Such miracle though, easier its death

Than the life-haunting frenzy that predooms

Who delve into this mountain’s mystery!

An Old Slave.

Truth speaks he! [The other Slaves murmur assent.]

The Overseer.

[Angrily.]

Truth or falsehood, his next word

Will earn a whipping!... Are the oxen yoked? [He looks toward a point beyond our vision.]

Then load with these the drays! [He indicates the stones already quarried, accordingly the Slaves slip a noosed rope about the largest of these and drag it away.]