Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/122

 METROPOLIS And from the cloak of the great Babylon, the demons freed themselves, come to life, and Hew after Death.

"Death went down the steps of the cathedral, into the town; black birds with human faces rustling around him. He raised the scythe as if indicating the way. Then they divided themselves and swooped apart. The broad wings darkened the moon.

"Death Hnng back his wide cloak. He stretched himself up and gre~. He grew much taller even than the houses of Metropolis. The highest hardly reached to his knee. "Death swung his scythe and made a whistling cut. The earth and all the stars quivered. But the scythe did not seem to be sharp enough for hiro. He looked about hiro as though seeking a seat. The New Tower of Babel seemed to suit Death.

He sat down on the New Tower of Babel, propped up the scythe, took the whet-stone from his girdle. spat on it and began to whet the scythe. Blue sparks Hew ont of the steel. Then Death arose and made a second blow. A rain of stars poured down from the sky. "Death nodded with satisfaction, turned around and set off, on his way through the great Metropolis:"

CHAPTER XI said Josaphat hoarsely, "but that was a dream...."Of course it was a dream. ... And they say dreams are

"YES,n

bubbles, don't they? But just listen to this, Josaphat. . . . I emerged from this dream hack into reality with a feeling of sadness, which seemed to hack me, as with a knife, from head to foot. I saw Maria's brow, that white temple of goodness and virginity. besmirched with the name of the great harlot of Babylon. I saw her send Death out over the city. I saw how abominations upon abominations loosened themselves from about her and Buttered away, swanning through the city-plague spirits. messengers of evil before the path of

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