ALL. [Crying aloud] The water is rising!
MATS'S GRANDFATHER. The ice is sinking. Stay where you are!
MATS'S GRANDMOTHER. To-day we must die, and then comes the day of judgment!
The MILL-FOLK embrace each other. The women pick up the children into their arms. The MEWLINGS do likewise.
MATS'S MOTHER. [To Mats] For the sake of your foolish fondness, we must die!
KERSTI'S MOTHER. "Another's love should by no one be blamed: wise men are often snared by beauty, but fools never."[2]
SOLDIER. "This fault of his should by no one be blamed: love, in its might, will often turn the sons of men from wisdom to folly."[3]
MATS. [Holding out his hand to the SOLDIER] Thank you for those words! You are the man I named father for a brief while!
SOLDIER. "All at birth and death are equals."
MATS'S FATHER. There you took the word away from me! Your hand!