(The SMITH and the MILLER'S WIFE laugh so loudly and so long that, at length, ECHO replies.)
STRANGER. Good! An eye for an eye—a tooth for a tooth. It helps to lighten my conscience! (He enters the ravine.)
[The same landscape as before; but autumn. The BEGGAR is sitting outside a chapel with a lime twig and a bird cage, in which is a starling. The STRANGER enters wearing the same clothes as in the preceding scene.]
STRANGER. Beggar! Have you seen a lady in a coat and skirt pass this way?
BEGGAR. I've seen five hundred. But, seriously, I must ask you not to call me beggar now. I've found work!
STRANGER. Oh! So it's you!
BEGGAR. Ille ego qui quondam....
STRANGER. What kind of work have you?
BEGGAR. I've a starling, that whistles and sings.
STRANGER. You mean, he does the work?