No More Learning

[SOLNESS _takes the wreath and goes down through the
garden. _ MRS. SOLNESS, _in an agony of apprehension,
re-enters and sends_ RAGNAR _to fetch her husband
back from the new building. She returns indoors. _

SOLNESS (_re-entering_): Oh, it's _you_, Hilda! I was
afraid it was Aline or the doctor that wanted me.

HILDA: You're easily frightened. They say you're
afraid to climb about scaffoldings. Is it true you're
afraid?

SOLNESS: Not of death--but--of retribution.

HILDA: I don't understand that.

SOLNESS: Sit down, and I'll tell you something. You
know I began by building churches. I'd been piously
brought up. I thought it was the noblest task, pleasing
to Him for Whom churches are built.
Then up at Lysanger
I understood that He meant me to have no love
and happiness of my own, but just to be a master builder
for Him all my life long. That was why He took my
little children! Then, that day, I did the impossible. I
was able to climb up to a great height. As I stood hanging
the wreath on the vane, I cried, "O Mighty One, I
will be a free builder--I, too, in my sphere as Thou in
Thine. I will build no more churches for Thee--only
homes for human beings. " But _that_ is not worth six-pence,
Hilda.

HILDA: Then you will never build anything more?

SOLNESS: On the contrary, I'm just going to begin--the
only possible dwelling-place for human happiness------

HILDA: Our castles in the air.

SOLNESS: Our castles in the air--yes.

HILDA: Then let me see you stand free and high up
(_passionately_). I will have you do it--just once more,
Mr. Solness. Do the _impossible_, once again.

SOLNESS: If I do, I will talk to Him once again up
there--"Mighty Lord, henceforth I will build nothing
but the loveliest thing in the world. "

HILDA (_carried away_): Yes--yes--yes!