There is no faith left among men any more,— No Christianity,—well may they say it and write it;— Their good deeds are few and their prayers are still fewer, And they pay no respect to the Powers above them.— In a storm like to-night’s, he’s a terror, the Lord is. These beasts should be careful, and think, what’s the truth, That it’s dangerous playing with elephants;— And yet they must openly brave his displeasure! _I_ am no whit to blame; for the sacrifice I can prove I stood ready, my money in hand. But how does it profit me?—What says the proverb? A conscience at ease is a pillow of down. Oh ay, that is all very well on dry land, But I’m blest if it matters a snuff on board ship, When a decent man’s out on the seas with such riff-raff. At sea one can never be one’s self; One must go with the others from deck to keel; If for boatswain and cook the hour of vengeance should strike, I shall no doubt be swept to the deuce with the rest;— One’s personal welfare is clean set aside;— One counts but as a sausage in slaughtering-time.— My mistake is this: I have been too meek; And I’ve had no thanks for it after all. Were I younger, I think I would shift the saddle, And try how it answered to lord it awhile. There is time enough yet! They shall know in the parish That Peer has come sailing aloft o’er the seas! I’ll get back the farmstead by fair means or foul;— I will build it anew; it shall shine like a palace. But none shall be suffered to enter the hall! They shall stand at the gateway, all twirling their caps;— They shall beg and beseech—_that_ they freely may do; But none gets so much as a farthing of mine. If _I’ve_ had to howl ’neath the lashes of fate, Trust me to find folks I can lash in my turn—— THE STRANGE PASSENGER. [_Stands in the darkness at PEER GYNT’S side, and salutes him in friendly fashion._] Good evening! PEER. Good evening! What——? Who are you? THE PASSENGER. Your fellow-passenger, at your service. PEER. Indeed? I thought I was the only one. THE PASSENGER. A mistaken impression, which now is set right. PEER. But it’s singular that, for the first time to-night, I should see you—— THE PASSENGER. I never come out in the day-time. PEER. Perhaps you are ill? You’re as white as a sheet—— THE PASSENGER. No, thank you—my health is uncommonly good. PEER. What a raging storm! THE PASSENGER. Ay, a blessëd one, man!