DAV. Why, sir, yes—all day— And now again! [_Silence. They eye one another uneasily._ NAD. (_to_ TOB.). Bah! Here, a cup of wine Will clear your hearing. I dare wager mine ’S as good as yours. Some drunken fellow there Is noisy in his cups. [_Holds out cup of wine to_ TOB., _who takes it hesitatingly_. TOB. (_after pause_). Well, sir, I swear I never heard nor drunk nor sober sing As fair as this I heard. (_Drinks._) ELIPH. (_easily_). Why, anything May maze a man on such a night, when snow And cold conspire to starve the senses. Go And see your other guests. Perhaps.... Maybe You’ll find them singing. [TOB. _begins to go out_ (L.) _slowly_. Aye, come back to me, [_Exit_ TOB. (L.) _with_ DAV. _whispering to him_. And we three’ll join them. (_To other two._) Did you ever hear Such madness? UZZ. Bah! Why, all the world is mad Save such as you and I. As for that lad, I swear he spoke so just to please the man. NAD. But to come back to where we first began— [_Air of “A Virgin” sung by_ CHOIR _with closed lips; it continues very faintly down to where_ ELIPH. _opens the door_. What think you of Messias and that tale The prophets tell? ELIPH. Well, may not prophets fail As much as any man? I hold such men No better than this dreamer back again. Once, as a child, I thought it otherwise, And deemed that all was holy, and the skies Crowded with angels, and the earth I trod All holy as the dwelling-place of God. And now! Why, I know better.... (_Drinks._) NAD. As for me, I’m with you. (_Drinks._) UZZ. So am I. The Sadducee Seems wisest of the lot. [_They pledge one another. Knocking heard_ (R.). Why, who comes here? [_He pauses. Then he goes to door_ (R.) _impatiently, and opens it. A burst of music. Silence. He seems to listen._ No, no! No room! Nor here, nor anywhere!... [_Listens._ I tell you, No! There’s not a bed to spare. [_Listens._ NAD. Who’s that? (UZZ. _begins to stare towards door, listening_.) ELIPH. (_after pause_). The landlord’s out.... What’s that?... Why, then You’d best find shelter as you may. [_Closes door; comes back. As he comes to seat, knocking._ Again! [_Rises angrily; goes to door, flings open. After pause_—