bell- 
 ringer's son, am of royal descent; that I am 
 generous, who refused to grant the first hum- 
 ble petition presented since my coming to the 
 throne ! I know you, for your kind is to be 
 found the world over. You live for thought 
 and immortality, 3'ou say; but you are never 
 seen when a thought is to be born; you are 
 never felt when it comes to a question of im- 
 mortality. But around heaped up dishes, in 
 the sunlight of affluence and power, there you 
 swarm, like fat meat flies, only to fly away that 
 you may set black specks upon those who can 
 let themselves be slain for both thought and 
 immortality. Out of my sight, liar! I would 
 have your head removed did I not see the 
 shadow of a ])urposr' in your ]iresence. A poor 
 ruler is forced by polifKal considerations to 
 do so many despicable tilings that he would die 
 of shame did he not have an insiilution like 
 you to dull his conscience continually. Go! I 
 would be alone. 
 
 143
 
 LUCKY PEIIR 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 Your ITig:liness, it cannot be. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 It can be ! [All go out except Pehr and 
 Royal Historian.'] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 What are you waiting for? Wliat do you 
 do? 
 
 Historian. 
 
 I am writing Your Highness' history. 
 
 Pehr. 
 So you are Court Historian. 
 
 Historian. 
 Royal — 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 What matter, once you're dead! But what 
 shall you write about? I have never carried 
 on any wars. 
 
 Historian. 
 
 That is just what I wish to speak about. 
 Your Highness only need turn to the Minister 
 of War— 
 
 144
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Then he will arrange one; that is his occu- 
 pation, and for that he is paid 20,000 shekels. 
 
 Historian. 
 It is the people, Your Highness, who — 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Conduct the wars. The Minister of War 
 makes them, while we sit at home and take the 
 glory — the shame we never take. 
 [E)iter Vizier.] 
 
 Vizier. 
 The bride is waiting. 
 
 Peiir. 
 
 The bride! Who? Where? What does it 
 mean! 
 
 Vizier. 
 Your Highness' consort. 
 
 Peiir. 
 
 Lisa! Slie loves me still, despite all my 
 faults? Conduct licr liillior. She shall bring 
 
 145
 
 TJTCKY VFAm 
 
 the fresh air of the forest into these musty 
 halls ! 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 Your Highness wished first to sign the mar- 
 riage contract. 
 
 Pehr. 
 I'm forever writing! No, this time I don't 
 have to read. [Signs.'] Now, Koyal Histo- 
 rian, you can i)ut down at least one action in 
 my life that was not crime! [Vizier and His- 
 torian go.] 
 
 [Bride, veiled in Oriental fashion, is 
 ushered in; attendants withdraw immedi- 
 ately; from behind is heard soft music.'] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Runs toward bride.] Lisa, Lisa! You al- 
 ways come like a sunbeam when the clouds 
 thicken — always like a friend in tlie dark hour ! 
 
 Bride. 
 [Raises veil.] My name is not Lisa. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Not Lisa — What does this mean? Treach- 
 ery! Wlio are you then? 
 
 146
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Your consort. 
 My consort ! 
 
 Beide. 
 Pehr. 
 
 Bride. 
 [IndifferenUy.'] The Administration had 
 three candidates for you: The Vizier's choice 
 fell upon me because my father threatened you 
 with a tariff treaty. 
 
 Pehr. 
 The administration's candidate — tariff trea- 
 ties — what does that signify? 
 
 Bride. 
 
 Politics require that princes shall sacrifice 
 their personal considerations for the good of 
 the people. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Politics require— l>ut does the good of the 
 people refjuire any ])riTi('es? 
 
 IJjtlUE. 
 
 T don't know — hnt it's done once for all, nnd 
 now you are my liushand. Have 1lie goodness 
 to be hap])y, or you will be miserable. 
 
 147
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehr. 
 Are you happy? 
 
 Bride. 
 I am nothing. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Do you love me? 
 
 Bride. 
 No, certainly not! And you me? 
 
 Pehr. 
 No! 
 
 Bride. 
 
 You love your Lisa? 
 
 Pehr. 
 And you your — 
 
 Bride. 
 Ali. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 misery and lamentation ! 
 
 Bride. 
 
