(The Peasants take up their song again and presently some Monks enter L. One leads a mule whose panniers are filled with vegetables and fruits—another carries a brace of partridges and a hare across his shoulder—and still another has a fishing rod and some fish. The Abbot, a fat and clumsy man, rides in their midst on a white mule—As they pass the shrine they all kneel—the Abbot dismounting from his palfrey with difficulty—and chant the Ave Maria; after the song they all rise excepting the Abbot.)
The Abbot (On his knees, mumbling).—
Holy Maiden—grant my humble prayer—
A new and lovely window shalt thou have
Within thy special chapel in the city
An' thou wilt but deign to hear me.
Bring but the lands of Guy de Montesper unto thy Holy Church
For we have need of them. Amen.
(He rises clumsily from his knees.)
The Abbott (Testily).—Hey, Frere Albertus—why so long a tarry—Bring my palfrey—
A Monk (Coming forward with the fat white mule).—Here, Father—
(He helps the Abbot mount and gives the mule a sly wallop with a switch—she starts off hastily with the Abbot hanging on.)
The Abbot (In terror as he disappears).—Hey—hey—
(The Monk follows laughing.)
(The Peasants take up their song again and the shadows begin to lengthen.)
(Presently a fan fare of trumpets is heard from the L. and the Peasants all crowd to the roadside to see what 15 coming.)
1st Peasant (Craning to see).—'Tis the Duke—and all his bridal train!
2d Peasant.—O let me but see. They say the bride is over. young for one so old as he.
3rd Peasant.;;—Hush, hush—see where they come—
(A Company of Knights with waving plumes and glittering lances ride across the stage—doffing their helmets to the image as they pass—they are followed by the Courtiers, some on horse back, some on foot—these, too, cross themselves before the shrine—some half-heartedly—some piously.)
1st Peasant.—Ah look—ah look—
All the Peasants—The Duke it is and his most noble bride.
(They all curtesy by the roadside, as the Duke, an old grizzled man, rides in by the side of a gorgeous palanquin in which his young