THE OUTLAW
A monologue from the
play by August
Strindberg
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NOTE: This monologue is reprinted
from Plays by August Strindberg. Trans. Edith and Warner
Oland. Boston: John W. Luce and Co., 1912. |
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THORFINN: Alone! Alone! Alone! [Pause] I remember
one autumn when the equinoctial storm raged over England's sea--my
dragon ship was wrecked and I was tossed up on the rocks alone.
Afterwards everything grew calm. Oh, what long days and nights!
Only the cloudless sky above and endlessly the deep blue sea
around me. Not a sound of any living creature! Not even the gulls
to wake me with their screeching! Not even a breeze stirred the
waves to lap against the stones. It seemed as if I myself were
dead! Loudly I talked and shouted, but the sound of my voice
frightened me, and thirst bound my tongue. Only the even beat
of my heart in my breast told me that I was alive! But after
a moment's listening I heard it no longer and, trembling, I rose
to my feet, and so it was each time until, senseless, I swooned.
When at last I revived I heard the slow beats of a heart beside
me and a deep breathing that was not mine, and courage revived
in my soul. I looked about--it was a seal seeking rest; it gazed
at me with its moist eyes as if filled with compassion for me.
Now I was no longer alone! I stretched out my hand to caress
its rough body; then it fled and I was doubly alone. Again I
am on the rocks! What do I fear? Yes, loneliness! What is loneliness?
It is I, myself! Who am I then to fear myself? Am I not Erl Thorfinn,
the strong, who has bowed thousands of wills to his? Who never
asked for friendship or love but himself bore his own sorrows!
No! No! I am another! And therefore Thorfinn the strong fears
Thorfinn the weak! Who stole my strength? Who struck me down?
Was it the sea? Have I not vanquished the sea three times ten
voyages? And it has defeated me but once--but then to the death!
It was the stronger. It was a God. But who subdued the sea that
lately raged? Who? Who? Who? It was the stronger! Oh, answer,
that I may believe! -- He does not answer! -- All is silent!
-- Again I hear my heart beating. Oh, help, help! I am cold,
I freeze --
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MONOLOGUES BY AUGUST STRINDBERG |
