He makes a lunge at JORGHEN, who barely manages to get out of the way.
JORGHEN. Why the deuce must you always come poking after me when somebody else has made a fool of himself? Stop it, damn you!
ERIC. [To JACOB] So this is my rival! Ha-ha-ha! A fellow like you! Ventre-saint-gris!
He loses all control of himself and finally sinks on a chair, seized with an epileptic fit.
JACOB. Once you honoured me with your friendship, Prince, for which I could only give you pity in return. As I did not wish to be false, I asked you to let me go....
ERIC. [Leaping to his feet] Go to the devil!
JACOB. Yes, I am going, but first you must hear what I and Agda have in common—something you can never understand, as you understand nothing but hatred, and for that reason never can win love....
ERIC. Diantre! And I who can have the virgin-queen, the proud maiden of Britannia, at my feet any time I care ha-ha, ha-ha!
JACOB. King David had five hundred proud maidens, but for happiness he turned to his humble servant's only wife....
ERIC. Must I hear more of that sort of thing?