Young Woman. Nearer, lay me nearer the goddess! She will drive forth the evil spirit that will not let me move my legs.
Cripples, people on crutches, creatures with hands or feet wrapped in bandages crowd past her.
A Blind Girl [to him who leads her] When the stone rolls back and the goddess appears, watch well her face, to tell me if she will not give me back my sight.
A paralytic drags himself in on his hands.
The Paralytic. I would be quite near, quite near! In a little while I shall walk.
Two sons lead in their mother, who is mad, striving to calm her. A mother, with her child in her arms, begs the crowd to let her get near. A man, whose head is bandaged, and whose eyes and mouth are mere holes, hustles his neighbors. Many blind, and people borne on chairs.
A Woman. She will speak, she will say "yes." She will reveal herself again as protectress of Egypt.
Another. They say not. They say that great calamities are in store for us.
Another. If she answer not?
Another. Silence!