Five Plays

Chapter 4

When my master was ten he had already to slip by night out of two cities.

OOGNO (_admiringly_)

Out of two cities?

SLAG (_nodding his head_)

In his native city they do not now know what became of the golden cup that stood in the Lunar Temple.

AGMAR

Yes, into seven pieces.

ULF

We will each wear a piece of it over our rags.

OOGNO

Yes, yes, we shall look fine.

AGMAR

That is not the way that we shall disguise ourselves.

OOGNO

Not cover our rags?

AGMAR

No, no. The first who looked closely would say, "These are only beggars. They have disguised themselves."

ULF

What shall we do?

AGMAR

Each of the seven shall wear a piece of the green raiment underneath his rags. And peradventure here and there a little shall show through; and men shall say, "These seven have disguised themselves as beggars.

But we know not what they be."

SLAG

Hear my wise master.

OOGNO (_in admiration_)

_He_ is a beggar.

ULF

He is an _old_ beggar.

CURTAIN

THE SECOND ACT

_The Metropolitan Hall of the city of Kongros. Citizens, etc._

_Enter the seven beggars with green silk under their rags._

OORANDER

Who are you and whence come you?

AGMAR

Who may say what we are or whence we come?

OORANDER

What are these beggars and why do they come here?

AGMAR

Who said to you that we were beggars?

OORANDER

Why do these men come here?

AGMAR

Who said to you that we were men?

ILLANAUN

Now, by the moon!

AGMAR

My sister.

ILLANAUN

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