NEW VERSION--1912
THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY
WISE MAN.
BRIDGET, his wife.
TEIGUE, a fool.
ANGEL.
Children and Pupils.
_Pupils come in and stand before the stage curtain, which is still closed. One pupil carries a book._
FIRST PUPIL
He said we might choose the subject for the lesson.
SECOND PUPIL
There is none of us wise enough to do that.
THIRD PUPIL
It would need a great deal of wisdom to know what it is we want to know.
FOURTH PUPIL
I will question him.
FIFTH PUPIL
You?
FOURTH PUPIL
Last night I dreamt that some one came and told me to question him.
I was to say to him, "You were wrong to say there is no G.o.d and no soul--maybe, if there is not much of either, there is yet some tatters, some tag on the wind--so to speak--some rag upon a bush, some bob-tail of a G.o.d." I will argue with him,--nonsense though it be--according to my dream, and you will see how well I can argue, and what thoughts I have.
FIRST PUPIL
I"d as soon listen to dried peas in a bladder, as listen to your thoughts.
[_Fool comes in._
FOOL
Give me a penny.
SECOND PUPIL
Let us choose a subject by chance. Here is his big book. Let us turn over the pages slowly. Let one of us put down his finger without looking.
The pa.s.sage his finger lights on will be the subject for the lesson.
FOOL
Give me a penny.
THIRD PUPIL
(_Taking up book_) How heavy it is.
FOURTH PUPIL
Spread it on Teigue"s back, and then we can all stand round and see the choice.
SECOND PUPIL
Make him spread out his arms.
FOURTH PUPIL
Down on your knees. Hunch up your back. Spread your arms out now, and look like a golden eagle in a church. Keep still, keep still.
FOOL
Give me a penny.
THIRD PUPIL
Is that the right cry for an eagle c.o.c.k?
SECOND PUPIL
I"ll turn the pages--you close your eyes and put your finger down.
THIRD PUPIL
That"s it, and then he cannot blame us for the choice.
FIRST PUPIL
There, I have chosen. Fool, keep still--and if what"s wise is strange and sounds like nonsense, we"ve made a good choice.
FIFTH PUPIL