him in. When he comes onto the church porch he stops in surprise. To the 
right of the entrance there is a large fresco on the wall, not quite Outside the church, four soldiers and a monk are in the process of putting a 
woman in the stocks. Her face is pale and child-like, her head has been The PAINTER points with his brush. JONS sees a small human form writhing in 
the grass, its eyes turned upwards in a frenzied look of horror and pain. mumbles from a small book. One of the soldiers picks up a wooden bucket and 
with his hand begins to smear a bloody paste on the wall of the church and 
around the woman. JONS holds his nose. Waves of heat envelop the gray stone church in a strange white mist. The 
KNIGHT dismounts and enters. After tying up the horses, JONS slowly follows eyes. Christ's face is turned upwards, His mouth open as if in a cry of 
anguish. On the ceiling beam there is a representation of a hideous devil All have turned their faces towards the white road. Now a shrill song is 
heard. It is frenzied, almost a scream. A crucified Christ sways above the 
hilltop. finished. Perched on a crude scaffolding is a PAINTER wearing a red cap and 
paint-stained clothes. He has one brush in his mouth, while with another in The KNIGHT is kneeling before a small altar. It is dark and quiet around him.
The air is cool and musty. Pictures of saints look down on him with stony He makes the sign of the cross over the crowd and then begins a new song in a
strong voice. The monks rise and join in the song. As if driven by some PAINTER 
		The rump behind you, the rump behind you 
		there's a profound truth.

JONS paints a small figure which is supposed to represent himself. He makes a fist of his hand and lifts it to his temple.



Meanwhile, JONS and the PAINTER have got drunk and are talking animatedly 
together. JONS 
		What is this supposed to represent? 

				PAINTER 
		The Dance of Death. The inn is very small and full of people eating and drinking to forget their 
newly aroused fears of eternity. In the open fireplace a roasting pig turns PAINTER 
		The remarkable thing is that the poor creatures
		think the pestilence is the Lord's punishment. PAINTER 
		I think I frightened you after all.

JONS sits down with the PAINTER, who produces a jug of brandy. They walk across an open meadow. Here it is a little brighter and the moon 
shimmers behind a thin sky. Suddenly PLOG points a large finger towards the 
edge of the forest. with heavy coffins or clutching holy relics, their hands stretched out 
spasmodically. The dust wells up around their black hoods; the censers sway tightly together. Their song never stops. The Christ figure on its timbered 
cross is raised above the heads of the crowd. It is not Christ triumphant, PAINTER 
		You should see the boils on a diseased man's 
		throat. You should see how his body shrivels up
iron chains around her throat and arms. She stares fixedly into the 
moonlight.
 
A black figure sits next to her, a monk with his hood pulled down over his When they have fastened her, they walk over to light the pyre. The KNIGHT 
steps up and leans over her. SKAT frowns, toys with his small dagger and occasionally throws a roguish but 
fiery glance at the beautiful visitor. She suddenly discovers that one of her SOLDIER 
		She has had carnal intercourse with the Evil 
		One. The woman quietly bites into a chicken leg dripping with fat. At this moment 
the actor is stricken by a radiant glance full of lustful appetites. SKAT hesitates momentarily, but he is still the strategist. He lets the 
chicken leg fall to the grass, and murmurs in the woman's rosy ear. Antonius Block has brought his companions with him to the castle. But it
seems deserted. They walk from room to room. There is only emptiness and
quiet echoes. Outside, the rain is heard roaring noisily. no one appears he enters. It is very dark inside and his foot touches a soft 
object. He looks down. Beside the whitewashed fireplace, a woman is lying 
with her face to the ground. He nods resignedly and walks away. The young woman starts to moan as though 
she were having a horrible nightmare. The sound of her cries follows the two 
riders for a considerable distance down the road. She puts the child down on the ground and half rises to shake out her red 
skirt. When she sits down again, the KNIGHT steps closer. The devil with it! Come along and don't stand 
		there staring. I've saved your life, so you owe 
		me a great deal. She becomes weak and faint from his nearness, looks at him with a glassy 
glance and breathes heavily. SKAT doesn't neglect to press kisses on her The Seventh Seal
 
The night had brought little relief from the heat, and at dawn a hot gust of
wind blows across the colorless sea. The KNIGHT, Antonius Block, lies she brings the Devil with her wherever she 
		goes. KNIGHT 
		Your move!

DEATH raises his hand and strikes the KNIGHT'S queen. Antonius Block looks at 
DEATH. SOLDIER 
		She will be burned tomorrow morning at the 
		parish boundary. But we have to keep the Devil 
		away from the rest of us. MIA does what JOF has told her. At the same moment, the KNIGHT looks up from
his game. 

				DEATH 
		It is your move, Antonius Block. little longer, or sit on the ground, because 
		we are now going to perform a tragedia about 
		an unfaithful wife, her jealous husband, and on you and immediately blow you down to the 
		actor's own red-hot hell, where you can sit and 
		recite monologues to each other until the dust Suddenly, out of the silence and the dim light falling across the forest 
road, a ghostlike cart emerges. It is the WITCH being taken to the place
The squire JONS is awakened by a kick in the rear. Opening his eyes, he The KNIGHT hands his squire a piece of bread, which keeps him quiet for a 
while. The sun burns down on them cruelly, and beads of perspiration trickle She begins walking towards him, her head bent. He doesn't wait for her but 
walks towards the KNIGHT, who patiently awaits his squire. Nearby his squire JONS is snoring loudly. He has fallen asleep where he 
collapsed, at the edge of the forest among the wind-gnarled fir trees. His The KNIGHT slowly rides away from the sea, into the forest near the beach and 
up towards the road. He pretends not to hear the morning prayers of his 
squire. JONS soon overtakes him. The KNIGHT walks by, calls to his squire and goes out into the bright 
sunshine. JONS manages to set himself down from the scaffolding. JONS 
		This is squire Jns. He grins at Death, mocks 
		the Lord, laughs at himself and leers at the The procession continues. New members have joined the rear of the column; 
others who were unable to go on lie weeping in the dust of the road. JONS the 
squire drinks his beer. and milkmaids. A whole flock of children perch in the trees around the wagon.
 
The KNIGHT and his squire have sat down in the shadow of a wall. They drink She puts the child down on the ground and half rises to shake out her red 
skirt. When she sits down again, the KNIGHT steps closer. The KNIGHT has risen and waded into the shallow water, where he rinses his 
sunburned face and blistered lips. JONS rolls over to face the forest and the The KNIGHT rummages in the big black bag which he keeps beside him and takes 
out a small chessboard. He places it carefully on the ground and begins 
setting up the pieces. grunts like a pig and yawns broadly. He scrambles to his feet, saddles his 
horse and picks up the heavy pack. The sound of the hammering echoes through the forest. The KNIGHT has 
dismounted and walks closer to the cart. Again he tries to catch TYAN'S eyes, She nods energetically and the KNIGHT smiles seriously. Now the shrieks and 
the noise from the inn become louder. Black figures flicker across the grass They walk across an open meadow. Here it is a little brighter and the moon 
shimmers behind a thin sky. Suddenly PLOG points a large finger towards the 
edge of the forest. him towards the road. MIA has just climbed up on the wagon. JOF takes the 
horse by the bridle and leads it down the road. DEATH notices nothing; he is JONS 
		Neither can I.
 
JONS walks over towards the horses. The KNIGHT stands for a few, moments The KNIGHT is kneeling before a small altar. It is dark and quiet around him.
The air is cool and musty. Pictures of saints look down on him with stony barely visible, a seagull floats on motionless wings. Its cry is weird and 
restless. The KNIGHT'S large gray horse lifts its head and whinnies. Antonius
He has picked up the juggling balls and slowly begins to toss them. Then he 
stands on his head and cackles like a hen. Suddenly he stops and sits down His voice sticks in his throat and he suddenly walks away. The KNIGHT mounts
his horse. The travelers depart from the crossroads. TYAN finally closes her 
eyes. In his sleep, JOF the juggler hears the neighing of his horse and the answer 
from a distance. He tries to go on sleeping, but it is stifling inside the They walk out of the house. RAVAL lies still for a few moments, then he rises 
slowly and looks around. When no one is in sight, he takes his bag and steals His eyes are popping with rage. He turns over and continues snoring where he 
left off. MIA and JOF decide that it would be wisest to leave the wagon. They close to each other in the juggler's wagon. MIA holds her son in her arms. 
JONS follows them with his heavily laden horse. He has the smith in tow. The The two lovers discover PLOG and it's too late. They cannot retreat. SKAT 
immediately takes to his heels. PLOG chases him, swinging his sledge and 
bellowing like a wild boar. DEATH 
		Are you going to escort the juggler and his 
		wife through the forest? Those whose names are 
		Jof and Mia and who have a small son? SKAT lies in the grass and keeps the dagger pressed tightly to his breast. 
The travelers depart and soon they have disappeared into the dark forest on He nods resignedly and walks away. The young woman starts to moan as though 
she were having a horrible nightmare. The sound of her cries follows the two 
riders for a considerable distance down the road. He is silent. He lowers his hand. His son, MIKAEL, has listened to his words.
Now, he crawls up to MIA and sits down in her lap. MERCHANT
		And people are acting crazy, I'd say. They flee 
		the country and carry the plague with them 
		wherever they go. They crawl out of their hiding place. The wagon stands on a height above a 
slope, protected by an enormous tree. They look across ridges, forests, the He places his leg in front of JOF as if to trip him, raises MIA's skirt, 
makes a face as if he could see all the wonders of the world underneath it, 
and disappears behind the gaudily patched curtains. He rises, nods to the others and walks down towards the forest. JOF continues 
to play on his lyre. MIA stretches out on the grass. SKAT hesitates momentarily, but he is still the strategist. He lets the 
chicken leg fall to the grass, and murmurs in the woman's rosy ear. JONS and the KNIGHT stop and watch in silence. The soldiers are working 
quickly and skillfully, but they seem frightened and dejected. The monk JOF'S face breaks into a smile and his eyes fill with tears. With a dazed 
expression he sits flat on his behind while the grass rustles softly, and 
bees and butterflies hum around his head. The unseen bird continues to sing. together and his lips form the words silently. His face is sad and bitter. He 
opens his eyes and stares directly into the morning sun which wallows up from stop their games and stand with gaping mouths and frightened eyes.
 
