of a story, now that I come to think of it: one hour a drunken
peasant, the next a baron, then another hour a peasant again; now
dead, now alive on a gallows, which is the most wonderful of all.
Perhaps it is that when they hang living people they die, and when
they hang dead people they come to life again. It seems to me that,
after all, a glass of brandy would taste magnificent. Hey, Jacob
Shoemaker! Come out here!



SCENE 4


[Enter Jacob Shoemaker.]

JACOB. Welcome back from town! Did you get the soap for your wife?

JEPPE. You scoundrel! You shall soon find out what sort of people
you're talking to. Take off your cap, for you're no more than
carrion compared to the likes of me.

JACOB. I wouldn't stand such words from any one else, Jeppe, but as
you bring the house a good penny a day, I don't mind it so much.

JEPPE. Take off your cap, I say, you cobbler!

JACOB. What's happened to you on the way to make you so lofty?

JEPPE. I would have you know that I've been hanged since I saw you
last.