Fritz—You mean that they will burn her?
Rudolph— Do they not
Burn witches in the city...? We can die;
We on our swords can perish; but the girl...?
(He goes off through the wood, leaving Fritz silent upon the bridge.)
Fritz— (To himself.)
Canzler will lay his sword upon her throat.
(With bowed head he walks on across the bridge. As he passes into the deeper shadows the white sheep's pelt lying in the bank at the roadside catches his eye. He goes curiously toward it, when, seeing the post, he glances up and stops suddenly. For a time he stands as one appalled.)
Rudolph!
Rudolph—Ho!
Fritz— Here!
(To himself.) This will break Canzler's heart.
(Rudolph reappears and joins Fritz, and the two stand in silence, Rudolph with his eyes fixed upon the crucifix, and Fritz with his eyes on Rudolph.)
Fritz—What do you think?