Think on this story, daughter and thou'lt see, How contemplating nature's mysteries May form fresh knowledge in a human head. I know how many things I can make clear Unto myself by spinning out in thought The tales by which the knights enlighten us.
I know I am a simple little thing, Without ability to understand The learned words which clever people use In setting forth the science they profess. I have no taste for matters of that kind. Whenever Thomas tells us of his work I nearly fall asleep. But I could spend Unnumbered hours in listening to the tales Which father brings back home on his return From visiting the castle, and wherewith He often weaves a story of his own As he recounts them to us hour on hour.
(After an interval, the Countryfolk come across the meadow.)
My uncle yesterday came home again. He dwelt a long time in Bohemia, And earned an honest living in the mines. Full many a bit of news he hath to tell Picked up by him upon his journeyings. Excitement and unrest are everywhere. Attacks are made upon the Spirit-Knights. Our local brotherhood can not escape; Already preparations have been made And ere long will this castle be besieged.
I hope 'twill not be long 'ere they attack. Many amongst us will most certainly Gladly enlist among the fighting-men; I mean to be among the first myself.
Thou wilt but hurry headlong to thy doom! How can a man be such a witless fool! Hast thou forgot how strongly fortified The castle is? The battle will be grim.
It is no business of the countryfolk To mix with things they do not understand. Yet there are many hereabouts today Who do naught else but go from place to place And fan the embers of revolt and strife. Things have already come to such a pass That sick folk have to cry in vain for aid. The good man who in former days was wont To help so many in sore need, can now No more pass out beyond the castle gates, So cruelly have folk belaboured him.
Of course! for many people were enraged On hearing from what source the sickness came That broke out, all at once, among our cows. The Jew brought this upon them by his spells. He only seems to make sick people well In order, by the use of hellish arts, Better to serve the ends of evil powers.