t answer.) There is some tie
that holds you back.

Christine. You know?

Mother. I know, and tell you to break it!

Christine. It will soon be impossible.

Mother. I will save you, child, for you can still be saved. I will offer
the Lord the greatest sacrifice of all if a single soul can be saved
from perdition--my son!

Christine. Olof?

Mother. He's lost, I tell you, and I, his mother, have to tell you so!

Christine. Lost?

Mother. He is a prophet of lies. The Devil has taken possession of his
soul.

Christine (passionately). It isn't true!

Mother. God grant that you are right!

Christine. Why--why haven't you told me this before?--But, of course,
it's a lie! (She goes to the door leading into the church and pushes
it ajar.) Look at him, mother--there he is! Can that be an evil spirit
speaking out of his mouth? Can that be a hellish flame burning in
his eyes? Can lies be told with trembling lips? Does darkness shed
light--can't you see the halo about his head? You are wrong! I feel
it within me! I don't know what he preaches--I don't know what he
denies--but he is right! He is right, and the Lord is with him!

Mother. You don't know the world, my child. You don't know the tricks of
the Devil. Beware! (She pulls Christine away from the door.) You mustn't
listen to him. There is no strength in your soul, and he's the apostle
of Antichrist!

Christine. Who is Antichrist?

Mother. He is a Luther!

Christine. You have never told me who Luther is, but if Olof is his
apostle, then Luther must be a great man.

Mother. Luther is possessed of the Devil!

Christine. Why didn't you tell me before? Now I can't believe you!

Mother. I am telling you now--Alas, I wanted to save you from the
world's wickedness, and so I kept you in ignorance--

Christine. I don't believe you! Let me go! I must see him--I must listen
to him--for he doesn't talk like the rest.

Mother. Jesus, my Saviour! Are you, too, possessed by the unclean
spirit?

Christine (at the door). "Bind not the souls," he said--did you hear?
"You are free, for the Lord has set you free." See how the people
shudder at his words--now they rise up--they mutter. "You want no
freedom--woe unto you! For that is the sin against the Holy Ghost!"

[Enter Sexton.]

Sexton. I don't think it's well for you to stay here any longer, my good
ladies. The people are getting restless. This will never end well for
Master Olof.

Mother. Jesu Maria! What are