Townsman. Who is to blame, then?
Gert. The Church! That invisible and omnipotent something! It is the Church, you see, that has closed the church. (The crowd gives evidence of disapproval.)
Olof (who in the meantime has come forward, seizes a rope hanging from the bell tower, and begins to ring vespers). If your worship be seriously meant, I'll say mass for you.
Townsman. Many thanks, Master Olof, but are you aware of what that may lead to?
Olof. Let us fear the Lord more than men! (The crowd kneels.) Dear friends! Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus! As we are now come together here—
Townsman. Master Olof—
Olof. What is it?
Townsman. We want a real mass, and not any new inventions of men.
Gert. It has to be in Latin, my dear Master Olof, or we can't understand what you say.
Townsman. It has to be in the sacred tongue—or anybody might say mass.