ACT FOURTH.
A large old-fashioned room in Captain Horster’s house. An open folding-door in the background leads to an anteroom. In the wall on the left are three windows. About the middle of the opposite wall is a platform, and on it a small table, two candles, a water-bottle and glass, and a bell. For the rest, the room is lighted by sconces placed between the windows. In front, on the left, is a table with a candle on it, and by it a chair. In front, to the right, a door, and near it a few chairs.
Large assemblage of all classes of townsfolk. In the crowd are a few women and schoolboys. More and more people gradually stream in from the back until the room is quite full.
First Citizen.
[To another standing near him.] So you’re here too, Lamstad?
Second Citizen.
I never miss a public meeting.
A Bystander.
I suppose you’ve brought your whistle?
Second Citizen.
Of course I have; haven’t you?
Third Citizen.
I should think so. And Skipper Evensen said he’d bring a thumping big horn.
Second Citizen.
He’s a good ’un, is Evensen!
[Laughter in the group.
A Fourth Citizen.
[Joining them.] I say, what’s it all about? What’s going on here to-night?
Second Citizen.
Why, it’s Dr. Stockmann that’s going to lecture against the Burgomaster.
Fourth Citizen.
But the Burgomaster’s his brother.
First Citizen.
That makes no difference. Dr. Stockmann’s not afraid of him.
Third Citizen.
But he’s all wrong; the People’s Messenger says so.
Second Citizen.
Yes, he must be wrong this time; for neither the House-owners’ Association nor the Citizens' Club would let him have a hall.
First Citizen.
They wouldn’t even lend him the hall at the Baths.
Second Citizen.
No, you may be sure they wouldn’t.
A Man.
[In another group.] Now, who’s the one to follow in this business, eh?
Another Man.
[In the same group.] Just keep your eye on Aslaksen, and do as he does.
Billing.
[With a portfolio under his arm, makes his way through the crowd.] Excuse me, gentlemen. Will you allow me to pass? I'm here to report for the People’s Messenger. Many thanks.
[Sits by the table on the left.
A Working-man.
Who’s he?
Another Working-man.
Don’t you know him? It’s that fellow Billing, that writes for Aslaksen’s paper.
Captain Horster enters by the door in front on the right, escorting Mrs. Stockmann and Petra. Eilif and Morten follow them.
Horster.
This is where I thought you might sit: you can so easily slip out if anything should happen.
Mrs. Stockmann.
Do you think there will be any disturbance?
Horster.
One can never tell—with such a crowd. But there’s no occasion for anxiety.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Sitting down.] How kind it was of you to offer Stockmann this room.
Horster.
Since no one else would, I——
Petra.
[Who has also seated herself.] And it was brave too, Captain Horster.
Horster.
Oh, I don’t see where the bravery comes in.
Hovstad and Aslaksen enter at the same moment, but make their way through the crowd separately.
Aslaksen.
[Going up to Horster.] Hasn’t the Doctor come yet?
Horster.
He’s waiting in there.
[A movement at the door in the background.
Hovstad.
[To Billing.] There’s the Burgomaster! Look!
Billing.
Yes, strike me dead if he hasn’t put in an appearance after all!
Burgomaster Stockmann makes his way blandly through the meeting, bowing politely to both sides, and takes his stand by the wall on the left. Soon afterwards, Dr. Stockmann enters by the door on the right. He wears a black frock-coat and white necktie. Faint applause, met by a subdued hissing. Then silence.
Dr. Stockmann.
[In a low tone.] How do you feel, Katrina?
Mrs. Stockmann.
Quite comfortable, thank you. [In a low voice.] Now do keep your temper, Thomas.
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh, I shall keep myself well in hand. [Looks at his watch, ascends the platform, and bows.] It’s a quarter past the hour, so I shall begin——
[Takes out his MS.
Aslaksen.
But surely a chairman must be elected first.
Dr. Stockmann.
No, that’s not at all necessary.
Several Gentlemen.
[Shouting.] Yes, yes.
Burgomaster.
I should certainly say that a chairman ought to be elected.
Dr. Stockmann.
But I've called this meeting to give a lecture, Peter!
Burgomaster.
