,,the ,,saxons ,a ,,drama ,,of ,,christianity ,,in ,,the ,,north ,,by ,,edwin ,,davies ,,schoonmaker ,,the ,,hammersmark ,,publishing ,,company1 ,,chicago4 ,,ill41 #aije ,,copyright1 ,,february1 #aije1 ,,by ,,the ,,hammersmark ,,publishing ,,co4 ,,chicago ,illustration3 ,,john ,f4 ,,higgins ,,print #bgi-bea ,,east ,,monroe ,,st ,,to ,,my ,,mother ,,persons ,,of ,,the ,,drama4 ,,the ,,saxon ,,unit4 ,,canzler1 chief of the ,saxons4 ,,fritz1 a shepherd4 ,,rudolph1 ,,max1 foresters4 ,,conrad1 ,,hartzel1 an old man4 ,,wiglaf1 a gleeman4 ,,oswald1 a shepherd1 afterward a monk4 ,,selma1 daughter of ,canzler4 ,,the ,,roman ,,unit4 ,,father ,,benedict1 the village priest4 ,,father ,,paul1 a friar4 ,,jardin1 the bailiff4 ,,jacques ,,sar1 an old crusader4 ,,jules ,,bacqueur1 the smith4 ,,hugh ,,capet1 the barber4 ,,madam ,,bacqueur1 wife of ,jules ,bacqueur4 ,,madam ,,valmy1 a country woman4 ,,rachel1 aunt of ,madam ,valmy4 ,,rosa1 granddaughter of ,rachel4 ,a ,,boy4 ,,the ,,greek ,,unit4 ,,the ,,abbot ,,of ,,st4 ,,giles4 ,,louis1 the prior of the abbey4 ,,pierre1 the sacristan4 ,,andrew1 an old acolyte4 ,,ely1 the porter4 ,,simon1 ,,rene1 ,,basil1 monks4 ,,soloman1 ,,leo1 ,,guido1 ,,macias1 a hunter attached to the abbey4 ,,the ,,supernatural4 ,,sigurd1 apparently a dwarf1 really something else4 ,,hulga1 a witch4 ,,zip1 ,,gimel1 ,,kilo1 gnomes4 ,,suk1 ,,zory1 ,,fairies4 ,other foresters1 monks and villagers1 men and women4 ,as for me1 ,let a man be a man4 ,outside of that ,there is no power on earth that dares ask more2 ,no power in heaven that will4 ,,the ,,saxons ,,act ,,one4 ,,scene ,,one--,a road through a forest4 ,on either side trees stand thick and dark4 ,immediately in front the light sifts down upon a rude bridge spanning a narrow stream4 ,at the roadside1 to the right1 a large crucifix1 apparently new1 stands upon a post some ten feet in height4 ,it is elaborately carved and is set in a deep frame to protect it from the weather4 ,at the foot of the post1 cut into the mossy bank which slopes toward the road1 is a kneeling place with a white sheep's pelt lying upon it4 ,a sound of voices is heard4 ,fritz and ,rudolph enter from the left and pause where a path leads off through the wood4 ,the latter has an ax upon his shoulder4 ,far in the forest a faint sound of chopping is heard4 ,,time--,mid-day in summer1 in the early part of the thirteenth century4 ,,rudolph--,he's worth six4 ,,fritz-- ,i'll give you five1 you pick them4 ,,rudolph--,i'll pick six4 ,,fritz-- ,i'll keep my ewes1 then4 ,,rudolph-- ,and walk ,to the mountains8 ,,fritz-- ,we have not gone yet4 ,,rudolph-- ,but-- ,,fritz--,and if ,i had my way we would not go4 ,,rudolph--,nor would we go had ,i mine1 ,fritz4 ,but we ,have not our way4 ,the dragon has his way4 ,as far as ,niflheim the ,north is red4 ,,fritz--,are we their sheep that we must follow them ,or be hung up on trees8 ,,rudolph-- ,he follows us4 ,,fritz--,who do these woods belong to1 anyhow8 ,,rudolph--,where a man puts his foot the dragon puts ,his belly1 and the man's track disappears4 ,where is the tree that has not felt the storm8 ,have they not disappeared8 ,like leaves the tribes ,are scattered4 ,,fritz-- ,it has blown down trunk and all4 ,,rudolph--,forests and rivers and ten thousand graves ,lie under that red paw4 ,,fritz-- ,it stains the world4 ,,rudolph--,the ,weser rolls down bodies to the sea2 ,their yellow hair is matted in the ,rhine2 ,the deer that drinks the ,aller in the night ,starts back from bloody faces in the stream4 ,they are our fathers1 ,fritz1 who cannot sleep ,while this coiled ,hunger tracks us toward the north4 ,,fritz--,and we must feed it1 eh8 ,we must grub roots1 ,fatten ourselves on acorns in the wood1 ,as swine do1 and then waddle to the swamp ,and stuff its belly so that it will sleep ,and trouble us no more1 we must do that8 ,,rudolph--,no2 we must leave1 and starve it4 ,,fritz-- ,it don't starve4 ,more hunger means more flesh4 ,let's feed it steel4 ,,rudolph--,steel draws the blood and brings the hunger on4 ,,fritz--,then draw the life4 ,we don't feed it enough4 ,,rudolph--,it eats the blade-- ,,fritz-- ,then feed it hilt and all4 ,,rudolph--,it eats our swords and they come out in claws4 ,as ,canzler says1 a thousand spears have but ,peeled off its poisonous scales1 and where they fall ,a deadly fire burns and the elves die4 ,,fritz--,we will call ,wittikind4 ,,rudolph-- ,from out the grave8 ,,fritz--,his spirit will hear4 ,,rudolph-- ,wittikind was baptized4 ,,fritz--,his head was baptized1 but his heart was not4 ,a few drops here could not put out a fire ,that scarred and seamed the dragon till it lashed1 ,maddened and bleeding1 all the tribes away4 ,a spark of him is in this forest4 ,,rudolph-- ,oswald4 ,,fritz-- ,yes4 ,,rudolph--,silent and shy4 ,,fritz-- ,their fate whom ,woden loves4 ,he homes the lightning in the silent cloud4 ,,rudolph--,weak4 ,,fritz-- ,in himself1 but strong by prophesy4 ,,rudolph--,can you or ,i or chief hasten the day ,wherein ,val-father's voice shall wake the ,north8 ,what man can say unto the lightning1 ,leap8 ,of ,woden's race1 a million summer leaves1 ,we are1 as it were1 the winter mistletoe1 ,a lone green sprig with barren woods all round4 ,can we shake off the snow and say1 ,appear1 ,to the young race asleep within the trees8 ,cry out above the dragon winter1 ,die8 ,you cannot hurry in its growth one leaf4 ,yet you would thrust a sword in ,oswald's hands1 ,thinking to hurry ,prophesy along4 ,if naked strength can save us1 why not chief's8 ,why ,oswald1 if the battle is to be now8 ,without the aid of ,woden1 he is naught4 ,,fritz--,without it1 naught1 and with it1 everything4 ,,rudolph--,val-father calls to-day then8 ,,fritz-- ,wiglaf's ears ,are where the whispers of the dead go by4 ,,rudolph--,heard he the word1 to-day8 ,,fritz-- ,and ,wiglaf's eyes ,blazed glee-fire and his lips spake ,woden's word3 ,in him shall be the strength of all your dead4 ,,rudolph--,in ,oswald8 ,,fritz-- ,in the seed of ,wittikind4 ,the seed of ,wittikind shall put forth a sprout ,shall make the whole ,north green4 ,,rudolph-- ,the seed of4 ,,fritz-- ,yes4 ,,rudolph--,there1 ,fritz1 is where the whole great purpose turns4 ,,fritz--,eh8 ,,rudolph--,prophesy1 you see1 walks in the air4 ,no man can say on whom it will lay its hand4 ,,fritz--,why8 ,,rudolph--,would not ,oswald's seed be ,wittikind's8 ,do you not see that some child still unborn1 ,the issue of ,oswald's loins1 may be the one ,to take the sword that ,woden will hand down8 ,meanwhile1 suppose the ,christians hear of this4 ,their spies are all about us4 7,dropping his voice and pointing to the bridge47 ,who knows8 ,,fritz--7,after looking under it47 ,no4 ,,rudolph--,suppose they once get rumor of it4 ,then ,suppose they torture ,wiglaf for the rest4 ,will not a thousand trumpets sound the chase8 ,will they not beat the forest through and through1 ,set fire to it1 and when the stag appears ,shall breed the fawn shall grow the golden horns-- 7,as though drawing back a bow-string and letting spring the arrow47 ,then what8 ,what then8 ,,fritz-- ,we-- ,,rudolph-- ,we--8 ,,fritz-- ,we have our swords4 ,,rudolph--,we have them now4 ,,fritz-- ,and we can keep them4 ,,rudolph-- ,we ,can neither keep our swords nor keep ourselves4 ,who is it plants the white cross in our land8 ,the ,frank8 ,the ,wend8 ,the ,saxon2 we ourselves4 ,no2 in that fire that burns up from the south ,thousands of our swords have melted and become ,scales on the dragon's back and teeth and claws ,that now tear out our hearts4 ,to-day swords strike ,for ,woden1 and to-morrow the strange god ,with those same swords storms ,valhal1 and lays low ,its golden roof4 ,our ash ,iggdrasil dies4 ,its beautiful leaves fall far off on the sea4 ,,fritz--,let's kill the worm that bites it1 then4 ,,rudolph-- ,that worm ,hath bit the ,northman and the ,northman bites ,val-father4 7,a crash is heard in the forest47 ,,fritz-- ,it was the tree fell4 ,,rudolph-- ,so falls ,iggdrasil and the golden roof comes down4 ,when the ,north bites1 ,val-father dies4 ,no1 ,fritz2 ,the ,south has thrown a snake upon the ,north1 ,and in its trail no fairy can be found4 ,they1 too1 have gone to the mountains4 ,,fritz-- ,leave our homes8 ,,rudolph--,for all of us it will be better there4 ,the slopes are thickly clothed with oak and pine4 ,there1 too1 your flock will find good grazing1 ,fritz4 ,conrad and ,i saw ledges thick with grass4 ,,fritz--,it's thick here1 too4 ,,rudolph-- ,and torrents tumbling down ,fill to the brim the basins of the rocks4 ,there1 in the dryest season-- ,,fritz-- ,look down here4 7,he points down in the stream47 ,and this mid-summer4 ,,rudolph-- ,and game is plentiful4 ,,fritz--,it's plentiful here1 too2 deer and-- ,,rudolph-- ,chamois ,and wild-goats browsing on the crags4 ,,fritz-- ,and here ,are wild-boars' lairs and-- ,,rudolph-- ,the dragon's den4 ,,fritz--,his den is here1 but he feeds everywhere4 ,,rudolph--,not on the mountains4 ,,fritz-- ,they are barren2 but ,he would feed there if we should go there4 ,,rudolph-- ,no4 ,,fritz--,he ravages the whole wide-- ,,rudolph-- 7,moving his hand horizontally47 ,this way1 yes2 ,but that way8 7,pointing up47 ,no4 ,he dare not face the light ,that father ,woden pours upon the peaks4 ,under ,valhalla's eaves the dark elf died ,when the dawn smote him2 so the dragon there4 ,his paws would break off on the mountain sides4 ,,fritz--,we will stay here and cut them off4 ,,rudolph-- ,those paws8 ,those huge1 red1 century-scarred paws8 ,with what8 ,,fritz--,they want our woods and crofts1 that's what they want4 ,,rudolph--,the ,saxon sword is broken4 ,the great shield ,that covered all the ,north lies in the loam ,rusting1 and the wild-flowers eat its stains4 ,where are our fathers1 ,fritz8 ,heimdall1 who sees ,all races1 sees not anywhere that race ,that stood at bay when ,swabian went down1 ,frank and ,bavarian and the great ,north fell4 ,a paw was put upon its breast and lo1 ,it is scattered1 blood and bones and heart and brain6 ,its hand is here2 its heart is in the north2 ,its head far off an island in the sea2 ,its blood is everywhere1 in grass1 in leaves2 ,its flesh still fronts the dragon in these trees4 ,,fritz--,and we1 we men-- ,,rudolph-- ,our time has not yet come4 ,,fritz--,must be the feet and run1 eh8 ,,rudolph-- ,we must wait ,until the heart calls from the silent north4 ,,fritz--,wait8 ,,rudolph-- ,you would have us--8 ,,fritz-- ,if we are the hand1 ,for the hand strikes4 ,,rudolph-- ,without the head8 ,no1 ,fritz2 ,we must delay our battle with the beast4 ,a new shield we will shape us on the heights2 ,temper it in the flashes of the sky ,and boss it with the terror of the grave4 ,of mountain metal on the mountain tops1 ,new armor we will forge4 ,let the old shield ,lie here upon the plain1 covering the dead4 ,let the leaves cover it4 ,and for the sword ,that broken lies between the dragon's paws1 ,val-father will reach down and put the hilt ,of some great ,fafnir's-bane in ,canzler's hand1 ,canzler1 in turn1 in ,oswald's when he weds1 ,and ,oswald and the girl will pass it on ,down to the hand of that child-- ,,fritz-- ,canzler go8 ,,rudolph--,whom ,woden shall bid seek the dragon's den1 ,and ,siegfried of the ,north shall slay the snake4 ,,fritz--,canzler will not go4 ,canzler6 ,,rudolph-- ,he will go4 ,,fritz--,canzler will lay him in the grave first4 ,,rudolph-- ,fritz1 ,who calls the fairies8 ,,fritz-- ,what of that8 ,,rudolph-- ,witchcraft4 ,,fritz--,you mean that they will burn her8 ,,rudolph-- ,do they not ,burn witches in the city4448 ,we can die2 ,we on our swords can perish2 but the girl4448 7,he goes off through the wood1 leaving ,fritz silent upon the bridge47 ,,fritz-- 7,to himself47 ,canzler will lay his sword upon her throat4 7,with bowed head he walks on across the bridge4 ,as he passes into the deeper shadows the white sheep's pelt lying in the bank at the roadside catches his eye4 ,he goes curiously toward it1 when1 seeing the post1 he glances up and stops suddenly4 ,for a time he stands as one appalled47 ,rudolph6 ,,rudolph--,ho6 ,,fritz-- ,here6 7,to himself47 ,this will break ,canzler's heart4 7,rudolph reappears and joins ,fritz1 and the two stand in silence1 ,rudolph with his eyes fixed upon the crucifix1 and ,fritz with his eyes on ,rudolph47 ,,fritz--,what do you think8 ,,rudolph-- ,it was put up last night4 ,,fritz--,you still think we should leave here8 ,,rudolph-- ,still think8 ,,fritz-- ,yes4 ,,rudolph--,can there be any doubt of what this means8 ,almost its eyeballs gleam between the trees4 ,,fritz--,and if we leave here1 what8 ,,rudolph-- ,we bear away ,to some far mountain nest our eagle's egg4 ,we save our hope4 7,fritz points to the crucifix47 ,only proves what ,i say4 ',tis some poor burgher who refused to bow ,and would not leave4 7,fritz goes toward the crucifix47 ,and they have put it up ,to mock us with the pains they will make us feel ,if we don't bow4 ,,fritz-- 7,bending over the pelt47 ,knee prints4 ,he has knelt here2 ,knelt here and prayed-- 7,coming back to the road47 to ,woden1 do you think8 ,you know the hand that carved that8 7,rudolph goes closer and scrutinizes the crucifix47 ,your great sword1 ,where is it now1 ,rudolph8 the ,fafnir's-bane ,val-father should reach down to ,canzler's hand2 ,to whose hand will the chief's hand pass it now8 ,out of the dragon's belly will he come1 ,our ,siegfried1 with the great heart of the beast8 ,our hope1 our eagle's egg1 where is it now8 ,,rudolph--,it can't be4 ,fritz-- ,can't be8 ,rudolph-- ,can't be4 ,fritz-- ,but it is4 ,at dusk last night ,i saw him in the wood ,and he was wending this way carrying that4 ,and there are knee-prints on it4 7,a pause47 ,and that thing2 ,what other hand could have carved out that brow ,and laid that sorrow there8 ,look at those knees4 ,,rudolph--,this is why he has shunned us4 ,,fritz-- ,say no word ,to ,canzler about this or to the girl4 ,never will she be happy any more4 ,he will leave now4 ,,rudolph-- 7,contemplating the knee-prints47 ,under ,val-father's trees6 ,,fritz--,canzler has been a father to the boy4 7,rudolph comes toward the road1 then turns and looks back at the ,christ47 ,so ,balder looked lying on ,valhal floor4 ,if the men hear this1 they will vote to die4 ,,rudolph--,he must go quietly and no word be said4 7,they walk together along the road47 ,,fritz--,the way he goes1 the ,saxon race has gone4 ,,rudolph--,we must go to the mountains1 not the grave4 ,,fritz--,canzler has been a father to the boy4 ,,rudolph--,he may return and bring the ,saxon race4 ,,fritz--,who will deliver him8 ,,rudolph-- ,val-father lives4 ,,fritz--7,bitterly47 ,lives with the dead4 7,he goes out47 ,,rudolph-- ,he may yet be reclaimed4 ,the paths of ,prophesy lead far away ,but still the ,powers of the air are bent ,to guide it and their eyes are on its feet4 ,let us not doubt ,val-father's hand in this4 ,that eye in ,mimer's fountain sees through all ,the dark1 gnome-haunted caverns of the earth2 ,the other under his calm brow watches heaven4 7,he goes off through the forest47 ,,scene ,,two--,under an old beech in the edge of the forest4 ,a knoll1 like the toe of a large boot shoved in from the rear1 butts squarely against the trunk4 ,up under the boughs1 left1 lies a decaying log with here and there a tuft of rank grass growing from the cores of old knots4 ,beside it is a small basket filled with berries4 ,at the foot of the beech1 bubbles a spring partly walled in with dark mossy rocks1 on top of which lies a brown gourd dipper4 ,two worn foot-paths1 one winding up the slope into the forest1 the other entering from the left1 meet at the spring4 ,the ground is checkered with flakes of sunlight that fall through the leaves1 and over all is the silence of the summer noon4 ,a crackle is heard as of a dry twig breaking under foot4 ,the branches on the left swing apart and ,selma pushes through backwards4 ,she is a fairy-like creature dressed in green4 ,her hair falls loose about her shoulders and upon her head she wears a coronet of wild-flowers4 ,holding the boughs slightly apart1 she stands peering intently to the left1 then1 turning quickly1 she snatches up the basket and hides it behind the log1 and after picking a few green burrs from the branches above her1 darts to the right and conceals herself behind the trunk4 ,for a time she stands motionless4 ,then1 as if upon second thought1 she stoops and removes the dipper from the rocks4 ,along the foot-path1 leading in from the left1 ,oswald enters4 ,he stops and looks back and for a time stands thus1 as one undecided1 a forlorn expression upon his face4 ,he then turns and proceeds to the spring4 ,not finding the dipper1 he lays aside his staff and hat1 and stretches himself out upon the flat stone at the entrance of the spring4 ,while he is drinking1 ,selma leans cautiously from behind the trunk and raises her arm as if to drop something4 ,having evidently seen her shadow in the water1 ,oswald glances up1 but seeing no one1 lies down again and drinks4 ,from behind the hole ,selma tosses a burr into the spring4 ,oswald continues to drink4 ,finally he rises1 and1 taking up his hat and staff1 goes up the slope and sits down upon the log4 ,the girl moves stealthily around the trunk4 ,,oswald--,selma4 7,after a pause47 ,selma4 ,i saw you in the spring4 ,,selma--,i'm there yet1 then2 you didn't take me out4 7,she comes round the side of the trunk opposite the log and1 stooping over1 looks down into the spring47 ,o you should see the fishes6 two1 three1 four1 ,a troop of them6 ,o ,oswald1 come and see6 ,they're round a splash of sunlight in the spring4 ,see how they twinkle and in the current stir ,their little crimson fins4 ,ah1 ,i've scared them4 ,i really did2 ,i scared them with my hair4 ,see how it fell4 7,she points to a mass of hair that has fallen past her cheek47 ,it would not hurt them1 though4 ,we must be still2 we must not say a word4 ,they never will play if they see us looking4 7,oswald points down into the spring47 ,that little green thing8 ,that's a beech-nut burr4 ,i threw it in to scare the water-sprite ,that looked up at you when you stooped to drink4 ,you did not see her8 ,oh1 ,i did4 ,i peeped ,like this1 softly1 over1 over the edge1 ,and saw her peeping from the mossy stones ,down in the spring4 ,her hair was loose like mine ,and brown as buckeyes1 and her lips were stained ,with juice of berries4 ,then ,i raised my hand4 ,thinks ,i3 ,i'll drop a beech-nut on his head4 ,then she raised hers as if to say3 ,be still6 ,i'll make the bubbles break against his nose4 ,was that what made you jump8 ,you scared her so4 ,i saw her hair fly up about her face ,as ,i leaped back4 ,she lives down in the spring4 ,this morning as ,i passed ,i stooped and said3 ,i'm going after berries2 won't you come8 ,she beckoned to me1 too1 and seemed to say3 ,i can't leave home2 my little fish will stray4 ,you come down here2 ,i have some pretty shells4 ,oh1 look6 ,be still6 ,she's let them come again4 ,see them flash4 ,,oswald-- ,it's the green shell they're after4 ,,selma--,why1 there's no kernel in it4 ,if there were ,they could not eat it2 it would break their gills1 ,they are so very thin4 ,,oswald-- ,we all do that2 ,we follow shells sometimes4 ,,selma-- ,o ,oswald1 look6 ,see how the little silver bubbles rise4 ,,oswald--,and we are like the fishes-- ,,selma-- ,oh1 do look6 ,you are not thinking of the fishes4 ,see6 ,they follow it through the dimples round and round1 ,paddling the current with their little fins1 ,and poising4 ,they're afraid4 ,they're drawing back4 ,there1 by the green stone4 ,,oswald-- ,they are safer there ,than in the current4 ,,selma-- ,see1 there's one that still ,nips at it in the eddies4 ,see its scales4 ,you cannot carve like that4 ,look out6 ,oh1 oh6 7,she runs down to the outlet of the spring by which the minnow has passed out1 and walks up and down1 stooping occasionally to feel among the stones of the rill4 ,oswald goes back and sits down upon the log4 ,after a while ,selma rises and looks toward the spring4 ,the trunk is between her and ,oswald47 ',twill grieve her so4 7,in a low chant1 abstractedly47 ,she's sleeping in the spring ,under the dark rock where the white sand pours4 ,the moss is softer in the forest there1 ,and there the wood-doves coo4 ,he's going away2 they told me yesterday4 ,the forest heard them moan3 ,he will not come4 ,the chestnut burr shall break2 ,the wild bird1 feeding1 shake ,unpicked the purple hartcrops to the ground1 ,and the hushed forest only hear the sound ,of antlers knocking where the wild deer rubs4 ,he's going away--away--away4 7,staring vacantly into the forest1 her back to ,oswald1 she unconsciously picks the green burrs from the branches above her47 ,,oswald--,selma4 7,after a pause47 ,come here2 will you8 ,,selma-- ,i'm gathering mast4 ,my fawns1 they like it so4 ,it makes them sleek4 ,,oswald--,i want to tell you something4 ,,selma-- ,tell me here4 ,if ,i had listened to the forest birds1 ,i'd have no berries4 ,and my fawns must eat4 ,,oswald--',tis something serious4 ,,selma-- ,ah1 you've been to town4 7,as she saunters toward the log she reaches up in the air47 ,gossamers1 where do they come from1 ,oswald8 ,you never are gay when you've heard the bells4 ,we are going to the mountains1 may be4 ,then ,you will not hear them4 ,are there berries there8 ,rudolph said he saw flowers in the ice4 ,think of that4 ,blue-bells4--,you are like my crow4 7,she takes a berry from her basket and holds it up between her fingers47 ,if you will talk1 you may4--,i must go home4 7,she pulls down a bough and begins to pick the leaves off1 one by one47 ,,oswald--,i want you to go with me to the bridge4 ,,selma--,i can't4 ,i must go home4 ,father will think ,i have been captured by the villagers4 7,she removes her basket from the sun and lays the leaves upon her berries47 ,he said3 ,you will not find them4 ,but ,i did4 ,,oswald--,sit down4 ,,selma-- ,i can't4--,it makes my berries red4 ,father will say3 ,you see8 ,they are not ripe4 7,she goes about under the boughs selecting the largest of the leaves47 ,it makes them black1 then makes them red again4 7,after a pause47 ,i heard bells ring last night4 ,i dreamed ,i did4 ,i called and they called and you would not come4 ,i thought you could not hear me where you were4 ,,oswald--,in a great forest once two children lived4 ,they used to wander about the wood4 ,one day1 ,playing among the trees1 suddenly they heard ,small voices calling3 ,ho1 children6 ,at that-- ,,selma--,fairies4 7,she comes to the log47 ,,oswald-- ,the children rose wide-eyed and let ,fall the wild-flowers they had gathered and stood ,listening4 ,again the cry3 ,ho1 children6 7,selma sits down47 ,then ,they1 hand in hand1 slowly1 and half afraid1 ,moved forward1 and the voices1 as they moved1 ,moved onward1 sometimes above them in the air ,singing1 and sometimes in the fernshaws3 ,ho1 ,here we are6 ,and then a wisp of sun-bright hair ,flashed in the deeper shadows of the wood4 ,the children1 shouting1 ,catch her6 ,there she goes6 ,darted in glee from trunk to trunk4 ,at last ,the voices died away4 ,the children saw ,the great trees glooming round them-- ,,selma-- ,oh1 ,i know6 ,they cried themselves to sleep1 for they were lost1 ,and then the birds brought leaves and--,didn't they8 ,no4 ,,oswald--,as night came on1 the elder of them1 a boy1 ,remembering to have heard a holy man ,speak of a house--a holy house--where men ,live as the angels live-- ,,selma-- ,went there8 ,,oswald-- ,to pray4 ,to pray for help4 ,,selma-- ,for the other child8 ,,oswald-- ,for her4 ,,selma--,what did the fairies do8 ,,oswald-- ,but ere he went1 ,carved with his knife upon a tree a sign ,a good man in the wood had taught him1 a charm ,against the spirit of the forest4 ,then he ,told her strange words to say and leaving her ,kneeling upon the moss1 her little hands ,folded1 he went away4 7,a pause47 ,not for himself4 ,,selma--,and did he not come back8 ,tell me the rest4 ,,oswald--,come with me to the bridge4 ,,selma-- ,did he come back8 ,,oswald--,i have carved a charm4 ,,selma-- ,a charm8 ,,oswald-- ,for you4 ,,selma-- ,for me8 7,a pause47 ,where are you going1 ,oswald8--7,a pause47 ,see my hair4 ,why should it scare the fishes8 ,you are wise2 ,why should it1 ,oswald8 ,it is soft as hers ,down in the spring1 and if you'll come and look ,you'll see the smallest minnows twinkle there2 ,they do not fear4 ,,oswald-- ,it is a snare4 ,,selma-- 7,naively47 ,is it8 ,i would not harm them1 ,oswald4 ,,oswald-- ,father ,paul says ,it is the snare of ,satan4 ,,selma-- ,i know him4 ',tis not my hair he uses4 ,,oswald-- 7,with horror47 ,know ,satan6 7,he turns away47 ,,selma--,i did not know his name was--,ah1 you run6 ,you are just like the fishes4 ,come and play4 ,i will not let it fall4 7,throwing back her hair47 ,i will just peep ,over the edge4 7,going up the slope to where the boughs hang low1 she begins to gather the green burrs4 ,while she gathers them1 she sings37 ,hark1 shepherd1 hark2 the forest calls ,away to the greenwood still4 ,we'll leave the dewy wether-bell ,to tinkle on the hill4 ,our ewes shall nibble gowan2 ,we'll gipsy in the wood2 ,our bed shall be the wild plush moss2 ,our cruse shall be the flood4 ,the lush blue whortle-berries ,we'll gather eve and morn ,and we'll wander where the brocket ,rubs the velvet from his horn4 ,come1 shepherd1 come-- ,i will not sing2 the shepherd will not come4 ,i'll go and call the forest children4 7,she takes up her basket47 ,,oswald-- ,selma4 ,,selma--,night-bird hooting at noon6 ,,oswald-- ,listen to me4 ,,selma--,i'll listen to the jay2 he's merrier4 ,,oswald--,you are not of the witches that at night ,fly through the air to that far windy crag ,that beetles o'er the foam of the wild sea ,and there1 with orgies lewd to the black goat1 ,whirl in the revel with dark ,barrabam8 ,,selma--,there is no fairy with a name like that4 ,,oswald--,he is the prince of fairies and of fiends4 ,father ,paul says that oft on stormy nights1 ,when stars scarce venture to the brink of heaven1 ,witches go down the sky scattering fogs1 ,diseases1 blights1 and death1 and with them go ,those whom their cursed arts have wrought upon ,to taste the air of ,hell4 ,far in the ,west1 ,from every quarter of the earth and sky ,and from those awful rivers1 they assemble ,and hold their sabbaths on a windy cliff1 ,a headland hanging over the edge of the world1 ,about whose base an ocean bellows so ,that nothing dares approach save frenzied things4 ,there1 while the moon protrudes an awful horn ,far off at sea and rocks among the waves1 ,they curse ,god's watchful planets from the sky ,and lead their converts1 dizzy with the brew1 ,to trample on the blood of ,christ and swear ,to serve the arch-demon who is known to them ,as ,barrabam4 ,a while ago you said ,you did not know his name as ,satan4 ,selma1-- ,,selma--,you said he used my hair1 but 'tis not mine4 ,the other day ,i saw him in the stream ,snaring the silver chubs4 ,said he3 ,my lass1 ,i'll give two shiners for a lock of hair4 ,to snare the fishes with6 ,you horrid man4 ,i will not give it4 ,and ,i ran away4 ',tis not my hair he uses4 ,,oswald--7,aside47 ,what a child6 ,walking in darkness to the ,tempter's snare4 ,oh1 ,i would die for you6 ,,selma-- ,you run away4 7,he looks at her47 ,you cannot guess what ,i found in the wood4 ,,oswald--,you do not know what danger you are in4 ,,selma--,i know the ground-bird lays five speckled eggs2 ,that filberts wear green hoods4 ,,oswald-- ,oh1 what of that8 ,what will that profit in the ,judgment ,day8 ,you have not been baptized4 ,you do not hear ,the terrible1 terrible1 groanings of the lost4 ,o ,god1 you do not know1 you do not know6 ,,selma--,i know the wood-pink is the first to wake ,of all the flowers4 ,i know where king-cups grow ,and wink-a-peeps that sleep when days are dark4 ,i know when shadows lie beneath the boughs ,as they do now1 ,i know you'll never find ,a squirrel or chipmunk out in all the wood1 ,for then the forest sleeps4 ,and ,i know where-- ,,oswald--,o ,selma1 listen to me just this once1 ,and then forever listen to the years ,give back the echo of this golden hour4 ,do you remember that day in the wood ,when we were gathering may-apples8 ,you ran ,shouting3 ,here is a large one1 and you stooped ,to pick it1 when a snake coiled round the stalk1 ,hissed at you and you started back in fear4 ,had it not hissed you never would have known ,that it was there1 so green it was1 so like ,the stalk it coiled about4 ,you saw that one ,because it hissed4 ,but one that hisses not ,is coiled about the world1 as like the world ,as was the green one to the may-flower stalk4 ,,selma--,i have heard father speak of it4 ,he says ,that it is full of bones4 ,,oswald-- ,and souls of men4 ,only in holy houses are we safe4 ,,selma--,he said that ,i should not go near the village ,in gathering berries4 ,,oswald-- ',tis the serpent ,sin4 ,oh1 how its sting has marred the perfect world6 ,ready to spring1 the fiends couch for us4 ,we ,are hunted1 ,father ,paul says1 through the world ,as was the deer the good saint saved1 ,saint ,giles4 ,and men are fleeing from the wrath to come4 ,,selma--,it cannot come up on the mountain tops4 ,,oswald--7,fervently47 ,call on the ,virgin4 ,yield to ,lord ,jesus4 ,do not reject him4 ,be baptized4 ,be saved4 ,do you not see that ,i would die for you8 ,o ,selma1 playmate1 loved one1 promise me-- ,,selma--,i will not eat ,may-apples any more4 ,,oswald--,oh1 not to understand and yet be lost6 7,he walks away47 ,,selma--,i will not eat them1 ,oswald4 ,i will not ,go near them if you do not wish me to4 ,,oswald--,some day you will know why4 7,he takes up his staff47 ,then you will know ,it was not for myself4 ,you will know why4 7,he stops near the spring47 ,you will remember this--this day--these leaves-- ,the golden sunlight on the waters there-- 7,thoughtfully1 looking down into the spring47 ,and never will come back forevermore4 ,,selma--,oh1 yes it will4 ,they will not let her grieve4 ,the fairies1 when they trip the wood to-night1 ,will miss her1 for she dances with them there4 ,oh1 you should see them1 ,oswald4 ,when they dance ,she is no bigger than the fairies are4 ,to see them swing-- ,oh1 'tis a sight to make the wood-dove gay4 7,circling round in a dance47 ,lightly whirling round and round ,through the forest1 scarcely shaking ,flower stalk upon the ground4 ,in the leaves the violets waking ,scatter perfume4 ,fairies1 bow2 ,lift their purple hoods and kiss them4 ,join the dance and leave them now4 7,ecstatically47 ,one night up in the wood1 when silver flakes ,were dancing with the fairies on the moss1 ,an owl whooped4 ,the fairies scampered off ,into the ferns4 ,the little water elf ,i found up close against a gnarled oak trunk1 ,hid in a moss-pink in a drop of dew4 ,oh1 she was tiny as a fairykin6 ,her hair was scattered1 she was frightened so4 ,you should have seen her how she looked at me1 ,as if to say3 ,you here6 ,i nod1 and then ,we laugh together1 thinking of the trick ,the surly owl played4 7,again she circles round in a dance47 ,,oswald--7,with horror47 ,this is enchantment6 ,this is the cursed spells of forest devils1 ,witchcraft and ,barrabam1 the broth of ,hell ,and the wild mountain and the swirling sea6 7,advancing toward her1 he reaches into his bosom and fetches forth a large silver crucifix fastened to a black string that encircles his neck47 ,selma1 touch this1 touch this and say with me3 ,pater noster-- come--qui es in coelis-- ,,selma-- 7,still dancing47 ,i don't know what it means4 ,,oswald-- ,pater--4 ,repeat4 ,,selma--,i say ,i do not know-- ,,oswald-- ,it does not matter4 ,,selma--,then tell me what it means4 ,,oswald-- ,you must not ask4 ,you show more faith not knowing4 ,pater-- ,come4 ,pater noster-- 7,reaching toward her47 ,will you8 ,,selma--7,snatching up her basket47 ,what does it mean8 ,,oswald-- 7,bowing his head47 ,i do not know4 ,,selma-- ,you are just teasing me4 ,,oswald--,selma1 listen to me4 ,if our dear ,lord1 ,who died upon the tree that we might live1 ,had meant that we should know what this thing means1 ,he would have told us4 ,let us show our faith4 ,oh1 let us say it as ,he taught us4 ,come1 ,repeat it with me4 ,pater-- 7,advancing toward her47 ,will you say it8 ,,selma--7,skipping up the slope and disappearing through the boughs47 ,i will not till you tell me what it means4 7,oswald stands as one who knows not what to do4 ,along the path leading in from the left1 ,father ,paul1 the friar1 enters4 ,for a time he stands contemplating the scene before him47 ,,father ,,paul--,my son4 ,come now4 ,come now4 ,the ,lord ,christ calls4 ,delay is death4 ,give up this heathen world4 ,you cannot save her here4 ,but there1 who knows8 ,prayer can do much4 ,go now and get the cross4 ,i shall wait for you in the grotto here4 7,they go out1 right47 ,,scene ,,three--,in the depths of the forest4 ,back through the trees1 to the right1 is seen the home of ,canzler1 a small cottage built of logs1 with antlers over the doorway4 ,it sits in a space partially cleared1 and the light falls golden about it4 ,among the trees in the foreground1 where the shadows are thicker1 is the stump of a large oak and a newly fallen trunk extending out left4 ,over to the right1 at the foot of one of the trees1 lies a small bundle fastened to the end of a stick4 ,at intervals a bird is heard singing in the forest4 ,near the stump several men are gathered4 ,canzler1 facing right1 stands beside the log with his hand resting upon his ax4 ,he is bareheaded4 ,his sleeves are rolled up above his elbows and his shirt1 open in front1 discloses his broad1 hairy breast4 ,near the stump stands ,hartzel1 a man apparently seventy years of age4 ,he wears a long1 white beard and his hands are folded on top of a tall rustic staff4 ,the others are ,fritz and ,rudolph and ,wiglaf1 the gleeman1 in a fantastic garb faded and tattered4 ,on the other side of the log1 to the right of ,canzler1 is ,max1 another woodman1 also in his shirt sleeves4 ,,wiglaf--,why did they burn my harp1 then8 ,i'm a man4 ,,fritz-- 7,leaning forward and speaking in a loud voice in ,hartzel's ear47 ,you hear what ,wiglaf says8 ,says he's a man2 ,why did they burn his harp1 then8 ,,canzler-- ,no1 ,hartzel2 ',tis not enough with them that we are men2 ,we must be ,christians4 ,,wiglaf-- ,that's it4 ,,canzler-- ,we must pray ,the prayers the priests pray4 ,we must go to church1 ,chant when they chant and what they chant and be ,clay1 as it were1 upon their potter's-wheel4 ',tis not enough the great ,all-father wrought ,us in his image2 not enough to live ,the honest life of man4 ,we must submit ,to be remolded to whatever shape ,the potter-priest may give us4 ,so we bear ,his stamp and pray his prayers and wear the name ,christian-- ,,fritz-- ,then you can steal or-- ,,canzler-- ,no1 ,hartzel2 ,mass counts with them much more than manhood does4 ,,wiglaf--,canzler's just right4 ,who ever heard of them ,injuring a man because his life was bad1 ,if his ,faith was good8 7,hartzel puts his hand to his ear and looks at ,fritz47 ,,fritz-- ,who ever heard of them ,injuring a man because his life was bad1 ,if his ,faith was good8 7,wiglaf listens to the bird47 ,,hartzel-- ,i don't doubt that some would4 7,canzler touches him47 ,,wiglaf--,the birds are free to sing ,val-father's songs4 ,wiglaf must sing the songs men bid him sing ,or have his tongue pulled out4 ,,canzler-- ,speaking of ,faith1 ,how can a good man have a bad ,faith8 ,isn't ,his life his ,faith8 ,,hartzel-- ,life his faith8 ,just so2 but-- ,but circumstances1 ,canzler4 ,if we knew-- ,,wiglaf--,he thinks ,i've been a scoundrel4 ,,hartzel-- ,i don't say4 ,i don't say that1 for ,i don't know4 ,,wiglaf-- ,don't know6 7,back through the trees to the left1 ,selma is seen going toward the cottage47 ,,fritz-- 7,shouting in ,hartzel's ear47 ,he says you think he's been a scoundrel8 ,think ,that's why they tried to kill him8 ,,hartzel--7,in amazement47 ,why--why--no3 ,i did not hear1 ,wiglaf2 your back was turned4 ,,selma-- 7,holding up her basket47 ,i found them1 ,father4 ,see8 ,i said ,i would4 ,,wiglaf--,that island1 ,canzler1 where they say our race ,rebuilt its kingdom1 who knows aught of it8 ,,canzler--,no word has reached us from that far off land4 ,,wiglaf--,it used to live in gleemen's songs1 but now-- ,,canzler--,old men recall it as a forgotten thing4 7,selma enters the cottage47 ,,wiglaf--,in what sea lies it8 ,,canzler-- ,where the ,frankish land ,looks toward the setting ,balder1 ,i have heard4 ,,wiglaf--,and does this river off here empty near it8 ,,canzler--,first flowing through wide forests and high rocks4 7,wiglaf walks to and fro thoughtfully47 ,,hartzel--,i don't doubt you've been wronged1 ,wiglaf4 ,i don't ,doubt that they're arming4 ,what ,i do say is ,who knows it is against us8 ,,wiglaf-- ,wait and see4 ,,hartzel--,it may be they are mustering a host ,to take the ,east again4 ,nigh forty years ,ago now1 ,frederic ,red-beard--,canzler here ,remembers2 he was young then--mustered ,nigh on to four score thousand1 ,canzler8 ,,canzler-- ,about4 ,,hartzel--,and they were not against us4 ,,wiglaf-- 7,taking up the bundle and starting right47 ,farewell1 all4 ,,canzler--,where are you going1 ,wiglaf8 ,,wiglaf-- ,there's no place ,in all this land for ,wiglaf4 ,,canzler-- ,don't say that ,while that roof stands4 ,,wiglaf-- ,it won't stand long1 ,canzler4 ,,fritz-- 7,clenching his hands47 ',twill stand till he won't need it any more4 ,,wiglaf--,wild deer shall listen and no foot be heard4 ,,canzler--,have you forgotten your inspired word8 7,fritz and ,rudolph exchange glances47 ,,wiglaf--,but centuries may pass ere that child comes4 7,selma comes from the cottage and begins to gather dry leaves and chips about the doorway4 ,she is singing to herself and her voice comes faintly through the trees47 ,,canzler--,or in these hard days have you1 too1 lost faith ,in ,woden8 ,,wiglaf--,wiglaf lose faith in ,woden6 ,o chief6 7,looking down47 ,what shall ,wiglaf say8 ,shall the skald1 ,whose eye sees through the darkness1 see no light8 ,beyond the winter see no spring1 beyond ,the storm1 no calm8 7,he starts away47 ,,canzler-- ,stay here with us1 ,wiglaf4 7,selma enters the