hope!

[Sees hut.]

What's this? A human habitation! Not even here is a moment's peace
granted me--Maledictions!

A VOICE. Curse not!

[It darkens and the sea begins to rise, moving toward him during
following speech so that he is forced down stage.]

PEHR. Who spoke? [Tries to flee toward left and is met by elk.] Wild
beasts stop me! [Tries to flee toward right, but is intercepted by
bulls.] Even here--Back! [Animals come on stage and crowd around him.]
They surround me! Help! [Runs to but and knocks.] Is no one here? Help,
help! [Attempts to cast himself into the sea, but sea-serpents and
dragons rise up.] Ah, nature, even you are a savage monster that would
devour all you come upon! You, my last friend, tricked me also--What
terror's visions! The sea would swallow me. What is my life worth more?
Come, Death, and set me free! [Sea gradually subsides.]

[Enter Death; beasts vanish.]

DEATH. Here am I, at your service! What would you me?

PEHR. [Cowers, but recovers himself.] Oh, really!--It was nothing
especially pressing--

DEATH. You called me!

PEHR. Did I actually do that? Well, it is only a form of speech which we
use; I really want nothing of you.

DEATH. But I want something of you! Stand straight on your legs and I'll
cut; it will be over in no time. [Raises scythe.]

PEHR. Mercy, mercy! I don't want to die!

DEATH. Bosh! What has life to offer you who have no wishes left?

PEHR. That one does not know; if one might stop to consider, then
perhaps--

DEATH. Oh, you have had ample time; now it is too late. Straighten your
back so that you may fall like a real world-hater! [Lifts scythe.]

PEHR. No, no, for God's sake, wait a little--

DEATH. You're a timid beggar! Live on then if you think it anything; but
don't regret it later. I shall not come again for a long time. [Starts
to go.]

PEHR. No, no, no! don't leave me alone--

DEATH. Alone? Why, you have lovely Nature!

PEHR. Yes, it's all very well when the weather is fine and the sun
shines, but thus late--

DEATH. You see now that you cannot live without your fellow men. Knock
three times on the door over yonder, and you will find company. [Death
vanishes. Pehr knocks three times on door of hut; the Wise Man comes
out.]

WISE MAN. Whom seek you?

PEHR. A human being! In short--I'm unhappy.

WISE MAN. Then you should not seek human beings, for they cannot help
you.

PEHR. I know it, yet I would neither live nor die; I have suff