[A faint sound of piping comes from the distance.—The PIPER is first watchful, then radiant.—The burghers are awe-struck, as it sounds nearer.
BARBARA
Listen!
MICHAEL
His very tune,
[The PIPER faces front with fixed, triumphant eyes above the crowd.
MARTIN'S WIFE
O Lord, have mercy!
The Pipe is coming to him, through the air!
ALL
'T is coming to the Piper ;—we are lost.—
The Pipe is coming, coming through the air!
[The PIPER, with a sudden gesture, commands silence. He bounds away (centre), and disappears. The people, spell-bound with terror, murmur and fray.
ANSELM Retro me, Sathanas!
[KURT the Syndic appears on the threshold behind ANSELM, whose arm he touches, whispering.—Their faces are wonder-struck with hope and awe.
HANS the Butcher [to the others, pointing] 'T is Kurt the Syndic.