Von Kronen.--The first you have; so solve it.
Freisleben.--I will explain it to thee. The nose has here stretched the skin too much outwards, so that it has cracked it on both sides, exactly where the eyes are.
Von Kronen.--Well hit! Now for the second. Why do the hares sleep with open eyes?
Hoffmann.--Because their skin is too short to permit them to shut their eyes.
Von Kronen.--Bravo! Now the third. Where go the cats when they are three years old?
Hoffmann.--With thy confounded cats! If the talk was of foxes, or of some other reasonable cattle?
Von Kronen.--Yes! dear Lord Abbot[[44]] put it together, or I must pronounce sentence of asses on you.
Hoffmann.--Stop! I have it. They go into their fourth year!
Von Kronen:--
O damsel! O damsel! O damsel! now marry I thee,