One Master, I want the god that does not eat.

Agmar I am he.

One Master, my child was bitten in the throat by a death-adder at noon.  Spare him, Master; he still breathes, but slowly.

Agmar Is he indeed your child?

One He is surely my child, Master.

Agmar Was it your wont to thwart him in his play, while he was strong and well?

One I never thwarted him, Master.

Agmar Whose child is Death?

One Death is the child of the gods.

Agmar Do you that never thwarted your child in his play ask this of the gods?

One (with some horror, perceiving Agmar’s meaning) Master!

Agmar Weep not.  For all the houses that men have builded are the play-fields of this child of the gods. (The man goes away in silence not weeping.)

OOGNO (Taking Thahn by the wrist) Is this indeed a man?

Agmar A man, a man, and until just now a hungry one.

ACT III

Same room.  A few days have elapsed.  Seven thrones shaped like mountain-crags stand along the back of the stage.  On these the beggars are lounging.  The Thief is absent.

MLAN Never had beggars such a time.

OOGNO Ah, the fruits and tender lamb!

Thahn The Woldery wine!

Slag It was better to see my Master’s wise devices than to have fruit and lamb and Woldery wine.

MLAN Ah, when they spied on him to see if he would eat when they went away!

OOGNO When they questioned him concerning the gods and Man!

Thahn When they asked him why the gods permitted cancer!

Slag Ah!  My wise Master.

MLAN How well his scheme has succeeded.

OOGNO How far away is hunger!

Thahn It is even like to one of last year’s dreams, the trouble of a brief night long ago.

MLAN Ho, ho, ho, to see them pray to us!

Agmar (sternly) When we were beggars did we not speak as beggars?  Did we not whine as they?  Was not our mien beggarly?

MLAN We were the pride of our calling.

Agmar (sternly) Then now that we are gods let us be as gods, and not mock our worshippers.

Ulf I think the gods do mock their worshippers.

Agmar The gods have never mocked us.  We are above all pinnacles that we have ever gazed at in dreams.

Ulf I think that when Man is high then most of all are the gods wont to mock him. (Enter Thief)

Thief Master, I have been with those that see all and know all, I have been with the thieves, Master.  They know me for one of the craft, but they do not know me as being one of us.

Agmar Well, well ...

Thief There is danger, Master, there is great danger.