Part 12 (1/2)

FOURTH PUPIL

They are up above the clouds.

FOOL

Give me a penny, give me a penny.

FIRST PUPIL (_singing_)

'I'll find your wits again, Come, for I saw them roll, To where old badger mumbles In the black hole.'

SECOND PUPIL (_singing_)

'No, but an angel stole them The night that you were born, And now they are but a rag, On the moon's horn.'

WISE MAN

Be silent.

FIRST PUPIL

Can you not see that he is troubled?

[_All the pupils are seated._

WISE MAN

What do you think of when alone at night?

Do not the things your mothers spoke about, Before they took the candle from the bedside, Rush up into the mind and master it, Till you believe in them against your will?

SECOND PUPIL (_to first pupil_)

You answer for us.

THIRD PUPIL (_in a whisper to first pupil_)

Be careful what you say; If he persuades you to an argument, He will but turn us all to mockery.

FIRST PUPIL

We had no minds until you made them for us; Our bodies only were our mothers' work.

WISE MAN

You answer with incredible things. It is certain That there is one,--though it may be but one-- Believes in G.o.d and in some heaven and h.e.l.l-- In all those things we put into our prayers.

FIRST PUPIL

We thought those things before our minds were born, But that was long ago--we are not children.