JOF steps out in front of the curtain. His painted face bears an expression
No one answers, no one moves. RAVAL'S sobs are dry and convulsive, like a 
frightened child's. His sudden scream is cut off in the middle. Then it RAVAL 
		I am going to die. I. I. I! What will happen to 
		me! Can no one console me? Haven't you any 
		compassion? Can't you see that I ... Now RAVAL enters the discussion. He is slightly drunk and his voice is shrill 
and evil.
 
				RAVAL 
		Listen, you! You sit there and lie to the 
		smith. RAVAL prods JOF lightly with the knife point. JOF gets up with cold sweat on 
his cheeks and forehead, frightened half to death. He begins to jump and hop RAVAL 
		Can't you have pity on me? Help me! At least 
		talk to me.

No one answers. The trees sigh. RAVAL begins to cry. He bends over RAVAL. 

				RAVEL 
		Don't beat me. They walk out of the house. RAVAL lies still for a few moments, then he rises 
slowly and looks around. When no one is in sight, he takes his bag and steals No one answers. RAVAL'S face appears suddenly at the base of the tree. His 
eyes bulge wildly and his mouth is ringed with foam. RAVAL 
		Do you have some water?

RAVAL'S perspiring face soon becomes visible. He disappears in the darkness, 
but his voice is heard again. RAVAL 
		Don't try to scream. There's no one around to 
		hear you, neither God nor man. PLOG beats him so furiously that JOF flies across the table. RAVAL leans over
him.
 
				RAVAL 
		Don't lie there moaning. Get up and dance. RAVAL looks around.
 
				JONS 
		You look uncomfortable. Do you have a stomach-
		ache? 

RAVAL smiles anxiously. With a quick movement he knocks the knife out of RAVAL'S hand, gives him a 
kick so that he falls on the floor and is about to finish him off. Suddenly JONS raises his knife and cuts RAVAL from forehead to cheek. RAVAL staggers 
towards the wall. JOF looks from one face to another, but no one seems ready to help him or 
come to his defense.
 
 				RAVAL 
		Get up so everyone can hear you. Talk louder. RAVAL 
		Can't you give me a little water? 
			(pause) 
		I have the plague. Trembling, JOF rises. He opens his mouth as if to say something, but not a 
word comes out.
 
				RAVAL RAVEL 
		I'm afraid of death.

No one answers. There is complete silence. RAVAL gasps heavily for air. The 
dry leaves rustle with his movements. RAVAL smiles uneasily and looks around. 

				JONS 
		Am I not right?

The GIRL stands immobile. At that moment the door opens and JONS enters. JOF sees his chance and steals
out. RAVAL intends to follow him, but suddenly stops. JONS and RAVAL look at 
each other.
KNIGHT 
		Your move!

DEATH raises his hand and strikes the KNIGHT'S queen. Antonius Block looks at 
DEATH. DEATH 
		I am Death.

				KNIGHT 
		Have you come for me? KNIGHT 
		What have you done with the child? 

DEATH turns around and looks at him. The KNIGHT has risen to his feet. He shivers. DEATH opens his cloak to place 
it around the KNIGHT'S shoulders. 

				KNIGHT 
		Wait a moment. DEATH 
		Oh, no reason at all.
 
The KNIGHT suddenly stops smiling. DEATH looks at him scornfully. DEATH 
		Don't you ever stop asking questions? 

				KNIGHT 
		No, I'll never stop. MIA does what JOF has told her. At the same moment, the KNIGHT looks up from
his game. 

				DEATH 
		It is your move, Antonius Block. The KNIGHT and DEATH bend over the chessboard. After a moment of hesitation, 
Antonius Block opens with his king's pawn. DEATH moves, also using his king's 
pawn. DEATH 
		Now I see something interesting. 

				KNIGHT 
		What do you see? DEATH straightens his back and squints up at him. SKAT cries out in terror. KNIGHT 
		And you will divulge your secrets. 

				DEATH 
		I have no secrets. DEATH 
		You are mated on the next move, Antonius Block. 

				KNIGHT 
		That's true. DEATH 
		That's what they all say. I grant no reprieves. 

				KNIGHT 
		You play chess, don't you? DEATH is about to answer him but stops and leans over the board. The KNIGHT 
smiles. He pretends to be clumsy and knocks the chess pieces over with the hem of his 
coat. He looks up at DEATH. DEATH 
		Is that why you are playing chess with Death? KNIGHT 
		Yes, I do.
 
				DEATH 
		What are you waiting for? 

				KNIGHT 
		I want knowledge. DEATH 
		What matter is that?
 
				KNIGHT The Seventh Seal
 
The night had brought little relief from the heat, and at dawn a hot gust of
wind blows across the colorless sea. The KNIGHT, Antonius Block, lies DEATH doesn't answer.
 
				KNIGHT 
		Through my indifference to my fellow men, I
Antonius Block has brought his companions with him to the castle. But it
seems deserted. They walk from room to room. There is only emptiness and
quiet echoes. Outside, the rain is heard roaring noisily. The castle is silhouetted like a black boulder against the heavy dawn. Now
the storm moves there, throwing itself powerfully against walls and
abutments.  The sky darkens; it is almost like night. no one appears he enters. It is very dark inside and his foot touches a soft 
object. He looks down. Beside the whitewashed fireplace, a woman is lying 
with her face to the ground. barely visible, a seagull floats on motionless wings. Its cry is weird and 
restless. The KNIGHT'S large gray horse lifts its head and whinnies. Antonius Perhaps no one is there.
 
				KNIGHT 
		Then life is an outrageous horror. No one can JONS goes into the inn to get provisions for the night journey and to have a 
last mug of beer. The inn is now empty and quiet except for a few farmhands The Seventh Seal
 
The night had brought little relief from the heat, and at dawn a hot gust of
wind blows across the colorless sea. The KNIGHT, Antonius Block, lies At the sound of approaching steps, JONS quickly hides behind the door. A man 
comes down a ladder from the loft. He is broad and thick-set. His eyes are and maidens who are eating their evening meal in a corner. At one of the 
small windows sits a lonely, hunched-over fellow, with a jug of brandy in his Slowly he closes the door behind the GIRL. The stuffy room is now in almost 
total darkness. But JONS becomes clearly visible. Waves of heat envelop the gray stone church in a strange white mist. The 
KNIGHT dismounts and enters. After tying up the horses, JONS slowly follows Three mighty knocks sound on the large portal. KARIN interrupts her reading 
and looks up from the book. JONS rises quickly and goes to open the door. The inn is very small and full of people eating and drinking to forget their 
newly aroused fears of eternity. In the open fireplace a roasting pig turns He rises, nods to the others and walks down towards the forest. JOF continues 
to play on his lyre. MIA stretches out on the grass. KNIGHT 
		Your move!

