[Adrian lifts her up in silence]
A peasant. [Starting up from bench where he has sat as if stunned] Flogging! [Relapses into silence]
Kalush. We are weak, we are starved, we can not bear the blows.
Adr. Whatever happens we will not forget that the blow we receive falls on our bodies only; the blow we give falls back upon our souls. We will be patient even unto death; we will not league with our enemy against our immortal selves.
[Groans, and mutters of remonstrance]
What have our neighbors at Petoff gained by striking back? Put out your hands and feel the ashes of their homes. And they have lost not only their homes, their children, and themselves, but an eternal triumph, a triumph for the spirit of peace in the world.
A voice at door. Here they come!
[Enter Orloff, with soldiers. Others are seen crowding into the yard]
Orloff. We want the men of this house.