Olof. I have been put under the ban to-day.

Gert (jumps up and puts his arms around Olof). God bless you,
Olof! That is indeed the baptism of new birth!

Olof. I don't understand you yet. Why do you carry on like wild
beasts? You seem to be outraging all that is held sacred.

Gert (picking up the broken image of a saint). Do you call this
fellow holy? A St. Nicolaus, I think. Can it be possible, then,
that Jesus Christ has come down and lived among us to no purpose,
as we are still worshipping logs of wood? Can this be a god,
which I can break to pieces? See!

Olof. But he is sacred to the people.

Gert. So was the golden calf, and so was Zeus; so were Thor and
Odin, too. And yet they were struck down. (Catches sight of the
Harlot.) Who's that woman? Oh, the one I tried to save by sending
her in here. Tell me one thing, Olof. Have you been bought by the
King?

Olof. Leave me, Gert! I hate you!

Gert. Who's that pig asleep over there?

Olof. When I face you, I seem to shrink. Leave me! I want to do
my own work, and not yours.

Gert. Listen!