Act II, Scene 8

Sunrise. The mountain-side in front of ÅSE’S sæter. The door is
shut; all is silent and deserted.

PEER GYNT is lying asleep by the wall of the sæter.

PEER.
[Wakens, and looks about him with dull and heavy
eyes. He spits.]

What wouldn’t I give for a pickled herring!

[Spits again, and at the same moment catches sight of
HELGA, who appears carrying a basket of food.

Ha, child, are you there? What is it you want?

HELGA.
It is Solveig——

PEER.
[Jumping up.]
Where is she?

HELGA.
Behind the sæter.

SOLVEIG.
[Unseen.]
If you come nearer, I’ll run away!

PEER.
[Stopping short.]
Perhaps you’re afraid I might take you in my arms?

SOLVEIG.
For shame!

PEER.
Do you know where I was last night?—
Like a horse-fly the Dovrë-King’s daughter is after me.

SOLVEIG.
Then it was well that the bells were set ringing.

PEER.
Peer Gynt’s not the lad they can lure astray.—
What do you say?

HELGA.
[Crying.]
Oh, she’s running away!
[Running after her.
Wait!

PEER.
[Catches her by the arm.]
Look here, what I have in my pocket!
A silver button, child! You shall have it,—
Only speak for me!

HELGA.
Let me be; let me go!

PEER.
There you have it.

HELGA.
Let go; there’s the basket of food.

PEER.
God pity you if you don’t——

HELGA.
Uf, how you scare me!

PEER.
[Gently; letting her go.]
No, I only meant: beg her not to forget me!
[HELGA runs off.