Dr. Stockmann’s lecture may possibly lead to differences of opinion.
Several Voices in the Crowd.
A chairman! A chairman!
Hovstad.
The general voice of the meeting seems to be for a chairman!
Dr. Stockmann.
[Controlling himself.] Very well then; let the meeting have its way.
Aslaksen.
Will not the Burgomaster take the chair?
Three Gentlemen.
[Clapping.] Bravo! Bravo!
Burgomaster.
For reasons you will easily understand, I must decline. But, fortunately, we have among us one whom I think we can all accept. I allude to the president of the House-owners' Association, Mr. Aslaksen.
Many Voices.
Yes, yes! Bravo Aslaksen! Hurrah for Aslaksen!
[Dr. Stockmann takes his MS. and descends from the platform.
Aslaksen.
Since my fellow citizens repose this trust in me, I cannot refuse——
[Applause and cheers. Aslaksen ascends the platform.
Billing.
[Writing.] So—“Mr. Aslaksen was elected by acclamation——”
Aslaksen.
And now, as I have been called to the chair, I take the liberty of saying a few brief words. I am a quiet, peace-loving man; I am in favour of discreet moderation, and of—and of moderate discretion. Every one who knows me, knows that.
Many Voices.
Yes, yes, Aslaksen!
Aslaksen.
I have learnt in the school of life and of experience that moderation is the virtue in which the individual citizen finds his best advantage——
Burgomaster.
Hear, hear!
Aslaksen.
——and it is discretion and moderation, too, that best serve the community. I could therefore suggest to our respected fellow citizen, who has called this meeting, that he should endeavour to keep within the bounds of moderation.
A Man.
[By the door.] Three cheers for the Temperance Society!
A Voice.
Go to the devil!
Voices.
Hush! hush!
Aslaksen.
No interruptions, gentlemen!—Does any one wish to offer any observations?
Burgomaster.
Mr. Chairman!
Aslaksen.
Burgomaster Stockmann will address the meeting.
Burgomaster.
On account of my close relationship—of which you are probably aware—to the present medical officer of the Baths, I should have preferred not to speak here this evening. But my position as chairman of the Baths, and my care for the vital interests of this town, force me to move a resolution. I may doubtless assume that not a single citizen here present thinks it desirable that untrustworthy and exaggerated statements should get abroad as to the sanitary condition of the Baths and of our town.
Many Voices.
No, no, no! Certainly not! We protest![protest!]
Burgomaster.
I therefore beg to move, “That this meeting declines to hear the proposed lecture or speech on the subject by the medical officer of the Baths.”
Dr. Stockmann.
[Flaring up.] Declines to hear——! What do you mean?
Mrs. Stockmann.
[Coughing.] H'm! h’m!
Dr. Stockmann.
[Controlling himself.] So I am not to be heard?
Burgomaster.
In my statement in the People’s Messenger I have made the public acquainted with the essential facts, so that all well-disposed citizens can easily form their own judgment. From that statement it will be seen that the medical officer’s proposal—besides amounting to a vote of censure upon the leading men of the town—at bottom only means saddling the ratepayers with an unnecessary outlay of at least a hundred thousand crowns.
[Sounds of protest and some hissing.
Aslaksen.
[Ringing the bell.] Order, gentlemen! I must beg leave to support the Burgomaster’s resolution. I quite agree with him that there is something beneath the surface of the Doctor’s agitation. In all his talk about the Baths, it is really a revolution he is aiming at; he wants to effect a redistribution of power. No one doubts the excellence of Dr. Stockmann’s intentions—of course there cannot be two opinions as to that. I, too, am in favour of self-government by the people, if only it doesn’t cost the ratepayers too much. But in this case it would do so; and therefore I'll be hanged if—excuse me—in short, I cannot go with Dr. Stockmann upon this occasion. You can buy even gold too dear; that’s my opinion.
[Loud applause on all sides.
Hovstad.
I, too feel bound to explain my attitude. Dr. Stockmann’s agitation seemed at first to find favour in several quarters, and I supported it as impartially as I could. But it presently appeared that we had been misled by a false representation of the facts——
Dr. Stockmann.
False——!
Hovstad.
