I’ll be damned if I do! Ay, ’twould be a fine thing If it turned out to-morrow some one else was meant. You’d better take care what you’re at, my good man! Think of the onus you’re taking upon you—— THE BUTTON-MOULDER. I have it in writing—— PEER. At least give me time! THE BUTTON-MOULDER. What good would that do you? PEER. I’ll use it to prove That I’ve been myself all the days of my life; And that’s the question that’s in dispute. THE BUTTON-MOULDER. You’ll prove it? And how? PEER. Why, by vouchers and witnesses. THE BUTTON-MOULDER. I’m sadly afraid Master will not accept them. PEER. Impossible! However, enough for the day[133]—! My dear man, allow me a loan of myself; I’ll be back again shortly. One is born only once, And one’s self, as created, one fain would stick to. Come, are we agreed? THE BUTTON-MOULDER. Very well then, so be it. But remember, we meet at the next cross-roads. [_PEER GYNT runs off._ SCENE EIGHTH. _A further point on the heath._ PEER. [_Running hard._] Time is money, as the Scripture says. If I only knew where the cross-roads are;— They may be near and they may be far. The earth burns beneath me like red-hot iron. A witness! A witness! Oh, where shall I find one? It’s almost unthinkable here in the forest. The world is a bungle! A wretched arrangement, When a right must be proved that is patent as day! _An OLD MAN, bent with age, with a staff in his hand and a bag on his back, is trudging in front of him._ THE OLD MAN. [_Stops._] Dear, kind sir—a trifle to a houseless soul! PEER. Excuse me; I’ve got no small change in my pocket—— THE OLD MAN. Prince Peer! Oh, to think we should meet again——! PEER. Who are you? THE OLD MAN. You forget the Old Man in the Rondë? PEER. Why, you’re never——? THE OLD MAN. The King of the Dovrë, my boy! PEER. The Dovrë-King? Really? The Dovrë-King? Speak! THE OLD MAN. Oh, I’ve come terribly down in the world——!