IWEIN. We are The lepers of Lubin, and thou, by Mark's Decree, art now our bride. Come down that we-- [The Strange Leper, with a violent effort, springs to his feet, and turns upon the lepers.] STR. LEPER. Who spoke? Which one of you? Tell me, who spoke? Scabs! Vultures! Curs, away! Be off! If one Of you but speaks again I'll trample you Beneath my feet and grind you in the dirt. What wish ye here? Here's gold! Be off, ye curs! [Only a few stoop to gather the gold he throws among them.] YOUNG LEPER (rushes at him; IWEIN holds him back). Thou! Thou! IWEIN. Who art thou that insults us thus? 10TH LEPER. Thou! Hold thy tongue, else will Iwein give thee So sound a drubbing that thou shalt fall dead Upon the ground! 8TH LEPER. Iwein is strong!--He was A mighty Lord! STR. LEPER. Will ye not go? 1ST LEPER. Hark, thou, This woman here is ours. REDHAIRED LEPER (thrusting a stick into IWEIN'S hand). Go, knock him down! 7TH LEPER. Come on! [The Strange Leper snatches the club from the feeble leper so that he falls, knocks IWEIN to the ground, and leaps into the crowd dealing fierce blows right and left. In his left hand he holds a sword which he does not use. In the following scene, also, the lepers' voices are hushed from fear and surprise.] STR. LEPER. There lies Iwein! Be off, ye dogs! OLD LEPER. Ai! oh! 10TH LEPER. He's killed Iwein! 4TH LEPER. Lay hold of him! 7TH LEPER. Thou, Red One, seize him by the throat--I'll leap Upon him from behind! [The Strange Leper knocks the Redhaired Leper down.] REDHAIRED LEPER. Help! Help! STR. LEPER. There lies Your Red One! 4TH LEPER. Fly! He has a sword! 11TH LEPER (receiving a blow). Oh help! OLD LEPER. Come, brothers, let us run. 6TH LEPER (struck). Oh, oh! STR. LEPER. Away With you! Be off! 7TH LEPER (struck). Ai! Ai! [Some of the lepers try to carry away the wounded as they run.] YOUNG LEPER. Let's carry off Iwein! Come, pick him up. 1ST LEPER. And Godwin too! Make haste! 11TH LEPER (struck). Oh help! STR. LEPER (driving the whole troupe to the gate). Back, curs, back to your holes! Crawl back into your noisome dens! 7TH LEPER (struck). Oh! 'tis Beelzebub himself!