Exeunt Strollers, all but MICHAEL, who hangs about, still gazing
at BARBARA.
JACOBUS
Good people, we have wasted time enow.
You see this fellow, that he has no writ--
PIPER
Why not, then? 'T was a bargain. If your word
Hold only when 't is writ--
KURT
We cannot spend
Clerkship on them that neither write nor read.
What good would parchment do thee?
JACOBUS
My good man--
PIPER
Who says I cannot read?--Who says I cannot?
OLD CLAUS
Piper, don't tell me you can read in books!
PIPER
[at bay]
Books! Where's a book? Shew me a book, I say!
OLD URSULA
The Holy Book! Bring that--or he'll bewitch you.
PIPER
Oh, never fear. I charm but fools and children;
Now that the rats are gone.--Bring me a Book:
A big one!--
[Murmurs. The PIPER defiant. The crowd moves towards the
Minster. Enter 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.
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