Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/208

 METROPOLIS crumpled' up like a sack and lay in the corner, stirring no more. Above him, straightened Up. yet bent forward-Rotwang, staring at him, then turning..•. Along the n~rrow roof ridge, towards him-no, towards the dullish bundle of white silk, staggered Maria. In the light of the morning, risen glorious and imperious, her voice Buttered ov.t like the mourning of a poor bird: "Freder-Freder-I" Whispers broke out in the cathedral square. Heads turned and hands pointed. ' "Look-Joh Fredersenl Look over there-Joh Fredersenl" A woman's voice yelled out: "Now you see for yourself, don't you, Joh Fredersen, what it's like when someone's only child is murdered-P" Josaphat leaped before the man who was on his knees, hearing nothing of what was going on around him. "What's the matter-P" he shouted. "What's the matter with you all-? Your children have been savedl In the 4House of the Sonsl' Maria and Joh Fredersen's son-they saved your children-I" Joh Fredersen heard nothing. He did not hear the scream, which, like a bellowed prayer to God, suddenly leaped from the one mouth of the multitude. He did not hear the shuflling with which the multitude near him, far around him. threw itself on its knees, He did not hear the weeping of the women. the panting of the men. nor prayer, nor thanks, nor groans, nor praises. Only his eyes remained alive. His eyes which seemed to be lidless, clung to the roof of the cathedral. Maria had reached the white' bundle. which lay. crumpled up in the corner, between the spire and the roof. She slid along to it on her knees, stretching her hands out towards it, blinded with misery: ClFreder. , .. Freder.... '2' With a savage snarl, 'like the snarl of a beast of pray, Rotwang clutched at her. She struggled amid screams. He held her lips closed. With an expression of despairing incomprehension he stared into the girl's tear-wet face. "Hel ..• my Hel ••• why do you struggle against me?"

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