 Calm yourself a moment — One moment, 
 while they come in and congratulate us. The 
 
 148
 
 LUCKY PEER 
 
 bridal procession is waiting without. Silence ! 
 They are nearing; stand at my side! 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Must I go forth again, and jest? 
 
 Bkide. 
 
 Obey me, for I'm a wise woman ! "VMien they 
 go I shall tell yon iny plan. Here they come! 
 Look pleasant, husband, else they will say that 
 I made you unhaiipy. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Dear old father, how right you were ! Black 
 is black and can never be white. [Pehr and 
 bride seat themselves on divan and assume a 
 sentimental attitude.} 
 
 [Ente)' Singers, Dancers, Chamberlain, 
 
 Ameer, Royal Historian, Vizier.] 
 
 Chorus of ivomen sing: 
 Joyous llic loving licai'ts 
 Tliaf ])l('«'d from cu]iid's (hirts! 
 Ye ni,iz:lilingal('s mikI ye rosos sing, 
 NobI*' lialls and com-lyards ring! 
 'I'lic ( 'ali))li 'k coiirl icjoiccs 
 And ecliocs love's true voices. 
 [Pehr and bride hide their agifalion.] 
 
 140
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Vizier. 
 
 Caliph, a liappy people, whom you find as- 
 sembled here, at the foot of the throne, rejoice 
 as they see happiness, like a sun, beam in your 
 eyes to shine on the white rose which long 
 hath sought the tall oak's trunk to lean upon; 
 a liappy people, youthful princess, rejoice in 
 your good fortune and hope that your tree 
 may have off-shoots with fresh rose buds, 
 which, at some future day, may spread joy and 
 bliss, like a spring rain, over land and king- 
 dom! 
 
 [Pehr leaps up and draws his sword, bride 
 
 attempts in vain to calm himJ] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Hell and Damnation! You grand vizier of 
 lies! and you, dressed up adventurers, are 
 you my people ! Are these hired maidens, with 
 their venal tricks, my people who pay taxes 
 to us that we may say nay to their humblest 
 request? No! I have never seen my people. 
 Is this young woman, whom you have placed 
 by my side, my mate who loves me? No — 
 She is a heifer that you have let into my stall ; 
 
 150
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 she is an imp who is to shoot branches on the 
 gene^ilogical tree; she is an administration's 
 candidate who makes happy her spouse with 
 a tariff treaty. You call us happy because we 
 pretend to be ; but we are most unhappy, for we 
 stand near the brink of a crime, which, praise 
 God, we shall never commit. I curse you, pal- 
 ace! dedicated as a temple of lies. Down in 
 the dust with you, false family tree! [Gene- 
 alogical chart drops from ivall and rolls up on 
 ■floor.'] Break into shatters, crown and scep- 
 tre, tyranny's symbols! [Crown and sceptre 
 come down with a crash.] Tumble throne, 
 where unrighteousness is seated! [Throne col- 
 lapses. Thunder, lightning, storm.] Scatter 
 like decoys, fortune hunters and outcasts that 
 have placed yourselves between noble and com- 
 moner! [All hut bride disappear. To bride.] 
 You lamb of sacrifice, be free like myself! 
 Now I want to go out inio Nature and see if 
 honor and decency do iioi still live! {/hide 
 vanishes; Pehr remains standing, ha)ids to face, 
 until scene is changed.] 
 
 151
 
 LUCKY PEim 
 
 Scene Two. 
 
 Seashore ivith wreckage of cast up seaweed, 
 etc. To left an up-rooted oak-stump, fishing 
 tackle and hulk of a ivrecked vessel. Back- 
 ground: open sea; seameivs float on waves. 
 To right cliff-shore with pine woods; lower 
 down is a hut. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Wliere am I? I breathe freer — All evil 
 thoughts flee! I sense a perfume as of old 
 romances; I hear a murmur, like far-away 
 streams ; the ground under me is soft as a bed. 
 Ah — it is the seashore ! 
 
 Sea! Thou Mother Earth's good mother! 
 
 Be greeted by an old and withered heart 
 
 Which comes that it may be by thy moist winds 
 
 Swept clean and freshened; 
 
 Wliich comes to thy salt waves for cleansing 
 baths 
 
 And healing for the sores the world's lies and 
 madness gave to it. 
 