Well then, an untrustworthy representation. This the Burgomaster’s report has proved. I trust no one here present doubts my liberal principles; the attitude of the Messenger on all great political questions is well known to you all. But I have learned from men of judgment and experience that in purely local matters a paper must observe a certain amount of caution.
Aslaksen.
I entirely agree with the speaker.
Hovstad.
And in the matter under discussion it is quite evident that Dr. Stockmann has public opinion against him. But, gentlemen, what is an editor’s clearest and most imperative duty? Is it not to work in harmony with his readers? Has he not in some sort received a tacit mandate to further assiduously and unweariedly the interests of his constituents? Or am I mistaken in this?
Many Voices.
No, no, no! Hovstad is right!
Hovstad.
It has cost me a bitter struggle to break with a man in whose house I have of late been a frequent guest—with a man who, up to this day, has enjoyed the unqualified goodwill of his fellow citizens—with a man whose only, or, at any rate, whose chief fault is that he consults his heart rather than his head.
A Few Scattered Voices.
That’s true! Hurrah for Dr. Stockmann!
Hovstad.
But my duty towards the community has constrained me to break with him. Then, too, there is another consideration that impels me to oppose him, and, if possible, to block the ill-omened path upon which he is entering: consideration for his family——
Dr. Stockmann.
Keep to the water-works and sewers!
Hovstad.
——consideration for his wife and his unprotected[[12]] children.
Morten.
Is that us, mother?
Mrs. Stockmann.
Hush!
Aslaksen.
I will now put the Burgomaster’s resolution to the vote.
Dr. Stockmann.
You need not. I have no intention of saying anything this evening of all the filth at the Baths. No! You shall hear something quite different.
Burgomaster.
[Half aloud.] What next, I wonder?
A Drunken Man.
[At the main entrance.] I'm a ratepayer, so I've a right to my opinion! And it’s my full, firm, incomprehensible opinion that——
Several Voices.
Silence up there!
Others.
He’s drunk! Turn him out!
[The drunken man is turned out.
Dr. Stockmann.
Can I speak?
Aslaksen.
[Ringing the bell.] Dr. Stockmann will address the meeting.
Dr. Stockmann.
A few days ago, I should have liked to see any one venture upon such an attempt to gag me as has been made here to-night! I would have fought like a lion for my sacred rights! But now I care little enough; for now I have more important things to speak of.
[The people crowd closer round him. Morten Kiil comes in sight among the bystanders.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Continuing.] I have been pondering a great many things during these last days—thinking such a multitude of thoughts, that at last my head was positively in a whirl——
Burgomaster.
[Coughing.] H'm——!
Dr. Stockmann.
But presently things seemed to straighten themselves out, and I saw them clearly in all their bearings. That is why I stand here this evening. I am about to make great revelations, my fellow citizens! I am going to announce to you a far-reaching discovery, beside which the trifling fact that our water-works are poisoned, and that our health-resort is built on pestilential ground, sinks into insignificance.
Many Voices.
[Shouting.] Don’t speak about the Baths! We won’t listen to that! No more of that!
Dr. Stockmann.
I have said I would speak of the great discovery I have made within the last few days—the discovery that all our sources of spiritual life are poisoned, and that our whole society rests upon a pestilential basis of falsehood.
Several Voices.
[In astonishment and half aloud.] What’s he saying?
Burgomaster.
Such an insinuation——!
Aslaksen.
[With his hand on the bell.] I must call upon the speaker to moderate his expressions.
Dr. Stockmann.
I have loved my native town as dearly as any man can love the home of his childhood. I was young when I left our town, and distance, home-sickness and memory threw, as it were, a glamour over the place and its people.
[Some applause and cries of approval.
Dr. Stockmann.
Then for years I was imprisoned in a horrible hole, far away in the north. As I went about among the people scattered here and there over the stony wilderness, it seemed to me, many a time, that it would have been better for these poor famishing creatures to have had a cattle-doctor to attend them, instead of a man like me.
[Murmurs in the room.
Billing.
[Laying down his pen.] Strike me dead if I've ever heard——!
Hovstad.
What an insult to an estimable peasantry!
Dr. Stockmann.
