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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?
