LABOURER. Why, of this same corn. PEASANT. But won't that be a sin? LABOURER. Just hear him! Why should it be a sin? Everything is given for a joy to man. PEASANT. And where did you get all your wisdom from, Nick? You seem a very ordinary man to look at, and hard-working too. Why, I don't remember you so much as ever taking your boots off all these two years you've been with me. And yet you seem to know everything. Where did you learn it? LABOURER. I've been about a good deal! PEASANT. And so you say this drink will give one strength? LABOURER. Just wait till you try it and see the good that comes of it. PEASANT. And how are we to make it? LABOURER. It's not hard to make when you know how! Only we shall want a copper and a couple of iron vessels. PEASANT. And does it taste nice? LABOURER. As sweet as honey. When once you've tasted it you'll never give it up. PEASANT. Is that so? Well, I'll go to the neighbour's; he used to have a copper. We'll have a try! Curtain. ACT IV A barn. In the middle a closed copper on the fire, with another vessel, under which is a tap. LABOURER [holds a tumbler under the tap and drinks the spirit] Well, master, it's ready now. PEASANT [sitting on his heels and looking on] What a queer thing. Here's water coming out of the mixture. Why are you letting this water off first? LABOURER. It's not water. It is the very stuff itself! PEASANT. Why is it so clear? I thought it would be yellow like grain. This is just like water. LABOURER. But you just smell it! PEASANT. Ah, what a scent! Well, well, let's see what it's like in the mouth. Let me taste! [Tries to take the tumbler out of the Labourer's hand]. LABOURER. Mind, you'll spill it! [Turns the tap off, drinks and smacks his lips] It's ready! Here you are. Drink it! PEASANT [drinks, first sipping, then taking more and more, till he empties the glass and gives it back] Now then, some more. One can't tell the taste from such a drop. LABOURER [laughing] Well, you seem to like it! [Draws some more]. PEASANT [drinks] Eh, that's the sort! Let's call the missis. Hey, Martha! Come along! It's ready! Come on there! Enter Wife and little girl. WIFE. What's the matter? Why are you kicking up such a row? PEASANT. You just taste what we've been distilling. [Hands her the glass] Smell! What does it smell of? WIFE [smells] Dear me! PEASANT. Drink! WIFE. But perhaps it may do one some harm? PEASANT. Drink, fool! WIFE. True. It is nice! PEASANT [a little tipsy] Nice indeed! You wait and see what'll happen. Nick says it drives all weariness out of one's bones. The young grow old. I mean, the old grow young. There now, I've only had two glasses of it, and all my bones have got easy. [Swaggers] You see? Wait a bit, when you and I drink it every day we'll grow young again! Come, Martha! [Embraces her]. WIFE. Get along. Why, it's made you quite silly.