Wait a moment!—I don’t think any one can reproach me with forgetting my native town up there. I sat brooding like an eider duck, and what I hatched was—the plan of the Baths.
[Applause and expressions of dissent.
Dr. Stockmann.
And when, at last, fate ordered things so happily that I could come home again—then, fellow citizens, it seemed to me that I hadn’t another desire in the world. Yes, one desire I had: an eager, constant, burning desire to be of service to my birthplace, and to its people.
Burgomaster.
[Gazing into vacancy.] A strange method to select——!
Dr. Stockmann.
So I went about revelling in my happy illusions. But yesterday morning—no, it was really two nights ago—my mind’s eyes were opened wide, and the first thing I saw was the colossal stupidity of the authorities——
[Noise, cries, and laughter. Mrs. Stockmann coughs repeatedly.
Burgomaster.
Mr. Chairman!
Aslaksen.
[Ringing his bell.] In virtue of my position——!
Dr. Stockmann.
It’s petty to catch me up on a word, Mr. Aslaksen! I only mean that I became alive to the extraordinary muddle our leading men had been guilty of, down at the Baths. I cannot for the life of me abide leading men—I've seen enough of them in my time. They are like goats in a young plantation: they do harm at every point; they block the path of a free man wherever he turns—and I should be glad if we could exterminate them like other noxious animals——
[Uproar in the room.
Burgomaster.
Mr. Chairman, are such expressions permissible?
Aslaksen.
[With his hand on the bell.] Dr. Stockmann——
Dr. Stockmann.
I can’t conceive how it is that I have only now seen through these gentry; for haven’t I had a magnificent example before my eyes here every day—my brother Peter—slow of understanding, tenacious in prejudice——
[Laughter, noise, and whistling. Mrs. Stockmann coughs. Aslaksen rings violently.
The Drunken Man.
[Who has come in again.] Is it me you’re alluding to? Sure enough, my name’s Petersen; but devil take me if——
Angry Voices.
Out with that drunken man! Turn him out!
[The man is again turned out.
Burgomaster.
Who is that person?
A Bystander.
I don’t know him, Burgomaster.
Another.
He doesn’t belong to the town.
A Third.
I believe he’s a timber-dealer from——
[The rest is inaudible.
Aslaksen.
The man was evidently intoxicated.—Continue, Dr. Stockmann; but pray endeavour to be moderate.
Dr. Stockmann.
Well, fellow citizens, I shall say no more about our leading men. If any one imagines, from what I have just said, that it’s these gentlemen I want to make short work of to-night, he is mistaken—altogether mistaken. For I cherish the comfortable conviction that these laggards, these relics of a decaying order of thought, are diligently cutting their own throats. They need no doctor to hasten their end. And it is not people of that sort that constitute the real danger to society; it is not they who are most active in poisoning the sources of our spiritual life and making a plague-spot of the ground beneath our feet; it is not they who are the most dangerous enemies of truth and freedom in our society.
Cries from All Sides.
Who, then? Who is it? Name, name!
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, you may be sure I shall name them! For this is the great discovery I made yesterday: [In a louder tone.] The most dangerous foe to truth and freedom in our midst is the compact majority. Yes, it’s the confounded, compact, liberal majority—that, and nothing else! There, I've told you.
[Immense disturbance in the room. Most of the audience are shouting, stamping, and whistling. Several elderly gentlemen exchange furtive glances and seem to be enjoying the scene. Mrs. Stockmann rises in alarm. Eilif and Morten advance threateningly towards the school-boys, who are making noises. Aslaksen rings the bell and calls for order. Hovstad and Billing both speak, but nothing can be heard. At last quiet is restored.
Aslaksen.
I must request the speaker to withdraw his ill-considered expressions.
Dr. Stockmann.
Never, Mr. Aslaksen! For it’s this very majority that robs me of my freedom, and wants to forbid me to speak the truth.
Hovstad.
The majority always has right on its side.
Billing.
Yes, and truth too, strike me dead!
Dr. Stockmann.
