OLD CLAUS
Piper, don't tell me you can read in books!
PIPER [at bay] Books! Where's a book? Shew me a book, I say!
OLD URSULA
The Holy Book! Bring that—or he'll bewitch you.
PIPER
Oh, never fear. I charm but fools and children;
Now that the rats are gone.—Bring me a Book:
A big one!—
[Murmurs. The PIPER defiant. The crowd moves towards the Minster. Enter ANSELM the priest, with a little acolyte,—the two bearing a large illuminated Gospel-book. ANSELM, eyeing the PIPER gravely, opens the book, which the boy supports on his head and shoulders.
PIPER
Ho, 't is too heavy! Come, you cherub-head,
Here's too much laid upon one guardian angel!
[Beckons another small boy, and sets the book on their two backs.
Well?—well? What now?
[He looks in frank bewilderment at the eager crowd.
CROWD
Read, read!
KURT
He cannot read.
PIPER
[to ANSELM]
Turn—turn—there's nothing there.
[ANSELM turns pages. PIPER looks on blankly]
. . . Ah, turn again!
The red one!—
[He takes his fife from his belt]
No, the green! The green one. So.
[Starts to pipe, looking on the book.]
CROWD
( Sure 't is a mad-man!
( But hear him piping!
( What is he doing?