{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_34383/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_34383","id":"gutenberg_34383","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34383","summary":null,"tags":["Category: German Literature","Category: Plays/Films/Dramas","Category: Religion/Spirituality","German drama -- Translations into English","John the Baptist, Saint -- Drama"],"text":"Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTranscriber's Note: Page Scan Source:\nhttp://www.archive.org/details/johnbaptistplay00suderich\n\n\n\n\n\n\n JOHN THE BAPTIST\n\n\n\n\n\n\n JOHN THE BAPTIST\n\n A PLAY\n\n BY HERMANN SUDERMANN\n\n\n\n TRANSLATED BY\n BEATRICE MARSHALL\n\n\n\n\n\nLONDON\nJOHN LANE THE BODLEY HEAD VIGO STREET W.\nNEW YORK JOHN LANE COMPANY MCMIX\n\n\n\n\n\n\n WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, LTD., PRINTERS, PLYMOUTH\n\n\n\n\n\n\n PERSONS IN THE PLAY\n\nHerod Antipas. _Tetrarch of Galilee_.\nHerodias.\nSalome. _Her daughter_.\nVitellius. _Legate of Syria_.\nMarcellus. _His companion_.\n\nMerokles, _the rhetorician_. \\\nGabalos, _the Syrian_. > _At the Court of Herod_.\nJabad, _the Levite_. /\n\nJohn. _Called \"The Baptist.\"_\n\nJosaphat. \\\nMatthias. }\n > _His disciples_.\nAmarja. |\nManassa. /\n\nJael. _Josaphat's wife_.\nTheir two Children.\nHadidja. _Maid in the Palace_.\n\nMiriam. \\\nAbi. > _Playfellows of Salome_.\nMaecha. /\n\nMesulemeth. _A beggar-woman_.\n\nAmasai. \\\n > _Pharisees_.\nJorab. /\n\nEliakim. \\\nPasur. > _Citizens of Jerusalem_.\nHachmoni. /\n\nSimon. _The Galilean_.\nFirst Galilean.\nSecond Galilean.\nA Paralytic.\nFirst Priest.\nSecond Priest.\nA Citizen of Jerusalem.\nThe Commander of the Roman Soldiers.\n\nFirst \\\nSecond > Roman Soldier.\nThird /\n\nThe Captain of the Palace Guard.\nThe Gaoler.\nMen and Women from Jerusalem, Pilgrims, Roman Legionaries, Men and\nMaidservants in the Palace.\n\n Time of Action. _The Year 29 after Christ_.\n\n Scene of Action. _During the Prelude a rocky wilderness near\n Jerusalem_.\n\n In the First, Second, and Third Acts. _Jerusalem_.\n In the Fourth and Fifth Acts. _A town of Galilee_.\n\n\n\n\n\n PRELUDE\n\n\n\n\n PRELUDE\n\n_Wild, rocky scenery in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem.... Night--The\nmoon shining dimly through jagged clouds.... In the distance is seen\nthe fire of the great sacrificial altar, burning on the horizon._\n\n\n SCENE I\n\n_Dark shadows flit in groups across the background from right to left._\n\nMIRIAM\n\nHadidja, I am afraid!\n\nHADIDJA\n\nCome!\n\nMIRIAM\n\nI am afraid. Seest thou not those gliding shadows? Their feet scarce\ntouch the stones, and their flesh is like the shadow of the night-wind.\n\nHADIDJA\n\nFool that thou art! Thou art afraid of thy companions in misery and\nsuffering. The same need as thine brings them hither; the same hope\nleads them on to the heights.\n\nMIRIAM\n\nDo they also wish to go to him?\n\nHADIDJA\n\nEvery one wishes to go to him. Is there a light in Israel which doth\nnot irradiate from his hand? Is there water for the thirsty which doth\nnot flow from him? Streams of sweet water gush forth from these dead\nstones, and his voice is born out of silence.\n\nMIRIAM\n\nBut I am afraid of him. Why dwelleth he among the terrors of the\ndesert? Why flieth he from the paths of the joyous, and shunneth the\nsuffering?\n\nHADIDJA\n\nThe joyous need him not. The suffering will find their way to him.\n\nMIRIAM\n\nLook, Hadidja! There is the glow of fire yonder above Jerusalem. The\nRomans are burning down our houses, and yet we tarry here!\n\nHADIDJA\n\nWhat! Dost thou not know that is the great altar on which, day and\nnight, the priests offer up a tenth part of the sweat of our brows?\n\nMIRIAM\n\n[_In horrified amazement._] And would he let the great altar fall too?\n\nHADIDJA\n\nI know not. But what he willeth is best. See--who is coming?\n\n\n SCENE II\n\n_The same; two men, half carrying, half dragging a paralytic who\nmoans._\n\nFIRST MAN\n\nWomen, say, have ye met the great Rabbi whom men call the Baptist?\n\nHADIDJA\n\nWe also are seeking the Baptist.\n\n[_The Paralytic, moaning._] Put me down; let me die!\n\nFIRST MAN\n\nWe have carried this palsied man here in our arms, and they are weary,\nand he whom we hoped to find is not here.\n\nTHE PARALYTIC\n\n[_With a groan._] I shall die!\n\nMANASSA'S VOICE\n\n[_Crying aloud from the right._] John! John!\n\nMANASSA\n\n[_Rushing on the scene._] John, where art thou, John? I cry unto thee\nin my distress. Have mercy; let me behold thee, John!\n\nMIRIAM\n\n[_Pointing to the left._] Look! A crowd of people are drawing near. They\ngo before him.\n\nHADIDJA\n\nKneel; for it is he.\n\n\n SCENE III\n\n_The same. John, behind him a number of men and women, among them\nAmarja._\n\nJOHN\n\nWhose wretchedness is so great that he wails aloud, and forgets that\ngrief should be silent?\n\nMANASSA\n\n[_Kneeling before him._] Rabbi, mighty Rabbi. If thou art he of whom\nmen are talking in the streets of Jerusalem, help me, save me!\n\nJOHN\n\nStand up and speak.\n\nMANASSA\n\nI am Manassa, the son of Jeruel, and my father was sick and blind; and\nI lived with him on the road to Gibeon, close by the well which is\nnever dry. And men came unto me who said, \"It is the will of the Lord\nour God that ye refuse to pay tribute to the Romans,\" and I refused to\npay the Romans tribute. Then have the soldiers fallen on me and burned\nmy house, and my young wife hath perished in the flames, and my father,\nwho was blind. And I am now left alone and desolate. Help me, Rabbi!\nHelp!\n\nJOHN\n\nAm I lord over Life and Death that I can make thy father, wife, and\nchild alive again? Can I build up thy house once more out of its ashes?\nWhat dost thou ask of me?\n\nMANASSA\n\nThen cursed be those who----\n\nJOHN\n\nStop! Cursings enough hang over us. Israel is loaded with them, like\nthe autumn boughs with ripe grapes. Wherefore dost thou lament? Look\nbefore, instead of behind. If thou canst not withhold thy lamentations,\nput a gag between thy teeth; for prayer should be silent, and longing\nand patience without sound.\n\nMANASSA\n\nHow shall that help me, Rabbi, in my loneliness and desolation?\n\nJOHN\n\nThou speakest sinfully. Is He not with thee?\n\nMANASSA\n\nRabbi! Who?\n\nAMARJA\n\nHearken! He hath not heard the news of Him Who cometh!\n\nJOHN\n\nKnow'st thou not that soon there will be rejoicing in Israel? Bridal\ngarments and music of cymbals! Know'st thou not that there will be no\nmore sorrow in Israel? Therefore wipe the foam from thy lips and\nsanctify thyself.\n\nALL\n\nSanctify thyself!\n\nMANASSA\n\nNo more sorrow. No more suffering! Rabbi, say that I may stay with\nthee?\n\nJOHN\n\nMix with thy fellows over there and learn silence.\n\nMANASSA\n\n[_Stammering._] Rabbi! [_He withdraws._]\n\nJOHN\n\nI see not Josaphat among ye. Neither is Matthias here. Who hath tidings\nof them?\n\nAMARJA\n\nRabbi, none hath seen them.\n\nJOHN\n\nWho is that lying on the ground groaning?\n\nTHE PARALYTIC\n\nMaster, I am a poor man, sick of a palsy and in great agony. If Thou\ncanst not cure me, I must die!\n\nJOHN\n\nDie _now_! Now, when One is at hand Who bringeth relief for thy tumours\nand balm for thy sores? I say unto Thee thou wilt thank the Lord thy\nGod with shouts of joy for every hour of thy pain, for every inch of\nthe road thou hast crawled along on inflamed knees, when thou beholdest\nHim for Whom our soul longeth and hopeth, for Whose coming we wait and\nwatch by the roadside, looking towards the East. Therefore endure\nsevenfold suffering and groan no more.\n\nTHE PARALYTIC\n\nRabbi, thou hast done wonders for me. I feel no longer--I----[_He makes\nan effort to rise, but sinks back. His companions lead him away. He\nbreathes more easily, laughing as he goes._]\n\nMURMUR OF PEOPLE\n\nSee! a miracle. He works miracles!\n\nONE OF THE PEOPLE\n\nTruly the word is fulfilled--Elias is risen. The Great Prophet is risen\nfrom the dead!\n\nANOTHER\n\nNo, not Elias, not the Prophet! See ye not, ye blind? It is He Himself!\nHe is the promised One. Worship Him! worship Him!\n\nALL\n\n[_Falling on their knees._] Worship Him!\n\nJOHN\n\nA man sick of a fever crawled along the road looking for the physician,\nand when a beggar or a slave came by, carrying water, he fell on his\nknees before him and cried, \"Hail to thee, great physician! Thank God,\nthou art come!\" And so he went on till evening, and the children mocked\nhim. [_The people rise slowly._] What have I, the beggar, to give you?\nThe water I carry is to baptize you in; it is the pure water of\nrepentance. But He Who cometh after me will baptize with fire and the\nSpirit, and I am not worthy to unlatch His shoes, ... so little am I\ncompared with Him.\n\nSEVERAL\n\nRabbi, tell us, when will He come of Whom thou speakest?\n\nOTHERS\n\nWho is it, Rabbi? Be merciful and strengthen our souls. Speak to us of\nHim.\n\nJOHN\n\nThen sit ye down in a circle and hear the oft-told tidings, ye\ninsatiable ones. [_The people crouch on the ground._]\n\nMIRIAM\n\nHadidja, what is he going to tell us?\n\nHADIDJA\n\nBe silent.\n\nMIRIAM\n\nLet me take thy hand, Hadidja.\n\nJOHN\n\nIt was on the banks of Jordan that I baptized all, according to the\ncommand of the Lord. Many people were gathered round me and hearkened\nto what I preached, but my soul was consumed with doubt and misgiving.\nThen, lo, a youth came down from the cliffs above, and he was alone,\nand all the people drew back. And as I raised my eyes to his face, I\nknew that this was He, for the glory of eternity shone round about Him.\nAnd when He spake with me, and prayed me to baptize Him as if He were a\nsinner, I trembled and refused, saying, \"I would be baptized by Thee,\nbut _Thou_ comest to me?\" And He made answer, \"So be it, for thus shall\nthe law be fulfilled.\" Then I yielded, and let it be as He desired. And\nwhen He had received Baptism from my trembling hand, He rose from the\nwater, and behold, the Heavens opened above Him and I saw the Holy\nGhost descending like a white dove, and He was bathed in the Heavenly\nlight. And a voice out of Heaven spake, \"Behold, this is My Beloved\nSon, in Whom I am well pleased.\" Then I fell on my face and prayed. And\nI was no longer afraid.\n\nONE OF THE CROWD\n\n[_After a pause._] And whence came He, He Who was thus illumined by the\nradiance of the Lord?\n\nALL\n\nYes, whence came He, and whither did He go? Didst thou not hold Him?\n\nJOHN\n\nPlague me not with questions. He cometh and goeth, and no man holdeth\nHim. At this very hour He may be sitting in our midst.\n\nALL\n\n[_Turn on each other a scared and inquiring gaze._]\n\nAMARJA\n\nRabbi, we are all poor workpeople from Jerusalem, and every one knoweth\nhis fellow.\n\nONE OF THE CROWD\n\n[_Pointing to Miriam._] Yes, we men! But here is a woman whom I never\nsaw before.\n\nHADIDJA\n\nHer name is Miriam, and she serves as maid in the Palace, as I do.\n\nJOHN\n\nLeave her in peace.\n\nANOTHER\n\nBut if He of Whom thou speakest dwells among the living, He must bear a\nname, and His Father's name.\n\nALL\n\nYea; tell us His name. His name?\n\nJOHN\n\nYe would hear his name? Listen to the wind whispering among the rocks,\nmark well what it saith ere it vanisheth. So His name, heard first here\nand then there, passed by my ear. I am waiting with prayer and anxiety\nto hear it again. Therefore I say unto you, Question me not further,\nlest it melt away like a dream when the cock croweth.\n\nAMARJA\n\nYet give us withal some guidance. Whence came He to thee--He----\n\nJOHN\n\nThe wind which wafted Him to me blew from Galilee.\n\nALL\n\nFrom Galilee!\n\nONE\n\nIs then the Messiah the Galileans', the fisheaters'?\n\nANOTHER\n\nHe shall come to us Judaeans! Up, and let us seek Him!\n\nALL\n\nAye, let us seek Him!\n\nJOHN\n\nThink ye that He will permit Himself to be found by you? Ye miserable\ncreatures full of mutiny and revolt! Who are ye that ye should alter\nthe course of the world's history by a hair's breadth? When the time\nfor His harvest is ripe, then He shall appear to you of His own free\nwill in glory as the Lord of Hosts. The four cherubim shall ride before\nHim on caparisoned horses, with flaming sickles in their hands....\nWhatsoever hath been planted in sin and hath grown up rankly, that\nshall be mown down, root and branch; whatsoever hath reared itself\nagainst Him shall be trampled upon. Therefore, ye men of Israel, root\nup the weeds that flourish and encumber your bodies, so that ye do not\nrot, and in your corruption are not swept away with your polluters when\n_He_ draweth near with the seven-coloured rainbow about His head. He\nWho shall come must come [_reflectively_], must come!\n\nONE OF THE CROWD\n\nRabbi, we have repented of our sins. We pray day and night, and our\nbodies are emaciated from fasting. Say, what more can we do?\n\n\n SCENE IV\n\n _The same. Josaphat. Matthias._\n\nJOHN\n\nJosaphat, so thou art here. And thou, Matthias.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nMaster, chide us not for having lingered. We paused by Herod's Palace,\nwhich, as a rule, is dark and deserted. We saw rosy lights kindled, and\nthe pillars garlanded with flowers. Fresh ignominy shall befall Israel,\nmore deadly sin weigh upon her, if thou, Rabbi, comest not to the\nrescue.\n\nJOHN\n\nSpeak out!\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nHerod hath not come out of Galilee, as every year before, for the\nPassover. He is not expected till to-morrow. Another guest hath\narrived. The wife of Philip, Herod's brother, hath deserted him, and\ntaken with her Salome, Philip's daughter.\n\nThe guest at the Palace is called Herodias, and to-morrow the marriage\nfeast is to be celebrated.\n\nJOHN\n\nBetween Herod and the wife of his own brother?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nThou sayest right, Rabbi.\n\nJOHN\n\nNo! No! Whoever hath told thee this informed thee falsely. His lips\nwere shameless, and his soul lied.\n\nAMARJA\n\nPardon, Rabbi; there are maids here belonging to the Palace....\nQuestion them.\n\nJOHN\n\nHadidja, I know thee. Speak!\n\nHADIDJA\n\nRabbi, my place is menial. I only hear what the idle gossips say. But\nhere is Miriam. She has been chosen as the playmate of the young maiden\nSalome since she came yesterday. She waits on her at the bath. Question\nher!\n\nJOHN\n\nMiriam, why art thou silent?\n\nHADIDJA\n\nRabbi, she hath never yet conversed with strangers.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n[_In a low, stuttering tone._] Master, it is true what that man saith.\nAnd----[_Emotion._]\n\nJOHN\n\nContinue!\n\nMIRIAM\n\nAnd after the wedding, on the first day of the Passover, Herodias is to\nenter the Temple, as far as the women's outer court, her new consort\nleading her by the hand. They will show themselves to the people.\n\nJOHN\n\nThat the people may stone them? But what am I saying? They dare not!\nThose priests, lustful as they are, cowards cringing in the dust at the\nfeet of the Romans, dare not permit this! The iron gates will close\nupon the scandal, and the High Priest will stretch forth his arm to\ncurse them!\n\nHADIDJA\n\nSpeak, Miriam!\n\nJOHN\n\nWhat else hast thou to say, Miriam?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nMaster, at this very hour, messengers are passing to and fro between\nHerodias and the Temple. The Princess desireth that the High Priest\nshall meet them at the second gate, where the men and women separate,\nto bless her----\n\nJOHN\n\nEnough! Go home, all of you. I wish to be alone. To-morrow ye will see\nme at Jerusalem. [_Horror amongst the people._]\n\nONE OF THE CROWD\n\nRabbi, wilt thou be responsible for thy enemies?\n\nOTHERS\n\nReflect, Rabbi! The Pharisees will trap thee. The priests will condemn\nthee.\n\nJOHN\n\nI am the son of a priest. I will speak priestly words to those who\ncountenance this infamous crime. I will speak to them in the name of\nHim Who cometh, for Whom I prepare the way. Go! [_As they appear\nunwilling and hesitate._] Go! [_The curtain falls._]\n\n\n\n\n FIRST ACT\n\n\n\n\n FIRST ACT\n\n_Square in front of the Palace of Herod--The guardroom of the Roman\nsoldiers is to the right of the Palace in the foreground, with benches\nbefore the door--To the right of centre is the chief entrance--Steps in\nbackground, which lead to the top of a hill--Behind, separated by an\ninvisible valley, is a view of rising masses of house-tops belonging to\nanother part of the town--A narrow street to the left of centre, and\nanother street in foreground, which may be taken as a continuation of\nthe one that runs to right of guard-room--In it is the shop of the\nwoollen merchant_ Eliakim--_At its right corner the shop of the\nfruit-seller_ Pasur, _with wares exhibited--A fountain with seats round\nit, near the middle of the stage._\n\n\n SCENE I\n\n_Eliakim, Pasur. First, second, third common soldiers._\n\nPASUR\n\n[_As he comes forward glances anxiously at the soldiers, who sit in\nfront of guard-room._] Neighbour, neighbour, dost thou not hear me?