SECOND CITIZEN. Why? 'Tis as clear as noonday. FIRST CITIZEN. Must the laws not be obeyed then? SECOND CITIZEN. What laws, you poor fellow? FIRST CITIZEN. Those that have been decreed. SECOND CITIZEN. Decreed! Are you mad, I ask you? FIRST CITIZEN. Am I mad? SECOND CITIZEN. Oh! this is the height of folly! FIRST CITIZEN. Because I obey the law? Is that not the first duty of an honest man? SECOND CITIZEN. Say rather of a ninny. FIRST CITIZEN. Don't you propose taking what belongs to you to the common stock? SECOND CITIZEN. I'll take good care I don't until I see what the majority are doing. FIRST CITIZEN. There's but one opinion, namely, to contribute every single thing one has. SECOND CITIZEN. I am waiting to see it, before I believe that. FIRST CITIZEN. At least, so they say in every street. SECOND CITIZEN. And they will go on saying so. FIRST CITIZEN. Everyone talks of contributing all he has. SECOND CITIZEN. And will go on talking of it. FIRST CITIZEN. You weary me with your doubts and dubitations. SECOND CITIZEN. Everybody else will doubt it. FIRST CITIZEN. The pest seize you! SECOND CITIZEN. It _will_ take you. What? give up your goods! Is there a man of sense who will do such a thing? Giving is not one of our customs. Receiving is another matter; 'tis the way of the gods themselves. Look at the position of their hands on their statues; when we ask a favour, they present their hands turned palm up so as not to give, but to receive. FIRST CITIZEN. Wretch, let me do what is right. Come, I'll make a bundle of all these things. Where is my strap? SECOND CITIZEN. Are you really going to carry them in? FIRST CITIZEN. Undoubtedly, and there are my three tripods strung together already. SECOND CITIZEN. What folly! Not to wait to see what the others do, and then ... FIRST CITIZEN. Well, and then what? SECOND CITIZEN. ... wait and put it off again. FIRST CITIZEN. What for? SECOND CITIZEN. That an earthquake may come or an ill-omened flash of lightning, that a weasel may run across the street and that none carry in anything more, you fool! FIRST CITIZEN. 'Twould be a fine matter, were I to find no room left for placing all this. SECOND CITIZEN. You are much more likely to lose your stuff. As for placing it, you can be at ease, for there will be room enough as long as a month hence. FIRST CITIZEN. Why? SECOND CITIZEN. I know these folk; a decree is soon passed, but it is not so easily attended to. FIRST CITIZEN. All will contribute their property, my friend. SECOND CITIZEN. But what if they don't? FIRST CITIZEN. But there is no doubt that they will. SECOND CITIZEN. But _anyhow_, what if they don't? FIRST CITIZEN. We shall compel them to do so. SECOND CITIZEN. And what if they prove the stronger? FIRST CITIZEN. I shall leave my goods and go off. SECOND CITIZEN. And what if they sell them for you? FIRST CITIZEN. The plague take you! SECOND CITIZEN. And if it does? FIRST CITIZEN. 'Twill be a good riddance.