wise man. I knew you would all say that; but do not be afraid. I will not be angry. Tell me the truth. Do you not believe?
a young man. We once did, but you have taught us to know better.
wise man. Oh! teaching, teaching does not go very deep! The heart remains unchanged under it all. You have the faith that you always had, and you are afraid to tell me.
a young man. No, no, Master!
wise man. If you tell me that you have not changed I shall be glad and not angry.
a young man [to his neighbour]. He wants somebody to dispute with.
his neighbour. I knew that from the beginning.
a young man. That is not the subject for to-day; you were going to talk about the words the beggar wrote upon the walls of Babylon.
wise man. If there is one amongst you that has not changed, he will be my best friend. Surely there is one amongst you. [They are all silent.] Surely what you learned at your mother’s knees has not been so soon forgotten.
a young man. Master, till you came, no teacher in this land was able to get rid of foolishness and ignorance. But every one
