Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/159

Rh

Enter the Prior,, and other Monks, with the Peasant ''carrying light before them. They enter by an arched door at the bottom of the stage, and walk on to the front, when every one, but, crowds eagerly to the grave, looking down into it''.

Prior. (to Sexton.) What hast thou found, friend?

Sex. A coffin an't please you, and of a size, too, that might almost contain a giant.

Omnes. (Osterloo excepted.) The inscription is there an inscription on it?

Sex. No, no! They who put these planks together had no time for inscriptions.

Omnes. (as before.) Break it open:—break it open.

Omnes. (as before.) What is there in it? What hast thou found, Sexton?

Sex. An entire skeleton, and of no common size.

Ost. (in a quick hollow voice.) Is it entire?

Sex. (after a pause.) No, the right hand is wanting, and there is not a loose bone in the coffin.(Ost. shudders and steps back.)

Jer. (to Prior, after a pause.) Will you not speak to him, Father? His countenance is changed, and his whole frame seems moved by some sudden convulsion.