Cop>TlghtN^ COPYRIGHT 6EP0SIT gjgMMM^lSlHHMllMSlMMIMMlllll! 1 The Wolf of Gubbio ^ Comedy in 'Three Acts 151 151 151 1^ i i 151 By Josephine Preston Peabody {Mrs.. Lionel Marks') i i 151 15 15) BOSTON 2indi NEW TORK Houghton Mifflin Company 1913 151 IJIM^IMIMMMMMM^IMSMMIM^I^ m [5 i COPYRIGHT, I913, BY JOSEPHINE PEABODY MARKS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Published December IQ13 This play has been copyrighted and published simultaneously in the United States and Great ■ Britain. . All rights reserved^ including rights of pro- duction y translation, and adaptation. The acting rights both professional and ama- teur are fully protected; and no performance may be given, except by special arrangement with the author, who may be addressed in care of the publishers. / TO LIONEL MY LITTLE SON AND LIONEL HIS FATHER PERSONS OF THE PLAT The Wolf Francis of Assisi Brother Leo Brother Juniper , NicoLO, the Inn-keeper ' Lucia, his daughter The Baker The Potter The Furrier The Furrier's Wife The Dyer The Dyer's Wife Old Lucrezia B/MBO "^ BiMBA Louis, the King of France Grillo ' Vecchio Vecchio Children > } His companions People of Gubbio Two Thieves Persons of the Play A Poor Man, Giuseppe A Poor Woman, Assunta And A Baby Three Dryads Other folk of Guhhio, From Foligno Time : The day before Christmas, 700 years ago Place : Italy 5 in and near Gubbio The action falls within the space of twelve hours. Act L — Morning : The woods on the mountain Act 11. — Noon : Gubbio Act III. — Night : Gubbio Prologue ^San Francesco! San Francesco! — Bi* Assist ! — D'Assisi! —UAssisH' Act I ^he Little Poor Man walked the world, {Laugh ^ laugh y my scars !) Hunger and thirsty and lack^ and losSy Beckoned to him as stars. * * * The Wolf of Gubbio Act I Scene : A deep pine-wood on the mountain, 'The scene is framed right and left with two towering pine-boles like pillars^ front, that reach out of sight without show of green. At the back, a bridle-path crosses ; and the clearing, centre, shows a glimpse of the val- ley far below, with a sweep of silver-bright winter sky, 'The ground is strewn with cop- pery pine-needles and dead leaves ; a few patches of snow, 'The dense pines tower out of sight, copper and dun, and laced with green- ish light, but few boughs low enough to see, Down, towards the centre, to the left of the spectator, a gray rock, half-covered with pine- needles, shelters the opening of a low cave. Out of the bleak refrain of the wind comes the voice of The Wolf, big and sorrowful, _^ 4 The Wolf of Gubbio Voice of The Wolf HE World is cold; the World is cold. The snows are round us, fold on fold. Only the flocks are stalled within ; The kine are gathered, kith and kin. ... I must be growing old. \_The voice dies away with a moan] [A Pine-Dryad leans down swayingly from ' behind the trees in the foreground to the right. A second does likewise^ left, 'Their auburn' hair is long and straight; their hanging drapery is filmy green. They beckon each other y and listen^ with finger on lip. Voice of The Wolf Their breath goes up, from stall and pen, " Close beside the homes of men Gathered together, down below; - Homes of the men of Gubbio. I have seen their breath float up together. Warm and white, white as a feather, — All together, against the cold. ... I must be growing old. The Wolf of Gubbio 5 First Dryad Who Is it ? — Did you hear ? Second Dryad . . . Did you? Voice of a Wood-Dove \J?ubblingly'\ Who? . . . Who? Voice of The Wolf This old unhappy heart Does nought to keep me warm. Dreams come, to vex me in a swarm. I can but crouch and nurse the smart; I can but ail, and lie apart, And hide, from storm to storm. Watching the little lights below ; Lights, for the men of Gubbio ! The world is very old. — And I am cold. \^he Vine-Dryad appears over the edge of the cliff at back, reaching her way with long arms, from a tree-top just visible. She has dark hair in tendrils ; and a garment of green and violet. She listens like the others. 6 The Wolf of Gubbio Second Dryad Hush, can it be ? First Dryad . . . Ah, listen, do! Wood-Dove Who? . . . Who? I Vine-Dryad Good-morning, Beautiful ! — And happy meet- ing. First Dryad — Ehi, greeting! Second Dryad — Greeting ! Vine-Dryad We're listening. Second Dryad ^ So am I! But who ? The Wolf of Gubbio 7 First Dryad And why? None of you tiptoe Vines could ever guess. — Some one is pining of his loneliness! Pine-Dryads \Jaughing\ The Wolf— the Wolf it is, — old hulking surly — Vine-Dryad Only the Wolf? that woke us all so early ? \_Shivering\ Oime ! — O Tramontana, change your tune ; — Let it be June ! \_Joining the other s\ Second Dryad Hush! We may bring him out, with all this patter. Vine-Dryad ! Not we, indeed ! And if we did, what mat- ter? He has no ears for chatter ! 8 The Wolf of Gubbio First Dryad Nor many teeth, by this, for punisliment : — Dull wits, and duller scent. Vine-Dryad There 's something in his heart, though, did you hear? Wood-Dove ... Fear . . . Fear ! ' First Dryad \Jooking up in the trees'^ Squirrel, what is it ? Do you find out. Run in, run in and visit ! [_^hefe are heard and seen little scurryings in the dead leaves. Second Dryad Not he ! Not he ! He knows what he *s about. — Wolf with a secret ! Vine-Dryad — Ah, his heavy heart; No wonder ! He must stay with it, you know, Sulking apart ; \_A doglike groan from The Wolf] , Only his black heart keeping him awake. The Wolf of Gubbio 9 First Dryad For old times' sake ! Vine-Dryad If I look in to comfort him ? — Would you? Wood-Dove Do . . . Do! Second Dryad Comfort the Wolf? — Ah, hark ! — That sharpens his old fangs along my bark? — A Wolf that only dreams of bite and sup ? — That lives to eat things up ! . If I were not a tree. What hope for me? You wildest Vine, you runaway romancer ! Creep in and bring an answer ! Vine-Dryad Hey, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit ! Pretty fel- low, — Fratello, fratello ! . . . \_She catches up a hare from his amhuslo\ lo The Wolf of Gubbio Nestle and fret? And nestle? Ah, don't worry ! I '11 let you go — no need of all this flurry. Be off, then, — hurry, hurry ! \_Running and laughing^ she throws him softly off, left. — And I, with you! Second Dryad Wait, wait ! Perhaps he *11 tell. Vine-Dryad . . . Farewell ! Only a morninor dream. Second Dryad ... A morning lost ! First Dryad My eyes are dim with frost ! - [Th^V^ol'f moans^ full diapason, 'They stop and listen^ all. Second Dryad Hush — hush — The Wolf of Gubbio ii First Dryad Hush! Voice of The WoLg The world is cold, The world is dark. Alone I wait ; alone I hark. And hear my own heart grieve : My sorrow, that no eyes behold; My longing, longing, sevenfold. That no one would believe, — No one would believe. First Dryad Sorrow ? Believe ! Vine-Dryad BeHeve? Not I ! \_Going. Good-bye ! Second Dryad Good-bye! . . . Believe? Ahai, who could! 12 The Wolf of Gubbio First Dryad \_ascending to her tree] Hush! Footsteps . . . yonder in the wood. What if he hear ? Second Dryad He never could : — He *s wrapped about with woes ! First Dryad [gleefully'] All, all alone ! — Misunderstood, — Ailing r Second Dryad — Or deaf. Who knows ? First Dryad Or fallen in a doze. \jrbey withdraw into their trees and disappear] \A bell sounds soft ly, far down in Gubbio, The Wolf appears at the door of his cavCy yawning. ^ The Wolf W-wufF! ' \He lifts his nose high in the air] The Wolf of Gubbio 13 Not for fire; and not for war. What do they sound the great bell for ? Warm, . . . softly, it calls below. Calling the men of Gubbio. : [l^he bell sounds dimly^ I . . . that was master of all the Pack To ail, and sulk here, — and look back! I, that could rend, and claw, and grip, — Sucking my paws, for fellowship !^ Puzzling here in my ambuscade. What men are, when they 're not afraid ! Worrying, — wondering, how 't would feel To sit with men, and to share their meal ; Talking words, with my bite and sup Out of a man-made, earthen cup . . . \jrbe bell sounds again'\ Talking words, when the north wind blows, Round the fire, . . . with nose to nose. \j:omplacently\ I was a tempest and a woe. Unto the men of Gubbio . . . Only one thing men do full well ; — How did they make . . . the bell? \A running is heard through the dry leaves'^ . . . W-ufff . . . [The Wolf withdraws his head into the cave"] 14 The Wolf of Gubbio \_Enter right, two children. Bimbo and BiMBA, breathless, 'They run stumhlingly close by The Wolf's cave, in manifest terror and out of their way, BiMBA — Stop, stop ! I have no breath. Pine-Dryads [^softly from above^ ... Away .... away. [The children look up at trees, but see no- 'thing. Bimbo takes put his pocket-knife, scared and at bay. They huddle together y panting out their words, BiMBA What was that ? — Bimbo Wind, wind, — Tramontana ! — Come, run, run ! V BiMBA [sobbingly^ I can't run any more. I can't run any more. No, no! not if I saw the Wolf himself . . . The Wolf of Gubbio 15 I could n't run any more ! [^ slight contemptu- ous sniff is beard from the cave,~\ Oh, what was that ? Bimbo \_with chattering teeth'\ . . . Tramontana ! — Ssh ! — They '11 find us. BiMBA Oh ! oh! — And she called us to find the baby . . . she begged us to find the baby. I don't dare. I don't dare ! Bimbo We did n't see any baby. How could we find any baby ? What 's that ? — \_A cone falls. BiMBA [looking up at the tree with a tear-stained smile'] Tramontana blew us something down, out of the pine-tree ! Bimbo Come on, come on! . . . We'll catch it at home too. Spilling all the firewood. . . . Oh ! [6'/c^j.] They 're coming. They 're after us ! i6 The Wolf of Gubbio BiMBA Get under the leaves. — Get under the leaves! And if he comes near, we '11 make-believe we 're rabbits. — Get under the leaves ! [They burrow head-first under the leaves. Enter up rights on the path, Brother Juniper, a simple peasant Friar Minor, — with a look of constant anxiety illuynined by beaming good will. He leads a donkey laden with faggots ; and he is followed by Brother Leo, slim and young. Brother r Juniper turns towards the rustling leaves, l^he burrowing children are wild with terror, - BiMBA \in a little high voice as he approaches^ Oh, please . . . I *m only a rabbit . . . Oh, Messer Robber. ... It is n't anything but a fox, a . . . a little fox ... a little, little fox! Juniper ^calling back to Leo as he approaches'^ Fra Leo, Fra Leo, — come here, for love of Our Lady ! I have found a heap of leaves that The Wo lf of Gubbio 17 is bewitched; and calling out, — how it is now a fox, and now a rabbit, . . . and now, it is [BiMBA crawls out gladly] a child, — a very- child, a woman-child, — as I am Brother Juniper, the silly plaything of the blessed saints ! Leo \jweetly to her\ Give thee peace, little child. Was this the sor- rowing we heard ? [Bimbo crawls out. Juniper Another ! And is it a rabbit enchanted you are, or a boy bewitched, in God's name ? And whence was the crying ? BiMBA O Brother Juniper, take us home, come with US — quick, quick ! We thought you were Men. Bimbo Robbers ! Juniper and Leo — Robbers ? — {Pointing back. i8 The Wolf of Gubbio BiMBA We came all the way from Gubbio — Bimbo Gathering wood. Blessed Francis was coming to Gubbio. BiMBA — This day ! to make the Christmas feast for us. — And we went farther and farther. And we heard a crying — ' . Bimbo — And there was a woman — BiMBA — Striving with a man — and calling out to us to find the Baby. Bimbo We did n*t see any baby. . . . BiMBA — And we did n't dare. And she called to us .'