--The PIPER is abashed and rueful
for the moment.
MICHAEL
All this, your work!
PIPER
[looking at her closely]
Not mine.
This is no charm. It is all youth and grief,
And weariness. And she shall follow you.--
Tell the good nuns you found her sore bewitched,
Here in this haunt of 'devils';--clean distraught.
No Church could so receive a dancing nun!
Tell them thou art an honest, piteous man
Desires to marry her.
MICHAEL
Marry the Moon!
PIPER
No, no, the Moon for me!--She shall be yours;
And here she sleeps, until her wits be sound.
[He spreads his cloak over her, gently]
The sun's still high. 'T is barely afternoon.--
[Looks at the sunshine. A thought strikes him with sudden dismay]
'T is--no, the time is going!--On my life,
I had forgot Them!--And They will not stay
After the Rainbow fades.
MICHAEL
[confounded]
Art thou moon-mad?
PIPER
[madly]
No. Stir not! Keep her safe! I come anon.
But first I go.--They'll not mind Cheat-the-Devil!
They'll creep, to find out where the Rainbow went.
I know them! So would I!--They'll all leak out!
MICHAEL
Stay--stay!
PIPER
No; guard her, you!--Anon, anon!
MICHAEL
But you will pipe her up and after you!
PIPER
[flinging him the pipe from his belt]
Do you fear this? Then keep it till I come.
You bide!--The Other cannot.
MICHAEL
Who?
PIPER
The Rainbow,
The Rainbow!--
[He runs madly up the hillside, and away.
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