HANS the Butcher
Soberly, soberly, ay!—
JACOBUS
For our deliverance.
And now, ye wit, it will be full three days
Since we beheld—our late departed pest.—
OLD URSULA [putting out an ear-trumpet] What does he say?
REYNARD [from the Ark] —Oh, how felicitous!
HANS' WIFE
He's only saying there be no more rats.
JACOBUS
[with oratorical endeavor]
Three days it is; and not one mouse,—one mouse,
One mouse, I say!—No-o-o! Quiet. . . as a mouse.
[Resuming]
And now. . .
CROWD
Long live Jacobus!—
JACOBUS
You have seen
Noah and the Ark, most aptly happening by
With these same play-folk. You have marked the Judgment.
You all have seen the lost souls sent to—Hell—
And, nothing more to do.—
[KURT prompts him]
Yes, yes.—And now. . .