. . how it was under a juniper-tree. " The Wolf of Gubbio 19 Bimbo — No, an olive-tree. BiMBA — No, a juniper-tree. But we durst n*t — - . . . we were frightened. . . . We ran . . . \_Shivering, [Leo unbinds his hood and -puts it on the little girl. Bimbo Of course we ran ! And we must run home now. There 's the way. [Pointing left. Leo Alas, poor woman! 'Twas her crying, then. BiMBA Oh, please to take us home! Leo Yea, little doves, that will we. Juniper Even to Gubbio we are all bent this day, to make ready the birthday feast for Our Lord's 20 The Wolf of Gubbio poor, and the blessed little father Francis is coming fast the way of Monte Subasio. Children [dancing] Little Poor Man, — Little Poor Man! BiMBA Is he coming truly? — All this long way in the cold ? — • Leo Yea, little dove, his heart will warm the wind. Bimbo [exdledly gazing at the donkey] Eh! Nicolo never lent you Pantaleone! . . . BiMBA No, it's the bishop's ass! The bishop's ass! H-e sent it for blessed Francis I Leo But blessed Francis goes afoot, all through the world. Moreover, this being the Holy Eve, ' it ought, as he says, to be a time of gladness for The Wolf of Gubbio 21 Brother Ass, — with all God's poor, — and with all God's creatures on two legs, or three or four! Juniper [beating his breast suddenly^ Mea culpa^ what a rogue am I ! . . . \He hastens to the ass and untackles the fire- wood^ That set but now this burden on ray- brother ! Who should go freely, honorably, . . even leaping as it were with holy exultation. . (Light down, light down. Brother Wood !) — Yet this once, [cooingly to the ass^ think it no burden, but a kindness, brother, to take this little one upon you, a child as it were, and for sake of the Holy Child ! \^akes the wood upon his back, Fra Leo helping, 'They beckon the children, Leo Yea, let us find the poor soul that fell among thieves. [Turning right'] Bimbo No, this way, this way! 22 The Wolf of Gubbio Juniper — And her babe that she left in jeopardy as it were. . . . This winter day ! . . . and the wind . . . And the wolves .... Bimbo and Bimba Wolves I Leo Which way said she ? [ 'J'he children look at each other guiltily ^ then 'point off, left, r Juniper [gladly^. The homeward way ? — Come, we will search as we go! [The Brothers lift Bimba on the ass, and they all go out, left, on the bridle-path to Gubbio. The Wolf reappears at the door of his cave and sniffs tentatively in the direction pointed out by the children. The Wolf Hmph! Wanted to tell ... but did n*t dare. The Wolf of Gubbio 23 The little whelps ! — No baby there. [^Tawns and shuffles back in his cave: lies down with his nose out^ horedly. The world goes by. The world goes by; Forgotten in my lair I lie. No, not forgotten ; — down below, I am a name in Gubbio ; I am a dread; though here apart I nurse the thorn that *s in my heart, Watching the snows that melt, and drip ; Licking my paws, for fellowship ! Wondering what if a man came by. To stand, to face me, eye for an eye; Knifeless, fearless — ? What would he do ? Ah, — such a man must be. But who? \He yawns prodigiously ; starts up and gives a low growl ; lies down^ disappointed^ nose on his paws. His subsiding grunts speak boredom and disgust. Bah ! The sound ... of the smell that grieves : — Hope, betrayed by a cynic nose! Just when an old heart half believes . . . 24 The Wolf of Gubbio Same old, mouldy odor . . . of thieves! — May as well doze. [^Enter up^ cautiously, Vecchio Vecchio, a tattered but unctuous optimist, and Grillo, lean and bitter, with a cloak in bis hands, Vecchio Vecchio Come along, Snail ! Grillo r Go along, Ox. — Do you look to go shares on my takings, Lie- Abed-Late ? Look at me ; he had the muscle of a copper-smith, that fel- low. I have got a contortion of the spleen, pitching him over the cliff! Vecchio Vecchio Gathering cones, were they ? Sooth, they '11 be gathering up the bones of him, white as coral, next spring, when the snow in the gorge is melted. — Come, what catch, my limber little fisherman? [Grasping his arm~\ The Wolf of Gubbio 25 Grillo Softly, Bishop ! — And a man of his size, groan- ing and cursing about his wife and the 'Baby, baby, baby!* . . . Asif I were out child-napping. [ T^hey come down to the rock over The Wolf, and cut along the lining of the cloak to- gether, Vecchio Vecchio And the wife, while I searched her, scream- ing to the fowls of the air to save the ' Baby, baby — baby ! ' — And all the while, no man re- quired the baby . . . only this poor pittance, or saving, — or inheritance . . Where is it, Sheepshead? sneeze out, I say! Grillo \with a wry face, unfolding a few coins and a small packet~\ Here was a witless woman. With all her struggle and cawing to get away, yielding up her husband to be thrown off the mountain — and her babe mislaid under a tree she will never find again, — she clings to the cloak; and we cling too. \JVith disgust. 1 Her all-in-all, — her 26 The Wolf of Gubbio treasury ! . . A little bread, less cheese . . . and an image of a woman and a baby. \_He hastily crosses himself on second thought'^ Vecchio Vecchio No matter; this snack will stay us. [Sniffing at it.l Peccorino ! The fourth time this week. Bah, — when we have but the coat of that noble- man of France we look to entertain — \_looking off left with concentrated purpose~\ that nobleman of France who keeps us waiting, — we shall dine, r Grillo Per Bacco ! 'Tis a rare snail. If he go another way? Vecchio Vecchio There is no other way, for a bridle-path ! \_^hey scramble upon The Wolf*s rocky and eat their cheese, watching the path alertly. Vecchio Vecchio lifts up the cloak, sniggeringly , and puts it round his shoulders. Take off thine evil eye from my rich garment ! 'Twas folly to waste us on these small fry, these The Wolf of Gubbio 27 creatures of Poverty, . . . hee — hee ! — The world's failures. — Consider the man ; — what a man ! Base victim of his own unthrift. Puts all his coin in his wife's hood and loses it; ho — ho! And the woman, lean victim of her own unthrift! Why did she not lay up her hoardings in store of flocks or geese ? Sews it all in her cloak for a journey. — Wastrel, to journey at all! Im- provident from birth ! With a young babe, for- sooth; flaunting the swaddled creature to all the winds! — Mislays it under a juniper-tree, — hee — hee ! A birthday gift for the Wolf of Gubbio ! [The Wolf's head appears suddenly, at the opening of his cave. 'The thieves, sit- ting above him vis-a-vis, do not perceive it. He sniffs long and earnestly from up centre, to the right as they talk, and listens with a growing interest evident in his red tongue and side-glances. Go to ; were it not for the chance of its waul- ing, I would seek out that babe, and bring it up in the fear of folly ! Ho — ho! How long must we suflfer by this swarm of babes? How is the noble world shamed by this spawning, this seeth- ing, this weltering of ill-conditioned babes, like 28 The Wolf of Gubbio . . . cheese-mites; children of fools; — pale vic- tims of their own unthrift! But all's well, or I am no philosopher. All 's well : — I had it of a learned man I met . . on the road to Padua. Grillo [wilb intense bitterness'] All 's well ? — All 's rotten : look at me ! Vecchio Vecchio ' \_waving him aside] The woman finds her way back ; the better for her. — Or, she finds it not; the better for her kindred. — The jn an is free to carve his path- way in the world. — \_Flourishing his knife over the cheese,] Grillo \_with his mouth full] — If he live to find it. Vecchio Vecchio \his eyes rolled up, piously] Freed of his Lawful Encumbrance. — And what more notable goad to valor and industry than the goad of Poverty ? — As the lord bishop ♦« The Wolf of Gubbio 29 was telling you at Foligno, while you fished for his purse — Grillo (Ugh! — my rotten luck.) Vecchio Vecchio ' The goad of Poverty, scourging the slothful and pricking on the poor.' Grillo \_with venom'] Poverty ? . . . Old Cheese, look at me, I tell you, look at me ! Vecchio Vecchio I look, I look, and I repeat. Wastrels all, scatterlings, — locusts ! Fie upon thee to devour thy cheese. Put by, put by, for a rainy day, — while I eat mine, of a chilly ! Go to, thou ravening locust ! Mark you this (I had it of a doctor I met . . on the road to Bologna) : — Nothing will keep you idlers at home, save the fear of the Wolf at the door. Now am I a scholar or — [The Wolf scenes something, and snaps his jaws suddenly. 