and Nils. On seeing them, Olof utters a startled cry and puts one
hand to his forehead. Lars drags him out.]


ACT II

SCENE 1

(A Room in the Foundation Wall of the Church of St. Nicolaus at
Stockholm (generally known as Greatchurch), used as a beer-shop.
A bar full of pots and mugs occupies the background. To the
right of the bar stands a table, back of which appears an iron
door. Two disguised friars (Marten and Nils) are seated at this
table drinking beer. The other tables are surrounded by German
mercenaries, peasants, and sailors. The door to the street is at
the right. A fiddler is seated on top of a barrel. The soldiers
are throwing dice. All are drunk and noisy. Hans Windrank, a man
from Smaland, a German tradesman, and a Dane are seated together
at one of the tables.)

German (to the Dane). So you defend a bloodthirsty brute like
Christian?

Dane. Oh, mercy, he's human, isn't he?

German. Not, he's a monster! A bloodthirsty brute! A treacherous,
cowardly Dane!

Dane. Zounds! But you'd better not talk of blood. Do you remember
the massacre on Kappling Island, when the Germans--