The majority never has right on its side. Never I say! That is one of the social lies that a free, thinking man is bound to rebel against. Who make up the majority in any given country? Is it the wise men or the fools? I think we must agree that the fools are in a terrible, overwhelming majority, all the wide world over. But how in the devil’s name can it ever be right for the fools to rule over the wise men? [Uproar and yells.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, yes, you can shout me down, but you cannot gainsay me. The majority has might—unhappily—but right it has not. It is I, and the few, the individuals, that are in the right. The minority is always right. [Renewed uproar.
Hovstad.
Ha ha! Dr. Stockmann has turned aristocrat since the day before yesterday!
Dr. Stockmann.
I have said that I have no words to waste on the little, narrow-chested, short-winded crew that lie in our wake. Pulsating life has nothing more to do with them. I am speaking of the few, the individuals among us, who have made all the new, germinating truths their own. These men stand, as it were, at the outposts, so far in the van that the compact majority has not yet reached them—and there they fight for truths that are too lately born into the world’s consciousness to have won over the majority.
Hovstad.
So the Doctor’s a revolutionist now!
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, by Heaven, I am, Mr. Hovstad! I am going to revolt against the lie that truth belongs exclusively to the majority. What sort of truths do the majority rally round? Truths so stricken in years that they are sinking into decrepitude. When a truth is so old as that, gentlemen, it’s in a fair way to become a lie.
[Laughter and jeers.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, yes, you may believe me or not, as you please; but truths are by no means the wiry Methusalehs some people think them. A normally-constituted truth lives—let us say—as a rule, seventeen or eighteen years; at the outside twenty; very seldom more. And truths so patriarchal as that are always shockingly emaciated; yet it’s not till then that the majority takes them up and recommends them to society as wholesome food. I can assure you there’s not much nutriment in that sort of fare; you may take my word as a doctor for that. All these majority-truths are like last year’s salt pork; they’re like rancid, mouldy ham, producing all the moral scurvy that devastates society.
Aslaksen.
It seems to me that the honourable speaker is wandering rather far from the subject.
Burgomaster.
I beg to endorse the Chairman’s remark.
Dr. Stockmann.
Why you’re surely mad, Peter! I'm keeping as closely to my text as I possibly can; for my text is precisely this—that the masses, the majority, this devil’s own compact majority—it’s that, I say, that’s poisoning the sources of our spiritual life, and making a plague-spot of the ground beneath our feet.
Hovstad.
And you make this charge against the great, independent majority, just because they have the sense to accept only certain and acknowledged truths?
Dr. Stockmann.
Ah, my dear Mr. Hovstad, don’t talk about certain truths! The truths acknowledged by the masses, the multitude, were certain truths to the vanguard in our grandfathers' days. We, the vanguard of to-day, don’t acknowledge them any longer; and I don’t believe there exists any other certain truth but this—that no society can live a healthy life upon truths so old and and marrowless.
Hovstad.
But instead of all this vague talk, suppose you were to give us some specimens of these old marrowless truths that we are living upon.
[Approval from several quarters.
Dr. Stockmann.
Oh, I could give you no end of samples from the rubbish-heap; but, for the present, I shall keep to one acknowledged truth, which is a hideous lie at bottom, but which Mr. Hovstad, and the Messenger, and all adherents of the Messenger, live on all the same.
Hovstad.
And that is——?
Dr. Stockmann.
That is the doctrine you have inherited from your forefathers, and go on thoughtlessly proclaiming far and wide—the doctrine that the multitude, the vulgar herd, the masses, are the pith of the people—that they are the people—that the common man, the ignorant, undeveloped member of society, has the same right to sanction and to condemn, to counsel and to govern, as the intellectually distinguished few.
Billing.
Well, now, strike me dead——!
Hovstad.
[Shouting at the same time.] Citizens, please note this!
Angry Voices.
Ho-ho! Aren’t we the people? Is it only the grand folks that are to govern?
A Working Man.
Out with the fellow that talks like that!
Others.
Turn him out!
A Citizen.
[Shouting.] Blow your horn, Evensen.
[The deep notes of a horn are heard; whistling, and terrific noise in the room.
Dr. Stockmann.
