After the father's money bag!
PEHR. Shame on you! Their lips meet--
OLD MAN. In lust!
PEHR. What is that?--Ah! Now look up there, at the gable window,
with the single light--
OLD MAN. Prompted by caution, which demands darkness--
PEHR. By the glow of contentment's calm light--
OLD MAN. Which they stole from the spice stall, and their delight
is in planning the next expedition to the city market. I know it,
do you hear! And up there, in the palace, where the lights glisten
by the thousands and mirror themselves in the wines' sour streams--
there they roll--empty heads and empty hearts--who say that they
think and feel for the people's welfare! There they roll, between
bottles and dishes--
PEHR. Why do you talk so fast? Let me continue--
OLD MAN. No! Away with you and obey, boy!
PEHR. Yes, away from here! I want to go out and see the world. I
want to see child-faces--even if they can be clouded by envy's
cankerworm! I want to taste the fruit of the tropics even if it is
worm-eaten! I would drink the wine though it were gall, and I want
to put my arm around a maid's waist, even if a bankrupt father does
sit at the hearth stone! I want silver and gold--if in the end it
is nothing but dross!
OLD MAN. Hell-fire! who's been here?
A VOICE. Curse not Christmas!
PEHR. What can this mean? It is so strange here to-night--stranger
than usual. Father, look at me! Why, that's not his face!
OLD MAN. [Kneeling.] My son! Listen to your father--obey the old
man, who wishes you only good; remain within these peaceful walls!
PEHR.
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