30 The Wolf of Gubbio Grillo Hist ! What was that? \_He rises and turns towards the bridle-path. The Wolf listens to their talk with growing animation, Vecchio Vecchio Thou mettlesome thoroughbred ! — Peace, peace. Benedicite ! Requies-s-scat ! . . . To cqntinue: — the babe is lost; one less in a crowded world. Grillo Nay, go on. Bishop. Thou hast left the babe with the Wolf of Gubbio. . . . Hee — hee — hee! The Wolf will keep him warm Vecchio Vecchio Thou hast a ribald fancyand a darkened mind. What wolf, finding a babe in the forest of a winter eve, would swallow it down, without a wash of wine? Soto misprize it? Never! Nay, devour an orphan babe ? He would fetch the creature home, to show him gratitude; for why else does a man fetch anything home? — «• The Wolf of Gubbio 31 \unctuously'\ but for something to love him; to be the prop of his declining years ! Grillo — Clothe it with skins! Teach it Wolf's Latin — Vecchio Vecchio . And bring it up godly, — to be a brown friar, absolve him of his sins, and sing masses for his departing soul ! [The Wolf, with a last decisive sniff high in airy darts out noiselessly^ right. Both What was that ? Hist ! Grillo 'T was a scantling in the leaves . . . Vecchio Vecchio A rabbit? . . [Looking up."] The day's grown milder. [Listening. Grillo Nay, it *s there now. [Pointing left.'] What if he be not alone? . . . My rotten luck! 32 The Wolf of Gubbio Vecchio Vecchio Chut ! — What 's a man or two ? You heard him say it with his own mouth, in the court- yard at FoHgno, — as we lay behind the wall, ... he would go without escort ? And his men-at-arms were to fall away? — Ih, ih ! An he keep us waiting longer . . . \jrhey go upy to look down the hridle-pathy and steal to the right on tiptoe^ lost to sight for the moment. Reenter down, right. The Wolf in haste, , with a bundle like a swaddled Babe in his teeth. He stops, somewhat at a loss, — puts it down among the pine-needles, centre, and goes up on the trail of the two thieves, to reconnoitre. The Pine-Dryads unfold from their trees, and lean down, right and left, their long arms almost touching as they droop over the Baby with curiosity and cherishing delight; then watchful looks towards The Wolf. Appears on the edge of the cliff again. The Vine-Dryad, reassuring them with a ges- ture of mirth and wonder , pointing to The Wolf, who is watching the thieves in their covert. \^ The Wolf of Gubbio 33 The Wolf WufF— [^He wags bis tail as he looks at the Baby^ and then up^ right. The Dryads with- draw slowly into the trees. The Wolf runs down, — noses the Babe gently, gets it into his teeth again bundle-wise, and creeps into his cave. He is seen guardant, his head out, but with- drawn as the two thieves reappear, look- ing back for their prey. A soft sound comes from the cave. Grillo \_startled\ Hist!-^ As I 'm a lean sinner, I could swear I heard a sound, as it were of a babe, — a swaddled babe ! Vecchio Vecchio \recovering himself ~\ A swaddled babe ! Thou heardst a sound as of a swaddled babe, with auburn locks, lying under a tree that was planted the year of the death of King Pepin ! 34 The Wolf of Gubbio Grillo What was it? — If it be the babe, — we Ve missed our way; we've rounded on ourselves. We left the woman — \_Pointing back, right. Vecchio Vecchio Peace, dolt! Thou heardst a rabbit calling thee grandmother. Grillo — If it be the babe, we are lost through its wauling! Vecchio Vecchio If it be a babe, and if we lag, and if it waul, and if we be lost, — we be lost through thy IfF-ings and What-ings, — thou beardless son of an earth-worm. \^Both listen, right. — Here he comes, Silver-Trappings ! here he conies, with his miniver edgings. Quick — to work J \jrhey run with sudden stealth, to conceal themselves behind the trees up right and left, with knives drawn. Hoof-beats are heard, of horses walked gently The Wolf of Gubbio 35 on the mountain-path ; a jingling of trap- pings. ^ ^he watchers^ with faces turned suddenly to deadly rage and disappointment^ steal far- ther down front to concealment^ looking back, Grillo Death of my life ! Six men-at-arms. ' Vecchio Vecchio Blast him, — blast him, the flea of fortune! Who and what is he ? \frhe knights are seen to ride along behind the pine-trees at back. In the centre^ up^ Louis of France reins his horse and leans from the saddle with boyish eagerness. He is a young and comely man, clothed with knightly richness, but bare-headed. Louis Look, there lies Gubbio ! When we shall come To yonder bridge, I go afoot. [^To one.'] . . . Rene, Have by the pilgrim robes that I must wear ; \fro the others] \ And when we pass the wall, — no sign from you. 36 The Wolf of Gubbio Think of that holy man I go to meet. The blessed Francis ! . . . and of heaven's high King,— [They bare their heads'] How lowly to this world he came alone, A naked Babe. Think ye, within your minds. As we ride on. For we be pilgrims all Together, on this Birthday of my Lord, To keep His feast with holy Poverty. — Yea, and to pray, as men that be in need, T'he Little Poor Man for some blessedness. The Little Poor Man whom we go to seek ! r And when I shall dismount, then do you all Follow me, at a distance. . Stay me not. Whatever thing it pleasure me to do. Ride on, Sirs. \_The riders pass out left on the path to Gubbio~\ Grillo Would you not take him for a vagrom preach- ing friar? Curled lap-dog! He journeys like the king of France home from the crusades ! ' Ride on. Sirs ! ' And a pious dog would I be too, if preaching could line my coat with vair and my belly with partridge pies ! ^ Follow me at a distance, gentlemen ! * The Wolf of Gubbio 37 Vecchio Vecchio Pish ! If they follow him at a distance as he said, — we shall have the coat, and thevair, with the partridge pies to follow ! And a ' little poor man, a little poor man,* he longed to meet ? — Ih^ ib, — so do not I! — Hold thy tongue; and hurry thy heels. For we '11 follow him on, to Gubbio. Grillo — Pilgrims all, to Gubbio I Vecchio Vecchio And mark the inn that he lies at. — Follow you ' at a distance,' pretty Sir ! Follow you at a distance ! \jrhey start after, with venomous looks , Grillo first, who stops and waves back Vecchio Vecchio, cautioning, A mans voice is heard singing off, right ; O Brother Sun ... All-folding Sight ! [The Wolf, at the door of his cave, starts upy with sudden eagerness. Grillo ,What fool is this ? 38 The Wolf of Gubbio Vecchio Vecchio Some wandering simpleton . . . calling to all the winds to come and pluck him. — Pluck him we will ; he '11 never cry out ! — I 'm cold. [Tbey stand ready, 'The singing comes nearer] [The Wolf trembles with excitement and creeps outy watching also. The Voice of Francis , O Brother Sun ! All-folding Sight, • Lo, where I sing along the dust ! Even a little one. Yea, a wayside thing Sunlight makes to sing, as he must! All we are minstrels of thy King : Maker of thy might. Pouring from above : — O Light of Light, O Love of Love ! \_Enter St. Francis, shining with gladness, The thieves run to seize him, — The Wolf utters a furious snarl, They loose St. Francis, and turn to see The Wolf crouching, ready to spring. o The Wolf of Gubbio 39 Vecchio Vecchio and Grillo \mad with fear\ The Wolf of Gubbio! —The Wolf of Gub- bio! \T^hey rush out^ leff\ [St. Francis stretches out his arms in greeting] Francis . . . Welcome, Brother Wolf! [The Wolf still crouching looks at him. A moment of silence. The Wolf Brother . . . you called me ? Francis Even so. The Wolf And Wolf? — Francis Yea, . . . truly. The Wolf Then you know. Why are you not dismayed? . . . 40 The Wolf of Gubbio Francis At thee? \^He spreads his arms wide, with a gesture of sweet mirth. Why art not thou . . . afraid oi me? The Wolf \with nose abased'^ You have heard them . . . Now you know All. — You heard them say my name. Soothj it had a bitter fame, Lbng ago. I am . . . the Wolf of Gubbio. There is no hiore to say. Francis Thou he? Long, — long have I looked for thee. The Wolf Fair Sir, have pity on my shame. Francis Shame? — Then you shall tell it me. Nay, you shall not be afraid. The Wolf of Gubbio 41 What am I for? — Your Poverello Out of Assisi, a low little fellow ! These ears of mine were only made To hear things sorrowful and sore. Come, you shall tell me more. \_He comes down. The Wolf stays between Francis and the opening to the lair. The Wolf Wolf I am, from last to first. Ah, but 'Wolf is not the worst. . . . No, I am accurst, j Francis \_with childlike delight"] Hearken here; and then believe. Dost thou know, this Holy Eve, How the mouth of Brother Ox, And the ass, — and all the flocks, — Speak His praise, with one accord. Who is made our Lord? Lord of thee and me, and all ; Kings that sit within the hall, — Lambs that bleat within the fold ; Yea, and men and wolves that call In the cold ! 42 The Wolf of Gubbio Brother, of thy courtesy. Lay thy burden here on me ; Give me leave to ease thy smart ; Shew me all thy heart. \_He lifts one of TheWoly's paws in his hands'^ The Wolf Oh, what is it? What is waking Here in my old hide ? Sir, my strength is breaking . . / With my pride. 'Is it the noon-day, maybe? — No, It must be music, ails me so. It 's in my ears. — It warps my gait. I' . . . can't walk straight. Francis Tell me thy burden. The Wolf \jhamedly\ If I can. I long ... I long to be a Man. ....... And here am I, a Wolf, behold! The world's the world. — The Wolf of Gubbio 43 And it is cold. And I am old. Francis Brother, I know. The Wolf [^trying to recover his self-possession\ Well, you would hear. — I told you so ! I never thought, when life began. That one could wish to be a Man. But — one by one, the Pack died out; — And nothing much to think about. Grinding your teeth on one idea; And little passing here . . . And sometimes we can hear it well, — When the wind *s right . . , that Bell. So; I have told you. Yet, in spite Of dreaming on, night after night, — I Ve always found, the frosty days Brought back my wolfish ways. . . . Sometimes a sheep, — even a cow. Made me forget, — and break my vow. Sometimes . . . [Breaks off.