I it's only these clerical gentlemen that end in us; and if say that some fellow of that kind has the key hanging on a nail in his bedroom: then I don't mean to say that he has locked up the Lord and put the key on a nail in his bedroom-but all I mean to say is that we can't get in, and that there will be no divine service for us to-nightfor us who have toiled six days making shoes and coatswho have spent the whole week brewing and baking and butchering for the reverend clergy in order that the said clergy might have strength enough on the seventh day to celebrate divine service for us. Of course, I am not at all saying this in reproach of the right reverend members of this Chapter; for they, too, are nothing but human beings, you know, and it was only the Lord who could stand working six days and be satisfied with resting on the seventh. Townsman. You're blaspheming God, master towns man! Gert. Well, He can't hear it when the door is closed. A Woman. Jesu Maria! He's an Antichrist! Gert (beating at the door). Do you hear how hollow it sounds? It is writ in the Bible that once upon a time the veil before the Holiest of Holies was rent in twain, and it must be true—but nothing is said in the Bible about the clerical gentlemen having sewed the veil together again, which, of course, is no reason why it shouldn't have been done. (The crowd makes a rush at Gert; the children begin to cry.) Townsman. Out on you, Luther! For that's what you are. We have sinned, and for that reason the Lord has closed His house. Can't you hear that the very children cry out at the sight of you, unclean spirit that you are? Gert. Naturally, when you step on their toes, my dear friends Woman. Don't go near him! He has a devil! Townsman. Down with him! Down with him! Gert. Don't touch me, for here I am under the protection of the Lord. Townsman. The Lord will not protect the angel that was cast out. Gert. If the Lord won't, the Holy Church will, and I am now within her consecrated walls. Townsman. Get him away from the church wall! Gert. If you don't fear God, you must at least fear the ban of the Holy Father. Woman. Drag him away from that door! It is his unclean spirit that has cast a spell on the church. Townsman. That's it! The Lord won't to the Devil. open His church (The crowd is rushing at Gert again, when the Bishop's Secretary enters, preceded by a verger, who calls upon the people to attend.) Secretary (reading). "Whereas our cathedral city has failed in the payment of its tithes to this See, and whereas it continues refractory in regard to such payments, the Chapter has deemed it necessary, in accordance with its vested rights and the sanction granted by the Holy Curia, to close the doors of the church and to discontinue all masses and sacrifices until the aforesaid dereliction shall have been duly remedied; failure to observe which shall be at the risk of our displeasure. Datum vigilia assumptionis Mariæ. Chapter of Strängnäs." [Exit. Gert. What do you say to that, good folk? Gert. Take care! Say nothing evil of the priests; maybe they're not to blame. Townsman. Who is to blame, then? Gert. The Church! That invisible and omnipotent something! It is the Church, you see, that has closed the church. (The crowd gives evidence of disapproval.) Olof (who in the meantime has come forward, seizes a rope hanging from the bell tower, and begins to ring vespers). If your worship be seriously meant, I'll say mass for you. Townsman. Many thanks, Master Olof, but are you aware of what that may lead to? Olof. Let us fear the Lord more than men! (The crowd kneels.) Dear friends! Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus! As we are now come together here— Townsman. Master Olof Olof. What is it? Townsman. We want a real mass, and not any new inventions of men. Gert. It has to be in Latin, my dear Master Olof, or we can't understand what you say. Townsman. It has to be in the sacred tongue-or anybody might say mass. Olof. And so you shall! Every one for himself, with God! Crowd. A Luther! A Luther! Antichrist! Townsman. Well, well, Master Olof, have you, too, so young and zealous, become tainted by the German devil? I am an old man, who has seen much of the world, and I mean well by you-Turn back while you are still young! -Do as we ask you and give us the old mass. Olof. No, there must be an end to that mummery. Ye shall pray in spirit and in truth, and not in words ye do not understand. Townsman. Don't you think, my young friend, that the Lord understands Latin? Gert. But Swedish He does n't understand at all! Townsman. Master Olof, are you going to let the people depart from you without a word to edify them? Can't you see how they are yearning for their God? Make a sacrifice of your own sinful will, and don't let the people go from you like sheep that have no shepherd. Olof. You call my will sinful? Townsman. You are a hard man! Olof. Say not so! Do you know what the ringing of this bell will cost me? Townsman. Your vanity. Gert. And your peace! For it was the alarum bell that rang in the battle. Hey-ho, this is the start! Soon the bells of Stockholm will respond, and then the blood of Hus, and of Ziska, and of all the thousands of peasants will be on the heads of the princes and the papists. Woman. Woe unto us! What is he raving about? Gert. Yes, Olof, you know me. Deny me not! Are you afraid of these miserable creatures who do not want their own welfare- -and who have never heard the word "freedom"? Olof. What is your name? Gert. If I told, you would all tremble. Yet you must tremble in order that you may wake out of your sleep. I am named the angel that was cast out and that is to come again ten thousand times; I am named the liberator that came too early; I am named Satan because I love you more my own life; I have been named Luther; I have been named Hus. Now I am named Anabaptist! than Crowd (shrink back and begin to cross themselves). Anabaptist! Gert (removing his disguise and revealing himself as much older than he had seemed). Do you know me now, Olof? Olof. Father Gert! Townsman. He calls him father! Crowd (drawing back from Olof and Gert). Anabaptist! Anabaptist! Woman. Don't you see, it's he who was put under the ban Townsman. Gert the Printer-the bishop's printerAnother Townsman. The man who printed Luther! Woman. Woe unto us and to our city! Woe to our priests when they bear company with Antichrist! Townsman. He denies the holy baptism! Olof. That was dangerous talk, Father Gert. Gert. You really think it was dangerous, Olof? Bless you for those words! Olof. Dangerous for you, I mean. Gert. Not for any one else? Olof. Let us hope not. Gert. You have known Luther? Olof. Indeed, I have! And now I want to carry out his work in my own country. Gert. Is that all? Olof. What do you mean? Gert. It is not enough! Luther is dead. He made a beginning, we have to go on. Olof. Whither do you want to lead me? Gert. Far, Olof, very far! Olof. I am afraid of you, Father Gert. |