SECRETARY. My lord has heretofore given me two hundred rix-dollars a
year.

JEPPE. The devil a two hundred you get after this! What do you do to
earn two hundred rix-dollars? I myself have to slave like a beast,
and be on my feet in the hay loft from morning till night, and can
scarcely--See how I come back to my cursed peasant notions. Give me
another glass of wine. (He drinks; trumpets blow again.) Two hundred
rix-dollars! Why, that's pulling the very hide off your master.
Listen, do you know what, you good lads? When I have dined, I have a
good mind to hang half you fellows here on the estate. You'll find
out that I am not to be trifled with in money matters.

VALET. We will give back all that we have received from his
lordship.

JEPPE. Yes, yes, "his lordship" this, "his lordship" that! We get
compliments and ceremonies cheap enough nowadays. You want to
flatter me with "his lordship" until you've got all my money away
from me and you are the lordships yourselves. Your mouths say "his
lordship," but your hearts say "his foolship." You don't say what
you mean, my lads. You servants are like Abner when he came and
greeted Roland, saying, "Hail, brother," and so saying thrust a
dagger into his heart. Take my word for it, Jeppe is no fool. (They
all fall on their knees and beg for mercy.) Get up, lads! Wait till
I have finished eating. Then I shall see how it works out and decide
which of you deserve to be hanged and which don't. For the present I
shall make merry.