NEIGHBOUR. It's as if he knew what kind of season it would be. Yes, you have got corn enough and no mistake! [Silence] And I have come to ask you to lend me a sack of rye. Ours is all used up. I'll return it next year.
LABOURER [nudging the Peasant] Don't give it!
PEASANT. No more words about it. Take it.
NEIGHBOUR. Thank you. I'll just run and fetch a sack.
LABOURER [aside] He keeps to his old ways ... still goes on giving. He doesn't always obey me. But just wait a bit. He'll soon stop giving away.
PEASANT [sitting down on the threshold] Why should one not give to a good man?
LABOURER. Giving is one thing, getting back another! You know--
"It's a good world to lend in, a good world to spend in, But to get back one's own, it's the worst world that's known."
PEASANT. Don't worry. We've plenty of corn.
PEASANT. We've enough, not only till next harvest but for two years ahead. What are we to do with it all?
LABOURER. What are we to do with it? I could make such stuff of this corn as would make you rejoice all the days of your life.
LABOURER. A kind of drink. Drink, that would give you strength when you are weak, satisfy you when you are hungry, give you sleep when you are restless, make you merry when you're sad, give you courage when you're afraid. That's the drink I'd make!
LABOURER. Rubbish indeed! It was just the same when I told you to sow in the bog, and then on the hill. You did not believe me then, but now you know! You'll find out about the drink the same way.
LABOURER. Just hear him! Why should it be a sin? Everything is given for a joy to man.
PEASANT. And where did you get all your wisdom from, Nick? You seem a very ordinary man to look at, and hard-working too. Why, I don't remember you so much as ever taking your boots off all these two years you've been with me. And yet you seem to know everything. Where did you learn it?
PEASANT. And so you say this drink will give one strength?
LABOURER. Just wait till you try it and see the good that comes of it.
LABOURER. It's not hard to make when you know how! Only we shall want a copper and a couple of iron vessels.
LABOURER. As sweet as honey. When once you've tasted it you'll never give it up.
PEASANT. Is that so? Well, I'll go to the neighbour's; he used to have a copper. We'll have a try!