They've all gone in!

A LEPER.
Right here
The cat shall catch the bird!

A YOUNG LEPER (wearing a wreath, made of three or four
large red flowers, in his dark hair).
Heisa! Heisa!

IWEIN.
Speak softly, there, lest ye disturb the mass.

AN OLD LEPER (feeble, and supporting himself on a crutch,
in the tone of the town crier, almost singing).
Today shall Queen Iseult, our good King's spouse
Be given to us, the lepers of Lubin--
So cried the herald!--

YOUNG LEPER.
Brother, brother, dance
With me, for I'm the bridegroom--Ah!--

OLD LEPER (in the same tone).
Today
Shall Queen Iseult--

[Every time that the old leper begins to
speak he is silenced by the others.]

YOUNG LEPER (striking him).
Thou fool!

(To a fourth leper.)

Come dance!

4TH LEPER.
Be still!
At noon to eat raw turnips, then at night
To have the Queen to sleep with in the straw!
Ha, ha! It makes me laugh!

A REDHAIRED LEPER.
King Mark shall give
Us wine to celebrate our wedding feast!

YOUNG LEPER (dancing).
Oh, brother, come and dance with me!

A SIXTH LEPER.
I want
To look at her and then get drunk!

YOUNG LEPER.
Come, then,
And dance with me, my little brother, dance!

IWEIN (coming from the gate).
Be still, and stand in order by the steps,
That we may see her when the hangman brings
Her forth.

1ST LEPER (sits down on the ground).
I will not stand.

IWEIN.
Then crawl, thou toad!

7TH LEPER.
Iseult the Goldenhaired!--The lepers' bride,
And Queen!

(He laughs.)

REDHAIRED LEPER.
Well spoken, friend! We'll call her that!

OLD LEPER.
Today shall Queen Iseult--

8TH LEPER. She shall be mine
I' the morning of all holidays!

1ST LEPER.
And I
Will have her late at night.

REDHAIRED LEPER.
I'll take her first!

6TH LEPER.
Not so; Iwein shall have her first for he's
Our King!

YOUNG LEPER (to redhaired le