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