the people shouting?

Gert. The King is providing them with a maypole and music outside North
Gate.

Olof. And are they not aware that he will chasten them with swords
instead of rods?

Gert. Aware? If they were!

Olof. Poor children! They dance to his piping and follow his drums to
their death! Must all die, then, in order that one may live?

Gert. No, one shall die that all may live!

(Olof makes a gesture dismay and repugnance.)

ACT IV

(A Room in the House of Olof's Mother. At the right stands a bedstead
with four posts, in which the Mother is lying sick. Christine is asleep
on a chair. Lars Pedersson is renewing the oil of the night-lamp and
turning the hour glass.)

Lars (speaking to himself). Midnight--Now comes the critical time.
(He goes to the bed and listens. At that moment Christine moans in her
sleep. He crosses the room and wakens her.) Christine! (She wakes with a
start.) Go to bed, child; I will watch.

Christine. No, I will wait. I must speak to her before she dies--I think
Olof should be here soon.

Lars. It is for his sake you are watching!

Christine. Yes, and you mustn't say that I have slept. Do you hear?

Lars. Poor girl!--You're not happy!

Christine. Who says one should be happy?

Lars. Does Olof know that you are here?

Christine. No, he would never permit it. He wants to keep me like the
carved image of some saint standing on a shelf. The smaller and weaker
he can make me, the greater is his pleasure in placing his strength at
my feet--

Mother (waking). Lars! (Christine holds back Lars and steps forward.)
Who is that?

Christine. The nurse.

Mother. Christine!

Christine. Do you want anything?

Mother. Nothing from you.

Christine. Dame Christine!

Mother. Don't make my last moments more bitter. Go away from here!

Lars (coming forward). What do you want, mother?

Mother. Take away that woman! And bring the father confessor--I shall
soon die.

Lars. Is not your own son worthy of receiving your last confidences?

Mother. No, he has done nothing to deserve them. Has Marten come yet?

Lars. Marten is a bad man.

Mother. O Lord, how terrible Thy punishment! My children standing
between myself and Thee! Am I then to be denied the consolations of
religion in my last moments? You have taken my life--do you want to
destroy my soul, too--the soul of your mother? (She falls into a faint.)

Lars. Do you hear that, Christine! What are we to do? Shall we le