an. My dear folks, I can testify that the reverend brother is drunk,
and that's why he is lying!

Crowd (with signs of disgust). A drunken priest!

German. Well, booze is absolution for lying. Isn't that so, Father
Marten?

Tavern-keeper. Really, I can't let my house be the meeting-place for
any kind of disturbance. If this goes on, I'll lose my customers and
get hauled before the Chapter. Won't you please take away that miserable
creature who's causing all this noise?

Marten. Take her out, or I'll have you all banned! Don't you know that
we are now within the consecrated walls of the church, although the
Chapter allows this outhouse to be used for the material refreshment of
travellers?

German. Surely this room is holy, good folk, and surely the Lord doth
dwell here.

(The crowd begins to drag the Harlot toward the street door.)

Harlot. Jesus Christ, help me!

[Enter Olof. He appears in the door, and pushes through the crowd until
he reaches the Harlot, whose hand he takes so that he can pull her away
from the drunken men about her.]

Olof. Answer me--who is this woman?

Marten. She's no woman.

Olof. What do you mean?

Marten. She is no man either, although she's disguised.

Olof. "She," you say--and yet not a woman?

Marten. She's a harlot.

Olof (shocked, drops the woman's hand). A harlot!

German. Don't let go of her, Master Olof, or she'll run away.

Olof. Why are you laying hands on her? What is her crime?

German. Going to church.

Olof. I see! (He looks around.)

Marten. What are you looking for?

Olof (catching sight of Marten). A priest!

Marten. I am a Black Friar.

Olof. Yes, I guessed that much. So it's you who have incited the people
against her?

Marten. I am protecting the church from foulness and trying to keep it
free of vice. She is a banned woman, who has been trafficking with her
own body, which should be a temple of the Lord. (The woman kneels before
Olof.)

Olof (taking her by the hand). But I, Dominican, dare to take her hand
and match her against you. She has sold her body, you say--how many
souls have you bought?--I am also a priest--Nay, I am a man, for I
am not presumptuous enough to put a lock on God's own house, and as
a sinful human creature I hold out my hand to my fellow-creature, who
cannot be pure either. Let him who is without sin step forward and cast
the first stone.--Step forward, Brother Marten, you angel of light, who
have donned the black g