\n\nELIAKIM\n\n[_Sitting outside his shop reading a parchment_] It is written that\nwhosover disturbeth a man when he is reading the law shall forfeit his\nlife.\n\nPASUR\n\nThou readest the law?\n\nELIAKIM\n\nKnowest thou not that I read the law day and night?\n\nPASUR\n\nForgive me, neighbour; accuse me not. I sinned out of ignorance.... I\nwas in fear of the soldiers who are quartered yonder ... but I am going\nin. [_Slinks back to his shop._]\n\nFIRST SOLDIER\n\n[_To the second who sharpens his sword._] Marcus, wherefore handiest\nthou thy blade with such terrific zeal? There is naught to hew down in\nthere. These damned Judeans have had enough. They'll rebel no more.\n\nSECOND SOLDIER\n\nWho can tell? Since that woman entered there yesterday, my nostrils\nhave scented bloodshed. Everything is upside down in Herod's house, and\nyour so-called princes are ticklish subjects.\n\nFIRST SOLDIER\n\nHere in Judea they have none; so we are masters.\n\nSECOND SOLDIER\n\nWe are masters everywhere, with or without a Herod.\n\nFIRST SOLDIER\n\nWhat brings the Tetrarch of Galilee to Jerusalem?\n\nSECOND SOLDIER\n\nYes, well mayest thou ask! Yet he cometh twice or thrice in the year to\nrub his nose on the fleeces of the Temple, and then away he goes again.\nGod requires it of him, so they say. A crazy people!\n\nFIRST SOLDIER\n\nAnd we must stand by as guard of honour. A nice business for a Roman\ncitizen!\n\n\n SCENE II\n\n_The same, Hadidja and two other maids_ (_with jugs on their heads,\ncome out of the Palace and go to the well, where they draw water_).\n\nSECOND SOLDIER\n\nIdiot! We are bound to do it, so that we may appear to honour him. In\nreality we guard him. He will soon be here now.\n\nTHIRD SOLDIER\n\n[_Who has been squatting on a brick, without taking any part in\nconversation, sings._] Sweet smiling Lalage, thee will I love for ever.\nThee, sweet smiling Lalage----\n\nSECOND SOLDIER\n\n[_Irritably._] Have done howling after thy Lalage! Before thou goest\nback to Rome again, she will be a grandmother.\n\nTHIRD SOLDIER\n\n[_Stretching out his arms._] Alack! Yes.\n\nSECOND SOLDIER\n\n[_Pointing to the maids._] Are not there women enough here?\n\nTHIRD SOLDIER\n\nAh! but they are Jew girls. They mean well enough, but the punishment\nof death hangs over them.\n\nSECOND SOLDIER\n\nA crazy people.\n\nTHIRD SOLDIER\n\nIf only there were no foreigners! I, for my part, take not kindly to\nthese Asiatics. They wash all day long, and yet stink in spite of\nit.... Ha! yesterday a Syrian sweetheart made me a present of a\nnecklace. There it is. Shall we dice for it?\n\nSECOND SOLDIER\n\nShow it to me. I say fifty denarii.\n\nTHIRD SOLDIER\n\nRogue! A hundred and fifty!\n\nSECOND SOLDIER\n\nVery well.\n\nFIRST SOLDIER\n\nI will join.\n\nTHIRD SOLDIER\n\nCome along. [_All three disappear into the guard-room._]\n\n\n SCENE III\n\n_Eliakim, Pasur, Hadidja, and the two other maids. Two Priests_\n[_descending the central steps_].\n\nFIRST PRIEST\n\nDamsels, you belong to the Palace?\n\nHADIDJA\n\nYes, ye priests.\n\nFIRST PRIEST\n\nAnnounce us to your mistress.\n\nHADIDJA\n\nOur mistress, priests, is gone forth to meet the Tetrarch Herod, to\nreceive him at the gates.\n\nFIRST PRIEST\n\nWhen will she return?\n\nHADIDJA\n\nThat we cannot say, priests; it depends on the coming of the Prince.\n\nFIRST PRIEST\n\nDo you desire our blessing?\n\nHADIDJA\n\nNo! [_She vanishes with the other maids into the interior of the\nPalace._]\n\nBOTH PRIESTS\n\n[_Look discomposed._]\n\nFIRST PRIEST\n\n[_Observing Eliakim and Pasur sitting in front of their doors, raises\nhis hands unctuously._] Blessed be ye who----\n\nELIAKIM\n\nNo one asked thy blessing!\n\nBOTH PRIESTS\n\n[_Regard each other in dismay._]\n\nSECOND PRIEST\n\n[_Furiously._] These again are of the school of the Pharisees!\n\nFIRST PRIEST\n\nWe hold the Temple. They shall yet be our servants. Come! [_Exeunt both\npriests._]\n\n\n SCENE IV\n\nPASUR\n\n[_Drawing near humbly._] Forgive me, neighbour, but now thou no longer\nreadest in the law?\n\nELIAKIM\n\nNo.\n\nPASUR\n\nThis will be a sorry Passover for us tradesmen. See all this fine stock\nwhich I have laid in. There is the sacred pomegranate wood, whereon to\nroast the lamb. Here are the sweet herbs, with which to prepare the\nholy broth, and here are the bitter roots, the garlic, cresses, and bay\nleaves, all according to the precept. In six, or at latest seven hours\nthe feast begins, and I shall be left stranded with my whole stock on\nhand. Oh, woe is me! Woe is me!\n\nELIAKIM\n\nWell, have I not also superior and holy wares for sale? There are\nstuffs of the very finest quality. Beautiful tassels of white and\nhyacinth-blue wool. And are not my Tephillims the most beautiful ever\nworn by a son of Abraham at morning prayer? Nay, Abraham himself never\nwore a finer Tephillim. I believe I have eighteen dozen or more. But\none should take no thought of bodily raiment, but read the Scriptures.\nSo it is written.\n\nPASUR\n\nBut, neighbour, the man who deals in vegetables does not find it so\neasy to be righteous in the sight of the Lord. Thy woollen goods will\nkeep till Herod is gone again with his new wife.\n\nELIAKIM\n\n[_Shakes his fist at the Palace._] It's a shame, a crying shame!\n\nPASUR\n\nYes; once this was always a good spot for business, but now grass\ngroweth in front of the Palace.\n\nELIAKIM\n\nOnly _priests_ go in and out.\n\n\n SCENE V\n\n_The same. A citizen of Jerusalem_ [_who comes to fill his pitcher at\nthe fountain_].\n\nCITIZEN\n\n[_Distressfully._] Neighbour, dear neighbour!\n\nELIAKIM\n\nWhat is thy trouble?\n\nCITIZEN\n\nThou art a righteous man and knowest the law. Give me advice, and thou\nshalt have my thanks. My poor wife has hurt her foot while working in\nthe fields. It is burning and swollen, and I bathe it with cold water\nfrom the fountain, which does it good. But in a short time beginneth\nthe feast. May I continue with the bathing then?\n\nELIAKIM\n\nSabbath breaking. Thou wilt be guilty, and deserve death.\n\nTHE CITIZEN\n\nOh, Lord eternal!\n\nELIAKIM\n\nYes. If it were her throat that ailed, then thou mightest pour the\nremedy into her mouth. But foot! No!\n\nCITIZEN\n\nBut suppose that it mortifies!\n\nELIAKIM\n\nYea, if it mortifies and is a danger to life, the law alloweth it.\n\nTHE CITIZEN\n\n[_Crying out in despair._] But then it is too late!\n\n[_Meanwhile a man wrapt in a cloak has come down the street, and looks\nup calmly at the windows of Herod's Palace._]\n\nELIAKIM\n\n[_Points to him, looking shocked._] Hush, if thou lovest thy life! The\nman thou seest yonder is one David, belonging to the Zealots who dwell\nin the desert. They come down to the towns with daggers hidden in the\nfolds of their cloaks. And when they find people committing a breach of\nthe law by word or deed, they strike at them from behind. [_Rising, as\nthe stranger approaches._] Greeting; thou holy man! Behold I know thee\nwell. Wilt thou not bless thy servant? [_The stranger passes, and\ndisappears in the street to the left._]\n\nPASUR\n\nI feel a shiver run through me. One can err and not know it.\n\nTHE CITIZEN\n\nHow many hours are there yet, ere the feast begins?\n\nELIAKIM\n\n[_Regarding the sun._] Six.\n\nTHE CITIZEN\n\nSo long, then, I may use the cooling remedy, but I know not what to do\nafterwards. [_Drags his pitcher away dejectedly._]\n\nPASUR\n\nOf a truth, we Hebrews are hunted like vermin. If the Romans leave us\nalone, the law strikes at us.\n\n\n SCENE VI\n\n_The same. The stage has become half-filled with people, who\ngesticulate in excitement, looking up at Herod's Palace. Among them\nHachmoni; later, the soldiers._\n\nELIAKIM\n\nWhat is going on there? Hachmoni, thou shalt speak. What ails the\npeople?\n\nHACHMONI\n\nHast thou not heard? John is in the town!\n\nELIAKIM\n\nThere are many Johns.\n\nHACHMONI\n\nThe Baptist, man!\n\nELIAKIM\n\nThe Baptist; enemy of the Priests and of the Pharisees; to whom every\nRechabite hath sworn death. Is he caught at last?\n\nHACHMONI\n\nThou speakest like one in his sleep! If there is a man in Jerusalem\nsafe and untouched by the curse of the Romans, it is he. He standeth in\nthe market-place and preacheth; he standeth at the gates and\npreacheth.--Did I say _preach_? Firebrands issue from his lips;\nscorpions leap out of his mouth.\n\nELIAKIM\n\nAgainst whom doth he preach, then?\n\nHACHMONI\n\nAgainst Herod, naturally. And his paramour, and his paramour's whelp.\n\nALL\n\nDown with Herod! Death to Herod!\n\n[_The first and second Roman soldiers step out of the guard-room._]\n\nFIRST SOLDIER\n\nWhat are the blear-eyed scum crying?\n\nSECOND SOLDIER\n\nDeath to Herod! Did not I say it would be so? I can trust my nose.\n[_Draws his sword._]\n\nPASUR\n\nProtect yourselves! The soldiers! [_The people fall back._]\n\nFIRST SOLDIER [_laughing._]\n\nThe dogs are affrighted already. Curs! [_They go in, laughing._]\n\n\n SCENE VII\n\n_The same. Amasai and Jorab_ [_from left centre, remain in the\nstreet_].\n\nAMASAI\n\nLook at them! Must this not appear a mad mockery in the sight of the\nLord? Who that follows the straight path laid down by the law, after\nthe manner of God-fearing men, can have anything in common with these\nsinners?\n\nJORAB\n\nThey are infatuated with the Baptist's preaching, and yet too weak to\nkick against the pricks. Speak to them, so that they come to\nthemselves.\n\nAMASAI\n\nAfter the Baptist? Rather would I grasp a mad bull by the horns. They\nwould go up to the Temple to make an offering of sow's blood, if he\nbade them do it.\n\nJORAB\n\nCannot we trap him?\n\nAMASAI\n\nAnd so stand before the people as the friends of Herod? Leave that kind\nof fame to the Priests and the Sadducees. The disaffection which we\nquelled, at a signal from him, screams aloud in the gutter. So what\ngood have we done? That is why the people flock to him. We have missed\nour opportunity. But still; I know a way to entangle him. I will strike\nat him through his folly about the Messiah. [_Shouts of applause arise\nfrom the people._] Listen! so they once hailed us. [_They withdraw\nfurther into the street to the left._]\n\n\n SCENE VII\n\n_The same, without Amasai and Jorab. John, accompanied by Josaphat,\nMatthias, and Manassa and afresh crowd. People appear behind left._\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Throwing himself down on the edge of the fountain._]\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nSee, Rabbi, what power hath been given thee. They wag their tails like\npleased hounds. Jerusalem the Blessed lies at thy feet.\n\nJOHN\n\nGive me to drink!\n\nMANASSA\n\n[_Draws him water._]\n\nHACHMONI\n\nBehold! The great prophet drinks as if he were one of us----\n\nPASUR\n\nThat is goat's hair wherewith he is clothed. It must prick his skin. It\nshows what a holy man he is.\n\nELIAKIM\n\nBut he doth not favour the woollen trade. If all were so holy, we\nshould be beggared.\n\nHACHMONI\n\nAnd his food, people say, is nought but locusts and wild honey.\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nGet back. See ye not that ye plague him? [_They retire._]\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nRabbi, forgive. The people wait. What is thy command to them?\n\nJOHN\n\nIs this Herod's house?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nYes, Rabbi [_silence_]. Rabbi, say, what shall they do?\n\nJOHN\n\nAm I the keeper of these people? The shepherd may drive his flock\nthrough thorns or flowers. I pine for the wilderness, for my rocky\nfastnesses.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\n[_Dismayed._] Rabbi!\n\nJOHN\n\nI have awakened the slumbering conscience, scourged and roused the\nidle, shown the erring the right road. One great burst of indignation\nagainst Herod now flames towards heaven. So now they may let me go my\nway, or send their spies after me. But no priest has yet dared to stand\nin my path. It is well. My work in Jerusalem is at an end.\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nNot so, Rabbi. Thy work only beginneth. We have to face the Prince's\nentry. The people want a leader.\n\nJOHN\n\nWhither will they be led?\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nThat we know not, Rabbi.\n\nJOHN\n\nAnd do I know? Am I one to subject my will to the fetters of a plan, or\nto spin a web of calculations for others? I am the voice of one crying\nin the wilderness. That is my destiny. Come! [_He stands up._]\n\nTHE PEOPLE\n\nHail to thee, John! Hail! [_As he is going, Amasai and Jorab step in\nhis way._]\n\n\n SCENE VIII\n\n _The same. Amasai, Jorab._\n\nAMASAI\n\nPardon us, great Prophet, that we have not yet been present at thy\nbaptisms.\n\nJOHN\n\nWho are ye?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\n[_Whispering._] Be on your guard, Rabbi. They wear the wide hem of the\nPharisees. Their brethren are high in the Council.\n\nAMASAI\n\nWe are diligent scribes, simple men, to whom the study of the law hath\nbrought more honour than we deserve.\n\nJOHN\n\nMay be. But what do ye want with me?\n\nAMASAI\n\nMany reports of miracles worked by thee have come to our ears. Some say\nthou art Elias; and others, even greater than he. We are willing to\nbelieve this, even if thou performest not his miracles. Naturally\nthou mayest have reasons in thy heart for keeping thy power of\nmiracle-working a secret from us.\n\nPASUR\n\nHath he worked miracles?\n\nELIAKIM\n\nNot for me.\n\nPASUR\n\nAh!\n\nAMASAI\n\nWe have heard, too, much of thy godliness; that thou fastest and\nprayest as one to whom meat and drink and earthly intercourse are of no\naccount. We fast and pray also, and our desire for doing good cannot be\nsatisfied. But the law is harder and more zealous than we. Therefore we\nbeg thee to be so gracious as to bestow on us the benefit of thy\nteaching, Rabbi, and to tell us how we can keep the law.\n\nJOHN\n\nSo? Ye lay traps for me under the cloak of your glib words. Ye\ngeneration of vipers! Who hath told you that ye shall escape the wrath\nto come? Woe unto you, when He cometh Who is stronger than I! He hath\nHis sickle already in His hand. He will gather the grain into His barn,\nbut the chaff He will burn with everlasting fire.\n\nPASUR\n\nOf whom doth he speak?\n\nHACHMONI\n\nHush! he speaks of the Messiah.\n\nELIAKIM\n\nWhat Messiah?\n\nJORAB\n\nCome, Amasai. I am afraid of this man.\n\nAMASAI\n\n[_Shielding himself with his hand._] We approached thee as petitioners,\nand thou hast abused us. We will let that pass, presuming that thou\nhast a right thereto. The one of whom thou speakest as coming after\nthee has given thee the right. Is it not so? [_Silence._] Behold, ye\npeople of Israel, your prophet is silent. If it be not the Messiah,\nthe Messiah of Whom he preaches in the wilderness, and even in the\nmarket-place, who hath given him the right to chide us? Where else hath\nhe obtained his authority? Ye know what we are, God-fearing, upright\nmen, that strive to obey the law in everything.\n\nONE OF THE PEOPLE\n\nWho is this?\n\nELIAKIM\n\nAmasai, the wise and learned scribe.\n\nPEOPLE\n\n[_Murmuring._] Listen, it is Amasai.\n\nANOTHER\n\nRabbi, wilt thou not bless us?\n\nAMASAI\n\nYea, we, in short, who are a piece of the law ourselves. And we have\nnever done this man any harm. If he is an enemy to us, it must be\nbecause he is an enemy to the law.\n\nJOHN\n\nThou liest.\n\nAMASAI\n\nGood. If I lie, so teach me, great prophet, how thou keepest the law.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\n[_In a low voice._] Yes, Rabbi, explain! The people expect it.\n\nJOHN\n\nI have nothing to do with the law, of which ye and your like set up to\nbe guardians and students. [_Sensation among the people._]\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\n[_Sotto voce._] Rabbi, think what thou art saying. Injure not thyself.\n\nJOHN\n\nNay, it is not your law, but ye yourselves that I hate. For your hand\nlieth heavily on this people, and your well-being is its affliction.\n\nAMASAI\n\nThat thou hast yet to prove, great prophet.\n\nJOHN\n\nWho are ye, ye men of worldly wisdom, that ye should look on the law as\nyour special inheritance and possession? Here is an enslaved people\ncrawling patiently on its belly beneath a scourge, oppressed by a heavy\nburden, and ye desire to tell it _how_ it shall crawl.\n\nAMASAI\n\nYea, because it must crawl somehow, great prophet.\n\nJOHN\n\nYe think so. I say that it shall rise out of the dust.