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.]
- It is I, Peter Gynt! Oh, Lord, give but heed!
- Hold thy hand o'er me, Father; or else I must perish!
- Make them back the machine! Make them lower the gig!
- Stop the robbers! Make something go wrong with the rigging!
- Hear me! Let other folks' business lie over!
- The world can take care of itself for the time!
- I'm blessed if he hears me! He's deaf as his wont is!
- Here's a nice thing! A God that is bankrupt of help!
- [Beckons upwards.]
- Hist! I've abandoned the nigger-plantation!
- And missionaries I've exported to Asia!
- Surely one good turn should be worth another!
- Oh, help me on board-!
[A jet of fire shoots into the air from the yacht, followed by thick clouds of smoke; a hollow report is heard. PEER GYNT utters a shriek, and sinks down on the sands. Gradually the smoke clears away; the ship has disappeared.] PEER [softly, with a pale face].
- That's the sword of wrath!
- In a crack to the bottom, every soul, man and mouse!
- Oh, for ever blest be the lucky chance-
- [With emotion.]
- A chance? No, no, it was more than chance.
- I was to be rescued and they to perish.
- Oh, thanks and praise for that thou hast kept me,
- hast
