NIELS. He'll learn in time, but he is a lazy dog. He has to be beaten every minute.
MONTANUS (crying). Oh, gracious sir, have mercy on me. My health is weak and I cannot endure such treatment.
LIEUTENANT. It seems a little hard at first, but when your back has once been well beaten and toughened, it won't hurt so much.
MONTANUS (crying). Oh, would that I had never studied! Then I never should have got into this trouble.
LIEUTENANT. Oh, this is only a beginning. When you have sat a half score of times on the wooden horse, or stood on the stake, then you will think this sort of thing is a mere bagatelle. (Montanus weeps again.)
SCENE 5
(Enter Jeronimus, Magdelone, Jeppe, and Nille.)
JERONIMUS. Are you sure of it?
JEPPE. Indeed I am; the bailiff told me a moment ago. Ah, now my anger is turned to pity.
JERONIMUS. If we could only get him back to the true faith, I should be glad to buy him off.