heart and little head.

Dane. I'd go still farther. Gin makes us religious. For it kills reason,
and reason is the rock that keeps religion from entering our hearts.

German. Most holy is gin! Strange that--

Dane. You need say no more!

(More blows are struck on the iron door.)

Windrank (who has fallen asleep, is awakened by the blows). Help! I die!

German. What a pity to lose such a sweet soul!

(The door is pushed open so that the table at which Marten and Nils are
seated is upset together with the mugs and cups on it. A woman wearing
a red and black skirt, with a nun's veil thrown over her head, comes
running into the room. For a moment Gert can be seen in the doorway
behind her, but the door is immediately closed again.)

Harlot (with a startled glance at her surroundings). Save me! The people
want to kill me!

A German Mercenary. A harlot under a nun's veil! Ha-ha-ha! (General
laughter.)

Marten (making the sign of the cross). A harlot! Who dares to bring her
into this respectable company? Master taverner, take her out of here, or
she'll hurt the good name of the place and the sanctity of the church.

Harlot. Will nobody here save me? (In the meantime the tavern-keeper has
seized her by the arm to lead her into the street.) Don't give me into
the hands of that furious mob! I wanted to steal into the Lord's house
that I might share in His grace--I wanted to start a new life--but the
monks drove me out and set the people on me--until Father Gert came and
saved me.

Marten. You can hear for yourselves. She has polluted the Lord's temple.
She wants to hide the garment of shame beneath the veil of sanctity.

German. And there isn't enough of the veil.

Marten (approaching the woman to tear the veil from her face). Off with
the mask, and let your abomination be seen by all! (He draws back when
he catches sight of her face.)

Harlot. So it's you, Marten--you murderer!

German. Old chums!

Marten. That's a shameless lie! I never have seen her before. I am
Brother Marten, of the Dominicans, and Brother Nils here can be my
witness.

Nils (intoxicated). I can testify--that Brother Marten has never seen
this woman.

Harlot. And yet it was you, Nils, who showed me Marten's letter of
absolution when I was driven out of the convent and he was permitted to
stay.

Nils. Yes--come to think of it!

Marten (in a rage, pulling Nils by the sleeve). You're lying--you, too!
Can't you see he is drunk?

Germ