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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
