Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/59

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METROPOLIS A vault, like the vault of a sepulchre, human heads so closely crowded together as to produce the effect of clods

on a fresWy ploughed field. All heads turned towards one point: to the source of a light, as mild as God. Candles bprnt with sword-like flames. Slender, lustrous swords of light stood in a circle around the head of a girl, whose voice was as the Amen of God. The voice spoke, but Freder did not hear the words. He heard nothing but a sound, the blessed melody of which was saturated with sweetness as is the air of a garden of blossoms with fragrance. And suddenly there sprang up above this

melody the wild throh of a heart-beat. The air stormed with bells. The walls shook under the surf of an invisible organ. Weariness-exhaustion-faded outl He felt his hody from head to foot to be one single instrument of hlissfulness-all strings stretched to bursting point, yet tuned together into the purest, hottest. most radiant accord, in which his whole being hung, quivering.

He longed to stroke with his hands the stones on which he knelt. He longed to kiss with unbounded tenderness the stones on which he rested his head. God-God-Godbeat the heart in his breast, and every throb was a thankoffering. He looked at the girl, and yet he did not see her. He saw only a shimmer; he knelt before it.

Gracious one, formed his mouth. Minel Minel My belovedl How could the world have existed before you were? How must God have smiled when he created youl You are speaking?-What are you saying?-My heart is shouting within me-I cannot catch your words. . ., Be patient with me, gracious one, belavedl Without his being aware of it, drawn by an invisible un-

breakable cord. he pushed himself forward on his knees, nearer and nearer to the shimmer which the girl's face was to him. At last he was so nea.r that he could have touched

the hem of her dres. with his outstretched hand. "Look at me, Virgin'" implored his eyes. "Mother, look at me'" But her gentle eyes looked out over him. Her lips said:

"My brothers... ."

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