ALVA. She's flung me onto a sick-bed and larded me with thorns outside and in!
SCHIGOLCH. And she's still got enough strength in her body to do the same for ten men alright.
ALVA. No mortally wounded man'll ever find the stab of mercy welcomer than I!
SCHIGOLCH. If she hadn't enticed the acrobat to my place that time, we'd have him round our necks to-day too.
ALVA. I see it swinging above my head as Tantalus saw the branch with the golden apples!
SCHIGOLCH. (On his mattress.) Won't you turn up the lamp a little?
ALVA. Can a simple, natural man in the wilderness suffer so unspeakably?!—God, God, what have I made of my life!
SCHIGOLCH. What's the beastly weather made of my ulster! When I was five-and-twenty, I knew how to help myself!
ALVA. It has not cost everyone my sunny, glorious youth!
SCHIGOLCH. I guess it'll go out in a minute. Till they come back it'll be as dark in here again as in mother's womb.