The nets are dry, the red sails laid away, And all the boats lie idle by the shore. A FISHERMAN Star of the Sea! Pray for poor fisherfolk! A PEASANT I left my sickle in the standing corn. YVETTE The wheat must fall, the flax be gathered soon, Or else we’ll sing no songs in Morbihan! THE PEASANTS Aie! The songs of the _diskanerien_! YVETTE The hearths are cold and the wheels turn not, And Hunger sits on every doorstep! THE PEASANTS Aie!— YVETTE To-morrow is the Pardon of the Birds. The birds go free—the birds go free, monseigneur! DE BUC And so I swear should you! THE PEASANTS The birds go free! A WOMAN My little bird at home! THE MARQUISE Give her, monsieur, Another fan to break! YVETTE Not one of yours, Madame la Marquise! DE VARDES (_to the sergeant_) Give them liberty. THE SERGEANT My Colonel? DE VARDES Cut their bonds; set them free! Make way for them there! (_To the peasants._) Peasants of Morbec! Last night you rose against your lord and strove To burn his house, to slay his guest and him. How shall he speak to you to-day? Poor fools! Distraught and blind you struck ere that you looked, And struck at one who fain would be your friend, Who has his vision of a seigneur’s right! These are the towers of Morbec, but I Am not Baron Henri, blind that ye are! I am Baron René, remember my name. Bread you shall have, I will think of your wrongs. No foe am I! There are the open doors. Back to the village go! but look you well. Mistake no more, it will be dangerous! Creep not this way again in the dark night, Or you may meet an ancient Lord of Morbec! More loyal grow, cease all your traitorous talk, Raise not Rebellion’s head or it will find A soldier of the King with armèd heel! Mistake no more! This once I pardon you. Begone! The fields await you and the wind Sits fair for Quiberon! Begone. (_To_ YVETTE _and_ SÉRAPHINE.) Stay! [_The peasants press in confusion toward the doors of the château._ THE PEASANTS Live Baron René! LALAIN O Breton fools!—Yvette! [YVETTE _does not answer. She looks at_ DE VARDES. THE MARQUISE (_with strained laughter_) High justice at Morbec!