wise man. Tell me, tell me! For under the cover the grains are falling, and when they are all fallen I shall die; and my soul will be lost if I have not found somebody that knows and believes! Speak, speak!
fool [looking wise]. I will not speak! I will not tell you what is in my mind, and I won't tell you what is in my bag. You might steal away my thoughts. I met a bodach on the road yesterday, and he said, ‘Teigue, tell me how many pennies are in your bag; I will wager three pennies that there are not twenty pennies in your bag; let me put in my hand and count them.’ But I pulled the strings tighter, like this; and when I go to sleep every night I hide the bag where no one knows.
wise man [goes towards the hour-glass as if to uncover it]. No, no, I have not the courage. [He kneels.] Have pity upon me, Fool, and tell me!
fool. Ah, now that is different. I am not afraid of you now. What is that I am to tell you? But I must come near, somebody in there might hear what the angel said.
wise man. But speak and I am saved. What did the angel say to you?
fool. O no, no, no. How could poor Teigue see angels? O Teigue tells one tale here, another tale there, and everybody gives
