METROPOLIS
ro~ring rabble behind her. There has been the very hell of a
night anyway. The Gothics are parading th)'ough the town scourging themselves, and they have put the monk Desertus on the cross. They are preaching: Doomsday had come, and it seems that they have converted a good many already, for September is crouching before the smoking ruins of Yoshiwara. A troop of torch dancers j,Oined itself to the flagellants and, with frothing curses upon the Mother of Abominations, the great whore of Babylon, they burned Yoshiwara down to the ground...." "The girl, Josaphat-" "She did not reach the cathedral, Freder. where she wanted to take refuge. They overtook her on the steps because she fell on the steps-her gown hung down in ribbons from her body. A woman, whose white eyes were glowing with insanity shrieked out, as one inspired with the gift of prophecy: " 'Look-I Look-I The saints have climbed down n-om their pedestals and will not let the witch into the cathedral.' .. "And-" "Before the cathedral they are erecting a bonfire on which to burn the witch...." Freder said nothing. He bent down lower. The car groaned and leapt. Josaphat buried his hand in Freder's arm. "Stop-for God's sakelll" The car stopped. . "We must go to the left-don't you see? The bridge has gonel" "The next bridge?"
- Is. impassa~,lel"
LIsten.. "What is there to hear-" "Don't you hear anything?'" "No. 0 0." "You must hear it-I" "But what, Freder-?" "Shrieks ... distant shrieks..••" "I can't hear anything.. 0
0
0
0"
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