s for me!--Forgive me, mother--I thank
you for your good intention, but--

Mother (on her knees, weeping). Olof! Olof!

Olof. Don't ask me! A mother's plea might tempt the angels of heaven to
recant!--Now the hymn is ended: I must go! The people are waiting.

Mother. You'll send me into my grave, Olof!

Olof (passionately). The Lord will resurrect you! (Kissing her hand.)
Don't talk to me any more--I don't know what I am saying!

Mother. Listen! Listen! The people are muttering!

Olof. I'm coming! I'm coming! He who protected Daniel in the lions' den
will also protect me!

(Olof ascends the stairs leading to the pulpit. Throughout the ensuing
scenes a man's voice can be heard speaking with great power, but no
words can be distinguished. After a while mutterings are heard, which
change into loud cries.)

[Enter Christine.]

Christine. Mother, did you see him?

Mother. Are you here, child? I asked you to stay at home!

Christine. Why shouldn't I visit the house of the Lord? There is
something you hide from me!

Mother. Go home, Christine!

Christine. May I not hear Olof preach? It's the word of God, isn't it,
mother? (The Mother remains silent.) You don't answer? What does it
mean? Hasn't Olof permission to preach? Why do the people out there look
so mysterious? They were muttering when I came.

Mother. Don't ask me! Go home and thank God for your ignorance!

Christine. Am I a child, then, since nobody dares to tell me--

Mother. Your soul is still pure, and nobody must defile it. What place
is there for you in the battle?

Christine. Battle? I thought so!

Mother. Yes, here the battle rages, and so you must get out of the way.
You know our lot when the men go to war.

Christine. But let me first know what it is all about. Not to know
anything at all makes me so unhappy. I see nothing but a dreadful
darkness, and shadows that are moving about--Give me light, so that I
may see clearly! Perhaps I know these ghostly shallows?

Mother. You will shudder when you see who they are.

Christine. It is better to shudder than to be tormented by this horrible
calm.

Mother. Don't pray for the cloud to flash forth lightning: it may
destroy you!

Christine. You frighten me! But tell me the truth--I must know--or I
shall ask some one else.

Mother. Are you firm in your decision to withdraw within the sacred
walls of the convent?

Christine. My father wishes it.

Mother. You hesitate? (Christine does no