(A Cloister opening upon a Convent Close planted with groups of
trees. The convent church forms the right side of the quadrangle.
A brick wall runs along the rear. Fruit trees in blossom appear
above the wall. Olof is seated on a stone bench. Before him stand
two scholars, who are reading their respective parts out of "The
Comedy of Tobit.")

First Scholar.
Now have our enemies trapped us full well.
Woe unto us, poor children of Israel!

Second Scholar.
Yea, brother, good cause you have to make such plaint!
Now certes we have come upon days of great lament--
Our land is taken away, and so's our increase,
And ne'er we may look for any help or surcease.
It must be, as long I have both dreamt and said,
That the promise to Abram has been long mislaid.

[Enter Lars Andersson.]

Lars Andersson. What are you doing?

Olof. I am playing.

Lars. Playing--you?

Olof. I am playing a little comedy about the children of Israel
and the Babylonian captivity.