\n\nAMASAI\n\nThus have rebels ever spoken, and the end hath always been the cross\nand the gallows. Thou, whom men call the great prophet, listen to me!\nWhen the Lord redeemed His people the first time, how did He do it?\nThrough the law. And when He redeemed them a second time, knowest thou\nhow He did it? Through the law. So if we guard and watch this law, and\nlet it expand by itself, swelling like an ear of corn, a thousand times\ninto a thousandfold blessings, what is our object? Redemption, the hope\nwhich lives in all of us. Only we do not noise it abroad in the gutter\nand on the housetops.\n\nPEOPLE\n\n[_Murmuring._] There he is right. Aye, he is right!\n\n\n SCENE IX\n\n_The same. A troop of pilgrims have come up by degrees and slake their\nthirst at the fountain. Among them Simon the Galilean._\n\nAMASAI\n\nSee! Look around thee. Behold these pilgrims! They come with their\nknapsacks from far distant lands: from Egypt, from Euphrates, and\nSyria, and from the accursed city of Rome itself. They are indifferent\nto hunger and thirst, the heat of the sun, and the dust of the road.\nAnd wherefore have they come? Because of this very law, which I and my\nbrethren guard and study. And if thou sayest thou hast nothing to do\nwith this law, and hatest it, tell us, then, what law thou lovest?\nWhere do the Commandments leave off which the Lord made for His people,\nand where begin the vain works of men? Enlighten us, great prophet, and\nscold us not.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Is silent, and uncertain what to say._]\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nI warned thee, Rabbi!\n\nAMASAI\n\n[_With a laugh of scorn._] Now see, all of you. See! Methinks the\ngreat---- [_Breaks off as a woman, sickly and heavily loaded, comes\naccidentally near to him. He turns round in anger._] Touch me not, lest\nI become unclean! I am a Rechabite!\n\nSIMON THE GALILEAN\n\n[_To the woman._] No; touch _him_ not, lest _thou_ becomest unclean.\n\nAMASAI\n\nWhat?\n\nSIMON THE GALILEAN\n\nFor the Pharisees who call themselves Rechabites are unclean from\nwithin. Come! [_Leads her to the fountain._]\n\nAMASAI\n\nHe denies God!\n\nTHE PEOPLE\n\n[_Murmuring._] He denies God!\n\nAMASAI\n\nA Rechabite unclean? A man who doth nothing day and night but fulfil\nthe law; who performeth his sacred ablutions three times more than\nnecessary; who sitteth, on the Sabbath, like a monument; who speaketh a\nblessing at meat twice, and over salt, bread er----er--[_half\nchoking._] A Rechabite unclean?\n\nJOHN\n\nIf I could not answer thy questions with their double meaning, thou\nthyself hast now answered them!\n\nAMASAI\n\nAnd may seven swine possess thee, thou great prophet, so that compared\nwith them thou appearest to me a saint. [_To the Galilean._] And what\nevil spirit hath taken possession of thee, man? Art thou a Jew? Where\ndost thou come from? What is thy name?\n\nMATTHIAS\n\n[_In a low voice._] Tell him not thy name. He will ruin thee.\n\nSIMON THE GALILEAN\n\n[_Calmly._] I am a Jew. My name is Simon, and I come from Galilee.\n\nAMASAI\n\nAnd as one that there knoweth Law and Sacrifice----\n\nSIMON THE GALILEAN\n\n[_Interrupting._] Greater than law, greater than sacrifice, is love!\n[_Sensation and dismay among people_]\n\nAMASAI\n\nSee ye not now that he is guilty against the law? [_He continues\nspeaking earnestly to the people_]\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Approaching the Galilean in great excitement._] Who taught thee that?\n[_As Simon is silent, more urgently._] Who taught thee that?\n\nMATTHIAS\n\n[_In a quick, low tone to the Galilean._] Before they capture thee,\nfly!\n\nSIMON THE GALILEAN [_Shakes his head._]\n\nJOHN\n\nThis knowledge, that comes straight from thy simple and timid heart,\nawes me, for it cannot be thine own. [_The people, hounded on by\nAmasai, jostle the Galilean_] Back! In the Name of Him Who cometh, keep\nback. Leave him alone! [_People retreat._]\n\nPASUR\n\nThou playest with us and our great longing as if we were toys.\n\nAMASAI\n\nAh, now I have caught thee! Thou who poisonest a thirsty people with\nfoul water! Where is He Who shall come? Where is thy Messiah? Where is\nthe King of the Jews? Aye, show Him to us!\n\nTHE PEOPLE\n\n[_Fiercely._] Yea, woe to thee if thou canst not show Him to us!\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Firmly._] Here cometh the King of the Jews whom ye acclaim!\n\n\n SCENE X\n\n_The same. Herod, Herodias, Salome and their train appear above in the\nbackground. The company of soldiers, with their officers, have posted\nthemselves at the Palace gates. In silence the procession descends._\n\nONE OF THE TRAIN\n\nHail to Herod! [_Still silence._] Now, ye dogs! Cry, Hail!\n\nHEROD\n\nAt what are the people gaping? [_To the Commander of the Guard._] Ye,\nwho in obedience to Rome's command are here to protect me, cannot you\nclear them out of my way?\n\nTHE SOLDIERS\n\n[_At a sign from their Captain begin to charge the people with lowered\nspears._]\n\nAMASAI\n\n[_Who is standing in the foremost row. Turns with a shrill cry._] Woe!\nwoe! [_Takes fight._]\n\n[_Jorab follows him. The people retreat with a subdued exclamation of\nfear. John alone stands his ground, his head held high, and measures\nHerod with his glance._]\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Raising her veil._] Mother, look at that man. It is the same who\nstood in the market-place and at the gates and everywhere where we have\npassed.\n\nHEROD\n\nAnd everywhere caused dissension.\n\nSALOME\n\nLook! His eyes flash fire! Mother, look!\n\nHEROD\n\nCome along, ye women. And if the pious citizens of Jerusalem have\nunlearnt the way to welcome with rejoicing the representative of the\ngreat race of Herod [_with a glance at the Captain of the Guard_],\nRome, I hope, will teach it to them again. [_The Captain shrugs his\nshoulders with a slight smile._]\n\nHEROD\n\nCome, I pray. [_Herod, Herodias, Salome, go with their train into the\nPalace; the common soldiers into the guard-room._]\n\n\n SCENE XII\n\n_Johannes, Josaphat, Matthias, Manassa, Hachmoni, Pasur, the people._\n\nHACHMONI\n\n[_At the head of a group, pressing forward_] Pardon us, great prophet.\nThe Pharisees have fled like cowards. But, see, we cling to thee. So\nnow help us.\n\nTHE PEOPLE\n\nHelp us!\n\nJOHN\n\n[_As if in a dream._] Tell me, whither hath the man from Galilee gone?\n\nMANASSA\n\nRabbi, we know not.\n\nJOHN\n\nThen seek him. Bring him to me.\n\nMANASSA\n\nYes, Rabbi.\n\nALL THE PEOPLE\n\nTarry with us, great prophet. Help us! We flee to thee.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Pondering in uncertainty._] Matthias, Josaphat, did he not say Love?\n[_The curtain falls_].\n\n\n\n\n SECOND ACT\n\n\n\n\n SECOND ACT\n\n_Hall in Roman style of architecture in Herod 's Palace--On the right\nside, a balcony upheld by pillars, which extends the whole depth of the\nstage, and to which a fight of steps leads--Off the balcony a door\nopens into Salome's room--Underneath, on the ground floor, another\ndoor--In the centre of the background is the chief entrance--On the\nleft, a window--Near it a couch and other furniture--To the right,\nbetween the pillars of the balcony, is a divan--Carpets and tiger-skins\non the floor--A mixture of Roman and Oriental luxury._\n\n\n SCENE I\n\n_Maecha, Miriam, Abi_ [_on the balcony_]. _After them, Salome._\n\nTHE DAMSELS\n\n[_Stepping cautiously and listening._]\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Through the door._] Is it safe? No one there?\n\nMAECHA\n\nNot a sound of anyone.\n\nSALOME\n\nThen, come! [_They skip down the stairs._]\n\nSALOME\n\nAh, here it is light, and one can see oneself reflected in the walls.\nDo you know why we have been suddenly mewed up in the apartments above?\nYesterday we were allowed to wander as we listed through all the\npassages, to dance unveiled in the gardens, and peep through the\nrailings and mock the passers-by. But to-day, since my uncle came, we\nhave had to sit moping in sackcloth and ashes. Why? Do none of you know\nwhy?\n\nMAECHA\n\nMistress, the house is now filled with strangers who were not here\nyesterday. And, it is said that the men who are in the Tetrarch's\nfollowing run after young maidens.\n\nSALOME\n\nLet them! I am not afraid of any men.... I take them as I find them....\nI love them.\n\nABI\n\nThou knowest men, mistress?\n\nSALOME\n\nI mean not the men of our own people! They wear beards on their chins\nlike forests, and before one can look round, they stand there\nbarefooted, and then people say---- No; I mislike that. But once, when\nI was with my father in Antioch, I met pale youths with golden brown\nhair, and they wore red shoes and smelt of perfumes.... They were\nGreeks, my father said, real Greeks from Hellas.... They smiled, and it\nmade me thrill.... Why dost thou stand there sulking, Miriam, and\nlistenest not to my converse? It doth not please thee? Laugh, or I'll\nbeat thee. If thou laughest not, I'll have thee whipped!\n\nMIRIAM\n\nLet me be whipped, mistress.\n\nSALOME\n\nWhere wert thou last night? The palace guards said thou wouldst visit\nthy sweetheart.... Thou hast a lover? [_Roguishly._] Whisper his name\nin my ear and I'll give thee a gold pin.\n\nMIRIAM\n\nI have no one that loveth me, mistress.\n\nSALOME\n\nThe language of you Judeans hath an insipid flavour, and your eyes\ndissemble. Yet, I love Jerusalem. A purple haze hangs over its gables.\nAnd it seemeth to me ever as if the sun in Jerusalem kissed one\nsecretly. But ye could not understand how that is ... ye have not the\nblood of the great Herod in your veins. My mother hath it, and I have\nit from her.... And whatever they may say in Jerusalem, my mother was\nwise to run away from that other husband, for the one here is of more\naccount than he. And because she was so wise, and at the same time so\nsadly foolish, I love her, and will share the consequences of her\nfolly. [_She flings herself on the couch._] I am not displeasing to my\nuncle Herod.... I have remarked that he casts stolen glances at me....\nNow when my mother scolds me I shall know how to tease her! [_Trills\nforth._] I am the Rose of Sharon, a flower of the valley. Cometh not my\nfriend into his garden to eat of---- Miriam, where does that window\nlook out?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nI do not know, mistress. I have never been in this hall before.\n\nSALOME\n\nGo and see.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n[_Looks out of the window and starts._]\n\nSALOME\n\nWhy dost thou start?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nDid I, mistress?\n\nSALOME\n\nTell me what thou seest?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nThere are many people standing round a fountain, and----\n\nSALOME\n\nAnd?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nI cannot----\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Stands up and goes to window._] Ah! [_Looking out for a moment in\nsilence._] Miriam, who is that?\n\nMIRIAM\n\n[_Confused._] Whom dost thou mean, mistress?\n\nSALOME\n\nIs there anyone else but him?... Miriam, thou gentle, brown Miriam\n[_half threateningly_], deny him not!\n\nMIRIAM\n\nIt is--John--the Baptist.\n\nABI, MAECHA\n\n[_Hurrying up, all curiosity._] The Baptist?\n\nSALOME\n\nLet him be who he be. See how the people surge round him! Have ye ever\nin your valley seen a rock bend? He doth not bend. Ha! ha! Not he! Only\nif--perhaps---- [_She stretches out her arms._]\n\n\n SCENE II\n\n _The same. Herodias_. [_Enters from centre._]\n\nMAECHA\n\nMistress, thy mother!\n\nTHE THREE MAIDENS\n\n[_Withdraw quickly from the window._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\nWhat are ye doing here, damsels? Salome thou! Shall we let it be said\nthat we have brought evil manners into Jerusalem?\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Intending to wound, but outwardly meek._] Methinks it is said\nalready.\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Enraged._] Go!\n\nSALOME\n\nYes, mother. [_She crosses over, and lingers between the pillars of the\nbalcony._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\nYe damsels, stay! Ye are Judeans?\n\nMAECHA\n\nYes, mistress.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nIntelligence hath reached me of one they call the Baptist stirring up\nrebellion in the streets. Which of you know the man?\n\nMAECHA\n\nShe does.\n\nABI\n\nShe hath this moment confessed it.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nWhat dost thou know of him?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nThat last night I sat at his feet praying.\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Coming forward_] Thou? Thou?\n\nMAECHA\n\nPardon! A moment ago he was standing close to the Palace.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nShow him to me.\n\nMAECHA\n\n[_From the window_] Now is he gone.\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_To Miriam_] So speed after him, and when thou hast found him, bring\nhim privately through yonder gate. [_Points below to the right_]\n\nSALOME\n\nShe shall not.... I will not ... _Not_ her!\n\nHERODIAS\n\nWhy not?\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Throwing her arms round Miriam_] She is dearest to me. I will not let\nher go out of my sight. [_Comes over and supplicates Herodias_] Mother!\n\nHERODIAS\n\nArt thou still such a child? [_To Miriam._] Go!\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Angrily._] Miriam!\n\n [_Exit Miriam._\n\nHERODIAS\n\nSuch a child, and already hast the tooth of a serpent in thy mouth!\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Kneels on the couch before her mother and encircles her knees with\nher arms._] Forgive me, mother. We, thou and I, are not like others. We\nsting those we love.\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Sotto voce._] And those we hate?\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Sotto voce._] We kiss!\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Laughing._] Child! [_She kisses her._]\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Laughing._] Thou kissest me!\n\n\n SCENE III\n\n _The same. The Palace Captain._\n\nPALACE CAPTAIN\n\nMy master, the Tetrarch Herod, would see thee, mistress.\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_In growing anxiety covers Salomes' face with her veil._] Go, make\nhaste; go!\n\nSALOME\n\nMother, I am dull in the upstair chambers. May I not stay near thee?\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Looking towards the door._] Go, instantly!\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Slowly climbs the stairs with her companions._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThou art Captain in the Palace?\n\nTHE PALACE CAPTAIN\n\n[_Bows._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\nGo, set watches at every door. Who entereth goeth not out again.... And\nkeep silent.\n\nTHE PALACE CAPTAIN\n\nOne has but to see thee to know that thou art the mistress.... How\nshould I not be silent? [_Goes to the door._]\n\n\n SCENE IV\n\n_The same. Herod, Gabalos, Merokles, Jabad. The Palace Captain_ [_exit\nwhen the others enter_].\n\nHEROD\n\nPrincess, after waiting even the space of a moment, a man will enjoy\nhis favours to the full.... Therefore ... [_Kisses her on brow and\nmouth._] Pardon!\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThou hast rested; art refreshed?\n\nHEROD\n\nThat question thou oughtst not to ask me. My father was one of those\nmen who never knew what weariness was. So his son, likewise, parts\ncompany with his pillow betimes, and---- [_He observes Salome who, with\nher veil slightly lifted, looks down from the balcony, and after she\nsees that he has noticed her, vanishes._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThou art silent.\n\nHEROD\n\nThy daughter is not with thee?\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Dryly._] No.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Bows his head, smiling._] Allow me, Princess ... to present these\nfriends.... I will not call them servants, for such they are not.\n\nMEROKLES\n\nOh, mistress, they are servants whom thou mayest safely make thy\nfriends.\n\nJABAD\n\nAnd they are friends in order that they may serve thee.\n\nGABALOS\n\nAnd are amply rewarded for both, great mistress.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Smiling._] This rascal, whose Syrian dialect thou art now acquainted\nwith for the first time, is Gabalos from Antioch. Thou seest, I\ntolerate his jesting.\n\nGABALOS\n\nFor Herod the Great also kept a Fool.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nAnd people say that he acquired a second Fool before he let the first\ndrown.