cottage47 ,,wiglaf--,lose faith in ,woden when the north wind blows8 ,think the trunk dead because the boughs are bare8 ,shall the bloom live forever1 and the seed ,not swell and break its pod and find the earth8 ,val-father sows and reaps and sows again4 ,our race has come to harvest1 and the hands ,of southern reapers have laid low the tribes1 ,bound them in sheaves and stacked them far away ,and threshed them out on many a bloody field4 ,,canzler--,and the war-maidens have gleaned heroes there4 ,,wiglaf--,gleaned them and sown them in the earth again4 ,the years fall white upon the silent tribes4 ,val-father's winter locks them in the ground4 7,looking up at the trees47 ,but ,o1 ,o chief1 these1 too1 were once down there4 ,,canzler--,the seed of ,wittikind shall put forth a sprout4 7,fritz bows his head and walks back among the trees47 ,,rudolph-- 7,from a pent-up heart47 ,shall it1 ,wiglaf8 ,,canzler-- ,the bare ,north shall be green4 ,,wiglaf--,be red4 ,,canzler-- ,wiglaf6 ,,wiglaf-- ,the young leaves come out red4 ,as one who puts his ear against a door 7,he gets down and puts his ear to the earth47 ,and hears within a noise of armed men1 ,i hear the washing of ,val-father's waves ,rushing from ,naastrand where their bodies lie ,piled on the dark shore where the ships come not4 ,,canzler--,bringing them back4 ,,wiglaf--7,rising47 ,with shock of arms1 ,o chief1 ,the breaking of the bark4 ,,canzler-- ,then comes the leaf4 ,,wiglaf--,red from the breaking of-- ,,canzler-- ,it shall be green4 ,,wiglaf--,bragi is singing the white years away4 7,he goes out right47 ,,canzler--,we may be few1 ,wiglaf1 but-- ,,max-- ,stay with us4 ,,wiglaf--,he beckons from that island in the sea4 ,wiglaf must go where ,bragi calls4 ,,canzler-- ,oh1 say ,hail1 to that kindred land6 7,he drops his ax against the log47 ,from us say ,hail6 7,stepping past the stump47 ,oh1 if you find them holding up the ,north1 ,oh1 tell them1 ,wiglaf1 to keep iron hearts6 ,say that the ancient trunk of ,wittikind ,shows a green sprout6 ,say all the ,north is green6 ,,rudolph--,go with us to the mountains6 ,,fritz-- ,stay and die6 ,,canzler--,or say--say1 ,wiglaf1 say--it shall be green6 7,smoke is seen curling above the roof of the cottage47 ,,hartzel--,i did not say he was a scoundrel4 ,eh8 7,to ,rudolph47 ,did ,i8 ,did ,i1 ,max8 7,calling to ,canzler47 ,where is he going8 ,i don't doubt he's been wronged2 ,i don't doubt that4 ,where's he-- 7,fritz comes forward47 ,,rudolph 7,to ,max47--,we must leave here4 ,,fritz-- ,we must stay here4 7,in ,hartzel's ear47 ,he says we1 too1 must leave here4 ,,hartzel-- ,leave8 ,what for8 ,what have we done8 ,,fritz-- ,but ,i say stay and die4 ,let them thresh us out1 too4 7,to ,max47 ,what do you say8 ,,rudolph--,what do you say1 ,max8 ,,max-- ,i say stay and live4 ,they cannot kill us4 ,,rudolph-- ,how so8 ,,max-- ,if they do1 ,they must kill ,oswald1 too4 ,then where's the child8 7,fritz and ,rudolph exchange glances47 ,where then's ,val-father's promised child8 ,,fritz-- ,max-- ,,rudolph-- ,no4 ,,canzler-- 7,returning to the stump47 ,the question1 ,hartzel1 is not what they've done2 ,it's what they think they have a right to do4 ,they own1 they think1 our bodies and our brains4 ,there is no thing or thought or word or deed ,can take its way1 but must report to them ,and square itself and do a bondman's work4 ,they have a right1 they think1 to chop the ,north1 ,lop off her great green boughs and graft instead ,the ,south's pale branches4 ,,fritz-- ,to bear bastard fruit4 ,,canzler--,the oak's red blood must nourish olive leaves4 ,they would remake the world ,val-father made ,and take the seasons from his great right hand4 ,we must be like them or be not at all4 ,like them in manhood1 ,hartzel8 ,,fritz-- ,no2 in ,faith4 ,and even their gods know not the ,saxon tongue4 ,,rudolph--,if a man speak ,val-father's name1 he dies4 ,,max--,and we must die if we be not baptized4 ,,fritz--,must even ask of them what we may eat6 ,,canzler--,why is it not enough to be a man8 ,to do a man's work and to live a life ,free like the wild deer1 and to grow like these8 7,he looks about upon the trees47 ,you1 ,hartzel1 have lived longer than we have ,and you have seen more seasons1 and you know ,in father ,woden's forests how the trees ,grow as they will1 acknowledging no lord ,but him who made them to be lordless1 and ,obeying no law save that law that bids ,each be itself and bring forth its own fruit4 ,in all the populous forests of this world ,there is no tyrant tree that lifts its head ,above the rest and says1 ,obey my law4 ,for each tree hath its own law in itself1 ,and no tree hears another1 but each hears ,the voice of father ,woden in the loam ,laying the law of selfhood on each seed4 ,the seed bursts and the law starts toward the sky4 ,the acorn lays it softly on the oak1 ,the chestnut on the chestnut1 and the pine ,upon the loftiest mountain hears its cone ,whispering with father ,woden in the air1 ,learning the law it taketh to the ground4 ,thus by that law that each tree be itself1 ,this forest hath become a stalwart state1 ,a nation governed by one law1 a vast ,green kingdom of ten thousand happy trees ,with father ,woden monarch in the boughs4 ,the law of selfhood is the law of trees2 ,who says the law of sameness governs man8 ,because the ,south has not the girth of trunk ,to bear ,val-father's weight upon its boughs1 ,must he climb down from ours and let the ,south ,climb up and with its law bind leaf and limb8 ,did he1 who made these oaks to grow and spread ,their branches1 make our branching minds to be ,pinched to a point and put inside a ring8 ,,hartzel--,but they say that they got that ring from some ,god that once came down-- ,,canzler-- ,from their southern skies8 ,who gave the southern cypress mouth to speak ,val-father's law unto the northern pine8 ,god1 do you say1 come down to bind men8 ,god8 ,a ,god that binds8 7,looking up at the trees47 ,i see no ring on these4 ,,fritz--,loki is a smith4 ,he made their ring4 ,,canzler--,where in our northern sagas will you find ,a track of any shackle-bearing god8 ,in all the past has any such a god ,come down the northern sky8 ,all round the walls ,of ,midgard stand the ,asas guarding man ,against whatever brings bonds4 7,selma comes from the cottage with a bucket47 ,,fritz-- ,sons of ,lok4 ,,canzler--,the southern gods may bring down shackles1 but ,the northern hammer breaks the shackles off4 ,,selma-- 7,from back among the trees47 ,i'm going after water1 ,father4 ,,canzler--,and one shall come to take that hammer up4 ,,max--,the ,asas walk the walls of ,midgard still4 7,selma goes out left47 ,,rudolph --,val-father made the mountain rocks to be ,the bastions of the oppressed4 ,,fritz-- ,he made the grave4 7,he sits down on the log and takes his head between his hands47 ,,canzler--,in him shall be the strength of all your dead4 ,no1 ,hartzel2 as ,fritz says1 their ring was wrought ,far in the south at that old fire that burns ,eternal mid the hills4 ,of old they forged ,law for our fathers1 and1 with iron hands1 ,welded it on them4 ,for five hundred years ,the noise of that old furnace filled the world1 ,and from her red mouth link on link her hands ,drew one continuous shackle1 and the ,north ,walked heavily1 until ,val-father's spear ,flashed southward4 ,then the noise stopped4 ,the great beast1 ,that wore for head and neck those seven hills1 ,roused her and saw her whelps come bleeding back ,and heard wild ,tyr holloing the tribes for dogs ,round her on every side1 and rose at bay ,and clawed through bloody foam and ceased and saw ,her hills go round and round and with a crash ,stretched her vast skeleton over all the south4 ,,hartzel--,then she is dead4 ,,canzler-- ,rome dead8 ,,hartzel-- ,if she is bones4 ,,canzler---,bones1 ,hartzel1 are not dead4 ,the life returns4 ,the ghastly thing moves in the silent night ,when swords are sleeping and the ear hears not4 ,old hands scratch round old battle-fields and there ,the skulls that wore the helmet don the hood1 ,and when the morning breaks no man will say4 ,the thing that stands there is the thing that fell4 ,our father found it so4 ,for after that ,great hunt down in the south1 the tribes lay down ,and slept and woke and saw--they knew not what4 ,it wore a sword1 but had no hauberk on4 ',twas robed in black and on each shoulder sat ,what seemed an eagle in a vulture's plumes4 ,they1 too1 thought bones were dead1 and seeing no ,mark of their swords upon it nor anywhere ,the indenture of those old hills in the south1 ,they showed it all the paths among the tribes4 ,,fritz--,welcomed it to their homes4 ,,max-- ,and took its ring4 ,,rudolph--,and then lay down and slept and never woke4 ,,canzler--,if ,rome is dead1 whence all these harried lands1 ,wigmodia and the ,phalias1 ,east and ,west8 ,,rudolph--,there1 even to this day1 the clay is red4 ,,canzler--,if ,rome is dead1 what is this thing that now ,on hands and knees creeps on us toward the north ,gathering flesh for its bones as it comes8 ,,hartzel--,most of them have gone over to their ,faith4 ,,canzler--,most of them8 ,most of them lie1 as ,wiglaf says1 ,piled on the dark shore where the ships come not4 ,,fritz--,between the ring and sword they chose the sword4 ,,canzler--,what is this thing that says1 ,accept this ,faith1 ,but the same thing that to our fathers said1 ,accept this ,law8 ,it is the same old ,rome4 ,the snake hath cast her skin but not her fangs4 ,witness the rivers red4 ,witness the charred ,track of the dragon and these silent lands4 ,has she not gathered flesh8 ,has she not clothed ,her limbs and filled her bowels with the ,north8 ,climb to the clouds and call the ,saxon race ,and who will answer8 ,silence4 ,,rudolph-- ,and the streams ,moaning and hurrying red waves to the sea4 ,,canzler--,there is a day that would but cannot die4 ,that day-- ,,max ,,and ,,rudolph--,at ,verden4 ,,canzler-- ,when our fathers died ,unarmed1 defenceless1 butchered1 ,hartzel4 ,ah1 that day hides her face among the years ,but cannot hide her hand4 ,val-father has-- 7,closing his fingers47 ,her wrist in his grasp and holds that hand aloft ,to drip and rouse the ,north1 and it shall drip ,till ,ragnarok shall swallow it up at last ,and vomit it out to bleed forevermore4 ,four thousand and five hundred in one day6 ,till set of sun1 all day the axes swang1 ,and when night fell the ,aller's waters slipped ,thick through the headless bodies in her bed4 ,oh1 for once more a day like ,dachtelfeld6 7,he turns away47 ,,rudolph--,val-father's spear shall flash again1 ,canzler4 ,there shall a horn wind that shall rouse the tribes ,and strew those bones again4 ,,fritz-- ,let's wind it now4 ,,hartzel 7,to ,canzler47--,do you think we should leave here8 ,,rudolph-- ,yes4 ,,fritz-- ,no4 ,,max-- ,no4 ,our ,wittikind shall come and-- ,,canzler-- ,they shall hear ,the ,north's great hammer ringing round the world4 ,max1 you tell ,conrad that we meet to-night4 ,have ,herman come4 7,max goes out left47 ,and1 ,rudolph1 you go down-- ,,hartzel-- 7,touching1 him with his staff47 ,canzler1 you said just now the point was not ,what they have done4 ,,canzler-- ,nor is it4 ,,hartzel-- ,then why this ,summoning of the men8 ,are we to have war8 7,fritz and ,rudolph1 talking together1 walk back among the trees47 ,,canzler--,hartzel1 the past and present are two limbs ,on one tree4 ,though the one bears withered leaves ,and these on this around us here are green1 ,the trunk is the same2 the sap is the same2 ,the new fruit is the old fruit4 ,what to-day ,is ,wiglaf fleeing to the ocean isles ,but the whole ,saxon race8 ,what is his harp ,in ashes but our homes and all this land8 ,are those graves yonder old8 ,were these1 our scars1 7,opening his bosom47 ,handed down from our fathers8 ,when we start ,alarmed in the night1 is it the past we fear8 ,there is no past to things that have been dead4 ,it is a scabbard empty of its sword4 ,what shall we do8 ,accept their ,faith8 ,,hartzel-- ,no1 no4 ,,canzler--,without it1 we must steal the air we breath ,and thank ,val-father if we get it then4 ,their blades are out2 shall we not lift our shields8 ,wolves are we8 ,wolves are not hunted so4 ,bears have the caves2 must our cave be the grave8 ,there is no room there4 ,how then can we die8 ,after his great meal1 ,death hath lain him down4 ,famine1 the gleaner1 has the field4 ,there is ,no plot unreaped1 no sheaf unflailed4 ,the barns ,are stuffed to breaking with the dead4 ,and we1 ,in this great carnage1 in this harvest-home1 ,the last few straws whisked from the threshing-floor1 ,hunted by that old ,hunger of the south ,from field to wood1 from wood to darker wood1 ,far up strange rivers and--down under them-- ,hartzel1 remember2 when we fall1 there goes ,down the whole ,north4 ,we alone stand4 ,of all ,val-father's oaks1 there's but one acorn left ,that can re-forest and make green the ,north4 ,rudolph and you and ,i and the rest1 save one1 ,are1 as it were1 its protecting shell4 ,off there1 ,a sword is coming toward us1 and shall we ,with hands down take the point and hear the unborn ,wail of that child that should have filled the north ,with shouts and wound his horn upon its hills8 ,behind him1 in array1 the dead tribes come ,on fire for the south2 their umbered shields ,upon the gunwales lour2 and shall the snake ,swallow the haven where that host must land8 ,see the ,north die8 ,never4 7,he turns as if to call ,rudolph47 ,,hartzel--,accept their ,faith1 ,we need not4 ,,canzler--,die8 ,,hartzel--,we need not4 7,a pause47 ,we might flee4 ,,canzler-- 7,emphatically47 ,canzler will never vote to flee4 ,,fritz-- ,hear that8 ,canzler will never vote to flee4 7,coming forward47 ,nor ,fritz1 chief4 ,,canzler--,where could we flee8 ,,fritz-- ,we have already fled4 ,,canzler--,no4 7,hartzel turns and1 with his face to the ground1 walks slowly left47 ,,rudolph--,canzler1 listen to me4 7,unnoticed1 ,conrad appears coming through the trees on the right4 ,several young squirrels hang from the belt about his waist and in his right hand is a cross-bow4 ,upon his left shoulder he carries the crucifix which he has pulled up1 post and all47 ,,canzler-- ,the red ax ,they swung at ,verden swings clear round the ,north ,and her great head falls4 7,with a jolt ,conrad sets the crucifix down and leans it against one of the large trees47 ,where did that come from8 ,,conrad--,over on the road2 by the bridge4 7,canzler goes toward it4 ,fritz quickly says something to ,rudolph4 ,the latter walks lack in the rear47 ,,rudolph-- 7,as if to draw him away47 ,canzler1 here4 ,,conrad--,there was a sheep's pelt lying in the bank-- 7,with a motion47 ,down here where we could kneel to it4 ,,hartzel-- 7,coming back47 ,what is it8 ,,conrad--,it is the ,christians' ,irminsul4 ,they chop ,ours down to put theirs up4 ,,rudolph-- ,canzler4 ,,fritz-- ,the men ,that followed ,wiglaf must have put it up4 ,,conrad--,they're closing round us1 ,canzler1 every day4 ,if you say stay and fight through1 for my part-- 7,suddenly ,canzler turns and looks ,conrad full in the face47 ,i know ,i did1 but if the rest say stay-- 7,after looking tip at the crucifix again1 ,canzler turns slowly and walks away left47 ,what is the matter8 7,when near the stump1 ,canzler again glances back2 then drops his head and walks on among the trees4 ,conrad turns to ,fritz47 ,what is the matter8 ,,hartzel-- 7,apologetically1 following him47 ,canzler1 ,i hope ,i have said nothing4 ,i-- ,i did not mean flee--in that sense4 7,canzler goes out47 ,i meant ,leave4 7,he goes out4 ,the men stand looking after them4 ,rudolph comes forward47 ,,fritz--,this will break ,canzler's heart4 ,,conrad-- ,what8 ,,rudolph-- 7,pointing to the crucifix47 ,oswald4 ,,fritz--,we tried to keep it from him4 ,,rudolph-- ,selma1 too4 ,,fritz--,canzler must never tell her4 ,,conrad-- ,where is he8 ,,rudolph--,no one has seen him since last night when ,fritz-- ,,fritz--,i saw him with the pelt-- ,,rudolph-- 7,quickly47 ,here comes ,canzler4 7,the men assume an expression of unconcern47 ,,conrad-- 7,aloud47 ,whatever ,canzler says4 ,if he says stay-- 7,canzler appears among the trees4 ,he stops and looks off through the forest to the right1 and his brow darkens47 ,,fritz--,and brought it out from town and put it up4 7,rudolph lifts up the squirrels at ,conrad's belt47 ,,conrad--,there were not many in the woods to-day4 ,,canzler-- 7,coming forward and giving his orders hastily47 ,rudolph1 you and ,fritz go summon the men4 ,go with them1 ,conrad4 7,fritz glances off through the forest1 right47 ,,rudolph-- ,that we meet to-night8 ,,canzler--,this afternoon4 ,be quick4 7,the men start back left47 ,,fritz--7,huskily47 ,oswald4 7,conrad glances right47 ,oswald4 7,rudolph glances right1 and the three go out in silence4 ,canzler1 who has stepped left1 stands in the shadow of one of the trees4 ,a little later ,oswald appears coming through the trees to the right4 ,he is looking about as if in search of something47 ,,canzler-- 7,firmly1 but without passion47 ,there1 there it is4 ,take it1 take it and go4 ,,oswald--7,downcast1 stammering47 ,i-- ,,canzler--7,lifting his hand47 ,no word4 7,oswald moves slowly to the tree1 takes the crucifix upon his shoulder1 and1 with bowed head1 goes off right47 ,,selma--7,calling from the left47 ,oswald6 7,the girl enters with her water4 ,she stops1 looks after ,oswald until he has disappeared1 then turns with a questioning look to her father47 ,o father6 ,,canzler-- ,as for me1 ,let a man be a man4 ,outside of that1 ,there is no power on earth that dares ask more2 ,no power in heaven that will4 7,he turns and goes back toward the cottage47 ,,selma--7,with a sigh1 looking right47 ,oswald1 ,oswald4 ,,act ,,two4 ,,scene ,,one--,a forest on the mountain tops1 the great trees glooming with the shadows of nightfall4 ,in the distance1 between the dark boles1 patches of sky with the fading light of evening4 ,the scene slopes down into a clump of tangle-wood on the left4 ,up the slope1 upon a stump that stands out from among the trees1 ,selma is sitting with her head bowed1 her face almost hidden by her hair which has fallen forward across her shoulders4 ,she is dressed in dappled fawn-skin4 ,in her hand she has a spray of dog-wood blossoms from which she is thoughtlessly tearing the leaves4 ,from the thicket below1 three fairies steal in one after another1 having in their hands wild-flowers and ferns4 ,,time--,early spring1 three years later4 ,,first ,,fairy-- 7,running a little way up the slope and stopping47 ,sister1 see6 7,holding forth her flowers47 ,kingcups6 ,,second ,,fairy--7,running closer47 ,sister1 see1 ,i bring ,the laced fern4 ,,third ,,fairy--7,running still closer47 ,see1 see6 ,violets1 sister6 ,i found them waking in an open place ,where the dew falls4 7,together they approach the stump47 ,,second ,,fairy--7,softly47 ,sister6 ,,third ,,fairy-- ,flowers1 sister4 7,the first stoops down and looks up into ,selma's face4 ,the others whisper together4 ,from the thicket below1 two other fairies enter47 ,,fourth ,,fairy--7,stopping47 ,hark1 how it tinkles6 ,,fifth ,,fairy--,it's the dew falling4 7,they hurry up the slope47 ,,first ,,fairy--7,rising quickly47 ,her eyes are wet6 ,,second ,,and ,,third--7,to fourth and fifth47 ,her eyes are wet6 ,,fourth ,,fairy-- ,sister1 ,anemones are opening in the wind4 ,,fifth ,,fairy--,and every pink is jeweled in the fells4 ,,first ,,fairy--,and here are buttercups4 ,,third ,,fairy-- ,and violets4 ,,second ,,fairy-- 7,stooping47 ,see1 sister1 here ,i bring the first frilled fern4 ,i found it where the dashing water-fall ,sprayed it4 ,it was uncurling near a rock4 ,,selma-- 7,without looking up47 ,i do not like you1 for you will not tell4 7,the fairies start and exchange glances47 ,,first ,,fairy--,oh1 see the dew-globes break upon the moss6 7,she runs back a little way among the trees4 ,the others follow her and they talk among themselves47 ,,second ,,fairy--,where is he now8 ,,third ,,fairy-- ,he is making his way ,to his cold dark cell in the cold dark house ,where the lizards dart and the crickets call4 ,,first ,,fairy--,i heard the grind of his wooden shoe ,on the mountain road2 but she must not know4 ,,fourth ,,fairy--,we stood in the pines and we saw him pass1 ,a thin white shadow she would not know4 ,,fifth ,,fairy--,and1 sisters1 he turned his face to the stars ,and we heard him sigh4 ,,fourth ,,fairy-- ,and we heard him sigh4 ,,third ,,fairy--,it must be1 it must be1 for he cannot see4 ,,first ,,fairy--,he cannot see till he sees no more4 ,,selma-- 7,as before47 ,you said he would come when the dog-wood bloomed4 ,,second ,,fairy--,oh1 see them6 ,,third ,,fairy-- ,see the fairies6 7,they all look up the slope47 ,,first ,,fairy-- ,round they go1 ,in their ringlets whirling1 whirling4 ,,fourth ,,fairy--,at every sparkle racing through the wood1 ,from crottle1 kingcup1 and green maiden-hair ,in dainty gowpens fetch the dewy globes ,and slide them down the sagging gossamers ,to light them in the dance4 7,they glance toward the stump4 ,seeing that they have not succeeded in attracting ,selma's attention1 they take hands and circle toward her singing47 ,hark the bracken rustle1 sister4 ,other elves are awaking1 peeping1 ,while the cowslip buds are weeping ,on the downs and in the dells4 ,trip it softly1 softly1 sister1 ,lest the stock-dove1 lightly sleeping1 ,wake and hear our fairy bells4 7,after circling round the stump and seeking in every way to induce her to join them1 one of them tries gently to take the spray of dog-wood blossoms from her hand47 ,,selma--7,calling aloud47 ,father6 ,,first ,,fairy--,oh1 smell the wood pinks6 ,they are waking now4 ,,second ,,fairy--,the bees are stirring in the gum4 ,,third ,,fairy-- ,o sisters1 ,i know a brake where the brown quails sleep4 ,let's tip the leaves and let the star-light on them4 7,four of them run up the slope one after another and each in turn as she disappears among the trees glances back and calls to ,selma47 ,,first ,,fairy--,sister6 ,,second ,,fairy-- ,sister6 ,,third ,,fairy-- ,sister6 ,,fourth ,,fairy-- ,sister6 7,the fifth fairy stands for a time looking after the others1 then comes to the stump and sits down at ,selma's feet47 ,,fifth ,,fairy-- ,sister1 ,if you will come and play1 ,i'll show you slim ,young heath-bells in the dingle4 ,won't you1 if ,we take you where may-apples grow and pinks ,bend with their fairy mirrors on the moss8 ,,voice-- 7,from the thicket below47 ,o sister6 7,the fairy starts up and skips down the slope47 ,,selma-- 7,without looking up47 ,three times it has bloomed and he does not come4 ,,sixth ,,fairy-- 7,entering hurriedly from the thicket47 ,we were floating along on the river mist ,and saw them creep up the mountain side-- ,,seventh ,,fairy-- 7,entering47 ,and heard them plotting and heard them say3 ,we will throw him down1 we will throw him down4 ,,sixth ,,fairy--,we called in his ear1 but he did not hear1 7,the seventh starts up the slope toward ,selma47 ,,fifth ,,fairy--,oh1 do not tell her6 ,oh1 do not tell6 ,,seventh ,,fairy--,they will throw him down6 ,they will throw him down6 ,,fifth ,,fairy--,oh1 catch him with delicate hands as he falls ,into the mist and-- ,,sixth ,,fairy-- ,save him6 ,,seventh ,,fairy-- ,save him6 ,,fifth ,,fairy--,and ,i will run to the mountain cave4 7,the two fairies hasten out through the thicket1 the fifth disappears back among the trees1 left4 ,singing is heard up the slope4 ,a moment later1 a number of fairies circle in with green boughs in their hands47 ,on the downs and in the dells4 ,trip it softly1 softly1 sister1 ,lest the stock-dove1 lightly sleeping1 ,wake and hear our fairy bells4 ,,first ,,fairy--,oh1 something black tumbled into the mist6 ,,second ,,fairy--,and something bright--what was it1 sister8 ,,first ,,fairy--,a star1 ,i think2 it glanced and fell4 ,,third ,,fairy--,sister1 it flashed like a silver cross4 ,,fourth ,,fairy--,and plopped into the brook4 ,did you see the ripples ,glitter in the moon8 ,,second ,,fairy-- ,o sisters1 see6 ,the will-o'-the-wisps rush down the valley fogs1 ,their white veils trailing round the tall dark crags4 7,they hurry down the mountain4 ,selma1 startled1 gets off the stump and runs a little way back in the wood and1 stopping1 looks after them47 ,,voice ,,of ,,canzler-- 7,up the slope47 ,where are you1 child8 7,he enters47 ,why do you stand out here ,in darkness8 ,,selma--,they have gone away again4 ,,canzler-- 7,who waits till she comes near him47 ,do not ask anything to stay1 my child4 ,where the leaf goes the tree goes1 and the rocks ,flow away with the waters to the sea4 7,they go up the slope together47 ,,selma--,he does not come and they will not tell4 7,she stops and looks back47 ,,canzler--,let us go home and watch the stars come out ,above the mountains where ,val-father lives4 ,perhaps the ,norns will spin us a white thread4 7,they go out1 ,selma looking back47 ,,scene ,,two--,a mountain cavern with jutting ledges of rock4 ,from the bones that lie about1 one would imagine it to be a den to which wild beasts drag and devour their prey4 ,to the right1 a vine1 growing out of the crevice in the rear wall1 shows by its leaves becoming a darker green as it spreads to the right that the entrance is in that direction and near by4 ,bowlders1 evidently used for seats1 lie here and there1 and in the rear1 center1 a smouldering fire throws their shadows about the floor and walls4 ,several willow baskets freshly woven hang on pegs driven into seams in the rocks4 ,to the left1 an old spinning wheel with a thread trailing from it1 and near it1 upon the floor1 a quantity of black wool4 ,farther over in the corner1 a couch of rushes and forest grass4 ,from the ledge that projects out over it hang bunches of dry herbs4 ,in the left wall1 extending to the ceiling and barely wide enough to admit of one's passing through1 is a cleft whence are heard at intervals the muffled sound of hammers far down in the earth4 ,to the right of the fire1 ,sigurd1 the dwarf1 is peeling osiers4 ,he is barefooted4 ,about his neck he wears a string of buckeyes4 ,beside him1 upon the floor1 lies a pile of white osiers newly peeled4 ,occasionally he takes the withes in his mouth and tears the bark off with his teeth4 ,on the other side of the fire1 reclining upon his elbow1 the gnome ,kilo is poking the coals with a stick4 ,despite the red glow of the fire1 the cave is quite dark4 ,,kilo--,love the monks1 eh8 ,,voice--7,to the left47 ,kilo6 ,,kilo-- ,granny says you do4 ,,voice--,kilo6 ,,kilo--,hush6 ,i'm tired4 ,,voice--,loki wants you4 7,after a pause47 ,kilo6 ,,kilo-- 7,to himself47 ,call on2 ,kilo don't care4 ,it's sweat and drudge ,and puff and hammer the livelong day ,at the blazing forge1 and then all night ,the big black sledges swing and fall4 ,i'm tired4 ,you love the bells8 ,,voice-- ,kilo6 ,you hear8 ,,kilo-- ,dumb1 are you1 elf-brat8 ,you squealed loud enough ,the night that ,granny found you on the moss ,white as a hail-stone1 thunder-whelped1 and cold4 ,tweakle6 tweakle6 ,elf-cub1 are you8 ,,voice-- ,kilo6 ,,kilo-- 7,out of temper47 ,tell him ,i've gone with ,granny4 7,from the left ,zip enters4 ,under his arm he carries a great sword1 the blade of which he is burnishing with a piece of sand-stone47 ,,zip-- ,where is she8 ,,kilo--,darkening the moon4 ,,zip-- ,is to-night the time8 ,,kilo-- 7,with a look warning him of the presence of the dwarf47 ,got the runes cut on it8 7,zip hands the sword to ,kilo and goes over and stands near the vine4 ,kilo examines the curiously wrought haft47 ,,zip-- ,listen6 ,,kilo-- 7,sitting up47 ,what is it8 7,they listen47 ,,zip--,the geese are out4 ,,kilo--7,to the dwarf47 ,hear that1 gozzard8 ,do you8 ,,zip--,hark6 ,hissing1 they go down the mountain side ,with flip-flap of their big grey wings4 7,he returns toward the fire47 ,last night ,the monks' new hunter wrung two ganders' necks4 ,i found their heads in the grotto4 ,,kilo--7,poking the dwarf with the sword47 ,hear that1 lob8 ,you herd the goslets for the holy men8 ,next thing you'll grind the scauper for the monk1 ,and help him carve the cross4 ,granny'll get you4 ,,zip--,where's ,suk and ,gimel8 ,,kilo-- ,digging water-herbs ,down in the marsh4 7,he rises and the two walk left47 ',twas said to throw him off4 ,the young imp shoots his ears out like a snail ,to feel about for danger to the monks4 ,if he should hear the gnomes are out for blood1 ,you'd see him1 he'd be footed like a hare ,to put the monk on guard4 7,from the right1 ,zory enters4 ,he crooks his back1 screens his eyes with his hand1 and walks feebly47 ,,zory-- ,o dear6 my eyes6 ,rosa1 is the moon up1 dear8 ,ha1 ha6 ,zory6 ,zory6 7,he takes up the sword from the floor1 and using it as a cane1 walks unsteadily47 ,,zip--,steal into the abbey1 will they8 ,,kilo-- ,no1 no4 ,he's down in the village4 ,at break of day ,i saw the blur of his big black gown ,in the mountain mists as he made his way4 ,to-night he will come from the little town4 ,then ,suk and ,gimel--the road runs by ,where some wild vines dangle4 7,as though jerking them47 ,and far below1 ,the waters gurgle4 ,,zory-- ,they will8 ,ho1 ho6 ,,kilo-- 7,huskily1 nodding toward the dwarf47 ,the spy of ,woden4 ,,zory--7,dropping his voice47 ,if that's the plan1 ,then the old dame with her gimlet eye ,sees farther than ,woden's ravens can4 ,at dusk ,i crept over behind the town4 ,some boys were up on the mountain side ,running a cow they were driving down1 ,with puff-balls pelting her brindled hide4 ,on a slope of heather ,i knew a sink ,where a brown backed bunny was wont to squat1 ,to warm his fur in the sun and wink ,at the shadows darkening a cabbage plot4 ,says ,i3 ,now ,zory will have some fun4 ,he'll start the hare for the village boys ,and hear them hollo and see them run4 ,with barking of dogs and a hue and a cry ,they will soon be off1 and1 flying the noise1 ,wat will go bobbing across the down4 ,i'm off for the heather when lo1 ,i hear1 ,behind the sallows that fringe the foss1 ,a sneeze and a sigh and then1 ,o dear6 ,some women are trying to get across4 ,i hide in the dock4 ,the dames pass by ,with baskets of bennet4 ,i hear one say3 ,with our dear ,lord hanging upon the tree1 ,and oh1 such a beautiful1 beautiful cross ,no one ever saw1 so the people say ,who have peered in the window4 ,and think1 la me6 ,in another day and another day ,my every prayer will have been fulfilled4 ,may the ,virgin spare us4 ,the other sighs ,and1 scanning the shadowy mountain side3 ,i fear he will never complete it1 ,clotilde4 ,he climbs that dreadful mountain at night4 ,can you see him now8 ,oh1 ,i fear1 ,i fear ,those awful rocks where the devils hide6 ,it seems so dark4 ,rosa1 is the moon up1 dear8 ,to see the old dame as she-- 7,mimicing with the sword for a cane47 daddled on ,with her skirt in her hand1 through the dewy grass1 ,her little whisket of herbs on her arm ,to keep off the devils1 and mumbling a mass ,and snuffling and moaning and sighing1 ,o dear6 ,it's a wicked world4 7,he laughs till he falls to the floor where he continues to laugh4 ,kilo steals to the fire and is about to snap a coal toward ,zory when ,suk rushes in right47 ,,suk--,granny6 ,o ,granny6 ,,zip ,,and ,,kilo--,what8 ,,suk--,where's ,granny8 ,,kilo-- ,on the peaks4 ,,suk--7,rushing left47 ,loki6 ,,kilo--,stop him6 ,,suk--7,dodging past ,zip47 ,loki6 ,,kilo--,stop him1 ,zory6 7,as he darts by1 ,zory1 still upon the floor1 catches the gnome about the legs47 ,what is it8 ,,zip--,over the cliff8 ,,suk--7,panting47 ,over and over4 ,his black gown-- ,the wind puffs it--like a big bat ,swoops after him4 ,,zory--,whew6 ,,voice--7,right47 ,cock-a-doodle-doo6 ,,suk--7,breaking away47 ,loki6 7,he rushes out left1 followed by the three other gnomes4 ,from the right ,gimel enters47 ,,gimel--,cock-a-doodle-doo6 ,the sun's up1 ,granny6 ,hear the cock6 ,his morning trumpet wakes the village up4 ,cock-a-doodle-doo6 ,see the good people in their ,sunday clothes4 ,a long procession up the mountain goes ,with boughs of cypress and boughs of yew4 ,and now the big bell in the abbey tower ,t-o-l-l-s and it t-o-l-l-s and it t-o-l-l-s4 ,cock-a-doodle-doo6 ,what makes the big bell ,sob in its tower8 ,can any one tell8 ,why1 the monk that pulls at the rope1 ,i ween4 ,cock-a-doodle-doo6 7,he follows the others through the narrow passage1 left4 ,a moment later1 from the opposite side1 a fairy appears and beckons to the dwarf4 ,the latter1 after a quick glance to the left1 stealthily takes up the sword from the floor and follows the fairy from the cave47 ,,scene ,,three--,the monastery of ,st4 ,giles1 in the mountains4 ,an open court1 with buildings dimly seen in the darkness4 ,to the right1 the dormitory1 a large structure built of stone1 with high1 deep-set windows protected by heavy shutters which are closed4 ,across the court a high wall1 starting in front1 extends back some fifteen feet and abuts the side of the chapel before which in outline long stone steps may be discerned4 ,in the center of the wall is an archway with a pair of ponderous iron gates4 ,the night is dark and windy4 ,along the side of the dormitory comes old ,andrew with a staff and lighted taper4 ,he is singing in a low voice4 ,,andrew--,the barque o' the moon1 like the ,ithican's ship1 ,heigho1 she's swamped on the sea1 ,with her big bags of wind-- 7,turning the corner and meeting the wind47 ,hey6 ,up1 lads6 ,swell your bellies1 sails6 ,now we're for't6 7,his candle threatening to go out1 he draws back4 ,for a while he stands as if perplexed4 ,then1 rounding the corner1 he again turns his shoulder to the wind and1 shielding his taper thus1 moves sidewise across the court toward the chapel47 ,puff1 devils1 puff1 puff6 ,howl and snap6 howl and snap6 ,you'll scare old ,andrew1 will you8 ,by the saints1 ,i'll have this taper in the chapel sconce ,in spite of all your snarling4 7,he throws down his staff and shields his taper with his gown47 ,blow6 blow6 blow6 ,here's a monk's soul borne to the ,virgin's arms ,across a strip of ,hell4 ,d'you want to leap ,out of this greasy world8 ,out with you1 then6 ,here's a fine night to jump in1 wind and moon1 ,roar and the scud of swollen water-bags4 ,jump1 jump1 soul6 ,swounds1 here's a coward for you2 ,here's a tallow-swad that loves swine's belly ,better'n the big deep4 ,shrift1 eh8 shrift and housel8 ,primum confessum1 foul monk4 ,gluttony4 7,the taper flickers47 ,yip6 ,see the devils pluck at him6 ,quick1 priest2 ,st4 ,giles will lose a lamb4 ,if ,i damn one1 ,i damn them all2 damn the ,abbot2 damn ,andrew4 ,flesh is flesh4 ,absolvo te4 ,secundum4 ,bibbing1 eh8 ,vap or burgundy8 ,vap8 ,that's a vile sin2 but vap is hell enough4 ,quid tertio8 7,he puts his ear to the taper47 ,st6 lower2 the ,devil's listening4 7,starting47 ,whee6 ,bless the saints6 ,god must have gold for that4 ,no gold8 ,no gold1 no shrift4 ,and here's old ,claw-foot ,coming through the dark1 that needs a furnace tender1 ,a skimmer for his bullion pots4 ,gramercy1 monk4 ,no wench-craft there nor bibbing1 soft bells and venison4 ,limbs hot1 hot lungs1 hot belly1 everything-- 7,the taper goes out47 ,puff6 ,down over the big1 windy world4 ,good jump2 ,clean to the pit4 7,thunder47 ,ay1 night1 smack your black chaps4 ,rumble6 rumble6 7,he feels about the ground for his staff1 and1 having found it1 walks back and stands under one of the windows of the dormitory47 ,soloman6 ,soloman6 ,the ,devil wants you4 ,d'you hear8 ,his pipe's gone out4 ,give him a coal4 7,he waits a while1 then beats upon the shutter with his staff4 ,a low voice is heard within47 ,what's that8 ,eh8 ,,voice-- ,who is it8 ,lucifer8 ,,andrew--,ay1 with his light out4 7,after a pause47 ,come1 come6 ,i'll have to cut a reed and suck the stars ,like the big fool you told of4 7,the shutter opens and the head of ,soloman appears47 ,light1 light1 man6 7,soloman whispers47 ,pipe out1 cricket4 ,here's the big noisy winds ,roarin' in my ears4 7,soloman whispers and points to the corner47 ,prowling8 ,a night like this6 ,turned wolf1 eh8 ,there's a fine porker gone4 ,louis and he were at their wassail cups1 ,nuzzling a stoup o' hipo' a while ago4 7,he comes toward the corner47 ,god bless you1 senechal1 another stoup4 ,swine-herd1 all-hail6 ,fill up the ,abbot's trough4 ,an he breaks sty1 look out6 ,god bless us then6 ,water and bread1 water and bread4 ,zooks1 zooks6 ,the devil's up with ,andrew if he finds ,the oratory dark4 7,he listens47 ,otho6 ,spot6 ,hya6 ,hya6 ,there's something snooping here4 7,he crosses himself47 ,i'll get a light ,and bustle from this place4 ,it's the ,devil ,walking on wool4 7,he turns back toward the window47 ,water and bread4 ,sfoot1 sfoot6 ,the sheep will find thin food on ,andrew's grave4 ,light1 man1 light6 ,it's the bats hurtling4 7,soloman disappears47 ,there's a chinch ,that burrows in the vellum like a mole1 ,a parchment moth what can spin yarn or yarn ,like the old dame i' the tale4 ,he reads and reads4 ,he's got a wit strung like a rosary thread ,with tales and names and things and things and things4 ,tell me a tale1 says ,i1 something valorous1 ,something to lighten life for an old man4 ,tales for tapers1 says he4 ,a go1 says ,i4 ,and so ,i pilfers from the chapel sconce ,the snuffed stubbs4 ,to lighten life1 says ,i4 7,soloman reappears with a lighted candle47 ,the lad that rode the dolphin1 did he get ,to land8 ,,soloman--,he stayed upon the sea4 ,,andrew-- ,and drowned8 ,,soloman--,turned buccaneer and sacked the christian ships ,and sold the spoil in ,jewry4 7,andrew walks away47 ,don't you wish ,to hear it8 ,the tale goes on to tell ,how ,hugh de ,bouillon1 cruising in the ,east1 ,found him upon a cliff and took him down ,from off a gibbet where the sea-gulls flew1 ,and with his harp upon the deck at night ,he made the sea-lads merry with his songs4 ,let's have them now1 here at the gates of heaven1 ,far off from dead men crying in the sea4 ,,andrew--,what makes the lightning go that way1 zigzag8 ,,soloman--,the ,devil broke it on a gibbet-- ,,andrew-- ,tush6 ,,soloman--,and hung it upon a sea-cliff4 ,,andrew--,tush1 tush1 lad6 ,don't make game o' the old man4 ,if he's bent1 ,it's with prayer4 7,he comes back to the window47 ,,soloman-- ,sing me a sea-song4 ,,andrew-- ,it's too raw ,a night1 lad4 7,he holds his taper