Olof. Yes, I understand you! You have bred a thought in my soul, but that thought must be strangled in its birth, or it will kill me.
Gert. Believe me, you will be a Daniel, and you will speak the truth unto princes, and they will conspire to take your life; but the Lord will protect you.--Now I can safely leave, for I see lightnings flash from your eyes and tongues of fire flickering over your head. (As he is leaving.) There comes the Lord of Flies: don't let him defile your pure soul also.
[Enter Bishop Brask and Bishop Sommar. Sommar approaches Olof, while Brask remains behind, studying the surroundings.]
Olof. Yes, when the people were let go like sheep without a shepherd, I wanted to keep them together.
Sommar. You seem to be finding fault with our actions. That's impudence indeed.
Sommar. I believe, young man, that you want to play the part of an apostle of truth. It will bring you no thanks.
Sommar. Save your truths. They don't retain their value in the market very long.
Olof (impetuously). That's advice worthy of the Father of Lies!--(Mildly.) I ask your pardon!
Sommar. Do you know to whom you are talking?
Olof (heatedly). To servus servi servorum Måns Sommar!
Brask (stepping forward). Who is this man?
Sommar. One of the attendants in the church.
Sommar. Olof Pedersson, alias Olaus Petri.
Brask (staring hard at Olof). So you are Master Olof? (Olof bows and looks fixedly at Brask.) I like you. Would you care to become my secretary?
Olof. Many thanks, Your Grace, but I have no recommendations.
Brask. What have you to say, Bishop Måns?
Sommar. He is said to have found much favor with Dr. Luther.
Brask. So I've heard. Nothing but youthful spirits. We'll train him.
Sommar. It is not wise to raise vipers, Your Grace. Our canonicus here has strong leanings toward heresy, and to-day he has dared to defy our orders.
Sommar. On fully legal grounds we have proclaimed an interdict, and this man has ventured to say mass--worse than that, he has said a Lutheran mass, and thus stirred up the people.
Brask. Take care, young man! Don't you know that the ban will fall on anybody who proclaims Luther?
Olof. I know it, but I fear no other god than God.
Brask. Consider your words. I mean well by you, and you repel me.