SHEMUS. I thought you were.... but that's no matter now-- There had been words between my wife and me Because I said I would be master here, And ask in what I pleased or who I pleased And so.... but that is nothing to the point, Because it's certain that you are but merchants. FIRST MERCHANT. We travel for the Master of all merchants. SHEMUS. Yet if you were that I had thought but now I'd welcome you no less. Be what you please And you'll have supper at the market rate, That means that what was sold for but a penny Is now worth fifty. (MERCHANTS begin putting money on carpet.) FIRST MERCHANT. 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. You 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.)