 Blow wind, and fill with thy pure air 
 
 My lungs, that breathed in pois'n-filled va- 
 pours ; 
 
 152
 
 LUCKY PKPIR 
 
 Sing \rave, and let mine ear be soothed 
 
 By the harmonies of thy pure tones, 
 
 As I stand here 'mongst the wreckage on the 
 
 strand, 
 A wreck myself, which the breakers cast npon 
 
 the sand 
 When the vessel crashed 'gainst the sharp 
 
 cliff- rocks ! 
 Be greeted, Sea, that nurses healthy thoughts 
 And recreates the soul in shrunken body 
 When every spring thy billows break 
 And gull and swallow chatter 'bovo thy wave, 
 To wak'n anew the joy of Ufe, and strength, 
 
 and hope! 
 
 [Sees hu(.\ 
 What's tills? A human habitation! Not 
 even liore is a moment's peace granted iiic — 
 Maledictions! 
 
 A Voice. 
 Curse not ! 
 
 [// (hrkens aiirl the sea hcpius to rise, 
 wor'nif) toHdid liini daruuf folloicinfj speech 
 so that he is fnrcrrl rlnwv stage.] 
 
 153
 
 LUCKY PEim 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Wlio spoke! [Tries to fee toivard left and 
 is met by elk.] "Wild beasts stop me! [Tries 
 to flee toward right, hut is intercepted hy 
 hulls.'] Even here — Back! [Animals come on 
 stage and crowd around him.'] Tliey surround 
 me! Help! [Runs to hut and knocks.] Is no 
 one here? Help, help ! [Attempts to cast him- 
 self into the sea, hut sea-serpents and dragons 
 rise up.] Ah, nature, even you are a savage 
 monster that would devour all you come upon ! 
 You, my last friend, tricked me also — What 
 terror's visions! The sea would swallow me. 
 What is my life worth more? Come, Death, 
 and set me free! [Sea gradually subsides.] 
 [Enter Death; beasts vanish.] 
 
 Death. 
 
 Here am I, at your service! What would 
 you me? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Coivers, hut recovers himself.] Oh, really! 
 — It was nothing especially pressing — 
 
 Death. 
 
 You called me! 
 
 154
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Pehk. 
 
 Did I actually do that? Well, it is only a 
 form of speech which we use; I really want 
 nothing of you. 
 
 Death. 
 
 But I want something of you! Stand 
 straight on your legs and I'll cut; it will be 
 over in no time. [Raises scythe.] 
 
 Pehr, 
 Mercy, mercy! I don't want to die! 
 
 Death. 
 
 Bosh ! What has life to offer you who have 
 no wishes left? 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 That one does not know ; if one might stop to 
 consider, then perhaps — 
 
 Death. 
 
 Oh, you have had ninplc time; now if is too 
 laic. Straighten your liack so that you may 
 fall like a real world-iialcr ! [Lifts scythe.] 
 
 15.3
 
 LUCKY PETTR 
 
 Pehr. 
 No, no, for God's sake, wait a little — 
 
 Death. 
 
 You're a timid beggar! Live on then if you 
 think it anything; but don't regret it later. I 
 shall not come again for a long time. [Starts 
 to go.] 
 
 Pehe. 
 
 No, no, no! don't leave me alone — 
 
 Death. 
 Alone ? Why, you have lovely Nature ! 
 
 Pehe. 
 
 Yes, it's all very well when the weather is 
 fine and the sun shines, but thus late — 
 
 Death. 
 
 You see now that you cannot live without 
 your fellow men. Knock three times on the 
 door over yonder, and you will find company. 
 [Death vanishes. Pehr knocks three times on 
 door of hut; the Wise Man comes out."] 
 
 156
 
 LUCKY PEER 
 
 Wise Man. 
 Whom seek you? 
 
 Pehr. 
 A linman being! In short — I'm imhappy. 
 
 Wise Man. 
 
 Then you should not seek human beings, for 
 they cannot help you. 
 
 Pehr. 
 I know it, yet I would neither live nor die; 
 I have suffered all, and my heart will not 
 break! 
 
 Wise Man. 
 
 You are young, and do not know the human 
 heart. In here I have lately been pondering 
 the causes of iiiaiikind's misery. Would you 
 like to see how the little object called the hu- 
 man hcai't looks? [Steps inlo Iml tnid returns 
 presoillif )rifh a casket and a lantern, which he 
 ha)if/.s OH (I hfc.] 
 
