THE OLD MAN. Shall we send him to the palace? PEER. You can send him to the parish! THE OLD MAN. Well well, Prince Peer; that’s your own look-out. But one thing’s certain, what’s done is done; And your offspring, too, will be sure to grow; Such mongrels shoot up amazingly fast—— PEER. Old man, don’t act like a headstrong ox! Hear reason, maiden! Let’s come to terms. You must know I’m neither a prince nor rich;— And whether you measure or whether you weigh me, Be sure you won’t gain much by making me yours. [_THE GREEN-CLAD ONE is taken ill, and is carried out by TROLL-MAIDS._ THE OLD MAN. [_Looks at him for a while in high disdain; then says_:] Dash him to shards on the rock-walls, children! THE TROLL-IMPS. Oh dad, mayn’t we play owl-and-eagle first! The wolf-game! Grey-mouse and glow-eyed cat! THE OLD MAN. Yes, but quick. I am worried and sleepy. Goodnight! [_He goes._ PEER. [_Hunted by the TROLL-IMPS._] Let me be, devil’s imps! [_Tries to escape up the chimney._ THE IMPS. Come brownies! Come nixies! Bite him behind! PEER. Ow! [_Tries to slip down the cellar trap-door._ THE IMPS. Shut up all the crannies! THE TROLL-COURTIER. Now the small-fry are happy! PEER. [_Struggling with a little IMP that has bit himself fast to his ear._] Let go will you, beast! THE COURTIER. [_Hitting him across the fingers._] Gently, you scamp, with a scion of royalty! PEER. A rat-hole——! [_Runs to it._ THE IMPS. Be quick, Brother Nixie, and block it! PEER. The old one was bad, but the youngsters are worse! THE IMPS. Slash him! PEER. Oh, would I were small as a mouse! [_Rushing around._ THE IMPS. [_Swarming round him._] Close the ring! Close the ring! PEER. [_Weeping._]