Freder stood pressed into the background of the arch—so far from the girl that he perceived of her face nothing but the shimmer of its pallor, the wonder of the eyes and the blood-red mouth. His eyes hung upon this blood-red mouth as though it were the middle point of the earth, to which, by eternal law, his blood must pour down. Tantalising was this mouth.... All the seven Deadly Sins had such a mouth.... The woman on the scarlet-coloured beast, who bore the name Babylon on her forehead, had such a mouth.... He pressed both hands to his eyes in order no longer to see this mouth of deadly sin. Now he heard more clearly.... Yes, that was her voice, the voice which sounded as though God could refuse it nothing.... Was that really it? The voice came from out the blood-red mouth. It was like a flame, hot and pointed. It was full of a wicked sweetness.... The voice said: “My brothers....” But no peace proceeded from out these words. Little red snakes hissed through the air. The air was hot—an agony to breathe.... Groaning heavily, Freder opened his eyes. Dark, angry waves were the heads before him. These waves frothed, raged and roared. Here and there a hand shot up into the air. Words sprang up, foam flecks of the surf. But the voice of the girl was like a tongue of fire, drawing, enticing, burning above the heads. “Which is more pleasant: water or wine?” “... Wine is more pleasant!” “Who drinks the water?” “... We!” “Who drinks the wine?” “... The masters! The masters of the machines!” “Which is more pleasant: meat or dry bread?” “... Meat is more pleasant!” “Who eats the dry bread?” “... We!” “Who eats the meat?” “... The masters! The masters of the machines!” “Which is more pleasant to wear: blue linen or white silk?” “... White silk is more pleasant to wear!” “Who wears the blue linen?” “... We!” “Who wears the white silk?” “... The masters! The sons of the masters!” “Where is it more pleasant to live: upon or under the earth?” “... It is more pleasant to live upon the earth!” “Who lives under the earth?” “... We!” “Who lives upon the earth?” “... The masters! The masters of the machines!” “Where are your wives?” “... In misery!” “Where are your children?” “... In misery!” “What do your wives do?” “... They starve!” “What do your children do?” “... They cry!” “What do the wives of the masters of the machines do?” “... They feast!” “What do the children of the masters of the machines do?” “... They play!” “Who are the providers?” “... We!” “Who are the squanderers?” “... The masters! The masters of the machines!” “What are you?” “... Slaves!” “No!—what are you?” “... Dogs!” “No!—what are you?” “... Tell us!—tell us!”