 You see the litth' three-cornerc*! muscle, 
 whifh now has ceased to beat Onco it thiobljod 
 with I'ai:"*', tlmrii]if'd witli joy, ('r;iiii|ic(l with 
 
 157
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 sorrow, swelled with hope. You see that it is 
 divided into two large chambers : In one lives 
 the good, in tlie other the evil — or, with a word, 
 there sits an angel on one side of the wall and 
 a devil on the other. When they chance to be 
 at odds with each other — which happens quite 
 often — there is unrest in the person and he 
 fancies "the heart will burst — but it doesn't, 
 for the walls are thick. Oh, yes, look at this 
 one I Do you see thousands of little scars from 
 needle thrusts? They did not go through, but 
 the pricks remain nevertheless. 
 
 Pehr. 
 Who has bornf this heart, Wise Man? 
 
 Wise Man. 
 The unhappiest of humans. 
 
 Pehr. 
 And who was that? 
 
 Wise Mak. 
 
 It was a man. Do you see the marks of a 
 heel; do you see the nail-prints? It was a 
 
 158
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 woman that trampled on this heart for twenty- 
 six years. 
 
 Pehr. 
 And he did not tire? 
 
 Wise Man. 
 
 Yes, he grew weary one Christmas Eve and 
 freed himself from her. As a punishment, ho 
 came under the ban of the Powers; he cannot 
 die, although his heart has been taken from 
 him. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Can he never be released from the spell? 
 
 Wise Man. 
 
 AMien his son shall have found a faithful 
 woman and brought her home a bride, then the 
 spell will be broken. But that can never be be- 
 cause his son is gone forever. 
 
 Pehr. 
 What has become of him? 
 
 Wise Man. 
 
 He went out in the world. 
 
 159
 
 LUCKY PEim 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Then why can he never get any bride, poor 
 boy! 
 
 Wise Man. 
 
 Because one who loves only himself can never 
 love anyone else. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 He means the old man, my father. [Wise 
 Man sinks through floor; hut vanishes. It be- 
 gins to dawn.'] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 *'He who loves only himself" — So said Lisa 
 also — But I hate myself, I loathe myself after 
 the cowardly things I have done, and I love 
 Lisa ! Yes, I love her, I love her ! [Sun shines 
 on ivaves and lights up pine woods to right; 
 clouds disperse. A boat is seen out at sea, it 
 comes nearer and nearer and Lisa is seen at 
 the rudder. She beckons to Pehr as the boat 
 recedes.] 
 
 Sea-gulls in tlie air, tell her! Sunbeams, 
 carry my words on your pillars of fire, and 
 bear them to her. But where must I seek thee 
 
 160
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 — where f [Boat is seen on horizon a mo- 
 ment.] It is slie! Now, ring, fulfill my last 
 wish and take me to her! The ring is gone! 
 Woe, what does this augur 1 Is my story ended, 
 or shall it now begin perhaps? Lisa, my soul's 
 beloved! [He runs up on cliff and ivaves.'] If 
 you hear me, answer; if you see me, give me 
 a sign ! Ah — she turns out toward the fjord — 
 Well, then, stonn and sea, that separate me 
 from all that my heart loves, I challenge you 
 to battle for the highest prize! [Pushes out 
 boat drawn up on shore.] 
 
 Blow, wind, and rock, wave I My weak keel 
 shall cleave you like a sword. On, my boat, 
 even though wo miss the goal, let us struggle 
 on till we sink! 
 
 CURTAIN. 
 
 IGl
 
 ACT FIVE
 
 ACT FIVE 
 
 Scexe: Interior of a little country church, 
 ivith frescoed ceiling. At hack, centre, altar 
 with crucifix; to left, pulpit; on a pillar down 
 left an image of Saint Bartholomew with skin 
 in hand; directly opposite, on a pillar, image 
 of Saint Laurence with the grill. Broom is 
 propped against altar railing. Two rows of 
 praying stools at right and left sides form 
 an aisle from front to altar. At right a con- 
 fessional; (it h'/t an iron door. 
 
 [The Elf stands in one window, the Fairy 
 in the other.] 
 
 Elf. 
 
