er time, and at last stakes
all the souls in the caldron--and loses. St. Peter has delivered all
the poor souls from the pains of hell and Hallelujas are heard from the
heights above. Hans, who had at first thrown himself upon the Stranger
to bind him, is held back by a superior power, a glory shines about St.
Peter's head and Hans falls back struck with awe. The glory dies away
and the Stranger {392} resuming his former manner thanks Hans for his
good deed in delivering the lost souls, and, as a reward he warns him
not to put himself again in the power of the Devil, and kindly advises
him to bear with patience and courage the punishment that will surely
fall upon him for his foolish, thoughtless compact with the evil one.
Bidding Hans remember that he has a friend who will not forget him, the
Stranger departs.

The punishment is not long delayed, for the Devil returning in a rage
takes vengeance upon Hans for his disobedience by covering him with
black soot that cannot be washed off, and hanging a bearskin round him.
To supply his needs the Devil gives him a magic scrip from which he can
always take money. The only way in which he may be released from this
hideous disguise is through the faithful love of a woman who will love
him in spite of his repulsive appearance. Hans in vain rebels against
this cruel sentence, the Devil reminds him of his contract. He gives
Hans a ring and tells him that if he finds a maiden who truly loves him
he is to split the ring in two and giving her one half he is to go away
and leave her for three years. At the end of that time he may come
back and claim her, and if the gold of the ring is pure and bright, it
will be a proof that she is true to him and Hans will then be free. In
that case the Devil promises to fulfil any three wishes that Hans may
name. These arrangements made, Hans is at last flung out of hell and
back to earth a pitiful object of loathing and ridicule.

{393}

The second act is laid in a village inn near Kulmbach. The assembled
peasants are all talking of the Devil whom they declare they have seen
in person. While they are talking a rap is heard at the door, and Hans
stands outside clad in his bearskin, asking for food and shelter. In
their terror they all refuse to let him in believing him to be the
devil himself, until the Burgomaster suggests that the man in this
hideous disguise should be made to show his feet. When this is done
and the peasants see t