Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 4).djvu/228

 e.
 * Quick, man,-think of something better,
 * that'll make me both great and safe,
 * and further, exactly like to
 * King Apis that's on my back!

PEER
 * What if your highness hanged you,
 * and then, in the lap of earth,
 * 'twixt the coffin's natural frontiers,
 * kept still and completely dead.

THE FELLAH
 * I'll do it! My life for a halter!
 * To the gallows with hide and hair!-
 * At first there will be some difference,
 * but that time will smooth away.
 * [Goes off and prepares to hang himself.]

BEGRIFFENFELDT
 * There's a personality for you, Herr Peer,-
 * a man of method-

PEER
 * Yes, yes; I see-;
 * but he'll really hang himself! God grant us grace!
 * I'll be ill;-I can scarcely command my thoughts!

BEGRIFFENFELDT
 * A state of transition; it won't last long.

PEER
 * Transition? To what? With your leave-I must go-

BEGRIFFENFELDT [holding him].
 * Are you crazy?