Wise Man (feels the copper with deliberation): A bit of coin for a bit of insight.
Stranger (expansively; plays to the crowd): What better vision to see than one from a blind man?
People guffaw.
Lively sees the Stranger’s handsome form.
Clever sees the trickster in his face.
Wise Man (a portentous voice): You, beggar-boy, are young, with stars in your eyes.
Stranger (the same, mocking): You, old man, are a constellation gone dark.
Wise Man (trembling, premonitory): You, beggar-boy, will go to a far city. To you, a King will speak.
Stranger (uncanny mimicry): I see that King. And the King sees you, beggar-boy. I hear that King speak. Loudly, distinctly, to you alone he speaks. The King shouts — ‘Stupid boy, get out of my path!’
Oh, how the crowd roars!