DEATH raises his hand and strikes the KNIGHT'S queen. Antonius Block looks at 
DEATH. Now the rain becomes quiet. There is suddenly an immense, frightening silence 
in the large, murky room where the burning torches throw uneasy shadows over 
the ceiling and the walls. Everyone listens tensely to the stillness. SKAT lies in the grass and keeps the dagger pressed tightly to his breast. 
The travelers depart and soon they have disappeared into the dark forest on The KNIGHT is kneeling before a small altar. It is dark and quiet around him.
The air is cool and musty. Pictures of saints look down on him with stony No one answers. RAVAL'S face appears suddenly at the base of the tree. His 
eyes bulge wildly and his mouth is ringed with foam. SKAT frowns, toys with his small dagger and occasionally throws a roguish but 
fiery glance at the beautiful visitor. She suddenly discovers that one of her
He nods resignedly and walks away. The young woman starts to moan as though 
she were having a horrible nightmare. The sound of her cries follows the two 
riders for a considerable distance down the road. SKAT hesitates momentarily, but he is still the strategist. He lets the 
chicken leg fall to the grass, and murmurs in the woman's rosy ear. of horror. MIA has risen with MIKAEL in her arms. Some of the women in the 
yard have fallen on their knees, others hide their faces, many begin to She becomes weak and faint from his nearness, looks at him with a glassy 
glance and breathes heavily. SKAT doesn't neglect to press kisses on her iron chains around her throat and arms. She stares fixedly into the 
moonlight.
 
A black figure sits next to her, a monk with his hood pulled down over his When he sees this look, SKAT makes an instantaneous decision, jumps down from 
the wagon and kneels in front of the blushing damsel. She puts the child down on the ground and half rises to shake out her red 
skirt. When she sits down again, the KNIGHT steps closer. The PAINTER points with his brush. JONS sees a small human form writhing in 
the grass, its eyes turned upwards in a frenzied look of horror and pain. no one appears he enters. It is very dark inside and his foot touches a soft 
object. He looks down. Beside the whitewashed fireplace, a woman is lying 
with her face to the ground. When they have fastened her, they walk over to light the pyre. The KNIGHT 
steps up and leans over her. Now she is forced to sit back; her legs seem unwilling to support her any 
longer. Bewildered, she singles out another chicken leg from the large sack Now she comes a little closer, kneels down and opens a bundle containing 
several dainty morsels and a skin filled with red wine. JONAS SKAT manages emerges. They take her down from the cart and lead her towards the ladder and 
the stake. The KNIGHT turns to the MONK, who remains seated in the cart. The sounds of the hammers stops. The soldiers stand like black shadows rooted 
in the moss. They fumble with the chains and pull at the neck iron. TYAN 
moans weakly, as if she were far away. in their hands with which they whip themselves and each other, howling 
ecstatically. They twist in pain; their eyes bulge wildly; their lips are SKAT frowns, toys with his small dagger and occasionally throws a roguish but 
fiery glance at the beautiful visitor. She suddenly discovers that one of her Outside the church, four soldiers and a monk are in the process of putting a 
woman in the stocks. Her face is pale and child-like, her head has been His words seem to please her. She puts her arms around the actor's neck and 
pulls him to her with such fierceness that both of them lose their balance mound. Someone collapses, gets up and runs. It is JOF. MIA stretches out her 
arms and receives him. He holds his hands in front of his face, moaning like She yawns. The sun, has made her a bit drowsy and she lies down on the grass.
JOF does likewise and puts one arm around his wife's shoulders.
The KNIGHT has risen and waded into the shallow water, where he rinses his 
sunburned face and blistered lips. JONS rolls over to face the forest and the KNIGHT 
		The plague has spread in that direction, 
		following the coast line south. It's said that 
		people are dying by the tens of thousands. The KNIGHT hands his squire a piece of bread, which keeps him quiet for a 
while. The sun burns down on them cruelly, and beads of perspiration trickle The KNIGHT slowly rides away from the sea, into the forest near the beach and 
up towards the road. He pretends not to hear the morning prayers of his 
squire. JONS soon overtakes him. She nods energetically and the KNIGHT smiles seriously. Now the shrieks and 
the noise from the inn become louder. Black figures flicker across the grass JONS and the KNIGHT stop and watch in silence. The soldiers are working 
quickly and skillfully, but they seem frightened and dejected. The monk The Seventh Seal
 
The night had brought little relief from the heat, and at dawn a hot gust of
wind blows across the colorless sea. The KNIGHT, Antonius Block, lies The KNIGHT is kneeling before a small altar. It is dark and quiet around him.
The air is cool and musty. Pictures of saints look down on him with stony Waves of heat envelop the gray stone church in a strange white mist. The 
KNIGHT dismounts and enters. After tying up the horses, JONS slowly follows The procession continues. New members have joined the rear of the column; 
others who were unable to go on lie weeping in the dust of the road. JONS the 
squire drinks his beer. Antonius Block has brought his companions with him to the castle. But it
seems deserted. They walk from room to room. There is only emptiness and
quiet echoes. Outside, the rain is heard roaring noisily. The KNIGHT walks by, calls to his squire and goes out into the bright 
sunshine. JONS manages to set himself down from the scaffolding. Nearby his squire JONS is snoring loudly. He has fallen asleep where he 
collapsed, at the edge of the forest among the wind-gnarled fir trees. His His voice sticks in his throat and he suddenly walks away. The KNIGHT mounts
his horse. The travelers depart from the crossroads. TYAN finally closes her 
eyes. The squire JONS is awakened by a kick in the rear. Opening his eyes, he and milkmaids. A whole flock of children perch in the trees around the wagon.
 
The KNIGHT and his squire have sat down in the shadow of a wall. They drink The KNIGHT returns to the beach and falls on his knees. With his eyes closed 
and brow furrowed, he says his morning prayers. His hands are clenched The two lovers discover PLOG and it's too late. They cannot retreat. SKAT 
immediately takes to his heels. PLOG chases him, swinging his sledge and 
bellowing like a wild boar. RAVAL prods JOF lightly with the knife point. JOF gets up with cold sweat on 
his cheeks and forehead, frightened half to death. He begins to jump and hop Three mighty knocks sound on the large portal. KARIN interrupts her reading 
and looks up from the book. JONS rises quickly and goes to open the door.
She puts the child down on the ground and half rises to shake out her red 
skirt. When she sits down again, the KNIGHT steps closer. touches her very lightly as if to waken her. Slowly she turns her face 
towards him.
 
				KNIGHT When they have fastened her, they walk over to light the pyre. The KNIGHT 
steps up and leans over her. She begins walking towards him, her head bent. He doesn't wait for her but 
walks towards the KNIGHT, who patiently awaits his squire. He leans down over the GIRL as she crouches at his feet and pats her on the 
head. The KNIGHT drinks his beer silently. She nods energetically and the KNIGHT smiles seriously. Now the shrieks and 
the noise from the inn become louder. Black figures flicker across the grass emerges. They take her down from the cart and lead her towards the ladder and 
the stake. The KNIGHT turns to the MONK, who remains seated in the cart. The KNIGHT is kneeling before a small altar. It is dark and quiet around him.
The air is cool and musty. Pictures of saints look down on him with stony KNIGHT 
		I see that they have hurt your hands.

The WITCH'S pale, childish face turns towards the KNIGHT and she shakes her 
head. JOF has dozed off for a few moments, but suddenly he wakens. Then he sees the 
KNIGHT and DEATH together. He becomes very frightened and awakens MIA. The KNIGHT has risen and waded into the shallow water, where he rinses his 
sunburned face and blistered lips. JONS rolls over to face the forest and the KNIGHT 
		Yes, I do.
 
				DEATH 
		What are you waiting for? 

				KNIGHT 
		I want knowledge. The KNIGHT slowly rides away from the sea, into the forest near the beach and 
up towards the road. He pretends not to hear the morning prayers of his 
squire. JONS soon overtakes him. The KNIGHT walks by, calls to his squire and goes out into the bright 
sunshine. JONS manages to set himself down from the scaffolding. The sound of the hammering echoes through the forest. The KNIGHT has 
dismounted and walks closer to the cart. Again he tries to catch TYAN'S eyes, KNIGHT 
		And you will divulge your secrets. 

				DEATH 
		I have no secrets. Suddenly the KNIGHT stands face to face with his wife. They look at each
other quietly. TYAN 
		Why?

				KNIGHT 
		I want to ask him about God. He, if anyone, 
		must know. JONS finally gets the KNIGHT'S attention. He stops singing. The KNIGHT, his 
horse, JONS'S own horse and JONS himself know all the songs by heart. The Perhaps no one is there.
 
				KNIGHT 
		Then life is an outrageous horror. No one can
RAVAL prods JOF lightly with the knife point. JOF gets up with cold sweat on 
his cheeks and forehead, frightened half to death. He begins to jump and hop He has picked up the juggling balls and slowly begins to toss them. Then he 
stands on his head and cackles like a hen. Suddenly he stops and sits down JONS raises his knife and cuts RAVAL from forehead to cheek. RAVAL staggers 
towards the wall. Now RAVAL enters the discussion. He is slightly drunk and his voice is shrill 
and evil.
 
				RAVAL 
		Listen, you! You sit there and lie to the 
		smith. No one answers, no one moves. RAVAL'S sobs are dry and convulsive, like a 
frightened child's. His sudden scream is cut off in the middle. Then it With a quick movement he knocks the knife out of RAVAL'S hand, gives him a 
kick so that he falls on the floor and is about to finish him off. Suddenly PLOG beats him so furiously that JOF flies across the table. RAVAL leans over
him.
 