\n\nGABALOS\n\n[_Bows, smiling, then turns aside with a grimace._]\n\nHEROD\n\nThis is Merokles, the rhetorician. His voice carries far. It is heard\nin Rome, when folks there would overhear my own.\n\nMEROKLES\n\nBut I shall take no satisfaction in that voice till it may greet thee,\nmistress, with the cry \"Hail to thee, O Queen!\"\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Winces, then smiles and exchanges a glance with Herod._]\n\nMEROKLES\n\n[_Sotto voce, joining Gabalos._] Thou madest a good hit; I a better.\n\nHEROD\n\nAnd in contrast to this cool flatterer, here is Jabad the Levite, my\nguide and my conscience ever since I set foot on Jewish soil. For, by\nBacchus, he knows exactly what I have to do, every moment, in order to\nbe pious, after the manner of my pious people.\n\nGABALOS\n\n[_Sotto voce._] He acts as if he had forgotten the way.\n\nMEROKLES\n\n[_Sotto voce._] For by so doing he thinks he will the more resemble his\nfather.\n\nHEROD\n\nAs an example, what ought I to be doing at this sacred moment?\n\nJABAD\n\nThe sun is sinking, oh master. Thy Passover lamb, one year old and\nflawless, hath been slaughtered in the Temple. It is now in the yard to\nbe blessed. Thou, as the lord and master of this house----\n\nHEROD\n\nMust do it myself?\n\nJABAD\n\nThine illustrious father did not, and there was, on that account,\ngrumbling amongst the people.\n\nHEROD\n\nBlessing is cleaner work than slaughter. I will do it. See, ye wise\nGreeks, that we must serve the gods in order to rule over men! And in\nthe end we serve to no purpose. [_He motions them away. To Jabad._] Go\nand make ready, and I will follow thee. [_Exeunt Gabalos, Merokles, and\nJabad._]\n\n\n SCENE V\n\n_Herod, Herodias_ [_later Salome with Maecha, on the balcony. Herod and\nHerodias stand together a few moments in silence._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\nArt thou content?\n\nHEROD\n\nThy kindness oppresses me. Whether thou art content seemeth to me of\nmore importance.\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Feeling his tone of contempt._] I have had no roof over my head for\nthree nights. Like a tramp I have wandered in the dust of the roads. My\nserving-women one by one deserted me. Only Salome hath not forsaken me.\nI have robbed her of her father; the father I have robbed of his child.\nAnd what I have robbed my husband of thou canst estimate better than it\nbeseemeth me. See, all this I have done for thee!\n\nHEROD\n\nI have abandoned my wife, who also said she loved me. She flew to her\nfather. He now maketh ready for war to avenge his child's wrong. Only a\ntrifle is lacking: I have no army. In Rome I am threatened with\ndisgrace; my brother curses me; Judea points the finger of scorn at\nme.... So little have I done for thee----\n\nHERODIAS\n\nAnd thou repentest this little already?\n\nHEROD\n\nNo! only forgive me if I blame thy coming too soon.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nToo soon! Was warmer welcome ever heard than this \"too soon\"?\n\nHEROD\n\nTake not my words amiss, I entreat thee!\n\nHERODIAS\n\nI dare not say that longing drove me here.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_With an embarrassed smile._] Say it ... by all means!\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThen thou hast not forgotten the days--of eloquent looks and silent\nvows--when every breath was a longing desire and every word a feast?\n\nHEROD\n\nHow should I forget? Love, how should I----?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nAnd thou rememberest no more the nights when wandering footsteps stole\ntheir way to the fragrant gardens, where, in the feverish blossoming\naround them, two sleepless ones mingled their sighs?\n\nHEROD\n\nHow could I not remember; Love, how could I not?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nI have clothed myself in Indian draperies; I have put pomegranate\nblossoms in my bosom, and gold dust in my hair ... but thou seest\nnothing!... My converse is bridal, but thou hearest it not.\n\n[_Salome has appeared on the balcony with Maecha. Herod notices her._]\n\nSALOME\n\nWait; let me see whether he has already come. [_She looks over, and\nafter her eyes have met Herod's she vanishes._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Observing his absence of mind, with an exclamation._] No! thou\nhearest nothing.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Quickly recovering himself?_] Well; what if it is so? The language of\nour soul, which thou art kind enough to call bridal, was fitting to the\ndelight of those fragrant gardens. To-day, methinks, we have another\ntask before us!\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThinkest thou that I have been idle? Am I a woman who cometh to beg of\nyou a nightly dole of caresses? Look at me.... Not thy beloved.... She\nexists no longer.... See in me thy ruling mistress!\n\nHEROD\n\nI am looking, and I see a woman who raves.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nAs real as the ambition of thy mistress, as real as the secret\nresentment which gnaws beneath thy own; despite thy ever-ready smiles.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Horrified._] Who told thee ... whence ...?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nSo real and positive is my hold over thee. Just now, when thou didst\nsay I raved, thou wast reflecting how thou couldst best get rid of\nme.... Thou fool; then get rid of thy wakeful nights and all that which\nthou thinkest great in thyself, the inheritance of that greater than\nthou, whom thou wilt never equal....\n\nHEROD\n\nWoman ... what ... [_his words choke in his throat._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Laughing._] Speak out what thou hast to say. If thou no longer\nneedest me for love, thou mayest still require me as a listener and\nadviser.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_After he has walked up and down several times in great excitement._]\nNever resemble.... What is the man who smiles amiably in wrath? A\ncoward?... What is the man, who has two faces? Insincere?... Who fawns\non those in power. Servile? No; because the great Herod also did these\nthings. But sometimes, when the blood throbbed to bursting in his\nveins, he snatched his sword from the sheath and slashed at friend and\nenemy alike who stood in his way ... till the blood of his victim\nwashed him calm and cool again ... till the mighty at Rome experienced\na thrill at such a display of strength.... I, too, feel the blood\nhammering in my veins.... I, too, would ... but I have no sword ... and\nso I must continue to smile amiably ... continue showing two faces, and\nlicking the sandals of the priests.... I, the son of Herod; I, his ape!\n\nHERODIAS\n\nAnd suppose that the priests of the Temple adopted the attitude of\nshield and barrier betwixt thee and the fury of the people, wouldst\nthou doubt thyself less?\n\nHEROD\n\nI doubt myself not. And what thou sayest can never happen.\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Goes to the middle door and opens it._]\n\n [_A Porteress enters._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\nWhat tidings hast thou?\n\nTHE PORTERESS\n\nThe two messengers to the Temple, mistress, have come back with word\nfrom the High Priest.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nShow them into the outer hall.... They shall wait there.\n\n [_Exit the Porteress._]\n\nHEROD\n\n[_With a laugh of rage and fear._] Are their trumpets already sounding\non the road? Hath the great curse already reached the door?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThou art wrong, my friend. Only a little blessing scratches at the\ndoor.... If it pleaseth thee, let it come in.\n\nHEROD\n\nThou dreamest.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nListen to me! Why did I come before thee in haste to inhabit this empty\nhouse?... Because every hour since I came I have been negotiating with\nthe priests----\n\nHEROD\n\nThou?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nWhat if instead of hiding the sinning woman from the people, thou, with\nhead held aloft, repairest with her to the Temple? Would it not be an\nironical event if the High Priest, with the same air of patriarchal\nservility with which he greeted the virtuous Mariamne, also smiled a\nwelcome to thy brother's runaway wife?\n\nHEROD\n\nWith what sum hast thou purchased this?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nWhen it is given, it will be a present, not a purchase.\n\nHEROD\n\nOnly one who knows not these butchers of the High Altar could believe\nyou.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nWell, these are the terms [_in a low voice_]. If we were to promise\nnever again to aspire in Rome to the sceptre of Judea [_scoffingly_],\nthen they might consider----\n\nHEROD\n\nAnd what answer didst thou make to such drastic, such----\n\nHERODIAS\n\nI promised.... What else should I do?... for thee, as well as myself.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Pointing to himself._] Even before this booty was thine, thou hast\nbetrayed it?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nI fancied that I heard thee crying out just now for a sword.\n[_Smiling._] When thou art king, thou wilt, of course, kill all whom\nthou hast promised not to be king! That is the same thing as if thou\nhadst never promised it.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Staring at her._] Woman!\n\nHERODIAS\n\nBelievest thou still that I hurried here only for the sake of a kiss?\n\nHEROD\n\nI shudder at thee. But even if the priests be won over, there remains\nthe people, the hydra-headed; thou knowest not the people. They once,\nit is said, hurled sacrificial victims at the head of their king, they\nslew Barachia's son between the Temple and the altar. And besides, dost\nthou not know that John the Baptist is in the town?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThe Baptist! Leave the Baptist to me.\n\nHEROD\n\nI warn thee, approach him only with a weapon in thy hand!\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Laughs._]\n\n\n SCENE VI\n\n _The same. Jabad and several servants._\n\nJABAD\n\nPardon, oh master, the lamb is ready.\n\nHEROD\n\nFirst, we will hear what the priests have to say if your mistress,\n_our_ mistress, so pleaseth.\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Assents, smiling._] [_Exeunt all._\n\n\n SCENE VII\n\n _John, Miriam_ [_come through the lower door to right_].\n\nMIRIAM\n\nAwait her here, Rabbi.... What are thy commands to thy handmaiden?\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Shakes his head._]\n\nMIRIAM\n\n[_Kisses the hem of his garment._] [_Exit._\n\n\n SCENE VIII\n\n_John_ [_left alone for a brief space_], _then Salome, and two of her\ndamsels._\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Steps softly to the balustrade and gazes down on John, seeks in her\nbreast for a flower, and not finding one turns back to Maecha._] Give\nme those thou wearest in thy girdle. [_She takes the roses which Maecha\nhands to her and throws them down._] He doth not see them. Bring more\nflowers, and thy harp. Stay, Maecha, or I shall be afraid. [_Exeunt the\nmaids, except Maecha._] Thou fair savage, out of the wilderness of\nJudah! The fire of hate that flashes from thy eye shall not devour me!\nI will kindle another fire in it, lovely and languid like my dreams,\nwhen at night the perfume of the narcissi is wafted to my pillow. [_The\nmaids come back._] Give them here.... Roses ... two arms' full. [_Hides\nher face in the flowers._] Now if I had narcissi, too! Nay, but tarry\nand sing the song which I taught you yesterday, the song which the\ndancers sang at Antioch. But sing softly, so that he be not shy of us.\nWhere is Miriam?\n\nABI\n\nShe refuseth to come.\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Between her teeth._] She refuseth! He saw the rose. He is picking it\nup ... as if he had never----There are more ... and more ... and more.\n[_She scatters the roses down on him._]\n\nSONG OF THE MAIDENS\n\n[_The following is accompanied by the harp, which, after playing a\nfinale alone, dies away._]\n\n I have entertained thee with myrrh and honey.\n I bound sweet sandals on my feet.\n From my waist I have loosened the girdle,\n I have sung with the harp, thee to greet.\n Now come, let us quench\n The fire that consumes me ... Come!\n Or thou from fear shalt blench.\n For my soul will hate thee ... Come!\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Has looked up astonished. The hail of flowers strikes him in the\nface. He shrinks back._] Who playeth with me?\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Who has slowly descended the steps._] Master, I----\n\nJOHN\n\nWho art thou?\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Coyly trifling._] I am a rose of Sharon and a flower of the valley.\n\nJOHN\n\nThen play with thy mates ... Leave me in peace ... or go and call her\nwho summoned me.\n\nSALOME\n\nMy mother?\n\nJOHN\n\nThou art Salome the----\n\nSALOME\n\nYes; I am she.\n\nJOHN\n\nLet me look into thy eyes, maiden.\n\nSALOME\n\nLook, master ... No, but not like that.... If you compellest me to put\nmy hands before my face, I shall spread my fingers apart and laugh\nbetween them; yes, I shall laugh.\n\nJOHN\n\nMaiden, knowst thou not how abhorred this house is? Keepest thou thy\nsoul innocent among the guilty?\n\nSALOME\n\nLook at me again, master.... Am I not young among the Daughters of\nIsrael? And I have heard say that youth knoweth nothing of the guilty\nand of guilt. See, they keep me confined to the upper chambers. I drew\nback the bolts and crept out here, because I knew thou wert here,\nmaster.\n\nJOHN\n\nHow can I say to the storm wind: \"Pass by,\" and to the floods, \"Swallow\nher not\"?\n\nSALOME\n\nSpeak on, master, even if I understand nothing thou sayest. And knowest\nthou that we are now sinning according to the Jewish \"law\"? Both of\nus--yea, it is true. My companions are gone; and is it not forbidden\nfor a Jewish man to be alone with a virgin?\n\nJOHN\n\nI am not alone with thee. Behind us standeth the shadow of those who\nhave dragged thee with them through the foul refuse of their pleasures.\n\nSALOME\n\nI have my own pleasures, master. How shall the pleasures of others\nconcern me? I read once a saying that stolen fruits are sweet, and my\nnurse used to tell me that undiscovered treasure was only found by\nthose who did not seek for it.... Is it not true thou hast not sought\nme?\n\nJOHN\n\nThy converse is confused.\n\nSALOME\n\nNo matter. Chide me not. Think, are not our _dreams_ confused too? When\nI flew hither with my mother, we came at night to a field of poppies.\nAnd the dew shone on their petals.... They looked grey, and were all\nclosed up because it was night.... But now they are wide open, and I\nthink my cheeks must glow red in their reflection.\n\nJOHN\n\nThou art lovely among the daughters of Jerusalem. They will weep for\nthee.\n\nSALOME\n\nWhy will they weep? Am I to be sacrificed? Not I, master. Protect me! I\nhave heard of a king, master, who made a compact with the sun. Hast\nthou heard of him? [_John bows his head._]\n\nSALOME\n\nWell, I will make a compact with thee. Shall I be the sun, and thou my\nking? Or wilt thou be the sun, and I thy queen?\n\nJOHN\n\nMaiden, I cannot be either sun or king.\n\nSALOME\n\nWhy not? It is only a game.\n\nJOHN\n\nA King cometh after me, but I wander in the wilderness and seek a path\namong thorns.\n\nSALOME\n\nAnd hast not found it?\n\nJOHN\n\nNot for myself.\n\nSALOME\n\nBut for others?\n\nJOHN\n\n[_In torture, half to himself._] Who knoweth?\n\nSALOME\n\nMaster, what harm shall wrath do one, who is a jubilation and a feast\nday? And if thou camest to me in flames of fire, I would not mourn my\nyouth for the length of two moons.... I would stretch out my arms and\ncry, \"Destroy me, flame; take me up!\"\n\nJOHN\n\n[_After a pause._] Go!\n\nSALOME\n\nI am going. [_She rushes into the arms of Herodias, who enters._]\nMother!\n\n\n SCENE IX\n\n _The same. Herodias and her women._\n\nSALOME\n\nForgive me, mother, and let me stay with thee.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThou who lookest at me so imperiously, art thou the man who stirreth up\nthe people against me?\n\nJOHN\n\nI am he whom thou hast summoned.\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Seating herself._] Come hither to me!\n\nJOHN\n\nSend thy women away, and this child, so that she be not corrupted ere\nshe is ripe.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nBut this child, companion of my fate, shall hear what thou hast to say\nto me.