FRITZ-- Here! (_To himself._) This will break Canzler's heart. (_Rudolph reappears and joins Fritz, and the two stand in silence, Rudolph with his eyes fixed upon the crucifix, and Fritz with his eyes on Rudolph._) FRITZ--What do you think? RUDOLPH-- It was put up last night. FRITZ--You still think we should leave here? RUDOLPH-- Still think? FRITZ-- Yes. RUDOLPH--Can there be any doubt of what this means? Almost its eyeballs gleam between the trees. FRITZ--And if we leave here, what? RUDOLPH-- We bear away To some far mountain nest our eagle's egg. We save our hope. (_Fritz points to the crucifix._) Only proves what I say. 'Tis some poor burgher who refused to bow And would not leave. (_Fritz goes toward the crucifix._) And they have put it up To mock us with the pains they will make us feel If we don't bow. FRITZ-- (_Bending over the pelt._) Knee prints. He has knelt here; Knelt here and prayed-- (_Coming back to the road._) to Woden, do you think? You know the hand that carved that? (_Rudolph goes closer and scrutinizes the crucifix._) Your great sword, Where is it now, Rudolph? the Fafnir's-bane Val-father should reach down to Canzler's hand; To whose hand will the chief's hand pass it now? Out of the dragon's belly will he come, Our Siegfried, with the great heart of the beast? Our hope, our eagle's egg, where is it now? RUDOLPH--It can't be. _Fritz_-- Can't be? _Rudolph_-- Can't be. _Fritz_-- But it is. At dusk last night I saw him in the wood And he was wending this way carrying that. And there are knee-prints on it. (_A pause._) And that thing; What other hand could have carved out that brow And laid that sorrow there? Look at those knees. RUDOLPH--This is why he has shunned us. FRITZ-- Say no word To Canzler about this or to the girl. Never will she be happy any more. He will leave now. RUDOLPH-- (_Contemplating the knee-prints._) Under Val-father's trees! FRITZ--Canzler has been a father to the boy. (_Rudolph comes toward the road, then turns and looks back at the Christ._) So Balder looked lying on Valhal floor. If the men hear this, they will vote to die. RUDOLPH--He must go quietly and no word be said.