				RAVAL 
		Don't lie there moaning. Get up and dance. RAVAL 
		Do you have some water?

RAVAL'S perspiring face soon becomes visible. He disappears in the darkness, 
but his voice is heard again. They walk out of the house. RAVAL lies still for a few moments, then he rises 
slowly and looks around. When no one is in sight, he takes his bag and steals No one answers. RAVAL'S face appears suddenly at the base of the tree. His 
eyes bulge wildly and his mouth is ringed with foam. He bends over RAVAL. 

				RAVEL 
		Don't beat me. RAVAL looks around.
 
				JONS 
		You look uncomfortable. Do you have a stomach-
		ache? 

RAVAL smiles anxiously. Trembling, JOF rises. He opens his mouth as if to say something, but not a 
word comes out.
 
				RAVAL In his sleep, JOF the juggler hears the neighing of his horse and the answer 
from a distance. He tries to go on sleeping, but it is stifling inside the At that moment the door opens and JONS enters. JOF sees his chance and steals
out. RAVAL intends to follow him, but suddenly stops. JONS and RAVAL look at 
each other. RAVAL smiles uneasily and looks around. 

				JONS 
		Am I not right?

The GIRL stands immobile. RAVAL 
		Don't try to scream. There's no one around to 
		hear you, neither God nor man. PLOG, the smith, shoves his way into a place next to JOF, who is still 
dressed in his costume. Opposite him sits RAVAL, leaning slightly forward, his face perspiring heavily. RAVAL rolls an armlet out on the table. close to each other in the juggler's wagon. MIA holds her son in her arms. 
JONS follows them with his heavily laden horse. He has the smith in tow. The
The KNIGHT hands his squire a piece of bread, which keeps him quiet for a 
while. The sun burns down on them cruelly, and beads of perspiration trickle The KNIGHT has risen and waded into the shallow water, where he rinses his 
sunburned face and blistered lips. JONS rolls over to face the forest and the She points with a spoon and smiles. The KNIGHT nods, as if he were pondering 
some profound thought. JOF eats heartily. She nods energetically and the KNIGHT smiles seriously. Now the shrieks and 
the noise from the inn become louder. Black figures flicker across the grass and milkmaids. A whole flock of children perch in the trees around the wagon.
 
The KNIGHT and his squire have sat down in the shadow of a wall. They drink The KNIGHT rummages in the big black bag which he keeps beside him and takes 
out a small chessboard. He places it carefully on the ground and begins 
setting up the pieces. The KNIGHT is kneeling before a small altar. It is dark and quiet around him.
The air is cool and musty. Pictures of saints look down on him with stony stands a bulging wagon covered with a mottled canvas. A horse whinnies nearby 
and is answered by the KNIGHT'S horse. The two travelers do not stop to rest barely visible, a seagull floats on motionless wings. Its cry is weird and 
restless. The KNIGHT'S large gray horse lifts its head and whinnies. Antonius The KNIGHT slowly rides away from the sea, into the forest near the beach and 
up towards the road. He pretends not to hear the morning prayers of his 
squire. JONS soon overtakes him. JONS finally gets the KNIGHT'S attention. He stops singing. The KNIGHT, his 
horse, JONS'S own horse and JONS himself know all the songs by heart. The The sound of the hammering echoes through the forest. The KNIGHT has 
dismounted and walks closer to the cart. Again he tries to catch TYAN'S eyes, She puts the child down on the ground and half rises to shake out her red 
skirt. When she sits down again, the KNIGHT steps closer. KNIGHT 
		I shall remember this moment. The silence, the 
		twilight, the bowls of strawberries and milk, Not far from the wagon, the KNIGHT sits crouched over his chess game. He 
lifts his head. When they have fastened her, they walk over to light the pyre. The KNIGHT 
steps up and leans over her. His voice sticks in his throat and he suddenly walks away. The KNIGHT mounts
his horse. The travelers depart from the crossroads. TYAN finally closes her 
eyes. Now she comes a little closer, kneels down and opens a bundle containing 
several dainty morsels and a skin filled with red wine. JONAS SKAT manages JOF lifts his head and wakes up. He has been asleep with his arms around 
MIA's shoulders. The KNIGHT is sharply silhouetted against the tree trunks. The KNIGHT grips the wooden rail of the cart so tightly that his knuckles 
whiten. TYAN leans forward and joins her gaze with his.
In his sleep, JOF the juggler hears the neighing of his horse and the answer 
from a distance. He tries to go on sleeping, but it is stifling inside the JOF'S face breaks into a smile and his eyes fill with tears. With a dazed 
expression he sits flat on his behind while the grass rustles softly, and 
bees and butterflies hum around his head. The unseen bird continues to sing. JOF has dozed off for a few moments, but suddenly he wakens. Then he sees the 
KNIGHT and DEATH together. He becomes very frightened and awakens MIA. He places his leg in front of JOF as if to trip him, raises MIA's skirt, 
makes a face as if he could see all the wonders of the world underneath it, 
and disappears behind the gaudily patched curtains. He has picked up the juggling balls and slowly begins to toss them. Then he 
stands on his head and cackles like a hen. Suddenly he stops and sits down JOF 
			(angry)
		I didn't ask to have visions. I can't help it JOF stands in the hot sun with a flickering lantern in his hand. MIA pretends 
to be asleep on a bench which has been pulled forward on the stage. stop their games and stand with gaping mouths and frightened eyes.
 
JOF steps out in front of the curtain. His painted face bears an expression JOF 
		Mikael will grow up to be a great acrobat -- or 
		a juggler who can do the one impossible trick. JOF 
		Listen, I've had a vision. No, it wasn't a 
		vision. It was real, absolutely real. JOF gets up on the table and stands on his head. A hand pushes him forward so
that he collapses on the floor. PLOG rises, pulls him to his feet with one 
hand. JOF has come out with his lyre, sits on a small, gaudy box and plucks at the 
instrument, humming quietly, searching for his melody. JONS yawns and lies 
down. MIA 
		Oh, so you've had a vision again!

MIA's voice is filled with gentle irony. JOF shakes his head and grabs her by 
the shoulders. JOF snatches away his hands and raises his head. He looks half surprised, as 
if the truth had just become apparent to him. mound. Someone collapses, gets up and runs. It is JOF. MIA stretches out her 
arms and receives him. He holds his hands in front of his face, moaning like JOF gingerly proffers a frightened hand and gets it thoroughly shaken and 
squeezed. While JOF tries to straighten out his fingers, PLOG is seized by 
great good will and opens his arms. JOF 
		I see them, Mia! I see them! Over there against 
		the dark, stormy sky. They are all there. The JOF comes to life. He rushes into the wagon and shakes MIA awake. RAVAL prods JOF lightly with the knife point. JOF gets up with cold sweat on 
his cheeks and forehead, frightened half to death. He begins to jump and hop In the meantime JOF and MIA play their tragedy; it is not, however, received 
with great acclaim. SKAT suddenly discovers that someone is watching him as
hands. His expression is very sad. Once in a while he is shaken by a gigantic 
sob. It is PLOG, the smith, who sits there and whimpers. His silence makes him seem almost unreal. JONS and PLOG are slightly drunk 
and support each other. Suddenly PLOG has to sit down. He puts his hands over 
his face and howls piteously. SKAT looks at the travelers with a pained expression and then lifts his eyes 
towards the night sky. 

				SKAT 
		I forgive all of you. Pray for me sometimes. SKAT sinks the dagger into his breast and slowly falls to the ground. The 
travelers stand confused. PLOG rushes forward and begins to pull at SKAT'S hands. LISA sobs with excitement and sorrow. PLOG looks around, a little confused. 
SKAT uses this opportunity. He pulls out a dagger and places the point 
against his breast. The two lovers discover PLOG and it's too late. They cannot retreat. SKAT 
immediately takes to his heels. PLOG chases him, swinging his sledge and 
bellowing like a wild boar. PLOG begins to cry loudly and his whole body sways in an enormous attack of 
sorrow. JONS looks at him with interest.

				JONS
		Look how he howls again. PLOG 
		Oh dear, dear, I didn't mean it that way! Look, 
		there's no life left in him. I was beginning to TYAN 
		Why?

				KNIGHT 
		I want to ask him about God. He, if anyone, 
		must know. The KNIGHT is kneeling before a small altar. It is dark and quiet around him.
The air is cool and musty. Pictures of saints look down on him with stony The KNIGHT returns to the beach and falls on his knees. With his eyes closed 
and brow furrowed, he says his morning prayers. His hands are clenched DEATH straightens his back and squints up at him. SKAT cries out in terror. MONK
		God has sentenced us to punishment. We shall 
		all perish in the black death. You, standing spying on a miserable human being. The KNIGHT hears a sound from the 
confession booth and approaches it. The face of DEATH appears behind the JOF gingerly proffers a frightened hand and gets it thoroughly shaken and 
squeezed. While JOF tries to straighten out his fingers, PLOG is seized by 
great good will and opens his arms. The Seventh Seal
 
The night had brought little relief from the heat, and at dawn a hot gust of
wind blows across the colorless sea. The KNIGHT, Antonius Block, lies PLOG 
		Oh, now it came over me again! 

