Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 4).djvu/119



Nevermore, my friend.

Indeed! In that case, I'll take my leave.

What would you without?

I would go my way.

No, stop! It's easy to slip in here, But outward the Dovrë-King's gate opens not.

You wouldn't detain me by force, I hope?

Come now, just listen to reason, Prince Peer! You have gifts for trolldom. He acts—does he not?— Even now in a passably troll-like fashion? And you'd fain be a troll?

Yes, I would, sure enough. For a bride, and a well-managed kingdom to boot, I can put up with losing a good many things. But there is a limit to all things on earth. The tail I've accepted, it's perfectly true; But no doubt I can loose what the Chamberlain tied. My breeches I've dropped; they were old and patched; But no doubt I can button them on again.