open, and yonder come the Monks in procession with the Prior at their head.
(Enter Prior and Monks from the Monastery, and range themselves on one side of the stage.)
Prior. (to the Peasants) Retire, my children, and don't come so near us. Don't stand near the soldiers as they pass neither, but go to your houses.
1st Woman. O bless St. Maurice and your holy reverence! We see nothing now but coffins and burials, and hear nothing but the ticking of the death-watch, and the tolling of bells: do let us stand here and look at the brave sight. Lord knows if any of us may be above ground to see such another, an' it were to pass this way but a week hence.
Prior. Be it so then, daughter, but keep at a distance on the rocks, where you may see every thing without communicating infection.
(The Peasants retire, climbing amongst the rocks: then enter by the narrow pass at the bottom of the stage, Soldiers marching to martial music, with Officers and Osterloo.)
Prior. (advancing, and lifting up his hands with solemnity.)
Soldiers and officers, and the noble chief commanding this band! in the name of our patron St. Maurice, once like yourselves a
