Louis— No;
But it was all that four of us could do
To hold him. He is on the seas again,
And peers abroad and swears he sees great ships—
(Out in the storm is heard the booming of a bell. They listen. Louis crosses himself and mutters.)
Sed libera nos a malo. Father— (The Abbot lifts his hand.)
What
Do you think it means? (A pause.)
Abbot— Come to my room.
(To himself, as he goes left.) If
The etherial gods, as the wise poet says,
Dwell afar off and in the affairs of men
Interfere not, our domes shall rise yet.
(Turning.) Louis,
Bring the scroll.
Louis— Which?
Abbot— Lucretius. On the floor.
(In the doorway he stops and listens as for the bell. As he goes out.) If.
(Louis takes up the parchment which lies upon the floor near the Abbot's chair and, going to the rear door, shuts it and slides the bolt. He then blows out the taper in the wall.)
Louis— (Listening.)
The witches have their way in heaven to-night.