Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 4).djvu/123



Now the small-fry are happy!

[Struggling with a little that has bit himself fast to his ear.]                                Let go will you, beast     [Hitting him across the fingers.]   Gently, you scamp, with a scion of royalty! A rat-hole! [Runs to it.

Be quick, Brother Nixie, and block it!

The old one was bad, but the youngsters are worse!

Slash him!

Oh, would I were small as a mouse!

[Rushing around.

[Swarming round him.]

Close the ring! Close the ring!

[Weeping.]

Were I only a louse!

[He falls.

Now into his eyes!