And remain what he is: poor, but virtuous ever.

[Goes out.

SCENE FOURTH.

A hill-side seamed by the dry bed of a torrent. A ruined mill house beside the stream. The ground is torn up, and the whole place waste. Further up the hill, a large farm-house.

An auction is going on in front of the farm-house. There is a great gathering of people, who are drinking, with much noise. Peer Gynt is sitting on a rubbish-heap beside the mill.

Peer.

Forward and back, and it’s just as far;

Out and in, and it’s just as strait.—

Time wears away and the river gnaws on.

Go roundabout, the Boyg said;—and here one must.