up toward ,soloman's1 when suddenly some one carrying a light appears at the farther corner of the dormitory4 ,soloman jerks back his candle47 ,eh8 ,it's ,bill-o'-the-wisp6 ,god save us1 man6 ,moving6 ,it's a torch4 7,the light passes behind the chapel4 ,andrew walks back in the court47 ,how the wind blows6 ,there's blood in it4 ,caw1 rooks1 ,chatter and caw4 ,villainy is abroad4 ,there's blood on the stones somewhere1 fresh blood4 7,he stands looking in the direction whence the light disappeared47 ,it's the new deer-man fastening up the dogs4 ,he hunts in the night when the brockets o' the wood ,come to the stream to drink4 ,and none to tell them ,o' the foul spear4 ,no abbot-stag to say-- ,standing to his belly in the stream-- ,drink will be the death of you4 ,it's a foul world4 7,returning toward the window47 ,the hunter's at the kennel wi' his pups4 ,what's his name8 ,he's been here now a sennight4 ,,soloman--,macias4 ,,andrew-- ,macias2 that's a good name4 ,,soloman-- 7,giving ,andrew a light47 ,it's a lean name4 ,,andrew-- ,lean name8 ,fat1 man1 fat4 ,an it was lean we'd have to cast our skins1 ,as the snakes do1 and sleep at breakfast time4 ,i tell you1 ,soloman1 there a hunter for you4 ,he's for a beast1 he fronts it i' the dark1 ,blazing its pretty orbs wi' his big torch4 ,his eye's a rook's eye and his spear as true ,as the bolt o' the buskined hussy what you say ,drops from the moon i' the dead o' night and hunts ,naked i' the woods4 ,she's a--,i'm a monk1 though4 ,an you could see him coming through the copse1 ,shuffling the dews away1 zooks1 you would say ,the burnt faced fellows of ,libya were for sure ,making a revel feast for the big god4 ,the game6 the game6 ,sweet1 tender prickets1 ,stags and chamois calves1 pheasants and geese1 ,turtles and loaches and toper horse-fish ,wi' fins as red as blood4 ,god bless us1 though4 ,an the ,abbot finds the oratory dark1 ,there'll be thin food for sheep on ,andrew's grave4 ,water and bread4 7,he starts toward the chapel1 humming to himself47 ,,soloman-- ,what's the song1 ,andrew8 ,,andrew-- ,sh6 ,the ,abbot hears me trill that heathen song1 ,i'll get no chick-weed4 ,it's a foul song4 7,he comes forward and looks round the corner of the dormitory1 then returns to the window47 ,a cricket chirped it from a chink i' the wall ,as the old man dozed dreaming o' green fields1 ,up there4 7,he sings47 ,the grass is food for the ewe ,and the ewe is food for man ,and man is food for the green1 green grass ,and the grass for the ewe again4 ,the foul song makes goat's food of us all4 ,old ,andrew's shoots1 gowan1 and aigilops ,for filthy goats to browse on4 7,he starts away47 ,sfoot1 ,i'll fast ',fore ,i'll be carried around in a goat's udder4 7,suddenly around the farther corner of the chapel the light reappears4 ,soloman snatches-to the shutter4 ,old ,andrew blows out his taper and gets down upon his knees by the wall4 ,macias1 the hunter1 carrying a pine torch1 comes forward across the court47 ,,andrew-- 7,telling his beads47 ,adeste1 sancti2 villainy is abroad4 ,,macias-- 7,holding down his torch47 ,ay1 monk1 you're right4 ,are all the brothers in8 ,,andrew--,abi1 fiend6 ,out with the sooty torch6 ,old ,andrew's prayers can fly to heaven i' the dark4 ,,macias--,i meant no harm1 monk4 ,i was passing by ,and heard you say there's villainy abroad4 ,i thought perhaps you'd heard the blind bitch howl1 ,as ,i did1 mournful4 ,did you8 ,did you hear her8 ,,andrew-- 7,looking up47 ,who breaks old ,andrew's mass8 ,zooks1 it's the ,devil ,thrusting his grimy face through censer smoke4 7,turning to the wall47 ,adeste1 sancti2 villainy is abroad4 ,,macias-- 7,reflecting47 ,it may have been in my dream4 7,he walks out in the court47 ,a few white stars ,still burned above the village4 7,looking up47 ,not a star ,in all the heavens4 7,he returns right4 ,andrew has risen47 ,are all the brothers in8 ,,andrew--,up there behind the clouds8 ,,macias-- ,did you hear the howl8 ,,andrew--,ay1 heard it in the pines4 ,,macias-- ,the bitch1 ,i mean4 ,,andrew--,carnus is dog4 ,bitch is a carnal thought4 ,i've been at prayer4 ,,macias-- ,within8 ,,andrew-- ,the prayer was in2 ,andrew was out4 ,,macias-- ,here in the gale8 ,how long8 ,,andrew--,till a soul jumps from the big windy world4 ,,macias--,jumps from the world8 ,whose soul8 ,,andrew-- ,the monk's4 ,,macias--7,aside47 ,the monk's6 ,there1 there it is1 the howl of the hound6 ,death has been here4 ,,andrew-- ,shook and refused to jump ,till he was driven off4 ,,macias-- ,what6 ,driven off8 ,,andrew--,ay1 by the winds4 ,,macias-- ,he died not in his cell8 ,,andrew--,he died here by the wall4 7,he walks back in the darkness47 ,,macias-- ,monk1 beat the brush2 ,i fear some crime is crouching in the dark4 ,,andrew--,ay1 that there is2 there's villainy abroad4 7,he stands listening47 ,,macias--,why are you silent8 ,tell me how he died4 7,andrew returns gloomily and lights his taper at the hunter's torch47 ,,andrew--,his soul was calm until it sniffed the gale ,and saw the wild-fire grazing in the sky4 ,and then you should have seen him4 ,when he heard ,the roar of the wind and saw the lean moon ,rush through the clouds1 tearing them with her horn1 ,zooks1 then he fluttered like a gull on a mast ,when a big barque is poppling up and down ,i' the foam4 ,and all the while devils' grimy hands ,plucked at him through the dark4 7,the hunter turns away mumbling to himself47 ,eh8 ,mad8 ,you're right4 ,an you'd a seen 'em you'd a said they're mad4 ,,macias--,where will ,i find the ,abbot8 ,,andrew-- ,legions of them4 ,they'd seen me sponge him twice with a good shrift4 ,as soon as ever the third foul sin appeared1 ,they pounced him and pitched him down over the world ,to where the big deep dashes up the sky ,spraying the stars of heaven4 ,down1 down1 down6 7,he walks back in the court and stands listening47 ,hear it8 ,blood on the stones1 fresh blood4 7,calling47 ,mother6 ,,macias--,chattering to himself4 ,it must be he1 ,the ancient acholyte they told me of4 ,gray hairs and staff-- ,,andrew-- ,mother6 ,,macias-- ,his ears are keen ,from listening to the crickets in the stones1 ,year after year4 ,jesu1 that's a long time4 ,the eagles that were young upon the crags ,when he came here are gray4 ,god1 fifty years6 ,for fifty years to watch the lizards spawn1 ,to feed them1 name them1 miss them then and see ,in the green crevices of the old wall ,another brood come forth4 ,each rook that haunts ,these musty gables here1 he knows them all2 ,knows every tomb-bat in the coffin'd crypt2 ,can tell the spiders1 where they cast their webs ,in the dark corners1 where and how and why2 ,the rere-mice1 when they breed2 the vermin--,god6 ,fifty long years1 fifty6 ,and all that time ,to count the days like beads and feel them black6 ,i'd rather be a fox4 ,i'd rather be-- ,never to have chased the chamois up the cliffs6 ,never to have felt the thrill of stag at bay1 ,or heard the pheasant in the wild brown brake ,whir6 7,walking right47 ,i'd rather be a chipmunk free to-- ,,andrew--,you got the dogs shut in8 ,,macias-- 7,at the corner of the dormitory47 ,they're shut in4 ,why8 ,,andrew--,hear it4 ,,macias-- ,i hear nothing4 ,,andrew-- ,far down in the dark4 ,there1 groaning in the wind4 ,it tries to rise4 ,some stag or something's fallen from the rocks4 ,are the dogs in8 ,is ,twinkle in1 and ,spot8 7,macias walks back47 ,there's something moving round it4 ,,macias-- ,stag1 you say8 ,,andrew--,it's not a stag4 ,its foot sounds like a paw4 ,hear it8 ,it's dragging off the carcass4 ,hear8 ,,macias--,old man1 your ears are at the gates of death4 ,what is it that you hear in this wild night8 ,awake you strike the trail ,i struck in sleep4 ,i have just had a dream in which ,i saw ,a stag out on the mountain there dragged down4 ,,andrew-- 7,abstractedly47 ,its foot sounds like a paw4 ,,macias-- ',twas in the dream4 ,i am just from a dream in which ,i saw ,a snow-white talbot pull a stag down4 ,,andrew-- ,dream8 ,,macias--,and when the talbot had pulled down the buck ,a pair of hands1 small as a fairy's are1 ,reached through the leaves and-- ,,andrew-- ,mother ,mary6 ,hold6 ,i will wake ,daniel4 ,,macias-- ,are all the brothers in8 7,andrew beats upon the shutter47 ,do what8 ,,andrew--,you're right4 ,he'll read it as easy ,as the old fellow what ate pulse and got ,lean as the kine he saw4 ,he knows them all4 ,says he3 ,dreams sleep under the dog-wood blooms ,and love to hear the patter o' the rain4 ,why1 he knows the color o' their beards1 man4 ,says he1 one day1 telling me of a dream-- ,onar was its name1 gray-beard like a king-- ,steals into a tent3 ,now you can get the girl2 ,wake up and fight2 now you can get her4 7,a low voice within47 ,eh8 ,a dream1 ,god bless us1 fire-wing4 7,the shutter opens47 ,he4 ,,soloman-- ,tell it4 7,farther back1 a second shutter opens47 ,,macias--,first tell me this3 ,did either of you monks ,hear ,fever howl8 ,,soloman-- ,i heard no howl4 ,,macias--7,flashing back his torch47 ,did you8 ,,leo-- 7,in a thin voice47 ,what8 ,,macias--,hear ,fever howl4 ,,leo-- ,what's ,fever8 ,,macias-- ,the bitch4 ,,leo-- ,shame6 ,,macias-- 7,to ,soloman47 ,a while ago ,i started up from sleep ,and hurried to the kennel1 thinking sure ,i'd find old ,fever sick again2 but no2 ,the bitch was sleeping4 ,and yet ,i heard a howl4 ,it may have been the white hound in my dream4 ,i seemed to be out on the mountain there4 ',twas early morning2 a few stars still shone ,above the village4 ,soon1 far down the road1 ,i heard a baying as of hounds4 ,thinks ,i3 ,a deer has passed and waked the village dogs4 ,now for a chase4 ,there must have been a slot ,of fresh blood on the road that fired the pack1 ,for on they came like mad4 ,around the cliff ,long bodies swung like shadows through the mist1 ,and tore on up the mountain4 ,farther up ,a stag plunged from a hazel copse1 and then ,a snow-white talbot1 following close behind1 ,shot smoking from the brake4 ,abloy6 ,i cried1 ,and leaped upon a rock4 ,the after-pack1 ,nosing the vent along the mountain road1 ,heard the loud challenge of the leading hound ,and1 breaking trail1 came crashing through the brush ,and spied the quarry1 and with their heads in air ,sprang after up the scree1 their steaming mouths ,ringing the mountains round4 ,the pretty deer1 ,with nostrils flaming and with dappled flanks ,torn by the furze1 came skirting round a rock ,and turned to dash under some low-hung boughs ,when over a near knoll the hot1 sinewy hound1 ,like to a cat-o'-mountain from a limb1 ,shot through the air4 ,crash through the boughs he went4 ,sprinkling the earth with leaves4 ,out jumped my knife1 ,and1 leaping from the rock1 ,i hurried down ,to slit the poor brute's throat and save a steak ,from the mad1 hungry pack4 ,the pretty buck ,staggered beneath the hound1 while the beads of blood ,dripped from the quivering hocks4 ,the head fell back1 ,the tender haunches sank on the soft turf1 ,and death was closing up the eyes1 when lo1 ,sancta ,maria1 what a miracle6 7,he pauses a moment1 then proceeds with more and more animation47 ,a gale had risen and the clouds that hung ,gray in the heavens when the chase began1 ,foamed1 and1 flying black before the winds1 ,grappled the woods and threw his thick1 green hair ,into the swirling rack of livid sky4 ,lightnings and thunders1 winds and tumbling rocks ,charged on the pack of dogs as though they were ,devils come up from ,hell1 and hurled them down ,into the pit again4 ,under the beech ,where the white talbot had pulled down the buck ,behold the miracle the ,virgin wrought6 ,out of a dallop of green boughs that hung ,close to the haunches of the hart appeared ,a pair of small pink hands that with one wrench ,tore the hound's jaws apart4 ,the deer rose up ,as from a sleep1 shook his brown coat and browsed ,the succulent green twigs1 then wandered off ,up the dark mountain side1 whilst like a star ,between the dim1 dissolving antlers shone ,a crucifix of silver1 dripping blood4 7,several shutters in the second story have opened and faces are seen white in the glare of the torch4 ,old ,andrew1 frightened1 has drawn back in the shadow against the wall47 ,lo1 then a sight such as ,i hope our ,lord ,will visit to these dying eyes of mine ,in their last hour4 ,the louring mountain brows ,brightened beneath a drift of golden feet1 ,and wings waved in the air1 and faces bloomed ,in the edding sky1 and the dark towering ridge1 ,lifting its weight of crags above the storm1 ,sloughed off its shadow1 and the field of pines1 ,like a green army climbing to the clouds ,out of the darkness of the dale below1 ,shook their victorious plumes1 and every rock1 ,tree1 bush1 and vine1 and weed1 and flower sent up ,voices of joy till all the mountains rang4 ,,leo--,i say unto you that joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that returneth4 ,,voice-- 7,from the second story47 ,who is the sinner8 ,,macias--7,calling up47 ,are all the brothers in8 ,,voice--7,calling47 ,oswald6 ,,another-- ,ask ,pierre4 ,,another-- 7,far within47 ,he has not returned4 7,a pause47 ,,another--,he may have stayed with ,father ,benedict4 ,he finishes to-morrow4 ,,soloman-- ,tell this dream ,to the ,abbot4 7,the hunter disappears round the corner47 ,a ,,voice-- ,let us hear what ,father says4 ,,another--,oswald is girt about with prophesy4 ,,another--,fiends cannot harm him4 ,,another-- ,jesus is with him4 7,the shutters are closed hurriedly47 ,,andrew-- 7,alone47 ,the ,devil is a big1 long-legged crane1 ,wading the marsh of life1 and we are frogs1 ,tadpoles and water-bugs4 ,i'll fast and pray4 7,he shields his flickering taper with his gown and makes his way across the court toward the chapel47 ,,scene ,,four--,a desolate mountain road along the top of a cliff that plunges down from the edge of a pine-wood4 ,overhead the wind is heard moaning in the trees1 and upon the ground patches of moonlight wave to and fro4 ,from the left1 past some bushes which almost hide the road from view1 the dwarf1 ,sigurd1 appears carrying the monk1 ,oswald1 limp in his arms4 ,the latter's face is so emaciated that one would never recognize him as the same person as was seen in the forest some three years ago4 ,his feet1 upon which are heavy wooden shoes1 drag along the road4 ,suddenly from somewhere in his clothing the large silver crucifix falls to the ground4 ,the dwarf stoops1 and1 resting the monk upon his knee1 reaches down and secures the crucifix1 which he puts between his teeth4 ,then1 having gotten a new hold1 he rises and1 with difficulty1 makes his way up the road4 ,,act ,,three4 ,,scene ,,one--,a grassy ledge far up on the mountain side4 ,tall pine trunks rise here and there4 ,down the slope1 to the left1 are russet tops of small oaks newly leaved4 ,to the right1 a rocky acclivity of about thirty degrees elevation with scattered bushes and a sheep path winding back and up4 ,in the distance1 a blue range of mountains with their bases buried in the white mists of early morning4 ,some distance back from where the path comes down upon the ledge1 ,conrad is broiling woodcocks on coals4 ,brown feathers are sprinkled about upon the turf4 ,upon a rock near by lies a well-filled hunting bag4 ,fritz1 with his face to the fire1 is reclining upon the grass with a shepherd's staff in his hands4 ,from down the slope1 comes a tinkle of bells as of sheep browsing on the mountain side4 ,,time--,two days later4 ,,fritz--,i was with ,canzler when the boy climbed up ,among the rocks and handed it to him4 ,,conrad--,what does it look like8 ,,fritz-- ,it's as long as that1 7,indicating on his staff47 ,and blue as the waters of the tarn down there4 ,upon the haft are wrought two eagles' heads ,and1 twisted round the blade in coil on coil1 ,a serpent in the talons of the birds ,forms the cross piece upon the lower haft4 ,on the blade between the coils what may be runes ,are cut in characters of some unknown tongue2 ,at least1 no man has ever made them out4 ,,conrad--,where could the boy have gotten it8 ,,fritz-- ,no one knows4 ,turn the bird over4 ,,conrad-- ,it is not brown yet4 ,,fritz--,there is something magical about it all4 ,in the light1 the blade bends like a willow wand1 ,but when the sky is overcast with clouds ,or in the shade of rock or tree no man ,with all his might can bend it1 and it slips ,through tree and rock as through a pawpaw leaf4 ,,conrad--,the boy himself1 what did he say8 ,,fritz-- ,he vanished4 ,,conrad-- ,eh8 ,,fritz--,when ,canzler turned to ask him1 he was gone4 ,,conrad--,and have you seen him since8 ,,fritz-- ,where is your bread8 ,,conrad--,i have some here4 7,he reaches up into the bag47 ,has no one seen him since8 ,,fritz--,he was out on the mountains every day ,before1 either by the abbey over there ,or climbing in the vines above the tarn1 ,but always in the shade of rock or tree4 ,when he crossed spaces where the sunlight fell ',twas always in the shadow of a cloud4 ,no one has seen him since he disappeared4 ,,conrad-- 7,laying the bread upon the grass47 ,you know the song that ,wiglaf used to sing1 ,of how ,val-father wanders over the earth ,in human form-- ,,fritz-- ,that is what ,rudolph says2 ,val-father turns his dark side to the earth4 ,,conrad--,and leaves swords sticking in the rock and trees4 ,,fritz--,rudolph insists that ,oswald will return4 ,he says that ,selma learned it from the trees4 ,she listens in the forest all day long ,and when the wind is loud and the boughs sway-- ,,conrad--,how could he ever find us here8 ,,fritz-- ,i see ,how that could be2 ,woden knows where we are1 ,and where he turns his face the way is clear4 ,,conrad--,oswald has turned his back on ,woden's face4 ,,fritz--,blind ,hoder wandered once as far as ,hell1 ,and he came back1 for ,woden in his mind ,directed him and--,here comes ,canzler now4 ,,conrad--,is that the sword4 ,,fritz-- ,yes4 ,,conrad-- ,what was that he said8 ,,fritz--,he must be going down to see the priest4 7,with the sword at his side and wearing a cap made of a wild-cat's skin1 its head upon his head and the rest of the skin hanging down his back1 ,canzler comes down the sheep path1 followed by ,rudolph47 ,,canzler--,more than two years have passed and not a word ,was ever said to throw the claim in doubt2 ,but now that ,hartzel is about to die ,they think to get the whole tract for the ,church1 ,upon the ground that he who sold the land ,to ,hartzel was apostate to their ,faith4 ,,rudolph--,they don't deny that the man owned the land8 ,,canzler--,he owned the land till he disowned the ,faith ,and by that act he dispossessed himself1 ,and then1 they say1 the land reverted to ,god4 ,,rudolph--,and ,hartzel's money1 to whom does it revert8 ,,canzler--,that is a matter between infidels1 ,and proves1 when they rob one another so1 ,there is no honesty outside the ,faith4 ,,rudolph--,the man that sold the land robbed ,hartzel1 eh8 ,,canzler--,if knavery is all outside the ,faith4 ,,conrad--,will you men have some breakfast8 ,,rudolph-- ,and did they ,tell ,hartzel on what ground they had seized his land8 ,,canzler--,all land is ,god's1 and pagans have no right ,to own it1 was the answer that he got4 ,that was a month ago1 though4 ,when they found ,that the wind passed and still the fruit hung on1 ,thinking perhaps 'twould fall of its own weight4 ,they waited until yesterday and then ,unexpectedly they bumped the tree4 ,hartzel should hold possession during life-- ,he is about to die--and at his death ,the ,church should take the burden of the estate ,from his dead shoulders1 and carry it without charge ,and with it save his soul from ,hell4 ,,rudolph-- ,and save ,his children--8 ,,canzler-- ,from the path that leads to ,hell4 ,,rudolph--,is that their proposition8 ,,canzler-- ,that is it4 ,the old man in despair appealed to me4 ,,rudolph--,what are you going to tell them1 ,canzler8 ,,canzler--,what am ,i going to tell them8 ,tell them what ,val-father tells the mountains1 tells the rocks1 ,the trees1 the beasts1 the birds1 all things that live4 ,woden1 who made all things1 made each to be ,different from the rest4 ,he made the oak ,to bear its acorns and the pine its cones4 ,the mole to burrow and the fox to run1 ,the eagle to hatch her brood upon the crag ,under the sun1 the bat1 in the dark cave4 ,the ox to eat grass1 and the lion flesh1 ,and each to go its own particular way ,upon a path as separate and clear ,as are the curves and risings of the stars4 7,fritz and ,conrad come forward47 ,he made no bell to ring all things that live ,to sameness in their lives or in their thought4 ,to keep them1 as he made them1 different1 ,he gave to each an individual taste ,and matched the taste within with that without ,which1 when the two meet1 the result is joy4 ,joy is the voice of each thing as it moves ,toward ,woden on the path that he laid out4 ,the eagle finds its way without a guide ,to ,woden1 and the stars without a guide1 ,each in its own light1 and all things that live1 ,from the blind worm to the all-seeing sun1 ,follow their joy and come at last to him4 ,the eagle's right to go the eagle's way ,is not conditioned by another thing ,save by the fact alone that it is so3 ,that ,woden gave to it an eagle's wings4 ,and so with man4 ,to what man has a right1 ,he has a right because he is a man ,and not because he is a kind of man4 ,val-father's bells have each a different tone4 ,you cannot make the million aisles that lead ,to him one aisle and drive all things through that1 ,or make the right of each to be and to have ,rest on its answering a particular bell4 ,if we admit their principle that ,faith1 ,or anything outside the fact that one ,is a man1 is the basis of the rights of man1 ,we shame our ,saxon fathers who fought and died ,for a lie1 if this be true4 ,for when the ,south ,pushed through the ,frankish forest with her sword ,between her teeth1 and stained with blood1 and held ,her hands out1 saying1 ,here1 take this or this1 ,our fathers chose the darkness of the grave ,from the red hand1 and left the black hand filled ,with that which now to keep itself alive ,eats ,hartzel's land and licks its fangs toward us4 ,when the great night came on and they laid down ,under their battered shields and broken swords1 ,the trees have told us what their last word was3 ,the northern air will kill the southern lie2 ,then we will come again4 ,remember this4 ,,fritz--,and here we are4 ,,canzler-- ,it may not be dawn yet1 ,but some are up before the light4 ,,fritz-- ,and all ,the dead will rise when ,balder comes4 ,,rudolph-- ,but now ,val-father has his dark side to the earth1 ,and works in his own shadow4 ,,fritz-- ,but the dawn ,will reach down and lift ,balder out of ,hell4 ,,conrad-- 7,drawing the sword from ,canzler's belt47 ,if we concede to every man the right1 ,as you say1 ,canzler1 to his own belief1 ,we must concede to the villagers the right ,to their belief that they own ,hartzel's land4 ,,canzler--,we do concede it4 ,,rudolph-- ,their right to their belief4 ,but not their right to ,hartzel's land4 ,,canzler-- ,with them ,men are ,god's vassals1 and the land they hold1 ,they hold in fief to him1 on terms of faith4 ,,rudolph--,and while they keep the ,faith1 they keep the land4 ,,fritz--,and when they lose the ,faith1 they lose the land4 ,,conrad-- 7,walking aside47 ,and when they have no ,faith1 they have no land4 7,he tries to pierce with the sword a pine tree in the sunlight47 ,,canzler--,try that one in the shade there4 7,the sword passes deeply into the second trunk47 ,,fritz-- ,is it through8 ,,conrad-- 7,looking behind the trunk47 ,more than a hand's breadth4 ,,fritz-- ,if the village dogs ,snap at you as they are wont to-- ,,canzler-- ,i shall have ,no trouble with them4 ,,fritz-- ,and yet you expect ,to tell them what you said just-- ,,canzler-- ,i expect ,hartzel to have his rights4 ,fetch it here1 ,conrad4 ,,rudolph--,the ,bailiff1 ,canzler1 is a rabid man4 ,,canzler--,i have no business with the ,bailiff4 ,,rudolph-- ,still1 ,to reach the church1 you must pass through the street4 ,,canzler--,is it too narrow for two men to pass8 7,he receives the sword and goes left47 ,,rudolph--,for two such men as you two are1 it is4 ,,fritz--,with swords on thighs4 ,,conrad-- 7,walking back toward the fire47 ,the hilts might knock4 ,,fritz--7,following him47 ,or blades4 ,,voice ,,of ,,selma-- 7,above47 ,i'm going with you1 ,father6 ,,canzler-- ,no1 ,selma2 ,you-- ,,selma-- 7,who comes running down the path47 ,just to the dingle2 the faries say ,the heather-bells are out4 ,,rudolph-- ,let her go1 ,canzler4 ,,canzler--,throw the white blooms away4 ,,selma-- 7,throwing away a sprig of dog-wood47 ,now may ,i go8 ,,canzler--,they make you sad4 7,he starts down the slope47 ,,selma-- ,i'll not cry any more4 ,i'll be gay1 ,father1 if you let me go4 7,she turns and looks questioningly at ,rudolph1 who nods to her4 ,then1 skipping forward1 she takes hold of the hilt of her father's sword and steadies herself with it as they go down the slope47 ,,conrad--,come back and have a woodcock4 7,rudolph walks back47 ,,fritz-- ,there he goes4 7,shouting47 ,o ,canzler6 ,,conrad-- ,he don't hear you4 ,,rudolph-- ,who8 ,,conrad-- ,the ,priest4 ,,rudolph--,which way is he8 ,,fritz-- ,riding down toward town4 7,rudolph joins the others1 and the three stand looking off left47 ,,conrad-- 7,directing ,rudolph47 ,up that way from the ,abbey4 ,,fritz-- ,i bet he's been ,back to see ,hartzel4 7,shouting47 ,canzler6 ,,conrad-- ,he can't hear4 ,,scene ,,two--,the courtyard of the abbey1 as in ,scene three of the second act4 ,the large crucifix which was seen in the forest in the first ,act is fixed above the door of the chapel4 ,on either side of the door is a stained glass window1 the farther one depicting the ,transfiguration1 the nearer one1 the legend of ,st4 ,giles4 ,the deer with blood dripping from a wound in its haunch stands behind the saint who holds in his hand an arrow with blood upon its tip4 ,the emporer and his huntsmen are presenting the saint with golden cups4 ,the deer is watching them4 ,several rude benches of stone are ranged alongside of the dormitory4 ,in the rear1 about ten feet back from the building1 a low stone wall extends across1 passing behind the dormitory on the one side and the chapel on the other4 ,to the left1 far back1 is seen the side of the mountain on which the abbey stands4 ,the upper part is thickly wooded1 and below1 where the timber is sparse1 a road winds down the cliff to the village4 ,farther down1 the slope becomes more precipitous and is covered with bowlders and stunted evergreens1 some of which have been broken off by rocks tumbling from the cliff above4 ,off to the right1 a space of sky with the snow-peaks flashing in the sunlight4 ,to the left in the last ,scene1 they are now far to the right4 ,from a door in the dormitory facing the court1 ,ely and ,pierre enter4 ,the former has a hunting horn suspended from his shoulder by a chain1 and in his hand a small wooden crucifix4 ,pierre carries two large silver candelabra4 ,they come out talking4 ,,ely--,for he was old and he had come four miles4 ,,pierre--,a cripple too6 ,when was this8 ,,ely-- ,yesterday4 ,and when ,i showed him this and said3 ,good man1 ,here is a rood he carved with his own hands1 ,light filled his eyes4 ,,pierre-- ,and had he come so far8 7,ely walks forward and looks around the corner of the dormitory47 ,,ely-- 7,turning back47 ,i must be at the gate when father comes-- ,four miles on crutches4 ,suddenly he looked up4 ,he must have seen a wing flash in the sky1 ,for his face brightened with the light of faith1 ,and like a seed he seemed to scent a shower4 ,,pierre--,what did you do8 ,,ely-- ,i asked him to kneel down4 ,oh1 what a power there is in holy things6 ,no sooner had ,i touched him with the rood ,than like a plant he rose up from the stones ,and blossomed2 cried3 ,lord ,jesus1 ,i am cured6 ,and down the mountain ran shouting for joy4 ,,pierre--,the ,holy ,virgin bless us6 ,,ely-- ,yes1 he did2 ,ran down4 ,i watched him till he disappeared1 ,then turned to stone4 ,i could not stir1 but stood ,frightened as though an angel hovered near ,in the blue sky4 ,,pierre-- ,oh1 ,i have felt it too6 ,these two days have to me been like a dream ,and ,i am dizzy as on some high place4 ,at night ,i feel the stars are not far off1 ,and when ,i wake1 it seems to me the dawn ,is breaking far below us on the world4 ,so near we are to that which lights the sun1 7,he holds up the candelabra47 ,these candles1 if ,i should dare to speak the word1 ,would burst out into flame4 ,,ely-- ,pierre6 ,,pierre--7,still looking up47 ,oh1 surely1 ,surely the hands that lifted ,oswald up1 ,lifted our abbey too1 and we are close ,to heaven4 ,perhaps about us in the air ,are voices and the wings of those that hear ,our very whispers1--martyrs1 saints1 ,saint ,giles4 ,,ely--,you make it terrible to live in flesh4 ,,pierre--,oh1 terrible6 ,it is terrible to live ,where every word drops in an angel's ear4 ,i feel that every breath should be a prayer4 ,,ely--,i feel so too1 ,pierre4 ,these acts of grace-- ,,pierre--,are but the sparks of power4 7,he starts toward the chapel47 ,,ely-- ,mere sparks1 you think8 ,these healings and this rescue from the gulch1 ,mere sparks8 ,,pierre-- ,simply the scattered beams4 ,,ely-- ,and yet1 ,the same great light hath kindled one and all4 ,is it not so8 ,,pierre-- ,all these will vanish when-- ,,ely--,tell me4 ,go on4 ,,pierre-- ,when the full orb shall burst4 ,,ely--,what do you mean8 ,,pierre--7,mounting the steps47 ,i dare not speak it4 ,,ely-- ,brother6 ,,pierre--,ely1 we stand in darkness by the ,tomb1 ,and little beams flash on us from the chinks1 ,but the full glory1 flooding all the vault1 ,awaits the angel4 ,,ely-- ,is it the dream you mean8 ,,pierre--,no one must ever tell him1 ,father says4 ,,ely--,you think then that the dream will be fulfilled8 ,that it is ,oswald whom the hounds of ,hell ,will chase up some vast mountain of the soul8 ,,pierre--,soon the stone will stir4 7,he enters the chapel47 ,,ely-- ,pierre6 7,while ,ely stands hoping that ,pierre will reappear1 loud laughter breaks from the open door of the dormitory1 and ,simon and ,basil come sprawling out4 ,the former is pulling at a piece of flesh4 ,ely's face shows anger1 and he starts left47 ,,basil-- ,his crutches6 7,he laughs aloud47 ,,simon--,here he is now4 ,ely6 ,,basil--7,calling through the door47 ,hear that1 ,rene8 ,the beggar left his crutches for his gift4 7,laughter within47 ,,simon--,you ask him4 ,ely6 7,ely unlocks the iron gates and passes out47 ,,basil-- ,bring the crutches1 man6 ,simon's got the gout4 7,rene comes out and joins ,basil in laughing at ,simon4 ,the latter1 eating his meat1 walks back in the court4 ,basil whispers to ,rene47 ,,rene-- ,when was it1 ,simon8 ,,simon--,yesterday4 ,i was sleeping on the bench ,when the old codger's shouting waked me up4 ,and there he was4 7,he points up to the road47 ,i thought the man was mad1 ,or had been in the gables robbing nests1 ,for his white hair fluttering in the wind ,looked like a pair of pigeons on his poll4 ,he must have thought the ,devil-- 7,he sits down on a bench47 ,,basil-- ,or else ,ely4 ,,rene--,yes1 chasing him for his pay4 ,,basil--7,indignantly47 ,his crutches6 ,,simon-- 7,drolly47 ,he left his sole support4 7,they all laugh4 ,basil1 who has come forward1 peeps round the corner of the dormitory4 ,withdrawing quickly1 he hurries back toward the door47 ,,basil--7,excitedly1 in an underbreath47 ,rene6 7,he points back over his shoulder with his thumb47 ,,rene--7,huskily47 ,simon6 7,simon leaps up1 jerks away his meat1 and1 wiping his mouth with his sleeve1 hurries after the others into the dormitory4 ,from the right1 the ,abbot enters followed by a train of monks4 ,he wears a miter and a flowing cope of scarlet1 richly apparelled4 ,from the end of a rosary about his neck dangles an ivory crucifix4 ,the monks are all in black and wear their hoods4 ,upon reaching the center of the court1 the ,abbot raises his staff and the procession stops47 ,,abbot--,saint ,martin hath restored the golden dawn ,and put the clouds to flight4 ,the kingly sun ,looks on the world like our new-risen ,lord ,driving the night before ,him4 ,and the fiends1 ,that fly with darkness from the pit of death ,to conjure with the baleful midnight stars ,and wreck ,god's holy chime of human souls1 ,are scourged to ,hell1 and all the rebel orbs ,are thunder-stunned4 ,vapors and noxious fogs ,that hatch contagion in rank1 drizzling swamps1 ,will soon beneath the lightning's flagellum ,with breezes fan their fevers from the blood1 ,and with pure sea-dews from green ocean urns ,sprinkle the parched earth to cool the vines ,preparing clusters of our dear ,lord's blood4 ,the serpent spawn of imps and evil dreams1 ,fairies and watching wanderers of the night1 ,that kennel in the bowels of the earth ,and taint its waters1 blight the tender sprouts1 ,and sow infections through the flocks and herds1 ,have flown like bats into the squalid caves1 ,and there are numb with fear4 ,o'er ,zion's towers ,the virgin dawn brings forth the sun of ,god ,and smiles upon the world4 ,the blessed light ,spreads o'er the earth its bright1 archangel wings1 ,dripping with balmy dews and cassia smells4 ,the day will-- 7,high up on the mountain is heard the blast of a trumpet47 ,hark6 ,a ,,monk-- ,it was ,ely's trumpet4 ,,another--,some one comes4 ,,abbot-- ,the asses from ,italy1 ,bringing the wine and frankincense1 no doubt4 ,a ,,monk--,and the golden chalices4 ,,another-- ,and ,father's cope4 7,pierre comes from the chapel47 ,,abbot--,pierre6 ,,pierre-- ,what it is1 ,father8 ,,abbot-- ,is the ambry clean8 ,,pierre--,it is1 ,father4 ,,abbot-- ,go find ,louis1 and fetch-- ,fetch the diotas and--let's see--three casks4 7,he saunters toward the gate4 ,three monks follow ,pierre1 right4 ,the rest disperse about the court1 the greater part eventually finding their way into the chapel4 ,a few walk back in the rear and stand looking up at the road4 ,three monks1 who came in at the end of the procession and who all the while have stood perfectly still1 slip back their hoods and discover ,simon1 ,rene1 and ,basil4 ,at the corner of the dormitory1 ,pierre and his companions meet ,louis entering47 ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,monks--,the train has come4 ,,pierre-- ,father says bring the casks4 7,louis reaches under his gown and produces a large iron key which he hands to ,pierre4 ,he then passes into the court4 ,the four go out47 ,,abbot-- 7,calculating47 ,thirty gallons and six--7,turning47 ,four casks1 ,pierre4 ,,simon--,the chopin too1 ,pierre4 ,you know the men1 ,the mule-men will be dry4 ,,basil-- ,or ,simon will4 ,,rene--,or ,basil4 ,,basil-- ,or ,rene4 ,,simon-- 7,with his hand to his mouth47 ,or ,father4 7,they laugh47 ,,abbot-- ,louis6 7,the shutter near the corner of the dormitory opens1 and ,solomon leans out4 ,he has a parchment in his hand47 ,,soloman--,quid est1 ,leo8 ,,leo-- 7,telling his beads1 on one of the benches47 ,the wine train has arrived4 ,,soloman--,from ,paradise4 ,,leo-- ,don't be irreverant4 ,,basil---7,to ,soloman47 ,let no man look on wine when it is red4 ,,simon--,i shut my eyes4 7,holding their sides for laughter1 ,rene and ,basil stagger back toward the rear4 ,soloman withdraws from the window47 ,,leo-- ,father will tend to you4 7,simon makes faces at him and follows his companions47 ,,abbot-- 7,walking aside with ,louis47 ,say nothing to the strangers of the affair4 ,,louis--,of finding brother ,oswald8 ,,abbot-- ,no1 not that4 ,his fall1 his being found before the gate1 ,all that1 no doubt1 the villagers last night ,poured into their ears4 ,the folk are deeply stirred4 ,from tongue to tongue the flame of rumor runs ,that heavenly hands bore ,oswald from the gulch4 ,they think the holy saints have blessed his palms ,with power of healing and of miracles4 ,alms have increased ten-fold4 ,cattle and sheep1 ,jewels and coin1 and corn and casks of wine ,pour in from every side4 ,within a year1 ,st4 ,giles will swell her roofs and shine in gold-- 7,confidentially47 ,provided1 ,louis1 provided4 ,you understand8 ,,louis--,you mean the abbey here will robe herself ,in purple cloth-of-bodkin stiff with pearl1 ,provided-- ,,abbot-- ,this new loom shall keep her hum4 ,,louis--,that here red wines will flow to flush her face1 ,provided-- ,,abbot-- ,hand in hand upon the hills ,this sudden sun that hath sprung up the sky ,shall lead the vine and pour his blood to swell-- ,,louis--,that morning when it strikes her eastern gate ,will see her heaving heavenward dome on dome1 ,provided-- ,,abbot-- ,ay1 that's it4 ,you understand4 ,the quarry for our domes is in our brains4 ,here1 in our brains1 your brain and mine1 ,louis1 ,we have the shuttle of that wonderous loom ,that shall array her in her cloth-of-gold4 ,here is the sun1 the bridegroom of the grape4 ,and here1 from hills of ,france and ,italy1 ,the purple bride shall come and loose her zone ,and lay her dower in the abbey's lap4 ,lock up that jewel1 ,louis1 in its case4 ,let it not get abroad that you suspect-- ,suspect1 ,i say2 you surely do not know-- ,,louis--,i only know of what ,i heard and saw4 ,i heard his voice and-- ,,abbot-- ,you were fast asleep4 ,,louis--,at first ,i was2 then1 wakened by the shout1 ,three times ,i heard him cry out in the dark3 ,haro6 help6 help6 ,,abbot-- ,a voice1 of course2 but whose8 ,the night so alters sound you cannot tell4 ,a cat-o'-mountain screaming in the dark ,for all the world sounds like a wailing child4 ,,louis--,but when ,i see the track1 ,i'll tell you then4 ,the track up by the gate1 and it's there now1 ,is the dwarf's track1 four toes on the left foot4 ,,abbot--,preposterous1 ,louis1 that this hunched devilock1 ,brought up on witch's dugs1 in the dead of night ,should be about the service of the ,lord4 ,asses can talk like men when angels bid4 ,perhaps the angels1 taking him in the act ,of throwing brother ,oswald from the cliff1 ,scourged him before them to the abbey gate ,and made him in his pain cry out for help ,and set his print to attest the power of ,god4 ,who knows8 ,,louis--,brother ,oswald1 perhaps4 ,,abbot--,only ,god4 ,but make no mention of the witch's son4 ,when truth is whist and doubt a favoring gale ,blowing toward golden islands in the sea1 ,let the ship drive before it into port4 ,no one was with you when you found him4 ,,louis--,no one4 ,,abbot--,and no one saw you4 ,,louis--,no one4 ,it was still dark2 ,the brothers were asleep4 ,,abbot--,say nothing of it4 ,let rumor blow it as a miracle4 ,sweet feet of saints have run down in the night ,and with a touch enriched a holy house ,of no more worth than this of good ,st4 ,giles4 ,rumor of saints can do as much as saints4 ,if thoughts of bright wings stirring in the sky ,can kindle hearts to deeds of charity1 ,and by those deeds the ,virgin's chapels rise1 ,let the flame run4 ,we'll blow it through the land4 ,i've had the brothers circulate report ,that wings were seen dissolving in the dawn ,above the mountains4 ,,louis--7,with a smile47 ,so1 perhaps1 there were-- ,of eagles wheeling airily in the clouds4 ,is this not1 ,father1 to build upon the sand8 ,,abbot--,to build on sand is to build on a lie4 ,,louis--,what is a lie8 ,,abbot--,a lie is not a thing ,that is not1 but a thing that cannot be4 ,thus to say good is evil is a lie1 ,for good cannot be evil4 ,but to say ,that that hath been which ,god hath power to do ,is to make faith a fact4 ,in days like these1 ,when the ,albigensian heresy is rank1 ,we must support the ,holy ,writ in this1 ,that what is done in thought is done in deed4 ,has a good deed been done8 ,then a good thought ,has done that deed1 and that good thought is ,god's1 ,and such thoughts we call angels4 ,,louis--,oswald1 then1 ,was rescued by the angels8 ,,abbot--,without doubt4 ,the globe of fire that ,dominic beheld ,above our ,lady's chapel in the plain ,of ,prouille was a light in his own mind4 ,,louis--,the multitude will never understand ,this nice distinction4 ,,abbot--,just so2 but shall we ,show them the foul body of fair ,truth ,or the clear spirit8 ,,louis--,the spirit1 ,father4 ,i never doubt the end you have in view4 ,,abbot--,you doubt the means1 though4 ,deep down in your heart ,you smile and say3 ,but ,father is all right4 ,the times are fire1 and fight for ,benedict4 ,to build the abbey1 ,father must have gold4 ,to get the gold1 the people must be bilked4 ,but ,father will return them light for gold4 ,i never doubt the end he has in view4 ,,louis--,you are the brain1 ,father2 ,i1 the hand4 ,you know that ,i would help you4 ,you know that4 ,,abbot--,anyway1 ,louis1 ,i am justified4 ,for simple souls find joy in simple faith4 ,go down into the village4 ,guido tells me ,their faces shine because of this bright thing4 ,it purifies and cheers them4 ,cyprian says ,there is no power that does not come from ,god4 ,he might have said the same of light and joy1 ,and shall ,i1 to whom what ,i know this thing is ,seems quite as strange as what they think it is-- ,that angels did it--1 take their light away ,because ,i know it falls not from a star8 ,a thousand lamps burn in the ,house of ,life4 ,shall ,i walk through its chambers and say3 ,this1 ,children1 and this1 now these were lit of ,hell2 ,but that one there--see how the oil of ,god ,goes up the wick and throws a brighter flame8 ,unless they see it brighter1 it is not4 ,they cannot see it so without my eye4 ,they cannot have my eye and keep their own1 ,and they must keep their own a little while2 ,at least until ,i get my abbey built1 ,until ,i shout the sun from out the sea ,and with its beams illumine the valley there4 ,and since its rising on their gifts depends1 ,and since their gifts depend on their belief1 ,i cannot tell them their belief is false2 ',twould bring the abbey down upon their heads2 ,and ,benedict would shout forevermore1 ,seeing their night come back without a star4 ,and so ,i cannot tell them what is true4 ,nothing is sadder than to see a mind ,drifting between an old faith torn away ,and a new rock not risen from the waves4 ,their wisp must burn until the sun comes up4 ,our ,lord himself tempered his dazzling truth ,to simple minds1 and spake in parables1 ,leaving the halo on the brow of things4 ,and shall we blow it away8 ,,louis-- ,is it there8 ,,abbot-- ,for them1 ,it is intensely there4 ,and when they come ,bringing their little gifts1 what can ,i say8 ,they ask me1 ,is this light8 ,i say1 ,does it ,shine8 ,they answer1 ,yes4 ,then it is light4 7,a pause47 ,is it8 7,a pause47 ,louis8 ,,louis-- ,suppose so2 if it shines4 ,,abbot--,and if they say it shines8 ,,louis--7,after a pause47 ,i suppose so4 ,,abbot--,shall ,plato take ,saint ,giles' faith away8 ,that1 ,louis1 is the question of all time4 ,,louis--,if he can give him ,plato's4 ,,abbot-- ,if he can4 ,and if he cannot8 ,,louis-- ,if he cannot-- 7,he stops47 ,,abbot-- ,what8 ,ready to give to one who cannot take1 ,who cannot see my light beyond her light4 ,shall ,i step in upon my mother's prayer ,with noise1 and say3 ,but see1 yours is no god4 ,and pick and pound and blow her hope away ,and loose her tears upon my father's corpse8 7,a pause47 ,louis8 7,a pause47 ,shall ,i8 ,,louis-- 7,walking about with his head down47 ,i have naught to say4 ,,abbot--,do ,i still seem to be a hypocrite8 ,,louis-- 7,turning quickly47 ,father6 ,,abbot--,what should ,i say8 ,your eye sees false8 ,if they think rue will keep the devils off1 ,to kill their thought would bring the devils back ,and leave them fleeing ,hell1 not seeking ,god2 ,a different thing though ,benedict knows it not4 ,they are not ready for the larger life1 ,and in a day ,i cannot make them so4 ,they cannot take my light4 ,shall ,i take theirs1 ,their little light1 and leave them in the dark8 ,take from their hearts the glory and the hope8 ,how do ,i know what ,god means by this thing8 ,if they should ask me ,i must drop my eyes ,and say3 ,he hides to-morrow from to-day1 ,which is no answer1 ,louis1 and ,i know it4 ,what can ,i do8 ,no1 ,i must seem to lie3 ,while ,i am serving ,god1 seem to serve ,hell2 ,pray to the ,giver of ,light1 ,thy will be done1 ,and then give darkness6 ,oh1 for some power1 ,some angel1 ,louis1 that should come from heaven ,and free us from these bonds of policy6 ,that we must hide our light like secret parts ,as though each shining ray were snake of ,hell6 ,oh1 that some god would step down on the peaks ,and make us throw our thought out on the dark1 ,as fields their seeds1 leaving the god of growth ,to separate and slay and bring to sheaf6 ,how ,i would lay this cope and this aside1 ,and with my face upon the mountains run1 ,aye1 run to meet the bright thing coming down1 ,and cry1 ,hail1 hail1 hail1 hail1 thou blessed one6 7,shaking with emotion1 his voice husky47 ,i cannot be a man6 ,,louis-- ,but1 ,father1 that-- ,,abbot--,accursed bondage harder than the ,nile6 ,,louis--,that prophesy that ,oswald brings1 may it ,not mean this very thing1 that by his fall ,and this bright rumor that the angels saved him1 ,a summer cloud that seems to rain down gold1 ,may it not be that by this very gold ,your tower of light shall rise upon this rock ,and save the ,north from darkness8 ,may it not8 ,,abbot--,but who will save us from our policy1 ,from playing hide and seek with ,god's bright son1 ,from the necessity of withholding truth ,from those to whom the vital thing belongs1 ,who do not even hunger for it more1 ,who live and die about a taper's flame1 ,calling it star1 and sun1 salvation1 ,god-- ,and here all round us--,louis1 look1 the dawn6 ,,louis--,the quality of all light is the same4 ,,abbot--,quality1 ,louis1 is not quantity4 ,the myriad spheres of dew leave the fields dark4 ,the midnight luster on the swamp is light1 ,enough to guide the wild thing paddling there4 ,the willow leaves give light unto the moth4 ,the stars that fill us with the life to come ,leave darkness in the prowling tiger's eye1 ,and rise and set upon its curve of ball4 ,god made the day for higher things than these4 ,some light is not enough for something more ,than moth and water-rat and prowling maws ,that find their food in flesh4 ,with what design ,lit ,god the radiant pages8 ,for what purpose ,hung he the planet ,plato in the sky ,with kindred constellations of pure thought1 ,if ,i1 a mortal man1 can lift my hand ,and leave a shadow in the valley there8 ,it fills my life with meaning to know this1 ,that ,god hath ordered so our spiritual world ,that every bright thing needs my will to shine1 ,as it needs ,his to reach the shining state4 ,think of such confidence of ,god in man6 ,and ,i betray it4 7,he walks about thoughtfully47 ,,louis-- ,you betray it8 ,how8 ,by holding back the truth about the dwarf8 ,,abbot--,i hide the light4 ,,louis-- ,you hide it as a seed ,which1 if the people eat1 the famine spreads1 ,but which1 if planted1 wide the harvest waves4 ,your own heart tells you you are right in this4 ,,abbot--,but when1 when is the feeding to begin8 ,if ,i to-day withhold the seed1 who knows ,that ,i will not to-morrow withhold the yield1 ,and so continue1 building larger barns8 ,meanwhile the people in the valley die4 ,,louis--,but ,god1 who sees your purpose in it all1 ,sees the day coming when this rock shall be ,a beacon1 and this region full of light4 ,,abbot--',twill never be while ,benedict is here4 ,,louis--,oh1 but look yonder1 ,father6 ,three hours ago ,black clouds besieged the east1 and lo1 now ,day ,stands on the mountain tops and sees them not4 ,where ,night has gone there's room for ,benedict4 ,,abbot--,i know that1 ,louis2 but the years go by4 ,and oh1 to use the little breath ,i have ,in doing what ,i never did before6 ,how is it ,i cannot tell them what is true8 ,,louis--',twould crush in seed the abbey you would build4 ,,abbot--,how can an abbey rise upon a lie8 ,,louis--,you said it was not a lie4 ,,abbot-- ,it is a lie ,until they know that it is not a lie4 ,as ,i do4 ,,louis-- ,will you tell them8 ,,abbot-- 7,walking about47 ,i am bound1 ,bound hand and foot by cursed policy4 ,i cannot be a man4 ,,louis-- ,many a church ,has lies like this above the altar place4 ,,abbot--,my abbey was to be part of the one4 ,,louis-- 7,after a pause47 ,you said1 ,until they know it1 ,father4 ,,abbot-- ,yes4 ,,louis--,as ,i do4 7,the ,abbot turns47 ,do you doubt it was the dwarf8 ,,abbot--,i do not doubt the fact in the case1 but ,i may not limit its significance4 ,,louis-- 7,with a smile47 ,an angel or a god1 then8 ,,abbot-- ,half so1 yes4 ,,louis--,to free us from our policy8 ,,abbot-- ,pray ,god ,it may be1 ,louis1 pray ,god it may be4 ,that unknown god should have an altar here4 ,no1 ,louis3 what ,i mean is simply this3 ,this thing that we call evil1 may it not ,be the other side of this thing we call good1 ,the passing of bright planets of the mind1 ,dreaming eclipse that is no thing at all1 ,simply the passing of the two things1 both bright8 ,god ever wrestles with his shadow1 ,louis1 ,and now the bright goes down and now the dark3 ,and man stands by and watches the great game ,with heart divided and with swaying mind ,and lifts whichever falls4 ,the game goes on ,forever1 and the nations rise and fall ,forever1 and fall and rise4 ,and so they strive1 ,like light and shade over the mountain slopes1 ,each wrestling not for victory but strength4 ,,louis--,and you and ,benedict8 ,,abbot-- ,i am not his foe4 ,i come from ,florence and he comes from ,rome4 ,,louis--,and you love painted windows4 ,,abbot-- ,i love ,god2 ,he loves the ,church4 ,there is the difference4 ,he iterates with fire in his eyes ,that ,heathendom shall tumble down to ,hell1 ,but not a word that ,ignorance shall fall ,or ,passion lose her lightning in the deep4 ,i wrestle with the bright against the dark4 ,,louis--,for the world-soul4 ,,abbot-- ,neither of us may win4 ,in fact1 ,i pray ,god that we may not4 ,,louis-- ,how8 ,,abbot--,i hope that some free1 some free spirit may win4 ,not one wrapped round with ignorance1 nor one ,bound hand and foot by cursed policy4 ,but ,i am not his foe4 ,,louis-- ,but he is yours4 ,,abbot--,night does not understand4 ,,louis-- ,i cannot see4 ,,abbot--,louis1 the greatest man in this great world ,is he who sees all things are going right4 ,yet fights as though all things were going wrong4 7,louis shakes his head47 ,i know you don't4 ,but ,i can do no more ,than show my thought4 ,to see it1 must be yours4 ,,louis--,then ,oswald's fall-- ,,abbot-- ,not if it gives him strength ,to do the work his spirit bids him do1 ,to wrestle with the dark and with the bright1 ,to wrestle better than he did before4 ,and shake the fruit down of that prophesy4 ,who knows what ,god behind the horizon holds ,for ,oswald till the dawning of that day8 ,i somehow feel the dream is1 as it were1 ,the warp to which the prophesy is woof1 ,and that beneath the hills unseen a loom ,rocks as it weaves in dogs and storm and deer ,and underneath the meaning of it all4 ,but ,i was speaking of the witch's son4 ,this pebble here ,i take up in my hand4 ,i turn it1 yet ,i always see one side4 ,the other side is toward the underworld1 ,and though ,i turned it till the ,judgment ,day1 ,that side would still be round there4 ,bid it grow1 ,swell to a bowlder's1 now the chapel's size1 ,and now a globe's4 ,and let us hold it thus4 ,above us1 on our palms4 ,like ,atlas now ,i stand supporting it4 7,pointing as though under the globe47 ,down here ,i see ,a little night following a little day ,about a water-drop1 a grain of sand1 ,a point in which my spirit lives and moves4 7,reaching up and around47 ,how do ,i know that up here are not worlds ,lit with ,gods' providence and bathed with soul8 ,what is my thought that it should scale these zones ,and take my law of good and evil there ,and recreate that life to what ,i know8 ,is my eye ,god's1 that it should see all things8 ,from what far mountains come the grains of gold ,that sparkle in the river of my soul8 ,ranges of being and tall peaks of thought ,may hold up here a brighter metal still1 ,some burning thing would dry my river bed4 ,the dreams that vein the dark sky of our sleep1 ,as lightnings vein the night and then are gone1 ,whence come they and whither go they1 that they leave ,vast expectation and the vacant eye8 ,and out beyond the chalice of our sleep ,that cases round my dew-drop soul1 who knows ,what oceans roar with life beyond our life1 ,and spray with stars the dark rocks of the void8 ,how do ,i know what creatures come and go ,beyond my little line of night and day1 ,doing the will of the ,eternal ,mind8 ,i am not ,benedict to say1 ,this is ,he1 ,and this is not4 ,,louis-- ,not even of the dwarf8 ,,abbot--,god is the author of the book we see ,whose pages are the mountains and the stars4 ,though ,he may sit aloof1 his soul pervades ,each word and letter4 ,prowling in the spring1 ,the mountain lion feels ,him in her paws1 ,and the wild creatures of the caves are ,his4 ,,louis--,was ,he in ,oswald's fall8 ,,abbot-- ',tis past my thought ,how ,he should not be2--in his rising1 too4 ,if ,god is with me when ,i climb a hill1 ,when ,i descend do ,i leave ,god somewhere ,upon the top8 ,if only he ascends1 ,how came he in the valley1 then1 at first8 ,only the ignorant halve the universe ,and thresh events and say1 ,the wheat is ,god's1 ,piecing their small minds out with nothingness4 ,the chaff too served its purpose in its time ,and while it served its purpose it was good ,and like the wheat it drew its strength from ,god4 ,having served its end1 is wheat itself not chaff8 ,if ,oswald's fall is evil in our minds1 ,it is because we do not see its place4 ,but where my knowledge ends1 does ,god end1 too8 ,our brother tumbling from the bluff that night ,into the gorge1 but tumbled1 as it were1 ,off of ,god's fingers into his great palm4 ,ascent and descent are in one straight line4 ,i see no angle in the universe1 ,a break in things1 a point where ,god begins ,and ,satan ends4 ,if1 in this strange event1 ,the people see a movement of the sky ,and stand amazed1 ,i stand even more amazed ,at what ,i see than they at seraphim4 ,for what ,i see is darkness giving light1 ,an earth-born thing showing capacity ,for deeds divine1 and busy in the dark ,not with its own low nature but with ,god4 ,i grapple with it and my light goes out4 ,i feel as though ,i walked in a strong wind ,along a reed1 with only faith for eyes4 ,reason calls it to me with a blind man's voice4 ,that helplessness should bring an angel down1 ,is that as wonderful as that it should bring ,a devil up to do an angel's work8 ,what we see1 ,louis1 is the miracle4 ,what they see1 while it jars our sense of things1 ,falls nicely into the mental harmony4 ,,louis--,good becomes evil having served its end4 ,how ,benedict would rage should he hear this4 ,,abbot--,each mind takes of the light what it can hold4 ,,louis--,you know that day in the scriptorium1 ,when you were reading the ,symposium1 ,what he said1 do you remember8 ,,abbot-- ,yes1 ,i do4 ,,louis--,if ,i had my way ,i would burn that thing4 ,,abbot--,a beam of the sunshine hurts the owl's eyes4 ,,louis--,and he would peck the stars out if he could4 ,,abbot--,as though our faith were fungus6 ,,louis-- ,if it be1 ,if it must feed on darkness1 let it die4 ,,abbot-- 7,walking about thoughtfully47 ,it need not feed on darkness1 ,louis4 ,,louis-- ,this ,miracle1 ,father1 will bring back the day4 ,,abbot-- 7,to himself47 ,the ,age is torn and shaken4 ,passions swell ,and range like winter rivers4 ,i would have it ,lucid and calm as ,arno flowing down ,by sacred ,florence4 ,i am far away1 ,far away and my hairs begin to fall4 ,,louis--,this will bring back the day4 ,,abbot-- 7,to himself47 ,and nothing done4 7,he stands with his eyes upon the ground4 ,then1 dreamily47 ,young faces radiant with the golden air ,that ,plato breathed among the olive leaves4 ,,louis-- 7,half aloud47 ,if ,i had my way ,i would burn that thing4 ,,abbot-- 7,half to himself1 his back to ,louis47 ,and if ,i had my way--7,he lifts his face47-- ,oh1 ,i would build ,an abbey6 ,i would cut its trenches deep ,down into ,god1 the ,god of all things4 ,then ,i would lay the white stones of ,philosophy1 ,the ,sages who1 as gifts to ,delphi1 brought ,small sheaves of wisdom1 offering them to ,god ,as better gifts than first born bulls and goats4 ,and ,i would slay the griffin1 ,policy1 ,and scatter its bright gold about the world ,and lay its carcass for the corner stone4 ,its telamons should be those giant men ,who propt the fabric of the ancient world4 ,the east and west and north and south should lay ,their four white corners on the four broad backs ,of ,plato and his solid pupil's mind1 ,then him who dove too deep for ,rome to see1 ,lucretius1 maddening round the seeds of things1 ,and ,cicero because he loved the truth4 ,and there should stand all round as peristyle ,the ,bards of ,greece in cluster1 speaking gold2 ,young ,sappho with the glory of the sea ,all round her milk white throat and marble arms1 ,proud ,pindar fawning kings1 and ,sophocles1 ,and he1 he1 ,aeschylus1 wild son of fire1 ,who never swerved for mincing ,policy1 ,but spake his sea-thought out and shook the world4 ,its roof should be the shields of golden song ,wherever burning on the hills of ,time1 ,wherever smouldering in ,eternity4 ,and ,i would have all planets ,god hath hung ,since first ,his word went forth1 ,let there be light1 ,within our spiritual heaven1 shining here ,without eclipse forever4 ,and up there1 ,in alto relievo on the frieze1 should be ,apollo slaying python ,ignorance1 ,and ,darkness with the face of ,benedict ,half hung down1 heavy1 livid1 hands and teeth ,tugging and biting at the architrave ,to tear these golden letters from the slab4 ,,the ,,soul ,,is ,,in ,,the ,,brain4 ,and over all1 ,towering with her calm eternal eyes1 ,athene1 soul of ,athens1 holy ,one4 ,oh1 ,i would build an abbey6 ,,louis--7,as in prayer47 ,father6 ,father6 ,,guido-- 7,appearing at the door of the chapel47 ,the fifteenth chapter has that blue stain on it4 ,,abbot-- 7,pointing right47 ,in the scriptorium1 the second shelf2 ,get the ,symposium2 ,i will read that4 7,horrified1 the monk stands for a moment1 then goes slowly down the steps across the court1 every now and then glancing back over his shoulder at the ,abbot47 ,,louis-- 7,in a low voice47 ,remember1 ,father4 ,is this policy4 7,a pause47 ,you know your abbey is not risen yet4 7,the ,abbot bows his head4 ,louis lifts his hand as a signal4 ,guido1 crossing the court1 stops and stands waiting47 ,one breath of this would bring the rafters down4 7,a pause47 ,,abbot-- 7,turning1 with his eyes closed47 ,the other ,bible1 ,guido4 7,the monk quickens his step and enters the dormitory47 ,,louis-- ,and you know ,some of the brothers might tell ,benedict1 ,and he would send it blazing down to ,rome4 ,,abbot--,lamp after lamp goes out for policy4 7,he opens the gate through which ,ely passed47 ,,louis--,better one lamp than total darkness1 though4 ,,abbot--,say nothing to the carriers of the affair4 ,,louis--,have you cautioned ,oswald8 ,,abbot--7,astounded47 ,cautioned ,oswald8 ,,louis-- ,yes4 ,,abbot--,you said he was unconscious4 ,,louis-- ,when ,i found him ,he was unconscious4 ,but from what he dropped ,yesterday in his cell1 ,i am sure he knows ,it was the dwarf that brought him up the rocks4 ,,abbot--,you should have told me that4 7,he walks to and fro47 ,,louis-- ,where is he now8 ,,abbot--,he had four golden letters to put on4 ,,louis--,down in the village at his work again6 ,why1 ,father6 ,,abbot-- ,he insisted4 ,,louis-- 7,under his breath47 ,benedict6 7,a silence47 ,,abbot--,get ready and go down4 ,a word from him1 ,and down the abbey falls4 ,,louis--,never to rise4 ,,abbot--,and yet-- ,i do not think he'll tell it4 ,rumor1 you know1 ,has stamped an image on the heated mind4 ,they never could efface it by a thought ,so monsterous as that devils had turned saints ,and tripped the air with angels1 hand in hand1 ,moving as musically as summer stars4 ,having no coin that bears the face of truth ,they never will suspect a counterfeit1 ,and so no one will put the question to him4 ,unquestioned1 certainly ,oswald will not speak4 ,,louis--,but if he should8 7,a pause47 ,awhile ago you prayed ,some god to free us from our policy4 7,a pause47 ,what time did he go down8 ,,abbot--,before day-break4 ,the town at that time would have been asleep4 ,,louis--,and ,benedict1 who never sleeps8 ,,abbot--,go down4 ,,louis--,whose dragon eyes are ever open8 7,he starts toward the dormitory47 ,,abbot--,stay4 ,,louis--,supposing ,oswald has already told8 ,if he has1 ,benedict will come up here ,raging as upon a den of wolves4 ,then4 ,if he should say3 ,ha6 ,so it was the dwarf ,and not an angel saved your monk4 ,and here ,you pass the deed off as a miracle ,to swell your abbey's revenues and rob ,me of the alms of my parishioners8 ,he sees me coming down the mountain side ,and shouts this at me1 and ,i say to him--8 ,,abbot--,surprised1 amazed1 you lift your hands3 ,mon ,dieu6 ,a son of ,satan save ,st4 ,giles' child6 ,do devils1 then1 wait upon men of ,god ,working salvation8 ,do they8 ,if they do1 ,what means this storm of banners in the dawn1 ,this1 ',dieu le volt6' and these bright harnassed knights ,trampling the ,orient into battle smoke8 ,why this vast tumult in the dead sunrise8 ,if devils will take up arms and fight for ,god1 ,why roll these human surges down the ,east ,to smoke and break about the ,sepulcher ,in hard white foam from which the ravens fly8 ,let ,hell lead forth her legions from the pit ,impervious to drought and pain alike1 ,to take and guard the ,tomb4 ,no1 ,father1 no4 ',tis blasphemy1 the unforgiven sin1 ,to ascribe to ,hell a deed that ,god hath done4 ,,louis--,says ,father ,benedict3 ,but brother ,oswald ,told me himself it was the witch's son4 ,,abbot--,mon ,dieu again6 ,could ,father keep his wits ,after a fall like that1 and1 rising1 say3 ',this is the hand that struck me1 this that saved'8 ,it was the dwarf that threw the brother down4 ,with words like these1 chisels of policy1 ,upon the shield of each returning knight ,that hath spilt blood about the ,sepulcher1 ,we carve an angel that shall plead our cause ,through all the fields and villages of ,france ,and far on into the ,north and--,ah1 this train6 ,this train shall be the trumpet that shall blow ,our miracle abroad through ,italy1 ,and ,italy is the trumpet of the world4 ,talk to the strangers then of shooting stars1 ,of sounds of heavenly music in the night1 ,but only when a question calls it forth4 ,climbing the tree gives flavor to the fruit4 ,be reticent2 that will add majesty4 ,appear subdued and point to yonder peaks ,where1 in the gray dawn1 gleams of vanishing wings ,shone on the mountain snows like molten gold4 ,you understand8 ,about the witch's son1 ,adeste cum silentio4 7,after passing out through the gate1 the ,abbot turns and calls after ,louis1 who is crossing the court47 ,louis1 ,no word as yet to ,oswald of the dream4 ,he would not see the glory of it now1 ,only the horror4 ,i should fear the result4 ,,basil-- 7,coming from behind the chapel47 ,macias is coming with another sorel4 7,louis enters the dormitory47 ,bah1 then6 ,go on4 ,st4 ,christopher4 ,plum-head4 7,drawing himself up as ,rene and ,simon come from behind the chapel47 ,i am the ,prior4 ,down1 ,st4 ,peter6 ,john6 ,,rene-- 7,to ,simon47 ,matthew1 thou publican6 ,,simon-- ,bacchus1 thou saint6 7,he points forward to the corner of the dormitory where ,pierre and his companions enter with the wine vessels which they proceed to place beside the wall47 ,,basil--,simply the old clothes of ,my ,lady ,wine4 ,,first ,,monk--,the blessed ,virgin grant it be the train4 ,i had half yielded to old ,andrew's dream2 ,i feared the train was lost4 ,,second ,,monk-- ,another dream8 ,,first ,,monk--,last night1 between the glances of the moon1 ,while his soul grabbled in the fogs of sleep1 ,he beheld ,father's new cope in a brook1 ,swishing against a fallen sycamore4 ,the censer and the golden chalices ,lay gleaming on the gravel4 ,,simon-- 7,who has been tipping the casks47 ,and the wine8 ,,first ,,monk--,while he was hunting for it in his dream1 ,like a blind weasel for a nest of eggs1 ,and had his hand on what felt like a skin1 ,the matins rang4 ,he's been gruff ever since4 ,there's not a holy bell can call to prayer ,to smooth our spirits with the thought of ,god1 ,but brings him from his hole with ruffled quills1 ,threatening the belfry with his palmer's staff4 ,he says he hopes the ,devil has snared the train ,and spurred the asses off the bluffs to ,hell4 ,,simon--,now ,god forbid1 with all that precious wine6 ,,leo-- 7,to ,basil47 ,i shall tell ,father on you4 ,,basil--7,imitating ,leo's small voice47 ,hear him roar6 ,,rene--,if you roar1 ,lion1 when the hunter comes-- ,,soloman-- 7,leaning out of the window47 ,heus1 heus1 ,o fratres1 favete linguis6 ,the train is safe4 ,the tigers of the god ,are ramping down the mountain1 yoked in vines ,whose dangling clusters sway their tawny backs ,and purple all the sky above the peaks4 ,limp in the car the noisy ,bromios ,tips the full cup and stains his ivory breast4 ,look1 yonder his herald1 plump ,silenus1 comes6 7,he points up the mountain over the gate through which the ,abbot passed47 ,,rene--,ho1 that's the occasion of the trumpet blast6 ,,first ,,monk--,no need of casks4 ,,basil-- ,no need of empty casks4 ,this is keel that draws five fathoms full4 ,,rene--,and where it anchors1 there a reef appears4 ,,basil--,and where it founders1 there the--sea goes down4 ,,rene--,its beak hath ta'en the color o' the wave4 ,,simon-- 7,to ,,first ,,monk47 ,if ,father ,benedict had had the train ,or been among the muleteers1 ,i'd say ,no wonder ,andrew couldn't find the wine4 ,,rene--,come on1 ,simon2 let's go meet ,macias4 ,,basil--,if we can't wine it we can dine it4 ,,simon--7,as he passes ,leo47 ,bah6 ,,louis-- 7,dressed for travel1 appearing at the corner of the dormitory47 ,are they in sight yet8 ,,pierre-- ,it was not the train4 ',twas ,father ,benedict4 7,louis stands as one stunned47 ,what can it mean8 7,louis crosses the court and takes a position at the corner of the chapel near the gate47 ,,first ,,monk--,he never came as early as this before4 ,,second ,,monk--,and see how worried ,father looks4 ,,pierre-- ,i fear ,that some one has told ,oswald of the dream1 ,and he has fainted4 ,,first ,,monk-- ,i will loiter about4 7,with his eyes upon the ground the monk saunters over toward the chapel steps and1 apparently absorbed in telling his beads1 loiters about in order to overhear the conversation4 ,the ,abbot enters1 followed by ,father ,benedict leading an ass4 ,green twigs are stuck about the bridle4 ,the ,abbot appears thoughtful47 ,,abbot--,what do you mean by wolves8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,wild paws that prey ,upon the fold4 ,,abbot-- ,and by the fold1 you mean--8 ,,father ,,benedict--,the ,church4 ,,abbot-- ,these wolves live on the mountains here8 ,,father ,,benedict--,they do4 ,,abbot-- ,and are not far8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,some are not far4 ,within an eyeshot of the peaks4 ,,abbot-- ,and some ,have even made this abbey here their den8 ,,father ,,benedict--,would make it so4 ,,abbot-- ,and from these holy halls ,steal forth and prey--well1 let us say1 upon ,your flock8 ,,father ,,benedict--,they have preyed there4 ,,abbot-- ,since when8 ,,father ,,benedict--,and with the fleeces wiped their heathen mouths1 ,these wolves of ,hell4 ,,abbot-- ,benedict6 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,ay1 wolves of ,hell4 ,hear what ,i say4 ,ah1 ,father1 ,father6 ,sometimes we think our ,lord is dead in heaven1 ,his enemies so thrive upon the earth4 ,we see the ,devil's squatters on our lands ,with deeds that seem to bear the seal of ,heaven2 ,yea1 everything they do seems blest of ,heaven4 ,they plow and sow2 ,god gives them sun and rain4 ,their fields wave green2 the frosts are kept at bay4 ,they build their barns2 ,heaven holds her storms in leash ,and seems to slumber while the singing foe ,silver their scythes beneath the harvest moon4 ,but when the season plumps the golden ears ,and ,satan brings his sacks to get the grain1 ,god puts his sickle in and takes the crop4 ,,abbot--,or sends a reaper8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,ay1 sends ,benedict4 ,when vines are bending and the song is heard ,of ,bacchus revelling in the bubbling must1 ,the golden trumpets of the sun in heaven ,proclaim a festival and wake the skies4 ,angels come tripping to the foaming vats ,and1 while the devils tread the vintage out1 ,brim their bright casks with gushing purple meath ,to crown the crystal goblets of the saints1 ,leaving the pulp to slop the swine of ,hell4 ,,abbot--,in you ,i see an angel8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,with a cask4 ,,abbot--,and in the abbey here ,i see the vat8 ,,father ,,benedict--,a goblet4 ,,abbot-- ,and in myself a-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,saint4 ,,abbot-- ,ha6 7,searching the ,priest's face47 ,i do not understand you1 ,benedict4 ,,father ,,benedict--,then ,i will put it this way3 ,see this garb8 ,you know ,i am a shepherd4 ,,abbot-- ,yes1 ,i know4 ,,father ,,benedict--,and tend a flock of sheep4 ,,abbot-- ,i know you do4 ,,father ,,benedict--,and sheep have wool8 ,,abbot-- ,yes4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,now we go afield4 ,do briers grow in pastures8 7,the ,abbot nods47 ,and have flukes8 ,,abbot--,i see4 ,you mean to say that flukes tear wool4 ,,father ,,benedict--,that's what ,i mean4 ,,abbot-- ,that1 therefore1 from the shears ,the fleece comes lighter to the shepherd's hands4 ,,father ,,benedict--,and to the ,master's4 ,,abbot-- ,ha6 but in this case-- ,for your insinuation ,i perceive ,clearly1 ,i think2--well1 in this case1 ,i say1 ,it does not follow that the ,master gets ,less tribute from the flock2 for1 ,benedict1 ,remember this3 ,when ,god's bright seraphim ,collect ,his revenues1 it matters not ,whether it be your hand that pays1 or mine4 ,,father ,,benedict--,provided your hand pays1 it matters not4 ,,abbot--,ah1 now you leave your figure4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,and take yours4 ,,abbot--,you climbed the mountain1 then--8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,to get my wool4 ,,abbot--,and chop the brier8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,that belonged to ,god4 ,,abbot--,then tell me this3 ,if it belonged to ,god1 ,how then do you1 ,his shepherd1 claim the wool ,that ,god's own flukes have pulled from his own sheep8 ,,father ,,benedict--,you do not understand4 ,,abbot-- ,i think ,i do4 ,,father ,,benedict--,i did not mean the brier was ,god's1 but this3 ,that it belonged to ,god to chop it down4 ,,abbotabbot--,the brier1 then1 has fallen8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,praise the saints4 ,,abbot--,you came to tell me how the blow was struck8 ,,father ,,benedict--,i stopped to tell you how ,i got my wool4 ,,abbot--,you need not4 ,,father ,,benedict--,why8 ,,abbot-- ,i know4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,you know8 ,,abbot-- ,i do4 ,,father ,,benedict--,i have not spoken since ,i left him4 ,,abbot-- ,well4 ,,father ,,benedict--,how did you learn it1 then8 ,,abbot-- ,i had a seed4 ,your coming was the sun1 your words the shower2 ,it could not help but put forth leaves and bloom4 ,,father ,,benedict--,strange1 very strange4 ,,abbot-- ,to see a stalk with flukes ,put forth a bloom8 ',tis not unnatural4 ,,father ,,benedict--,i do not understand4 ,,abbot-- ,nor ,i4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,what8 ,,abbot-- ,this3 ,how that a shepherd could believe a wolf ,had suckled a lost lamb4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,what do you mean8 ,,abbot--,that it is strange that you1 a priest of ,god1 ,could see an angel's track upon a slope ,and say3 ,here went a devil up the rocks4 ,,father ,,benedict--,it is too dark4 ,,abbot-- ',twill ever be too dark ,to see aught but an angel in that gulch4 ,,father ,,benedict--',tis midnight4 ,,abbot-- ,no2 for yonder peaks are flushed1 ,and there bright wings are wasting in the dawn4 ,,father ,,benedict--,father1 what do you mean8 ,,abbot--7,closing his eyes47 ,listen1 ,benedict4 ,in an old abbey down in ,italy ,there hangs an ancient chime of seven bells4 ,oft when a child ,i heard them in the dawn ,singing like angels in the ,apennines1 ,their tones so blended1 so harmoniously ,tuned to the planets that1 when twilight fell1 ,they were the echoes of the ,pleiades4 ,those old1 old bells6 ,i hear them still sometimes4 ,we children called them by the golden names ,archangels wear4 ,well1 in a storm one night ,raphael went down4 ,some say a huge black hand ,strangled him in his tower and hurled him down4 ,and others say--mark1 ,benedict--that ,god-- ,,father ,,benedict--,anathema6 ,,abbot-- ,god's hand that shaped the spheres ,and hung them in the belfry of the night ,to ring through heaven an universal mass1 ,and set the holy bells of earth in tune1 ,and set our hearts in tune with holy bells4 ,that1 in the blue cathedral of the air1 ,one chant might rise from hearts and bells and spheres1 ,some say that ,his1 ,god's hand1 threw down that bell4 ,,father ,,benedict--,i say1 anathema6 ,,abbot-- ,and so you think--8 ,,father ,,benedict--,i think it was the foul hand of ,hell4 ,,abbot-- ,ah8 ,since withered faces skir along the sky1 ,might it have been some--witch8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,i said the hand ,and that includes the fingers4 ,,abbot-- ,so it does4 ,well1 ,benedict1 there you and ,i are one4 ,we hold that that which jangles ,god's great chime4 ,whether it strike a sphere or a bell or a heart1 ,springs from the pit and hath its root in ,hell4 ,,father ,,benedict--,ay1 we agree4 ,,abbot-- ,then follow the same path ,and you shall see your seraph of the night ,bleed out his strength upon the spears of dawn4 ',twas thought that ,raphael's tumbling down the rocks ,had wrecked his silver voice1 and so he lay ,three years half-sunken in a slimy marsh1 ,his golden throat choked up with water-weeds ,and fetid lilies breathing of the swamp4 ',twas said that oft when morning woke the bells ,upon the heights1 a drowned voice was heard1 ,a strangled booming in the marsh-fogs4 ,well4 ,one ,sabbath while the morning star still burned ,a lone white taper1 on a sudden from his couch ,the ancient bellman started4 ,the old chime ,was singing in its tower1 and1 like a thrush ,that eyeless hath escaped a narrow cage1 ,the voice of ,raphael on his bough again ,rang through the woods4 ,the eagles on the crags ,shook out their wings and circled in the sky2 ,the mountain shepherds shouted from the rocks1 ,while down the ether1 flaming out of the ,east1 ,melodious angels in the sun-burst sang4 7,with his eyes burning and fixed upon the ,priest47 ,now1 ,benedict1 who lifted up that bell8 ,,father ,,benedict--',twas ,god reclaimed it and restored ,his chime4 ,,abbot--,and if that bell had been a--soul1 who then8 ,,father ,,benedict--,still ,god4 ,,abbot-- ,and if that soul had been-- 7,vehemently47 ,oswald8 7,for a moment they look into one another's eyes1 the ,abbot with a penetrating glance1 the ,priest with a look of blank amazement4 ,the ,abbot quickly drops his head and walks aside1 his face almost white1 the drawn mouth and furrowed brow showing a mind in desperation1 casting about for an escape47 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,with rising resentment47 ,what does this mean8 7,the monk1 who a few yards back has been pacing to and fro in order to overhear the conversation1 has stopped and stands observing them4 ,he has the same bewildered expression as the ,priest4 ,the face of ,louis near the corner of the chapel reflects the palor and perturbation of the ,abbot's47 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,you put my faith to test8 7,a pause47 ,a damned insult6 7,his brow darkens and he turns aside4 ,suddenly his face lights up as with a revelation47 ,ah1 ,i see what it means4 ,out with it1 ,father4 ,speak what ,god commands4 7,a pause47 ,before you speak ,i know what you will say4 7,a pause47 ,out of pure envy you are silent4 7,he turns away4 ,while the ,priest and the ,abbot walk about1 each occupied with his own thought1 ,pierre and his two companions approach and stand a few yards away1 