We're afraid to go home. It's all the same whether we works or whether we lies abed; it's starvation both ways.
FIRST OLD WEAVER
A man's like to go mad at home.
OLD ANSORGE
I've come to that pass now that I don't care how things goes.
OLD WEAVERS
[With increasing excitement.] "We've no peace anywhere."—"We've no spirit left to work."—"Up with us in Steenkunzendorf you can see a weaver sittin' by the stream washin' hisself the whole day long, naked as God made him. It's driven him clean out of his mind."
THIRD OLD WEAVER
[Moved by the spirit, stands up and begins to "speak with tongues," stretching out his hand threateningly.] Judgement is at hand! Have no dealings with the rich and the great! Judgement is at hand! The Lord God of Sabaoth …
[Some of the weavers laugh. He is pulled down on to his seat.