cultural resources in henrik ibsen's early environment - Ibsen.net

Unfortunate girl! You must know,
As a child you were kidnapped by the elves,
Your bridegroom is the elf-king.
Oh, Mother!
AGNETE.
KAREN.
Oh, if only it could still remain hidden from you!
But now you must know it.
Oh, tell me!
AGNETE.
KAREN.
I had a child who was called Agnete,
But in early infancy she died.
One evening I walked away from the little dead one
Out into the forest, grieving. Suddenly
By Elves’ Hill I heard a child crying;
I went over there; I found you lying
In the grass, picked you up and carried you home,
Buried the little corpse in silence, concealed
The matter carefully and gave you out
To be my Agnete. Child! You are a heathen,
You have not received Christian baptism!
Therefore the elf-king could steal you.
Oh, heavens!
AGNETE.
KAREN.
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