ERIC. And I who am not afraid of tossing my handkerchief to the proud virgin-queen that rules Britannia!
JORGHEN. Yet it's true.
ERIC. Perhaps Agda is too modest—and does not dare to believe in the sincerity of my feelings?
JORGHEN. I don't believe anything of the kind.
A noise is heard outside the door in the rear.
PRINCE JOHAN [Enters] I hope my dear brother will pardon my intrusion at this late hour, but I have been sent by our father out of fond concern for my dear brother's....
ERIC. Be quick and brief, Jöns, or sit down and use a beaker as punctuation mark! The sum of it is: the old man wants me to come home and go to bed. Reply: the Heir Apparent decides for himself when he is to sleep.
JOHAN. I shall not convey such a reply, especially as my dear brother's disobedience may have serious results in this case.
ERIC. Won't you sit down and drink a goblet, Duke?
JOHAN. Thank you, Prince, but I don't wish to cause my father sorrow.