Jeppe.  Yes, yes, “his lordship” this, “his lordship” that!  We get compliments and ceremonies cheap enough nowadays.  You want to flatter me with “his lordship” until you’ve got all my money away from me and you are the lordships yourselves.  Your mouths say “his lordship,” but your hearts say “his foolship.”  You don’t say what you mean, my lads.  You servants are like Abner when he came and greeted Roland, saying, “Hail, brother,” and so saying thrust a dagger into his heart.  Take my word for it, Jeppe is no fool. (They all fall on their knees and beg for mercy.) Get up, lads!  Wait till I have finished eating.  Then I shall see how it works out and decide which of you deserve to be hanged and which don’t.  For the present I shall make merry.

SCENE 2

Jeppe.  Where is my bailiff?

Valet.  He is waiting outside.

Jeppe.  Tell him to come in immediately.

[Enter the Bailiff in a coat with silver buttons and a sword-belt over his shoulder.]

Bailiff.  Has his lordship any orders?

Jeppe.  Only that you are to be hanged.

Bailiff.  I have surely done no wrong, my lord!  Why should I be hanged?

Jeppe.  Are you not the bailiff?

Bailiff.  Yes, indeed, your lordship.

Jeppe.  And yet you ask why you should be hanged?

Bailiff.  I have served your lordship so honestly and faithfully and have been so diligent in my office that your lordship has always praised me more than any other of his servants.

Jeppe.  Indeed, you have been diligent in your office, as your solid silver buttons plainly show.  What wages do you get?

Bailiff.  Fifty rix-dollars a year.

Jeppe [gets up and walks to and fro].  Fifty?  You surely shall be hanged.

Bailiff.  It couldn’t well be less, my lord, for a whole year’s hard work.

Jeppe.  That’s just the reason you are to be hanged—­because you only get fifty rix-dollars.  You have money enough for a coat with silver buttons, frills at your wrists, and a silk queue for your hair—­and all on fifty rix-dollars a year.  If you didn’t rob me, poor man, where else could you get it?

Bailiff [on his knees].  Oh, gracious lord!  For the sake of my unfortunate wife and innocent children, spare me!

Jeppe.  Have you many children?

Bailiff.  Seven children living, my lord.

Jeppe.  Ha!  Ha!  Seven children living!  Have him hanged immediately,
Sectary.

Secretary.  Oh, gracious lord, I am no hangman.

Jeppe.  If you’re not, you can soon learn to be.  You look fit for any trade.  And when you have hanged him, I shall have you hanged yourself.

Bailiff.  Oh, gracious lord, is there no reprieve?