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. No, thanks, I've had enough.

. Come come, another to my success; you know old Dykvort has been keeping me these two months, while I've been working for the prize: now if I win, I'll repay him and get my fill, but if not, I had better get all I can now. Come at my expense, or rather his.


 * Enter.

. Very well, I'll not be churlish.

. Will you join us Sir?

. I thank you. (they are served)

. I am a stranger here. You have a fine city.

. Aye, the finest in the world.

. The first Iron Workers.

. The largest commerce.

. The bravest citizens.

. I observe a great number of them.

. Of course 'tis the festival—you know of that?

. No, not a word.

. Heavens! its the talk of all Holland these three months.—You've seen our magnificent cathedral, Notre Dame?

. I passed it to day.

. Well, our noble rulers have proclaimed that whoever shall fashion the noblest piece of Iron Work for its altar shall receive a purse of gold, a ring, and robe, and be crowned as first Artisan of Antwerp in the public square.

. And first of us means first of all the world.

. Of course whoever wins will be a made man: so all the most practised craftsmen in the Netherlands

. Aye! and in France,

. Or Germany!

have been for months striving for it.