\n\nJOHN\n\nShe should be guarded from what I have to say to thee.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nTake care, prophet! At that door stand armed men, two deep. Consider\nthy danger, so that thou courtest not death!\n\nJOHN\n\nI am a servant of life, and danger never standeth in my way.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nI respect thy faith, prophet, and so would speak to thee in a friendly\nspirit.... People have told me of a man who keeps far away from human\ndwellings, and only descends now and then to the banks of fresh waters\nto bless, so it is said. That pleased me well.... The great willingly\nbow to greatness ... and so I bow to thee.\n\nSALOME\n\n[_After cowering at her feet, springs up, and throws herself on her\nneck._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\nI will not reproach thee for denouncing me in the market-place of\nJerusalem, for thou dost not know me.... Yet I was _not_ well pleased\nthat thou didst chew the cud of wormwood, which hath embittered these\nJudean cattle against me. I should have thought thou wast too proud,\nthy solitary nature too noble!\n\nJOHN\n\nI have not come here for thy praise or thy blame. I have but a simple\nquestion to ask. Art thou going on the first day of the Passover to the\nTemple, at the Tetrarch's side?\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Mastering her scorn with difficulty._] I perceive, thou great\nprophet, that thy wrath strains on its chain.... Before thou lettest it\nloose, permit me also to ask a question; for see, I am endeavouring to\napproach thee, and would gladly win thee. Wert thou not a riddle to me,\nI should not ask it. Yet truly no man is so curiously fashioned as not\nto cherish secret wishes in his heart. Every one hath said to himself:\n\"This were my delight, and that my desire.\"\n\nJOHN\n\nI understand thee not.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nLook round thee. Doth not the gleaming snow of marble attract thy eyes,\nnor the yellow glitter of gold?\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Is silent._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\nOr ... hast thou never dreamed of the power and splendour and riches of\nthis world?\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Still silent._]\n\nOr [_pointing to Salome, who again cowers at her feet._] has thy heart\nnot trembled at the sight of this sweet, unveiled youth?\n\nJOHN\n\n[_After further silence._] Thou wouldst sell thyself to me! Dost thou\nknow thy own price? A grain of barley would be too dear ... for thy\nname is courtezan, and adulteress is written on thy brow.\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Infuriated._] Thou--thou----\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Falling into her arms._] Mother!\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Controlling herself haughtily and contemptuously._] I should have thee\nseized on the instant, only thou makest sport for me. And if not quite\nintoxicated with thy own superiority, listen to me once more. He who\nthinketh himself designed to be a judge over men should take part in\nthe life of men, should be human among human beings.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Impressed._] What ... didst thou say?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nBut thou seemest to me so isolated from thy fellow-men that the throb\nof a human heart itself is nothing to thee.... Thou hast avoided,\ncowardlike, all contact with sin and guilt in thy waste places, and now\ncreepest forth to condemn others as guilty. The scorching winds of thy\ndesert may perhaps have taught thee hate ... but what knowest thou of\nlove? of those who live and die for the sake of their love?\n\nJOHN\n\nThou too speakest of love ... thou too?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nSee! I am laughing at thee, great prophet. [_She laughs._]\n\nSALOME\n\nMother, look at him ... be silent!\n\nJOHN\n\nThy poisoned arrows are well aimed, and hit their mark! But ...\n[_pointing to the window_] see there, the Lord's people ... they gnash\ntheir teeth against thee, for thou hast taken their bitter bread out of\ntheir mouths and dissipated their miserable joys.... Thou sayest that I\nknow them not.... Yet I know their heart's desire ... for I have\ncreated it; I have put my life at the service of that desire, and I cry\nto thee, \"Woe! thou that hast contaminated it for them.... Thou\nenervatest the strength of their young men, and exposest the shame of\ntheir young women. Thou sowest scoffings where I thought to reap\nfaith.... And if thou bendest the High and Mighty to be the footstool\nof thy lusts, I will fling the poor and humble in thy path, that they\nmay trample thee beneath their feet.... Woe to thee, and woe to him who\nshareth thy adulterous couch!... Woe, too, to this youthful body that\ncringes under the scourge of thy blood! Woe! Woe!\"\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Springing up and going to the door on right._] The guards shall seize\nhim.... Guards!... [_She wrenches the door open._]\n\n\n SCENE X\n\n _The same. Two guards._\n\nHERODIAS\n\nLead this man ... . [_She hesitates as she meets John's eyes._]\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Smiling._] Now, look to it, what thou dost with me!\n\nHERODIAS\n\nLead this man ... out ... into the street.... [_She staggers to the\ndivan._]\n\nSALOME\n\nThou camest in flames of fire!...\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Walks to the door._]\n\n [_The Curtain falls._]\n\n\n\n\n THIRD ACT\n\n\n\n\n THIRD ACT\n\n_A room in Josaphat's house. In the background a door, which leads into\nthe street. Near it a barred window. On the left side is a door to\nanother living room. A door also on the right. In the foreground to\nleft a cobbler's tools. Towards centre, a table and two or three\nbenches. To the right, a couch, a small table, and chair beside it. The\nroom is poor, but not bare; lighted by two clay lamps._\n\n\n SCENE I\n\nJAEL [_With a child at her breast._]\n\n[_Two other children and several women standing near door on left\nlistening to a psalm sung by men's voices, which is heard in subdued\nstrains coming through the door._]\n\nTHE BOY\n\nWhat are they singing now, mother?\n\nJAEL\n\n[_Pale and troubled._] They sing the great Hallelujah, my child.\n\nTHE BOY\n\nIs the prophet singing with them, mother?\n\nJAEL\n\nThat I cannot hear, my child. [_Two more women come through middle\ndoor._]\n\nFIRST WOMAN\n\nJael, we have heard that the Great Prophet eateth the passover in thy\nhouse. Wilt thou permit us to see him?\n\nJAEL\n\nCome in!\n\nONE OF THE OTHER WOMEN\n\nThat is he, the last there on the left.\n\nFIRST WOMAN\n\nHe that sitteth there looking so heavy of spirit?\n\nTHE SECOND WOMAN\n\nI should be frightened of him. [_The singing has meanwhile ceased._]\n\nFIRST WOMAN\n\nThey say that he hath come into the town to judge Herodias. Is that so,\nJael?\n\nJAEL\n\nI know not.\n\nTHE BOY\n\nMother, see, they are now drinking the fourth goblet. They will be here\ndirectly.\n\nFIRST WOMAN\n\nHath he spoken a blessing over the fourth goblet?\n\nSECOND WOMAN\n\nNo; Josaphat spake it.\n\nFIRST WOMAN\n\nSee, they are standing up!\n\nANOTHER\n\nAre they coming hither, Jael?\n\nJAEL\n\nThat is the couch on which he will rest.\n\nSEVERAL\n\nThen farewell, Jael.\n\nJAEL\n\nFarewell! [_They hurry out._]\n\n\n SCENE II\n\n _Jael with her children. John, Josaphat, Amarja._\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nHere thou wilt be alone, Rabbi. The others remain outside.\n\nJOHN\n\nAccept my thanks, Josaphat.\n\nAMARJA\n\nMine, too, Josaphat.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nThank him, Amarja, for eating with us. [_While John seats himself, he\nsays, sotto voce, to Amarja_] Come! [_Observes Jael, who has been\nstanding at the door unnoticed._] Jael, thou here, and the children?\n\nJOHN\n\nIs that thy wife, Josaphat?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nYes, Rabbi.\n\nJOHN\n\nAnd thy children?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nYes, Rabbi.\n\nJOHN\n\nThou hast never told me of these.... Is thy name Jael? He called thee\nso.\n\nJAEL\n\nYes, Rabbi.\n\nJOHN\n\nWhy comest thou not nearer?\n\nTHE BOY\n\nWe are afraid of thee, Rabbi.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Smiling._] Why are you afraid?\n\nTHE BOY\n\nI do not know.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nForgive him, Rabbi ... he ...\n\nJOHN\n\nJosaphat, wilt thou entrust them to me for a few minutes?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\n[_Bows his head, signs to Amarja, and goes away with him to the\nright._]\n\n\n SCENE III\n\n _John, Jael, the children._\n\nJOHN\n\nThy eyes have a sad look, Jael. Is thy heart troubled?\n\nJAEL\n\nKneel down, Baruch, my son. Kneel down, both.\n\nTHE BOY\n\n[_Half crying._] Mother!\n\nJOHN\n\nWhat is it, Jael?\n\nJAEL\n\n[_To the children._] Say: Prithee, Rabbi?\n\nTHE CHILDREN\n\nPrithee, Rabbi.\n\nJAEL\n\nAnd this little one prayeth, too, though not old enough to pray....\n\nJOHN\n\nFor what?\n\nJAEL\n\nThat thou wouldest give them back their father; for see, they have no\nbread.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Lifting the children from their knees._] Just now we ate of the lamb\nin thy house, and thou sayest \"we have no bread\"?\n\nJAEL\n\nI do not speak of to-day; to-day the poorest have something to eat.\nThou art truly a great prophet, Rabbi, and thou givest much to the\npeople; but from us--from me and these little children--thou takest\naway all that we have.\n\nJOHN\n\nHow could I do that, Jael?\n\nJAEL\n\nSee; for a long time my husband goeth out every night to thee in the\nwilderness, and then the tools lie there idle, and we starve. But\nwillingly would we starve and die of hunger for him, if thou hadst not\nestranged his heart from us, and stolen his love for thyself.\n\nJOHN\n\nArt thou, too, one of those who say, Greater than the law and sacrifice\nis love?\n\nJAEL\n\n[_Anxiously._] I did not say that, Rabbi.... Thou wouldst not get me\ninto trouble with the priests?\n\nJOHN\n\nBut thou thinkst so in thy heart!\n\nJAEL\n\nRabbi!\n\nJOHN\n\nHadst thou come to me in my wilderness, I would have shown thee the way\nto One Who shall bring food to the hungry. Here, I am powerless. Go; I\nhave nothing to do with thee!\n\nJAEL\n\n[_Goes with the children to the door,_]\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Makes a movement as if he would call her back._]\n\nJAEL\n\nRabbi!\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Shakes his head._]\n\n [_Exit Jael, with the children._]\n\n\n SCENE IV\n\n _John, Josaphat, Amarja._\n\nJOHN\n\nJosaphat, how long have I known thee?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nIt is two years since I came to thy baptism.\n\nJOHN\n\nAnd since, thou hast been often?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nHave I not always been with thee, Rabbi?\n\nJOHN\n\nI never knew that thou wast a cobbler ... and that thy children cried\nfor bread! It seems to me that I do not know thee even yet, Josaphat.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nThou knowest what is best in me, for thou hast given it to me!\n\nJOHN\n\nSo, then, I know myself alone. And of thee, too, Amarja, I know no\nmore.... Only this I know. [_Gazing into vacancy._] I am sent----\n[_Breaks off._]\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nRabbi!\n\nJOHN\n\nSome one hath said to me that I knew ye not; one of those who have the\nword \"love\" on their tongues.... And I am inclined to believe her....\nBut even if I have known you, I have not desired to love you, but\nrather to judge you in the name of---- In whose name? Know ye the rest?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nIn the name of Him Who shall come. So thou hast taught us, master.\n\nJOHN\n\nSooner would I talk to these black walls, that they might perhaps fall;\nsooner to thy hungry children, that my words might fill them. But the\nbelief that looketh up to me, transfigured because it believeth....\nThat hurts me.\n\nAMARJA\n\n[_Low to Josaphat._] It is now the second hour. Wilt thou not mention\nHerod to him?\n\nJOHN\n\n[_As Josaphat comes nearer to him._] I sent the youngest of you to\nsearch for the Galilean. Where is he?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nHe has not yet come back, master.\n\nJOHN\n\nMay be he has lost the way.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nI told him where to come to, master.\n\nJOHN\n\nI want the Galilean.... Ye shall procure me the Galilean.... See ye not\nthat my strength rests in my King ... Even if I serve Him like an\nunworthy vessel ... I serve Him according to my measure.... I have\nborne witness to Him.... Is that not true?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nThou hast borne witness, indeed, Rabbi.\n\nJOHN\n\nBut the testimony hath grown up in my soul. When He comes, will He bear\nit out?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nHe will, master; for God sendeth Him.\n\nJOHN\n\nElse my soul hath not known Him, even as it hath not known you. Have ye\nno news of Manassa? Go and keep watch outside, that he doth not miss\nthe house.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nThat will be he! [_Goes to open the door._]\n\n\n SCENE V\n\n _The same. Matthias._\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nThou, Matthias? Hast thou not seen Manassa?\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nNo. Rabbi, I come to thee in the night because of Herod.\n\nJOHN\n\nBecause of Herod? [_Seats himself with head turned away._]\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nI sent spies to the Palace up till the time of the Passover Feast. The\npriests were coming to and fro. What their business was no one knows.\nAnd if he cometh now to the morning sacrifice at eight of the clock, as\nis his custom on high festivals ... and comes with that woman ...\nflaunting his sin in the face of the people.... Rabbi, speak! What\nthen?\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Does not answer,_]\n\nAMARJA\n\nHe hears thee not.\n\nJOSAPHAT.\n\nHe is thinking of the Galilean.\n\nJOHN\n\nI heard some one here speak of sin. Know ye in what raiment sin clothes\nitself gorgeously when it goeth abroad among the people? Say\ncourtliness, say hate, say what ye will, and I shall laugh at you.\nHear, and mark well. They call it love. Everything that is small, and\nstoops because it is small, that throws crumbs from its table in order\nnot to throw bread; that covers up graves that they may stink secretly;\nthat hews off the thumb of the left hand that it may have nothing to\nsay to the thumb of the right; take care; all that is called love. And\nthey call it love when in spring the ass brays and the dogs whine; when\na woman herself gathers together the stones whereon to rest with her\nlover in the evening, stones which in the morning the people will hurl\nat her, and the woman speaketh: \"See beloved, how sweet is our couch.\"\n... They call this love.\n\nMATTHIAS\n\n[_After exchanging a look with Josaphat._] Rabbi, forgive us, but the\npeople are waiting for thee. The many who desert their beds, expectant\nof the morrow, think only of one thing--judgment! The judgment of\nHerod.\n\nJOHN\n\nJudgment of Herod--well.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nAnd thou shalt judge him. No one else but thou?\n\nJOHN\n\nI shall judge him.\n\nMATTHIAS.\n\nHim and the woman?\n\nJOHN\n\nHim and the woman. Did ye doubt?\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nIf we did, forgive.\n\nAMARJA\n\nBut suppose he comes without the woman. What would happen then?\n\nJOHN\n\nYe ask so much. Ye and your questions become wearisome. Hark! There is\nManassa. [_Josaphat opens._]\n\n\n SCENE VI\n\n _The former. Miriam._\n\nJOHN\n\nMiriam, thou? What desirest thou of me?\n\nMIRIAM\n\n[_Breathless._] I flew from the Palace.... The guards have chased\nme.... Perhaps what I know ... may be of use to thee.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nSpeak, Miriam!\n\nMIRIAM\n\nIf the master will hear. With ye others I have nothing to do.\n\nJOHN\n\nI will listen, Miriam.\n\nMIRIAM\n\nA rumour has reached the Tetrarch that the people are plotting evil\nagainst him. He would on that account hide the woman, but she will not\nbe hid. She will defy the master, because he hath offended her. An\norder is just gone forth for all the servants of the house to arm\nthemselves and line the road. Even during the night, so that the\nprocession shall pass to the Temple ere the great crowd assembleth.\nThus they think to escape the people's wrath and thine, master.