MARTIN'S WIFE
O Lord, have mercy!
The Pipe is coming to him, through the air!
ALL
'T is coming to the Piper ;--we are lost.--
The Pipe is coming, coming through the air!
[The PIPER, with a sudden gesture, commands silence. He bounds away
(centre), and disappears. The people, spell-bound with terror,
murmur and fray.
ANSELM
_Retro me, Sathanas_!
[KURT the Syndic appears on the threshold behind ANSELM, whose arm
he touches, whispering.--Their faces are wonder-struck with hope
and awe.
HANS the Butcher
[to the others, pointing]
'T is Kurt the Syndic.
AXEL the Smith
Then she lives!--
HANS' WIFE
Look there!
OTHERS
Look, look! The casement! . . .
[The casement of the lighted window opens wide and slowly.--Reenter
the PIPER with JAN in his arms. The little boy holds the Pipe, and
smiles about with tranquil happiness. The PIPER, radiant with joy,
lifts him high, looking toward VERONIKA'S window.--The awe-struck
people point to the open casement.
VERONIKA'S two white bands reach out; then she herself appears, pale,
shining with ecstasy.
JAN
_'Tis Mother_!
[The PIPER lifts him still before the window, gazing up. Then he
springs upon the bench (outside the lower window) and gives JAN into
the arms of VERONIKA.--KURT and ANSELM how their heads. A hush.
--Then JAN looks down from the window-seat.
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