Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/49

 METROPOLIS man.... Every man·creator makes himself a woman. I do bot believe that humbug about the first human being a man. If a male-god created the world (which is to he hoped, Joh Fredersen) then he certainly created woman first, lovingly and revelling in creative sport. You can test it, Joh Fredersen: it is faultless. A little cool-I admit, that comes of the material, which is my secret. But she is not yet completely finished. She is not yet discharged from the workshop of her creator. I cannot. make up my mind to do it. You understand that? Completion means setting free. I do not want to set her free from me. That is why I have not yet given her a face. You must give her that, Joh Fredersen. For you were the one to order the new beings," <CJ ordered machine men from you, Rotwang, which I can use at my machines. No woman ... no plaything.... "No plaything, Joh Fredersen, no. . . you and I, we no longer play. Not for any stakes.... We did it once. Once and never again. No plaything, Joh Fredersen but a tool. Do you know what it means to have a woman as a tool? A woman like this, faultless and cool? And obedient-implicitly ohedient. . . . Why <10 you fight with the Gothics and the monk Desertus about the cathedral? Send the woman to them Joh Fredersenl Send 'the woman to them when they are kneeling, scourg"ing themselves. Let this faultless", cool woman walle through the rows of them, on her si1ver feet, fragrance from the garden of life in the folds of her garment.... Who in the world knows how the blossoms of the tree smell, Qn which the apple of knowledge ripened. The woman is both~ Fragrance of the hlossom and tJe fruit.... "Shall I explain to you the newest creation of Rotwang, the genius, Joh FrederS'en? It will be sacrilege. But lowe it to you. For you kindled the idea of creating within me, too.... Shall I show you how obedien"t my creatures is? Give me what you have in your hand, Parody'" "Stop. . ." said Joh Fredersen rather hoarsely. But the infallible obedience of the creahlre which stood before the two men brooked no delay in obeying. It opened its hands in which the delicate bones. shimmered silver, and

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