--
( No, 'tis to save his life.--It is for time.
PIPER
[to himself]
--'T is but a voice. What matter?--
CROWD
( Seize him--
( Bind him!
PIPER
[to them]
Hush!
[Passionately he stretches his arms towards the window.
ANSELM
Peace, for this parting Soul!
PIPER
[with fixed eyes]
_It shall not go_.
[To the Window]
Veronika!--Ah, listen!--wife of Kurt.
_He comes . . . he comes! Open thine eyes a moment_!
_Blow the faint fire within thy heart. He comes_!
Thy longing brings him;--ay, _and mine,--and mine_!
Heed not these grave-makers, Veronika.
Live, live, and laugh once more!--_Oh! do you hear_?
Look, how you have to waken all these dead,
That walk about you!--Open their dim eyes;
Sing to them with your heart, Veronika,
As I am piping, far away, outside!
Waken them,--change them! Show them how to long,
To reach their arms as you do, for the stars,
And fold them in. Stay but one moment;--stay,
And thine own Child shall draw thee back again
Down here, to mother him,--mother us all!
_Oh, do you listen?--Do not try to answer_,--
I hear!--I hear. . . .
[A faint sound of piping comes from the distance.--The PIPER is
first watchful, then radiant.--The burghers are awe-struck, as it
sounds nearer.
BARBARA
Listen!
MICHAEL
His very tune,
[The PIPER faces front with fixed, triumphant eyes above the crowd.
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