Stay, men! Lay no rough hands upon the boy.
(_The line halts. The monk puts his palm to his
breast and coughs._)
JARDIN--No rough hands on--?
OSWALD-- The boy has done no harm.
The night I fell--
A MAN-- Here's Father Benedict.
(_They wait in silence._)
FATHER BENEDICT--Ah, brother Oswald!
(_He comes riding in, left. The women bow
reverently; the men bare their heads._)
_Benedicite._
You see my children gathered here about,
How glad they are to see you.
OSWALD-- And I, Father,
To be at work once more.
FATHER BENEDICT-- Praise the Virgin. (_Dismounting._)
You show a Christian spirit coming thus,
Bruised as you are, to do the Master's work.
OSWALD--I promised it should be done to-morrow.
FATHER BENEDICT-- And--?
OSWALD--I have two golden letters to put on.
FATHER BENEDICT--God hath his eye upon our altar cross;
And on you, too, my brother.
OSWALD-- God has been
Good to me.
FATHER BENEDICT--The angels do His will.