In Athens. An open place surrounded by colonnades. In the square, statues and a fountain. A narrow street debouches in the left-hand corner. Sunset.
Basil of Caesarea, a delicately-built young man, sits reading beside a pillar. Gregory of Nazianzus and other scholars of the University stroll in scattered groups up and down the colonnades. A larger band runs shouting across the square, and out to the right; noise in the distance.
Basil.
[Looks up from his book.] What mean these wild cries?
Gregory.
A ship has come in from Ephesus.
Basil.
With new scholars?
Gregory.
Yes.