				JONS 
		Don't scream. What came over you? JOF has dozed off for a few moments, but suddenly he wakens. Then he sees the 
KNIGHT and DEATH together. He becomes very frightened and awakens MIA. JONS dismounts and approaches the sleeping man. JONS addresses him politely. 
When he doesn't receive an answer, he walks up to the man in order to shake He makes the sign of the cross over the crowd and then begins a new song in a
strong voice. The monks rise and join in the song. As if driven by some
The KNIGHT is kneeling before a small altar. It is dark and quiet around him.
The air is cool and musty. Pictures of saints look down on him with stony spying on a miserable human being. The KNIGHT hears a sound from the 
confession booth and approaches it. The face of DEATH appears behind the JOF has dozed off for a few moments, but suddenly he wakens. Then he sees the 
KNIGHT and DEATH together. He becomes very frightened and awakens MIA. Waves of heat envelop the gray stone church in a strange white mist. The 
KNIGHT dismounts and enters. After tying up the horses, JONS slowly follows She nods energetically and the KNIGHT smiles seriously. Now the shrieks and 
the noise from the inn become louder. Black figures flicker across the grass JOF lifts his head and wakes up. He has been asleep with his arms around 
MIA's shoulders. The KNIGHT is sharply silhouetted against the tree trunks. JONS and the KNIGHT stop and watch in silence. The soldiers are working 
quickly and skillfully, but they seem frightened and dejected. The monk KNIGHT 
		Good evening.
 
JOF becomes a little embarrassed and rises. All three of them look at one The KNIGHT has risen and waded into the shallow water, where he rinses his 
sunburned face and blistered lips. JONS rolls over to face the forest and the The KNIGHT returns to the beach and falls on his knees. With his eyes closed 
and brow furrowed, he says his morning prayers. His hands are clenched When they have fastened her, they walk over to light the pyre. The KNIGHT 
steps up and leans over her. Suddenly the KNIGHT stands face to face with his wife. They look at each
other quietly. She begins walking towards him, her head bent. He doesn't wait for her but 
walks towards the KNIGHT, who patiently awaits his squire. JOF gets up carefully and disappears into the darkness behind the trees. MIA 
remains standing, as if paralyzed by fear. She stares fixedly at the KNIGHT emerges. They take her down from the cart and lead her towards the ladder and 
the stake. The KNIGHT turns to the MONK, who remains seated in the cart. The procession continues. New members have joined the rear of the column; 
others who were unable to go on lie weeping in the dust of the road. JONS the 
squire drinks his beer. The KNIGHT walks by, calls to his squire and goes out into the bright 
sunshine. JONS manages to set himself down from the scaffolding. The sound of the hammering echoes through the forest. The KNIGHT has 
dismounted and walks closer to the cart. Again he tries to catch TYAN'S eyes, The KNIGHT slowly rides away from the sea, into the forest near the beach and 
up towards the road. He pretends not to hear the morning prayers of his 
squire. JONS soon overtakes him. KNIGHT 
		And you will divulge your secrets. 

				DEATH 
		I have no secrets.
DEATH straightens his back and squints up at him. SKAT cries out in terror. DEATH 
		Now I see something interesting. 

				KNIGHT 
		What do you see? JOF has dozed off for a few moments, but suddenly he wakens. Then he sees the 
KNIGHT and DEATH together. He becomes very frightened and awakens MIA. His voice sticks in his throat and he suddenly walks away. The KNIGHT mounts
his horse. The travelers depart from the crossroads. TYAN finally closes her 
eyes. him towards the road. MIA has just climbed up on the wagon. JOF takes the 
horse by the bridle and leads it down the road. DEATH notices nothing; he is KNIGHT 
		Your move!

DEATH raises his hand and strikes the KNIGHT'S queen. Antonius Block looks at 
DEATH. DEATH 
		Oh, no reason at all.
 
The KNIGHT suddenly stops smiling. DEATH looks at him scornfully. DEATH 
		But He remains silent.
 
				KNIGHT DEATH is about to answer him but stops and leans over the board. The KNIGHT 
smiles. spying on a miserable human being. The KNIGHT hears a sound from the 
confession booth and approaches it. The face of DEATH appears behind the He pretends to be clumsy and knocks the chess pieces over with the hem of his 
coat. He looks up at DEATH. DEATH 
			(laughs contentedly) 
		But I have not forgotten. You can't get away No one answers. RAVAL'S face appears suddenly at the base of the tree. His 
eyes bulge wildly and his mouth is ringed with foam. DEATH doesn't answer.
 
				KNIGHT 
		Through my indifference to my fellow men, I DEATH doesn't answer.
 
				KNIGHT 
		How can we have faith in those who believe when No one answers, no one moves. RAVAL'S sobs are dry and convulsive, like a 
frightened child's. His sudden scream is cut off in the middle. Then it He nods resignedly and walks away. The young woman starts to moan as though 
she were having a horrible nightmare. The sound of her cries follows the two 
riders for a considerable distance down the road. RAVEL 
		I'm afraid of death.

No one answers. There is complete silence. RAVAL gasps heavily for air. The 
dry leaves rustle with his movements. The KNIGHT holds out his two fists to DEATH, who smiles at him suddenly. 
DEATH points to one of the KNIGHT'S hands; it contains a black pawn. DEATH 
		I'm happy to hear that. Now I'll be leaving you. 
		When we meet again, you and your companions' 
		time will be up.
The squire JONS is awakened by a kick in the rear. Opening his eyes, he The KNIGHT walks by, calls to his squire and goes out into the bright 
sunshine. JONS manages to set himself down from the scaffolding. She begins walking towards him, her head bent. He doesn't wait for her but 
walks towards the KNIGHT, who patiently awaits his squire. The KNIGHT hands his squire a piece of bread, which keeps him quiet for a 
while. The sun burns down on them cruelly, and beads of perspiration trickle JONS 
		This is squire Jns. He grins at Death, mocks 
		the Lord, laughs at himself and leers at the The KNIGHT slowly rides away from the sea, into the forest near the beach and 
up towards the road. He pretends not to hear the morning prayers of his 
squire. JONS soon overtakes him. Nearby his squire JONS is snoring loudly. He has fallen asleep where he 
collapsed, at the edge of the forest among the wind-gnarled fir trees. His The procession continues. New members have joined the rear of the column; 
others who were unable to go on lie weeping in the dust of the road. JONS the 
squire drinks his beer. When he sees this look, SKAT makes an instantaneous decision, jumps down from 
the wagon and kneels in front of the blushing damsel. She puts the child down on the ground and half rises to shake out her red 
skirt. When she sits down again, the KNIGHT steps closer. His voice sticks in his throat and he suddenly walks away. The KNIGHT mounts
his horse. The travelers depart from the crossroads. TYAN finally closes her 
eyes. When they have fastened her, they walk over to light the pyre. The KNIGHT 
steps up and leans over her. She nods energetically and the KNIGHT smiles seriously. Now the shrieks and 
the noise from the inn become louder. Black figures flicker across the grass The KNIGHT has risen and waded into the shallow water, where he rinses his 
sunburned face and blistered lips. JONS rolls over to face the forest and the JONS finally gets the KNIGHT'S attention. He stops singing. The KNIGHT, his 
horse, JONS'S own horse and JONS himself know all the songs by heart. The JONS remounts and overtakes his master. He takes a drink from his waterskin 
and hands the bag to the knight. emerges. They take her down from the cart and lead her towards the ladder and 
the stake. The KNIGHT turns to the MONK, who remains seated in the cart. Suddenly the KNIGHT stands face to face with his wife. They look at each
other quietly. JOF has dozed off for a few moments, but suddenly he wakens. Then he sees the 
KNIGHT and DEATH together. He becomes very frightened and awakens MIA. JOF lifts his head and wakes up. He has been asleep with his arms around 
MIA's shoulders. The KNIGHT is sharply silhouetted against the tree trunks.
The KNIGHT is kneeling before a small altar. It is dark and quiet around him.
The air is cool and musty. Pictures of saints look down on him with stony Waves of heat envelop the gray stone church in a strange white mist. The 
KNIGHT dismounts and enters. After tying up the horses, JONS slowly follows him in. When he comes onto the church porch he stops in surprise. To the 
right of the entrance there is a large fresco on the wall, not quite The squire JONS is awakened by a kick in the rear. Opening his eyes, he The KNIGHT hands his squire a piece of bread, which keeps him quiet for a 
while. The sun burns down on them cruelly, and beads of perspiration trickle Outside the church, four soldiers and a monk are in the process of putting a 
woman in the stocks. Her face is pale and child-like, her head has been mumbles from a small book. One of the soldiers picks up a wooden bucket and 
with his hand begins to smear a bloody paste on the wall of the church and 
around the woman. JONS holds his nose. The procession continues. New members have joined the rear of the column; 
others who were unable to go on lie weeping in the dust of the road. JONS the 
squire drinks his beer. She begins walking towards him, her head bent. He doesn't wait for her but 
walks towards the KNIGHT, who patiently awaits his squire. Nearby his squire JONS is snoring loudly. He has fallen asleep where he 
collapsed, at the edge of the forest among the wind-gnarled fir trees. His She nods energetically and the KNIGHT smiles seriously. Now the shrieks and 
the noise from the inn become louder. Black figures flicker across the grass and milkmaids. A whole flock of children perch in the trees around the wagon.
 
