of. The daylight shuns my doings.

Lars. Beware of false apostles of freedom!

Olof (struggling with sleepiness and fatigue). That's a
self-contradictory term. Oh, don't talk to me--I can't stand any more.
I spoke so much at our meeting--But you don't know about our
society--Concordia res parvae crescunt--We mean to continue the
Reformation--Gert is a farsighted man--I seem so small beside
him--Good-night, Lars! (He falls asleep on a chair.)

Lars (stands looking at him with solicitude). Poor brother--may God
protect you! (Resounding blows on the street door are heard.) What's
that? (He goes to the window.)

Gert (outside). For God's sake, open!

Lars. Why, it isn't a matter of life and death, Father Gert. [Exit.]

Gert (outside). In God's name, let me in!

[Enter Christine with a blanket.]

Christine. Olof, why are they knocking like that? He's asleep! (She
wraps him up in the blanket.) Oh, that I were Sleep, so that you might
flee to me when tired out by your struggles!

(The rattle of a heavy cart is heard; then the cart comes to a stop
outside the house.).

Olof (waking up with a start). Is it five already?

Christine. No, it is only three.

Olof. Wasn't that a baker's cart I heard?

Christine. I don't know, but I don't think it would make such a noise.
(She goes to the window.) Look, Olof! What can this he?

Olof (going to the window). The headsman's cart!--No, it isn't that.

Christine. It is a hearse!

[Enter Lars and Gert.]

Lars. The plague!

All. The plague!

Gert. The plague is here! Christine, my child, leave this house! The
angel of death has put his mark upon the gate.

Olof. Who sent the cart?

Gert. The man who put the black cross on the door. No dead body must be
left a moment in the house.

Olof. Then Marten was the angel of death--and all is nothing but a lie.

Gert. Look out of the window, and you'll see that the cart is loaded
full. (Blows are heard at the street door again.) You hear! They're
waiting!

Olof. Without proper burial? That shall never be!

Lars. Without ceremonies, Olof!

Gert. Come away with me, Christine, from this dreadful place! I'll take
you out of the city to some healthier spot.

Christine. I will stay with Olof after this. If you, father, had loved
me a little less, you would not have done so much harm.

Gert. Olof, you who have the power, command her to follow me

Olof. I set her free from your tyranny once, you selfish man, and she
shall