ANSELM the priest, with a little acolyte,--the
two bearing a large illuminated Gospel-book. ANSELM, eyeing
the PIPER gravely, opens the book, which the boy supports on
his head and shoulders.

PIPER
Ho, 't is too heavy! Come, you cherub-head,
Here's too much laid upon one guardian angel!
[Beckons another small boy, and sets the book on their two backs.
Well?--well? What now?
[He looks in frank bewilderment at the eager crowd.

CROWD
Read, read!

KURT
He cannot read.

PIPER
[to ANSELM]
Turn--turn--there's nothing there.
[ANSELM turns pages. PIPER looks on blankly]
. . . Ah, turn again!
The red one!--
[He takes his fife from his belt]
No, the green! The green one. So.
[Starts to pipe, looking on the book.]

CROWD
( Sure 't is a mad-man!
( But hear him piping!
( What is he doing?

PIPER
[puzzled at their mirth]
What the green one says.--
[A burst of laughter from the crowd. JAN, the little lame boy
on the steps, reaches his arms out suddenly and gives a cry of
delight.

JAN
Oh, I love the Man!

[He goes, with his crutch, to the PIPER, who turns and gathers
him close.

JACOBUS
[to the People]
Leave off this argument.

KURT
Go in to Mass.

JACOBUS
Saint Willibald!

PIPER
[in a rage]
That Saint!--

KURT
Hence, wandering dog!

PIPER
Oho!--Well, every Saint may have his day.
But there are dog-days coming.--Eh, your worship?
[To ANSELM, suddenly]
You, there! You--Brother--Father--Uncle--You!
Speak! Will you let them in, to say their prayers
And mock me through their fingers?--Tell these men
To settle it, among their mouldy pockets,
Whether they keep their oath. Then will I go.

KURT
[savagely]
Away with you!--

ANSELM
The Piper should be heard;
Ye know it well. Render to Caesar, therefore,
That which is Caesar's.

PIPER
--Give the Devil his due!

JACOBUS
[warily]
We must take counsel over such a sum.

[Beckoning others, he and KURT go into the Rathaus, followed
by all the men. Exit ANSELM with the Holy Book into the
Minster.--The children play Mouse, to and fro, round about
the PIPER.--The women, some of them, spin on the doorsteps,
with little hand distaff's, or stand about, gossiping.

[The PIPER wipes his forehead and goes up slowly (centre) to
drink from the fountain at the foot of the Shrine.--MICHAEL,
like one in a dream, comes down towards BARBARA, who gazes back
at him, fascinated, through her laughter.

BARBARA
Is it for pay y