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PEER
- Coquette!
- What, home! To father-in-law! That would be fine!
- We madcap birds that have flown from the cage
- must never come into his sight again.
- Besides, my child, in the self-same place
- it's wisest never to stay too long;
- for familiarity lessens respect;-
- most of all when one comes as a prophet or such.
- One should show oneself glimpse-wise, and pass like a dream.
- Faith, 'twas time that the visit should come to an end.
- They're unstable of soul, are these sons of the desert;-
- both incense and prayers dwindled off towards the end.
ANITRA
- Yes, but are you a prophet?
PEER
- Your Emperor I am!
[Tries to kiss her.]
- Why just see now how coy the wee woodpecker is!
ANITRA
- Give me that ring that you have on your finger.
PEER
- Take, sweet Anitra, the whole of the trash!
ANITRA
- Thy words are as songs! Oh, how dulcet their sound!
PEER
- How blessed to know oneself loved to this pitc