Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 4).djvu/162

 But the phenomenon's final cause
 * if we would seek-

PEER
 * It's found already.
 * The reason is that I'm unmarried.
 * Yes, gentlemen, completely clear
 * the matter is. What should a man be?
 * Himself, is my concise reply.
 * He should regard himself and his.
 * But can he, as a sumpter-mule
 * for others' woe and others' weal?

VON EBERKOPF
 * But this same in-and-for-yourself-ness,
 * I'll answer for't, has cost you strife-

PEER
 * Ay yes, indeed; in former days;
 * but always I came off with honour.
 * Yet one time I ran very near
 * to being trapped against my will.
 * I was a brisk and handsome lad,
 * and she to whom my heart was given,
 * she was of royal family-

MONSIEUR BALLON
 * Of royal-?

PEER [carelessly].
 * One of those old stocks,
 * you know the kind-

TRUMPETERSTRALE [thumping the table].
 * Those noble-trolls!

PEER [shrug