[Hans tries on the other side of the curtain.]
Second Guard. Back! The passage is forbidden.
Hans. I am the Prince's servant!
Second Guard. That may all be; but hast thou not seen--
Hans. I counsel thee, take off thy hands!
Sköll [takes hold of his arm soothingly]. Come, brother of my heart, be sensible, stay in thy seat; down below there is just a mob of women, and thou wouldst be no use at all.
Hans. True enough. [The drums sound.] The third call! Now is the time!
Sköll. Now I can put my hands in my pockets and let them break each other's necks; if I only had something to drink, then--[as Hans clutches him by the arm in excitement at the first clash of swords sounding from below] Ouch! Whew! The devil, what a grip thou hast!
Hans [accompanying the movements below with dumb-show, which is accentuated by the noise of the crashing weapons]. There! That was a blow! Take that! [Alarmed.] Guard thyself! Ah, that was good! Now after him and strike!... He missed! [To Sköll, threateningly.] I thought thou didst laugh!
Sköll. What should I do?