_] Yes, brood of hell!!!
JAEGER
[_Reads._]
You fiends in fashion human,
A curse will fall on all like you,
Who prey on man and woman.
ANSORGE
Yes, yes, a curse upon them!
OLD BAUMERT
[_Clenching his fist, threateningly._] You prey on man and woman.
JAEGER
[_Reads._]
The suppliant knows he asks in vain,
Vain every word that's spoken.
"If not content, then go and starve--
Our rules cannot be broken."
OLD BAUMERT
What is it? "The suppliant knows he asks in vain"? Every word of it's
true ... every word ... as true as the Bible. He knows he asks in vain.
ANSORGE
Yes, yes! It's all no good.
JAEGER
[_Reads._]
Then think of all our woe and want,
O ye who hear this ditty!
Our struggle vain for daily bread
Hard hearts would move to pity.
But pity's what _you've_ never known,
You'd take both skin and clothing,
You cannibals, whose cruel deeds
Fill all good men with loathing.
OLD BAUMERT
[_Jumps up, beside himself with excitement._] Both skin and clothing.
It's true, it's all true! Here I stands, Robert Baumert, master-weaver of
Kaschbach. Who can bring up anything against me?..
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