[When the noise has somewhat subsided.] Now do be reasonable! Can’t you bear even for once in a way to hear the voice of truth? I don’t ask you all to agree with me on the instant. But I certainly should have expected Mr. Hovstad to back me up, as soon as he had collected himself a bit. Mr. Hovstad sets up to be a freethinker——
Several Voices.
[Subdued and wondering.] Freethinker, did he say? What? Mr. Hovstad a freethinker?
Hovstad.
[Shouting.] Prove it, Dr. Stockmann. When have I said so in print?
Dr. Stockmann.
[Reflecting.] No, upon my soul, you’re right there; you’ve never had the frankness to do that. Well, well, I won’t put you on the rack, Mr. Hovstad. Let me be the freethinker then. And now I'll make it clear to you all, and on scientific grounds too, that the Messenger is leading you shamefully by the nose, when it tells you that you, the masses, the crowd, are the true pith of the people. I tell you that’s only a newspaper lie. The masses are nothing but the raw material that must be fashioned into a People.
[Murmurs, laughter, and disturbance in the room.
Dr. Stockmann.
Is it not so with all other living creatures? What a difference between a cultivated and an uncultivated breed of animals! Just look at a common barn-door hen. What meat do you get from such a skinny carcase? Not much, I can tell you! And what sort of eggs does she lay? A decent crow or raven can lay nearly as good. Then take a cultivated Spanish or Japanese hen, or take a fine pheasant or turkey—ah! then you’ll see the difference! And now look at the dog, our near relation. Think first of an ordinary vulgar cur—I mean one of those wretched, ragged, plebeian mongrels that haunt the gutters, and soil the sidewalks. Then place such a mongrel by the side of a poodle-dog, descended through many generations from an aristocratic stock, who have lived on delicate food, and heard harmonious voices and music. Do you think the brain of the poodle isn’t very differently developed from that of the mongrel? Yes, you may be sure it is! It’s well-bred poodle-pups like this that jugglers train to perform the most marvellous tricks. A common peasant-cur could never learn anything of the sort—not if he tried till doomsday.
[Noise and laughter are heard all round.
A Citizen.
[Shouting.] Do you want to make dogs of us now?
Another Man.
We’re not animals, Doctor!
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, on my soul, but we are animals, my good sir! We’re one and all of us animals, whether we like it or not. But truly there are few enough aristocratic animals among us. Oh, there’s a terrible difference between poodle-men and mongrel-men! And the ridiculous part of it is, that Mr. Hovstad quite agrees with me so long as it’s four-legged animals we’re talking of——
Hovstad.
Oh, beasts are only beasts.
Dr. Stockmann.
Well and good—but no sooner do I apply the law to two-legged animals, than Mr. Hovstad stops short; then he daren’t hold his own opinions, or think out his own thoughts; then he turns the whole principle upside down, and proclaims in the People’s Messenger that the barn-door hen and the gutter-mongrel are precisely the finest specimens in the menagerie. But that’s always the way, so long as the commonness still lingers in your system, and you haven’t worked your way up to spiritual distinction.
Hovstad.
I make no pretence to any sort of distinction. I come of simple peasant folk, and I am proud that my root should lie deep down among the common people, who are here being insulted.
Workmen.
Hurrah for Hovstad. Hurrah! hurrah!
Dr. Stockmann.
The sort of common people I am speaking of are not found among the lower classes alone; they crawl and swarm all around us—up to the very summits of society. Just look at your own smug, respectable Burgomaster! Why, my brother Peter belongs as clearly to the common people as any man that walks on two legs——
[Laughter and hisses.
Burgomaster.
I protest against such personalities.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Imperturbably.]——and that not because, like myself, he’s descended from a good-for-nothing old pirate from Pomerania, or thereabouts—for that’s our ancestry——
Burgomaster.
An absurd tradition! Utterly groundless.
Dr. Stockmann.
——but he is so because he thinks the thoughts and holds the opinions of his official superiors. Men who do that, belong, intellectually-speaking, to the common people; and that is why my distinguished brother Peter is at bottom so undistinguished,—and consequently so illiberal.
Burgomaster.
Mr. Chairman——!
Hovstad.
