Montanus.  I can’t answer that; it is mere mincemeat.  Let us talk Danish, so the others can understand; then you will be able to hear what kind of a fellow he is. (Nille cries.)

Jesper.  What are you crying for, my good woman?

Nille.  Oh, I am so sorry that my son must admit himself beaten in
Latin.

Jesper.  Oh, it’s no wonder, my good woman.  Peer is, of course, much older than he; it is no wonder.  Let them talk Danish, then, as we all understand it.

Peer.  Yes, certainly.  I am ready for whichever one of the two he wishes.  We shall propose certain questions to each other; for example, who was it that screamed so loud that he could be heard over the whole world?

Montanus.  I know no one who screams louder than asses and country deacons.

Peer.  Nonsense!  Can they be heard over the whole world?  It was the ass in Noah’s ark; for the whole world was in the ark.

Jesper.  Ha, ha, ha!  That is true, to be sure.  Ha, ha, ha!  Peer the deacon has a fine head on his shoulders.

Peer.  Who was it killed a quarter of the world?

Montanus.  Bah!  I refuse to answer such stupid questions.

Peer.  It was Cain, who killed his brother Abel.

Montanus.  Prove that there were no more than four human beings at the time. of course, much older than he; it is no wonder.  Let them talk Danish, then, as we all understand it.

Peer.  You prove that there were more.

Montanus.  That isn’t necessary; for affirmante incumbit probatio.  Do you understand that?

Peer.  Of course I do.  Omnia conando docilis solertia vincit.  Do you understand that?

Montanus.  I am a perfect fool to stand here and dispute with a dunce.  You wish to dispute, and yet know neither Latin nor Danish; much less do you know what logic is.  Let’s hear once, quid est logica?

Peer.  Post molestam senectutam, post molestam senectutam nos habebat humus.

Montanus.  Are you trying to make a fool of me, you rascal? (He grabs him by the hair.  The Deacon escapes and shouts, “Dunce, dunce!”) [Exeunt all except the Bailiff.]

SCENE 5

(Enter Jeronimus.)

Jeronimus.  Your servant, Mr. Bailiff.  I am surprised to find you here.  I have come to see my future son-in-law, Rasmus Berg.

Jesper.  He will be here in a moment.  It is a shame that you didn’t come a half hour sooner.  You would then have heard him and the deacon disputing together.

Jeronimus.  How did it come out?

Jesper.  Shame on Peer the deacon!  He is worse than I thought.  I see well enough that he has forgot nothing either of his Latin or Hebrew.

Jeronimus.  I believe that well enough, for he probably never knew much of either.