observing them47 ,,abbot--7,with a glance toward the ,priest47 ,out--8 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,without turning47 ,of envy1 or else fear that ,i would shrink4 ,you need not1 though4 ,,abbot--7,stopping47 ,i fear that you would shrink8 ,,father ,,benedict--,to you1 too1 my great honor has been revealed4 7,a pause47 ,,abbot--,i do not understand you1 ,benedict4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,turning and facing the ,abbot47 ,why do you hide it from me8 ,,abbot-- ,what are you ,hiding from me8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,you feared that ,i would shrink ,to tear those jaws upon the mountain side4 ,your dropping of your eyes shows ,i am right4 ,,abbot-- 7,walking aside1 composed47 ,i was not sure4 ,,father ,,benedict--,why did you think that ,god ,had revealed it only to you8 ,,abbot-- ,i was not sure ,that what ,i had in mind you had in mind4 ,,father ,,benedict--,and you thought you would feel about and see ,if ,i knew it4 ,and if ,i did not1 ,truth1 retire4 ,do not obtrude yourself on ,benedict4 ,he knows the hunter's dream4 ,if he cannot ,discover whose hands those were the hunter saw ,reach through the green boughs of the ,tree of ,life ,and tear the hell-jaws from the holy deer1 ,it is not your fault4 ,and ,i lose no glory4 ,it is his own crass mind4 ,he comes from ,rome4 ,florence is ,athens come to life again4 ,,abbot--,envy1 you think8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,i know it4 ,when you asked ,whose hand it was that lifted up that bell1 ,i knew that you were feeling me about ,to see if ,i knew that the hand was mine4 ,had ,i not known it1 do you suppose ,i think ,you would have told me8 ,of your own accord3 ,benedict1 ,god hath chosen you for this4 ,be faithful to it4 ,the glory is yours8 ,not much4 ,you pride yourself on what you think is ,god1 ,your erudition4 ,but ,i know some things4 7,he walks aside47 ,,abbot--,it is hard to know what another has in mind4 ,,father ,,benedict--,it may be hard for the ,athenians4 ,,abbot--,i am an old man1 ,benedict1 and with ,white hair the eyes blur and the mind dulls4 ,you1 ,vigorous in body and in intellect4 ,scale heights ,i cannot climb4 ,bear with me1 then4 ,if ,i just now1 forgetting youth is past1 ,ventured to tilt with you1 is it not enough ,that you stand there triumphant while ,i here ,lie prostrate with my gray hairs in the dust8 7,he bows his head and walks to the rear47 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,with a superior air47 ,rome is ,jerusalem1 the city of ,god4 7,biting down his smile1 ,louis advances1 his face assuming a doleful expression47 ,,louis-- 7,in a low voice1 barely hiding his irony47 ,don't treat the old man that way1 ,benedict4 ,you do not know how keenly ,father feels ,the issue of this bout4 ,amazed ,i stood ,just yonder by the chapel steps and watched ,your spears break into fire4 ,o ,benedict1 ,what skill1 what skill1 what admirable skill6 ,,father ,,benedict--,in dialectics ,i do boast some skill4 ,,louis--,compared to ,father's admirable skill6 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,with a leer toward the ,abbot47 ,for what ,i have ,i thank no heathen sage4 ,,louis--,with that composure which the gods must feel ,your reached your spear and slipped his lady's glove-- ,,father ,,benedict--,his lady's glove8 ,,louis-- ,the secret from his heart ,in spite of all his desperate guarding it4 7,guido comes from the dormitory with a large book under his arm4 ,as he passes toward the chapel he turns his burden toward the ,abbot1 who gives it an unconcerned glance and walks right47 ,,father ,,benedict--,why should he hide it from me8 ,,louis-- ,i can't say4 ,father is not a man to show his heart4 ,he no doubt had his reason for it4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,humph6 ,,louis--,i do know1 though1 that ,father admires you4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,admires me8 ,,louis-- ,yes4 ,,father ,,benedict--,scorns me4 ,,louis-- ,you are wrong4 ,,father ,,benedict--,how do you know he does8 ,,louis-- ,before you came1 ,father had just conceived of a great temple ,with you in large space on the entablature4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,opening his eyes47 ,that is another proof he knew that ,i ,was to have part in that great enterprise ,and achieve glory4 ,and he lied to me4 7,the ,abbot speaks to ,pierre1 who turns and goes out1 right47 ,,louis--,you may mistake what ,father had in mind4 ,he may have thought it would be policy ,to keep you in the dark about this thing4 ,,father ,,benedict--,what cause had he to fear that ,i would shrink ,to face the glory of the ,lord that day8 ',tis only guilt that fears to face the ,lord4 ,,louis--,you may mistake what ,father had in mind4 ,,father ,,benedict--,too subtle1 ,i suppose1 for my dull brain4 ,,louis--,i do not think1 though1 that he envies you4 ,,father ,,benedict--,you may have your opinion4 ,,louis-- ,you may not4 ,i mean you may not know what ,father means4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,you two know everything4 ,,louis-- ,i know one thing4 ,you would not have said1 ,you two know everything1 ,if you had been here half an hour ago4 7,walking aside47 ,with you in large space on the entablature4 ,,father ,,benedict--,he need not think that ,god revealed to him ,alone my glory1 for ,i knew it1 too4 ,blood appeared on my hands the other night1 ,and while the congregation sat amazed1 ,the altar cups took fire1 and a white dove-- 7,to the ,abbot1 who has drawn near47 ,the night the brother fell ,i saw some things ,during service would have made my hair stand up ,had ,i been less courageous than ,i am1 ,or less near ,god4 ,you would have quaked with fear1 ,and sought the books of some old heathen sage ,for explanation4 ,i--,i went to ,god1 ,with the result that ,i am ready now4 ,i have been shown the blood of that great hound4 7,he looks at his hand47 ,and ,i have got ,god's meaning4 ,i am called4 ,now1 when the chase starts ,i will make my way ,up to the mountain tops and meet the ,lord1 ,and ,heathendom shall tumble down to ,hell4 7,he espies the wine vessels over against the dormitory wall and goes toward them1 pulling the ass by the bridle47 ,,abbot--,what did you come up here to see me for8 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,stopping47 ,come up to see you8 ,,abbot-- ,you are here4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,i am4 7,a pause47 ,it seems you don't know how ,i got my wool4 7,he continues his way across the court4 ,louis and the ,abbot whisper together4 ,in the rear1 from behind the chapel1 ,macias1 the hunter1 enters with a young deer upon his back1 and at his belt a brace of geese4 ,simon is holding one of the fowls by the tip of its wing1 ,basil and ,rene following47 ,,basil--,what'll you have1 ,simon8 ,,simon-- ,collops and sauce4 ,,basil--,pluck-pudding or crupper8 ,,simon-- ,both1 ,god bless us4 ,,basil-- ,both6 ,,rene--,goose1 too8 ,,simon-- ,ay1 stuffed with plums4 ,,basil-- ,why1 you just had ,a hunk of beef4 ,,simon-- ,sh6 7,he points to the ,abbot47 ,,rene--7,nudging him47 ,basil1 see the twigs4 7,the jesters chuckle and come forward toward the ,priest1 while the hunter and ,simon pass out behind the dormitory4 ,the ,abbot also approaches the ,priest1 followed a few feet back by ,louis47 ,,louis--7,huskily47 ,be wary1 ,father2 it may be a snare4 ,,abbot--,a little wine will bring it to the light4 ,,basil--,well1 it is spring when asses put forth leaves4 ,,father ,,benedict--,ay1 rue that devils flee from in the dark4 7,he looks into the casks47 ,,abbot--,but when you left the town the dawn was bright4 ,,father ,,benedict--,the dawn was bright8 ,,abbot-- ,the day is two hours old4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,after a long look at the ,abbot47 ,when ,i rode out of town the sun's red car ,stood hub-deep in the western ocean's sand4 ,i met the morning on the mountain tops ,fresh dropt from heaven1 with one golden wing ,bright on the pines1 the other softly sheathed ,in valley shadows thinning round her plumes4 ,the night ,i spent far back among the hills4 ,for three hours in the darkness on the road ,i staked my life upon the ass' step ,and ass and life upon these slips of rue4 7,he thrusts his switch into the narrow necked diotas1 and drawing it out1 feels the end47 ,if any manna fell upon the heights ,the ,devil must have harvested the flakes3 ,i found none on the way4 ,,abbot-- ,i fear the fiend ,has washed it down with our good ,tuscan wine ,and dressed ,hell's tables with the golden cups ,the ,abbot ,boldi sent from ,aosta4 ,the tide is out and the ,italian moon ,has slipped her sphere that ruled the purple flood4 ,these are the empty shells that held the sea4 7,pierre enters1 carrying a flagon and a silver cup4 ,simon follows him47 ,have something1 ,benedict4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,ah1 you are good4 ,,abbot--,what could have drawn you back among the hills ,when every pass was choked with drizzling dag8 ,,father ,,benedict--,i'm like a desert4 ,,rene--7,to ,basil47 ,and there flows the ,nile4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,to the ,abbot47 ,the service of our ,lord that knows no flaw1 ,mountains or darkness or the voice of storms4 ,last night--,fill it up4--,last night ,god's--,there4-- ,last night ,god's dread apparitor-- 7,he drinks47 ,,abbot-- ,what's that8 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,tasting his lips47 ,rumney1 isn't it8 ,,abbot-- ,not that-- ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,with mock seriousness47 ,isn't it8 ,,abbot-- ,i mean-- ,,father ,,benedict--,pour me another1 then2 ,i'll taste again4 7,pierre pours47 ,,abbot--,you said ,god's dreadful summoner-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,appeared4 ,and clapped his irons on old-- 7,he drinks and again holds the cup toward ,pierre47 ,,abbot-- ,benedict1-- ,,father ,,benedict--,one more4 ,,abbot-- ,don't think-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,the night is in my veins4 ,,basil--7,to ,rene47 ,it's a dry night4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,holding up the cup47 ,but the red dawn is breaking-- 7,he drinks47 ,,rene-- 7,to ,basil47 ,the abbey here4 ,,father ,,benedict--,and lightening-- 7,he drinks47 ,,basil--7,to ,rene47 ,the great deep4 ,,rene--,come1 sing the matins1 ,simon1 for the dawn-- ,,abbot--,don't think it is the wine ,i care for4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,ha6 ,the cup1 eh8--,take it4 7,he hands the cup to ,pierre and leads the ass back to one of the benches1 upon which he climbs and stands fixing the saddle47 ,,abbot-- ,a while ago you said ,god's dreadful summoner appeared4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,yes4 7,pierre goes out47 ,whoa6 ,,simon-- 7,following ,pierre47 ,pierre4 ,,pierre--,no4 ,,simon-- ,just a tiff4 ,,pierre-- ,no1 ,i say4 ,,simon-- 7,supplicating47 ,brother6 7,spitefully47 ,dinky6 ,bed-bug6 ,pizzle-wizzle6 7,with a grimace47 ,u-g-h6 7,he spits at him and turns back47 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,who has mounted47 ,now if you get my switch1 ,i think ,i'll go4 7,one of the monks stoops and picks up the switch1 which he hands to the ,priest1 who looks from the ,abbot to ,louis and then from ,louis to the ,abbot47 ,,father ,,benedict--,you see1 ,i could ride off without one word4 ,,louis--,without one word of what8 ,,father ,,benedict--7,contemptuously47 ,one word of what6 ,you think ,i came from town and so does he4 ,,abbot--,what of it8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,simply this3 that ,i did not4 ,,abbot--,we are glad to have learned that4 ,,louis-- ,delighted4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,humph6 ,and you don't wish to know where ,i have been8 ,,abbot--',tis immaterial4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,that is another proof ,you envy me4 ,first1 you conceal from me ,that which you feared would blow my name abroad2 ,and now you fear to hear where ,i have been ,because from what you know of me you know ,whatever comes ,i meet events as friends1 ,and never sally out but ,i return ,with spoil1 and that stirs up the green in you4 ,now ,i will tell it though the heavens fall4 ,old ,hartzel's dead4 ,,abbot-- ,i find no joy in that4 ,,father ,,benedict--,of course1 you don't4 ,,rene--7,calling across the court47 ,old ,hartzel's dead6 ,,basil--7,under his breath47 ,thank ,god6 7,the monks upon the chapel steps and others sitting about upon the benches start up and gather forward47 ,,father ,,benedict--,you don't think ,i told that to give you joy8 ,,abbot--,it matters nothing to me in either case4 ,,father ,,benedict--,but this will matter something4 ,listen now4 7,leaning over and speaking in the ,abbot's ear47 ,i get his forty neat and all the land ,between the river and the raddle-hedge ,south of the village1 with the acreage ,of tilth and vines that fronts the rising sun ,near the ,white ,torrent4 ,does that give you joy8 7,he strikes the ass with the switch and starts left47 ,,basil--7,aloud47 ,thank ,god6 ,,abbot--7,lifting his hand47 ,this is the work of ,benedict4 ,,father ,,benedict--7,stopping47 ,you mean that as reproach8 ,,abbot--,i simply mean ,we had no hand in this2 the glory is yours4 ,,father ,,benedict--,come with me4 7,he rides on toward the gate4 ,the ,abbot walks beside him4 ,louis1 behind1 where he cannot be seen1 follows them4 ,the bell rings and the monks move toward the chapel and enter1 leaving the court bare47 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,you remember1 ,i suppose1 ,as we clashed spears a while ago ,i said ,the abbey here was a goblet1 and you a saint4 ,i might say that ,i spoke in irony1 ,but that would not be nice4 ,,abbot-- ,and you said1 too1 ,something about an angel with a cask4 ,,father ,,benedict--,that is a cut at me4 ,i recollect4 ,i said that ,i would fill your cup4 ,,abbot-- ,proceed4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,leaning over47 ,of this estate you get one cow4 ,you hear8 ,that's a fine liquor1 eh1 ,father8 7,to the ass47 ,come up4 7,pierre comes from the dormitory and crosses the court toward the chapel47 ,you are an old man and your work is done4 ,you may retire now and live on milk4 ',twill nourish that great intellect of yours4 ,,louis-- 7,under his breath47 ,as well as anything that you could give4 ,,abbot--,i welcome anything that can do that4 ,,father ,,benedict--,if it be heathen4 ,,abbot-- ,benedict1 before you came ,louis and ,i were talking of the things ,that late have happened4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,the dream4 ,,abbot-- ,oswald's fall ,and his unnatural rescue from the gulch4 ,,father ,,benedict--',twas supernatural1 not unnatural4 ,,abbot--,a nice discrimination1 ,benedict4 ,i do not see as you do4 ,you were trained ,by masters who1 no doubt1 had they heard this ,distinction1 would have said3 ,benissime6 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,superciliously47 ,well done is optime4 ,,abbot--7,with mock humility47 ,just so--just so-- ,my master would have said--yes1 optime4 ,a boon it is that words cannot change things4 7,pierre1 who has climbed the steps slowly1 listening the while1 enters the chapel47 ,,father ,,benedict--,you feared that ,i would shrink to play my part8 ,,abbot--,we feared if you should learn what your part is-- ,,father ,,benedict--,that ,i would shrink8 ,,abbot-- ,if you should learn your part4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,getting angry47 ,you feared that ,i would shrink8 ,,abbot--7,hesitatingly47 ,w-e-l-l-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,say it4 ,,abbot-- ,yes4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,shaking his finger47 ,deep in your heart you wish ,i would1 old man4 ',twould fill your soul with joy4 ,but mark you this3 ,to give you joy is not my destiny4 7,he rides out through the gate47 ,,abbot--,your destiny1 ,benedict1 is in ,god's hand4 ,,father ,,benedict--,thank ,god it's not in yours4 7,a pause47 ,,abbot-- ,you must go down4 ,oswald1 by noon1 will have finished up his work4 ,stay with him till he does1 then bring him back4 ,,louis--,if ,i go now1 though1 ,benedict will suspect ,something is up4 7,the ,abbot goes toward the steps1 ,louis half following him47 ,as it is1 he does not know ,that ,oswald has returned to work4 7,a pause47 ,besides1 ,after his long1 hard ride he will want rest4 ,he will not go near the church4 7,a pause47 ,what do you say8 7,a pause47 ,i will go after service4 ,,abbot-- 7,after a pause47 ,very well4 7,he enters the chapel1 followed by ,louis47 ,,scene ,,three--,a street in the village showing a low thatched cottage with a door made accessible by steps4 ,to the left of the door is a small square open window1 on the sill of which are garden plants and pots of winter flowers put there to get the morning sun4 ,in the corner of the yard1 right1 is a well with an old wooden wheel high up on posts4 ,at the end of the chain hanging from it is a bucket from which water is leaking back into the well4 ,madam ,valmy1 the country-woman who has just come to town and who has a basket upon her arm1 has stopped before the house and is looking intently left4 ,,madam ,,valmy--,aunt ,rachel6 ,a ,,voice--7,back in the house47 ,yes4 ,,madam ,,valmy--7,after a pause47 ,o auntie6 ,,the ,,voice-- ,yes1 child1 yes4 ,i get this dough off4 ,rosa6 7,from the right1 ,madam ,bacqueur enters4 ,she is bareheaded and carries a child in her arms47 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- ,every day ,some dark deed sends a shudder through all hearts4 ,who is it this time8 ,,madam ,,valmy-- ,no one seems to know4 ,it happened on the mountain1 ,rosa said4 ,,madam ,,bacqueur--,i wonder if ,father ,benedict has returned8 ,,madam ,,valmy--,returned from where8 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- ,he rode away last night ,into the mountains4 ,i do hope and pray-- 7,they stand looking left4 ,from the right1 ,hugh ,capet enters hurriedly4 ,reaching over the fence to the well he swings the bucket to his mouth47 ,you know so many strange and evil things ,have happened lately4 ,just a week ago ,old mother ,sar was palsied4 ,then young ,foy1 ,in the dead of night1 saw witch-fire on the heath4 ,next day two cows1 their udders drizzling blood1 ,ran snorting down the road into the wood1 ,and all the village curs that ventured out ,came yelping to their kennels cramped with fear ,as though the devils chased them4 ,,madam ,,valmy-- ,did you ever6 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- 7,to ,hugh ,capet who hurries out1 left47 ,you will come back and tell us what it is8 ,,hugh ,,capet--,that all depends1 ,madam1 that all depends4 ,,madam ,,bacqueur--,indeed they did4 ,and that's not all4 ,thursday ,a black stone fell from heaven4 ,father said ,it was a challenge4 ,and that very night ,occurred a wonder during complines4 ,yes1 ,the golden chalices in the church took fire ,and circled round the altar4 ,blood appeared ,on ,father's hands1 and while all sat amazed1 ,looking to see him caught away to heaven1 ,a snow-white dove flew through the trancept wall1 ,the ,holy ,spirit1 ,father says4 ,you know ,the canvass that they keep covering the cross ,that ,oswald carves1 round that it whisked and moaned1 ,and ,rachel says she heard the voice of ,christ ,under the canvass3 ,it will not be done4 ,meaning the cross1 ,i thought2 but ,father says3 ,maybe it means ,god's will will not be done1 ,and so it proved4 ,disaster came at dawn4 ,pierre1 the sacristan of good ,st4 ,giles1 ,brought the news down to ,father ,benedict4 ,but you have heard of the great miracle8 ,no8 ,and all the world has heard of it8 ,,madam ,,valmy-- ,you know ,i have not been to town since ,sunday week4 ,,madam ,,bacqueur--,oh1 angels have fluttered down on us since then6 ,and will again1 so ,father says4 ,la me6 ,i tell you1 ,madam ,valmy1 if any grave ,in the churchyard there had jumped a horrid ghost ,to stalk the moonlight in a rotten shroud1 ,there'd be less stir among the village folk4 ,i know not how it was4 ,it seems they found ,the dear monk1 ,oswald1 bruised and bathed with blood1 7,she clasps her child to her heart passionately47 ,lying before the monastery gate4 ,,madam ,,valmy--,why1 ,clotilde6 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- ,yes1 indeed4 ,and that's not all4 ,to think we slept through all of it6 ,to think ,we did not wake and cry out1 ,god is here6 ,and then run up and down and ring the bells4 ,oh1 expectation kindles every bush ,for our ,lord's coming4 ,,madam ,,valmy-- ,what8 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- ,oh1 everything6 ,how wonderful are mountains angels' feet ,have trodden on6 ,how beautiful the air6 ,oh1 everything seems different to me now4 ,i half expect to see the stone put forth ,a human face and speak to me of ,god4 ,dear ,madam ,valmy1 trees are not really trees4 ,as ,father says1 all things have passed away1 ,and with the miracle the other night ,our ,lord begins his reign upon the earth4 ,for hours ,i sit and look in my child's face ,and wonder if he sees4 ,,madam ,,valmy-- ,what8 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- 7,holding up her child47 ,fire6 fire6 ,o child1 child1 see the fields1 the glory-- ,a ,,voice--7,to the right47 ,fire8 ,,jules ,,bacqueur-- 7,entering47 ,where is the fire8 ,,madam ,,valmy--,the crowd1 you see4 ,,jules ,,bacqueur-- ,whose house8 ,,madam ,,valmy--,rosa ran in and said some one was hurt4 ,,madam ,,bacqueur--,don't you go with them1 husband4 7,the smith goes out1 left47 ,jardin's been ,trying to get the men to storm the heights ,and kill the heathen and the witch4 ,,the ,,voice--7,back in the house47 ,rosa6 ,,madam ,,valmy--,she is not here4 ,and he is still alive8 ,,madam ,,bacqueur--,there's not a night since the dear brother fell ,but what ,i've heard her on the roof4 ,,madam ,,valmy-- ,clotilde6 ,,madam ,,bacqueur--,but oh1 the ,holy ,ghost was with him4 ,yes1 ,his staff they found next morning and his hood-- ,thank ,god for that--they found his hood and staff ,down in the gorge1 full forty feet below ,the mountain road4 ,,madam ,,valmy-- ,not over the steep gray bluff6 ,,madam ,,bacqueur--,think of a fall like that6 ,at break of day ,they found him at the monastery gate ,unconscious1 carried there by unseen hands-- ,,madam ,,valmy--,what6 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- ,yes1 indeed4 ,and those who found him saw ,archangels sitting on the mountain tops ,with golden shields1 and there were sounds of war ,far off as they were fighting in the clouds2 ,driving the witches off to hell1 no doubt4 ,,madam ,,valmy--,on these mountains8 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- ,and even that's not all4 ,,madam ,,valmy-- 7,putting her arms about her47 ,dear ,madam ,bacqueur4 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- ,i get so dizzy4 ,you must have ,rachel tell you4 ,i won't fall4 7,she takes hold of the fence47 ,such wonders and such cures and things to come4 ,i dare not think of much less speak of that4 ,such brilliance1 la6 ,you should see ,father's face ,how it lightens when he speaks of it4 ,his eyes ,look far away across the glory fields4 ,bretheren1 this miracle is but the blossom ,whose fruit shall fall in fire upon the world4 ,pray1 all of you1 that you may be perpared4 ,,madam ,,valmy--,for what8 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- 7,catching her breath47 ,i am afraid ,i-- ,,madam ,,valmy-- ,don't try1 then4 ,,madam ,,bacqueur--,there is a glory far off in the air4 ,father has seen it and his eyes are bright4 ,so bright4 ,rachel will tell you4 ,or it may be ,he sees the pilgrims that shall gather here4 ,this morning ,marie heard two brothers say ,there's sure to be a shrine where ,oswald fell4 ,think of it1 ,madam ,valmy1 these streets thronged ,with holy men that live beyond the sea4 ,i never even thought to pray for that4 ,god does all things so easily1 though4 ,and-- ,and all for his dear sake4 ,but ,i don't know4 ,the ,scriptures say ,satan shall be let loose4 ,,madam ,,valmy--,the shrine8 ,indeed ,i do4 ,in the last days2 in these days1 then4 ,do you8 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- ,how good of you6 ,you always did have so much faith4 ,,madam ,,valmy-- ,you know ,the day your child was christened-- ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- ,oh1 how true6 ,how like a star his name will shine6 ,,madam ,,valmy-- ,i now ,predict again4 ,he'll be a saint4 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- 7,in utter amazement47 ,a-- ,,madam ,,valmy-- ,saint4 ,,madam ,,bacqueur--,you think he will8 ,oh1 do you1 ,madam ,valmy8 ,do you1 indeed8 ,oh1 think of what that means ,to little ,oswald here6 ,to wear a name ,a blessed saint hath worn and given him ,with his own lips at the baptismal font2 ,to see a white hand beckon from the sky ,and hear forever in each vesper chime ,a saint's clear voice calling his soul to come ,and flower out beneath the holy bells4 ,oh1 think1 ,fidele1 some day when he is old ,and in his cloister yonder on the mountain1 ,when the dear brothers gathered after prayer ,shall talk of holy things1 and one shall say3 ,my father fought with ,montfort in the wars2 ,another3 ,i have seen ,st4 ,bavon's tree2 ,and some old palmer who hath seen all shrines ,shall tell of ,subiaco and the thorns ,of good ,st4 ,benedict1 my boy can say3 ,i grew to manhood in the little town ,down in the valley4 ,i have never been ,beyond the mountains1 but each day have heard1 ,morning and night1 ,st4 ,giles' dewy bells ,ring from these towers the twilight hour of prayer1 ,yet was ,i favored4 ,when they christened me-- ,oh1 ,i can see them wonder at him then1 ,and press about him4--,when they christened me ,st4 ,oswald stood god-father at the font ,and blessed me with his hands upon my head1 ,blessed me and said3 ',the ,virgin keep this child4' ,a neighbor said his face shone like a star1 ,he was so full of glory4 ,and the night1 ,the night the angels brought him from the gorge ,and laid him here before the abbey gate1 ,he wore the holy hood my mother made4 ,they keep it yet inside the sacred chest1 ,there in the chapel4 7,faint shouts far to the left47 ,i am so afraid ,jules will go with them4 ,would you mind if ,i-- 7,the cottage door opens47 ,have ,rachel tell you of that awful dream4 7,she goes out1 left4 ,with a staff in one hand and screening her eyes with the other1 old ,rachel comes sidling down the steps4 ,madam ,valmy sets her basket over the fence47 ,,rachel--,clotilde8 ,marie8 ,oh1 it's ,fidele6 ,why1 child1 ,when did you come to town8 ,,madam ,,valmy-- 7,taking ,rachel by the hand47 ,there's some one hurt4 ,,rachel--,fidele6 ,you frighten me4 ,that horrid word6 ,who is it8 ,,madam ,,valmy--,the crowd4 ,,rachel-- ,where8 ,,madam ,,valmy-- ,down by the church4 ,,rachel--,those heathen dogs4 ,are they in town8 ,i fear-- 7,they go out1 left47 ,,scene ,,four--,before the church which stands about twenty feet back from the street4 ,low stone fences on either side project in to its corners and form with its front three sides of a hexagon4 ,to the right1 in a higher fence1 also of stone1 which runs parallel with the street1 is an iron gate1 overgrown with vines1 leading into the churchyard4 ,between the palings can be seen white crosses marking the graves4 ,in the corners1 just where the fences start in toward the church1 stand ,lombardy poplars in full foliage1 one on either side4 ,the church is built of rough stone1 with irregular seams of white mortar4 ,in the center is an arched doorway and beside it two false windows almost covered with ivy4 ,high up over the door is seen the lower part of a narrow louvre window with several long straws1 which the birds have carried there1 hanging down from between the slats4 ,in the open space before the church1 a crowd is gathered4 ,upon the steps with his back to the door stands ,jardin1 the ,bailiff4 ,he wears a sleeveless hauberk wrought of chain1 and upon his head a heavy open helmet4 ,some distance to the right1 upon a step lower down1 ,jacques ,sar1 wearing a leather corselet and a cap of wolf skin1 is leaning with his right hand against the church4 ,his right arm is off near the shoulder4 ,the crowd is made up of men1 for the most part in their working clothes4 ,some have no hats on4 ,among the latter is ,hugh ,capet1 whose red head is seen far in near the steps4 ,jules ,bacqueur1 with his sleeves rolled up1 stands on the edge of the crowd4 ,out in the street to the left1 is a group of women4 ,a boy is up in the poplar tree1 right4 ,as the ,scene progresses1 other villagers enter1 among them the women of the last ,scene4 ,,jardin--,was ,jardin right last week when comrade's wife 7,with a motion toward old ,jacques47 ,fell palsied and he said3 ,let's kill the witch2 ,next thing she'll strike some brother4 ,was he right8 ,was he8 ,in here is a cross can tell you4 ,is the cross done8 ,can any man say why8 ,the holy monk that carves it1 where is he8 ,up yonder on the mountain in his cell1 ,nigh unto death4 ,only the ,virgin's hands ,that plucked him from the pit can save his life4 ,and who's to blame8 ,who is to blame1 men8 ,eh8 ,you men that shout to sail out to the ,east ,and swell about the neck as vipers do1 ,blowing against the ,moslems1 what do you say ,to the heathen on the mountain up there1 eh8 ,twenty moons and more have risen and set ,since they took up their station 'neath the stars ,and1 in collusion with the hag of hell1 ,shook pestilence and death upon the air4 ,planets have knocked and fire has fallen and blood ,has drizzled over all this region4 ,eh8 ,what do you think our ,lord thinks of these things8 ,rescue the mountains2 they are ,his ,sepulcher4 ,you want to see ,golgotha8 ,there it is4 ,a mountain with a heretic on its peak ,is like a spear thrusting a bitter sop ,up to our ,lord's lips even in heaven4 ,you men ,who see the sop and leave it there are ,jews4 ,,hugh ,,capet--,they're ,maccabees4 ,,jardin-- ,as for ,jacques ,sar and me1 ,we'll wear these arms-- ,,jacques ,,sar-- ,until the ,judgment ,day4 ,,jardin--,till our old bodies rot1 or see those peaks ,waved over with the banner of our ,lord4 ,and you think you will live to see that chase4 ,you know what ,i would do if ,i were ,god8 7,he draws his sword47 ,gabriel should pass over with his sword ,and pierce some heart would bow all heads in tears4 ,then you would go shouting up the mountains4 ,and ,if this keeps up1 you mark me what ,i say1 ,crosses will thicken out there on that grass4 7,he points toward the churchyard4 ,a man reaches out of the crowd and touches him on the leg47 ,but eat and sleep1 though4 ,feed your coward hearts4 ,then die4 ,and then what8 ,then the ,judgment ,day4 ,and after that1 what8 ,hell4 7,he stoops down and the man talks with him in an undertone47 ,,bacqueur-- ,who is it's dead8 ,,jacques ,,sar--,dead8 ,all of us1 he says1 an the hag lives4 ,,hugh ,,capet--,he's right1 too4 ,,madam ,,bacqueur--7,entering1 right1 and hurrying to the women47 ,is it ,father ,benedict8 ,,jardin-- 7,straightening up47 ,it was for that that he rode back there4 ,eh8 ,tell them8 ,what for8 ,what good would that do8 ,what ,do they care if the heathen keeps his land8 ,i see some of you here that yesterday ,was down at ,bacqueur's4 ,do ,i8 ,do ,i see you8 ,somehow it seems to me ,i recollect ,hearing as how old ,hulga'd never strike ,no man no more since ,god had saved the monk ,and maybe threw her off the cliff herself4 ,did any of you hear that8 ,did you men8 ,eh8 ,no one1 eh8 ,so ,jardin must have dreamed4 ,well1 in the dream then ,jardin seemed to say3 ,the hag will strike till we have dragged her down1 ,her and her dwarf1 ,canzler1 the big heathen1 ,and all his kith1 and burnt them in the street4 ,a ,,voice--,you got him in the church1 ,jardin8 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- ,la1 now6 ,,hugh ,,capet-- ,down with him6 ,,jardin--,was ,jardin right again8 ,has ,hulga struck8 ,you'd see the ass he rode you'd think she'd struck4 ,awhile ago here some one shouted out3 ,who's in the church8 ,i've got the arrow strung ,and now ,i'll tell you1 now ,i'll let it fly4 ,the wine train's lost2 three of the mules are dead2 ,two men were crushed to death2 our ,lord's dear blood1 ,witches have poured out on the mountain rocks4 ,now1 has she struck8 ,you think she has1 eh8 ,hugh1 ,what did we tell them8 ,jacques ,sar8 ,bacqueur8 ,eh8 ,didn't we8 ,,bacqueur--,how did it happen1 ,bailiff8 ,,jardin--,some one here asked if ,canzler was in here4 ,no4 ,yes4 ,what if he were or what if he is8 ,you think ,i'd tell you and see you fall dead8 7,madam ,valmy enters1 right1 leading old ,rachel by the hand47 ,one of the muleteers rode in for help4 ,he only spoke ,italian4 ,a friar1 though1 ,told me his tale4 ,last night when the train reached ,the ,devil's ,pass--'twas dark2 the moon had sunk--,three withered hell-hags1 with the skirring clouds ,flying toward ,pampeluna to their sabbath1 ,lit on a gray crag4 ,lightning splintered blue ,about them1 smells of sulphur rose1 and thunder ,clapped the dark rock4 ,the mountain shook4 ,straightway1 ,cries of the men rang out4 ,the leaders crashed1 ,dumb-smitted with horror1 mules and packs and all1 ,down through the chaparral to the gowle below4 ,the witches vanished4 ,all the ,pass was still ,save through the night the golden chalices ,clinking far down the scaur4 ,then on a sudden 7,rosa1 excited1 runs in1 right1 and hurries to the women47 ,the grisly hags1 crooning a wild song1 rose ,tossing the golden cups up in the air1 ,and like a strip of mist went down the wind ,toward ,pampeluna4 ,what is the matter1 women8 ,a ,,man--,they say the hag's in town4 ,,rosa--7,in an underbreath47 ,sigurd4 ,,madam ,,bacqueur-- ,the dwarf4 ,,the ,,man--,they say the dwarf's in town4 ,,jardin--7,deeply moved47 ,men1--6 ,,the ,,boy--7,up in the tree craning his neck47 ,i see him6 ,yonder he is by the bridge4 ,he's got something ,shining in his hand4 ,,jardin---7,his face paling47 ,what was it the hunter saw ,in his dream1 men8 ,what was it that roused the dogs-- ,the heathen dogs to chase the brother8 ,,hugh ,,capet-- ,blood4 ,,jardin-- 7,feeling the tip of his sword47 ,to-day ,god stains the trail4 ,a ,,shout-- ,down with him6 ,,jardin-- ,wait4 ,,the ,,boy--,see it6 ,see it flash6 ,it's a dagger6 ,,jardin-- ,men6 ,,jacques ,,sar-- ,men6 ,a ,,shout--,come on1 men6 ,,jardin-- ,stop them1 ,bacqueur6 ,knock them down6 ,bring those fools back4 7,hugh ,capet1 out in the street1 waves with his arm4 ,the men who rushed out1 right1 return sulky47 ,,one ,,of ,,them--,who is the coward now8 ,,another--,hush1 ,noel4 ,,another-- ,let's have no trouble1 men4 ,,jardin-- ,silence6 ,,first ,,man--',cause we ain't seen the wars-- ,,several-- ,be quiet1 ,noel4 ,,jardin--,is that the way you fowlers take your birds1 ,rush out and throw the net before their eyes8 ,is it8 ,and when the wolves prowl for your lambs1 ,you raise a shout before you stretch the string1 ,do you8 ,here's ,jacques4 ,you think he'd have this cap ,if he had yelled to the brute1 ,watch for your skin1 ,and rushed on him waving a club8 ,do you8 ,eh8 ,if you do1 ,i tell you ,jardin don't2 ',n ,i reckon ,jardin's seen a wolf or two4 ,this dwarf of ,hulga's1 you don't think he's sly1 ,do you8 ,eh8 ,well1 he is1 sly as a newt4 ,you touch the stones once and you'll see him gone4 ,what's to be done1 then8 ,listen to ,jardin3 ,deploy4 ,you don't know what that means1 do you8 ,some of you here are burning for the ,east ,to fight the ,moslems4 ,just cry3 ,allah-ho6 ,and then rush on them1 will you8 ,turks1 ain't they8 ,,jacques ,,sar--,right4 ,,jardin-- ,listen1 men2 ,i'll tell you what it means4 ,you've seen the falcon 'fore she strikes the hern ,open her talons1 ain't you8 ,that's deploy4 ,well1 then we'll open ours4 ,three of you fellows ,skirt the ford yonder and shut off retreat ,to the cave4 ,there's one claw open4 ,halt1 men4 ,then two detachments--,here1 attention1 men2 ,wait for your orders4--,then two squads of three ,march up that way-- 7,he points left47 and when you strike the hedge1 ,right6 left6 one along the wold2 the other ,down through the waddy2 each to the river4 ,then we've got him flanked4 ,there's three claws open ,and the bird is ours4 ,now listen4 ,listen men4 ,you men that mean to cut off his retreat1 ,take spears4 ,he'll squawk we pinch him1 and the old hen1 ,hearing her chick1 will swoop down from the rocks4 ,then's your chance2 stick her4 ,,jacques ,,sar-- ,mine6 ,,hugh ,,capet-- ,let ,jacques have her4 ,,jacques ,,sar--,i'll fetch her head back home to mother ,sar4 7,he and the ,bailiff come down into the crowd47 ,a ,,voice--,what if the heathen charge down on us8 ,,hugh ,,capet-- ,bah6 ,,jardin--,you think he'd leave that peak for all the world8 ,,hugh ,,capet--,after what's happened8 ,,jacques ,,sar-- ,after this shower of blood8 ,,bacqueur--,from that black planet came the thunder stone ,that tore the field back there4 ,,hugh ,,capet-- ,you think he would8 ,,jardin--,now hear what ,jardin says4 ,if he could ask1 ,for what he suffered in the ,holy ,wars1 ,two gifts of ,heaven1 and two strong saints should soar ,past the green steeples of these poplars here ,and fold their white wings in that street and say3 ,soldier1 what are they8 ,what would ,jardin say8 ,first this3 7,he steps back upon the steps47 ,up yonder is a holy monk ,whom ,god has blessed above all living men4 ,abaddon hurled him down to take his life4 ,he's bruised almost to death4 ,saints1 bring him down4 ,we're going to kindle such a fire here ,as friends of darkness1 glowering from the caves1 ,shall see and then scoot shuddering to ,hell4 7,the crowd shouts47 ,bring him down1 then1 and let him see the flames ,lick up the limbs that tripped him4 ,,jacques ,,sar-- ,right4 ,,bacqueur-- ,you're right4 ,,hugh ,,capet--,let's bring him down6 ,,shouts-- ,right6 ,bring him6 ,bring him down6 ,,jardin--,here1 men1 put on those caps4 ,you think you're saints8 ,if you can fly through air1 why bring him down2 ,you can't1 then hush and hear what ,jardin says4 ,first then ,i'd say3 ,bring down the