FIRST WAG.  It is!  It is!

FIRST COUNTRYMAN.  Eh?

SECOND COUNTRYMAN.  Eh?

SECOND WAG (to Countrymen).  Your pardon!  I do crave your pardon!

FIRST WAG (taking a ring from his finger; turning to Second Countryman).  Please to accept this ring.  I shall then know I am forgiven for not recognizing you at first.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN (accepting ring; putting it on the first finger of his right hand).  Why, yes, I forgive thee.

SECOND WAG (to First Countryman, taking off his gold chain).  Please to accept this chain.  By that I shall know I too am forgiven.

FIRST COUNTRYMAN (accepting chain; putting it on).  Thou art forgiven.  Now tell me what great person I have become.

SECOND WAG (gravely).  Jest with us no more!

FIRST WAG.  We go now to announce your arrival to the Lord Mayor.

SECOND WAG.  Presently, we will return.  Await us here.

[They go, laughing aside.]

FIRST COUNTRYMAN.  Dost thou know, I have always felt that I was really a great person.  Hast thou not always noticed something unusual about me?

SECOND COUNTRYMAN.  I cannot say that I have.  There is, however, certainly something wonderful about me.  I have noticed it for a long time.  Hast thou not felt it when in my company?

FIRST COUNTRYMAN.  I have not.

SECOND COUNTRYMAN (indignantly).  Thou hast not?

FIRST COUNTRYMAN.  Never! thou silly goose!

[The Second Countryman snatches First Countryman’s chain and throws it over the wall.]

SECOND COUNTRYMAN.  Mind how thou callest me names, thou booby!

FIRST COUNTRYMAN (tearing off Second Countryman’s ring and throwing it over the wall).  Silly goose!

SECOND COUNTRYMAN.  I will now depart for my home.  I do not desire thy company.

FIRST COUNTRYMAN.  I likewise will return, and likewise I wish to journey alone.

[They take up their blankets and discover the gourds.]

FIRST COUNTRYMAN.  Eh?

SECOND COUNTRYMAN.  Eh?

FIRST COUNTRYMAN.  Let us tie them around our ankles.  We may then discover whether we are ourselves.

[They tie the gourds around their ankles.]

SECOND COUNTRYMAN (joyfully).  I am myself!

FIRST COUNTRYMAN (joyfully).  And I am myself!

SECOND COUNTRYMAN.  Come, let us journey back together.

[They go out.  Pause.  Enter the WAGS. They remain at entrance, not knowing Countrymen have gone.]

FIRST WAG (whispering).  Do you think the musicians should follow them?

SECOND WAG (whispering).  No, they should follow the music.  What a joke it is!

[They look around and discover that the Countrymen have gone.]

FIRST WAG (sadly).  My ring!