So that the distinguished people in this country are the Liberals? That’s quite a new light on the subject. [Laughter.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, that is part of my new discovery. And this, too, follows: that liberality of thought is almost precisely the same thing as morality. Therefore I say it’s absolutely unpardonable of the Messenger to proclaim, day out, day in, the false doctrine that it’s the masses, the multitude, the compact majority, that monopolise liberality and morality,—and that vice and corruption and all sorts of spiritual uncleanness ooze out of culture, as all that filth oozes down to the Baths from the Mill Dale tan-works!
[Noise and interruptions.
Dr. Stockmann.
[Goes on imperturbably, smiling in his eagerness.] And yet this same Messenger can preach about elevating the masses and the multitude to a higher level of well-being! Why, deuce take it, if the Messenger’s own doctrine holds good, the elevation of the masses would simply mean hurling them straight to perdition! But, happily, the notion that culture demoralises is nothing but an old traditional lie. No it’s stupidity, poverty, the ugliness of life, that do the devil’s work! In a house that isn’t aired and swept every day—my wife maintains that the floors ought to be scrubbed too, but perhaps that is going too far;—well,—in such a house, I say, within two or three years, people lose the power of thinking or acting morally. Lack of oxygen enervates the conscience. And there seems to be precious little oxygen in many and many a house in this town, since the whole compact majority is unscrupulous enough to want to found its future upon a quagmire of lies and fraud.
Aslaksen.
I cannot allow so gross an insult to be levelled against a whole community.
A Gentleman.
I move that the Chairman order the speaker to sit down.
Eager Voices.
Yes, yes! That’s right! Sit down! Sit down!
Dr. Stockmann.
[Flaring up.] Then I shall proclaim the truth at every street corner! I shall write to newspapers in other towns! The whole country shall know how matters stand here!
Hovstad.
It almost seems as if the Doctor’s object were to ruin the town.
Dr. Stockmann.
Yes, so well do I love my native town that I would rather ruin it than see it flourishing upon a lie.
Aslaksen.
That’s plain speaking.
[Noise and whistling. Mrs. Stockmann coughs in vain; the Doctor no longer heeds her.
Hovstad.
[Shouting amid the tumult.] The man who would ruin a whole community must be an enemy to his fellow citizens!
Dr. Stockmann.
[With growing excitement.] What does it matter if a lying community is ruined! Let it be levelled to the ground, say I! All men who live upon a lie ought to be exterminated like vermin! You’ll end by poisoning the whole country; you’ll bring it to such a pass that the whole country will deserve to perish. And if ever it comes to that, I shall say, from the bottom of my heart: Perish the country! Perish all its people!
A Man.
[In the crowd.] Why, he talks like a regular enemy of the people!
Billing.
Strike me dead but there spoke the people’s voice!
The Whole Assembly.
[Shouting.] Yes! yes! yes! He’s an enemy of the people! He hates his country! He hates the whole people!
Aslaksen.
Both as a citizen of this town and as a human being, I am deeply shocked at what it has been my lot to hear to-night. Dr. Stockmann[Stockmann] has unmasked himself in a manner I should never have dreamt of. I must reluctantly subscribe to the opinion just expressed by some estimable citizens; and I think we ought to formulate[formulate] this opinion in a resolution. I therefore beg to move, “That this meeting declares the medical officer of the Baths, Dr. Thomas Stockmann, to be an enemy of the people.”
[Thunders of applause and cheers. Many form a circle round the Doctor and hoot at him. Mrs. Stockmann and Petra have risen. Morten and Eilif fight the other school-boys, who have also been hooting. Some grown-up persons separate them.
Dr. Stockmann.
[To the people hooting.] Ah, fools that you are! I tell you that——
Aslaksen.
[Ringing.] The Doctor is out of order in speaking. A formal vote must be taken; but out of consideration for personal feelings, it will be taken in writing and without names. Have you any blank paper, Mr. Billing?
Billing.
Here’s both blue and white paper——
Aslaksen.
Capital; that will save time. Cut it up into slips. That’s it. [To the meeting.] Blue means no, white means aye. I myself will go round and collect the votes.
[The Burgomaster leaves the room. Aslaksen and a few others go round with pieces of paper in hats.
A Gentleman.
