O long, soft fingers and pale finger-tips, Well worthy to be laid in a king’s hand! O, you have fair white hands, for it is certain There is uncommon whiteness in these hands. But there is something comes into my mind, Princess. A little while before your birth, I saw your mother sitting by the road In a high chair; and when a leper passed, She pointed him the way into the town. He lifted up his hand and blessed her hand— I saw it with my own eyes. Hold out your hands; I will find out if they are contaminated, For it has come into my thoughts that maybe The King has sent me food and drink by hands That are contaminated. I would see all your hands. You’ve eyes of dancers; but hold out your hands, For it may be there are none sound among you. [_The PRINCESSES have shrunk back in terror._ FIRST PRINCESS. He has called us lepers. [_SOLDIER draws sword._ CHAMBERLAIN. He’s out of his mind, And does not know the meaning of what he said. SEANCHAN. [_Standing up._] There’s no sound hand among you—no sound hand. Away with you! away with all of you! You are all lepers! There is leprosy Among the plates and dishes that you have carried. And wherefore have you brought me leper’s wine? [_He flings the contents of the cup in their faces._ There, there! I have given it to you again. And now Begone, or I will give my curse to you. You have the leper’s blessing, but you think Maybe the bread will something lack in savour Unless you mix my curse into the dough. [_They go out hurriedly in all directions. SEANCHAN is staggering in the middle of the stage._ Where did I say the leprosy had come from? I said it came out of a leper’s hand, _Enter CRIPPLES._ And that he walked the highway. But that’s folly, For he was walking up there in the sky. And there he is even now, with his white hand Thrust out of the blue air, and blessing them With leprosy. FIRST CRIPPLE. He’s pointing at the moon That’s coming out up yonder, and he calls it Leprous, because the daylight whitens it. SEANCHAN. He’s holding up his hand above them all— King, noblemen, princesses—blessing all. Who could imagine he’d have so much patience? FIRST CRIPPLE. [_Clutching the other CRIPPLE._] Come out of this! SECOND CRIPPLE. [_Pointing to food._] If you don’t need it, sir, May we not carry some of it away? [_They cross towards food and pass in front of SEANCHAN._ SEANCHAN. Who’s speaking? Who are you? FIRST CRIPPLE. Come out of this! SECOND CRIPPLE. Have pity on us, that must beg our bread From table to table throughout the entire world, And yet be hungry. SEANCHAN. But why were you born crooked? What bad poet did your mothers listen to That you were born so crooked? CRIPPLE.