smal pessimism of "The Inferno;" then began
the gradual return to spiritual faith which, in the end, caused him to
declare himself a Swedenborgian.

The play, "Easter," included in the present collection, belongs to this
period; it is a strange mingling of symbolism and realism, bearing the
spiritual message of the resurrection. It was the most popular play
produced at the Intimate Theatre in Stockholm, having been given there
over two hundred times; and in Germany, also, it has been one of the
plays most appreciated. That "Easter" is representative of the last
phase, spiritually, of the great man is evidenced by the closing
incident of his life. His favorite daughter, Kirtlin, was in the room
as death approached. Strindberg called to her, and asked for the Bible;
receiving the book, he opened it, and placing it across his breast,
said, "This is the best book of all," and then, with his last breath,
"Now everything personal is obliterated."

E. O. and W. O.

COMRADES

Comedy in Four Acts

CHARACTERS

AXEL, an artist
BERTHA, his wife, artist
ABEL, her friend
WILLMER, litterateur
OeSTERMARK, a doctor
MRS. HALL, his divorced wife
THE MISSES HALL, her daughters by a second marriage
CARL STARCK, lieutenant
MRS. STARCK, his wife
MAID

[SCENE for the whole play.--An artist's studio in Paris; it is on the
ground floor, has glass windows looking out on an orchard. At back
of scene a large window and door to hall. On the walls hang studies,
canvases, weapons, costumes and plaster casts. To right there is a door
leading to Axel's room; to left a door leading to Bertha's room. There
is a model stand left center. To right an easel and painting materials.
A large sofa, a large store through the doors of which one sees a hot
coal fire. There is a hanging-lamp from ceiling. At rise of curtain Axel
and Doctor Oestermark are discovered.]

ACT I.

AXEL [Sitting, painting]. And you, too, are in Paris!

DR. OeSTERMARK. Everything gathers here as the center of the world; and
so you are married--and happy?

AXEL. Oh, yes, so, so. Yes, I'm quite happy. That's understood.

DR. OeSTERMARK. What's understood?

AXEL. Look here, you're a widower. How was it with your marriage?

DR. OeSTERMARK. Oh, very nice--for her.

AXEL. And for you?

DR. OeSTERMARK. So, so! But you see one must compromise, and we
compromised to the end.

AXEL. What do you mean by