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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
