Perhaps there is a fire. And yet--
[_He stops, showing he is puzzled._]
FIRST COUNTRYMAN (_anxiously_). What troubles thee?
SECOND COUNTRYMAN. Look thou into that other street! It, too, is full of
people, and yet none are gone from here.
FIRST COUNTRYMAN. Some awful accident hath called them from all parts of
the city. We must find out what it may be.
[_A_ MERCHANT _passes._]
SECOND COUNTRYMAN (_to Merchant_). I pray thee stop, citizen.
(_The Merchant stops._)
Canst thou tell us what dreadful thing hath befallen this city?
MERCHANT. What do you mean?
[TWO CITY WAGS _pass; they stop to listen._]
SECOND COUNTRYMAN. Whither do they go, these vast multitudes? What dreadful
thing go they to see?
FIRST COUNTRYMAN. Perhaps they flee from some monster just come out of the
sea?
MERCHANT. It is ever thus--always the great crowds surging through the
streets.
[_The Merchant goes._]
SECOND WAG (_to Countrymen, winking aside at First Wag_). This is your
first visit to a city, I take it?
BOTH COUNTRYMEN (_bowing_). It is, good sirs.
FIRST WAG (_winking aside at Second Wag_). You know what happens to
strangers in our city, of course?
FIRST COUNTRYMAN (_anxiously_).
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