Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 4).djvu/288



What motto?

The potent and sundering word.

The word?

That which severs the whole race of men From the troll-folk: Troll! To thyself be enough!

[Recoils a step.]

Enough!

And with every nerve in your body, You've been living up to it ever since.

What, I? Peer Gynt?

[Weeps.]

It's ungrateful of you! You've lived as a troll, but have still kept it secret. The word I taught you has shown you the way To swing yourself up as a man of substance;— And now you must needs come and turn up your nose At me and the word you've to thank for it all.

Enough! A hill-troll! An egoist! This must be all rubbish; that's perfectly certain!