The Old Man.
And next—now for putting your wits to the test.
[Draws himself up in his seat
The Oldest Troll-courtier.
[To Peer Gynt.]
Let us see if you have a wisdom-tooth
That can crack the Dovrë-King's riddle-nut!
The Old Man.
What difference is there 'twixt trolls and men?
Peer.
No difference at all, as it seems to me.
Big trolls would roast you and small trolls would claw you;—
With us it were likewise, if only they dared.
The Old Man.
True enough; in that and in more we're alike.
Yet morning is morning, and even is even,
And there is a difference all the same.—
Now let me tell you wherein it lies:
Out yonder, under the shining vault,
Among men the saying goes: Man, be thyself!"
At home here with us, 'mid the tribe of the trolls,
The saying goes: "Troll, to thyself be—enough!"
The Troll-courtier
[To Peer Gynt.]
Can you fathom the depth?
Peer.
It strikes me as misty.
