Five Plays Part 7

Yet they look as though they had not had a meal like this for a long time.

OORANDER

They have a hungry look.

AGMAR (_who has not eaten_)

I have not eaten since the world was very new and the flesh of men was tenderer than now. These younger G.o.ds have learned the habit of eating from the lions.

OORANDER

O oldest of divinities, partake, partake.

AGMAR

It is not fitting that such as I should eat. None eat but beasts and men and the younger G.o.ds. The sun and the moon and the nimble lightning and I--we may kill and we may madden, but we do not eat.

AKMOS

If he but eat of our offering he cannot overwhelm us.

ALL

Oh, ancient deity, partake, partake.

AGMAR

Enough. Let it be enough that these have condescended to this b.e.s.t.i.a.l and human habit.

ILLANAUN (_to Akmos_)

And yet he is not unlike a beggar whom I saw no so long since.

OORANDER

But beggars eat.

ILLANAUN

Now I never knew a beggar yet who would refuse a bowl of Woldery wine.

AKMOS

This is no beggar.

ILLANAUN

Nevertheless let us offer him a bowl of Woldery wine.

AKMOS

You do wrong to doubt him.

ILLANAUN

I do but wish to prove his divinity. I will fetch the Woldery wine.

(_Exit_)

AKMOS

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

[_Reenter 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!

[_Illanaun takes the goblet. 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, loquitur_)

AGMAR