!

PIPER
Not yet.--They all do live
Under a spell,--deep in a hollow hill.
They sleep, and wake; and lead a charmed life.
But first of all,--one child shall come again.
[He scans the crowd still]
Where is the wife--of Kurt, the Councillor?

ALL
[savagely]
_No, mine, mine, mine_!

MARTIN'S WIFE
What, that lame boy of hers?

PIPER
Where is the wife of Kurt?

PETER the Cobbler AND OTHERS
--Veronika?
The foreign woman? She is lying ill:
Sore-stricken yonder--
[Pointing to the house.]

PIPER
[gladly]
Bid her come, look out!

[The crowd moves confusedly towards KURT'S house. The PIPER too
approaches, calling]

Ho,--ho, within there!

[ANSELM, the priest, appears in the doorway with uplifted hand,
commanding silence. He is pale and stern. At sight of his face
the PIPER, falters.

ANSELM
Silence here!--Good people
What means this?

PIPER
I have tidings for--the wife
Of Kurt--the Councillor.

ANSELM
You are too late.

PIPER
Bid her--look out!

ANSELM
[solemnly]
Her soul is passing, now.

[The PIPER falls back stricken and speechless.--The crowd, seeing
him humanly overwhelmed, grows brave.

MARTIN'S WIFE
'Tis he has done it!

HANS the Butcher
--Nay, it is God's will.
Poor soul!

PETER the Sacristan
[fearfully]
Don't anger him! 'T was Kurt the Syndic
With his bad bargain.

AXEL the Smith
Do not cross the Piper!

MARTIN
Nay, but he's spent. He's nought to fear.--
Look there.
Mark how he breathes! Upon him! Help, help, ho!--
Thou piping knave!

OTHERS
Tie--chain him!--Kill him!--Kill him!
[They surround him. He thrusts them off.]

PETER the Cobbler and OTHERS
( Bind him, but do not kill him!--Oh, beware!
( What is he saying?--Peace.

PIPER
[brokenly]
The wife of Kurt!
Off! what can you do?--Oh! I came, I came
Here, full of peace, and with a heart of love;--
To give--but now that one live Soul of all
Is gone!--No, no!
--_I say she shall not die_!
_She shall not_!

ANSELM
Hush!--She is in the hands of God.
She is at peace.

PIPER
No, never! Let me by!
[ANSELM bars the threshold and steps out.]

ANSELM
Thou froward fool!--Wouldst rend with tears again
That shriven breath? And drag her back to sorrow?
It is the will of God.

PIPER
--And I say No!

ANSELM
Who dare dispute--

PIPER
I dare!

ANSELM
With death?--With God?

PIPER
I know His will, for once! She shall not die.
She must come back, and live!--_