~\ WfF . . Not that I want for bite and sup ! [Proudly~\ I . . . couldn't keep it up. 44 The Wolf of Gubbio Then after all, up here again. Alone and moping in my den . . . \_He steals a guilty look towards it, and searches the face of St. FRANCis/br knowl- edge; then turns his back on his den reso- lutely and goes on. I longed to be with Men ; To be a Man, as others are: — No, no, — I don't mean similar. I Ve never seen nor yet heard tell Much good of men, — but, well, ; Maybe some glamour of romance. For all this — circumstance; ... \_Looking round at his tail~\ .... I 'd simply like the chance ! Francis Ah, Brother mine, a Wolf thou wert To spread dismay ! Was it not to their mischief and their hurt To xome thy way ? The Wolf [ meditating^ Yea. The Wolf of Gubbio 45 Francis Thy cruelties were more than men could say — The Wolf . . , Yea. Francis To make of thee, thyself, this castaway. ] The Wolf '■^ [acquiescent'] Hm-hm, Francis Ah, dear my Brother, for this cause Thy hands keep on their savage claws ; And splendor of thy furry hide Keeps hot thy heart of wolfish pride. Yea, but thine own heart after all Hath made thee thrall : Keeps thee in pain, bites in on thee With the sharp tooth of misery. The Wolf Thou sayest all. 46 The Wolf of Gubbio Francis Yea, Brother, have I understood ? The Wolf I was longing ... to be good. Francis [blithely'] Longing lights the lovely fire ; Longing brings thee still no nigher To thy heart's desire. Work, and work ; and thou shalt know. Come ! The Wolf , . . But where? ' Francis To Gubbio ! [The Wolf starts up ; then crouches again and steals a furtive look at his rock con- sidering whether he shall telL [Buoyantly] Where thy plunders stripped thee first ; Where thy teeth have done their worst. The Wolf Oh, I am accurst, — accurst. The Wolf of Gubbio 47 Francis Is there a burden left thee, say ? The Wolf [evading the query] Let me be with thee, for one day ! Ask no more . . . Ah, if you knew, Would you not hate me? — even you! Francis Hate thee, — I ? Ah, Brother, see ! And do thou cry out on me ; A wolf, — a low and little one ! Regard the evil I have done : — [He points earnestly to a scrap of fox-skin sewn upon the breast of his habit ^ and goes on with pleading eagerness, while The Wolf sniffs up and down the patch. This bit of fox-fur, — sniff ! — behold ! And more, and larger, sewn within. To warm my sorry little skin Against the winter cold ! . . . When Brother Fox was found undone, I, like a very heathen Hun, 48 The Wolf of Gubbio Suffered a portion of his fur To make my bones the happier ! Yea, of my self-love, so I did ; And this I wear, as thou wilt guess To show all men my wolfishness. And not to keep it hid ! [The Wolf struggles with his conscience; and encourages himself with his tail, Francis To Gubbio, come ! \A sound of running water begins to he heard; sunlight steals through the tree- trunks and warms the sky to gold. The Wolf They hate me. Francis Wilt thou earn A man^s own peace ? Then work, and learn ! Back to the world ; and there make good All thou hast dreamed of brotherhood. - Hope and lose and hope again, And remember, and forget, The Wolf of Gubbio 49 With us all ; for men are men, But not brothers; — no, not yet. The Wolf Not brothers yetP Then what 's the game? Surely Men were all the same . . . Till you came. Francis In this twilight of thy wood ! — The Wolf I was longing ... to be good. [Looking back at his den\ Francis \Joyously\ Work, with each of thy four paws. Mind thee what thy teeth and claws ' Tore from all these village-folk ; — Homes that trembled ; hearts that broke. Work, for those thou hast beguiled ; — Left without or chick or child ! [The Wolf y?^//d'«^ himself suddenly^ 50 The Wolf of Gub'bio The Wolf But they hate me. . . . • Francis Even so. Come again to Gubbio. The Wolf How can any gladness be? Francis r Thou shalt see. The Wolf , Can you think, and still say Go ? # ■ Francis \jmilingly'\ . Nay, but Come ; — and come with me ! The Wolf [^rising giddily'] Why ... is the snow . . . melting along the furrows ? Is it spring? The Wolf of Gubbio 51 Why ... do the hares . . . look out from their hutches and burrows ? Listening? Francis Love in the world it is, that makes all these Awake and warm : — Love walking in the world, that all the trees Forget the storm. The Wolf Why are the vines astir that were forsaken ? Can it be spring? Why is the brook awake? — I heard it waken. Francis And it will sing ! \_seeing The Wolf ba/t] Is there something left behind ? Rankling thorn? — Or prick of mind? — Shall we two beHeve each other? The Wolf [^leaping about him with dog-like gaiety^ Give the word. I will obey ! 52 The Wolf of Gubbio Francis Come with me. — Here lies the way. Wolf, my Brother ! \^He goes radiantly up to the bridle-path and looks down at Gubbio, The Dryads lean from the trees softly : they point towards The Wolf's den with accusing looks. The Wolf, avoiding their eyes ^ drags his tail and walks heavily after the Saint , stopping for a last hangdog glance at the cave where ' the Baby lies hidden. As Francis turns^ he waves his tail, and prances aftery with every sign of high spirits, j The Wolf '\looking back'] Wf! But shall I ? —Would he ? ... No ! Francis [^turning"] Pilgrims all, — to Gubbio] \jrhey go out together on the path to Gubbio ; a sudden troop of wild doves aftery like a flurry of snow. The Wolf of Gubbio 53 'The scene fills with the sound of running water and new-wakening trees, The bird- voices grow to a chorus. Birds San Francesco 1 San Francesco I — jy As si si ! — D'Jssisi ! — D'Assisi ! Curtain Act II 'The Little Poor Man smiled at me ; His eyes were like the sun. And down the years, like sunlit tears ^ The pouring light did run I * * * Act II Scene : A market-place in Guhhio : bright after- noon. Right and left^ uniform and opposite each other ^ are stone arcades shading the little house fronts^ with humble wares hanging outy and a few caged blackbirds and pigeons, Down, left, nearest the spectators, is The Fur- rier's ; next. The Dyer's. Down, right. The Potter's booth and his wheel; then Old Lucrezia's doorway. Front, left and right, their walls turn the corners, and show with- ered leaves hanging on the grape-vines, and weeds in the stone crevices of the walled by- way. In the wall to the left, there is a tiny alcove-shrine high up, with a dim terra-cotta relief of the Virgin and Child, At the back, a wide arch crosses the scene, — running into a buttressed wall with a foun- tain, right. Left, it joins a flight of un- even stone steps, that lead, after the manner of Italian hill-towns, to an upper street; of which there is visible only a glimpse of 58 The Wolf of Gubbio blue sky y — Nicolo's inn-door^ lefty and a buttress of the Duomoy right, 'The archway makes a viaduct over the market-place. Under the archway is a glimpse of the road, sprinkled with sun and shade ; and to the lefty directly beneath ity a stable-door. At rise of the curtain, the people are busied in their doorways {with the exception of 'Ni- coLO the inn-keeper) ; Lucia and other girls are filling their copper water-jars at the foun- tain by the archway. Brother Juniper comes down the steps from the upper square, gently leading Assunta, — a worn. Madonna-like young peasant y poorly clady spent with grief and exhaustion. Juniper TAKE heart, poor soul, take heart ! . . . And even as Our Lady came to her refuge this day, riding lowly upon an ass, — take comfort and be gently led, so. . . even by me who am less than an ass, — Brother Juniper, a fool among the brothers. \The people hasten towards him with eager greetings, and stand still on recognizing Assunta. The Wolf of Gubbio 59 The People of Gubbio — Brother Juniper, Brother Juniper ! — Are you here at last ? — Where 's the holy Francis ? — And^who is this? [AssuNTA takes her hands from her eyes and looks through them^ not at tbeniy stark with grief. The Dyer's Wife The woman of Foligno, back again ! — What ever befell you? The Furrier's Wife — With your eyes as great as an owl's by daytime, — Lucia — And your man, where 's he? And the babe? Juniper Ah, her man, — her babe! \JVarning them, with a gesture of pity."] A sorry tale this, sweet brothers . . . And no song for her to sing you. Look you, the poor soul is sore spent 6o The Wolf of Gubbio and out of measure full of woe; and beyond that, oppressed, with singular great sorrow. [yf clatter of hoofs ^ and the donkey appears under the archway^ led by Brother Leo, who carries the firewood on his back, while BiMBA and Bimbo ride upon the donkey, 'The women go to meet them. The Dyer's Wife Holy Mother ! What do I see ? The children riding home on the lord bishop's ass that he sent, for holy Francis! — Oh where have you been ? Where have you been ? And I that had forgotten you all the morning, and what you were sent to fetch ! — Light down, light down off the lord bishop's ass, — the two little wasps that you are ! , . Leo Have patience, lady. Bimbo and Bimba — We lost the faggots! — We heard a thief. — ' — We met a robber I The Wo lf of Gubbio 6i Women A thief, — a robber ! BiMBA We heard a loud crying; so we ran — Bimbo But we turned to look — BiMBA and Bimbo \j)ointing to Assunta] And it was she — BiMBA — And an ugly man after her. So we ran away and hid from the noise. And darling Brother Juniper came by and found us ; and Brother Leo — [Assunta sits down on the edge of the foun- tain and shuts her eyes, leaning against the stone archway, heedless of the gossips- Juniper Even so, little sheep. And her too we found, [^looking at Assunta] coming away out of the woods to Gubbio, — spent and fainting. But 62 The Wolf of Gubbio the babe ... we sought for, even in the place where she had laid it for safe-keeping, under a certain tree; the babe we sought for . . . and found not. [Brother Leo waters the ass at the foun- tain, regarding As sunt a with pity. Enter above at the top of the steps, Nicolo, a robust and voluble man of Gubbio. Nicolo » \_descending\ — The bishop's ass ! [Brother Leo leads the ass off under the archway, and returns. The People \_still staring at Assunta] — Found not ? — Why, then it is lost ! — It may be stolen, — stolen by witches. '— Dead of the cold ! — Eaten of wolves! [Assunta, hearing, shudder s'\ Leo Ah, Messer Nicolo, you are the one to help The Wolf of Gubbio 63 us. Take her in, for the love of Our Lady. She is perishing of sorrow; — her man gone, her babe — Bimbo No, he is n't the one, Nicolo is n't, — not he! BiMBA — For she was telling us as she came, how he would n't let them stay over the feast of the blessed Nativity ; for they had n't brought enough money with them to last, and she could n't walk all the way to Arezzo. Nicolo Ah, you magpies ! What will you, what will you ? — Tell not this to holy Francis ! Was I not gciing, this hour, this minute, what you will, to lay before holy Francis all that I have and more? — The moment I should behold him coming upon the lord bishop's ass ? — As to the woman, what will you ? Did she not come here three days back, and her man along with her, too ? — A potter, he said, — of Foligno ! 