PEER. A blessëd one? THE PASSENGER. Sea’s running high as houses Ah, one can feel one’s mouth watering! Just think of the wrecks that to-night will be shattered;— And think, too, what corpses will drive ashore! PEER. Lord save us! THE PASSENGER. Have ever you seen a man strangled, Or hanged,—or drowned? PEER. This is going too far——! THE PASSENGER. The corpses all laugh. But their laughter is forced; And the most part are found to have bitten their tongues. PEER. Hold off from me——! THE PASSENGER. Only one question, pray! If we, for example, should strike on a rock, And sink in the darkness—— PEER. You think there is danger? THE PASSENGER. I really don’t know what I ought to say. But suppose, now, I float and you go to the bottom—— PEER. Oh, rubbish—— THE PASSENGER. It’s just a hypothesis. But when one is placed with one foot in the grave, One grows softhearted and open-handed—— PEER. [_Puts his hand in his pocket._] Ho, money? THE PASSENGER. No, no; but perhaps you would kindly Make me a gift of your much-esteemed carcass——? PEER. This is _too_ much! THE PASSENGER. No more than your body, you know! To help my researches in science—— PEER. Begone! THE PASSENGER. But think, my dear sir—the advantage is yours! I’ll have you laid open and brought to the light. What I specially seek is the centre of dreams,— And with critical care I’ll look into your seams—— PEER. Away with you! THE PASSENGER. Why, my dear sir—a drowned corpse——! PEER. Blasphemer! You’re goading the rage of the storm! I call it too bad! Here it’s raining and blowing, A terrible sea on, and all sorts of signs Of something that’s likely to shorten our days;— And you carry on so as to make it come quicker. THE PASSENGER.