monk4 ,then this3 ,there's a big fellow on the mountain tops ,what calls ,thor ,father1 spitting at our ,lord4 ,and in the dawn when ,christians gather here ,to holy mass he stands upon the peaks ,and scowls upon the bells4 ,he and the witch ,are brain and bowels to some heathen god ,whose dark hand works at night beneath the hills ,sapping the towers of ,christ4 ,saints1 send him down4 ,tell him to strap his big old martel on him4 ,he comes down here he'll feel a damaskin ,that's sliced the ,turks and choked the gates of hell ,with ghosts of ,allah1 and another'll go ,bloody and hot to ,thor4 7,shouts47 ,send him down1 saints4 ,some one here says1 ,if ,canzler comes1 what then8 ,he'll die4 ,who'll do it8 ,listen3 ,jardin will4 7,he comes down into the crowd that surges and clamors about him47 ,line up6 7,he chooses nine men1 whom he arranges in squads of three47 ,a ,,man-- 7,in the first squad47 ,about those spears4 ,,jardin--,stop at the armory4 7,he produces a great key47 ,you know your orders1 do you8 ,a ,,chorus--,we do4 ,,jardin--,jacques4 ,,lead4 7,he hands the key to the old man1 who puts himself at the head of the first squad47 ,bacqueur4 ,,madam ,,bacqueur--,no1 no4 ,,jardin--,capet4 7,the two men put themselves at the head of the second and third squads47 ,,jardin--,march6 ,,madam ,,bacqueur--7,holding out her child47 ,husband6 7,they pass out1 left4 ,madam ,bacqueur looks after them for a while1 then lifts her skirt to her eyes and sobs aloud47 ,,rachel--,where are they going1 child8 ,,jardin--,line up now1 men4 ,we'll strike the front4 ,women1 pray that the saints ,may bring the monk to see this devil burn1 ,and send the old warlock down4 ,he will breathe hard1 ,i slit his entrails once and put this foot ,on his big chest4 7,as he goes along lining up the men with his sword1 the church door opens and1 pale and emaciated1 the monk ,oswald appears47 ,,fidele--,clotilde6 ,auntie6 ,rosa6 ,,the ,,women--,look6 ,look6 7,they fall upon their knees47 ,,jardin--,what is it1 women6 ,a ,,man--,look6 ,look6 7,the men cross themselves and fall prostrate4 ,old ,rachel and the ,bailiff alone remain standing47 ,,rachel-- 7,screening her eyes47 ,what is it1 ,rosa8 ,,fidele-- ,auntie6 auntie6 7,she pulls old ,rachel to her knees47 ,a ,,breath--7,through the crowd47 ,his ghost6 ,,oswald--,what is the matter8 7,upon hearing his voice1 old ,rachel1 who has continued to stare toward the church1 falls with her face to the ground47 ,a ,,man--7,in a low voice47 ,jardin1 speak4 ,,jardin-- ,father4 ,,oswald--,what is it8 7,a pause47 ,what is the matter8 ,,jardin-- ,is that you8 ,,oswald--,what was that shouting8 7,a silence ensues4 ,the monk puts his palm to his breast and coughs47 ,,jardin--7,completing his thought47--these men aghast here ,calls up to ,jardin's mind a night in the wars ,when we were storming ,acre4 ,the ,infidel1 ,sallying out1 had laid the ,lion ,heart ,low in the dust4 ,the waves of battle clapped ,over his head4 ,barred in with dripping spears ,of ,turk and ,christian1 raged the bleeding whelp1 ,his paws red-clotted in his own hot blood4 ,cleaving the gloom1 a burst of crimson light ,streamed down the slanting spears and like a prow ,rolled back the waves of war4 ,between the crests ,of foam-white faces holy ,st4 ,augustine ,came walking down the bodies of the dead1 ,and lifting the ,lion1 fired him4 ,at once ,rose on the night the planet of his shield ,burning a lane before his falchion fed1 ,and down the slope into the ,turks he swept ,through dropping shields and sabers thrown in air1 ,a lurid streak of flame4 ,so ,jardin now1 ,seeing this blessed monk the saints have brought1 ,takes fire1 and blown with hate of our ,lord's foes1 ,will lick the crags and leap from peak to peak1 ,nor shall the flame go out until the wind ,rain heathen ashes on the pit of hell4 7,roused by the ,bailiff's words1 four or five of the men spring to their feet4 ,the rest rise slowly and remain mute4 ,oswald comes down the steps47 ,,jardin-- 7,knocking the men with his sword47 ,line1 line up6 7,a man points down the street47 ,,another-- ,we'll fix him1 ,father6 ,,another--,he'll never strike no holy monk again6 ,,another--,we'll burn the imp6 ,,another-- ,father shall see to it1 too6 7,the ,bailiff strikes with his sword4 ,the line marches right1 double-quick47 ,,oswald-- 7,excitedly47 ,stay1 men6 ,lay no rough hands upon the boy4 7,the line halts4 ,the monk puts his palm to his breast and coughs47 ,,jardin--,no rough hands on--8 ,,oswald-- ,the boy has done no harm4 ,the night ,i fell-- ,a ,,man-- ,here's ,father ,benedict4 7,they wait in silence47 ,,father ,,benedict--,ah1 brother ,oswald6 7,he comes riding in1 left4 ,the women bow reverently2 the men bare their heads47 ,benedicite4 ,you see my children gathered here about1 ,how glad they are to see you4 ,,oswald-- ,and ,i1 ,father1 ,to be at work once more4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,praise the ,virgin4 7,dismounting47 ,you show a ,christian spirit coming thus1 ,bruised as you are1 to do the ,master's work4 ,,oswald--,i promised it should be done to-morrow4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,and--8 ,,oswald--,i have two golden letters to put on4 ,,father ,,benedict--,god hath his eye upon our altar cross2 ,and on you1 too1 my brother4 ,,oswald-- ,god has been ,good to me4 ,,father ,,benedict--,the angels do ,his will4 ,,oswald--,and even human hands-- 7,he looks down the street47 ,,father ,,benedict-- ',twas marvelous4 ,as ,i came down ,i passed the jagged cliff ,you tumbled over1 and there a while ,i paused ,entranced1 as it were1 by unseen ,presences4 7,the boy1 who climbed down from the tree upon the arrival of the ,priest1 leads the ass out1 left47 ,the mountains wore a new and hallowed look ,in the morning light4 ,i would give half my life ,to have stood upon the peaks that night and seen ,god's ministers drop shining down the sky ,and blaze the gorge4 ,but ,god works in the dark4 ,at night ,his golden ladders are let down ,and deeds are done and no man knoweth how4 ,at dawn we see the severed hills1 the seas ,huddled aghast at some vast mountain head ,that yesterday lay fathoms in the deep4 ,so quietly ,he worketh in the night ,that mountain ranges rise and no babe wakes4 ,who can say3 ,yonder ,god is8 ,,oswald-- ,none1 ,father4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,none4 ,the hand that executes ,his purposes ,is hidden like the purposes themselves4 ,he dwelleth in the storm and in the calm1 ,yet both look round and say3 ,where dwelleth ,he8 ,the sun that shines on all1 shines not on ,him4 ,he goeth forth at night and doth ,his will1 ,yet the moon sees ,him not4 ,i rode along ,thinking upon your providential ,escape from death that night and of the work ,god hath reserved for me in the great chase1 ,for half the glory is mine4 ,i prayed our ,lord ,that if it be ,his will ,i might catch some ,glimpse of the dogs far off4 ,i could not see ,my hand before my eyes in spirit1 but ,with eyelids down1 rode on1 probing the dark1 ,sounding deep in my soul the ocean of ,god1 ,and finding there bottomless waters4 ,the night of ebony and the golden dawn1 ,the deed the past holds and the future's deed1 ,rose half way up the sky and called across ,fathomless spaces3 ,who are you8 ,and ,i ,thought answer3 ,thou art ,fall2 and thou1 with hair ,bright with the morning and with frightened eyes ,fleeing the noise of dogs behind thee1 thou ,art ,resurrection and the ,peace of ,god4 ,connection ,i could find none4 ,stark and lone ,they stood upon the twilight fields of air1 ,strangers1 each looking in the face of each1 ,when through the gloaming came a glittering link ,star-like with the image of our ,lord ,bleeding in silver on a silver cross1 ,a marriage ring that married them1 and ,i ,deep in my soul knew the ,eternal and ,saw ,prophesy grappling the ,north and heard ,heathendom hiss and coil and loose her folds2 ,and then a voice filling the heavens3 ,well done4 ,speaking to me1 for the glory is mine4 ,your crucifix has not been found yet8 ,,oswald-- ,no4 ,,father ,,benedict--,and will not be4 ,,oswald-- ,it must be in the brook4 ,i had it in my hand just as ,i fell4 ,,father ,,benedict--',tis in the hand of ,god where it shall be ,until the morning breaks of that great day ,when ,heathendom shall tumble down to hell4 ,then it shall dangle bloody from the sky ,while all the mountains shake4 ,,oswald-- ,what do you mean8 ,,father ,,benedict--,the mountains trembled in the tempest4 ,,oswald-- ,when8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,during the great chase4 7,a pause47 ,is it possible ,you start upon the chase with darkened eyes8 ,,oswald--,i do not understand you4 ,,father ,,benedict--7,aside47 ,can it be ,they have not told him of the dream8 ,mum1 then4 ,,oswald--,brother ,andrew told me4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,and you understand ,on whom this dark calamity shall fall8 ,,oswald--,it has already fallen4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,already fallen6 ,you think the stag is down1 then1 do you8 ,,oswald-- ,stag8 ,,father ,,benedict--,you think the chase is run8 7,oswald looks at him blankly47 ,you seem to think ,the dream has been fulfilled4 ,,oswald-- ,i do4 ,how not8 ,this last calamity fulfilled the dream4 ,,father ,,benedict--,fulfilled8 ,nay1 nay4 ,the chase has not begun4 ,the bruised stag is resting in the grove4 ,the hounds of ,hell have yet to strike the trail1 ,and when they do1 my feet are on the hills1 ,and the loud talbot's baying shall be still4 ,,oswald--,you speak as one whose joy is in the chase4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,glaring at him47 ,you mean by that that ,i-- ,,oswald-- ,i mean1 ,father1 ,you speak as those that chase the deer with hounds-- ,,father ,,benedict--,you mean to intimate that ,i lead the dogs8 ,,oswald--,as hunters do4 7,the ,priest searches the monk's face47 ,you spoke of a stag and a trail4 ,,father ,,benedict--,to show you that the dream is not fulfilled4 ,,oswald--,have you not heard it1 then8 ,the train is lost4 ,,father ,,benedict--,the-- ,,oswald-- ,thrown from the cliffs4 ,a ,,man-- ,the witches did it4 ,,another--,blue devil-fire sputtered on the crags and sulphur-- ,,another--,two men were struck by the hags4 ,,another-- ,the wine1 too1 ,father1 ,they've poured it all out on the mountain rocks4 ,,another--,old ,hulga did it4 ,,several-- ,and the dwarf4 ,,the ,,crowd-- ,the dwarf1 too4 ,,oswald-- 7,with a nod toward the church47 ,one of the men who rode in town for help ,is with the clerk4 7,the ,priest starts toward the church47 ,,jardin--7,stepping forward47 ,can ,jardin say a word8 ,one night at ,acre when the camps were sick1 ,and smells of corpses tainted every breath1 ,jardin was pacing watch4 ,through the darkness1 ,pierced by the burial torches of the ,turks1 ,a smoke-thin shadow passed across the plain ,between the armies1 blotting one by one ,the drifting death-fires of old ,saladin4 ,nearer it came1 and ,jardin heard a moan1 ,and walking toward it found a ,turkish lad ,half eaten by hunger1 in a fever trance ,low-moaning piteously3 ,dates1 mother1 dates4 ,did ,jardin say1 ,because the ,turk's a boy ,i'll spare him8 ,did ,jardin give him dates8 ,no4 ,he'd made a vow never to spare no foe ,of ,mary's ,son1 so1 like a starving hound1 ,this ,christian blade1 drinking his little blood1 ,licked up the crumbs that ,famine's jaws had left4 ,did ,jardin right8 ,,father ,,benedict--,our ,paternoster says3 ,thy kingdom come4 ,how could the kingdom come ,if heathens were allowed to-- ,,jardin-- ,if the young ,turk1 ,instead of wobbling in a fever trance ,as weak as smoke a breath could blow away1 ,jardin had found astride a ,christian corpse ,holding his red dirk up against the moon ,for ,allah's eyes and laughing at the blood1 ,had ,jardin spared him then--8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,then the red dirk ,had hovered over your gray hairs like a hawk ,until your day of death1 and when your soul1 ,fresh from the holy lustral dews1 had sprung ,singing toward ,mary's bosom in the sky1 ,that red-plumed vulture swooping through the dark ,had chased it down to ,hell4 ,,jardin-- ,line up1 men4 ,,oswald-- ,stay6 ,you know not what you do4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,what does this mean8 ,,jardin--,it means that ,jardin is a soldier still1 ,still fighting as a servant of the ,cross1 ,and never1 while this arm can lift a sword1 ,will this sword ever spare a scoffing imp ,to invocate the devils of the air1 ,and pointing to the gouts of holy blood ,upon the mountain rocks1 say3 ,aha1 see6 ,the ,master's slave bleeds as the ,master bled4 7,pointing with his sword down the street47 ,the son of ,satan4 ,a ,,man-- ,it's the dwarf1 ,father4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,solemnly47 ,god lifts the curtain and the ,play is on1 ,whose last act shall unfold above the clouds ,with ,tempest and with ,earthquake that shall shake ,hell to the very bottom4 ,seize him4 ,,oswald--7,excitedly47 ,no6 ,no1 no6 ,the boy has done no-- 7,coughing47 ,,jardin-- ,come on1 men6 ,shall bloody daggers drip on our gray hairs1 ,and chase us through the deep8 ,shall they8 ,come on6 7,the line swings off47 ,never will ,jardin patch a truce with ,hell ,until her towers1 stormed by angels' wings1 ,shall bow like ,acre to the ,son of ,god4 ,,oswald--,stop them1 ,father6 ,until ,i tell you6 ,,father ,,benedict--7,overcome with rage47 ,this1 ,this is the worst ,i ever did hear4 7,looking about him while ,oswald coughs with great distress47 ,men1-- 7,seeing that all the men have gone1 he shouts after them47 ,pile your wood here1 men6 ,we shall have sacrifice6 7,he goes toward the church47 ,,oswald-- 7,frantically47 ,father6 ,father6 7,he falls upon his knees47 ,,father ,,benedict--,a burnt offering4 7,oswald rises quickly1 his face full of horror1 and flees in the direction of the ,abbey1 coughing violently47 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,from the steps1 calling after him bitterly47 ,if ,benedict1 whose joy is in the chase1 ,shall chase the deer with hounds as hunters do1 ,perhaps this devil that goes up in smoke ,will drop somewhere upon the mountain paths ,and pluck your haunches from the talbot's teeth4 ,pray ,god he may1 when ,benedict turns hound4 7,he enters the church and closes the door47 ,,scene ,,five--,the same street1 projected to the outskirts of the village4 ,on the right1 is a wagon bridge built of logs4 ,some slabs1 left over from the building of the bridge years ago1 lie in a pile at the roadside4 ,farther back1 across the river the course of which is marked by a line of sycamores1 the mountain rises abrupt and green1 with here and there patches of bare rocks and trees thickening as it extends back and up4 ,away to the center and left1 a stretch of bottom land with cultivated fields4 ,one gets a nearer view of the snow-capped peaks seen from the mountain side in the first ,scene and from the courtyard of the abbey in the second4 ,in the foreground at the roadside1 is a large olive tree with its dark shadow lying directly beneath it1 for over the landscape is a clear light as of a noonday sun shining from a cloudless sky4 ,under the tree1 with several willow baskets strung together lying upon the ground beside him1 sits the dwarf1 ,sigurd1 polishing ,oswald's silver crucifix upon his knee4 ,he holds it out in a bit of sunshine that falls through the leaves and1 after flashing the light about1 resumes rubbing it upon his trousers4 ,,jardin-- 7,left1 shouting as to men far off47 ,close in1 men6 ,close in6 7,the dwarf rises to his knees and looks in the direction of the town4 ,then1 hiding the crucifix in his bosom1 he comes out in the road and looks in the opposite direction as though trying to discover who it is they are after4 ,stones strike in the road and go clattering across the bridge4 ,a moment later ,jardin and his men come rushing in47 ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,men--7,with his hands to his mouth1 shouting across the river47 ,we've got him6 ,,another-- ,fellows6 7,he makes for the pile of slabs4 ,several of the men follow him47 ,,another--,we can get shavings up at ,bacqueur's shop4 7,they load themselves with slabs4 ,jardin1 who with the dwarf is in the center of the crowd1 suddenly holds aloft the silver crucifix47 ,,jardin--,you know who threw him down now1 don't you1 eh8 ,a ,,cry ,,of ,,rage--,devil6 ,,jardin--,don't knock him1 men4 ,this is ,god's work4 ,,cries--,down with him6 ,burn him6 ,,jardin-- ,fetch your slabs1 men4 ,,cries-- ,come on6 7,they start toward the village47 ,,shouts-- 7,from over the river47 ,look out6 ,look out6 7,the men carrying slabs glance back1 then throw their loads down and go fleeing toward the village47 ,,cries-- ,men6 ,men6 7,the crowd flees1 leaving ,jardin holding the dwarf by the collar standing in the road47 ,a ,,voice--7,from across the bridge47 ,let go that boy4 ,,jardin--,this is a day of miracles4 7,canzler enters47 ,heathen1 ,between us is a grave4 7,he lays his hand upon his sword47 ,,canzler-- ,let go that boy4 ,,jardin-- 7,advancing to meet him47 ,with ,christ in one hand1 and in the other this4 7,canzler draws his sword1 and a duel ensues4 ,the ,bailiff1 protected by his armor which ,canzler has twice struck and failed to pierce1 lays his blows on as though he would end it all at once4 ,canzler deliberately draws back into the shade of the tree4 ,lunging madly1 ,jardin follows him4 ,the villagers reappear with stones in their hands1 and try to get where they will not hit ,jardin when they throw47 ,,cries--,run him through1 ,bailiff6 ,run him through6 ,,jardin--7,with a lunge47 ,there6 ,a ,,cry-- ,ha6 7,canzler has parried the thrust1 and his sword has passed through the chain hauberk deep into the ,bailiff's breast4 ,the latter staggers back1 his astonishment that steel armor should be pierced by mortal sword giving way to a look of chagrin1 and after endeavoring to steady himself with the blade of his sword1 falls flat1 his armor clanking on the road4 ,the villagers drop their stones and flee terror-stricken4 ,canzler stands for a moment1 wipes the perspiration from his brow1 then reaches down and takes up the ,bailiff's sword by the point47 ,,canzler-- 7,swinging it around his head and hurling it toward the village47 ,you men in steel6 7,he goes back under the tree and gets the baskets and comes out into the road4 ,the dwarf stoops to pick up the crucifix that lies in the dirt about a yard from the ,bailiff's hand47 ,canzler-- ,nay1 let it lie1 my boy4 7,he takes the boy by the hand and they return across the bridge4 ,the ,bailiff stirs1 lifts himself to his elbow1 and stretches his hand toward the crucifix4 ,he cannot reach it and falls back and lies still47 ,,act ,,four4 ,,scene ,,one--,in the cavern1 as in ,scene two of the second act4 ,the spinning wheel stands against the wall and above it from a peg hangs a heavy skein of black wool4 ,the baskets lie upon the floor4 ,to the right of the low fire1 a heap of chips1 pine cones1 and broken limbs4 ,the cave is quite dark4 ,from the left the gnomes enter stealthily1 one after another4 ,,time--,the same night4 ,,kilo--7,huskily47 ,gone4 ,,zip--7,calling back47 ,gone4 ,,voice--7,to the left47 ,she's gone4 7,gimel enters and1 after him1 ,suk4 ,kilo crosses the cave and stands listening47 ,,zip--7,stopping47 ,what is it8 7,gimel puts out his hand1 palm back1 warningly4 ,suk stops4 ,suddenly1 to the left1 a sound of whistling is heard47 ,,suk-- 7,huskily1 to silence him47 ,zory6 7,the whistling stops47 ,,kilo-- 7,turning back47 ,it's a frog booming on the river bank4 ,,gimel--,the villagers should hear it they would squeal3 ,ave6 ,ave6 and hurry to the church ,and take their pennies to the ,priest4 ,curse them6 7,while the rest snoop about the cave in search of food1 ,kilo puts some kindling upon the fire1 and getting down upon his knees1 blows it into a flame4 ,he then stretches himself out upon the floor1 and proping his head upon his elbow1 begins to poke in the ashes with a stick47 ,,kilo--,gimel1 you're mad because your monk's alive4 7,zip goes out right on tiptoe47 ,,suk--,i wonder if ,granny knows we killed the bat8 ,,gimel--,i haven't had a bite since4 ,,suk-- ,yesterday ,i found a cricket down among the stones ,still numb with winter's cold4 ,,gimel--7,fearfully47 ,what is it1 ,zip8 ,,kilo-- 7,nonchalantly47 ,gimel1 if the monk was sleeping there ,on ,granny's couch and you had ,loki's sledge1 ,think you could kill him8 ,,suk-- ,sh6 7,kilo sits up47 ,,gimel-- ,zip1 what is it8 ,,zip-- 7,re-entering47 ,it's going to storm4 ,the clouds are scudding fast ,and thick and dark1 brushing the mountain tops4 ,,suk--,she gets the owl1 she'll be here4 7,kilo lies down4 ,the other gnomes1 as if fearing the entrance of the witch1 walk1 left47 ,,suk-- ,better get up4 ,,zip--,she'll flog you1 ,kilo1 if she finds you there4 ,,kilo--,i'll play ,i'm ,sigurd4 ,,zip-- ,then she'll drub you sure4 ,you see these baskets here8 ,to-night at dusk ,the boy crept tiptoe to the entrance there ,and threw them in4 ,i holloed at him3 ,hey6 ,you'd better run6 ,granny's been looking for you4 7,kilo rakes a coal from the fire and blows the ashes from it47 ,,kilo--,you say the wind's up1 ,zip8 ,,zip-- ,it's going to storm4 ,,suk-- 7,looking among the dry herbs47 ,there's not a leaf of ,odin's helmet here4 ,,kilo--,gimel6 7,he blows the coal47 ,,gimel-- 7,to ,suk47 ,she's taken it with her4 ,she knew ,if we should get out in the air-- ,,kilo-- ,come here4 ,,gimel--,she'd never see us in this cave again4 ,,voice-- 7,to the left1 in a monotone47 ,a rat and a cat and a cat and a mouse4 ,,suk--,i wonder when she's going to make us broth4 ,,gimel--,she said we'd be as thin as chestnut leaves ,before she put the cauldron on again4 ,,suk--,how can we toil when fire won't burn1 ,when ,loki's hammers are soft as lead1 ,when her charms all fail wherever we turn1 ,when blight won't gather and murrain won't spread8 ,how can we toil when there's not a ,nix ,but turns to stone at a crucifix8 7,from the left1 ,zory enters47 ,,zip--,what are you chewing1 ,zory8 ,,zory-- ,slippery elm4 ,,gimel--,she's scared herself at the pesky thing4 ,often as here by the coals she's sat ,crunching her pignuts and stroking her cat1 ,many a time ,i've heard her say ,that ,thor's arm shriveled that ,april day ,when out of a cloud in a thunder shower ,he threw his bolt at the tall gray tower4 ,it shivered a poplar tree near by4 ,the church stood sound with its cursed crest1 ,while the god went bellowing down the sky1 ,clutching his shoulder in terrible pain4 ,now he rides to the east and he rides to the west--,so ,granny says--and he's never seen ,lashing his goats through the driving rain4 ,dark and fireless the clouds drift round2 ,their waters fall without any sound4 ,it's ,hoder that drives them now1 ,i ween4 ,,zory-- 7,leaving the herbs47 ,she'd left a slip of the ,devil's herb1 7,skipping to the right47 ,you'd see me sweeping along the sky2 ,i'd straddle the moon and ride her down4 ,,zip--,be quiet1 ,zory4--,you'd better not4 ,you hear8 7,zory goes out47 ,,suk--,the fairies too are bolder now4 ,every hour you can hear them call ,from forest and bracken and water-fall4 ,even at midday1 when ,i've been clearing ,ore from the mountains and stood a peering ,through cracks in the cliff1 ,i have seen them at play ,catching the drops of silvery spray1 ,running with emeralds and amethysts ,to the stones where the purple iris rests4 ,with hands to their mouths1 from the mossy ledge1 ,they boom to the bittern far down in the sedge ,on the river bank4 ,they are in the air4 ,woodland and water--everywhere4 ,,gimel--,and there's not a place even down in the ground1 ,no matter how dark1 but that elves are found ,whispering and prying1 their little eyes ,darting and glancing like fireflies4 ,,suk--,they say that's the cause of ,loki's fright4 ,,zip--,and well it might be1 if this tale is true4 ,sleeping he lay on the ground one night-- ,he had guzzled his fill of ,granny's brew-- ,when1 thinking he heard his bellows blow1 ,he opened his eyes and spied the glow ,of flames on his forge1 the sparks a leaping1 ,and a score of elves---they thought him sleeping-- ,on trough and anvil and on the ground ,clapping their hands as they fell around4 ,then he stirred1 when lo6 there was not a spark2 ,the bellows was still1 the stithy was dark4 ,,kilo-- 7,rising quickly to a sitting posture47 ,the tale is as true as the master's steel4 ,here on the stones ,i lay that night1 ,curled like a cat in the fire-light1 ,while there by the wall with a whirring sound ,granny's old spinning wheel went round4 ,it whirred and it whirred so ,i could not sleep1 ,so ,i lay and yawned and began to peep ,and nudge the fire1 for the night was cool4 ,around the big wheel the wether's wool ,ran black1 the dame's foot under her skirt ,paddling the pedal for ,sigurd's shirt4 ,the wheel stopped a moment1 and during the hush ,i had dropped to a doze1 when there came a rush ,of the coldest air that ever warped skin1 ,and ,loki1 frightened1 dashed up and in ,from the rift in the rocks4 7,he rises to one knee47 ,his face was white ,and the smut upon it showed black as night ,and his limbs were so weak that he almost fell4 ,when he got his breath he began to tell ,how1 roused from his sleep by a noise in his shop-- ,then ,granny spied me and nudged him to stop1 ,and the two went out4 ,i leaped to the ledge ,and peered through the crack4 ,far up on the edge ,of the cliff where the hazel bushes grow1 ,the pines were glossing2 the gnomes1 ,i trow1 ,were choking the caves to get in the ground ,and hide in the dark lest they should be found ,when ,balder should roll his bright wheel on high4 ,already his lances waved in the sky ,bedabbled with blood4 ,the heavens were pale ,and the peaks were bright with his burning mail4 ,i lost not a trice4 ,as quick as a wink ,i rushed to the roots and out through the chink ,with the ,devil's herb ,i followed the pair4 ,darting invisible through the air1 ,i squatted toad-like on the turf and heard ,them babble their plans1 heard every word1 ,heard ,granny wheeze and the master say--,as they rose from the rock and turned away--,we must nag on the gnomes or the cross will rise4 ,they must take the monk's life or put out his-- ,,zory--7,rushing in47 ,look out6 7,he dashes out1 left1 followed by the other gnomes4 ,from the right1 the witch enters4 ,in her right hand she holds a big black owl by the wing2 in her left1 a large club4 ,she is tall1 raw-boned1 and weasened4 ,her hair is of a stringy gray1 and a skein of it hangs upon her cheek4 ,her breath comes short1 and there is a wheeze in her voice47 ,,witch--,what's this8 ,burning my wood8 7,shouting47 ,sigurd6 ,ay1 ay6 ,you'd better hide1 you lazy1 crooked dwarf4 ,you'll pay for this4 7,she throws the owl down1 and taking the sticks from the fire1 beats the flames out upon the floor47 ,you'll pay for this1 ,i say4 ,you'll gladly sleep upon the coldest stones1 ,but you'll not close an eye4 ,you'll moan all night1 ,dragging your red-puffed soles across the floor1 ,and beg the gnomes for snow4 ,i'll teach you how ,to burn my kindling up4 ,here ,i must trudge ,up to the blasted cliffs day after day1 ,strip bark1 drag brush1 break limbs1 and gather cones ,among the pines1 the bait of all the winds1 ,and barely get enough to heat my brew1 ,and here you'll lie roasting your wretched bones4 ,i'll warm your cursed shanks4 ,i'll put your feet ,to blister on the red-hot coals again ,and flog you limping up the rocks for wood4 7,hanging up the baskets47 ,let the monks take the geese4 ,they're out there now ,flapping their wings and gaggling at the moon ,to call the ,christians down4 ,you'll keep their necks6 ,you'll swear by father ,thor you fetched them up ,and penned them in the lot4 ,i'll beat you1 though2 ,i'll whale you with these rods until you're sore4 7,she piles her wood against the wall47 ,let the monks steal the geese4 ,you'll gather wood4 ,you'll find it scarce1 ,i vow4 ,there's not a day ,you're by the stream4 ,you're up among the crags1 ,beating the eagles from the new-dropped kids4 ,you feed the woodman's ewes4 ,you hunt the hills ,for sorrel-grass to see the lambkins eat4 ,you never drain an udder for my sop1 ,or bring me honey from the gum4 ,sneezeweed ,you never dig or nightshade from the marsh4 ,you play among the logs4 ,my nuts and corn ,you steal to feed the striped chipmunks with4 ,all day you're in the wood or on the slope1 ,listening to hear the noisy ,christian bells4 ,you love the damned sound4 ,you love the monks4 ,you fetch them pine knots from the big green ridge ,to singe the gnomes and light their altar fires4 ,you've learned to fumble buckeyes on your breast4 ,i'll teach you how to pray4 ,ay1 ay6 ,you hear8 ,i'll weave my dwarf a cowl4 ,ha1 ha6 ,you hear8 ,sigurd6 ,i'll get you in the morning4 7,a rumble of thunder47 ,eh8 7,thunder again47 ,ay1 ay1 ,thor6 ,i'll have them there6 7,shouting47 ,gnomes6 ,gnomes6 ,zip6 ,gimel6 ,kilo6 ,lazy broth-suckers6 ,here's work for you1 you knaves6 ,work and broth6 7,louder47 ,broth1 ,i said6 ,you hear8 ,zory1 you scamp6 7,feeling about her dress47 ,hear what ,i say8 ,kilo6 ,suk6 ,gimel6 ,here's broth for you6 7,in an underbreath47 ,if you'll work4 ,you don't1 ,i'll lamn you1 you toads4 7,shouting47 ,you hear8 ,ay1 peak about6 peak about6 ,thor wants you4 7,the gnomes enter timidly1 half-afraid47 ,,suk-- 7,whimpering47 ,i'm hungry4 ,,witch--,hungry6 ,out in the air with you1 then6 ,suck the lightning's dugs6 ,guzzle in the rain6 7,low muttering thunder47 ,hear that8 ,can you8 ,can you bark8 ,ay1 ay1 ,thor6 7,as the thunder dies away1 the gnomes rush wildly toward the witch47 ,ay1 here's your herb6 ,out with you now1 every last one of you6 ,,zip-- 7,giving him a leaf47 ,up with you6 7,zip disappears47 ,kilo6 ,there you go6 7,kilo disappears47 ,now ,suk6 ,now ,gimel6 ,now you can get him6 7,the gnomes1 taking the slips1 disappear47 ,ay1 ay6 ,chase the monk6 ,crack the big bells6 ,pluck up the pines and knock the steeples down6 ,,zory-- 7,rushing in47 ,me too1 ,granny6 ,,witch--,ay1 you scamp6 7,giving him a leaf47 ,bark now6 ,skedaddle in the air6 ,,zory--,i'll straddle the moon and-- 7,he disappears47 ,,witch-- ,there you go6 ,ay1 straddle her6 ,ride her through the clouds6 ,there they are1 ,thor4 ,now for my dwarf4 7,picking up her club47 ,i'll bruise him a little4 7,shouting47 ,sigurd6 ,i'll get you4 7,she goes out1 left47 ,,scene ,,two--,the scriptorium in the dormitory of the abbey4 ,the walls are of stone4 ,in the left wall1 near the corner1 a door opens into a hall that leads thence to the courtyard4 ,near it1 forward1 an enormous chest with metal trimmings and handles of embossed stags' heads1 the antlers gradually disappearing into the panel4 ,upon the chest1 as though thrown there carelessly1 lies a heavy cloak4 ,about ten feet from the door1 against the rear wall1 stands a small priedieu covered with a rich altar-cloth interwoven with the figure--seen in old arras--of ,st4 ,giles sitting upon a rock with the deer resting its head in his lap4 ,behind the deer is a clump of brambles4 ,the kneeling piece1 which projects from under the folds of the altar-cloth1 is of dark wood highly polished4 ,upon it is a scarlet cushion4 ,a little above the priedieu1 in a semicircular niche in the wall1 is set a bronze crucifix some ten inches in height4 ,before it burns a small taper4 ,farther to the right1 a second door leading into a corridor which connects with the sleeping apartments4 ,between this door and the priedieu are shelves filled with books and old manuscripts4 ,beyond the door1 which swings in and is partly open1 an old buckler hangs upon the wall1 and beneath it1 upon two iron spikes1 a long spear4 ,between the spear and buckler is fixed a parchment cut mitriform and bearing in large illumined letters the inscriptions ,,hugh ,,de ,,buillon ,,cum ,,deo ,,et ,,cum ,,godefrido ,,nicaeis ,,antiochiis ,,hierosolymis ,,mil ,,nonag ,,sept ,,oct ,,nov4 ,farther to the right1 in the corner1 a ,saracen coat-of-mail filled with spears which1 converging center and spread out above and below1 look like a sheaf of steel4 ,across the breast of the coat-of-mail is a strip of parchment with the inscription illumined as before3 ,a ,,mohamed ,,filio ,,satan ,,christo ,,filio ,,dei4 ,in the right wall are apertures of two deep-set windows1 near which are three carrels1 each with an old manuscript spread out upon it and ink-pots and other copying and illuminating materials4 ,hanging beside them are finger rags smeared with various colored stains4 ,on one of the carrels lies a sprig of flowering mountain laurel4 ,near the center of the room1 a few feet to the right1 stands a long table running parallel with the side walls4 ,it is overstrewn with old manuscripts1 some of them discolored and half unrolled2 others1 near the forward end1 piled in the form of a miniature pyramid4 ,farther back1 a small brass lamp1 pitcher-shaped and with a wick protruding from its spout1 burns with a yellow flame4 ,the room is but dimly lighted1 as a large room would be1 with a single lamp burning upon the table and a little taper winking in the niche in the wall4 ,to the right of the table1 in a square1 high-backed chair with animal-feet1 sits the ,abbot in a black gown1 bareheaded4 ,his feet1 which are under the table1 are cased in slippers of sheep-skin with the white fleece still upon it4 ,from his right hand1 which hangs beside his chair1 a scroll of parchment trails upon the floor4 ,farther back1 upon the opposite side of the table1 stands the ,priest1 his left hand resting upon the back of a chair the front legs of which are raised a few inches from the floor4 ,at the further end of the table ,oswald is standing with his finger wiping away the tears that trinkle down his cheeks4 ,thunder is heard intermittently1 and from time to time the windows are shaken by the violence of the wind4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,white with wrath1 turning to the ,abbot47 ,endorse this1 ,father8 ,,oswald-- ,father1 ,i did not say it4 ,,abbot--,ira1 ,benedict1 altis urbibus ,causa cur perirent4 ,let him explain4 ,,father ,,benedict--,i say1 do you endorse this8 ,,oswald-- ,i did not say it4 ,,abbot--,i endorse nothing till ,i hear both sides4 ,,father ,,benedict--,i gave you both sides4 ,,abbot-- ,sit down1 ,benedict4 ,,father ,,benedict--,you think ,i'd sit down with these things spread here1 7,with a wave toward the manuscripts47 ,and ,christ thrust yonder in the little niche8 ,not while ,i have in mind the first ,psalm4 ,,abbot-- ,yet ,you seem to have forgotten what agapa8 means1 ,as found in that third chapter of ,st4 ,john4 7,he lays his parchment upon the table and reaches over and takes a book from the pile at his right47 ,,father ,,benedict--,not while ,i have in mind the first ,psalm4 ,,abbot-- 7,turning over the leaves of the book47 ,if ,you thought more of the ,gospels-- ,,father ,,benedict---7,sarcastically47 ,as heathens do4 ,,abbot--,what is it to be a heathen8 ,is it not ,to act unchristlike8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,what is it to be a dog8 ,,oswald--,i did not say that ,father was a-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,what6 ,just now you did confess-- ,,oswald-- ,i said you spoke-- ,spoke as hunters-- ,,father ,,benedict--,that's a lie6 ,,abbot-- ,benedict6 ,be circumspect1 lest in your anger you ,bay at him and turn that which you do scorn4 ,,father ,,benedict--,i scorn the imputation which his pride ,popped at me4 ,as though all the saints in heaven ,bowed down to him because the other night-- 7,turning away47 ,oh1 but ,god hates the proud man6 ,,abbot-- ,and1 therefore1 ,wisdom doth bid you keep an open ear ,and leave the scroll of judgment still unsealed4 ,for how shall ,mercy find the iron leaf8 ,will ,heaven's book be open if we close ,ours8 ,when men cry to us1 if we shut our ears1 ,we shut out ,heaven's whispers4 ,oh1 nothing--,of all the deeds men do that vex the sky--,nothing so rankles in the heart of ,god ,as to see lips1 fresh come from prayer for grace1 ,refusing justice4 7,the ,priest has walked forward at an angle from the table and stands with his back to the ,abbot4 ,reaching under his gown1 he draws a dark string across his breast and begins1 seemingly1 to untie a knot4 ,the ,abbot regards him in silence47 ,will you hear him8 ,,father ,,benedict--7,gruffly47 ,go on4 ,,abbot--,no1 ,benedict2 do it dispassionately4 ,you say ,god hates the proud4 ,so he does4 ,yet ,wrath is more perilous to a man than pride4 ,for while pride turns a man's face to the sky1 ',tis wrath that shoves him where the thunders fall4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,under his breath47 ,i'll drop some thunder on you4 ,,abbot-- ,now1 my son1 ,speak as though angels heard you4 ',tis almost ,midnight1 and the ,sabbath draweth nigh4 ,,oswald-- 7,to the ,priest47 ,father4 ,,abbot--,do you hear8--,he shuts his ears4 ,proceed4 ,remembering that truth is ,god's own bread4 ,he hungers for it4 ,,oswald-- ,oh1 ,i have not lied6 ,i did not say that ,father was a dog4 ,,abbot--,i know you have not1 ,oswald4 ,the three years ,that you have been here never have been stained ,with pride and falsehood4 ,those that now malign1 ,god knows where they shall go when the end comes4 ,,oswald--,i will explain just how it came about4 ,then1 if you think ,i have done ,father wrong1 ,tell me and let me do penance for it4 ,i-- ,i will not be here long4 ,,abbot-- ,my son6 ,,oswald-- ,i feel ,the darkness gathering round me4 ,,abbot-- ,don't say that4 ,you will be well again4 ,you will be strong ,some day1 my son1 and many years shall pass ,ere the ,lord calls you4 ,hath he not given proof8 ,a shepherd to you1 surely ,god hath been4 ,three nights ago at this time1 where were you8 ,lying down in the gorge1 and the night wind ,passed and you knew it not4 ,but ,god watched there1 ,and sent his servant--for all things serve ,him--,and here you are safe in the fold again4 ,that deed unclasped a volume of bright days4 ,god doth not put his hand forth and lift up ,as he hath lifted you1 and then cast down ,ere the knees be