Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 4).djvu/294

 PEER
 * Well well, give me time; I will find out a parson,
 * confess with all speed, and then bring you his voucher.

THE BUTTON-MOULDER
 * Ay, if you can bring me that, then it is clear
 * you escape this business of the casting-ladle.
 * But Peer, I'd my orders-

PEER
 * The paper is old;
 * it dates no doubt from a long past period;-
 * at one time I lived with disgusting slackness,
 * went playing the prophet, and trusted in Fate.
 * Well, may I try?

THE BUTTON-MOULDER
 * But-!

PEER
 * My dear fellow,
 * I'm sure you can't have so much to do.
 * Here, in this district, the air is so bracing,
 * it adds an ell to the people's ages.
 * Recollect what the Justedal parson wrote:
 * "It's seldom that any one dies in this valley."

THE BUTTON-MOULDER
 * To the next cross-roads then; but not a step further.

PEER
 * A priest I must catch, if it be with the tongs.
 * [He starts running.]