[To Hovstad.] What can be the matter with the Doctor? What does it all mean?
Hovstad.
Why, you know what a hare-brained creature he is.
Another Gentleman.
[To Billing.] I say, you’re often at his house. Have you ever noticed if the fellow drinks?
Billing.
Strike me dead if I know what to say. The toddy’s always on the table when any one looks in.
A Third Gentleman.
No, I should rather say he went off his head at times.
First Gentleman.
I wonder if there’s madness in the family?
Billing.
I shouldn’t be surprised.
A Fourth Gentleman.
No, it’s pure malice. He wants to be revenged for something or other.
Billing.
He was certainly talking about a rise in his salary the other day; but he didn’t get it.
All the Gentlemen.
[Together.] Aha! That explains everything.
The Drunken Man.
[In the crowd.] I want a blue one, I do! And I'll have a white one too.
Several People.
There’s the tipsy man again! Turn him out.
Morten Kiil.
[Approaching the Doctor.] Well, Stockmann, you see now what such monkey-tricks lead to?
Dr. Stockmann.
I have done my duty.
Morten Kiil.
What was that you said about the Mill Dale tanneries?
Dr Stockmann.
You heard what I said—that all the filth comes from them.
Morten Kiil.
From my tannery as well?
Dr. Stockmann.
I'm sorry to say yours is the worst of all.
Morten Kiil.
Are you going to put that in the papers, too?
Dr. Stockmann.
I can’t gloze anything over.
Morten Kiil.
This may cost you dear, Stockmann!
[He goes out.
A Fat Gentleman.
[Goes up to Horster, without bowing to the ladies.] Well, Captain, so you lend your house to enemies of the people.
Horster.
I suppose I can do as I please with my own property, Sir.
The Gentleman.
Then of course you can have no objection if I follow your example?
Horster.
What do you mean, Sir?
The Gentleman.
You shall hear from me to-morrow.
[Turns away and goes out.
Petra.
Wasn’t that the owner of your ship, Captain Horster?
Horster.
Yes, that was Mr. Vik.
Aslaksen.
[With the voting papers in his hands, ascends the platform and rings.] Gentlemen! I have now to announce the result of the vote. All the voters, with one exception——
A Young Gentleman.
That’s the tipsy man!
Aslaksen.
With the exception of one intoxicated person, this meeting of citizens unanimously declares the medical officer of the Baths, Dr. Thomas Stockmann, to be an enemy of the people. [Cheers and applause.] Three cheers for our fine old municipality! [Cheers.] Three cheers for our able and energetic Burgomaster, who has so loyally set family prejudice aside! [Cheers.] The meeting is dissolved. [He descends.]
Billing.
Three cheers for the Chairman!
All.
Hurrah for Aslaksen.
Dr. Stockmann.
My hat and coat, Petra. Captain, have you room for passengers to the new world?
Horster.
For you and yours, Doctor, we’ll make room.
Dr. Stockmann.
[While Petra helps him to put on his coat.] Good.[Good.] Come Katrina, come boys!
[He gives his wife his arm.
Mrs. Stockmann.
[In a low voice.] Thomas, dear, let us go out by the back way.
Dr. Stockmann.
No back ways, Katrina! [In a loud voice.] You shall hear from the enemy of the people, before he shakes the dust from his feet! I am not so forbearing as a certain person; I don’t say: I forgive you, for you know not what you do.
Aslaksen.
[Shouts.] That is a blasphemous comparison, Dr. Stockmann!
Billing.
Strike me——! This is more than a serious man can stand!
A Coarse Voice.
And he threatens us into the bargain!
Angry Cries.
Let’s smash his windows! Duck him in the fiord!
A Man.
[In the crowd.] Blow your horn, Evensen! Blow man, blow!
[Horn-blowing, whistling, and wild shouting. The Doctor, with his family, goes towards the door. Horster clears the way for them.
All.
[Yelling after them as they go out.] Enemy of the people! Enemy of the people! Enemy of the people!
Billing.
Strike me dead if I'd care to drink toddy at Stockmann’s to-night!
[The people throng towards the door; the shouting is taken up by others outside; from the street are heard cries of “Enemy of the people! Enemy of the people!”