—— _Bras_, one of the shepherds, stole _Fabio’s_ wallet from between his knees as he slept. Then came gossip and backbiting. _Bato_ forced _Bras_ to share with him the contents of the stolen wallet, which they opened, to find none of the food they expected. In their disappointment, both declared their willingness to sell their souls to the Devil for a good meal. _Lucifer_ overheard the declaration and attempted to bind them to it. But after a battle of wits between the rustics and the Devil—the audience solid to a man against the underhanded tactics of _Lucifer_—it was decided by a throw of the dice, at which the Devil lost. But he had told them where food could be obtained, and they went for it. _Lucifer_ cursed God for interfering in behalf of two worthless shepherds. He marveled that "a hand mightier than _Lucifer’s_ has been stretched out to save." He wondered at the Everlasting Mercy toward worthless Man, who has been a persistent sinner down the ages, while he, _Lucifer_, had felt God’s wrath so heavily. Sweet music was suddenly heard—the shepherds singing behind the curtain—and _Lucifer_ mused upon Daniel’s prophecy that "the Divine Word shall be made Flesh." The music continued, announcing the birth of Christ among the shepherds. _Lucifer_, enraged, swore that he would use all his power to the end that all mortals shall at some time "taste Hell," and commanded Hell to open and receive him "in its center." At the birth of Christ the spectators crossed themselves, the women muttering prayers. _Lucifer’s_ impotent raging against God was greeted with shouts of "Blasphemy! Sacrilege! Death to the Devil for insulting God!" _Bras_ and _Bato_ returned, ill from overeating, and, believing they were about to die, called wildly for help. Then the shepherds and shepherdesses came in, singing and pounding the floor with their crooks, as they promised they would cure them. At the beginning of Act II, _Bato_ and _Bras_, fully restored to health, were discovered again plotting to steal and eat the provisions laid by for a village festival, and as they went out to do so _Laura_ appeared, singing of her love for _Lucifer_. Heavenly music was heard, rebuking her for her "adulterous thoughts," whereupon she renounced all desire for guilty love and declared that she would be content with _Arcadio_. The women of the audience rustled and nodded and smiled at these exemplary sentiments. Sighs of relief were heard all over the house that the play was coming out right.