Simon—I shut my eyes.
(Holding their sides for laughter, Rene and Basil stagger back toward the rear. Soloman withdraws from the window.)
Leo— Father will tend to you.
(Simon makes faces at him and follows his companions.)
Abbot— (Walking aside with Louis.)
Say nothing to the strangers of the affair.
Louis—Of finding brother Oswald?
Abbot— No, not that.
His fall, his being found before the gate,
All that, no doubt, the villagers last night
Poured into their ears. The folk are deeply stirred.
From tongue to tongue the flame of rumor runs
That heavenly hands bore Oswald from the gulch.
They think the holy saints have blessed his palms
With power of healing and of miracles.
Alms have increased ten-fold. Cattle and sheep,
Jewels and coin, and corn and casks of wine
Pour in from every side. Within a year,
St. Giles will swell her roofs and shine in gold— (Confidentially.)
Provided, Louis, provided. You understand?
Louis—You mean the abbey here will robe herself
In purple cloth-of-bodkin stiff with pearl,
Provided—
Abbot— This new loom shall keep her hum.
Louis—That here red wines will flow to flush her face,
Provided—