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SCENE TENTH
[A heather-clad hillside with a path following the windings of the ridge.] PEER
- This may come in useful in many ways,
- said Esben as he picked up a magpie's wing.
- Who could have thought one's account of sins
- would come to one's aid on the last night of all?
- Well, whether or no, it's a ticklish business;
- a move from the frying-pan into the fire;-
- but then there's a proverb of well-tried validity
- which says that as long as there's life, there's hope.
[A LEAN PERSON, in a priest's cassock, kilted-up high, and with a birding net over his shoulder, comes hurrying along the ridge.] PEER
- Who goes there? A priest with a fowling-net!
- Hei, hop! I'm the spoilt child of fortune indeed!
- Good evening, Herr Pastor! the path is bad-
THE LEAN ONE
- Ah yes; but what wouldn't one do for a soul?
PEER
- Aha! then there's some one bound heavenwards?
THE LEAN ONE
- No;
- I hope he is taking a different road.
