[Nille runs home after Master Eric, comes out again, and beats him
as be hangs.]

JEPPE. Ow, ow, ow! Stop it, Nille, stop! You'll kill me all over
again. Ow! ow! ow!

THE JUDGE [coming forward]. Listen, my good woman! You must not beat
him any more. Be reassured; for your sake we will pardon your
husband's transgression, and furthermore sentence him back to life
again.

NILLE. No, no, good sir! Let him hang, for he's not worth letting
live.

JUDGE. Fie, you are a wicked woman; away with you, or we shall have
you hanged alongside of him.

[Nille runs away.



SCENE 2


(Enter the Judge's servants, who take Jeppe down from the gallows.)

JEPPE. Oh, kind judge, am I surely all alive again, or am I
spooking?

JUDGE. You are quite alive, for the law that can take away a man's