Wise M. You cannot understand. You live in that country people only see in their dreams. Maybe it is as hard for you to understand why we disbelieve as it is for us to believe. Oh! what have I said! You know everything! Give me time to undo what I have done. Give me a year—a month—a day—an hour! Give me to this hour's end, that I may undo what I have done!
Angel. You cannot undo what you have done. Yet I have this power with my message. If you can find one that believes before the hour's end, you shall come to Heaven after the years of Purgatory. For, from one fiery seed, watched over by those that sent me, the harvest can come again to heap the golden threshing floor. But now farewell, for I am weary of the weight of time.
Wise M. Blessed be the Father, blessed be the Son, blessed be the Spirit, blessed be the Messenger They have sent!
Angel [at the door and pointing at the hour-glass]. In a little while the uppermost glass will be empty. [Goes out.]
Wise M. Everything will be well with me. I will call my pupils; they only say they doubt. [Pulls the bell.] They will be here in a moment. They want to please me; they pretend that they disbelieve. Belief is too old to be overcome all in a minute. Besides, I can prove what I once disproved. [Another pull at the bell.] They are coming now. I will go to my desk. I will speak quietly, as if nothing had happened.
[He stands at the desk with a fixed look in his eyes. The voices of the pupils are heard outside singing these words.]
I was going the road one day, O the brown and the yellow beer, And I met with a man that was no right man O my dear, O my dear.
[The sound grows louder as they come nearer, but ceases on the threshold.]
Enter Pupils and the Fool.
Fool. Leave me alone. Leave me alone. Who is that pulling at my bag? King's son, do not pull at my bag.