The KNIGHT and his squire have sat down in the shadow of a wall. They drink The KNIGHT slowly rides away from the sea, into the forest near the beach and 
up towards the road. He pretends not to hear the morning prayers of his 
squire. JONS soon overtakes him. The KNIGHT walks by, calls to his squire and goes out into the bright 
sunshine. JONS manages to set himself down from the scaffolding. JONS 
		This is squire Jns. He grins at Death, mocks 
		the Lord, laughs at himself and leers at the He makes the sign of the cross over the crowd and then begins a new song in a
strong voice. The monks rise and join in the song. As if driven by some TYAN nods quietly and looks away. Now they arrive at the parish border. At 
the foot of the nearby hills lies a crossroads. The pyre has already been She puts the child down on the ground and half rises to shake out her red 
skirt. When she sits down again, the KNIGHT steps closer. A large square monk rises from his knees and reveals his face, which is red-
brown from the sun. His eyes glitter; his voice is thick with impotent scorn. The KNIGHT rummages in the big black bag which he keeps beside him and takes 
out a small chessboard. He places it carefully on the ground and begins 
setting up the pieces.
Antonius Block has brought his companions with him to the castle. But it
seems deserted. They walk from room to room. There is only emptiness and
quiet echoes. Outside, the rain is heard roaring noisily. The Seventh Seal
 
The night had brought little relief from the heat, and at dawn a hot gust of
wind blows across the colorless sea. The KNIGHT, Antonius Block, lies JONS 
		In Frjestad everyone was talking about evil 
		omens and other horrible things. Two horses had The two lovers discover PLOG and it's too late. They cannot retreat. SKAT 
immediately takes to his heels. PLOG chases him, swinging his sledge and 
bellowing like a wild boar. SKAT 
		Idiot. There's a rumor going around that 
		there's a terrible pestilence in the land, and lice devour us, the fevers rot us, all for the 
		Glory of God. Our crusade was such madness that KNIGHT 
		Your move!

DEATH raises his hand and strikes the KNIGHT'S queen. Antonius Block looks at 
DEATH. KNIGHT 
		The plague has spread in that direction, 
		following the coast line south. It's said that 
		people are dying by the tens of thousands. The KNIGHT has risen and waded into the shallow water, where he rinses his 
sunburned face and blistered lips. JONS rolls over to face the forest and the barely visible, a seagull floats on motionless wings. Its cry is weird and 
restless. The KNIGHT'S large gray horse lifts its head and whinnies. Antonius The KNIGHT and DEATH bend over the chessboard. After a moment of hesitation, 
Antonius Block opens with his king's pawn. DEATH moves, also using his king's 
pawn. They walk across an open meadow. Here it is a little brighter and the moon 
shimmers behind a thin sky. Suddenly PLOG points a large finger towards the 
edge of the forest. Land and let snakes bite us, flies sting us, 
		wild animals eat us, heathens butcher us, the 
		wine poison us, the women give us lice, the The inn is very small and full of people eating and drinking to forget their 
newly aroused fears of eternity. In the open fireplace a roasting pig turns Now RAVAL enters the discussion. He is slightly drunk and his voice is shrill 
and evil.
 
				RAVAL 
		Listen, you! You sit there and lie to the 
		smith. For a few confusing moments the two rivals stumble among the stones and 
bushes in the gray gloom of the forest. The duel begins to look senseless, 
because both of them are equally frightened. of horror. MIA has risen with MIKAEL in her arms. Some of the women in the 
yard have fallen on their knees, others hide their faces, many begin to LISA sobs with excitement and sorrow. PLOG looks around, a little confused. 
SKAT uses this opportunity. He pulls out a dagger and places the point 
against his breast. gnawed to shreds and dripping with foam. They have been seized by madness. 
They bite their own hands and arms, whip each other in violent, almost MIA does what JOF has told her. At the same moment, the KNIGHT looks up from
his game. 

				DEATH 
		It is your move, Antonius Block.
Antonius Block has brought his companions with him to the castle. But it
seems deserted. They walk from room to room. There is only emptiness and
quiet echoes. Outside, the rain is heard roaring noisily. The Seventh Seal
 
The night had brought little relief from the heat, and at dawn a hot gust of
wind blows across the colorless sea. The KNIGHT, Antonius Block, lies KARIN
		I heard from people who came from the crusade 
		that you were on your way home. I've been The KNIGHT has risen and waded into the shallow water, where he rinses his 
sunburned face and blistered lips. JONS rolls over to face the forest and the The two lovers discover PLOG and it's too late. They cannot retreat. SKAT 
immediately takes to his heels. PLOG chases him, swinging his sledge and 
bellowing like a wild boar. He is silent. He lowers his hand. His son, MIKAEL, has listened to his words.
Now, he crawls up to MIA and sits down in her lap. JOF is a bit offended and glances over at his son, MIKAEL, but he is also 
sleeping soundly in the high grass. JONAS SKAT comes out from the wagon. He barely visible, a seagull floats on motionless wings. Its cry is weird and 
restless. The KNIGHT'S large gray horse lifts its head and whinnies. Antonius KNIGHT 
		Your move!

DEATH raises his hand and strikes the KNIGHT'S queen. Antonius Block looks at 
DEATH. SKAT lies in the grass and keeps the dagger pressed tightly to his breast. 
The travelers depart and soon they have disappeared into the dark forest on The KNIGHT and DEATH bend over the chessboard. After a moment of hesitation, 
Antonius Block opens with his king's pawn. DEATH moves, also using his king's 
pawn. For a few confusing moments the two rivals stumble among the stones and 
bushes in the gray gloom of the forest. The duel begins to look senseless, 
because both of them are equally frightened. MIA does what JOF has told her. At the same moment, the KNIGHT looks up from
his game. 

				DEATH 
		It is your move, Antonius Block. JONS 
		In Frjestad everyone was talking about evil 
		omens and other horrible things. Two horses had The KNIGHT returns to the beach and falls on his knees. With his eyes closed 
and brow furrowed, he says his morning prayers. His hands are clenched SKAT hesitates momentarily, but he is still the strategist. He lets the 
chicken leg fall to the grass, and murmurs in the woman's rosy ear. SKAT frowns, toys with his small dagger and occasionally throws a roguish but 
fiery glance at the beautiful visitor. She suddenly discovers that one of her Three mighty knocks sound on the large portal. KARIN interrupts her reading 
and looks up from the book. JONS rises quickly and goes to open the door. His voice sticks in his throat and he suddenly walks away. The KNIGHT mounts
his horse. The travelers depart from the crossroads. TYAN finally closes her 
eyes. His silence makes him seem almost unreal. JONS and PLOG are slightly drunk 
and support each other. Suddenly PLOG has to sit down. He puts his hands over 
his face and howls piteously.
He pretends to be clumsy and knocks the chess pieces over with the hem of his 
coat. He looks up at DEATH. DEATH straightens his back and squints up at him. SKAT cries out in terror. spying on a miserable human being. The KNIGHT hears a sound from the 
confession booth and approaches it. The face of DEATH appears behind the DEATH is about to answer him but stops and leans over the board. The KNIGHT 
smiles. DEATH 
		Oh, no reason at all.
 
The KNIGHT suddenly stops smiling. DEATH looks at him scornfully. JOF has dozed off for a few moments, but suddenly he wakens. Then he sees the 
KNIGHT and DEATH together. He becomes very frightened and awakens MIA. DEATH 
		I am Death.

				KNIGHT 
		Have you come for me? him towards the road. MIA has just climbed up on the wagon. JOF takes the 
horse by the bridle and leads it down the road. DEATH notices nothing; he is The KNIGHT has risen to his feet. He shivers. DEATH opens his cloak to place 
it around the KNIGHT'S shoulders. 

				KNIGHT 
		Wait a moment. KNIGHT 
		Your move!

DEATH raises his hand and strikes the KNIGHT'S queen. Antonius Block looks at 
DEATH. MIA 
		Who is it, then?
 
				JOF 
		Death. He is sitting there playing chess with 
		Death himself. The KNIGHT holds out his two fists to DEATH, who smiles at him suddenly. 
DEATH points to one of the KNIGHT'S hands; it contains a black pawn. DEATH 
		Now I see something interesting. 

