Act First

PERSONS OF THE COMEDY

MRS. HALM, widow of a government official.
SVANHILD AND ANNA, her daughters.
FALK, a young author, and LIND, a divinity student, her boarders.
GULDSTAD, a wholesale merchant.
STIVER, a law-clerk.
MISS JAY, his fiancee.
STRAWMAN, a country clergyman.
MRS. STRAWMAN, his wife.
STUDENTS, GUESTS, MARRIED AND PLIGHTED PAIRS.
THE STRAWMANS' EIGHT LITTLE GIRLS.
FOUR AUNTS, A PORTER, DOMESTIC SERVANTS.

SCENE--Mrs. Halm's Villa on the Drammensvejen at Christiania.

LOVE'S COMEDY

PLAY IN THREE ACTS

ACT FIRST

The SCENE represents a pretty garden irregularly but tastefully
laid out; in the background are seen the fjord and the
islands. To the left is the house, with a verandah and an open
dormer window above; to the right in the foreground an open
summer-house with a table and benches. The landscape lies in
bright afternoon sunshine. It is early summer; the fruit-trees
are in flower.

When the Curtain rises, MRS. HALM, ANNA, and MISS JAY are sitting
on the verandah, the first two engaged in embroidery, the last
with a book. In the summer-house are seen FALK, LIND, GULDSTAD,
and STIVER: a punch-bowl and glasses are on the table. SVANHILD
sits alone in the background by the water.

FALK [rises, lifts his glass, and sings].

Sun-glad day in garden shady
Was but made for thy delight:
What though promises of May-day
Be annulled by Autumn's blight?

Apple-blossom white and splendid
Drapes thee in its glowing tent,--
Let it, then, when day is ended,
Strew the closes storm-besprent.

CHORUS OF GENTLEMEN.

Let it, then, when day is ended, etc.

FALK.

Wherefore seek the harvest's guerdon
While the tree is yet in bloom?
Wherefore drudge beneath the burden
Of an unaccomplished doom?
Wherefore let the scarecrow clatter
Day and night upon the tree?
Brothers mine, the sparrows' chatter
Has a cheerier melody.

CHORUS.

Brothers mine, the sparrow's chatter, etc.

FALK.

Happy songster! Wherefore scare him
From our blossom-laden bower?
Rather for his music spare him
All our future, flower by flower;
Trust me, 'twill be cheaply buying
Present song with future fruit;
List the proverb, "Time is flying;--"
Soon our garden music's mute.

CHORUS.

List the proverb, etc.

FALK.

I will live in song and gladness,--
Then, when every bloom is shed,
Sweep together, scarce in sadness,
All that glory, wan and dead:
Fling the gates wide! Bruise and batter,
Tear and trample, hoof and tusk;
I have plucked the flower, what matter
Who devours the withered husk!