Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 4).djvu/115

 AN
 * We troll-folk, my son, are less black than we're painted;
 * that's another distinction between you and us.-
 * But the serious part of the meeting is over;
 * now let us gladden our ears and our eyes.
 * Music-maid, forth! Set the Dovre-harp sounding!
 * Dancing-maid, forth! Tread the Dovre-hall's floor!
 * [Music and a dance.]

THE COURTIER
 * How like you it?

PEER
 * Like it? Hm-

THE OLD MAN
 * Speak without fear!
 * What see you?

PEER
 * Why, something unspeakably grim:
 * a bell-cow with her hoof on a gut-harp strumming,
 * a sow in socklets a-trip to the tune.

THE COURTIERS
 * Eat him!

THE OLD MAN
 * His sense is but human, remember!

TROLL-MAIDENS
 * Hu, tear away both his ears and his eyes!

THE GREEN-CLAD ONE [weeping