Babette's Feast (Babettes gæstebud)

BABETTE'S FEAST

In this remote spot there once lived two sisters,

who were both past the first flush of youth.

They had been christened Mari/he and HY/jopa,

They spent all their time

and almost all their small income on good works.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Their father had been a pastor and prophet

and the founder of a religious sect.

He 'd been well-respected, and perhaps also a I/tt/e feared.

The pastor had married late and by this time

had long been dead.

His disciples were becoming fewer in number every year,

but they continued meeting to read and interpret the Word

and to honor the spirit of their master,

whose presence they felt was among them.

Jerusalem

My hearfs true home

O name forever dear

Take not thought so anxiously, careful one

For your daily food or raiment

Never would you give a stone or serpent

To your child who asks for bread

The two sisters had a French maid.

Her name was Babette.

This may seem strange for two Puritan lad/es

living in such a remote and desolate place,

and it calls for an explanation.

The reason for Babette's presence in the sisters' house

in the heart.

Had been extraordinary, like that of flowering fruit trees.

They were never to be seen at balls or parties,

and the young men went to church

in hopes of seeing them.

O Lord, allow thy kingdom

To descend upon us here

So that the spirit of mercy

May wipe out all trace of sin

Then we shall know in our hearts

That God lives here with us

And that thou art dwelling

With those that trust in thee

In the pastor's flock, earthly love and marriage

were considered of scant worth and merely empty illusion.

In this calling of mine, my two daughters

are my right and left hands.

Would you deprive me of them?

Nevertheless, these two beauties

had upset the peace of heart and the destinies

of two young gentlemen from the great world outside.

One was a young officer by the name of Lorens Léwenhielm.

He'd led a merry life in his garrison town

and had fallen into debt.

Attention!

Captain, sir! Twenty men accounted for!

Lorens, get a grip on yourself!

You will spend three months at your aunt's house.

- The old lady? - Yes.

At None Vossborg'?

In Jutland?

At Norre Vossborg Manor you'll have time to think

about your conduct

and to set about improving it.

Welcome to Norre Vossborg.

Come along. I'll show you to your room.

At that very moment he had a mighty vision

of a higher and purer life,

one without creditors' letters or parental lectures,

and with a gentle angel at his side.

With the help of his pious aunt,

he gained admission to the pastor's house.

Don't just stand there, Martha! Get a cloth!

Mercy and truth have met together,

dear brethren.

Righteousness and bliss shall kiss one another.

He visited many times, but it seemed to him

that each time he grew more insignificant.

Excuse me.

God's paths run across the sea

and the snowy mountains,

where man's eye sees no track.

Amen.

I am going away forever...

and I shall never, never see you again.

For I have learned here that life is hard and cruel...

and that in this world there are things that are...

impossible.

While the other young officers spoke of their love affairs,

he was silent about his.

For, reliving it now, in the officers' mess,

and seeing it through their eyes,

it appeared to him a pitiful business.

Lorens.

And I shall never, never see you again.

Let himself be defeated and disarmed by...

By some long-faced sectarians

who can't even afford salt for their soup?

I can't forget the image of that lovely maiden.

You're a dreamer, Lorens.

But I'd prefer to be like you.

I will forget all that happened on the west coast.

From now I shall look forward, not backward.

I will think of nothing but my career,

and someday I will cut a brilliant figure

in a brilliant world.

He married a Iady-in-waiting to Queen Sophia.

At that time, piety was fashionable at the court,

and he found a use for the phrases engraved in his memory

from the parsonage.

We implore God's mercy.

We must carry out the Lord's work with love.

Do you remember that silent young man who so suddenly appeared

and vanished just as suddenly?

Yes.

A year later, an even more distinguished person arrived"

the famous singer from Paris, Achille Papin,

who'd been performing at the Royal Opera in Stockholm.

Thank you, dear lady. You are so kind.

Stockholm is a charming city.

Yes, Scandinavia offers a wealth of beautiful cities.

I travel a great deal,

but what I yearn for most is to be alone.

I love silence.

Silence and the sound of waves.

Then you must visit the coast of Jutland.

It's magnificent

and unspoiled.

There you can have your fill of fresh air

and rest.

I know a place.

You can stay with the grocer.

But Achille Papin fell into a kind of melancholy.

With frightening clarity

he suddenly saw himself as an old man

at the end of his career.

Lord, our God thy name and glory

Should be sung throughout the world

Every soul every humble subject

And every wayfarer shall sing aloud

Thy praises

God is God

Though all lands lie desolate

God is God

Though all life be ended

Should mankind perish yet in highest heaven

Countless multitudes would sweetly sing

God's praises

Highest mountain and deepest vale shall vanish

Heaven and earth as well will perish

Each height and peak shall be no longer

But the Lord's glory shall rise again

In a thousand hearts

Almighty God,

thy mercy ascends to the heavens,

and thy righteousness reaches to the oceans' depths.

Here is a diva.

She will soon have Paris at her feet.

Good day, sir.

Good day.

I've come to your beautiful land for reasons of health.

I'm staying at the grocer's.

I'd be very happy to give singing lessons

to the young lady who lives here.

She has a lovely voice, and with some training,

she will sing like an angel.

That's important when one sings of God's glory.

Are you a Papist?

Yes, a Roman Catholic... a Papist.

Come in, Monsieur...

Monsieur Achille Papin.

I've spoken with my daughter,

and I give my consent.

I'm delighted. Thank you. Good-bye, sir.

Good-bye, Monsieur Papin.

Good-bye, ladies.

Good-bye, monsieur.

- See you soon. - Yes.

Ah, thank you.

Very good.

You will be like a star in the heavens.

No one has ever sung as well as you will sing.

You will be the only star.

The others will fade by themselves.

The emperor will come to hear you,

and so will the modest seamstress.

You have talent enough

to distract the rich from their riches

and console the poor in their misery.

Well, Filippa...

are you making progress with Mr. Papin?

Yes, Father.

A voice within me calls you

It calls you from my heart

Come now, don't resist

It is the voice of joy

I tremble, yet I listen

I'm fearful of my joy

Desire, love, and doubt

Are battling in my heart