First Friar. Here is the Superior.
A Friar. He has been saying——
Superior. Hush! I will hear him to the end.
Paul Ruttledge. That is not all. These things may be accomplished and yet nothing be accomplished. The Christian's business is not reformation but revelation, and the only labours he can put his hand to can never be accomplished in Time. He must so live that all things shall pass away. [He stands silent for a moment and then cries, lifting his hand above his head.] Give me wine out of thy pitchers; oh, God, how splendid is my cup of drunkenness. We must become blind, and deaf, and dizzy. We must get rid of everything that is not measureless eternal life. We must put out hope as I put out this candle. [Puts out a candle.] And memory as I put out this candle. [As before.] And thought, the waster of Life, as I put out this candle. [As before.] And at last we must put out the light of the Sun and of the Moon, and all the light of the World and the World itself. [He now puts out the last candle, the chapel is very dark. The only light is the faint light of morning coming through the window.] We must destroy the World; we must destroy everything that has Law and Number, for where there is nothing, there is God.
[The Superior comes forward. One of Paul's Friars makes as if to speak to him. The Superior strikes at him with the back of his hand.
Superior. [To Paul Ruttledge.] Get out of this, rebel, blasphemous rebel!
Paul Ruttledge. Do as you like to me, but you cannot silence my thoughts. I learned them from Jesus Christ, who made a terrible joy, and sent it to overturn governments, and all settled order.
[Paul's Friars rush to save him from the Superior.
Paul Ruttledge. There is no need for violence. I am ready to go.
Colman. [Taking his hand.] I will go with you.