Montanus.  And our cock crows as well as any cock in Sjaelland.

Peer.  I can mould wax candles, which no cock can do.

Montanus.  Over against that, a cock can make a hen lay eggs, which you can’t do.  Don’t you see that the intelligence you show in your calling fails to prove that you are better than a cock?  Let us see, in a nutshell, what points you have in common with a cock:  a cock has a comb on his head, you have horns on your forehead; a cockcrows, you crow, too; a cock is proud of his voice and ruffles himself up, you do likewise; a cock gives warning when it is time to get up, you when it is time for service.  Ergo, you are a cock.  Have you anything else to say? (Peer cries.)

Jesper.  Here, don’t cry, Peer!  Why do you heed such things?

Peer.  A plague on me if it’s not sheer falsehood.  I can get a certificate from the whole village that I am not a rooster; that not one of my forbears has been anything but a Christian human being.

Montanus, Refute, then, this syllogismus, quem tibi propano.  A cock has certain peculiarities which distinguish him from other animals:  he wakes people by a noise when it’s time to get up; announces the hours; plumes himself on his voice; wears protuberances on his head.  You have the same peculiarities.  Ergo, you are a cock.  Refute me that argument. (Peer weeps again.)

Jesper.  If the deacon can’t shut you up, I can.

Montanus.  Let us hear your argument, then!

Jesper.  First, my conscience tells me that your opinion is false.

Montanus.  One cannot pass judgment in all matters according to a bailiff’s conscience.

Jesper.  In the second place, I say that everything you have said is sheer falsehood.

Montanus.  Prove it.

Jesper.  In the third place, I am an honest man, whose word has always deserved to be believed.

Montanus.  That sort of talk will convince no one.

Jesper.  In the fourth place, I say that you have spoken like a knave and that the tongue ought to be cut out of your mouth.

Montanus.  I still hear no proof.

Jesper.  And, finally, in the fifth place, I will prove it to you abundantly either with swords or with bare fists.

Montanus.  No, I do not care for either, thank you; but as long as you wish to dispute with the mouth only, you shall find that I can justify not only the things which I have said, but more, too.  Come on, Mr, Bailiff, I will prove by sound logic that you are a bull.

Jesper.  The devil you will.

Montanus.  Just have the patience to hear my argument.

Jesper.  Come, Peer, let’s go.

Montanus.  I prove it in this way.  Quicunque—­(Jesper shrieks and puts his band over Erasmus’s mouth.) If you do not wish to hear my proof this time, you can meet me another time, whenever you please.