\n\nTHE DISCIPLES\n\nThat shall not come to pass; verily it shall not.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nHast thou learned, Miriam, by which of the outer gates they go to the\nTemple?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nBy the Susan Gate. I heard the servants say, as I crept by.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nAnd will the Roman soldiers be amongst them?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nThat I did not hear.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nFor if the Romans accompany them, we must wait behind the second gate;\nthere where no heathen may penetrate at the cost of his head.\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nOn the other hand, they can there be saved by the priests.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nCertainly, there the priests---- Master, what is thy counsel?\n\nJOHN\n\nI counsel you to go forth into the streets, and to seek right and left.\nI would learn from that Galilean what counsel I ought to give you.\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nCanst thou understand him?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nI would liefer not understand him.\n\n [_Exeunt Josaphat, Matthias, and Amarja._]\n\n\n SCENE VII\n\n _John, Miriam._\n\nMIRIAM\n\n[_Shrinks against the wall near the door and looks shyly across at\nJohn, who broods with his back turned to her._]\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Suddenly noticing her._] Thou, Miriam, art still here?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nForgive me, master. I am a little afraid; for if I go homewards the\nguards at the gate will seize me.\n\nJOHN\n\nBut thou camest to me in the wilderness at night?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nThen no one knew with whom I associated, master.\n\nJOHN\n\nWho art thou? Tell me about thyself. Who is thy father?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nI have no father--and no mother. The country is full of orphans like\nme. There are far too many. I have never asked anyone why.\n\nJOHN\n\nAnd why didst thou go to the Palace as serving maid?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nThey say that I once sat and played with pebbles on the threshold. And\nwhen evening came, they took me in. Since then I have belonged to the\nPalace, and know no better.\n\nJOHN\n\nThou servest me with zeal, Miriam. Why dost thou serve me?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nI know not why.\n\nJOHN\n\nAnd thou servest me to no purpose--knowest thou that?\n\nMIRIAM\n\n[_Bows her head._]\n\nJOHN\n\nWill they not punish thee?\n\nMIRIAM\n\n[_With a shudder._] They will ... I....\n\nJOHN\n\nSpeak!\n\nMIRIAM\n\nMaster, what does it matter?\n\nJOHN\n\nMiriam, is it also He Who shall come that thou servest?\n\nMIRIAM\n\nI cannot tell, master. When I see thee, I feel a longing for Him....\nBut if thou speakest to me of Him, I see only thee.\n\nJOHN\n\nYe children of men ... there is a rushing as of many waters in your\nsouls.... Clear and muddy ... I shall gather all together in one great\nriver, and I feel as if I should drown therein.\n\nMIRIAM\n\nMaster, now I must go. Whether or no I served thee to no purpose, be\ngracious. Praise me, master.\n\nJOHN\n\nI see thee sitting on the threshold again ... playing with thy life,\nand thou excitest my pity. ... Go, maid! Go, child! and [_He listens._]\n\nMIRIAM\n\nMaster!\n\n\n SCENE VIII\n\n _The former. Josaphat, Matthias, Amarja, Manassa._\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Going forward to him._] Where is the Galilean?\n\nMANASSA\n\nI have sought Him, master, from the hour thou sentest me till past\nmidnight. I have not rested nor tasted a crumb.\n\nJOHN\n\nThe Galilean? Hast thou found Him?\n\nMANASSA\n\nI found him. He lay stretched out on the stones in charge of the\nsoldiers, and near him, in chains, was his murderer.\n\nAMARJA\n\nWho, on the holy eve of the Passover----?\n\nMANASSA\n\nThey called him David the Zealot. The Galileans blaspheme God, he hath\nsaid, and therefore must this one die.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nIt is true; he did blaspheme God.\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nHe blasphemed God!\n\nJOHN\n\nBut I say unto you ... To him it was not blasphemy. To him it was\nworship. Methinks more such men will come out of Galilee. For there is\nan uprising there.... Tell me, Josaphat, do not many pilgrims sleep on\nthe stones at night, nigh the doors of the Temple?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nYes, Rabbi. On starry nights, like these, many a one wraps himself in\nhis blanket and tarries by the House of the Lord.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_In sudden decision._] It is well. [_Exit._\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nRabbi!\n\nAMARJA\n\nHath he deserted us?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nBe not troubled! Thou, Amarja, wake our friends. Thou, Manassa, bring\nus tidings from the Palace. We two will follow the master. Meet us at\nthe Susan Gate, at the place where the old beggar-woman sits. Come!\n[_Exeunt the men._]\n\nMIRIAM\n\n[_Who has stood unheeded, goes out with bowed head._]\n\n\n CHANGE OF SCENE\n\n_A stone square before the open gate of the Temple called the Susan\nGate. The front of the stage is enclosed by the circuit of the outer\nwall. In the centre more than half the breadth of the stage is taken up\nby the massive doors of the gate, to which steps lead. It is night. The\nfire of the great sacrificial altar is reflected from the background on\nthe walls, and fills the foreground with red, uncertain flickering\nglow._\n\n\n SCENE X\n\n_Pilgrims_ (_men and women_) _lie in their blankets, scattered about\nthe steps and on the stones which fill the space on left side. Among\nthem the First Galilean and Second Galilean. To the right of the path\nwhich leads outside the wall of the Temple, across the stage, lies\nMesulemeth_. (_In a little while enter John from left._)\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Looks round searchingly, and pauses before a pilgrim who is sleeping\non the steps._] Pilgrim, awake!\n\nPILGRIM\n\nIt is not yet day. Why dost thou wake me?\n\nJOHN\n\nWhence comest thou? Art thou a Galilean?\n\nPILGRIM\n\nI come from Gaza on the south-east coast. Let me sleep.\n\nSECOND GALILEAN\n\n[_To first._] Didst hear? Some one there is talking of Galileans.\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nSleep, and let them talk.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Walks on, and then pauses in front of Mesulemeth._] Thou who liest\nhere by the way, be thou man or woman, wake up!\n\nMESULEMETH\n\nWhy dost thou not step over me, as every one does in Jerusalem?\n\nJOHN\n\nDost thou lie here always in the road?\n\nMESULEMETH\n\nI lie here always. For I must be at the Temple. Day and night I must be\nat the Temple.\n\nJOHN\n\nArt thou not greedy for alms?\n\nMESULEMETH\n\n[_Shaking her head._] The little I want, the pilgrims give me. But hast\nthou never heard of Hannah, the prophetess?\n\nJOHN\n\nI have heard speak of her, when I was a child.\n\nMESULEMETH\n\nWell, this is her place. Here she sat and waited for the Messiah, forty\nyears long. When she died she left the place to me ... And now I sit\nand wait till He comes again.\n\nJOHN\n\nComes again? Hath He then been already?\n\nMESULEMETH\n\nCertainly He hath.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_In deep emotion._] He came? Came even to thee?\n\nMESULEMETH\n\nTo me? No. If He had come to me, I should have been at rest long ago.\nBut Hannah ... She saw Him when He came.\n\nJOHN\n\nWoman! I implore thee ... Speak, tell me, how did He come?\n\nMESULEMETH\n\nThen sit down here beside me, so that I may speak low.... Once a little\nlad was brought to the Temple by his mother, to be circumcised. And\nthere was one called Simeon who, when he saw this boy-babe, was filled\nwith the Holy Ghost, and said, \"Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant\ndepart in peace, for his eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast\nprepared for all nations.\" ... And Hannah heard this, and she came up\nto them and recognised Him?\n\nJOHN\n\nHow did she recognise Him?\n\nMESULEMETH\n\nDid I not tell thee that she was a prophetess? Otherwise she might not\nhave recognised Him. But as it was, she praised the Lord, and laid\nherself down and died. So now I sit where she sat, and wait for Him to\ncome again.\n\nJOHN\n\nVerily, He must come again; and dost thou know, woman, how He will\ncome? As the Lord of Hosts, arrayed in golden armour, with His sword\ndrawn above His head, so He will come to save His people Israel. He\nwill trample His enemies under His horse's hoofs, but the youth of\nIsrael shall greet Him with hosannas and jubilation. See, woman, that\nis how He will come!\n\nMESULEMETH\n\n[_Anxiously._] Who art thou, stranger? Dost thou imagine thyself to be\nthe prophet of anyone?\n\nJOHN\n\nIt matters not who I am, if thou art prepared for my message.\n\nMESULEMETH\n\nThou canst take thy message further. I will not have it.\n\nJOHN\n\nWhat! Thou wilt not have the Messiah?\n\nMESULEMETH\n\nNot that one. I will not have that one. For many have come in golden\narmour, and have drawn their sword, and then Israel hath bled after,\nlike a sacrificial ox. _He_ shall be no king! No! When kings come, they\ncome to kings! No one hath come, as yet to us, the poor---- Go away,\nstranger, lest thou snatch from me my crumb of hope. Begone, thou art a\nfalse prophet!... Go, let me lie on the road! [_She sinks back._]\n\nJOHN\n\n[_To himself._] False prophet!\n\n\n SCENE XI\n\n _The same. Josaphat, Matthias_. [_From the left._]\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nSee, he is there!\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nRabbi, forgive us for following thee hither----\n\nJOHN\n\nIt is not yet dawn.... At this hour ye have nothing to claim from\nme----\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nBut, remember Herod----\n\nJOHN\n\nWhy stir ye up so much dust? This puny Herod, who runs after women, is\nnot my business.\n\nJOSAPHAT AND MATTHIAS\n\n[_Exchange dismayed glances._]\n\nJOHN\n\nGo, find me Galileans! Wake those who sleep on the steps, ransack the\nhouses if necessary. Only bring me Galileans, that I may question them.\n\nSECOND GALILEAN\n\nHearest thou? Some one standeth there, clamouring for Galileans!\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nI thought I dreamt it. Thou, who wilt not let us sleep, what dost thou\nwant with us Galileans?\n\nJOHN\n\nStand up and come to me!\n\nSECOND GALILEAN\n\nGoest thou?\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nHe must be great in Israel, otherwise he would not command.\n\nSECOND GALILEAN\n\nYes, yes; thou art right. [_They both stand up._]\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nRabbi----[_John signs to him with his hand to be silent._]\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nNow, here we are.\n\nJOHN\n\nWho are ye? Whence do ye come?\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nWe are fishermen from the Sea of Galilee. My name is Ram, and that is\nmy brother-in-law, and he is called Abia. And we both fish with the\nsame net. Is it not so?\n\nSECOND GALILEAN\n\nYes; we both fish with the same net.\n\nJOHN\n\nAnd tell me, ye two men, have ye ever heard of a prophet that teacheth\nin Galilee?\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nA prophet! Hast thou heard of a prophet, Abia?\n\nSECOND GALILEAN\n\nI have heard of no prophet.\n\nJOHN\n\nNot ... of one who saith ... He is the Son of God?\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nAh, thou meanest Jesus of Nazareth?\n\nJOHN\n\n[_In great agitation, scarcely audible._] Jesus of Nazareth!\n\nJOSAPHAT AND MATTHIAS.\n\n[_Awed._] Jesus of Nazareth!\n\nJOHN\n\nThou spakest His name first. Fear sealed my lips. But now thou hast\nsaid it. Yes, I mean Him.\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nYes ... I know His father well. He is an honest carpenter, and very\npious too. He well deserves that his son should be a joy to him.\n\nJOHN\n\nTell me more of Him.\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nHe put up a bedstead for a friend of mine.\n\nJOHN\n\nTell me of the son.\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nAh, the son. Well, Abia, what shall we say of the son?\n\nSECOND GALILEAN\n\nAye, what shall we say of the son?\n\nJOHN\n\nHast thou ever seen Him?\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nOh, yes.\n\nJOHN\n\nThou hast seen Him?\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nMany a time ... from my ship. For He carries on His work on the shore.\nAnd there is always a great gathering along the banks, is there not,\nAbia?\n\nSECOND GALILEAN\n\nYes, the banks are always quite black with people. And the fish take\nnotice of it. That is not good for our trade.\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nThey say that He works miracles. I once met a man myself who had\nbeen blind till his--I forget what year--and he maintained that\nhe was made to see again by spittle from His mouth ... It may be\npossible--but----[_Laughs stupidly._]\n\nJOHN\n\n[_To Josaphat._] Have not many said of me, that I work miracles?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nMany say it, but we know it, Rabbi.\n\nJOHN\n\nIndeed? I have seen no miracle but the power ... and no one to whom it\nhath happened, save the weak. But speak on, man.\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nIt may be all very well for Him to heal the sick, but the worst of it\nis He doeth it on the Sabbath. That is bad, bad! And then, His friends\nare not well chosen. Circumspect people, naturally, are not disposed to\nmix with Him. For how can one trust a man who sitteth at meat with\npublicans and sinners? And, then, He is always at weddings and feasts.\nAh! No, no.\n\nJOHN\n\nAt feasts?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nMaster, these are little people. They understand not the wisdom of\ncunning speech.\n\nJOHN\n\nThe great should carry the little with them, the wise should master\nthese simple intellects. That he hath not done.... And what is it He\nteacheth?\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nAh, what does He teach? All sorts of folly. For instance, that we\nshould love our enemies.\n\nJOHN\n\nLove our enemies?\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nAnd bless them that curse us ... and pray for them that persecute us.\n\nJOHN\n\nPray for them that persecute us?\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\nYes; and more nonsense of the kind. Also that----\n\nCALL\n\n[_From the roof of the Temple._] It groweth light towards Hebron.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Eagerly._] Why dost thou not proceed?\n\nFIRST GALILEAN\n\n[_Rising._] It is now time for morning prayer.\n\nCALL\n\n[_More distant._] It groweth light towards Hebron. [_All stand up and\nbegin to pray, their faces turned towards the Temple._]\n\nCALL\n\n[_Quite distant._] It groweth light towards Hebron.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Baffled and tormented._] Towards Hebron it groweth light.\n\n\n SCENE XII\n\n[_The great gates are slowly opened, displaying marble walls, mounting\nin terraces, behind which are two more gates. The Temple-building\nitself is almost completely hidden by smoke from the great lighted\nsacrificial altar, which bounds the perspective. From the mountains\nbehind the Temple are heard the long-drawn notes of the silver\ntrumpets. People begin to stream up._]\n\nMATTHIAS\n\n[_Has gone to Josaphat's side and speaks to him privately, then turns\nto John, who stands alone on the left._] Master, the people are\nflocking to the Temple.... In a few moments the Tetrarch will certainly\nbe there too, with the woman. Wilt thou not step among them, that they\nmay know their leader?\n\nJOHN\n\nThe image of my King shining in the radiance of the cherubim. Where is\nit? Where is the rainbow of seven colours that was round His head?\nSeven torches burned by His throne. I see them no more!\n\n\n SCENE XIII\n\n _The same. Manassa._\n\nMANASSA\n\n[_Hurrying up from left._] Matthias, Josaphat, where is the master?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nHerod has come forth from his door?\n\nMANASSA\n\n[_Assents._]\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nWith the woman?\n\nMANASSA\n\nWith the woman.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nMaster [_as he heeds not_], Master----\n\nJOHN\n\nWhat is it?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nHerod is on the way.