LIEUTENANT. Who is the best disputer nowadays?
MONTANUS. A student called Peer Iverson. When he has refuted his opponent so that he hasn't a word to say for himself, he says, "Now, if you will take my proposition, I will defend yours." In all that sort of thing his Philosophia instrumentalis is the greatest help. It is a shame that the lad did not become a lawyer; he could have made a mighty good living. Next to him, I am the strongest, for the last time I disputed, he whispered in my ear, "Jam sumus ergo pares." Yet I will always yield him the palm.
LIEUTENANT. But I have heard it said that Monsieur can prove that it is the duty of a child to beat his parents. That seems to be absurd.
MONTANUS. If I said it, I am the man to defend it.
LIEUTENANT. I dare wager a ducat that you are not clever enough for that.
MONTANUS. I will risk a ducat on it.
LIEUTENANT. Good. It is agreed. Now, let's hear you.
MONTANUS. He whom one loves most, he beats most. One ought to love nobody more than his parents, ergo there is nobody whom one ought to beat more. Now, in another syllogism: what one has received he ought, according to his ability, to return. In my youth I received blows from my parents. Ergo I ought to give them blows in return.
LIEUTENANT. Enough, enough, I have lost. Faith, you shall have your ducat.
MONTANUS. Oh, you were not in earnest; I will profecto take no money.