 It was iiol llic old man iliat alo up llic por- 
 ridge, it was the rats. 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 Then it was not to <]o I'clii- a kindness tliat 
 you sent liirii out in the world, hut to liai'iii Iho 
 old man ! 
 
 165
 
 LUCKY PEHK 
 
 Elf. 
 Even we immortals can make mistakes. Let 
 us make amends for our fault. 
 
 Fairy. 
 If it is not too late? 
 
 Elf. 
 How so? 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 Pelir is a misanthrope and cannot become 
 reconciled to life. 
 
 Elf. 
 
 Lisa will rectify all that, and then the old 
 man will have atoned for his sin. One must 
 patch where one has torn. 
 
 Fairy. 
 I have already made my preparations. 
 
 Elf. 
 Here! 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 Here in this sanctuary whose floor we may 
 not tread. 
 
 166
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Elf. 
 
 And why not? True, it is holy ground, and 
 we were not allowed to become participants in 
 the Great Redemption because — well, because 
 something which we mustn't know about came 
 between. But that does not prevent the hu- 
 mans from believing some good of us; and in 
 that they do right, for the matter has its sides. 
 Meantime, I shall not absent myself — even if 
 I may not be near to witness that this recon- 
 ciliation comes out all right. Even we lost 
 souls can rejoice in the happiness of others. 
 Farewell, but not for long. 
 
 Fairy. 
 
 Farewell. [Elf and Fairy vanish.'\ 
 [Enter Lisa.'\ 
 
 . Lisa. 
 
 Hero in tliis poaccrnl clun-cli the good fairy 
 promised me that I should meet him — TTow 
 shall I behold lilni now? ITas lie hs-inicd 
 auglit of life, or is Ik; still the same seHisii, 
 ])leasure-loving youth who ])ursues only fickle 
 fortune? If lie liad had the courage to do a 
 
 1G7
 
 LUCKY PETTR 
 
 bad act in a good cause, then he would at least 
 have shown that he could make a sacrifice for 
 
 something besides himself; for the most that 
 we can give to a cause is our precious regard 
 for ourselves. Higher powers demand that 
 such and such shall take place ; they choose the 
 instruments where they will and none may give 
 up the commission, even if it means going 
 under. My friend was not that sort, and there- 
 fore, therefore — Hush! I hear footsteps — It 
 is he! No, I would not meet him yet; I must 
 collect my thoughts. If I conceal myself here 
 —in the confessional — [Steps w.] 
 [Enter Pehr.] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Droits down on a prayer stool, left.] She 
 flees from me, as I flee from my bad thoughts ! 
 Alone, forsaken — what more is there for me in 
 life"? Naught have I learned of life save its 
 nothingness, and no wishes are left to me but 
 evil ones. My soul would be like an empty 
 shell were it not filled with her ! My life — Ah, 
 what has it been! [Pall pounds on floor.] 
 What was that? — Ghosts in the sunshine? 
 
 168
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 That would be a funny siolit! [Broom raps 
 on foor.] Again! 'Tis said that one can 
 see gliosts in broad daylight, if one peeps 
 through a door-crack, it is even maintained 
 that one can see oneself. Oneself — / If one 
 could really do that, how easy it would be to 
 evade one's worst faults! I'll try it. [Opens 
 door left and places himself behind it.] 
 
 [Pehr's shadow steps up into the pulpit, 
 
 drinks from the goblet, and turns hour-glass. 
 
 Pehr stands at door with back to spectators.] 
 
 Shadow. 
 
 My beloved hearers! [Pall, Broom, Bar- 
 tholomew and Laurence stir.] My beloved 
 hearers and you, Pohr, who stand behind the 
 door, my sermon will not be long since the hour 
 is already late and it is especially to this so- 
 called Lucky Pehr that I would address a few 
 remarks. Yes, you, Pehr — you have rushed 
 tiirough life lik(; a fool, In i)insnit of fortune; 
 all your wishes have been fulfilled — save one — 
 and they have brought you no ha|)|)iness. Pay 
 attention, vou wlio stand licliiiid llie door! 
 You have made no lea]! Ilnough life, for on
 
