Akmos He will not drink.  Yet if he does, then he will not overwhelm us.  Let us offer him the wine.

(Re-enter Illanaun with a goblet.)

First beggar It is Woldery wine!

Second beggar It is Woldery!

Third beggar A goblet of Woldery wine!

Fourth beggar O blessed day!

MLAN O happy times!

Slag O my wise Master! (All the Beggars stretch out their hands, including Agmar.  Illanaun gives it to Agmar.  Agmar takes it solemnly, and very carefully pours it upon the ground.)

First beggar He has spilt it.

Second beggar He has spilt it. (Agmar sniffs the fumes.)

Agmar It is a fitting libation.  Our anger is somewhat appeased.

Another beggar But it was Woldery!

Akmos (kneeling to Agmar) Master, I am childless, and I....

Agmar Trouble us not now.  It is the hour at which the gods are accustomed to speak to the gods in the language of the gods, and if Man heard us he would guess the futility of his destiny, which were not well for Man.  Begone!  Begone! (Exeunt all but one who lingers.)

One Master....

Agmar Begone! (exit one) (Agmar takes up a piece of meat and begins to eat it:  the beggars rise and stretch themselves:  they laugh, but Agmar eats hungrily.)

OOGNO Ah, now we have come into our own.

Thahn Now we have alms.

Slag Master!  My wise Master!

Ulf These are the good days, the good days; and yet I have a fear.

Slag What do you fear?  There is nothing to fear.  No man is as wise as my Master.

Ulf I fear the gods whom we pretend to be.

Slag The gods?

Agmar (taking a chunk of meat from his lips) Come hither, Slag.

Slag (going up to him) Yes, Master.

Agmar Watch in the doorway while I eat. (Slag goes to the doorway) Sit in the attitude of a god.  Warn me if any of the citizens approach.  (Slag sits in the doorway in the attitude of a god, back to the audience)

OOGNO (to Agmar) But, Master, shall we not have Woldery wine?

Agmar We shall have all things if only we are wise at first for a little.

Thahn Master, do any suspect us?

Agmar We must be very wise.

Thahn But if we are not wise, Master?

Agmar Why then death may come to us ...

Thahn O Master!

Agmar ... slowly. (All stir uneasily except Slag motionless in the doorway.)

OOGNO Do they believe us, master?

Slag (half turning his head) Someone comes. (Slag resumes his position.)

Agmar (putting away his meat) We shall soon know now. (All take up the attitude.  Enter one.)