Noch sind wir in Europa [We are still in Europe]

MAYOR Madam Zachanassian: you forget, this is Europe. You forget, we are not savages. In the name of all citizens of Guellen, I reject your offer; and I reject it in the name of humanity. We would rather have poverty than blood on our hands.

(Huge applause.)

CLAIRE ZACHANASSIAN I’ll wait.

Extract taken from The Visit by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, 1956