				KNIGHT 
		What do you see? yawns; he is very tired and in a bad humor. In his hands he holds a crudely 
made death mask. JONS 
		And that one is Death?
 
				PAINTER DEATH 
		I'll remember that.

DEATH shows his face at the grill of the confession booth for a moment but 
disappears instantly. DEATH 
			(laughs contentedly) 
		But I have not forgotten. You can't get away DEATH 
		Have you tricked me?
 
				KNIGHT 
		Of course. You fell right in the trap. Check! DEATH doesn't answer.
 
				KNIGHT 
		The emptiness is a mirror turned towards my 
		own face. I see myself in it, and I am filled 
		with fear and disgust. 16
The KNIGHT is no longer alone. DEATH has come to him and he raises his hand.

				DEATH 
		Shall we play our game to the end?
DEATH 
		You're rather arrogant. 

				KNIGHT 
		Our game amuses me. The KNIGHT holds out his two fists to DEATH, who smiles at him suddenly. 
DEATH points to one of the KNIGHT'S hands; it contains a black pawn. DEATH is about to answer him but stops and leans over the board. The KNIGHT 
smiles. KNIGHT 
		Your move!

DEATH raises his hand and strikes the KNIGHT'S queen. Antonius Block looks at 
DEATH. DEATH 
		Have you lost interest in our game?
 
The KNIGHT'S eyes become alarmed. DEATH looks at him intently. The KNIGHT picks up his chess game and carries it towards the beach. It is 
quiet and deserted; the sea is still. 

				DEATH 
		I have been waiting for you. The KNIGHT and DEATH bend over the chessboard. After a moment of hesitation, 
Antonius Block opens with his king's pawn. DEATH moves, also using his king's 
pawn. He pretends to be clumsy and knocks the chess pieces over with the hem of his 
coat. He looks up at DEATH. The KNIGHT rummages in the big black bag which he keeps beside him and takes 
out a small chessboard. He places it carefully on the ground and begins 
setting up the pieces. MIA does what JOF has told her. At the same moment, the KNIGHT looks up from
his game. 

				DEATH 
		It is your move, Antonius Block. KNIGHT 
		Death visited me this morning. We are playing 
		chess together. This reprieve gives me the 
		chance to arrange an urgent matter. that easily.
 
DEATH leans over the board and rearranges the pieces. The KNIGHT looks past DEATH 
		That's what they all say. I grant no reprieves. 

				KNIGHT 
		You play chess, don't you? KNIGHT 
		You drew black!

				DEATH 
		Very appropriate. Don't you think so? Not far from the wagon, the KNIGHT sits crouched over his chess game. He 
lifts his head. DEATH 
		I am Death.

				KNIGHT 
		Have you come for me? KNIGHT 
		And you will divulge your secrets. 

				DEATH 
		I have no secrets. The KNIGHT leans over the game. The moonlight moves over the chess pieces, 
which seem to have a life of their own. DEATH 
		Why do you want to play chess with me? 

				KNIGHT 
		I have my reasons. KNIGHT 
		That's my secret.
 
				DEATH 
		Of course. Now I take your knight.
The KNIGHT rummages in the big black bag which he keeps beside him and takes 
out a small chessboard. He places it carefully on the ground and begins 
setting up the pieces. The KNIGHT picks up his chess game and carries it towards the beach. It is 
quiet and deserted; the sea is still. 

				DEATH 
		I have been waiting for you. KNIGHT 
		Death visited me this morning. We are playing 
		chess together. This reprieve gives me the 
		chance to arrange an urgent matter. He pretends to be clumsy and knocks the chess pieces over with the hem of his 
coat. He looks up at DEATH. Not far from the wagon, the KNIGHT sits crouched over his chess game. He 
lifts his head. The KNIGHT leans over the game. The moonlight moves over the chess pieces, 
which seem to have a life of their own. The KNIGHT and DEATH bend over the chessboard. After a moment of hesitation, 
Antonius Block opens with his king's pawn. DEATH moves, also using his king's 
pawn. DEATH is about to answer him but stops and leans over the board. The KNIGHT 
smiles. KNIGHT 
		Your move!

DEATH raises his hand and strikes the KNIGHT'S queen. Antonius Block looks at 
DEATH. The KNIGHT holds out his two fists to DEATH, who smiles at him suddenly. 
DEATH points to one of the KNIGHT'S hands; it contains a black pawn. DEATH 
		Have you lost interest in our game?
 
The KNIGHT'S eyes become alarmed. DEATH looks at him intently. DEATH 
		That's what they all say. I grant no reprieves. 

				KNIGHT 
		You play chess, don't you? MIA does what JOF has told her. At the same moment, the KNIGHT looks up from
his game. 

				DEATH 
		It is your move, Antonius Block. DEATH 
		Why do you want to play chess with me? 

				KNIGHT 
		I have my reasons. MIA 
		What do you see?

				JOF 
		The knight is sitting over there playing chess. DEATH 
		You're rather arrogant. 

				KNIGHT 
		Our game amuses me. KNIGHT 
		Yes, I do.
 
				DEATH 
		What are you waiting for? 

				KNIGHT 
		I want knowledge. The KNIGHT is kneeling before a small altar. It is dark and quiet around him.
The air is cool and musty. Pictures of saints look down on him with stony that easily.
 
DEATH leans over the board and rearranges the pieces. The KNIGHT looks past KNIGHT 
		The condition is that I may live as long as I 
		hold out against you. If I win, you will 
		release me. Is it agreed?
JOF 
		Mia!
 
				MIA 
		Yes, what is it? JOF 
		Mia, wake up. Wake up! Mia, I've just seen 
		something. I've got to tell you about it! JOF stretches his arms and legs. MIA dries the wagon seat and sits down next
to her husband. MIKAEL crawls between JOF'S knees. MIA 
		Yes, this is my husband, Jof. 

				JOF 
		Good evening. JOF comes to life. He rushes into the wagon and shakes MIA awake. MIA 
		Oh, so you've had a vision again!

MIA's voice is filled with gentle irony. JOF shakes his head and grabs her by 
the shoulders. JOF 
		Get into the wagon, Mia. Crawl in quickly. 
		We'll lie down, Mia, with Mikael between us. JOF 
		The Virgin Mary.

MIA can't help being impressed by her husband's fervor. She lowers her voice. JOF gets up carefully and disappears into the darkness behind the trees. MIA 
remains standing, as if paralyzed by fear. She stares fixedly at the KNIGHT mound. Someone collapses, gets up and runs. It is JOF. MIA stretches out her 
arms and receives him. He holds his hands in front of his face, moaning like KNIGHT 
		Do you do tricks also?

				MIA 
		We certainly do. And Jof is a very skillful 
		juggler. other, touch each other's hands. JOF puts his head against MIA'S shoulder and 
sighs. JOF is a bit offended and glances over at his son, MIKAEL, but he is also 
sleeping soundly in the high grass. JONAS SKAT comes out from the wagon. He JOF lifts his head and wakes up. He has been asleep with his arms around 
MIA's shoulders. The KNIGHT is sharply silhouetted against the tree trunks. JOF has dozed off for a few moments, but suddenly he wakens. Then he sees the 
KNIGHT and DEATH together. He becomes very frightened and awakens MIA. In the meantime JOF and MIA play their tragedy; it is not, however, received 
with great acclaim. SKAT suddenly discovers that someone is watching him as Their son MIKAEL crawls over to them. JOF lies down on the ground and pulls 
his son on top of him. MIA gets down on her hands and knees and playfully 
sniffs at MIKAEL. JOF 
		Ouch, it hurts.

				MIA
		Why did you have to go there? And of course you 
		drank. JOF 
		But I did see her! 

				MIA 
		Whom did you see? JOF 
		Not yet, Mia. In any case, not yet. 

