Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/61

 METROPOLIS

-

of those building Southwards knew one of those digging toward the North. The Brain which conceived the constructiOD of the Tower of Bahel was unknown to those who built it. Brain and Hands were far apart and strangers. Brain and Hands became enemies. The pleasure of one became the other's burden. The hymn of praise of one became the other's curse. .. 'BabeU' shouted one, meaning: Divinity, Coronation, Eternal, Triumphl " 'Babell' shouted the other, meaning: Hell, Slavery, Eternal, Damnationl "The same word was prayer and blasphemy. Speaking the same words, the men did not understand each other. "That men no longer understood each other, that Brain and Hands no longer understood each other, was to blame that the Tower of Babel was given up to· destruction, that never were the words of those who had 'conceived it written on its top in golden symbols: Great is' the world and its Creatorl And great is manl "That Brain and Hands no longer understand each other will one day destroy the New Tower of Babel. "Brain and Hands need a mediator. The Medw.tor be· tween Brain and Hands must be the Heart. ... n She was silent. A breath like a sigh came up from the silent lips of the listeners. Then one - stood up slowly, resting his fists upon the shoulders of the man who crouched before him, and asked, raising his thin face with its fanatical eyes to the girl: "And where is our mediator, Maria?" The girl looked at him, and over her sweet face passed the gleam of a boundless confidence. "Wait for him," she said. "He is sure to come:' A murmur ran through the rows of men. Freder bowed his head to the girl's feet, His whole soul said: "It shan be I." But she did not see him and she did not hear him. "Be patient, my brothersl" she said. "The way which your mediator must ta.ke is long.... There are many among you who cry, "Fightl Destroyl-Do not fight, my brothers, for

66