JESPER (aside to Jeppe). Montanus? is that the Latin for Rasmus?
JEPPE. Yes, it must be.
JESPER. Listen, my dear Monsieur Montanus Berg. I have heard that learned folk have such extraordinary ideas. Is it true that people in Copenhagen think the earth is round? Here on the hill no one believes it; for how can that be, when the earth looks perfectly flat?
MONTANUS. That is because the earth is so large that one cannot notice its roundness.
JESPER. Yes, it is true, the earth is large; it is almost a half of the universe. But listen, Monsieur, how many stars will it take to make a moon?
MONTANUS. A moon! In comparison to the stars the moon is like
Pebling Pond in comparison with all Sjaelland.
JESPER. Ha, ha, ha! Learned folk are never just right in the head.
Will you believe it, I have heard people say that the earth moves
and the sun stands still. You certainly don't believe that, too,
Monsieur?
MONTANUS. No man of sense doubts it any longer.
JESPER. Ha, ha, ha! If the earth should move, surely we should fall and break our necks.
MONTANUS. Can't a ship move with you, without your breaking your neck?