Were I only a louse! [_He falls._ THE IMPS. Now into his eyes! PEER. [_Buried in a heap of IMPS._] Mother, help me, I die! [_Church bells sound far away._ THE IMPS. Bells in the mountain! The Black-Frock’s cows! [_THE TROLLS take to flight, amid a confused uproar of yells and shrieks. The palace collapses; everything disappears._ SCENE SEVENTH. _Pitch darkness._ _PEER GYNT is heard beating and slashing about him with a large bough._ PEER. Answer! Who are you? A VOICE IN THE DARKNESS. Myself. PEER. Clear the way! THE VOICE. Go roundabout, Peer! The hill’s roomy enough. PEER. [_Tries to force a passage at another place, but strikes against something._] Who are _you_? THE VOICE. Myself. Can you say the same? PEER. I can say what I will; and my sword can smite! Mind yourself! Hu, hei, now the blow falls crushing! King Saul slew hundreds; Peer Gynt slew thousands! [_Cutting and slashing._ Who _are_ you? THE VOICE. Myself. PEER. That stupid reply You may spare; it doesn’t clear up the matter. _What_ are you? THE VOICE. The great Boyg.[54] PEER. Ah, indeed! The riddle was black; now I’d call it grey. Clear the way then, Boyg! THE VOICE. Go roundabout, Peer! PEER. No, through! [_Cuts and slashes._ There he fell! [_Tries to advance, but strikes against something._ Ho ho, are there more here? THE VOICE. The Boyg, Peer Gynt! the one only one. It’s the Boyg that’s unwounded, and the Boyg that was hurt, It’s the Boyg that is dead, and the Boyg that’s alive. PEER. [_Throws away the branch._] The weapon is troll-smeared;[55] but I have my fists! [_Fights his way forward._ THE VOICE.