64 The Wolf of Gubbio ' The Potter [wi^b rancor unspeakable^ Ah, ah, Foligno ! — FolignOy Fossato, Spello ? — Pah! The Furrier's Wife — And thinking to come to Arezzo for the holy season, she with a babe of days in her arms ! The Dyer's Wife — Yes, we all saw it ! What a thing ! Starting to walk all the way to Arezzo with the babe, and yet unable. Could we help it that she was a weakling ? NiCOLO — Could we help it that she had not where- with to pay ? Marry, why did they set out to walk, then, if they could n't walk ? Leo Brother, for holy Charity, you are the host of this place. .Take her back to the inn ; and let us search till we find . . . that which is lost. NiCOLO But, indeed, Fra Leo, there is no room at the %• The Wolf of Gubbio 65 inn; no room, whatever, in reason, at all; no- wise, — none, none ! \JVith copious indignation.'] Have I not told you all? And did I not, when I sent them off, tell both the two and the babe likewise ? And am I not telling you again ? — How I was bidden to make all room and prep- aration for a great nobleman out of France, who is coming this day, and maybe this hour, with his six gentlemen, to sup and to stop and to lie here this night, and who can tell how long after ? Lucia It's the simple truth we are telling. Six gen- tlemen with him. — I go to bring fresh water now with my own hands. NiCOLO We have no room for beggars . . . Nor for any potter from Foligno ; nor for his wife ; nor to crown all, a swaddled creature of days! waul- ing day and night ! — For what else would it be doing, if I let it stay by me ? — Lucia \_placidly~\ — The simple truth. 66 The Wolf of Gubbio Leo [/o Assunta] Come, my Sister, thou shalt not go away. Nay, if the inn be full, — even so as it was when Our Lady came to Bethlehem, — there shall be some place yet. Think no scorn to rest thee even in a shed, — an if there be a shed . . . NiCOLO [wifb equal heat pointing up under the arch"] An if there be a shed ! — There is a very fine shed indeed ; warm as a hay-field and safe as the Duomo. And an ox the finest in Umbria ; — he cannot get his horns out of the door without goring any that come down by the steps ! Hay ? — the finest of any : — take care not to tread it down! And mind you tell the holy Francis this : — I make you free of the shed, free as air of the shed ; so long as you tread not down the hay... ... The Dyer's Wife There now, and it is a snug place too, tho* Nicolo says it. The Dyer As for his donkey, — o The Wolf of Gubbio 67 The Furrier — ^Pantaleone ! * NrcoLo — What of him ? What of him ? The Dyer He is the most marvellous donkey that walks without wings 1 NlCQLO So he is ! So he is ! The Dyer's Wife Eh ? He cockers and coddles his great ox more than we do our chickens. NiCOLO — Or your children either, — your children either, since you can't even keep them in a pen ! — ijTo bis daughter. "^ Run along with you ; fetch the water and have done. I thought it had been the nobleman of France himself, when I looked out and saw the lord bishop's ass. [Exit above, — Brother Leo assists As- SUNTA to rise from the edge of the fountain ; and the gossips ply her with questions to which she seems deaf 68 The Wolf of Gubbio The Baker [calling~\ — And why, I ask you, djd your man leave you there? The Dyer — And why did you try to walk the longest way round to Arezzo ? The Potter — And why did you set down the babe in the snow? Bimbo and Bimba T Under a juniper-bush she laid it — — -When she saw the robber coming — Juniper For she mistrusted his benignity. She doubted by the look of his face, how the oil of goodness was wanting in him ; — which was indeed true. Bimbo — And her man was gathering faggots, just like us — Bimba — When the other caught him. — And it might have been us ! — *• The Wolf of Gubbio 69 The Dyer's Wife 'T is so, — *t is so, well it might. Oh, heavenly- mercy ! Be off, little plagues. The worry you cost your granddam this day. You might have been stolen \_cuffing Bimbo], you might have been lost \_cuffing Bimba]. You might have been frozen to the bone ; you might' have been eaten of wolves, into collops ! — [Cuffing both before heri] Into the house, little desolations of my life ! Leo \jo Assunta] Come, Lady : and be cheered concerning the babe. For thou shalt rest and think on him who lay, even as thou shalt, among the gentle beasts and warm in the hay. \He takes Assunta to the ox-shed under the archway and returns. Brother Juniper collects the faggots up near the foot of the steps and stands forth, rubbing his hands. Juniper And where shall the pot be found, for so great a feast? The pot that shall do honor to this yo The Wolf of Gubbio vigil, with an abounding minestrone — a very lordly noble broth ? The Dyer's Wife If the pot were all you wanted, holy father, we have a great kettle within, — and empty enough to please you 1 [Bimbo and BiMBAfeUb out a great iron pot which they take to Juniper, with sundry trappings to set it up, » • BiMBA T But, Brother Juniper, where is the feast ? Juniper Why, little pigeons, behold the firewood ready, ^ — and this goodly great pot yawning empty ; and here be all the open mouths. It doth but remain for the Lord to send us some little portion of His largess,— that ye may all eat abundantly and be filled 1 The People \with mixed emotions^ Ah, ah! The Wolf of Gubbio 71 Juniper Nay, here a little, there a little. We shall put all together and make a great feast, doubt not. Give each the little he hath, — with the lit- tle more from up there [_pointing to the upper squarely y3.nd it shall be multiplied to all your hungers. — The People [ruefully^ Ah! iJTbe singing of St. Francis is heard dimly approaching. Juniper \yoistfully'\ I speak as a fool . . . Yet love bloweth the fire, and the fire shall boil the pot, and — \the singing nearer^ Peace, sweet brothers, he comes at last ! — \Runs up to look under the archway ^ and calls hack. He comes, — Brother Francis! — and a most marvellous great dog, leaping beside, — rejoic- ing with holy gladness ! \Enter St. Francis and The Wolf] 72 The Wolf of Gubbio [For the following scene ^ The Y^ oly prances in, full of buoyancy, — checked every little while by his dread of recognition and by the novelty of the thing. He is filled with curiosity towards place and people. — Now and then he shies violently at a sud- den hostile association, — a twinge of con- science — or a scent! At first he occupies the stage centre, up, — wary and reserved, till Francis beckons , him; — rolling his eyes, tongue out, like a sagacious dog. — Later, he dashes in and ' • out of the sheltering arcades, stands on his hind legs and looks in at windows and out on the people. The folk at first show some fear and astonishment ; then reassurance, — he seems the dog so completely. The People of Gubbio . [flocking towards Francis] . — Blessed Francis ! — Blessed Francis ! — Francis of Assisi ! - — Little Poor Man ! — Little Poor Man ! Juniper [all eyes for The Wolf] Brother Francis, little Father I Whoever be- held such a — The Wolf of Gubbio 73 Bimbo and Bimba — Oh, what a funny, great big dog ! The Dyer's Wife — Holy Father, what a dog ! The Furrier's Wife That hide ! Those teeth ! — The Dyer See, see, see ! It 's the seraphic little Father's dog ! — Lucrezia \a blind old woman] Holy Francis, are you come at last ? To keep the feast with us hungry ones ? — The Baker Ay, holy Francis heard us call ! Francis Peace be to all ! Peace unto every smallest one Foregathered here, with Brother Sun. IjTouching the children s heads ; they draw hack from The Wolf. 74 The Wolf of Gubbio BiMBA Oh, Father, what a fearful beast ! — He's so much like — Lucia \with upraised hands~\ — A wolf, at least ! The Women ' Ah ! The Dyer r I never saw, — not with these eyes, A dog of such a size. . . . The Dyer's Wife Precisely like a wolf. The Dyer — In all ways, like a wolf. / never saw — The Baker Nor I, indeed, — A dog of such a breed. Just like a wolf. «• The Wolf of Gubbio 75 Others Yes, yes 1 Francis Indeed, He is so ! The Furrier Girth and hide, — Francis \_beariily~\ And speed 1 Sooth, for his name, in case of need, I call him — 'Brother JVolfJ I'Tbey laugh. — The Wolf rolls his eyes as if words failed. L.