MLAN Ho, ho, ho, to see them pray to us! AGMAR (sternly) When we were beggars did we not speak as beggars? Did we not whine as they? Was not our mien beggarly? MLAN We were the pride of our calling. AGMAR (sternly) Then now that we are gods let us _be_ as gods, and not mock our worshippers. ULF I think the gods _do_ mock their worshippers. AGMAR The gods have never mocked _us_. We are above all pinnacles that we have ever gazed at in dreams. ULF I think that when Man is high then most of all are the gods wont to mock him. (Enter Thief) THIEF Master, I have been with those that see all and know all, I have been with the thieves, Master. They know me for one of the craft, but they do not know me as being one of us. AGMAR Well, well ... THIEF There is danger, Master, there is great danger. AGMAR You mean that they suspect that we are men? THIEF That they have long done, Master. I mean that they will know it. Then we are lost. AGMAR Then they do not know it? THIEF They do not know it yet, but they will know it, and we are lost. AGMAR When will they know it? THIEF Three days ago they suspected us. AGMAR More than you think suspected us, but have any dared to say so? THIEF No, Master. AGMAR Then forget your fears, my thief. THIEF Two men went on dromedaries three days ago to see if the gods were still at Marma. AGMAR They went to Marma! THIEF Yes, three days ago. OOGNO We are lost. AGMAR They went three days ago? THIEF Yes, on dromedaries. AGMAR They should be back to-day. OOGNO We are lost. THAHN We are lost. THIEF They must have seen the green jade idols sitting against the mountains. They will say, 'The gods are still at Marma.' And we shall be burnt. SLAG My Master will yet devise a plan. AGMAR (to the Thief) Slip away to some high place and look towards the desert and see how long we have to devise a plan. (Exit Thief.) SLAG My Master will devise a plan. OOGNO He has taken us into a trap. THAHN His wisdom is our doom. SLAG He will find a wise plan yet. (Re-enter Thief.) THIEF It is too late. AGMAR It is too late? THIEF The dromedary men are here. OOGNO We are lost. AGMAR Be silent! I must think. (They all sit still. Citizens enter and prostrate themselves. Agmar sits deep in thought.) ILLANAUN (to Agmar) Two holy pilgrims have gone to your sacred shrines, wherein you were wont to sit before you left the mountains. (Agmar says nothing) They return even now. AGMAR They left us here and went to find the gods. A fish once took a journey into a far country to find the sea. ILLANAUN Most reverend Deity, their piety is so great that they have gone to worship even your shrines.