PEER. What, then, was’t? ANITRA. Oh, spare me! PEER. Speak. ANITRA. Oh, I blush to—— PEER. [_Approaching._] Was it, mayhap, That which filled me so completely When I let you have my opal? ANITRA. [_Horrified._] Liken thee, O earth’s great treasure, To a horrible old cat! PEER. Child, from passion’s standpoint viewed, May a tom-cat and a prophet Come to very much the same. ANITRA. Master, jest like honey floweth From thy lips. PEER. My little friend, You, like other maidens, judge Great men by their outsides only. I am full of jest at bottom, Most of all when we’re alone. I am forced by my position To assume a solemn mask. Duties of the day constrain me; All the reckonings and worry That I have with one and all, Make me oft a cross-grained prophet; But it’s only from the tongue out.— Fudge, avaunt! _En tête-à-tête_ I’m Peer—well, the man I am. Hei, away now with the prophet; Me, myself, you have me here! [_Seats himself under a tree, and draws her to him._ Come, Anitra, we will rest us Underneath the palm’s green fan-shade! I’ll lie whispering, you’ll lie smiling; Afterwards our rôles exchange we; Then shall your lips, fresh and balmy, To my smiling, passion whisper! ANITRA. [_Lies down at his feet._] All thy words are sweet as singing, Though I understand but little. Master, tell me, can thy daughter Catch a soul by listening? PEER. Soul, and spirit’s light and knowledge, All in good time you shall have them. When in east, on rosy streamers Golden types print: Here is day,— Then, my child, I’ll give you lessons; You’ll be well brought up, no fear. But, ’mid night’s delicious stillness, It were stupid if I should, With a threadbare wisdom’s remnants, Play the part of pedagogue.— And the soul, moreover, is not, Looked at properly, the main thing. It’s the heart that really matters. ANITRA. Speak, O Master! When thou speakest, I see gleams, as though of opals! PEER.