ANSELM
  Silence here!—­Good people
What means this?

PIPER
  I have tidings for—­the wife
Of Kurt—­the Councillor.

ANSELM
You are too late.

PIPER
Bid her—­look out!

ANSELM
[solemnly]
Her soul is passing, now.

[The PIPER falls back stricken and speechless.—­The crowd, seeing him humanly overwhelmed, grows brave.

MARTIN’S WIFE
’Tis he has done it!

HANS the Butcher
  —­Nay, it is God’s will. 
Poor soul!

PETER the Sacristan
[fearfully]
Don’t anger him!  ’T was Kurt the Syndic
With his bad bargain.

AXEL the Smith
  Do not cross the Piper!

MARTIN
Nay, but he’s spent.  He’s nought to fear.—­
Look there. 
Mark how he breathes!  Upon him!  Help, help, ho!—­
Thou piping knave!

OTHERS
Tie—­chain him!—­Kill him!—­Kill him!
[They surround him.  He thrusts them off.]

PETER the Cobbler and OTHERS
  ( Bind him, but do not kill him!—­Oh, beware!
  ( What is he saying?—­Peace.

PIPER
[brokenly]
  The wife of Kurt! 
Off! what can you do?—­Oh!  I came, I came
Here, full of peace, and with a heart of love;—­
To give—­but now that one live Soul of all
Is gone!—­No, no!
  —­I say she shall not die!
She shall not!

ANSELM
  Hush!—­She is in the hands of God. 
She is at peace.

PIPER
  No, never!  Let me by!
[ANSELM bars the threshold and steps out.]

ANSELM
Thou froward fool!—­Wouldst rend with tears again
That shriven breath?  And drag her back to sorrow? 
It is the will of God.

PIPER
  —­And I say No!

ANSELM
Who dare dispute—­

PIPER
  I dare!

ANSELM
  With death?—­With God?

PIPER
I know His will, for once!  She shall not die. 
She must come back, and live!—­Veronika!

[He calls up to the lighted window.  The people stand aghast:  ANSELM bars the threshold.

I come, I come!  I bring your Own to you! 
Listen, Veronika!

[He feels for his pipe.  It is gone.—­His face shows dismay, for a moment]

Where?—­Where?

PEOPLE
  ( He’s lost the pipe.—­He’s hiding it!
  ( He cannot pipe them back! ’tis gone—­’tis gone.—­
  ( No, ’tis to save his life.—­It is for time.

PIPER
[to himself]
—­’T is but a voice.  What matter?—­

CROWD
  ( Seize him—­
  ( Bind him!

PIPER
[to them]
Hush!
[Passionately he stretches his arms towards the window.

ANSELM
Peace, for this parting Soul!