				MIA 
		I'm so afraid. I'm so afraid.
His words seem to please her. She puts her arms around the actor's neck and 
pulls him to her with such fierceness that both of them lose their balance In the meantime JOF and MIA play their tragedy; it is not, however, received 
with great acclaim. SKAT suddenly discovers that someone is watching him as no one appears he enters. It is very dark inside and his foot touches a soft 
object. He looks down. Beside the whitewashed fireplace, a woman is lying 
with her face to the ground. SKAT frowns, toys with his small dagger and occasionally throws a roguish but 
fiery glance at the beautiful visitor. She suddenly discovers that one of her He places his leg in front of JOF as if to trip him, raises MIA's skirt, 
makes a face as if he could see all the wonders of the world underneath it, 
and disappears behind the gaudily patched curtains. The two lovers discover PLOG and it's too late. They cannot retreat. SKAT 
immediately takes to his heels. PLOG chases him, swinging his sledge and 
bellowing like a wild boar. The woman quietly bites into a chicken leg dripping with fat. At this moment 
the actor is stricken by a radiant glance full of lustful appetites. She becomes weak and faint from his nearness, looks at him with a glassy 
glance and breathes heavily. SKAT doesn't neglect to press kisses on her mound. Someone collapses, gets up and runs. It is JOF. MIA stretches out her 
arms and receives him. He holds his hands in front of his face, moaning like He nods resignedly and walks away. The young woman starts to moan as though 
she were having a horrible nightmare. The sound of her cries follows the two 
riders for a considerable distance down the road. SKAT hesitates momentarily, but he is still the strategist. He lets the 
chicken leg fall to the grass, and murmurs in the woman's rosy ear. JOF stands in the hot sun with a flickering lantern in his hand. MIA pretends 
to be asleep on a bench which has been pulled forward on the stage. At the sound of approaching steps, JONS quickly hides behind the door. A man 
comes down a ladder from the loft. He is broad and thick-set. His eyes are She nods energetically and the KNIGHT smiles seriously. Now the shrieks and 
the noise from the inn become louder. Black figures flicker across the grass The travelers silently observe this confused performance. LISA screams once 
in a while, more out of duty than out of impulse. He embraces her and tries to kiss her, but she holds herself back. Almost 
immediately he loses interest, hoists the waterbag on his shoulder and pats 
the GIRL on the cheek. She yawns. The sun, has made her a bit drowsy and she lies down on the grass.
JOF does likewise and puts one arm around his wife's shoulders. This opinion causes mirth in the audience. JOF becomes slightly confused and 
goes out of character, but MIA keeps her head and begins snoring. He makes a fist of his hand and lifts it to his temple.



Meanwhile, JONS and the PAINTER have got drunk and are talking animatedly 
together. another silently.
 
				KNIGHT 
		I have just told your wife that you have a
KNIGHT 
		The plague has spread in that direction, 
		following the coast line south. It's said that 
		people are dying by the tens of thousands. The KNIGHT walks by, calls to his squire and goes out into the bright 
sunshine. JONS manages to set himself down from the scaffolding. The KNIGHT slowly rides away from the sea, into the forest near the beach and 
up towards the road. He pretends not to hear the morning prayers of his 
squire. JONS soon overtakes him. His voice sticks in his throat and he suddenly walks away. The KNIGHT mounts
his horse. The travelers depart from the crossroads. TYAN finally closes her 
eyes. She nods energetically and the KNIGHT smiles seriously. Now the shrieks and 
the noise from the inn become louder. Black figures flicker across the grass emerges. They take her down from the cart and lead her towards the ladder and 
the stake. The KNIGHT turns to the MONK, who remains seated in the cart. The KNIGHT has risen and waded into the shallow water, where he rinses his 
sunburned face and blistered lips. JONS rolls over to face the forest and the Waves of heat envelop the gray stone church in a strange white mist. The 
KNIGHT dismounts and enters. After tying up the horses, JONS slowly follows The Embarrassment Inn lies in the eastern section of the province. The plague 
has not yet reached this area on its way along the coast. JONS and the KNIGHT stop and watch in silence. The soldiers are working 
quickly and skillfully, but they seem frightened and dejected. The monk When they have fastened her, they walk over to light the pyre. The KNIGHT 
steps up and leans over her. She begins walking towards him, her head bent. He doesn't wait for her but 
walks towards the KNIGHT, who patiently awaits his squire. MERCHANT
		And people are acting crazy, I'd say. They flee 
		the country and carry the plague with them 
		wherever they go. The SOLDIER nods sourly. Hesitantly, the travelers follow. The KNIGHT guides 
his horse over to the side of the cart. The WITCH seems to be half-conscious, 
but her eyes are wide open. The KNIGHT is kneeling before a small altar. It is dark and quiet around him.
The air is cool and musty. Pictures of saints look down on him with stony She puts the child down on the ground and half rises to shake out her red 
skirt. When she sits down again, the KNIGHT steps closer. The KNIGHT hands his squire a piece of bread, which keeps him quiet for a 
while. The sun burns down on them cruelly, and beads of perspiration trickle They walk across an open meadow. Here it is a little brighter and the moon 
shimmers behind a thin sky. Suddenly PLOG points a large finger towards the 
edge of the forest. stands a bulging wagon covered with a mottled canvas. A horse whinnies nearby 
and is answered by the KNIGHT'S horse. The two travelers do not stop to rest It is dark in the forest.
 
First comes the KNIGHT on his large horse. Then JOF and MIA follow, sitting
DEATH straightens his back and squints up at him. SKAT cries out in terror. He pretends to be clumsy and knocks the chess pieces over with the hem of his 
coat. He looks up at DEATH. DEATH 
		So you haven't got time. 

				SKAT 
		No, I have my performance. him towards the road. MIA has just climbed up on the wagon. JOF takes the 
horse by the bridle and leads it down the road. DEATH notices nothing; he is He peers through the foliage. Below him stands a dark figure diligently 
sawing away at the base of the tree. SKAT becomes frightened and angry. KNIGHT 
		Your move!

DEATH raises his hand and strikes the KNIGHT'S queen. Antonius Block looks at 
DEATH. JOF gets up on the table and stands on his head. A hand pushes him forward so
that he collapses on the floor. PLOG rises, pulls him to his feet with one 
hand. DEATH 
		Oh, no reason at all.
 
The KNIGHT suddenly stops smiling. DEATH looks at him scornfully. The KNIGHT holds out his two fists to DEATH, who smiles at him suddenly. 
DEATH points to one of the KNIGHT'S hands; it contains a black pawn. At the sound of approaching steps, JONS quickly hides behind the door. A man 
comes down a ladder from the loft. He is broad and thick-set. His eyes are DEATH begins to saw again. The tree creaks. 

				SKAT 
		Isn't there any way to get off? Aren't there 
		any special rules for actors? stop their games and stand with gaping mouths and frightened eyes.
 
JOF steps out in front of the curtain. His painted face bears an expression The room becomes silent. JOF looks around, but there is no exit, no way to 
escape. He puts his hands on the table. Suddenly a knife flashes through the 
air and sinks into the table top between his fingers. JONS raises his knife and cuts RAVAL from forehead to cheek. RAVAL staggers 
towards the wall. DEATH is about to answer him but stops and leans over the board. The KNIGHT 
smiles. He has picked up the juggling balls and slowly begins to toss them. Then he 
stands on his head and cackles like a hen. Suddenly he stops and sits down JOF leans over his colleague.

				JOF 
		He's dead, totally, enormously dead. In fact, 
		I've never seen such a dead actor. each other's hands and then they must tread the 
		dance in a long row. And first goes the master 
		with his scythe and hourglass, but Skat dangles black and his face is pale and puffy. His clothes are well cut but dirty and 
in rags. He carries a cloth sack. Looking around, he goes into the inner spying on a miserable human being. The KNIGHT hears a sound from the 
confession booth and approaches it. The face of DEATH appears behind the
What is being painted in a church? Why does Antonius want the woman to summon Satan? What does the squire draw? When does the juggler decide to flee with his family? What does Raval plead for? What does Death ask Antonius? Who is the only occupant of Antonius' castle? What does Antonius give the woman who summoned Satan as she falls in pain? What was Sweden being ravaged with upon the Knight and Squires return? The Knight asks the girl to summon who? Raval forced the juggler to do what? The Knight enjoyed a picnic containing what? Jof who is also a juggler, has visions of what? The Theolgonian pled for what while on his death bed? Who was the Knight joined by in the confessional? Who does not see death in the end? The Squire saves who? What did the Squire draw in the church? What does Antonius discover is ravaging Sweden in the Middle Ages? What has Antonius been fighting before returning to Sweden? What is death disguised as? What type of game does the Knight challenge death to? What does the Knight hope to prolong by playing chess? What is Jof's relationship to Mia? With whom does the entertainers' manager have an affair? Where does the Knight take the entertainers to escape the plague? What does death cut down to get to the entertainers' manager?
A watercolor painting on the Dance of Death. A fresco of the Dance of Death 
To ask Satan about God. So he can ask Satan about God.
A figure of himself. himself in the fresco
When he sees Death is busy. While Death is preoccupied.
Water. Water.
If Antonius has succeeded in his "one meaningful deed." Did he accomplish his meaningful deed.
His wife. Karin
Herbs. Herbs 
The Plague the plague
Satan Satan
Dance on the tabled like a bear. Dance on the tables at a public house.
Milk and wild strawberries milk and strawberries
God and Mary Jesus and Mary 
Water water
Death in the robe of a priest. death
Everyone except for Jof all but Jof and the Juggler
A servant girl from being raped by a man robbing a corpse the servant girl
A small figure of himself a figure of himself
The plague. the plague
The Crusades. the crusades
A monk. a priest
A Chess Match. chess
His own death. his death
Jof is Mia's husband. they are married
Lisa, the blacksmith's wife. The Blacksmith's wife.
The Knight's castle. His castle 
A tree. a tree