Mother, listen to me before
you die! (The Mother has lost consciousness.) Mother, mother, if you are
alive, speak to your son! Forgive me, but I could not act except as I
have done. I know you have been suffering all your life for my sake.
You have been praying to God that I should keep His paths. The Lord has
heard your prayer. Do you want me now to render your whole life futile?
Do you want me now, by obeying you, to destroy that structure which has
cost you so much in toil and tears? Forgive me!

Mother. Olof, my soul is no longer of this world--it's out of another
life I speak to you: turn back! Break that unclean bond which ties your
body only. Take back the faith you got from me, and I will forgive you!

Olof (weeping bitterly). Mother! Mother!

Mother. Swear that you will do it!

Olof (after long silence). No!

Mother. The curse of God is upon you--I see Him--I see His angry
look--Help me, Holy Virgin!

Olof. That is not the God of love!

Mother. It is the God of retribution!--It is you who have provoked His
ire--and it is you who now cast me into the flames of His wrath!--Cursed
be the hour when I bore you! (She dies.)

Olof. Mother! Mother! (He takes her hand.) She's dead! And she has not
forgiven me!--Oh, if your soul be still within this room, behold your
son: I will do your will, and what was sacred to you shall be sacred to
me! (He lights the tall wax candles left behind by the friars and places
them around the bed.) You shall have the consecrated candles that are to
light your road. (He puts a palm leaf in her hand.) And with this palm
of peace shall come forgetfulness of that last struggle with what was
earthly. Oh, mother, if you see me now, then you must forgive me! (In
the meantime the sun has risen, and the red glow of its first rays
lights up the curtains; at the sight of it, Olof leaps to his feet.) You
make my candles fade, O morning sun! You have more love than I! (He goes
to the window and opens it.)

Lars (entering softly and looking around surprised). Olof!

Olof (putting his arms around him). Brother, all is over! Lars (goes to
the bed and kneels for a moment; then he rises again). She is dead! (He
prays silently.) You were here alone?

Olof. It was you who let in the monks.

Lars. And you who drove them out.

Olof. That should have been your task.

Lars. She forgave you?

Olof. She died with a curse on her lips. (Pause.)

Lars (pointing to the candles). Who arranged these