\n\nJOHN\n\nWho is Herod?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\n[_Buries his face in his hands._]\n\nMATTHIAS\n\n[_To Manassa._] Had he the Roman soldiers with him?\n\nMANASSA\n\nOnly his servants are with him.\n\nMATTHIAS\n\nHearest thou, master? He is delivered into our hands.\n\n\n SCENE XIV\n\n _The same. Amarja; with a fresh crowd of people._\n\nAMARJA\n\n[_Calling._] John, where is John?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\n[_With resolution._] Here is John.\n\nTHE PEOPLE\n\n[_Hear and murmur, joyously._] See, there is John!\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nHear all of you! Go not past; and thou over there mayest speak. The\nmaster will listen unto thee.\n\nAMARJA\n\nHerod is coming to the Temple, wearing princely robes. At his side,\nsparkling with precious stones, walks the courtezan.\n\nTHE PEOPLE\n\n[_Break out into cries of anger._]\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nMaster, thy hour is come; mount the steps and speak to them!\n\nTHE PEOPLE\n\n[_Pressing round._] John, speak--Rabbi, speak--What shall we do?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nKeep back! He will speak to you. [_Sotto voce._] Mount the steps!\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Walks as if in a dream towards the steps._]\n\nTHE PEOPLE\n\n[_Murmuring._] See! He sways. What aileth him?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nMake haste. Speak!\n\nCALL\n\nHere is Herod. Here cometh Herod!\n\nTHE PEOPLE\n\nStone him! Stone the courtezan!\n\nOTHERS\n\nLook at John! Do what John does, else are ye lost.\n\n\n SCENE XV\n\n _The same. Herod, Herodias, with train from right._\n\nJOHN\n\n[_John has mounted the steps and stands in the middle of the\nthreshold._]\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Pale, but smiling._] Hearest thou what they cry?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nHave him seized, else it means death to you and to me.\n\nTHE PEOPLE\n\n[_Are silent and tense in expectation. Most of them have picked up\nstones._]\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\n[_Who stands to the left of John on a lower step, hands him a stone,\nand says in a low voice._] Take this stone! [_More urgently._] Take\nthis stone!\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Takes the stone._]\n\nHEROD\n\nThou on the steps. Knowest thou me not?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\n[_Whispers._] Hurl the stone!\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Firmly._] In the name of Him [_He is about to throw the stone, then\npauses, half-questioning, half-swooning._] ... Who ... commands me ...\nto love thee----[_A low moaning runs through the people._]\n\nTWO SERVANTS\n\n[_Have approached John. They seize him and push him down from the\nTemple steps._]\n\nHEROD AND HERODIAS\n\n[_Walk up._]\n\nTHE PEOPLE\n\nWoe to us! He too hath forsaken us. Woe, woe!\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\n[_To John, who is pinioned by the servants._] Master, what hast thou\ndone to us?\n\nTHE PEOPLE\n\nWoe! Woe!\n\n [_The curtain falls._]\n\n\n\n\n FOURTH ACT\n\n\n\n\n FOURTH ACT\n\n_A town in Galilee.... The stage represents a grass-grown prison-yard\nwhich, on the right side, is adjacent to the gardens of a Herodian\nPalace, divided from them by a low wall, which continues in a\nright-hand direction to the centre of background. On the left side of\nbackground a higher wall, and entrance with heavy doors. To the left,\nthe clumsy pile of the prison buildings and a door. In the garden wall\nis a gate, over which hangs the green foliage of the garden beyond,\nwhich bounds the right side of background. On the right is a\nsemi-circular shaped marble seat with back; on left, stones covered\nwith moss._\n\n\n SCENE I\n\n _Gaoler, Abi._\n\nABI\n\n[_With head thrust over the garden wall._] Master Gaoler, dost thou not\nhear?\n\nGAOLER\n\nWhat wilt thou?\n\nABI\n\nA ball went over the wall. Hast thou seen it?\n\nGAOLER\n\nNo.\n\nABI\n\nPlease look for it, and throw it back.\n\nGAOLER\n\nLook for it thyself.\n\nABI\n\nHow can I, unless thou openest the gate.\n\nGAOLER\n\nI may not open it. Let me be.\n\nABI\n\nListen, Gaoler. The ball belongs to Salome, our young Princess. If thou\nart not obliging, beware!\n\nGAOLER\n\nOh, if it belongs to the young Princess----[_Opens the gate._]\n\n\n SCENE II\n\n _The Gaoler, Abi, Maecha, and later, Salome._\n\nABI\n\n[_Calls back, laughing._] Mistress, the door is open.\n\nGAOLER\n\nIs that the young Princess, who is daughter of his new wife?\n\nABI\n\n[_Nods._]\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Appears in the gateway._]\n\nGAOLER\n\nPrincess, if ever thou comest through again, be sure to laugh, as\nto-day. For this gate is full of danger for Herod's children.\n\nSALOME\n\nWhat does it do to Herod's children, thy gate?\n\nGAOLER\n\nThe two sons of Herod the Great came through this gate before they were\nsentenced, and through this gate----\n\nMAECHA\n\nStop!...\n\nSALOME\n\nLet him alone, Maecha! His wisdom has taken a holiday. Hast thou no\nlivelier stories, old man?\n\nGAOLER\n\nWhat sort dost thou mean, young Princess?\n\nSALOME\n\nStories of yesterday. Stories that have not yet come to an end--stories\nthat are as young [_stretches herself_] as we are.\n\nGAOLER\n\nAh, I knew; but----\n\nSALOME\n\nBut? Tell me, hast thou a new prisoner?\n\nGAOLER\n\nYes.\n\nSALOME\n\nWhat has he done?\n\nGAOLER\n\n[_Maliciously._] He stole hens, young Princess.\n\nSALOME\n\nSee to it that thou dost not steal my time!\n\nABI\n\n[_Softly to him._] With her there is no jesting.\n\nGAOLER\n\nPrincess, forgive.... I did not know.... Thou meanest, perhaps, John?\n\nSALOME\n\nWhich John?\n\nGAOLER\n\nThe one they call the Baptist--the Prophet from Judea, who----\n\nSALOME\n\nSo he is here?\n\nGAOLER\n\nYes; he has been here the last three days, Princess. They brought him\nat the end of the same cavalcade which brought thee. He lieth now safe\nwith the salamanders and scorpions. They say he stirred up rebellion in\nJerusalem, and therefore----\n\nSALOME\n\nI wish to see John. Bring him here!\n\nGAOLER\n\n[_Horrified._] Princess, that cannot be.\n\nSALOME\n\nI wish it! Hast thou not heard? I wish it!\n\nGAOLER\n\nPrincess, I opened this gate for thee because thou hadst lost a\nplaything. Shall I now, instead of thy plaything, lose this old head?\n\nMAECHA\n\nMistress, the Tetrarch is coming.\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Veiling herself._] Hide yourselves! [_She stoops behind the seat;\nthe maidens slip into the bushes._]\n\n [_In the gateway Herod and his attendants._]\n\n\n SCENE III\n\n _The same. Herod, Merokles, Jabad, Gabalos._\n\nHEROD\n\nGaoler!\n\nGAOLER\n\nSire.\n\nHEROD\n\nWho are the three men who linger about the door? They look morose, and\ndid not salute me.\n\nGAOLER\n\nSire, those are the remnant of the crew which followed John, they say,\nfrom Jerusalem. For eight days and eight nights they followed him.\n\nHEROD\n\nThe remnant, sayest thou? Where are the rest?\n\nGAOLER\n\nThey lie somewhere by the wayside, Sire, and die of thirst, unless the\nravens give them to drink.\n\nHEROD\n\nDrive them away!\n\nGAOLER\n\nSire, we have hunted them off several times; but they always come back.\n\nHEROD\n\nSo, let them be.\n\nMEROKLES\n\nSee, how mild is our ruler! He doth not order them to be cut in pieces.\n\nJABAD\n\nHail to our Ruler! [_The two others join in._]\n\nHEROD\n\nTo speak candidly, friends, I do not lay hands on sages and fools\nwillingly; for one can never know whether the executioner holds up the\nhead of a sage or a fool.\n\nGABALOS\n\nThou canst do no wrong, Sire; for thou art wise, all-wise!\n\nHEROD\n\nWhen I order thee to be beheaded, I shall not be wrong; for thou art a\nfool, a complete fool. [_Nearing the seat._] Bring me----[_Observes\nSalome, who, listening, has raised her head a little above the edge of\nthe seat, then quickly dives down again._] I beg you to retire, and\nawait me without the gate.\n\n [_Exeunt Gabalos, Merokles, Jabad._]\n\n\n SCENE IV\n\n _Herod, Salome. Also Abi and Maecha, hidden._\n\nHEROD\n\nTell me, thou veiled one, art thou not Salome, my wife's daughter?\n\nSALOME\n\nSire, so true as 'tis that thou art my protector I am Salome.\n\nHEROD\n\nHow camest thou into this prison-yard?\n\nSALOME\n\nAsk me not, Sire. My soul else will blush before thee. It was\ncuriosity, because I heard thee coming.\n\nHEROD\n\nAnd where are thy playmates?\n\nSALOME\n\nThey are afraid of thee, so they have crept away. Abi, Maecha, come\nforth; our master commands it. [_Abi and Maecha come out hesitatingly,\nand curtsey profoundly._]\n\nHEROD\n\nThy eyes plead for them, therefore they shall not be scolded.\n\nSALOME\n\nAnd my lips thank thee on their behalf.\n\nHEROD\n\nThey thank like conquerors. There is music in them. How is it, Salome,\nthat I have never heard thy voice?\n\nSALOME\n\nThou shouldst ask my mother, Sire.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Fiercely._] Thy mother! Still, I know that thou art well disposed\ntowards me. Thou didst deliver into my hand that maid who carried on\ntreason at night outside the Palace.\n\nSALOME\n\nCould I do less, Sire? And him to whom she betrayed thy secrets, wilt\nthou not punish him too?\n\nHEROD\n\nI do not know. But how?\n\nSALOME\n\nSire, it seemeth to me that he hath a great following among the people.\nIf thou sparest him, the people will like thee.\n\nHEROD\n\nWords of wisdom fall from thy lips, Salome.\n\nSALOME\n\nSee how his disciples tarry at the entrance. If thou treatest him well,\nthey will carry praises of thee to Jerusalem.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nHow unlike thou art to thy mother, Salome!\n\nSALOME\n\nAnd how like, too!\n\nHEROD\n\nI would rather think that thou wert unlike. My sweet, unveil thyself.\n\nSALOME\n\nSire, if thou wert my father! But thou art not. Directly thou comest\nnear, my mother herself draweth my veil down deep over my breast.\n\nHEROD\n\nUnveil to me.\n\nSALOME\n\nSire, not when I am alone with thee.\n\nHEROD\n\nThen if I was with others, thou wouldst?\n\nSALOME\n\nPerhaps. Ask my mother.\n\nHEROD\n\nA little now. Just a finger's length.\n\nSALOME\n\nNo, really ... it is not seemly, Sire.\n\nHEROD\n\nBut if I were sitting with other men ... at meat ... or over wine ...\nand thou camest and unveiled, that would be more seemly?\n\nSALOME\n\nMay be!... I can dance, Sire.\n\nHEROD\n\nWouldst thou do that for me also?\n\nSALOME\n\nAnd what wouldst thou do for me?\n\nHEROD\n\nSalome!\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Rising._] No, but thou must indeed ask my mother, Sire. I am still\nfar too ignorant; I know not what a maiden ought to do. Only what I\nwould like to do. I know that well enough.\n\nHEROD\n\nWhat wouldst thou _like_ to do?\n\nSALOME\n\nThy pleasure, Sire. Nothing else, nothing. Seest thou, if thou treatest\nthis prisoner humanely, they will sing thy praises, and I shall be so\nproud, I shall say in my heart, He acted on my advice.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_To the gaoler._] Bring the Baptist here.... I will consider it,\nSalome.\n\n [_Exit Gaoler._\n\nSALOME\n\n[_From the gate, with a slight fluttering of her veil._] And I will\nthank thee, Sire!\n\nHEROD\n\nSalome!\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Vanishes, with a burst of laughter. Abi and Maecha have preceded\nher._]\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Looks after her, and then sits down on the seat._]\n\n\n SCENE V\n\n _Herod, John. The Gaoler. A Guard._\n\nHEROD\n\nTell me, how should one address thee when one would show thee respect?\nThou thinkest that I mock thee? But knowest thou that in reality I am\nindebted to thee? The people's meditated attack was not hidden from me,\nand yet I came without the escort of warriors which Rome sent for my\nprotection. Thou heldest me in the hollow of thy hand, as thou heldest\nthe stone. Say, why didst thou let it fall? Why hast thou spared me?\n\nJOHN\n\nSire, even if I spoke thou wouldst not understand me.\n\nHEROD\n\nThat is defiance, which I cannot praise. In chains it is easy to be\ndefiant. Take off his chains and go. [_The Gaoler obeys. Exit with the\nguard._] Now, as a free man, revile me. Art thou a preacher of\nrepentance? If so, preach to me!\n\nJOHN\n\nSire, thou wouldst not understand me.\n\nHEROD\n\nSo thou saidst before. Think of something new. Here in Galilee I am\ninclined to be mild and tolerant of goodness. I am told that thou\nhatest the Pharisees. I hate them too. I am told that thou hatest the\npriests. I love them not. I am told that thou hatest the Romans.\nI---- Say, why didst thou spare me?\n\nJOHN\n\nSire, my heart failed me.\n\nHEROD\n\nFailed thee! Before me, whom thou callest \"the little\"! Art thou\nflattering me because I have loosened thee from thy chains?\n\nJOHN\n\nThou hast not laid me in chains, and canst not loosen me from them.\n\nHEROD\n\nWhat ... and yet I made thee falter?\n\nJOHN\n\nIt was Another who threw thee in my way.... And so my heart failed me.\n\nHEROD\n\nTell me, Baptist--I call thee by the name I have heard people speak of\nthee by, and I hope thou wilt not be angry--tell me, Who is that King\nof the Jews whose image thou danglest before the people?... See, the\nguards are gone, and thy confidence shall be rewarded. Tell me, who is\nit?\n\nJOHN\n\nSire, I know not.\n\nHEROD\n\nAnd so thou deniest thy own creature?\n\nJOHN\n\nWhat is my own I deny.\n\nHEROD\n\nHa, ha, ha! I have half a mind to summon my little Greek that he may go\nto school under thee. Listen [_in a low voice_], I too have heard of a\nKing of the Jews who will come with a sword drawn above his head, and\nhe will spare no one who doth not serve him at the right moment.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Eagerly._] Who is it, of whom thou speakest?\n\nHEROD\n\nMaster, I do not know. Thou seest thus that I too have a burden of\nsecret anxiety oppressing me, and await the sunrise.... But let me\nspeak with thee seriously, Baptist. Thou hurlest thy arrows of reproach\nat me on account of the woman I stole.... I could almost pity thee for\nthat. Thou, a great man, mightst have chosen a greater subject than a\nwoman. And knowest thou every day she sharpens those arrows herself for\nme?... But enough of that. The smiths say that good metal rings true\neven when it is cracked, and thou ringest true. How dost thou manage\nit?... I pray thee teach me the way.... What, silent again?\n\nJOHN\n\nMethinks I know you now, ye smiling scoffers. Ye grow fat on the wit of\nthe market-places; but hunger seizes you, and ye then lift your eyes to\nthe earnest ones, walking on the mountain-tops.\n\nHEROD\n\nBy Bacchus, there lurks some truth in that. But it's not good walking\non the mountain-tops. We wait to see you fall; then we shall not smile,\nbut laugh.\n\nJOHN\n\nBut I say unto thee, Sire, thou wilt not laugh. He Who cometh requireth\nme not. That is why He cast me down.... Gaze into His eyes when He\ncomes, and thou wilt not laugh, even at me.\n\nHEROD\n\nIt seems to me thy reasoning is poor, and revolves in a circle.... And\nyet there is something that attracts me to thee. Baptist, thou hast so\nlong been my enemy, couldst thou not possibly be my friend?\n\nJOHN\n\nSire, meseemeth that to be nobody's enemy and nobody's friend is the\nright of the lonely. It is their all. Let me keep it.\n\nHEROD\n\nYet I do not give thee up as lost. If thou wert so minded we might\npursue the same paths for a spell.\n\nJOHN\n\nWhither, Sire?\n\nHEROD\n\nWhither? Upwards!\n\nJOHN\n\nFor thee there is no upwards. Thou bearest the times that are and\nwere before thee, like an ulcerous evil, on thy body. Burnest thou\nnot from all their poisonous lusts? Art thou not weighted by their\nunholy desires? And thou wouldst mount to the heights. Stay in the\nmarket-place and smile.\n\nHEROD\n\nBaptist, take care. Thy chains lie not far off.\n\nJOHN\n\nLet me be chained, Sire; I ask for nothing better.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Gnashing his teeth._] Truly thou art ruled by a broken spirit.\n[_After a little reflection._] Yet tell me, Baptist, when that other\ncometh, that other----Say, was it in His Name that thou didst not throw\nthe stone at me?\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Confused._] Sire, what dost thou ask?\n\nHEROD\n\nWas it in His Name? For if so, thy Jewish king shall not rob my nights\nof sleep. Ha! ha! Here, gaoler! [_The gaoler comes._] The prisoner\nshall go in and out as he pleaseth, for he is not dangerous.