Scene 2.
Jeppe. The Court.
(Jeppe is being taken down from the gallows.)
Jeppe—Ah, your honor! Is it certain that I am quite alive again or am I a ghost?
Judge—You are quite alive; for the court which can sentence you to death can also sentence you to life. Can't you understand that?
Jeppe—No, I don't understand it, but I believe I am still a ghost.
Judge—Ah, you fool! That is easy to see. He who takes a thing from you can certainly give it back to you.
Jeppe—May I then try to hang the judge, just for fun, and see if I can sentence him to life again later?
Judge—No, that won't do; for you are no judge.
Jeppe—But am I then alive again?
Judge—Yes, you are.
Jeppe—So that I'm not a ghost?
Judge—Certainly not!
Jeppe—Nor a spirit?
Judge—No.
Jeppe—Am I then the same Jeppe on the Hill that I was before?
Judge—To be sure!
Jeppe—And not a spectre?
Judge—No, of course not.
Jeppe—Will you swear that it is true?
Judge—I swear that you are alive.
Jeppe—Will you cross your heart and hope to die if it isn't true?
Judge—You should believe what we say without question, and thank us that we have been so merciful as to sentence you to life again.
Jeppe—If you had not hanged me yourselves, I should have been glad to thank you for taking me down again.
Judge—Be content, Jeppe, and let us know when your wife beats you again, and we shall look into the matter. See, here are four Rixdollars, which you can have a good time with for awhile, and don't forget to drink our health.
(Jeppe kisses his hand and thanks him. The judge goes away.)