THE OTHER ONE. [Standing in the doorway again] Take care, I tell you! Take care!
JUDGE. [Raising his right hand] Take care yourself!
THE OTHER ONE. [Pointing at the JUDGE with one hand as if it were a revolver] Shame!
JUDGE. [Unable to move] Woe is me!
THE OTHER ONE. You have never believed in anything good. Now you shall have to believe in the Evil One. He who is all goodness can harm nobody, you see, and so he leaves that to such villains as myself. But for the sake of greater effectiveness, you two must torture yourselves and each other.
OLD LADY. [Kneeling before THE OTHER ONE] Spare us! Help us! Mercy!
THE OTHER ONE. [With a gesture as if he were tearing his clothes] Get up, woman! Woe is me! There is One, and One only, to whom you may pray! Get up now, or—Yes, now you believe, although I don't wear a red cloak, and don't carry sword or purse, and don't crack any jokes—but beware of taking me in jest! I am serious as sin and stern as retribution! I have not come to tempt you with gold and fame, but to chastise you with rods and scorpions—[The clock begins to strike again; the stage turns dark] Your time is nearly up. Therefore, put your house in order—because die you must! [A noise as of thunder is heard] Whose voice is speaking now? Do you think he can be scared off with your rattle when he comes sweeping across your vineyard? Storm and Hail are his names; destruction nestles under his wings, and in his claws he carries punishment. Put on your caul now, and don your good conscience.
[The rattling of the hail-storm is heard outside.
JUDGE. Mercy!
THE OTHER ONE. Yes, if you promise repentance.