Dav. Aye, sir.
Tob. Nothing have you seen?
Dav. No, sir.[A silence.
Tob. Now, David, what doth all this mean?... I, too, have heard.... Say not a word of this To any man.... For these are mysteries. [Clamour of voices and stamping. [Tob. leaps back to pot and begins stirring again. Dav. turns to plates, &c.
Tob. Now, boy, make haste.... Hark to the guests below. [Shouts. Coming, sirs, coming.... Yes, boy, take and go. [Exit Dav. (L.) with plates and bread. I’ll bring this presently. God bless us! Why [Murmur without. I never heard such tumult. No, not I In all my days.[Knocking heard on door (R.). Yes, yes, come in, come in. [Enter (R.) Three Merchants.
Eliph. Well, my good host, and have you room within?
Tob. What? More of them? Who are you, gentlemen?
Eliph. Why, we are merchants three, come back again To Bethlehem, as all the world doth know, For our enrolment. Through the frost and snow We’ve trudged full many a mile. And have you space For three good gentlemen? [He sits down heavily.
Tob. Why, all the place Is full from roof to garret.[Tumult breaks out again. Hark to them! Why, all mankind seems come to Bethlehem!