^o and JvmPEK approach him wonderingly. The Wolf, after a sidelong glance and sniff at each, licks his hand once; and sits still, lapping his chops with inexpressible discretion. Francis And for his courtesy ? To-day He fellowed me the livelong way ; — Look, Juniper, he ought to be A brother of our company ; 76 The Wolf of Gubbio For all his prowess and his pride. He wears his shirt of hair outside, . . . Even at the holy tide ! Bimbo But he *s just like a wolf. Francis \heartily\ Yea, so ! And do you wish to see him go Upright, and walking? Children Yes — yes, yes ! Francis So. Brother, of thy gentleness. Wilt thou stand up before our sight. Even as a man, — for more delight. And walk upright ? [The Woi^f, surprised and gratified^ tries it and succeeds^ to his pride and pleasure. He paces several steps with dignity^ and sits down again with a ^ Wuff^ — a sneezy note of achievement. Chorus of pleasure from the bystanders. |V The Wolf of Gubbio 77 Francis [_lo theni] Ye will have no more fear, to-day? All — No, no ! — Did you see him walk ? Did you see him play? [St. Francis crosses ^ left, to greet the old people in their doorways. The Wolf, who keeps discreetly near him, examines each interior, standing on his hind legs with quivering interest. Juniper \_to The Baker] And might it be, dear man, you have a loaf now, or other good thing, to give to the poor soul we found in the woods ? And herself laid by to rest in the stable-shed ? The Baker \ciuerulously'\ Good things ? — To give away ! Not I, not I. Ah, to be asking good things of me, and for a potter*s wife of Foligno, — and my sons away 78 The Wolf of Gubbio warring at the gate of Perugia! — And not a morsel in the house but what I have to bake with my own hands . . . and scarce a tooth left me . . . and the hard winter on us, and a cold spring coming after . . . and the very Wolf at the door ! — [The Wolf shies suddenly behind the Saint with the hint of a growl. And the very dogs snarling at the old ! — [St. Francis looks in sweetly^ and cheers The Baker : The Wolf reconnoitres. The Dyer and his wife greet the Saint by their own doorway; — yellow hands on The Dyer, and blue on his wife, Francis [to The Baker] Take heart, man dear ! this very day Is bearing blessing on the way. We little fellows all are here To bring you cheer; That you'shall take, and turn, and make To fair white bread for hunger's sake ! The Baker Eh? «• The Wolf of Gubbio 79 Francis Gather we all from door to door, A little, from a little store. Ah, dear my children, look and see That little turn a treasury To certain poorer than ye be ! 1^0 The Dyer s Wife] So, Monna Piera! Come, what cheer? The Dyer's Wife — Oh, was there ever such a year ! « [/» one breath~\ Piero gone. Gentile, Giuseppe, all fighting at the gates of Perugia ! — Piero's wife ailing, Gentile's wife looking towards another! — Giuseppe had no wife at all to help me with the dye in nowise; — the dye, the children, the chickens! Only myself at the dye-vats with him \_pointing to her husbandl day in, day out. — Like an old hen clucking after three broods at once; — not a moment for a word with a gossip save on the high holy-days; and even then, the color will not off! Look you ! [Hold- ing up her azure hands.'\ [The Wolf reenters unnoticed for the moment^ 8o The Wolf of Gubbio Francis Yea, Monna Piera, verily ! — As blue as any fleur-de-lys The earliest spring can bring to blow Along a meadow. The Dyer's Wife \_proudly'\ Eh? 'T is so! The Dyer — A noble, fast, clinging color, that floods cannot destroy. But who buys ? The blue stone I powdered up five years ago is hardly gone; — As for saffron — The Dyer's Wife — We Ve never sold enough to pay for the color of his two hands ! O Little Man of God, what a year, what a year ! 't is all as he said \_pointing to The Baker]; our young men away, and our young women pining, and the hard winter coming, and the Wolf at the door ! O Little Poor Man, what a year! \* The Wolf of Gubbio 8i The Wolf There 's an idea ! [^Exif by The Dyer's alley\ The Dyer What is the dog growling at ? The Furrier \_joining them\ — Why wouldn't any dog growl? — The taxes on fur, Father Francis ! I had as lief to keep the live beasts lodging by me, to eat us out of house and home. And now with fighting the Perugians, we shall sell them no fur these twenty years to come. As to this town and lordship, — who buys so much as the ear of a squirrel ? The Dyer's Wife \_pointing to The Furrier's Wife] And who can afford to be wearing a hood set round about with fox-tails ? The Furrier's Wife To save it from the moths and rust, — the 82 The Wolf of Gubbio moths and rust, alone. No one in this desolate sorry spot would spend a soldo on a neighbor*s wares. The Potter [calling out grumblingly\ What is that to me ? What is that to me ? You can eat up the creatures you catch, and wear their skins after. But if no man buy my pots, can I eat them again ? Hee — hee ! — I can make little jugs and big jugs, — scodelle^ boccaliy tondini! But I cannot eat them, for all the teeth. I have. And they make little jugs and big jugs too, at Foligno, Fossato, Spello, — Pah! — And my last son away at the war; — and the harvest a mock, and the vintage worse, and the long winter coming, and the spring after that, and the summer next, but that's not the end; and all with the Wolf at the door ! — . [The Wolf, reentering^ shrinks close to Francis and paws at him for attention, 'The children observe it, BiMBA Look, Father, look ! Who ever saw — O The Wolf of Gubbio 83 Bimbo He has a splinter in his paw ! [The Wolf tugs at the habit of St. Fran- cis, with a show of pain, 'The gossips watch a moment^ then resume their wrangling at The Baker*s doorway ; some assist Juniper to set up his pot with a hook and iron braces. The Baker — And well he knows only a holy man would have the patience to take it out of a great wild' beast like that. A-ah ! [With disfavor, Francis Nay, Brother Wolf, come here with me. Give me thy hand, to see. The Wolf [muttering rapidly while he submits his paw with some complacency in being petted'\ — Thorn in each paw, and every ear full ! O Little Man, but this is fearful. O miserere ! How can I be both calm and wary ? 84 The Wolf of Gubbio How can I look both ways securely ? — They'll know me, surely. Hearken. Just now, I made a sally Into the Dyer's, by that alley. And there, brimful and just inside. Is a whole vat, two metres wide, A rare, deep blue. — Would n't that do ? — No man could ever know this hide; Come on; — you have me — dyed! There 's saffron there, if you prefer . . . Not much, though ; for it 's costlier. — Beside, These cackling wives and make-shift men Might take me for a sheep-dog then. — Francis \^ laughing over him] What, Brother Wolf, for all thy pride. And would'st thou hide ? The Wolf Ijtervously] Whose hide ? — Maybe my courage fails, — A penance for my sins . . . But do avoid the man of Skins, — And his helpmeet, of a hundred tails ! ^ The Wolf of Gubbio 85 Francis A kindly man, of wants and woes. Why should he guess ? The Wolf [with scorn] — Has he a nose? [PTalks to leeward of the Saint towards The Furrier's empty booths to view the small exhibit of hanging skins ^ with fevered curiosity. Kind ! . . . And what do you think of those ? — {Sniffs excitedly and shies away, right, ^he people notice, as Francis crosses to them again. The Dyer Eh, eh ? No wonder he makes shy of Nello's shop ! That skin of his would fetch a fine price any day, — for a mock-wolf hide. The Wolf {overhearing] Mock-wolf I Gr — r — r . . . 86 The Wolf of Gubbio The Potter \_from his doorway right\ Bah ! — via^ via ! [The Wolf avoids bim, and goes to the next door — Old Lucrezia's — where he shows signs of panic. She sits in the doorway y blindly spinning, with a little hand distaff. The Furrier's Wife [complacent lyl Ay, he would make the best of furs. The Baker Faith, 't is the Grossest of all curs. — BiMBA \_ following The Wolf] No, no ! — ' His tail is full of burrs ! The Wolf [to himself '\ , , , Now, will you hear ? — . . . There 's an idea ! [Backs up to Francis again, with signs of distress. The people laugh, while Fran- Qi^ follows The Wolf apart, and inquires of his hurt. The Wolf of Gubbio 87 The Dyer's Wife Like a great baby ! — Francis \jo The Wolf] , . . Dost thou ail ? The Wolf [in a gruff aside] No, no, it *s not my tail. No, it *s my past . . . that *s on my mind. Why can*t that stay behind ? Hist ... do you see that woman there ? The old one, with the silver hair ? She '11 know me ! Francis Brother, she is blind. Bimbo \_watching from across the way] Hear how he whines. — BiMBA — He had good cause. 88 The Wolf of Gubbio Bimbo — And licks his paws. The Wolf [while St. Francis strokes bis ears, and disen- gages a burr or two'\ O Little Man, ... I am not more than human ; — I cannot face that woman. Look, once . . . Oh, years and years ago, — Her garden *s at the back, you know . . . Francis [with pain and pity] Ah, tears of weary women still ! The Wolf [dolorouslyl Say what you will ... -But is n't it what all wolves do ? Francis Prey on the helpless? Yea, not you Alone, my Brother. All wolves do. The Wolf of Gubbio 89 The Wolf And I was hungry . . . after Lent; And so ... I went . . . \JVhispers to St. Francis, whose face shows deep feeling, Hm-hm. — I did, and open-eyed . . .. And a young lamb, beside ! Francis \crossing with sweet concern to Old Lucrezia] Monna Lucrezia, of your grace, Will you sit here, a little space. And warm you in the lovely sun. Until your weaving 's done ? And this, my Brother here, shall be A footstool for you, joyfully ; To make your comfort full. The while you card the wool. \_She feels her way out into the sunlight^ smiling^ and sits up on a bench. THY.Y^ohY, obedient to Francis' sign, crouches before her, so that she rests her feet on his back. He is the picture of abject misery. And come you, all, till the noon is done, Singing and working, every one. For praise of Brother Sun ! go The Wolf of Gubbio Shall we not all, both young and old Sing away want, — sing away cold? Shall we not make our thresholds sweet, Even as though we looked to see Our Lady, riding presently Even adown this street? — \Jtbey catch the infection of his happiness and shed their woes and grumblings suddenly. The Baker \jaughing in sudden youth, while they look at him with amazement^ Eh? — Old as I am, and full of care, — Yet I could swear. If holy Francis do but pass. The snow turns feathers ; and all the air Is mild as Martinmas 1 \singing\ I am the Baker of Gubbio; And the longer I live, the older I grow ! But when I can no more of bread. Manna shall be my food instead. Hosanna, Hosanna, Good wine, and mellow manna! \T^o The Potter] Eh? neighbor, are you dumb this day ? The Wolf of Gubbio gi Francis [^to The Potter, wbo is turning a bowl on his wbeel~\ Not he, not he! — Whose hands have skill To turn and shape, and warm at will. This cold and trembling clay : — Of feeble clasp and quivering lips, All shaken with dismay ; Ah, Povero ! the brother-thing, — A creature