 LUCKY PEim 
 
 that track one rmis well. All the experiences 
 through which you think you have passed were 
 but dreams ; for, believe me, one wins no wishes 
 with luck-rings out here in Reality; here one 
 gains nothing without labor. Do you know what 
 labor is? — No! It is something very heavy; 
 but it must be heavy the sweeter the repose — 
 Labor, Pehr, and be honest, but don't become 
 a saint, for then you would be vain, and it is 
 not our virtues but our faults that make us hu- 
 man. Listen well, you who stand behind the 
 door — Life is not such as you saw it in your 
 youtliful dreams. It is a desert, that is true; 
 but a desert which has its flowers; it is a 
 stormy sea, but one that has its ports by ver- 
 dant isles. Heed, Pehr! If you want to go 
 forth into life now, then do it in earnest. But 
 you will never be a real man without a woman 
 — Find her! And now, pay close attention, 
 Pehr, for I shall leave the word to Saint Lau- 
 rence after dismissing you with the sage's 
 eternally young and eternally old exhortation: 
 Know thyself! Saint Laurence has the word. 
 [Shadow vanishes.] 
 
 170
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Saint Laurence. 
 [Presents his grill.] I am the holy Saint 
 Laurence with the grill, who, at Emperor 
 Dicii's command was beaten with thongs seven 
 days in succession and afterwards was broiled 
 on this grill by a slow fire. There is no one 
 who has suffered so much as II 
 
 Saint Bartholomew. 
 
 What is that to speak of! I am the holy 
 Saint Bartholomew with the skin, who, at 
 Emperor Pamphilii's command was flayed alive 
 clear down to the knees; and what miracles 
 happened after my death! You perhaps have 
 never heard of the mysteries or of the devil in 
 woman shape and the prognostication about 
 the volcano? 
 
 Saint Laurence. 
 
 Wliat is that to sjx'ak of as compared witli 
 mine? 1 liave six iiiii'acles: The beam in the 
 church, the crystal chalice, tlie Nun's cor]ise — 
 
 Pall. 
 [Rises up.] Oh, boast Tnodorately of your 
 sufferings. I am only a jiall, but for fifty 
 
 171
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 years I have borne on my back so many corpses, 
 and have seen so much suffering — so many 
 shattered hopes, so much inconsolable grief, 
 so many torn hearts that suffered in silence 
 and were thrust into oblivion without the solace 
 of gilded statues — that you would be silent had 
 you seen one-half of it. Ah, life is so black, so 
 black, so black! 
 
 Broom. 
 
 [Raps on floor and rustles its straws.] 
 What — you chatter about life, old Pall, you 
 who have seen only death? Life is black on 
 one side and white on the other. To-day I'm 
 only a broom, but yesterday I stood in the for- 
 est, so stout and trim, and wanted to be some- 
 thing great. They all want to be great, you 
 see, so it happened as it happened! Now I 
 think like this : AVhat comes is best ; since you 
 couldn't be great, you may as well be sometliing 
 else; there is so much to choose from — One 
 may of course be useful, and at worst one can 
 content oneself with being good, and when one 
 has not been given two legs to stand on, 
 one must be happy anyhow and hop on one. 
 
 172
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 [Broom goes humping along and finally leans 
 against altar.'] 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 [Walks rapidly over to holy-ivater fount, hy 
 confessional, takes holy-water sprinkler and 
 sprinkles out into the church.] Away, spec- 
 tres and evil spirits ! [As he lays back sprink- 
 ler a noise is heard from the confessional.] 
 Someone is there! Reverend Father, hear me 
 and accept the si2:hs of a broken heart! 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 [In assumed voice — from confessional.] 
 Speak, my son. 
 
 Peiir. 
 
 IIow sliall I leave my dreams? 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Oil, yon liavo dreamed enough and yon are 
 no longer youn^. I'liiiil^ of yonr misstei)s — 
 have you not made siu'li! 
 
 Pkiir. 
 
 Yos, T have pursued fortune and have sacri- 
 ficed conscience and honor in order to win fame 
 
 173
 
 LUCKY PETIR 
 
 and power. Now I cannot bear misfortune, 
 and hate myself! 
 
 Lisa. 
 Then you have ceased to love yourself above 
 all else? 
 
 Pehr. 
 Yes. — I would free myself from self — if I 
 could. 
 
 Lisa. 
 Then, Pehr, you can also love another. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 Oh, yes! But where shall I seek her? 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 {Comes out.'] Here! {They embrace.'] 
 
