God knows they shan’t have it! I can’t bear to lose him!

Oh, the oaf! to think that the fiend should tempt him!

[Turning to Solveig.

Now isn’t it clean unbelievable this?

He, that did nought but romance and tell lies;—

He, whose sole strength was the strength of his jaw;

He, that did never a stroke of true work;—

He——! Oh, a body could both cry and laugh!—

Oh, we clung closely in sorrow and need.

Ay, you must know that my husband, he drank,