Give the blind old woman a coin!
RELATIVE. One must pay, to boot, for her croaking?
ONE OF THE PEOPLE. She sings better than the shoemaker sang this
morning, when we stood round the corner listening to him. He
certainly does not sing ideally about carnations and roses, but a
true word spoken at the right moment is also ideal!
RELATIVE. If you don't go, old hag, you'll be locked up!
[Thunder and lightning, wind, rain, commotion.]
SHOEMAKER. Egad! it's raining again. Step inside, gentlemen. [They
break up.]
OLD WOMAN. Must that poor wretch in the pillory stand out in the
rain?
RELATIVE. If my kinsman, who is so great a personage, can stand
outside, then that fellow may as well stay where he is.
SHOEMAKER. It cools these reformers off so nicely to get a little
cold water over them. [Trips, stubs toe against a stone.] The
damned cobble stones! [Hops into house on one leg. Exit all but
Pehr and Old Woman--Lisa.]
LISA. [Throws off disguise.] Well, Pehr! You have become a famous
man; your name is now on every one's lips, your picture is being
carried round on all streets and public squares and the people hail
you as a reformer. Are you satisfied?
PEHR. Yes, Lisa, now I am satisfied with being a reformer!
LISA. Shall you leave your work half-done?
PEHR. Yes, Lord save us! If only I can escape with my skin.
LISA. You sought glory and renown--
PEHR. But all do that!
LISA. Not all. But you had the approval of the people.
PEHR.
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