I can ride, I can, Clean through the air, on the bravest of steeds! Oh, many’s the thing I can do, I tell you! [_Another roar of laughter._ ONE OF THE GROUP. Peer, ride through the air a bit! MANY. Do, dear Peer Gynt——! PEER. You may spare you the trouble of begging so hard. I will ride like a hurricane over you all! Every man in the parish shall fall at my feet! AN ELDERLY MAN. Now he is clean off his head. ANOTHER. The dolt! A THIRD. Braggart! A FOURTH. Liar! PEER. [_Threatening them._] Ay, wait till you see! A MAN. [_Half drunk._] Ay, wait; you’ll soon get your jacket dusted! OTHERS. Your back beaten tender! Your eyes painted blue! [_The crowd disperses, the elder men angry, the younger laughing and jeering._ THE BRIDEGROOM. [_Close to PEER GYNT._] Peer, is it true you can ride through the air? PEER. [_Shortly._] It’s all true, Mads! You must know I’m a rare one! THE BRIDEGROOM. Then have you got the Invisible Cloak too? PEER. The Invisible Hat, do you mean? Yes, I have. [_Turns away from him. SOLVEIG crosses the yard, leading little HELGA._ PEER. [_Goes towards them; his face lights up._] Solveig! Oh, it is well you have come! [_Takes hold of her wrist._ Now will I swing you round fast and fine! SOLVEIG. Loose me! PEER. Wherefore? SOLVEIG. You are so wild. PEER. The reindeer is wild, too, when summer is dawning. Come then, lass; do not be wayward now! SOLVEIG. [_Withdrawing her arm._] Dare not. PEER. Wherefore? SOLVEIG. No, you’ve been drinking. [_Moves off with HELGA._ PEER. Oh, if I had but my knife-blade driven Clean through the heart of them,—one and all!