weak and perishing, — Look, through his guiding hand it slips, Wrpught now to stand and laugh, — and sing! The Potter \_elated~\ Eh, eh? \_He turns bis wheel, singing] Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Round you go, round you go; Round as the sun. So, — so ; With a lip to sing, And a lip to pour: — When the draught is done, God send us more ! The Wolf Bravo! — '^//f • • • 92 The Wolf of Gubbio LUCREZIA [^singing] Weave and spin; Spin and weave ; Ever since our mother Eve Did begin ! Little lamb, — O white of wool, Keep you white and beautiful. Give you peace, give you peace; ^ You shall give me of your fleece. Never shall Our Lady grieve, ' . While I weave, * While I weave This, — so moonlike white and fair, To shield Him from the bitter air. Her Lamb, her blessed Son, ' ... Her One. [/f // laugb sweetly in her praise. The Wolf crawls out from under her feet ^ in dog-like distress of conscience, Francis takes a rush-basket from The Baker's window^ and turns back to The Wolf. Francis See, Brother Wolf, I bid thee take The Wolf of Gubbio 93 This in thy teeth, a little space ; And even as a helpful hound. Go now thy round. Asking of each a little grace. For pity's sake. — \_He puts the handle in The Wolf's mouth. The Wolf trots off with Brother Leo. From time to time, he reappears — set- ting down before Juniper various con- tributions to the pot-au-feu, — a fowl, a string of onions y peppers, a hare. Juniper is zealously boiling the pot over the fire, with help and advice from the children, some of whom are mothering small swaddled babies, child fashion, as they look on. Lucia comes down from the fountain, spill- ing water out of her copper vessel all the way. St. Francis meets her with smiling protest. Francis But . . . of your courtesy, my daughter . . . Deal gently with her preciousness. — Lucia — Eh? — 94 The Wolf of Gubbic Francis Our Sister Water. She is so lowly, and so clear, -^ Gladness to see, and mirth to hear; ^Laughing, for very purity, — Laughing to thee and me ! Lucia \breaBng into song, with other girls who Jill theii jars also at the fountain] Water, water. Sister dear Silver sweet, — silver clear, . Sweet as laughter in the sun. Sparkle, drip and run! Wash the ways before her feet, Lest there pass along our street. The blessed, blessed One. A Caged Blackbird San Francesco! San Francesco I — D'Assisi ! — D'Assisi ! — D'Assisi I The Wolf of Gubbio 95 [Juniper leaves his pot-au-feu^ and comes down, pointing out to St. Francis the nearest babe, now in Bimba's arms. Juniper Seraphic little father, do but see this Babe, how it is marked for the religious life. Poverty and perfect obedience, and silence ! Not a word out of him since I came. And his head as bare as a friar's ! Heaven itself gave him the tonsure. BiMBA and Bimbo \Jaughing\ Oh, Brother Juniper, it *s just a baby. Like any other baby ! [^0 it.'\ Povero I — [The Wolf, reentering at the moment, drops his basket and approaches, to sniff at the centre of interest, BiMBA Look ! How he loves babies ! [The Wolf shies off, in sudden panic~\ Juniper \of the baby\ Would he not serve right well. Father Francis, for our vigil and feast this night, of the Crib P — the blessed Babe in the Manger? 96 The Wolf of Gubbio All [excitedly'] Oh, blessed Francis ! — Dear Brother Juniper ! Shall we have such a sight ? — Here ? — Where? — How? Lucia Shall we have a show, as the people did at Greccio ? Francis Sooth, you shall have such blessedness. You, too, beloved, and no less. Bimbo and Bimba With lights ? — And torches ? « Lucia — Banners ? Francis Yes! With all fair things, for loveliness ! Gathered together, every one, Here in this place when day is done ; The Wolf of Gubbio 97 And we shall picture, as we may, The stall where once the Blessed lay, With ox and ass among the hay. BiMBA Oh, lights ! Francis — Yes, every way of light, To make the shadow bright ; — To make the dark see clear. And where is she, — that mothering one That with her little swaddled son Shall be Our Lady here ? [Lucia would step forward^ but Juniper interposes timidly. Juniper Father Francis, . . . the poor soul I told you of, yonder in the ox-shed ! — she and the ox- shed together, put it even in my dull head — Francis Yea, so ! — and of a certainty. Right meet it is. This holy night She shall be crowned, verily'; — After her hunger and her thirst. She that was last shall be the first, In all men's sight. 98 The Wolf of Gubbio Lucia \_sbriny] — But she *s lost the baby ! The Dyer's Wife — And thou hast none ! Francis And .let you take good heed apart. How you may comfort her sad heart. As to Our Lady and her Son, Do, honor to this broken one ; Until the wilderness abound ; — And the lost lamb be found. The Furrier's Wife — But which is to be the holy Bambino ^ Bimbo '^W Bimba ■ — Who is to be for the Baby ? \Jtbe women flock royLnd^n. Francis, holding out their swaddled babes for his eyes. 'The Saint looks on them smiling and touches them tenderly y putting them by^ one by one^ with a gentle shrewdness. The Wolf of Gubbio 99 Francis Ah, Monna Piera ? The Dyer's Wife [jfroudly^ . . . Son of my son ! Francis Sweet peace be on this little one. Lucia Look, look ! this bimba here, — my niece ! BiMBA [calling over its bead] And mine ! Francis The Lord give thee His peace : — And thee . . . and thee . . . His nested loves ! Sooth, they are like a swarm of doves ; Cooing, and soft . . . and breathing warm. . . . . Doves in a swarm ! The Dyer's Wife Behold him ! [Thrusting nearer] loo The Wolf of Gubbio Francis Ah . . . and yet, methinks . The Dyer's Wife Look you, how piously he blinks ! Francis Yea, so. The Dyer's Wife — And warm and rosy-red ! r * Francis But ah, my little ones, ye see When Love the Lord came, verily. Could He have been so rosy-red. Who had no shelter to His head? The Furrier's Wife Ecco ! - — *tis liker . . . \_Holding out her own grandchild~\ Francis . . . Yet, not'quite. These little hands are folded tight ; And His, methinks, were open wide. The Wolf of Gubbio ioi Nothing had He, save love alone. Who came, a Lamb withouten spot. Came, in the cold, unto His own : And thev received Him not. \As with a sudden thought] Is there, maybe, some smallest one, Poor of the poorest ? — Nay, outcast ? Of all forlorn, the least and last ? Hungering, naked, — turned away Mayhap this very day ? — Or with no otherwhere to go Save wandering in the snow ? The Women No, indeed, little Father ! — We be all good mothers here ; we give our children the best we have. They never want for anything long, that they want with discretion ! Juniper [interposing again with beaming helpfulness] Father Francis, the poor woman ye wot of yonder in the ox-shed ; that is her case to the last feather ! Sore misprized, and turned away, and with no otherwhere to go. — I02 The Wolf of Gubbio Francis Brother, if this be so. No babe but hers is in such case To fill that holy place ! Hungering ? — Spent, and cold ? Juniper \_enraptured'[ There with the Ox, — behold ! — Francis r An outcast stranger. The People [clamorously^ — It's lost; it's gone; — ' — It's lost! It is n't here! — It is n't herel » Francis Still seek it, far and^ near. Search every spot. The People — Yes, Yes, Yes ! — The Wolf of Gubbio 103 Francis And if ye find it not, — The People — Yes, yes ! — What then ? Francis Still there will be . . . the Manger ! \jrbey disperse^ trying to conceal their disap- pointment. Reenter at back. Brother Leo with a basket. Leo These, Brother Francis, my lord the bishop sends' to this feast; and would have thee to speak with him shortly, above at the palace. Juniper \j)pening the basket , and displaying herbs , eggSy and a dressed sucking-pig^ A most noble . . . little pig ... of great size [compassionately']. Ah . . . brother little Pig ! \^ faltering.] I04 The Wolf of Gubbio The People \_delighted~\ In withit, — mtoth^ brodo! Evviva the lord bishop ! Juniper \_obeying\ Alas . . . and Alleluia 1 Leo Likewise, my lord the bishop hath given leave to ring the great bell for your assembling, when all is ready. [The Wolf shows some excitement^ looking up at the tower, .Francis, with a smiling gesture of adieUy makes as if to go ; the people disperse to : their houses. Brother Leo, up, assists Juniper. The Wolf comes down to meet Francis. The Wolf Lasso ! . . . Ah, do not go away ; Some evil thing will chance, I know. .... Ah, do not go. Francis -Not yet secure? The Wolf of Gubbio 105 The Wolf No, no. — Ah, stay ! I 'm not at ease, not for a minute ! This miming, — why did I begin it? They '11 trap me by the conscience, — and then skin it ! Francis [coaxingly'] Ah! — The Wolf They suspect: else why that flick * Chick nor child, — child nor chick!' They know the best where things can prick : — Wf ! 'tis a human trick! \_Dislike and suspicion flare up, in his glances towards the houses. Francis Ah no ! The Wolf But yes ! And let me hear once more. Their endless taunt of Wolf^ Wolf at the door I — Francis My Brother ! — 'Tis no mock at thee. io6 The Wolf of Gubbio The Wolf [sternly'] There is no other Wolf for It to be: No peer of mine. Francis Thou 'rt fevered with remorse. The Wolf [cautiously'] N-n . . . Of course. But I am grown a proverb, do you see ? It 's me. There is none other hke me. No, I am The Wolf of Gubbio. Francis No. 