straightened4 ,your tears should fall ,for joy1 my son1 not sorrow4 ,think how near ,your foot was to the gates of darkness when ,god turned your face around and there flashed out ,a jeweled finger pointing toward a dawn--,far off it may be or it may be near--,when the last shred of darkness shall vanish4 ,let those that hound you1 fear1 for ,god shall cleave ,a chasm in the earth for them2 but you--,no1 no1 my son1 not darkness1 light4 ,god's light ,and glory from the new ,jerusalem ,will shine upon you on the mountain tops1 ,if dreams are tapers lighting what is to be1 ,as some believe they are4 7,the ,priest reaches under his gown and takes something in his right hand1 and with the other draws the string from around his neck and drops it into his right hand1 after which he pulls the sleeve down over it till only the knuckles are visible47 ,therefore1 my son1 ,lift up your face and let white words go forth ,and usher in the ,sabbath4 ,truth in the heart ,is fire under water1 but on the lips ,it lighteth every man the ,way of ,life4 7,the ,priest goes toward the chest near the door47 ,benedict1 will you do as ,pilate did8 ,,father ,,benedict--,is he the ,lord8 ,,abbot-- ,he is-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,then who are you8 ,,abbot--,he is a child of our ,lord's4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,so am ,i4 ,,abbot--,so you are1 ,benedict1 a full grown child4 ,,father ,,benedict--,even if ,i don't pray here 7,with a disdainful motion toward the priedieu47 ,,abbot-- ,a full grown child2 ,large enough1 one would think1 to have slain the wolf ,of hate in you4 7,the ,priest takes up the cloak from the chest and begins to put it on47 ,is it the truth you fear8 7,a pause47 ,you dare to go out under the open sky ,with hatred in your heart1 a night like this8 7,a pause47 ,if you go now ,i know the reason why4 ,you fear to lay your heart down here and let ,the light shine on it with ,oswald's1 side by side4 ,,oswald-- 7,to the ,abbot47 ,father-- ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,over his shoulder47 ,call a dog ,father8 ,,abbot-- ,benedict1 ,exasperating beyond word in this ,conduct of yours4 ,you come up here as one ,whose honor has been wounded1 and you throw ,your charge down and when ,oswald takes it up ,to answer it1 you will not hear him1 but ,you slink away4 ,a travesty on man ,is he who has but one ear1 and that filled ,with his own voice4 7,rising47 ,but ,i will settle this4 7,lifting his hand47 ,my son1 ,i now absolve you from all-- ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,turning quickly47 ,hold6 7,he pulls his cloak around so as to hide his right hand1 then comes forward47 ,your haste to wash his heart is evidence-- ,,abbot--,you tacitly admit your charge is false ,by the eagerness-- ,,father ,,benedict--,what are you talking of8 ,,abbot--,your eagerness to get out in the dark4 ,,father ,,benedict--,who said that ,i was going8 7,to ,oswald47 ,now then1 you ,lay your heart down under the lamplight here1 ,and ,i will show a hunch-backed devil in it4 ,,abbot--,tell us1 my son1 just how it came about4 ,let truth spring out upon the table armed4 7,he resumes his seat47 ,,oswald--,when ,father spoke this morning of a chase1 ,a stag pursued by hounds and things like that1 ,i simply said that-- ,,father ,,benedict--,simply said6 ,,oswald-- ,i said-- ,,father ,,benedict--,i was one of the hounds1 the talbot hound ,that led the pack4 ,,oswald-- ,why1 ,father6 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,advancing toward him47 ,you say that ,a second time1 and by the-- ,,abbot-- ,benedict6 ,sprinkled with eyes1 a wheel of ,god's own car ,attends our brother4 ,you would best beware4 ,you know ,god hath him circled round about ,with that that shall uproot the steadfast hills4 7,through the door1 rear4 ,louis enters1 carrying a flagon and a silver cup1 his face showing terror4 ,seeing the ,priest1 he stops suddenly as though amazed1 then enters slowly47 ,,father ,,benedict--,i care not were he nine times circled round1 ,as ,hell is1 ,i would-- ,,abbot-- 7,lifting his hand47 ,let me finish4 ,then1 ,if with eyes open you will venture on1 ,do it4 ,the night is wild4 ,heaven hath shaken down ,many a pine upon the mountain tops1 ,and steeples too1 no doubt1 and towns1 who knows8 ,no man can tell what dawn shall look on4 ,even ,this house of ,god--,hark how the thunders break6 ,the winds are playing havoc with the world ,and ,order frightened hath plunged into the sea4 ,,louis--,the southern gable has been blown down4 ,,abbot--7,after a look of surprise47 ,and ,thrice in the mossed chapel tower the bell ,hath rung1 and no hand touched it2 as it were ,a tocsin to alarm the world that ,hell ,hath landed4 ,though the seas be blown away ,and the everlasting hills be tumbled down1 ,in summer calmness still the soul of man ,stands like a fortress1 sure against assault ,and terrible as a gorgon's head to ,hell1 ,and adamant to all her engines4 ,but ,let wrath break out inside1 and crash6 the gates ,are down4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,tapping himself upon his breast47 ,and ,hell comes in4 ,,abbot-- ,and ,hell goes in ,and ravins there4 ,,father ,,benedict--,in me4 ,,abbot-- ,the lightning hath ,no power to strike a tree while the blue sky ,bends over it4 ,but let the wrath of ,hell ,build up a cloud and fire it1 and the tree ,falls shattered4 ,but ,god calls the cloud away ,and ,his winds blow it into nothingness4 ,,father ,,benedict--,the tree is--8 ,,abbot-- ,oswald there4 ,he stands secure4 ,,father ,,benedict--,and the cloud--8 ,,abbot-- ,you4 ,you blacken over him ,and1 charged with passion1 make an atmosphere ,of sulphur and in it1 as in native air1 ,hell slips her flame and the trunk tumbles down ,to darkness4 ,but ,god calls the cloud away ,to judgment1 and its shadow is seen no more4 ,if you will venture further in your wrath1 ,do it1 for ,i have done4 7,a pause47 ,very well1 then4 ,you may resume1 my-- ,,oswald-- ,i will undergo ,whatever ordeal ,father may suggest2 ,will walk hot irons or put my hand in fire ,or anything4 ,,abbot-- ,you hear that1 ,benedict8 ,,father ,,benedict--,he knows the ,pope has banned the ordeal4 7,to ,oswald with scorn47 ,brave6 ,,oswald--,i call the saints-- ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,to ,louis47 ,do ,i look like a hound8 ,,oswald--,i said you spoke as those that hunt-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,by that ,meaning that ,i should tarre them on him4 ,,oswald--7,with a puzzled look47 ,on ,me8 ,,abbot--,how did you come to say it1 ,oswald8 ,,oswald--,i grew up1 ,father1 in a forest where ,men used to hunt1 and ,i have often sat ,in winter round their fires and heard them tell ,tales of the chase4 ,and so when ,father spoke ,of a chase my mind went back-- ,,abbot-- ,did you say this ,after he told you of the hunter's dream8 ,,oswald--,dream8 ,,father ,,benedict--,i told8 ,i did not tell him4 7,instantly the ,abbot frowns silence at the ,priest47 ,speak out4 ,,abbot--,non somnium venatoris4-- ,,oswald-- ,what dream8 ,,priest-- 7,contemptuously47 ,as if he did not know it6 ,,abbot-- 7,agitated47 ,ne--ne dic6 ,non scit somnium4 ,,priest-- 7,opening wide his eyes47 ,that's the trick1 then6 ,i'm to believe that1 am ,i8 ,,oswald-- ,father1 what--8 ,,father ,,benedict--,i'll tell you what4 ,the hunter-- ,,abbot-- ,benedict6 ,,father ,,benedict--,if he don't know the dream1 ,i'll tell him4 ,macias saw a pack of-- ,,abbot--7,striking the table47 ,will you stop8 ,eum ad insaniam adiges4 ,,father ,,benedict--,let it drive him mad4 7,as though provoked beyond expression1 the ,abbot passes his hand across his brow and casts a scornful glance toward the ,priest47 ,,abbot-- ,oswald1 you go back ,into your cloister4 ,,oswald-- ,drive who mad1 ,father8 ,,father ,,benedict--,you4 ,the hunter saw the furious hounds of ,hell ,chasing you up a mountain1 while a storm-- ,,abbot--,benedict1 ,god's curse-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,on his enemies8 ,,abbot-- ,on-- ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,stretching out his right arm47 ,on those that aid them8 ,,abbot-- ,yes1 and on-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,him1 then4 7,from his right hand he drops the silver crucifix and1 with the forefinger of his left1 points at ,oswald4 ,the latter starts1 shrinking in terror from the curse4 ,the ,abbot and ,louis1 dumbfounded1 stare wide-eyed at the crucifix which dangles from its cord about the ,priest's finger4 ,the latter1 after regarding with an expression of triumph the astonishment of the ,abbot1 lets the crucifix fall to the table and1 reaching across to the other side1 pulls the flagon over to himself and proceeds to pour out a cup of wine47 ,you're a smart set4 ,you've wormed your way around ,to let him out of calling me a dog2 ,now let him out of that4 ,you've made it seem-- 7,he sips the wine47 ,,abbot--,where did you find it8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,to yourselves1 no doubt1 ,that he was ignorant of the dream when he ,insinuated that ,i led the pack ,that chased him4 7,after a sip of wine47 ,or would lead it4 ,,abbot-- ,where did you ,find it8 ,,father ,,benedict--,where do you suppose8 ,,louis-- ,in the brook8 ,,father ,,benedict--,a cauldron of hell-broth would be nearer it4 ,and you8 7,the ,abbot shakes his head47 ,on his best-beloved4 ,,louis-- ,on ,pierre8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,on the dwarf4 7,he drinks47 ,wages for his services1 ,i suppose4 7,while the ,priest drains the cup1 the ,abbot nods to ,louis1 who steps quickly toward ,oswald as if to hurry him out47 ,,father ,,benedict--,hold up6 ,you let him stay4 ,,oswald--7,excitedly47 ,you had no right-- ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,lifting his hand47 ,it's my turn to explain4 7,he begins to fill the cup47 ,,abbot-- ,oswald1 retire4 ,,oswald--,i want to clear myself4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,clear6 ,let him stay4 7,cup in hand1 to the ,abbot47 ,after your pretty speech this morning ,i1 ,reaching the village1 found your monk1 here1 and ,jardin at swords' points4 ,some one had espied ,the dwarf1 it seems1 in town4 ,and the people1 ,remembering what he did the other night1 ,shouted1 and the ,bailiff's voice rang loud ,for vengeance4 ,,oswald-- ,but 'twas the boy-- ,,louis-- ,you be still4 ,,father ,,benedict--,jardin proposed that they should burn him4 ,he ,opposed it1 fought it1 he did4 ,just then ,i ,rode in4 ,jardin appealed to me1 and ,i ,urged them to seize the devil4 ,then it was ,this upstart here let loose his venomous1 ,vile1 hell-suggested intimation that ,i had turned hound4 ,,oswald-- ,i did not-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,not a word4 ,the upshot of it all was--,ah1 but ,god ,will pour his wrath out on your head for this6 ,in view of what then happened1 ,i now call ,this night1 this midnight hour1 and wake up ,god ,to witness that these mountains shall be cleared ,of heathen2 that the dews of heaven shall fall ,baptizing bodies of the unbaptized ,stiff among the wild-flowers4 ,for this young week1 ,that in this storm hath stepped upon the world1 ,shall see a storm more terrible than this ,on mountain tops uprooting human trees ,and choking ,death and ,hell and ,darkness4 ,or let the infant ,sabbath1 born this hour1 ,put not a foot on earth1 but like a bird ,wander upon the winds1 and in the dark ,grope for the morning star and find it not4 ,let the gates of the morning be shut and let no bell ,wake up the world1 unless it wake to see ,death ravining on the mountains and white ,faith ,painting her banners there in heathen blood4 ,but ,mercy shall be shut up in the caves1 ,for this accursed deed shall be tracked down1 ,and ,vengeance ranging like a wild beast--,thou1 ,above these maddening winds that wreck this world1 ,hear me1 hear me1 ,,hear ,,me4 ,thou in heaven6 7,out of breath47 ,and you--and you who caused all this1 may ,god-- ,,abbot--,benedict6 ,,father ,,benedict--,but let ,god have his-- 7,he swallows the wine47 ,his will4 ,and he will have it1 mark you that1 young man4 7,to the ,abbot47 ,strange are the ways ,god hath of rousing up ,the slothful to a work he long since laid ,upon the world and the world shirked it4 ,but ,it shall be done now1 it shall be done now4 ,if for three years the heathen on the heights ,have served their idols1 in less than three days ,their idols and themselves shall be in ,hell4 ,lead the chase yonder1 ,father1 lead it there6 ,beneath them shake the mountains4 ,let this hand ,strike for ,thee there1 and serve ,thee1 striking them1 ,that this accursed deed may smell no more1 ,a putrid carcass rotting under heaven4 ,this is how ,god hath roused us up at last4 7,he drains the cup and sets it down47 ,my people armed with vengeance had swung down ,and reached the bridge1 and ,jardin1 valiant man1 ,soldier of ,god1 ,knight ,templar of the ,cross1 ,who in the heathen land fought for ten years ,to stamp out ,satan1 even in his old age ,a furnace burning with the breath of ,god ,and firing those about him to the work ,of ridding these mountains of the heathen1 he--,may ,god reward him for it in the world ,without end1 ,amen--he had grabbed the dwarf ,to drag him off and burn him-- ,,oswald-- ,it was wrong-- ,,father ,,benedict--,his blood is on your hands4 ,,oswald--7,frantically47 ,you murdered him6 ,you had no cause to kill him4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,i64 ,hear that4 ,,oswald--,the boy had done no harm4 ,the night ,i fell ',twas he who-- ,,louis--7,seizing him47 ,will you hush8 ,,abbot--7,white with fear47 ,oswald1 retire4 ,your fever--you're excited4 7,rising47 ,benedict1 ,don't press this matter further--now4 ,,father ,,benedict--7,bewildered47 ,the boy6 ,,abbot--,louis1 take him-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,no cause to kill the boy6 ,,oswald--,he-- ,,louis-- ,father has forbidden it4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,um-hm6 ,i think ,i see--,i think--,i think ,i see4 ,,abbot--,what8 ,,father ,,benedict--,so he told you it was the dwarf1 eh8 ,,louis-- 7,all the while shoving ,oswald toward the rear door47 ,just his imagination ,father4 ,i-- ,i was the one who found him at the gate4 ,he knew no more about it than a stone4 ',twas night2 the stars were shooting in the-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,when8 ,,louis--,when he was brought up4 ,why he-- ,,abbot--7,quickly47 ,louis6 7,searching the ,priest's face47 ,you asked ,if he told us--8 ,,father ,,benedict--,it was the dwarf was killed4 ,,abbot--,he told us that you had burned him4 ,,father ,,benedict--7,fiercely to ,oswald47 ,god shall burn ,you1 griffon1 son of ,tophet1 damned thing6 7,terrified at the dark in the corridor and with a wild expression upon his face1 ,oswald clutches hysterically at the door jambs47 ,,oswald--,no1 no1 no1 no6 7,piteously1 as he is shoved along through the hall47 ,father1 ,father6 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,call ,hell6 ,i pray to ,god-- ,,abbot-- ,breathe no curse1 ,benedict4 ,i will inquire into this affair4 ,if he hath done aught culpable-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,if6 ,if6 ,,abbot--,if he hath spoken unbecomingly-- ,,father ,,benedict--,is ,jardin's life then nothing8 ,i suppose ,not1 to you4 7,he turns and goes toward the door1 left47 ,,abbot-- ,what8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,i suppose not1 to you4 ,,abbot--,you mean to say-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,go your way2 ,i go mine4 ,,abbot--,to say the dwarf killed-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,you have espoused the cause of the guilty4 ,,abbot-- ,of the guilty8 ,i espoused8 7,following with the light47 ,don't tell me ,oswald had a hand in this4 ,benedict1 this is pure malignity4 ,,father ,,benedict--,and no mouth in it1 either1 ,i suppose4 ,,abbot--,you mean he instigated this attack8 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,at the door1 buckling his cloak about him47 ,go your way2 ,i go mine4 ,,abbot-- ,i don't believe it4 ,i don't believe it4 ,it smacks too like the charge ,that he called you a dog4 ,if you can prove ,that any word of his caused ,jardin's death1 ,i will attend to him4 ,,father ,,benedict--,by cursing me4 ,,abbot--,you know why ,i-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,you needn't apologize4 ,,abbot--,you1 ,benedict1 not ,i1 are needing grace4 ,you have assailed a child of ,god1 and you ,know what our ,lord said3 ',twere better a mill-stone ,were hanged about his neck and he were flung ,into the sea1 than offend one of these4 ,you even seemed to take delight1 to relish ,harrowing his soul up with the hunter's dream ,and breaching it for horror to peep through4 ,,father ,,benedict--,you wait4 7,he reaches down behind the chest47 ,,abbot-- ,god will hold you responsible ,if anything should happen to him4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,you ,take care he does not visit you4 ,,abbot-- ,just now ,you said yourself that it was you who urged ,jardin to seize the dwarf4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,and so ,i did4 ,,abbot--,whose fault is it if the dwarf killed him1 then8 ,,father ,,benedict--,we will let ,god decide whose fault-- ,move this4 ,,abbot-- 7,setting the lamp down upon the floor47 ,you even said ,oswald opposed it1 and ,for that just now you blamed him4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,you think you ,understand everything4 ,you think you do4 7,they pull the chest from the wall47 ,,abbot--,then tell me4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,reaching down and getting his staff47 ,the dwarf did not kill him4 ,,abbot-- ,how8 ,is he not dead8 ,,father ,,benedict--,by this time1 he may be4 ,,abbot--,i still don't see where ,oswald's fault comes in4 7,he takes up the lamp47 ,,father ,,benedict--,we will let ,god decide whose fault it is4 7,he goes out47 ,,abbot--,how did it happen8 ,,father ,,benedict--,god was there2 ask him4 7,louis reappears47 ,,abbot--,stay1 ,benedict1 tell me explicitly-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,this is the last time you will see me here4 ,,abbot--,eh8 7,holding the light above his head47 ,what do you propose to do8 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,you wait4 ,,abbot--,i fear for you1 unless you quench your wrath4 7,a moment later1 he turns back47 ,,louis--,again safe4 ,,abbot-- ,barely4 ,,louis-- ,what was that he said8 ,the last time he would come here8 ,,abbot-- ,i hope so4 7,thunder47 ,,louis--,and don't let ,oswald-- ,,abbot-- ,close tight the shutters4 ,,louis--,and don't let ,oswald go down there again4 ,we would be risking all that we have gained4 ,the brothers1 begging in the town to-day1 ,brought in four hundred franks1 a silver cup1 ,three rings1 a pair of bracelets1 and a pearl ,big as a pea4 ,,abbot-- ,a very good day's work4 ,,louis--,if this keeps up1 the chest won't hold it all4 ,,abbot-- 7,suddenly1 glancing about upon the table47 ,benedict--did he take--the crucifix8 ,,louis-- 7,at the window47 ,oswald took it4--,do you think ,benedict ,found it where he said he-- ,,abbot--7,aghast47 ,oswald6 ,,louis-- ,why8 ,,abbot--,the hunter saw it blood-stained in his dream4 7,a gust of wind blows out the light in his hand47 ,,louis--,perhaps it got blood on it when he fell4 ,benedict may have washed it off4 ,i thought ,it might help quiet him4 ,shall ,i get it8 ,,abbot-- ,no2 ,you may be right4 ,,louis-- ,still1 if you think-- ,,abbot-- ,you fetch-- ,i'll take the lamp and cup2 you fetch the wine4 ,i will have ,pierre watch with him to-night4 7,louis turns back to the window4 ,the ,abbot relights his lamp at the little taper in the wall and then goes left47 ,,louis--,by the way1 ,father1 old ,andrew has gone mad4 ,the storm has blown his mind's last spark out4 ,yes2 ,he tried to take the bracelets from ,luigi ,and would have dragged the chest out4 ,,abbot-- ,and did he8 ,,louis-- ,no2 ,but it was all that four of us could do ,to hold him4 ,he is on the seas again1 ,and peers abroad and swears he sees great ships-- 7,out in the storm is heard the booming of a bell4 ,they listen4 ,louis crosses himself and mutters47 ,sed libera nos a malo4 ,father-- 7,the ,abbot lifts his hand47 ,what ,do you think it means8 7,a pause47 ,,abbot-- ,come to my room4 7,to himself1 as he goes left47 ,if ,the etherial gods1 as the wise poet says1 ,dwell afar off and in the affairs of men ,interfere not1 our domes shall rise yet4 7,turning47 ,louis1 ,bring the scroll4 ,,louis-- ,which8 ,,abbot-- ,lucretius4 ,on the floor4 7,in the doorway he stops and listens as for the bell4 ,as he goes out47 ,if4 7,louis takes up the parchment which lies upon the floor near the ,abbot's chair and1 going to the rear door1 shuts it and slides the bolt4 ,he then blows out the taper in the wall47 ,,louis-- 7,listening47 ,the witches have their way in heaven to-night4 7,he comes to the table and1 taking up the flagon1 goes out1 left47 ,,scene ,,three--,the court yard of the abbey1 as in ,scene ,three of the ,second ,act4 ,a storm is heard roaring through the mountains1 with an occasional rumble of thunder and in the darkness sudden luster as of lightning far off4 ,in these flashes1 the scene gleams wet as after a hard rain4 ,from the right1 comes a faint sound as of a stick tapping on stone1 and soon along the side of the dormitory old ,andrew appears1 carrying a staff with which he is feeling his way through the darkness4 ,,andrew--,here a black squall1 sou'-wester1 south-south-west4 ,star--star gone6 ,where's the pole8 7,shouting47 ,furl the main1 lads6 ,on she spins1 whirling past world on world4 ,hip6 ,feel her--feel her heave6 7,shouting47 ,take in the mizzen6 ,a thousand thousand fathoms down1 the moon ,shines like a fish4 7,he peers around the corner47 ,black as--,hear the masts crack4 ,watch ,alvinach6 ,watch for the ninth wave1 lads6 7,lightning47 ,put out that broom6 ,you'll have the witches here4 ,mother1 they've burnt the baby6--,hya6 ,lie down4 7,he walks out in the court47 ,here's a night1 ,god bless us6 ,here's a gale ,to make the sea-girls sing4 ,scylla6 ,carribee6 ,shake your dead bones6 ,shake 'em and sing6 ,blow1 then4 ,growl1 ,scylla6 ,growl1 ocean-bitch1 bark and growl6 ,now1 ,carribee1 whirl6 ,shake the big gulf and slush6 ,gulp down the worlds with stars and moons and moons6 7,lightning47 ,yip1 there they go6 ,suck 'em down6 suck 'em down6 ,arcturus down6 ,down ,cancer6 down the ,scales6 ,whirled into the pit6 ,weigh the devils1 ,scales6 ,weigh the big ,serpent6 ,weigh ,beelzebub6 ,hands ahelm6 ,ahull1 boys6 ,lash her to the lea6 ,lash her to the lea6 ,splinters6 ,watch out1 lads6 ,saint ,telme6 ,saint ,telme6 ,hold the gunnel there6 7,the bell sounds in the chapel tower47 ,who's dead8 ,who's dead1 i' the ,devil's name8 ,fetch me those rings4 ,now throw him overboard4 ,scrub these stains1 ,luigi4 ,keep the dog back there4 ,this gold will glitter on the ,judgment ,day4 ,i hear you whispering1 scoundrels6--,hya6 ,lie down4 7,he walks back1 singing47 ,there's wind up in her pitch-black flag2 ,there's foam around her keel4 ,now we're scudding4 ,right through the ,dipper-- 7,lightning47 ,ahoy6 ,elmo6 ,elmo6 ,light up6 light up1 man6 ,argo's to the larboard6 ,signal her6 ,ahoy6 ,ship ahoy1 ,cap6 ,ship ahoy6 ,ship full of gold6 ,she's whirling south6 ,man the boats6 ,lay to6 lay to6 ,here's a squall winks at the pirates1 lads6 ,mount her1 hardies6 ,break her hatches6 ,gold under 'em4 7,singing47 ,there's foam up in her pitch-black flag2 ,there's wind around her keel4444 7,shouting47 ,watch ,alvinach1 though6 ,keep the lantern dry6 7,he stops and listens47 ,i hear you whispering1 scoundrels6---,hya6 ,lie down4 ,who said so8 ,louis lied4 ,stand back1 ,i say6 ,four on an old man6 ,dogs6 ,let go my hair6 7,a loud clap of thunder47 ,the shrouds break now1 ,god bless us6 here's a wind ,will blow us far off to the ,pleiades ,and swamp us4 7,lightning47 ,that was the ,bear went by4 ,and ,virgo has sunk here jewels in the south4 ,sink 'em deep1 girl6 ,pirates abroad4--,what's this8 7,calling down47 ,got it1 boys8 ,got the gold8 ,see it1 see it shine6 ,throw your cloak over it4 ,don't let ,god see this4 ,ho1 ,prester ,john6 sailing among the stars8 ,here's your chest1 ,john6 ,here's your sparklers6 ,where is he8 ,where is he1 boys8 ,throw the king overboard8 ,pitched him to ,plato on his big fork1 eh8 ,odi ,persicos4 ,like their gold1 though4 ,up1 ,up with it1 lads4 ,heave1 now4 ,chest broken open4 ,leak1 gold1 leak1 leak6 ,here's your spring1 ,crashus6 ,here1 ,jew6 here you can cool your tongue6 ,traders1 drink6 ,drink1 worms6 ,pigs6 ,pastors6 ,devils6 ,drink1 drink6 ,everything drink6 7,stooping down47 ,here's a dead man's ring4 ,finger's in the coral4 ,bracelets and gems4 ,topaz from ,tartary4 ,emeralds from the ,east4 ,garnets4 ,eh8 ,garter-buckles6 7,reproachfully47 ,lads6 lads6 7,a glare of lightning reveals him with his hand close to his eyes47 ,from ,carlos4 ,chloe's gone bathing1 ,carlos4 ,turned cold nymph4 ,let go6 ,let go1 ,i say6 ,androphanes6 ,strike him1 ,juba6 ,slash him with the broad-sword6 ,you hand that back here1 then4 ,hell-dog4 ,here's a widow's mite2 bought a monk's prayer4 ,flip it into the sea4 ,judas6 here you are6 7,thunder47 ,rumble on6 ,growl and growl6 ,who cares for ,heaven now8 ,rain or not rain4 ,we can fight1 too1 old boy4 ,wipe your lips1 ,scariot4 ,take the chamois bag4 ,there's thirty-two4 ,off with you4--,wallets6 ,old coin6 ,rich man1 miser1 knave6 ,sick1 eh8 ,quick1 your gold6 ,take it to the priest1 then you can jump ,right through the needle's eye4 7,he gets down upon his knees47 ,well1 ,god bless us6 ,sacked the sea-king's coffers4 ,see the pearls6 ,crescents and ear-bobs4 ,here's a brooch fine as ,sparkles on ,memnon's sister4 ,what's this clammy thing8 ,cold1 bloody hand6 ,hand with a locket in it6 ,unlock it4 ,ho6 picture1 eh8 ,say mamma1 baby6 ,mamma's in the sea-weed4 ,that's a foul deed4 ,throw your cloak over it4 ,don't let ,god see this4 7,calling up47 ,who's there8 7,rising47 ,who calls ,andrew8 ,stand down on the ground4 ,the lid is off4 7,stooping47 ,parchment deeds1 eh8 ,i4 ,x4 ,if ,andrew's ,andrew1 then ,i4 ,x4 is eleven4 ,what shines8 ,silver4 7,a pause47 ,monk's cross4 7,a pause47 ,wet4 7,flash of lightning47 ,red6 7,with horror47 ,lads6 lads6 ,we'll sink for this1 ,god bless us6 ,pretty muss6 ,who daubed it8 7,thunder47 ,hear that4 ,horror in the dark ,doffs his big plume at this4 ,and up there--,here6 ,wash it6 wash it in the sea6 ,in with the chest1 lads6 ,murder like a foam-bird dashed upon the prow ,shakes her red wings4 ,and there--,look6 7,shouting47 ,wash it clean6 ,heaven's golden scales are rising from the deep6 ,off6 lay her--lay her off1 lads6 ,they'll weigh us6 7,a sharp flash of lightning4 ,andrew is seen with his left hand up beside his head1 which is drawn down1 backing fearfully through the door into the dormitory4 ,the thunder rumbling in the darkness sounds like the growl of an enormous wild beast47 ,,act ,,five4 ,,scene ,,one--,a street in the village4 ,low thatched cottages1 with deep1 wide eaves overhanging the street1 stand in a dark mass4 ,to the left1 a little way from the others and back a few paces from the street1 is a small house1 the home of ,jardin4 ,through a window in the room on the right side comes a faint light as from a low-burning lamp4 ,to the left of the window1 one feels that there is a door1 though1 either on account of intervening bushes or perhaps because of a porch that makes it darker there1 one does not see it4 ,out in the yard where the light from the window falls upon the bushes near the casement1 the glistening of the leaves shows that it has been raining4 ,the windows of the other houses1 like vacant eyes under deep brows1 are dark1 and there are no signs of life anywhere4 ,over the roofs and through the great trees that rise up behind them flows a greyness that emphasizes the quiet of the hour4 ,about the street lie several limbs that were broken off by the storm during the night4 ,,time--,sunday morning4 ,day is just beginning to break4 ,a ,,cry-- 7,far to the left1 full or terror and anguish47 ,haro6 ,haro6 7,drawing nearer47 ,wake1 people6 ,help1 oh1 help6 7,after a pause47 ,will no one hear8 ,will no one hear8 7,near by47 ,o men of ,god6 ,dear men of ,god6 7,a pause47 ,oh1 run1 ,run to the mountains1 men6 7,pierre enters half on a run1 breathless4 ,there is a wild light in his eyes and his thin frame is shaken with sobs47 ,oh6 ,oh6 ,oh6 ,oh6 ,oh6 7,he glances toward the lighted window as though in doubt whether or not to rouse the inmates of the house4 ,then1 as though to make up even for the moment he has lost1 he hurries along the goes out1 right47 ,people6 ,christian people6 7,the light in the window grows dimmer and suddenly disappears1 leaving the house in total darkness47 ,will no one hear8 ,will no one hear8 ,wake6 ,oh1 wake6 7,in the distance47 ,haro6 ,,voice-- 7,to the left47 ,jules6 ,,second ,,voice--7,nearer47 ,ho8 ,,first ,,voice-- ,who is it8 ,,second ,,voice-- ,some brother4 7,jules ,bacqueur enters47 ,pierre4 ,,first ,,voice-- ,the abbey's ,blown down1 perhaps4 ,,hugh ,,capet--7,entering47 ,where are all the people8 ,,jules ,,bacqueur--,at special mass for ,jardin4 7,he glances back toward the house where1 at that moment1 the door opens and the light appears47 ,,hugh ,,capet--7,hurrying on after ,pierre47 ,come on4 ,,jules ,,bacqueur-- ,wait4 ,let's hear how the ,bailiff is4 7,hugh ,capet returns to the corner of the cottages that are flush with the street and the men look back to where two figures1 one after the other1 appear in the lighted doorway of ,jardin's house1 a man who comes out and an old woman with a white cap on who carries a small lamp4 ,a little later the door is closed47 ,,hugh ,,capet-- ,who is it1 ,jacques8 ,,jules ,,bacqueur--,he spent the night there4 ,,hugh ,,capet-- ,what a night it was6 ,just see these limbs4 ,,jules ,,bacqueur-- ,and there's some fellow's hat4 ,,hugh ,,capet--,the roof's off ,pirot's barn1 and ,lisette-- ,,jules ,,bacqueur-- ,here4 7,he comes forward to the edge of the street47 ,,hugh ,,capet-- 7,following him47 ,and ,lisette found a big bird in her yard ,with a broken wing1 blown in here miles and miles1 ,from the ,holy ,land or ,joppa or some sea4 ,,jules ,,bacqueur-- 7,pointing right47 ,look at those yew trees in the church yard there4 ,bless ,god1 they've pulled up dead mens' skulls4 7,a pause47 ,,hugh ,,capet--,and those men there--8 ,,bacqueur-- ,are filling up the graves4 ,and where's the cross8 7,a pause47 ,,hugh ,,capet-- ,not on the steeple8 ,say1 ,that monk--,there's something up4 ,when dead men's bones ,are thundered over in the night1 and graves ,ungorge like that with wind1 strange birds1 and things-- ,,voice-- 7,left47 ,who is that shouting8 ,,hugh ,,capet-- ,don't know4 ,,bacqueur-- ,how's ,jardin8 ,,jacques--7,entering47 ,eh8 ,,hugh ,,capet--,he didn't hear you4 ,,jacques-- ,what's he shouting for8 ,,bacqueur--,the storm tore up the dead last night4 ,,hugh ,,capet-- ,the abbey's ,blown down1 perhaps1 or-- ,come on4 ,hurry1 men4 ,,bacqueur--,how is the ,bailiff8 7,distant thunder47 ,,hugh ,,capet--- 7,hurrying out right47 ,going to have another'n4 ,,jacques--,the soldier had a bad night4 ,in his fever ,he picks the sheets1 mumbling3 ,saints1 send him down1 ,and3 ,listen1 men6 and things like that4 ,and once1 ,jumps him clean out of bed and cries out3 ,there6 ,as he had run the woodman through and through1 ,and wipes his sword like on his pants1 and then1 ,as though he felt his wound1 falls back and pop6 ,the wind or something blows the light out and ,we hear the banshee singing in the storm1 ,wild--wild4 ,i fear the bell with toll 'fore night4 7,they go out47 ,,scene ,,two--,the open space in front of the church4 ,in the corner of the fence1 left1 the top of the poplar tree1 broken off by the wind during the night1 hangs out in the street almost brushing the ground4 ,to the right of the steps is a large wooden cross which was blown from the steeple4 ,it lies sidewise1 hazing been split off at the bottom4 ,the gate into the church yard is slightly ajar1 as though some one had lately passed through1 and against the dark grass the taller of the white grave markers lean as though the wind had been among them4 ,over the low fences where one looks back into the church yard on the one side and into an open space on the other1 is seen yellow light from the side windows of the church1 pouring out into the gloom4 ,from within1 comes the sound of the service4 ,,congregation--,his spear was lifted over ,acre1 ,lord1 ,and his right arm hath made the heathen quail4 ,,father ,,benedict--,and he hath spread thy glory through the ,east4 ,,congregation--,and he hath spread thy glory through the ,east4 ,,father ,,benedict--,let not the flags be draped that fluttered high ,above the strongholds of the ,infidel4 ,,congregation--,let not the flags be draped that fluttered high ,above the strongholds of the ,infidel4 ,,father ,,benedict--,let not the scorners from the mountain tops ,look down and see the dark procession go2 ,but lift him up and lift up trembling1 ,lord4 ,,congregation--,let not the scorners from the mountain tops ,look down and see the dark procession go2 ,but lift him up and lift up trembling1 ,lord4 ,,father ,,benedict--,keep death off1 ,lord1 until the gates of death ,receive the accursed hand that laid him low4 ,,congregation--,keep death off1 ,lord1 until the gates of death ,receive the accursed hand that laid him low4 ,,father ,,benedict--,let not thine enemies triumph over thee4 ,thunder it1 brethren1 so that ,god may hear4 ,,congregation--,let not thine enemies triumph over thee4 ,,father ,,benedict--,the mountains are afraid of thee1 ,o ,lord4 ,shake their wild tops and shake the heathen down4 ,,congregation--,the mountains are afraid of thee1 ,o ,lord4 ,shake their wild tops and shake the heathen down4 ,,father ,,benedict--,so shall thy ,church with loud hosannas ring4 ,,congregation--,so shall thy ,church with loud hosannas ring4 ,,father ,,benedict--,world without end4 ,,congregation-- ,world without end4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,amen4 ,,pierre--7,far to the left47 ,haro6 haro6 ,,father ,,benedict--,accept1 ,o eternal ,father1 the offering that is here made to ,thee by ,thy minister1 in the name of us all here present4 ,it is as yet only bread and wine1 but by a miracle of ,thy power and grace will shortly become the body and blood-- ,,pierre--7,drawing nearer47 ,help1 help6 ,oh1 help6 ,,father ,,benedict--7,after a pause1 as though he had heard the cry47 --the body and blood of ,thy beloved ,son4 ,he is our high priest and ,he is our victim4 ,by ,him and-- ,,pierre--,o men of ,god6 ,dear men of ,god6 7,there is a hush in the church47 ,will you not help8 ,will you not-- 7,he enters with his hands to his head1 fearful lest he has disturbed the service47 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,resuming47 ,he is our high priest and ,he is our victim4 7,pierre throws himself down upon the steps1 sobbing47 ,by ,him and through ,him1 we desire to approach--,sit down1 men6 7,a pause47 ,women6 ,men6 ,sit down6 7,the noise in the church increases47 ,a ,,voice-- ,sit down1 brethren6 ,don't desecrate the ,lord's house6 ,,father ,,benedict--7,shouting47 ,you hear me8 ,a ,,woman',s ,,voice--,husband6 ,,father ,,benedict--7,enraged47 ,malediction6 7,the church door is jerked open1 and the people come pouring out with anxious faces lest something terrible has happened4 ,back in the church1 above the heads of the people1 is seen the altar ablaze with lights1 and high behind it a colossal cross with a beautiful carven ,christ upon it4 ,the wound in the side shows red and over the thorn-crowned brow is an arch bearing in golden letters the inscription3 ,,forgive ,,them ,,for ,,they ,,know ,,not ,,what ,,they--,the ,,do has never been put on47 ,,pierre-- 7,staggering up from the steps47 ,run1 run to the mountains1 men6 ,quick6 quick6 ,they're dragging him off6 ,they're dragging him off6 ,o run1 run1 run1 run1 run6 ,,cries--,what--where--who is it8 ,,pierre--,yonder6 yonder6 ,oh1 get torches1 ,get torches and run ,and kindle fires on the mountain tops ,so he may see his way6 ,no1 that won't help6 ,oh1 that won't help6 ,but he can hear1 though6 ,call1 call to him6 ,search all the places where the blind may be6 ,run shouting ,oswald6 ,oswald6 through the woods6 ,find him1 oh1 find him before ,satan comes6 ,before the storm breaks6 ,they'll track him by the blood drops6 ,they'll tear his body on the mountains6 ,o men1 dear men-- 7,a clap of thunder4 ,pierre dodges47 ,what--what was that8 ,oh1 ,god said something6 ,god said something6 7,pointing up at the sky47 ,he knows6 ,he knows6 ,lord ,jesus knows that it was not his fault6 ,and ,he will pay--oh1 ,he will bless you1 men6 ,do1 do1 do run6 ,,father ,,benedict--,make way6 ,,pierre--,o ,father6 ,father6 7,in his snow-white chasuble1 the priest appears pushing his way through the throng about the door4 ,in his hand he has a silver communion plate with the bread upon it47 ,,father ,,benedict--,why all this clamor8 ,this is the ,sabbath and the hour of mass4 ,,pierre--,it's done6 ,it's done6 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,descending the steps47 ,how dare you cry out on this holy morn8 ,,pierre--,oh1 last night1 ,father1 last night in the dark ,white angels1 oh1 white angels in the storm--,it tore their wings and blew them from the sky1 ,and then--and then--,o father1 then the fiends--,he saw them in the stones and--screamed and--,oh1 ,they did a deed of horror in the dark6 7,he presses his hands into his eyes as if to shut out the sight of it47 ,oh6 ,oh6 ,oh6 ,,father ,,benedict--,what is this8 ,,pierre-- 7,bending up and down47 ,oh6 ,oh6 ,oh6 ,,father ,,benedict--,pierre6 7,a pause47 ,pierre1 if ,hell hath done ,some wild deed in the night1 be sure that ,god ,will right it4 ,,pierre--,will ,he1 oh1 will ,he1 ,father1 make him to see-- ,see the blue sky again8 ,,father ,,benedict--,who is it ,hell hath blinded in the night8 ,,pierre-- 7,with