 Pehr. 
 Now you will not leave me again? 
 
 Lisa. 
 No, Pehr, for now I believe you love me. 
 
 Pehr. 
 ^Vliat good fairy sent you across my path- 
 way? 
 
 174
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Lisa. 
 
 Do you still believe in good fairies? Mark 
 you, when a little baby boy is bom into the 
 world, a little baby girl is also born somewhere; 
 and they seek and seek until they find each other. 
 Sometimes they go amiss as to the right one, 
 then it turns out badly; sometimes they never 
 find each other, then there is much sorrow and 
 affliction; but when they find each other, then 
 there is joy, and it is the greatest joy life holds. 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 It is Paradise Found! 
 
 [Ejiter sexton, imth staff — The old Man in 
 the towcr.l 
 
 Sexton. 
 The church must be closed. 
 
 Lisa. 
 See, now he drives ns from Paradise 1 
 
 Pehr. 
 
 That he cannot do. — We carry it with us and 
 lay it, like the verdant isle, out in ilie stormy 
 sea. 
 
 175
 
 LUCKY PEHR 
 
 Sexton. 
 
 [Laijs down his staff. 1 Alongside the peace- 
 ful harbor, where the waves break up and go 
 to rest. 
 
 Pehr and Lisa. 
 
 Father! Father! [Fairy and Elf appear, 
 each in their windo2v.'] 
 
 CURTAIN". 
 
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 book should be in the hands of every teacher of the 
 young, no less than of every parent. 
 
 Frontispiece. 12mo. Silk cloth. Net, $1.25 
 
 The Hamlet Problem and its Solution. 
 
 By Emerson Venable, Author of "Poets of Ohio." 
 
 In this volume the author advances a new and revo- 
 lutionary theory which affords an adequate solution 
 to a baffling literary problem of world-wide interest. 
 
 12mo. Handsomely hound. Net, $1.00 
 
 How to Grow 100 Bushels of Corn per Acre on 
 
 Worn Soil. 
 
 By "Wm. C. Smith, of Indiana. 
 
 A most useful and interesting book. The author is a 
 practical farmer, and in a practical way makes the 
 conservation of soil plain. The growing efficiency of 
 the Government agriculture department and agricul- 
 tural schools in recent years has added greatly to the 
 knowledge possessed by the farmers of the methods 
 best suited to increa.se their crops. This volume as 
 the title suggests, will prove of inestimable value, and 
 if its teachings are followed by the farmers through- 
 
 180
 
 STEWART & KIDD COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 
 
 out the country, it will revolutionize the art of farm- 
 ing and make it a most profitable business. As one 
 man says, "You make conservation of the soil plain 
 and practical ; you present a difficult problem in such 
 a good common sense way." 
 
 Twenty-four full page illustrations. 12mo. Silk 
 cloth. Net, $1.25 
 
 Practical Orcharding on Rough Lands. 
 
 By Shepard Wells ]\Ioore, Practical Ilorticidturist. 
 A practical book, elaborately illustrated, containing 
 chapters on Orcharding as a Business, Location, 
 Drainage, The Aspect, Windbreaks, Preparation of 
 the Site, Laying Off the Orchard, Selection and Care 
 of the Nursery Stock, Planting the Tree, Care and 
 Cultivation, Pruning, Spraying, Picking, Packing and 
 Marketing. 
 
 Forty-eight illustrations. 12mo. Cloth. Net, $1.50 
 
 Bird Studies for Home and School. 
 
 By Herman C. DeOroat, M. A. 
 
 Sixty common birds, thoir habits and haunts. Forty 
 
 full page colored illustrations. 
 
 Large 8vo. Handsomely illustrated. Net, $2.00 
 
 181
 
 
 Date 
 
 Due 
 
 
 '.' 
 
 
 
 
 mii»Tw? 
 
 
 
 
 lAY 26 98 
 
 
 
 
 mY29 > 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Library Bureau Cat, No. 1137
 
 UNIVERSr 
 
 YOFPi 
 
 3 1210 01275 2901 
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACII 
 
 III' '"11"' " '!! !l'l '' II ' II' I' l~ 
 
 AA 000 652 334 4 
 
 PT9312 
 
 l6a3 
 
 Strindberg, August. 
 Lucky Pehr.
 
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