'Tis the name they have for poverty. The Wolf [outraged] Their poverty! To put my name On that black dolor of all shame? — Francis The dread of want, that haunts the poor. The Wolf of Gubbio 107 The Wolf [barkingly~\ TVolf-at-the-Boor? TFolf-at-the-Boor? >. To blame on me their poverty ! . . . And what of all that went before ? What of their famines and their war — War — War? Francis Even so, Brother. — Come, dost see ? Juniper lacks thy ministry. He is a true-heart; trust him ; — so. The Wolf Ah, must you go ? Francis To come again. The Wolf [ruefully^ Ahi ! — watch and pray. — But . . . oh, they'll have my hide some day! \_Looking back at The Furrier's] And if they do, when . . . when I best can spare it, = — io8 The Wolf of Gubbio Hist! Poverello, tell me, will you wear it? None of this folk; — I could n*t bear it! \^Exil Francis wilh a laughing caress to The Wolf's ears. Brother Leo joins him. T'hey go outy centre. The Wolf watches them offy then waddles dejectedly over to Juniper and the pot^ not without suspi- cion. He utters a whining^ experimental note. Juniper \_simply^ as to a question^ Yea, it is so, indeed. [The Wolf shies with astonishment^ The Wolf Wufff. Juniper Nay, you will like it, I make certain. Brother Wolf; what with rosemary and sweet basil . . . The Wolf \cautiously'\ Wfff. The Wolf of Gubbio 109 Juniper But only wait till I have cooked all well to- gether, and it will be good . . . better than the raw flesh of Heathenesse. — I crave your pardon. Brother. The Wolf What 's that ? . . . Juniper This word I used, of * Heathenesse.' But you will forgive it, Brother Wolf. For indeed it is very gently done for you to be talking and reasoning with me, — a poor silly simpleton, the fool among the brothers, with no sayings or no words in me at all to match the cunning of the beasts ! [The Wolf backs away from himy dum- founded. The Wolf Ha! — . . . Words may fail . . . . . . But not a tail. — \JVags it and makes friendly wz/i? Juniper, who stirs the pot^ lifting something to view now and then with his skillet, . , , The Wolf on his hind legs looks into the pot. iio The Wolf of Gubbio Juniper [snrring] Poor Brother Hare ! The Wolf [commiserating] Ah, Povero, — gone under ! Juniper Would his own mother know him now? The Wolf \_witb a flourish of his tongue] ... I wonder. Juniper Yet, if he needs must perish, to be sure. He shall as it were — The Wolf Refresh the poor ! Do they go hungry then, another year ? [Meditates] . . . Queer. Bravo, bravo, you 're a good fellow. — Wf! — This broth begins to mellow. [JVindows open right and left^ and inquiring noses turn toward the pot-au-feu. Bimbo and BiMBA and The Dyer's Wife ^- pear. She throws a handful of herbs. The Wolf of Gubbio hi The Dyer's Wife Brother, Brother Juniper ! It will want some spice now . . . I 've nothing to throw in the pot, but here 's a few herbs ! Children [calling] Throw them in, and then you *11 see ! Basil — fennel — rosemary ! The Potter \_from his window] Yes, and here, some sprigs of bay ! The Wolf What are they ? [Juniper ^/(T^j them up, and puts them in^ while The Y^ohY grins sagaciously at the houses, with growing sarcasm. Oh, I see . . . These goodly savors Call forth unaccustomed favors. I am not alone there ! — No ; Little wolves of Gubbio ! [Spitefully. ^ [He crosses and looks in a window] 112 The Wolf of Gubbio Woman's Voice Eh? — It*s only that wild dog. Be off! — I 've nothing more. The Wolf [aside] Nothing ? . . . Only when she pleases. Truly ! . . . (Row on row of cheeses.) Here is somewhat. . . . \_Missile flies through the window] Juniper — Miserere ! The Wolf Largess, largess ! \_Another follows] Hm ! ... Be wary ... Can't recall that I Ve abused her. [fThinks, Oh. — But then, ... an ageing rooster ! Juniper [stirring] This should be a most exalted Minestrone, The Wolf of Gubbio 113 The Wolf Is it salted ? Juniper [running to a jar\ Salt, in sooth, more salt. — [Admiringly^ Ah, thou! . . . But if I had some saffron, now, — The Wolf Saffron ? Juniper A pinch. The Wolf The yellow in the vat ? — Do you mean that? \Goes to the house ; Juniper marvelsX Juniper The Dyer's ! San Rufino of Assisi ! The Wolf .... That *s easy. [Scratches at the door and retreats'\ — You ask him. [The Dyer looks out. 114 The Wolf of Gubbio The Dyer If it 's anything — Oh, 'tis the wild dog alone. — Get away ! ^ The Dyer*s Wife Be off, then ! What do you look for ? [^Sees Juniper's petitionary attitude.'] Ask the neigh- bors ! As for us, we have n't enough in the cupboard for chick nor child ; and the long winter before us, and the bad vintage behind us, and the Wolf — [^he door slams. r [The Wolf sbies off, looking ugly] Juniper I would that our sister's heart might be warmed of holy Charity, to go comfort her in the ox-shed. — [^Pointing up.] ' Chick nor child/ — alas! — And where is hers, this winter day? [The Wolf glares at him with sudden suspi- cion, JvuiPER innocently rambles ony stir- ring. How would it wound her to the quick ! — Poor soul, withouten child or chick. « [The Wolf mutters^ still eying him] Nay, Brother. Is it lacking aught? [The Wolf shrinks from him, towards The Baker's house. The Wolf of Gubbio 115 The Baker \jhrusting bis head out\ Yah ! — Be-ofF! — Get you gone, Lupone^ — Rubaccio ! Via — via — via ! \jTbrowing an empty flask at him\ Juniper *Tis done. 'T is done . . . smoking and ready ; now will I ring the bell. The Wolf \harshly\ — And then. The pack comes scrabbling back again ; The creatures yapping discontent ; — Animals that have lost their scent ! Noble reason throned, indeed! — To hunt and fight and feed ! \He begins to look devilish'\ Juniper \_mildly, his hands folded'\ Ah, Brother Wolf, I would n't say that. For who can upbraid them, disheartened as they are with the war and the cold, — ii6 The Wolf of Gubbio The Wolf ^ And the long winter coming I ' — Yes ? Yes ? Yes? — And I and I and ! — Juniper \jeriously~\ Yes, and a sorry vintage. — And the very Wolf at the door ! \_He turns, not noticing The Wolf's fury, and goes up as if to ring the bell : then turns back,'] Stay ! First will I sweep all clean . . . Had I a broom now? . . [^Looks doubtfully right and left,] I will go and ask my lord bishop, in the name of the blessed Michael and all angels,-. . . to lend me a broom ! Then is there nought left save to ring the great bell. \_Exit, The Wolf \_alone~\ * \_His voice and manner change him to a crackling cynic] The Bell. \He glances upward?^ So this was all it meant. ... I knew it would n't last. — One of these sudden conversions. . . . Voice . . . face . . . music . . . queer feelings ... — Then where is it all ? — I would n't be a man if I could. There 's only one, \with a sidelong The Wolf of Gubbio 117 glance after Francis* exif\ . . . probably not a man at all; something new. — Perhaps back in the woods — Wf ! [^Showing sudden abject guilt, as he steals a look at the ox-shed, '\ , . . If he knew that ? Not he ! . . No. [_BeJiantly,'\ I will have my day, I will have my day ! . . . And after, — back to the woods. Ah, where 's the use ? What was I left watching for ? Saints could do no more ! \_D ashes from house to house, peering in, try- ing the next window, and muttering with growing excitement, Hm ! — One rocking at a cradle ; — Baling something with a ladle . . . Tying kerchiefs ; . . . making fine . . . ; \_A slap is heard and outcry of children"] Two — three — four . . . and all to dine? Ah, my beauty, why such airs? — Hi! The potter . . . saying his prayers! Tries her wimple . . . what a wearer! Just one snarl, now, would it scare her? (Lento, lento) . . . Buona sera ! • ■ ~ • Washing, truly. Dozing ? Heaven ! — Three, no, no, — four, five, six, seven ii8 The Wolf of Gubbio Hungry humans . . . Call it theft ! Eight ? — There will be nothing left. [Goes to The Furrier's : stands up^ quiver- ing with excitement at sight of the skins ^ recognizing old friends. Hide and hair, it makes me creep ! . . . Is n't this worse than taking sheep When you 're hungry ? — Steal and wear Others' skins? to make you fair? Murderers so debonair ! Ah, ah ! — \With an outburst of grief , So this was where she went. For all the longing search we spent ! . . . Oh, Silver Glory's radiant fur ! What woman lives to match with her ? Wind-swift ! — Her eyes two yellow suns ! — Fighting for all her little ones. The cursed winter Snarl was trapped . . . — If ever I see a woman wrapped Jn all that beauty not her own. That strength she could not meet alone, — Something she never fought nor {tAy Cold — stolen — duped and dead ! — [The Furrier's wife^ speaking back, appears at the window y takes down a mantle of wolf- skin and puts it over her shoulders , com- placently. The Wolf of Gubbio 119 The Furrier's Wife — And / say i will ! For the dusk will be falling cold. And this nobleman of France may be there to look on . . . and what is it worth outside, but to gather dust and covetous desires ? \_Exi^ within. The Wolf \javagely~\ Never again shall my guilt vex my wits. We 're quits ! \JVith a snarly he runs up to the pot , and tramples out the fire beneath, — He stands upright and plunging nose and paws into the pot, voraciously devours everything. From the pot he crosses to the fountain and loudly drinks his fill ; pausing to grin with spite J back at the little houses, flourishing his tongue. Shying away from the ox- shed, which he always avoids, he goes up the stone steps on all fours, and disap- pears, right. Enter, up left, on the steps, Louis of France, followed by his men. All wear pilgrim robes, with palmers' emblems upon them. He descends the steps, and speaks back to them, pointing out the smoking kettle, smilingly. I20 The Wolf of Gubbio Louis Pause here. Ye see ? The feast is ready set. To-day shall we break bread with God's own poor ; And with the holy Francis. [Enter below, under the archway. Juniper beaming with joy, — a twig-broom in his hand, and a white linen cloth on his arm. Juniper, not noticing Louis, brushes off ihe flag-stones round about the kettles first, 'Then, seeing the strangers, he advances^ with timid hospitality, . ' Juniper The Lord give ye His Peace. — . Louis And thee, my brother. Wilt thou admit a pilgrim ? Juniper Ah, Messer Pilgrim, God's guests are every- where. — Now am L about to ring the great bell . . . Then comes little Father Francis ,. . . then all ! — \He hastens up and rings. The people come in with great expectation as the Bell sounds. The Wolf of Gubbio 121 Enter Francis and Brother Leo — who meet Louis, without knowing him^ but with radiant friendliness. Juniper returns and hastens to the pot. Plunging in his ladle, he is seen to dis- cover with consternation that it is empty ; and stands, first incredulous, then rooted to the ground with woe, Francis Peace be upon you ! . , . and on all This homing flock . . . [2"