his hands to his eyes1 sobbing47 ,brother--brother-- ,,father ,,benedict--,pierre6 ,,pierre--,o1 ,oswald6 ,oswald6 7,with a cry1 ,madam ,bacqueur falls fainting upon the steps4 ,the women about her take her child from her arms and support her back into the church4 ,the crowd stands silent47 ,,pierre-- 7,bending up and down47 ,say something6 say something6 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,almost overcome47 ,can this be true8 ,can this be true1 ,pierre8 ,,pierre--,oh6 ,oh6 ,oh6 ,,father ,,benedict--,swift fly the avenging angels from the ,throne4 ,guilt like a red cloud passes from the sky1 ,and day looks in and sees where eyes have been4 ,,pierre-- 7,as though his heart would break47 ,brother6 brother6 brother6 ,,father ,,benedict--,praise be to ,god6 ,the tempest shaketh showers upon the grass2 ,the storm wind cooleth the low violet2 ,but the proud pine ,i shatter1 saith the ,lord4 ,he shall go down and toss his boughs in hell4 ,the coffin-worm shall slime him4 ,he shall not ,mock me upon the mountains1 saith the ,lord4 ,praise be to ,god6 7,pierre glances up at the priest and then1 as from something infernal1 falls flat and hides his face against the ground47 ,the lights are out in ,babylon the ,proud1 ,and the ,lord ,god in blackness sitteth there ,among the ruins1 dealing judgment4 7,the rising wind blows shut the door of the church and leaves the scene enveloped in the half-light of early morning47 ,my scales are hung in heaven1 saith the ,lord4 ,i weigh them in the darkness of the night4 ,they balance with the ,dragon on one side4 ,glory be to ,god in the highest6 7,shouting off demoniacally in the direction of the abbey47 ,lift up thy head1 ,o ,lucifer1 in hell1 ,and see what ,god hath written on the sky ,in letters that burn through thy broken panes4 7,with his finger as though tracing the letters47 ,weighed and found wanting6 ,i am the ,lord ,god4 ,in ,me the moon goes down2 in ,me the sun ,rises2 ,i am the night and day4 ,if over any man a light break forth ,and make his brow bright1 let him not think ,it shines for him alone1 and be puffed up ,because of it1 and speak ,bitterly1 saying3 ',see what pure prayers can do4' ,for when his lungs are empty1 saith the ,lord1 ,then ,i will give him flesh unto the dogs4 ,i will put out the light that kindles pride1 ,saith the ,lord ,god1 and with the light the eyes4 7,in a wild chant47 ,praise be to ,god who doeth all things well4 ,shinar hath seen the glory of the ,lord4 ,nimrod1 who piled up ,babel to the stars1 ,lies sprawling under it1 and the thunders laugh4 7,shouting in the direction of the abbey47 ,who lieth under ,babel8--,up1 ,pierre2 ,i have a message4 ,rise1 for you ,must bear it to your sainted abbot4 7,pierre rises and1 with his head thrown back and his hands covering his face1 without waiting1 goes straight out1 left47 ,benedict to his brother in ,christ1 ,greeting3 ,who lieth under ,babel8 ,you were right ,in saying that the storm would shake the world4 ,it hath indeed played havoc4 ,certain trees ,in the churchyard tore the graves up1 and the dead ,have shaken roofs and spires in the town4 ,we lost our cross4 ,i hear you1 too1 lost somewhat4 ,gables though ,can be repaired4 ,we should both thank our ,lord he hath not let ,a lamb he careth for be scathed4 ,who lieth under ,babel8 7,coming out in the street and shouting after ,pierre47 ,and to the brother1 the dear ward of ,god1 ,convey felicitations6 ,ask him to ,tell you the color of the abbot's hair ,this morning4 ,wake him6 ,say3 ,the stars are flying in and out the clouds2 ,the mountain tops are tinging2 ,night passes2 ,rouse up1 and behold the ,dawn ,pouring her beautiful gold upon the world6 ,tell him to ,run down and see the print the bishop ,john ,sent me from ,rome4 ,blind ,samson's head1 who pulled the pillars down1 ,under a dog's paws in the ,gaza streets4 ,and in his car1 as a salutation for the ,sabbath1 ,bark this from ,benedict1 from ,benedict1 the dog3 ,pride is a wind that from the shores of light ,bloweth far off where neither sun nor moon ,nor stars shine nor shall shine forevermore4 ,god hath heard one prayer4 ,come in1 men4 7,he enters the church4 ,after a silence the men about the steps begin to talk among themselves in undertones47 ,,one ,,of ,,them-- 7,calling through the door47 ,father6 ,,another--,if he don't let us go1 let's go ourselves4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,reappearing47 ,who called8 7,a pause47 ,what is it8 ,a ,,man--,before you come out1 ,father1 the monk spoke ,like as how the chase was on4 ,,another--,run to the mountains1 men6 ,,another-- ,quick6 quick6 ,,another--,said we should find him before ,satan comes4 ,,another--,that was before you came out4 ,,first ,,man--,spoke like as how the dogs were on his trail4 ,,father ,,benedict--,run1 some one1 and fetch ,pierre back4 7,two men dart out1 left47 ,he did not tell me this4 7,a pause47 ,arm yourselves1 men4 7,in a mass the men hurry out1 left1 a confused hum of voices rising for a moment1 then dying away in the distance4 ,the scene has grown darker4 ,a gust of wind blows to the door of the church47 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,alone upon the steps47 ,this is the day4 7,a pause47 ,inscrutable are the ways of ,god4 ,dark1 dark1 ,unfathomable the sea in which ,he moves4 ,he changeth as the waters change1 and yet ,the mountains strike their roots in ,him and stand4 7,thunder right4 ,the priest comes down from the steps and out into the street1 where he stands looking up at the sky47 ,thy ways are not our ways4 ,thy voice is heard ,abroad upon the firmament4 ,the stars ,that should have been put out an hour ago ,burn bright upon the edges of the storm4 ,satan hath laid his hand upon the sun1 ,and the day gropes1 feeling her way far off ,as doth the blind4 ,but yesterday the morn ,walked beautiful on the mountains1 with her lamp ,kindled as for the ,resurrection4 ,this is the ,sabbath1 yet ,golgotha's gloom ,hangs o'er the ,sepulcher1 and like a torch ,thrown down upon the mountains burns the dawn ,a scant blue flame far down behind the world4 7,a pause47 ,god shall not call in vain4 7,looking left47 ,i will forgive ,the bitter words4 ,the lost shall be reclaimed4 7,he walks briskly back and climbs the steps and enters the church4 ,a man with a shovel on his shoulder appears coming from back in the churchyard4 ,he stops by the fence and looks about47 ,,the ,,man--,don't see them4 ,a ,,voice-- 7,from back in the churchyard47 ,someone's moaning in the church4 7,another man appears with a shovel4 ,they listen4 ,faint shouting1 left47 ,,first ,,man--,let's leave our shovels here4 7,they put down their shovels and get over the low fence into the open space before the church and start1 left4 ,pierre is heard returning47 ,,pierre--,but it was not his fault4 7,between the two men he enters wringing his hands47 ,it was the fiends that did it4 ',twas his hand but-- 7,starting back47 ,they're hiding--they're hiding back of there6 7,he points to the broken top of the poplar tree that hangs out in the street4 ,the men from the churchyard come from behind it47 ,oh1 they've been by the graves6 7,he covers his face with his hands and bends up and down1 sobbing hysterically47 ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,men-- ,what has he done8 7,with a great shining crucifix upon a staff1 the priest appears in the doorway and comes hurriedly down the steps47 ,,father ,,benedict--,pierre1 in the name of ,god1 all-hail6 ,i greet you as one having holy lips1 ,since ,god hath chosen you to set on fire ,with one bright word all days to be4 ,pierre1 ,which way hath he gone8 ,god is waiting4 ,the seraphim--,nay1 fear me not1 for ,i ,have been baptized with fire that hath fallen ,suddenly from heaven4 ,which way hath he gone8 ,to the high places fly the seraphim ,and banners flash and fade among the clouds4 ,the ,lord of ,life into my power hath given ,the life of him who spoke--,i will forgive ,the bitter words4 ,this is the day of days4 ,within ,i shine1 though round about the storm ,spreadeth her gloom4 ,even my hands are dark4 ,the thunder peals the muster of the dead4 7,faint shouts1 left47 ,,pierre-- 7,falling upon his knees47 ,they've bitten him6 they've bitten him6 ,pray6 pray6 pray6 ,,father ,,benedict--,nay1 ,pierre1 these are shouts of them whose mouths ,shall sing upon the mountains when my hand ,shall rend the hound and pluck the blind from death4 ,his breath is in the hollow of my hand1 ,and though he taunted me and though ,i might-- 7,he blows in his palm47 ,the dream shall be fulfilled4 ,throughout all time ,all dreams shall hail this dream a holy thing ,that hath chosen from all days this holy day ,to wake and run4 ,while from the ,sepulcher ,god rolls the stone back1 the dream opens hell ,and slips the dogs while angels have the world4 ,henceforth the ,angel of the ,resurrection1 ,hand in hand with the hunter's dream1 shall run ,with fiery feet over the ages leaving ,luminous the eyes of holy men4 ,for me this is a great day4 ,from the clouds ,the purposes of ,god1 in fold on fold1 ,fall round and mantle me with light4 ,pierre1 ,in what dread shape came ,blindness through the halls ,of the abbey1 feeling for the brother's eyes ,in the darkness8 ,what did he say when ,god ,with one blow blotted out the moon and sun ,forever1 and the faces of his friends8 ,forgiveness did he cry for1 for the things-- ,but that is past4 ,i have been and shall be1 ,yesterday and to-morrow1 ,benedict4 ,to-day1 as nameless as the stars of heaven1 ,forgetful of all injuries like the winds1 ,i rush about the earth and1 like the lightning1 ,will strike where ,god shall throw me4 ,like the rain1 ,i shall fall mercifully on hot eyes that lit ,but a few hours before with pride and scorn ,but now are dark forever4 ,,pierre-- ,oh6 ,oh6 ,oh6 ,,father ,,benedict--,i will not say that4 ,god in his power can make ,the blind earth fill the sockets of the blind ,with balls as bright as orbs of seraphim1 ,or without eyes can fill the soul with light4 ,your brother1 ,pierre1 fell upon the dark-- ,my brother2 ,i will say it and forgive-- ,our brother fell on darkness not last night1 ,but long since turned his shining face away ,from light1 and gradually as the sun ,sinks1 sank low down where sun and moon and stars ,say1 ,vanity6 and the grave is over all4 7,the sobbing of ,pierre is heard47 ,but he shall rise4 ,i thank ,god for this power4 ,it shall be to my glory that for hate ,i returned love4 ,vengeance is ,his1 and ,i ,simply a wind to blow and do ,his will4 ,god shall have praise1 but ,i shall have praise1 too4 ,names shall be written high and lamps shall burn ,under them1 so that all the saints may see4 7,he comes out in the street and stands looking in the direction in which the men went1 talking to himself47 ,then some who with high heads walked this low earth-- ',tis not my prayer1 but if ,god so decide-- ,what a day will bring forth no man can-- 7,turning back47 ,pierre1 ,did he speak of me when the blow fell8 ,did he say1 ,i wronged that holy man8 ,did he say that8 ,with what word bade he farewell to the stars8 ,did not remorse--,why do you look at me ,with eyes of horror8 ,,pierre-- 7,shuddering47 ,out into the dark ,as if to-- 7,he presses his hands into his eyes47 ,,father ,,benedict--,with no word8 ,,pierre-- ,the dogs6 the dogs6 ,,father ,,benedict--,and called1 then1 ,i suppose1 upon the dwarf4 ,did he appear and give him back his eyes8 ,i judge not1 from these tears that trickle down4 ,and did no sinner's wail go up to ,god8 ,god1 ,pierre1 will plant eyes in his blind soul4 ,with what cry hoisted he sail for the dark land8 ,,pierre-- 7,between sobs47 ,father--,woden6 ,,father ,,benedict--,ha1 and he saw him1 then6 ,cried to the ,father that the heathen god ,was putting out his eyes6 ',tis well4 ,in that ,last flash ,god showed him whence the darkness came4 7,one of the men who came back with ,pierre whispers to the ,priest47 ,,pierre--,lord ,jesus knows that it was not his fault4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,amazed47 ,did he do that1 ,pierre1 did he do that8 ,,pierre--',twas not his fault4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,put out his eyes himself6 ,,pierre--,oh1 in his fever-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,what will sin not do6 ,,pierre--,and someone-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,rather than look upon my face6 ,by this deed he admits the charge ,i made4 ,,pierre--,and someone--someone told him of the dream1 ,how that the dogs should tear him-- ,,father ,,benedict-- ,stop right there6 ,you come down here to cast his blood on me8 ,i see the hand inside this hellish glove4 7,he turns and comes straight out into the street47 ,,pierre-- 7,timidly47 ',twas that that did it4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,lifting his hand and shouting aloud47 ,go back1 men1 go back6 ,we will stay here6 ,this ,i will not forgive4 7,he returns toward the church and climbs the steps4 ,on top he stops1 stands for a moment1 then sets his crucifix in the doorway and comes back down4 ,pierre1 fearing he is about to be attacked1 draws back4 ,the priest follows him47 ,i know who sent you down here and ,i know ,why4 7,shaking his finger47 ,pierre1 had this word not been distilled ,under old fangs and put in your young mouth1 ,this sting should cost you something4 ,as it is1 ,in you ,i overlook it4 7,hoarse with wrath47 ,the old snake6 ,god shall pass judgment between me and him4 ,the seraphim shall burn his mouth with coals4 ,accursed envy6 ,he beneath the wreck ,of ,babel lies and thence looks out and sees ,me in white garments on the mount of ,god ,going toward glory1 and it rankles in him4 7,women appear in the doorway47 ,and so he seeks to terrify my soul ,with3 ,hide from the lightning6 ,god is in it6 ,as though ,i went toward ,ramoth-,gilead ,with ,ahab's hand smoking with prophets' blood4 ,that is why he told you to tell me this4 ,but ,i will not be terrified by him4 7,pierre backs out47 ,accursed envy6 ,and you tell him so4 ,much rather would he see the brother lost-- 7,the women press too close and the crucifix tumbles down the steps47 ,what is it you do8 ,go back in there6 ,god's curse-- 7,looking after ,pierre47 ,on any man who would much rather see ,a dear son lost than see me glorified4 ,tell him to hide4 ,the wind that curls these clouds ,is the same wind that blew last night4 ,does he ,with black mouth cry to me my hand is red8 ,if it be1 if he think so1 you tell him to stand ,on his wrecked gable and watch ,benedict ,walk right straight up to ,god with this red hand ,and take the crown and leave no finger marks4 7,on tiptoe1 ,madam ,valmy steals down the steps to recover the crucifix47 ,as for his charge that ,i have done this deed1 ,tell him it smells of ,hell4--,go back in there6 7,madam ,valmy goes back up the steps and the women withdraw from the door47 ,daunted shall ,i be by lying lips8 ,shall ,belial reign8 ,shall ,god call twice and thrice8 ,i will not leave my cup of glory stand ,untouched because the old snake cannot drink2 ,because he1 having wormwood on his lips1 ,cries3 ,god boils in the wine upon the heights6 ,i will drink it4 7,armed and with ,jacques ,sar at their head1 the men enter silent1 their faces showing disappointment4 ,in the disorder in which they enter1 there are traces of three lines into which they had been drawn up47 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,we will go1 men4 7,the men brighten up and become turbulent1 and the three lines immediately reappear4 ,the priest walks back toward the church47 ,pick up-- 7,a man goes toward the crucifix that lies on the ground4 ,the ,priest steps upon the steps and turns1 facing the men4 ,while he speaks1 ,jacques ,sar marches the lines right and wheels them around so as to face left1 the direction in which ,pierre came and went4 ,for others who keep coming in1 he finds places in the lines and1 examining weapons and moving the men about1 goes up and down with the air of an old commander47 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,men1 ,this is the grandest day that ever mixed ,her golden hair with banners4 ,the hunter's dream1 ,that flashed and vanished in the night1 after ,lying like our ,lord three days in darkness1 ,bursts like a shining angel upon the world 7,he receives the crucifix47 ,and dazzles4 ,we see not clearly1 for the light ,blinds as the darkness doth4 ,all night the earth ,tumbled as a man in fever4 ,saints on fire ,walked grandly on the mountain combs and called1 ,and the graves opened1 and the silent ones-- ,what can it mean that of the churchyard dead ,only the soldiers rose8 ,and that1 too1 when ,hell's hand was heavy on the brother8 ,men1 ,at midnight riding down the mountain1 ,i ,saw wonders and heard things ,i dare not tell4 ,what the hounds are ,i know not1 but ,i know ,one up there hath a snare laid for them4 ,and ,i-- ,i see my name in fire on those clouds4 ,these winds shall blow it luminous1 and all ,the world shall see it1 and all time4 ,then some ,who now accuse me will come round with smiles4 ,for ,i will not be terrified by him4 7,he says something under his breath and comes quickly down the steps and out into the street where he shouts after ,pierre47 ,tell the old man ,i go upon this chase ,out of no love for him or for his monk4 ,for ,i despise them both4 ,you ,tell him just what ,i say and why ,i go4 ,tell him the storm hath spoken to me4 ,say ,i saw a hand of fire in the night ,beckon1 and heard a trumpet peal in heaven4 ,he thinks ,i am a coward4 ,so ,i am2 ,i fear to disobey the voice of ,god1 ,and therefore go4 ,listen to me1 ,pierre6 ,you tell him this3 ,had ,heaven not delivered ,its orders to me1 by the throne of ,god1 ,not a spear--,hear me8--not a single spear ,should redden in the rescue of this monk4 ,as for his charge that ,i have done this deed1 ,tell him it smells of ,hell4 7,thunder right4 ,the priest turns and for a time contemplates the sky in silence47 ,one of you men ,run and ask ,pierre which way hath he gone1 ,for there are trails and trails4 7,a man darts out1 left47 ,,jacques ,,sar-- ,fly fast now1 ,noel4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,rapt1 looking off at the sky1 right47 ,why should the storm move that way1 if the chase-- 7,turning left47 ,lies yon way8 ,we will wait4 7,aloud47 ,god seems to call ,up yonder where the lightning cracks the sky4 7,after a silence1 with his eyes upon the heavens47 ,like golden links your names shall hang to mine ,and dangle down the ages4 ,men shall say3 ,this man and that man were with ,benedict ,up in the glory of the ,lord that day ,when heathendom went tumbling down to hell4 ,oh1 you shall live forever envied men6 7,he walks about buried in his thought4 ,occasionally he stops for a moment in meditation1 then resumes his pace4 ,old ,jacques1 hesitatingly and stopping whenever the priest stops1 follows him about as though he wished to communicate something1 but was uncertain whether to break his revery4 ,the men watch them in silence47 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,approaching the lines1 his chin still upon his breast47 ,something ,i have to tell you1 hitherto1 ,for his own good1 religiously concealed4 ,for adulation maketh pride to swell ,and man becomes an idol4 7,looking up47 ,years ago ,a prophesy went sounding down the south ,that sent a thrill through ,christendom4 ,from ,rome ,the echo came to us4 ,the rumor ran ,that in the ,saxon forest lived a boy ,through whom the ,north should come contrite to ,god3 ,a shepherd as was ,moses and therefore ,prepared to lead his people4 ,friar ,paul ,was sent to flash the light upon his way ,and win him unto ,christ1 to make his staff ,put forth green ,christian buds4 ,with what result ,i need not tell you4 ,few1 few men can bear ,honor and the favor of the ,most ,high4 ,he1 ,moses himself could not4 ,watch ,moses now2 ,and struck the rock4 ,and then ,god3 ,now watch ,me2 ,and gave his staff to ,joshua4 ,and here ,i find a lesson1 this3 ,glory shall pass ,from the proud man to the humble man4 ,to-day ,i take that prophesy up in my hands ,and with it seek the mountains of our ,god1 ,and ,heathendom shall fall like ,jerich-- ,,the ,,man--7,returning47 ,says ,he don't know which way4 ,lost him in the dark4 7,the crowd stands silent1 not knowing which way to go4 ,a woman appears in the doorway47 ,,woman--,madam ,bacqueur in her swoon hath thrice cried out3 ,o keep from the mountains6 ,look6 ,see there6 ,the fire of ,god falls on the hills4 ,see6 ,see6 ,,father ,,benedict--,the voice of ,hell that fears our coming4 ,woman1 ,baths her entranced brows with holy water4 7,the woman goes back in the church4 ,jacques speaks to the ,priest47 ,a ,,man-- 7,after a pause1 from the rear line47 ,let's go toward the abbey4 ,,another-- 7,in the front line1 pointing right47 ,this way4 ,,another-- 7,shaking his head1 as though fearing the storm47 ,no4 ,,second ,,man-- 7,shouting1 left47 ,jules6 7,he walks on a few paces and1 frowning with impatience1 beckons in with his arm47 ,,father ,,benedict--,this is a sudden beam on the dark web4 ,,jacques ,,sar--,and his blood shed down yonder by the bridge4 ,,father ,,benedict--,and the storm moving toward that mountain top4 7,to the men47 ,jacques tells me that our honored bailiff lies ,his martial limbs half hanging in the grave4 ,,jacques ,,sar--,i fear the bell will toll 'fore night4 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7deeply moved47 ,the dead ,soldiers are up to meet their sergeant4 7,he walks quietly back and climbs the steps47 ,men1 ,wing and wing this terrible morning1 fly ,two avenging angels toward one mountain top4 ,one in his hand two bloody eyeballs bears2 ,the other1 an old man's picture with a wound ,swollen and with ,death's finger in it4 ,fixed ,on two eyes are their four eyes4 ,toward one man ,four wings and two bright swords are on their way4 ,they light6 ,they beckon me6 ,i see it all6 ,from two wounds two red trails converge in one6 ,the hounds that have their noses on the track ,of the brother1 had their tongues in ,jardin's blood6 ,the big white talbot is ,canzler6 7,there is a moment's silence so intense that the wind is heard whistling among the white crosses in the churchyard4 ,then a terrible shout goes up47 ,,shouts--,down with him6 ,to ,hell with the hounds6 ,lead us6 ,lead us6 7,jacques strikes with his sword and the lines move swiftly to the left1 the direction of the abbey47 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,to himself47 ,god's purposes begin where man's prayers end4 ,,jacques ,,sar-- 7,on fire47 ,right about6 ,face the heathen and face ,god6 7,the lines wheel and face right1 the direction in which the storm is moving47 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,transported47 ,this is most wonderful4 ,men1 ,hell hath here ,packed all her seeds in one infernal bloom4 ,and who knew till this beam fell where to turn8 ,henceforth let no man say he knows the way ,that ,god will move on the morrow1 for in a flash ,the hem of his great garment passeth by4 7,bacqueur enters with an armful of swords and spears4 ,on his left shoulder hangs a great shield47 ,,jacques ,,sar--,here's two men have none4 ,,cries-- ,here1 ,jules6 ,hand me one6 ,,father ,,benedict--7,half to himself1 his face upturned to the sky47 ,what have ,i done that ,thou shouldst honor me ,with glory such as no man ever--,nay1 ',tis not for me this glory is prepared1 ,for ,i have ever labored for another4 ,thou movest in her and she in me and ,i ,am but a cloud upon her gale and storm4 ,let no man move a foot4 ,i know my time4 ,you see me but you see not what ,i see4 ,god hath arranged to bring us face to face4 ,this is no combat between merely men4 ,all ,heathendom gives chase in this big hound4 ,our brother stands for all men lost to ,god4 ,and my hand is the hand of ,christendom4 7,bacqueur offers him a sword47 ,nay1 ,i have weapons that ye know not of4 7,looking off at the storm47 ,the lightnings whip the foothills and the clouds ,sag with the weight of the wrath of the ,lord of ,hosts4 7,his face becomes luminous47 ,who hears what ,i hear8 ,speak out4 ,then be still4 7,with an old scarlet flag1 amid the folds of which sections of a white cross are seen1 ,hugh ,capet comes running in4 ,seeing the priest entranced upon the steps and the men hushed with awe1 he checks himself47 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,lifting his hand1 without turning47 ,if any man moves ,i will call down fire4 7,a silence47 ,to-day the last great tower of ,hell goes down4 7,he comes down the steps47 ,,jacques ,,sar-- 7,his voice quivering with emotion47 ,this banner once waved over ,acre1 men4 ,,hugh ,,capet--,and we will plant it on ,jerusalem4 ,,shouts--,god's with us6 ,god's with us6 ,,father ,,benedict-- 7,lifting his hand47 ,hear my last word4 ,,jacques ,,sar-- ,silence6 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,let there be ,no shouting or any noise4 ,let us go ,quietly as befits the ,sabbath day4 ,the vales blow white4 ,yonder the mountains stand ,like quiet altars waiting sacrifice4 ,you1 with the holy banner of ,god1 stand here4 ,now if there be among you one who hath ,guilt1 looking upon this storm let him step ,out1 lay his spear down and stay here and not ,tempt the wrath of ,god4 ,for soon upon the heights ,the heavens shall blacken and there shall be a loud ,burst of ,his power and the shining glory of ,god4 ,i pause a moment4 ,let that man step out ,now4 7,a pause47 ,then you have naught to fear4 ,the innocent ,are safe4 ,god's shield is over them4 ,come4 ,,jacques ,,sar--,the signal1 ,father4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,the signal shall be this3 ,,jacques ,,sar--,attention1 men6 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,i shall uplift the ,christ4 7,he raises the crucifix47 ,and ,god1 burning the clouds to ashes1 will throw ,lightning upon ,antichrist4 ,then you ,charge4 7,a roll of thunder47 ,the trumpets of the heavenly host4 ,,jacques ,,sar-- ,now1 men6 ,up with your spears4 ,,father ,,benedict-- ,there shall be wonders done4 7,he starts right1 the lines following him47 ,in years to come1 men1 tell your children this3 ,when ,god crowned ,benedict upon the heights ,it was not ,benedict but the ,church ,he crowned4 7,they go out silent4 ,the scene has become darker and the wind is heard whistling among the white crosses in the churchyard4 ,back in the church through the open door is seen the beautifully carven ,christ with overhead in golden letters the inscription3 ,,forgive ,,them ,,for ,,they ,,know ,,not ,,what ,,they--4 ,the ,,do has never been put on47 ,,scene ,,three--,the mountain side1 as in ,scene one of the third ,act4 ,there is heard a steady roar as of wind over vast forests1 and all about are signs of an approaching storm4 ,at intervals an unnatural1 ghastly light as from rifted clouds swiftly driving overhead passes across the scene4 ,in a moment the gloom has returned and the trees are racing back into the shadow4 ,back upon the ledge1 his long yellow hair tossing in the wind1 stands ,rudolph watching the gathering of the storm4 ,,rudolph-- 7,to himself47 ,flying on starless wings the ,powers of night ,keep back the bird of morning till the ,norns ,have traced the lines of guilt and set the snare4 7,a moment later ,canzler appears coming down the sheep-path47 ,,canzler--,what was that shouting down the mountain for8 ,,rudolph-- 7,turning quickly47 ,the whirling of the wheel6 ,,canzler-- ,the wheel8 ,,rudolph-- 7,hurrying forward47 ,look there ,where the vast felly flies6 ,far out it swings ,and sways the forests4 ,look at it1 ,canzler6 ,for miles around below the mountain heads ,the storm goes racing in a wheel whose hub ,turns on the village spire4 7,canzler follows him back along the ledge47 ,awhile ago1 ,divinely guided through the mountain ways1 ,a common cloud1 afloat upon the dark1 ,blotted the stars that glimmered in the tarn ,and whirled into a wheel4 ,around the rim ,flows the white cloud-wool1 and a thread is drawn ,under the hills4 ,the distaffs of the ,norns ,grow big with fate1 and1 sitting there in silence1 ,their withered fingers from this flying skein ,loop off the lives of men4 ,val-father takes ,in his almighty hand the reins of things ,and drives them either way through earth and air4 7,shouting far down the mountain47 ,,canzler--,i heard that far up on the mountain tops4 ,,rudolph--,in some procession honoring their god4 ,,canzler--,but louder now4 ,,rudolph-- ,and nearer4 ,,canzler-- ,where is ,fritz8 ,,rudolph--,rounding the sheep up4 7,shouting again47 ,they have crossed the bridge4 ,,canzler-- 7,turning and looking at ,rudolph47 ,honoring their god upon the mountain side8 ,,rudolph--',tis the great dragon crawling through the hills4 ,,canzler--,no wonder darkness fills the valley4 7,after a pause47 ,and in a storm like this6 ,,rudolph-- ,hunger4 ,,canzler-- ,no doubt4 ,and there is hunger in the heavens1 too4 ,,rudolph--,and the two face4 7,they listen47 ,the ,asas all night long ,were loud above the mountains as though some ,vast purpose long pent up were finding way4 ,,canzler--,and ,selma heard it like a river flow ,washing the peaks and down the wooded slopes ,into the valley where the dragon lies4 7,shouts still afar but growing nearer47 ,that belly levels all things in the plain4 7,thunder47 ,,rudolph--,val-father's voice from out the clouds mid-air ,meets with the dragon's voice and devours it4 ,hark6 ,,canzler--,it may lay hands on ,fritz4 7,he goes back along the ledge and starts down the mountain47 ,,rudolph-- ,be careful1 chief6 ,the wheel moves this way4 ,,canzler-- ,it is following them4 ,,rudolph--,here he comes running up the mountain6 ,,canzler-- ,where8 ,,rudolph--,wait till the lightning shows the slopes again4 7,they listen4 ,the shouts draw nearer47 ,,canzler--,the ,bailiff's blood has roused them4 ,,rudolph-- ,with that blood ,val-father has enticed it from its lair ,to tempt the mountains and to seek for more4 7,lightning47 ,up here6 ,coming up here6 ,,canzler--7,shouting47 ,fritz6 ,,rudolph-- ,the dark bloom1 ,whose scattered roots the years have fed1 at last ,unfolds its petals to the sun4 ,the ,north ,in all her graves is waiting for the dawn4 ,to-day ,val-father lays his shadow by4 ,,canzler--,go up the rocks and blow the battle horn4 7,rudolph goes leaping up the rocks47 ,and let the battle cry be ,dachtelfeld6 ,,rudolph--,the peaks are tipped with day6 7,he disappears up the rocks47 ,,voice ,,of ,,selma--7,above47 ,where are you1 ,father8 7,lightning47 ,,canzler--,stay from the timber6 ,don't get near the trees6 7,thunder47 ,stay in the open1 ,selma6 7,the form of ,canzler1 who stands back upon the ledge1 disappears in the gathering gloom47 ,,voice ,,of ,,selma-- ,father6 ,,voice ,,of ,,fritz--7,down the mountain47 ,chief6 7,there is heard1 at first scarcely audible but rising more and more1 low music as of spirit voices4 ,above1 just where the sheep-path enters the bushes1 ,selma appears coming hurriedly down4 ,hearing the music1 she stops and1 listening1 becomes as one entranced47 ,,selma-- 7,almost in a whisper47 ,father6 7,canzler comes forward into view4 ,the girl1 still transported and more like a being of the air1 has come further down the path47 ,oh1 hear them6 ,,canzler-- ,go back1 go back1 child6 ,they shall not harm you4 7,she rushes to him47 ,they will not come up here4 7,the girl lays her hand on his arm4 ,they listen47 ,only ,val-father's voice along the storm4 ,,voice ,,of ,,fritz--,chief6 ,,canzler-- ,it is ,fritz4 ,,selma--- ,the trees--the trees are singing4 ,the wild vines and the mountain flowers--,oh6 ,o ,father1 see6 ,,canzler-- ,what ails you1 child8 ,,selma--,the elves--the storm elves gather in the air1 ,and up the mountain there-- ,hear them1 ,father6 ,hear the fairies calling6 ,oh1 the white flakes6 ,the dog-wood blooms are falling6 7,she runs wildly up the path47 ,he's coming1 ,father6 ,oswald's coming6 7,she disappears among the bushes4 ,in the rear ,fritz is seen climbing up the mountain47 ,,fritz-- 7,who goes leaping on up the rocks47 ,chief6 ,,canzler--,here ,i am4 7,fritz leaps back down to the ledge and comes hurrying forward47 ,,fritz-- 7,out of breath47 ,they've killed--they've killed the sheep6 ,like hungry dogs4 ,it's us they're after1 though4 ,dashed in and slashed them with their swords4 ,hear that6 7,wild shouting below47 ,that's for our blood4 7,they listen47 ,if we don't arm1 chief1-- ,,canzler-- ,hark6 ,,fritz-- 7,after a pause47 ,if we don't arm-- 7,up the mountain sounds the battle horn47 ,to have lived to see this day6 7,he hurries up the path and disappears47 ,,canzler--,val-father's winds have blown them here to die4 7,he goes up the path4 ,the music is now distinctly heard above the noise of the storm4 ,a flash of lightning reveals1 in the rear1 the dwarf climbing up the mountain1 leading ,oswald by the hand4 ,instantly loud and prolonged shouting bursts up from about a hundred feet below4 ,the two come hurrying forward along the ledge4 ,oswald's face is streaked with blood and from the end of its black cord1 his silver crucifix1 likewise stained1 dangles almost to his knees4 ,gradually it slips lower and lower till it finally falls and lies upon the grass4 ,having reached the path1 they make their way up and are soon lost to view4 ,that peculiar light which one sometimes sees when clouds are rifted during a storm illumines the scene and makes the green grass and trees show almost like flame4 ,below1 voices are heard1 and soon1 climbing up the mountain1 ,father ,benedict appears1 his face pale1 his eyes set before him4 ,upon the skirt of his snow-white chasuble there is seen1 slanting down1 a red streak as though he had pressed against a bloody sword-blade4 ,behind him1 scattered1 come1 first1 ,hugh ,capet with the great flag blown straight out in the wind1 then ,jules ,bacqueur and ,jacques ,sar1 their swords dripping1 and1 after them1 the other villagers47 ,,jules ,,bacqueur--,straight ahead4 ,father6 ,straight ahead6 ,a ,,voice-- 7,from below47 ,see them1 ,hugh8 ,,jacques ,,sar--,you come on2 we'll find them4 7,instead of coming forward to the path1 which the bushes and bowlders hide from their view1 they go pushing straight on up the rocks47 ,,hugh ,,capet--,come on1 men6 ,,jacques ,,sar--,stay together1 men6 7,a pause47 ,hold her low1 ,phil6 7,up the mountain sounds the battle-horn47 ,,cries--,hear that6 ,hear that6 ,,jacques ,,sar--,don't get scared1 men6 ,,cries--,don't get scared6 ,don't get scared6 ,a ,,voice--,god's with us6 ,,all--,god's with us6 ,god's with us6 ,,hugh ,,capet--,come on1 men6 ,,jacques ,,sar--,wait for the signal6 ,wait for the signal1 men6 7,all look to the priest47 ,now then4 ,,jules ,,bacqueur--,now1 ,father4 ,a ,,voice--,now4 7,a pause47 ,,hugh ,,capet--,signal6 signal6 7,above1 sounds the battle-horn1 this time nearer47 ,,jacques ,,sar--,now6 ,,jules ,,bacqueur--,now then6 ,,cries--,now6 ,now6 ,,now6 7,slowly the priest lifts the crucifix47 ,,all--,god's with us6 ,god's with us6 7,they go springing up the mountain4 ,a flash of lightning strikes the uplifted crucifix and clings for a moment like a wreath of blue fire round the brow of the priest whose face shows white as chalk4 ,the crucifix slips from his fingers and he reels and falls backwards47 ,,cries--,men6 ,men6 ,men6 7,as the men turn and see the priest1 whom ,jules has caught in his arms1 borne backward down the slope1 some of them throw down their arms and flee terror-stricken down the mountain4 ,there is a loud crash of thunder followed1 above1 by the shouts of the ,saxons who come charging down upon them4 ,attempting to rescue the priest's body1 before which ,bacqueur has thrown his great shield1 the villagers receive the shock and are driven back fighting down the mountain1 ,fritz hacking at ,hugh ,capet's head-with his battle ax1 ,rudolph charging old ,jacques1 while ,canzler with one slash of his magic sword slices in two ,bacqueur's great shield which falls like paper from his hands4 ,even after they have disappeared1 from down the mountain can still be heard the voice of old ,jacques calling to his men in ,god's name to stand4 ,up the slope1 caught in the bushes where it fell1 hangs the crucifix1 the figure of which is tarnished and melted by the lightning4 ,on the ledge just below1 outstretched upon the grass1 his fingers bent as though still clutching the crucifix1 lies the body of the priest4 ,the scene gradually becomes darker and the thunder is still heard reverberating through the mountains47 ,,scene ,,four--,a forest on the mountain tops4 ,untouched by the storm1 which has swept the lower slopes1 the trees here stand calm and motionless4 ,flowers are everywhere4 ,far off1 between the innumerable trunks1 is seen a space of dark sky rifted near the horizon and bright with the red and gold of the new dawn4 ,from the left1 into this forest stillness1 silent as the scene itself1 comes the dwarf leading ,oswald by the hand4 ,there is now no blood upon the latter's face which1 slightly upturned1 is lighted as with a soul conscious of a great crisis and hearing its approach in the least noise4 ,suddenly1 from far to the right1 the voice of ,selma is heard4 ,instantly the dwarf vanishes4 ,oswald starts and stands as one in a dream4 ,,selma-- 7,at first afar1 then drawing nearer and nearer until at last she rushes in gleefully4 ,she is dressed1 as in the first ,act1 in green1 and upon her head she wears a coronet of wild-flowers47 ,oswald6 ,oswald6 ,oswald6 ,oswald6 ,oswald6 7,she starts1 and throws herself at his feet1 covering her face with her hands4 ,the disc of the sun1 emerging above the line of clouds1 shoots its myriad golden needles through the wood4 ,revealed in the light1 like things seen in a mirage1 a number of fairies are discerned watching the two4 ,from far down the mountain comes the sound of a bell tolling47 ,transcriber's ,notes3 ,simple spelling1 grammar1 and typographical errors were silently corrected4 ,punctuation normalized4 ,anachronistic and non-standard spellings retained as printed4 ,italics markup is enclosed in underscores4 ,greek text is transliterated and enclosed in number symbols4