Our Master bids us pay So good a price, that all who deal with us Shall eat, drink, and be merry. SHEMUS (_to_ MARY) Bestir yourself, Go kill and draw the fowl, while Teig and I Lay out the plates and make a better fire. MARY I will not cook for you. SHEMUS Not cook! not cook! Do not be angry. She wants to pay me back Because I struck her in that argument. But she'll get sense again. Since the dearth came We rattle one on another as though we were Knives thrown into a basket to be cleaned. MARY I will not cook for you, because I know In what unlucky shape you sat but now Outside this door. TEIG It's this, your honours: Because of some wild words my father said She thinks you are not of those who cast a shadow. SHEMUS I said I'd make the devils of the wood Welcome, if they'd a mind to eat and drink; But it is certain that you are men like us. FIRST MERCHANT It's strange that she should think we cast no shadow, For there is nothing on the ridge of the world That's more substantial than the merchants are That buy and sell you. MARY If you are not demons, And seeing what great wealth is spread out there, Give food or money to the starving poor. FIRST MERCHANT If we knew how to find deserving poor We'd do our share. MARY But seek them patiently. FIRST MERCHANT We know the evils of mere charity. MARY Those scruples may befit a common time. I had thought there was a pushing to and fro, At times like this, that overset the scale And trampled measure down. FIRST MERCHANT But if already We'd thought of a more prudent way than that? SECOND MERCHANT If each one brings a bit of merchandise, We'll give him such a price he never dreamt of. MARY Where shall the starving come at merchandise? FIRST MERCHANT We will ask nothing but what all men have. MARY Their swine and cattle, fields and implements Are sold and gone. FIRST MERCHANT They have not sold all yet. For there's a vaporous thing--that may be nothing, But that's the buyer's risk--a second self, They call immortal for a story's sake. SHEMUS They come to buy our souls? TEIG I'll barter mine. Why should we starve for what may be but nothing? MARY Teig and Shemus---- SHEMUS What can it be but nothing? What has God poured out of His bag but famine? Satan gives money. TEIG Yet no thunder stirs. FIRST MERCHANT There is a heap for each. (SHEMUS _goes to take money_.) But no, not yet, For there's a work I have to set you to. SHEMUS