\n\nGAOLER\n\n[_Dumfounded, then in a low voice._] Sire, how shall my life be safe,\nif----\n\nHEROD\n\nAnd his disciples, who loiter about the gates. Let them in and out as\noften as he wishes.... Now, did this God's people ever know a more\nclement master than I? [_Laughing, walks away._]\n\n\n SCENE VI\n\n _John and the Gaoler. Later, Maecha, Salome._\n\nGAOLER\n\nWell, thou art now thy own master. What are thy commands?\n\nJOHN\n\nThe Tetrarch spoke of my disciples----\n\nMAECHA\n\n[_Appearing in the gateway to left._] He is alone.\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Signs to the Gaoler. Exeunt Maecha and Gaoler._]\n\nJOHN\n\nWhat wilt thou?\n\nSALOME\n\nMaster, seest thou the sun sinking yonder between the pomegranate\nboughs?\n\nJOHN\n\nI see it.\n\nSALOME\n\nKnowest thou whose doing it is that thou art able to see it ere it\ngoeth down, and ere thou goest down? Mine!\n\nJOHN\n\nMay be. What dost thou want?\n\nSALOME\n\nThou shalt not go down. Not thou. For my soul is thirsty. Teach me,\nmaster.\n\nJOHN\n\nWhat shall I teach thee?\n\nSALOME\n\nSee, I am pious by nature, and I have a longing for salvation.... What\nthou givest to the humblest by the highway, give also to me. Let me sit\nat thy feet. I will be pious. Yea, I will. And if I touch thy hairy\nshirt, then be not frightened. I mean thee no harm.\n\nJOHN\n\nWhy shouldst thou mean me harm, young virgin?\n\nSALOME\n\nWho can say ... if thou shouldst reject me! No one knows how powerful I\nam to-day. When I stretch my limbs [_she spreads out her arms_] it\nseems to me as if I carried the whole world like this ... only to hug\nit to my heart.\n\nJOHN\n\nMaiden, thou hast a playmate.\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Attentively._] Which playmate?\n\nJOHN\n\nHer name is Miriam.\n\nSALOME\n\nI _had_ her. Now she is dead.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Bows his head. His suspicions realized._]\n\nSALOME\n\nI had her slain because she went to thee. No one shall go to thee\nexcept me. Seest thou now how pious I am? Seest thou? My soul feels thy\nstrength, and feels it with joy; for I have never seen anyone so strong\nas thou art. I have made thankofferings and secret vows like those the\nPsalms sing of. Then I have been forth in the gloaming to seek thy\ncountenance and the light of thy eyes. And I have decked my bed with\nbeautiful, many-coloured rugs from Egypt, and I have sprinkled my\npillows with myrtle, aloes, and cinnamon. I will give thee my fair\nyoung body, thou barbarian among the sons of Israel! Come, let us make\nlove till morning. And my playmates shall keep watch on the threshold,\nand greet the dawn with their harps.\n\nJOHN\n\nVerily, thou art powerful; thou carriest the world in thy arms ... for\nthou art sin itself.\n\nSALOME\n\nYes. Sweet as sin.... That am I.\n\nJOHN\n\nGo!\n\nSALOME\n\nThou spurnest me! Spurnest me? [_She rushes through the gate._]\n\n\n SCENE VII\n\n _John, Josaphat, Manassa, Amarja._\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Goes to the door, where the Gaoler is waiting._]\n\nGAOLER\n\nWouldst thou see thy disciples now?\n\nJOHN\n\nBring them to me.\n\n[_Manassa, Amarja hasten to him and kiss his garment. Josaphat hangs\nback._]\n\nJOHN\n\nMatthias is not with you?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nNo.\n\nJOHN\n\nWhat, Josaphat, thou who wast ever the nearest to me, hast thou no\ngreeting to give?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\n[_Turns away._]\n\nJOHN\n\nWell, then, what is it?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nRabbi, it is written ... One knife sharpens another, and one man\nanother ... but thou hast made us blunt.\n\nJOHN\n\nAnd thou hast come this long way to tell me that?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nRabbi, thou shouldst be the way that all the erring follow. Thou\nshouldst strengthen weak knees and mould trembling hands to the sword's\nhilt. Thy work was wrath, Rabbi, but thou hast made of it a sophistry\nand a weakness.\n\nJOHN\n\nThou art not to know what my work was. Had I known myself, I should not\nbe here. Truly the time of my fall is come, when enemies sing my\npraises and friends speak ill of me. What would ye have me do? My end\nmust be in solitude and silence.\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nThy end, Rabbi, is no concern of ours. It is for Israel's end that I\nfear. Thou tookest the law from us. What hast thou given us instead?\n\nJOHN\n\nWho art thou, that like a kennelled hound, thou bitest at my shanks?\n_I_ took the law from you? My soul hath wrestled with the law till it\nis weary; my forehead beat against its walls till it bled! But now ye\nhave opened your mouths wide that salvation should slip down them like\nsweet crumbs. Ye gazed up at me so long as I stood erect, and now\nshrink away like cowards from my fall. I have not fallen for myself, I\nfell for you. To you it was a compulsion and a matter of watching. To\nme it was voluntary, and a combat at the sword's point.... Look at me!\nTwice to-day I have been face to face with the world's sin. But it\nseemed to me almost fair, for I have yet to meet the worst. Thou art a\nrenegade! Thou hast ever been a renegade, and renegades will ye be to\nall eternity, ye men of universal utility, who manure your acres with\nthe blood of those who have died for you! Go! I am weary of you!\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\nI am going, Rabbi, whither Matthias hath gone before me, to Jesus of\nNazareth.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Startled and moved._] To Jesus of Nazareth?\n\nJOSAPHAT\n\n[_Turns silently to go out._] [_Exit._\n\n\n SCENE VIII\n\n _Manassa, Amarja, John._\n\nJOHN\n\nHow Amarja, and how Manassa? Those whom I trusted the most have\nforsaken me, and ye are still here!\n\nAMARJA\n\nRabbi, I was at all times the least among thy disciples. What should I\nbe worth if I were not faithful?\n\nMANASSA\n\nAnd to me, Rabbi, thou hast given a hope.\n\nJOHN\n\nYet he is gone to Jesus of Nazareth. Be ye not fools. Go with him.\n\nMANASSA\n\nLet us be fools, Rabbi.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Sitting down on a stone._] So seat yourselves with me. Night draweth\nnigh, and I am weary. Hearken! It was even as if I heard a beating of\nwings above me. Did ye hear nothing?\n\nAMARJA\n\nNothing, Rabbi.\n\nJOHN\n\nThe womb of my soul is opened. I am ready for the blessing from on\nhigh. Is there not a whispering, roundabout? Heard ye nothing?\n\nMANASSA\n\nNothing, Rabbi.\n\nJOHN\n\nThere is a light shining over yonder mountains. Lovely is that light,\nand within me dawns the meaning of a contradiction. Who alone can\ndeliver the world? To obtain it as a gift is to stretch forth your\nhands for the unobtainable.... We are in Galilee, know ye, where He now\nteacheth, this Jesus of Nazareth!\n\nAMARJA\n\nWe heard in the streets that He was not far off. He tarries on the\nsea-coast.\n\nMANASSA\n\nAnd they say He may perhaps come into the town.\n\nJOHN\n\nMayhap. Yet only mayhap! And my time is over. I must make haste, lest I\ndie. Will ye do me a service?\n\nAMARJA, MANASSA\n\nRabbi, command us!\n\nJOHN\n\nGet ye up and go unto Him.\n\nAMARJA, MANASSA\n\nTo Him?\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Nods._] And wheresoever ye find Him, speak to Him. Ask: \"Art Thou He\nWho cometh, or shall we wait for another?\" So ask Him, and when He hath\nanswered, come back--quickly--for my longing for Him is very great. I\nbelieve I could not die ere ye returned.\n\nAMARJA\n\nMaster, we will not pause or rest.\n\nJOHN\n\nAnd ye will not forget my darkness in His radiance?\n\nMANASSA\n\nMaster, why makest thou us ashamed?\n\nJOHN\n\nThen, farewell.\n\nMANASSA, AMARJA\n\nFarewell, Rabbi. [_They turn to go._]\n\nJOHN\n\nGo not thus; not yet. Let me clasp your hands, then ye are the least\namong my disciples, and [_in great emotion_] methinks I--I--love you.\n\n [_The Curtain falls._]\n\n\n\n\n FIFTH ACT\n\n\n\n\n FIFTH ACT\n\n_Hall in Herod's Palace. A row of pillars, raised by two steps, in the\nbackground, which lead to an open balcony with balustrade. This can be\nshut off by curtains, which at first are thrown back. A street is\nsupposed to run at the foot of the next storey. In the middle of the\nstage, raised on a dais, is a table, with couches ranged round it;\nflowers and ornaments. Doors to right and left._\n\n\n SCENE I\n\n_Servants moving about arranging pictures and flowers, Gabalos\nsuperintending them; afterwards, Herod._\n\nA SERVANT\n\n[_Announces from door on left._] Our governor!\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Following him._] Now, Gabalos, thou who hast washed in many waters,\nwhat has thy art provided? Thou knowest our guests are spoiled\nchildren.\n\nGABALOS\n\nSire, thou needest have no anxiety about food and drink. Something\ncustomary is best for jaded palates. Therefore I chartered the cook of\nVitellius. But for the other part of the entertainment the prospect is\nbad.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Smiling._] Is that thy opinion?\n\nGABALOS\n\nNoble Merokles will declaim a new ode, I warrant. Our Libyan\nflute-players will have washed their brown legs in honour of the\noccasion. Sire, mistrust those legs even when washed. As I tell thee\nevery day, we are sick of Judean morality. Judean morality is devouring\nus like the plague.\n\nHEROD\n\nSay, Gabalos, dost thou think that our Legate from Syria, before whom\nall the gaiety and colour of life doth shimmer, hath ever seen a young\ndaughter of Princes dance at table?\n\nGABALOS\n\nThat would be grand, because it is something new.\n\n\n SCENE II\n\n _The same. Herodias_ [_from right_].\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Noticing her._] Get thee gone!\n\n[_Gabalos and the servants withdraw to the background, where they let\ndown the curtains which now shut in the hall._]\n\nHEROD\n\nWhat hast thou decided? Will it come to pass?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThy countenance beams. Thy eyes betray a badly concealed desire.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Bewildered_] Of what desire dost thou speak?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nDo not prevaricate. I know thee, my friend. The poisonous weed which\nthou cultivatest with little sighs, and coverest up with thy crooked\nsmiles, I know it!\n\nHEROD\n\nI vow, love, that I ask this only for the sake of the Roman. And\nhow should I ever have conceived the idea had it not been for thy\nhalf-promises and suggestion of its possibilities? Thou knowest as well\nas I that we must offer the Roman something immense, something that may\nnot have faded from his tired memory when he enters Caesar's presence.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThat is it. And thou thyself gainest thereby a dainty tit-bit for thy\nlonely night-dreams! It will be nothing more than that. I'll see to it.\n\nHEROD\n\nI am simple of understanding. I cannot follow thee.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nOh, yes; very simple is thy understanding. I know.\n\nHEROD\n\nThen it seems thou refusest?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nHow could I refuse, when youth smiled and consented?\n\nHEROD\n\nAh! And what reward wilt thou claim?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nNothing.\n\nHEROD\n\nThou art like those priests, dearest. What didst thou ever do for\nnothing? Hasten then, I pray, to name thy price!\n\nHERODIAS\n\nFarewell!\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Looks after her, shaking his head._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Turning round._] Before I forget it, just tell me, my friend, what\nart thou going to do with that Baptist?\n\nHEROD\n\nMy Baptist is nothing to thee.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThe maids tell me he wanders about loose in the gardens.\n\nHEROD\n\nLet him; he will not hurt thee.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nI only asked, because I wish to know how I am to avoid him.\n\nHEROD\n\nI'll take care, love, that he doth not meet thee. But enough of the\nBaptist. Once more thy price, Herodias?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nLook at me! Here is a woman that no longer adorns her own body because\nthou now scornest it; she therefore adorns instead the body that came\nfrom hers. Here is a woman whose breasts have withered because her eyes\nhave shed tears of blood. Therefore she will let the budding bosom,\nfrom which the veil has never yet fallen, be exposed to thine and thy\nguests' lustful gaze. And for this sacrifice of unspeakable bitterness\nI ask nothing, for I am without wishes. One who can still hope shall\nask. Salome shall ask.\n\nHEROD\n\nSalome ... I would rather it were so.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nAnd thou wilt grant what she asks?\n\nHEROD\n\nI know not. I will see. I will let myself be driven. For in combat with\nthe strong that is the last resource of the weak. But take care whither\nthou drivest me.... Mistress! [_Exit._\n\n\n SCENE III\n\n _Herodias, Salome._\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Putting her head through the door._] Mother, am I to dance here?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nCome, softly. Art thou trembling, my dove? Art thou afraid of thy own\nwill?\n\nSALOME\n\nTake my hand, mother. I am not trembling, because I know that thou art\nmy will.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nNot I! thou must will.\n\nSALOME\n\nFor only the one who willeth exerciseth power. [_As Herodias regards\nher suspiciously, she adds quickly._] I read that in the Scriptures,\nmother. I did not understand what it meant.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nListen to me, thou sharpwits. A carpet of Indian wool will be spread\nhere, there the Prince will sit with the foreign guests.... Let not thy\nfoot touch the stone, raise not thy eyes.... Dance thy dance modestly,\nand when thou hast finished, wipe signs of shame from thy face; hearken\nnarrowly to what the Tetrarch saith to thee. And if he should say, \"Now\nask of me, and----\"\n\nSALOME\n\nWhat then, mother?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nAsk nothing.... Then look at him for the first time a long, smiling\nlook, and ... ask nothing. After that thou mayest demand.\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Attentive._] What shall I demand, mother? A gold hair-ornament, or\nshoes of velvet? No; I know what I'll demand--a mirror.\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Passing her hand through Salome's hair._] Verily thou hast never felt\nhate to boil in thy breast, like love on a night in May?\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Feigning innocence._] No, mother. How should I?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThou hast never felt an insult coursing through thee, like burning,\nliquid fire?\n\nSALOME\n\n[_In the same tone._] No, mother; really I have not.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nThou shalt demand no mirror, no hair-ornament, and no velvet shoes. But\nthat the head of him they call John the Baptist shall be brought to\nthee on a dish.\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Setting her teeth, and controlling herself with difficulty._] On a\ngolden dish?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nWhat dost thou say? Understandest thou me not or--who----\n\nSALOME\n\nThere's something else. One thing more I want to be sure of! Will _he_\nknow--that ... that Baptist, from whom the request cometh?\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Breaking out_] Certainly, he shall know! I will stand behind thy\nbloody trophy as thy will.\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Half to herself._] As the will of my will?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nI will grow over him, as the sword groweth forth from the sleeve of the\nexecutioner ... [_Trumpets sound._] Come!\n\nSALOME\n\nAnd I will grow over him like a sweet grapevine. [_Exeunt both, to\nright._]\n\n\n SCENE IV\n\n_Herod. Vitellius. Marcellus_ (_and other Romans of the Legate and\nsuite_), _Merokles, Gabalos, Jabad._\n\nHEROD\n\nWelcome to my table, exalted Vitellius, who bringest on the soles of\nthy feet the sacred soil of Rome into my poor dwelling. Welcome to you\nalso, ye who follow him, according to Rome's command. She, our august\nmother, but ordereth what my soul desireth.\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nThou hast my thanks, excellent prince.\n\nHEROD\n\nRepose now at thy pleasure, exalted one. [_They lie on the couches._]\n\nGABALOS\n\n[_Low._] Say, my brave Marcellus, how dost thou like this Jewish\near-wig?\n\nMARCELLUS\n\nIt doth not find its way to our ears.\n\nHEROD\n\nAnd if thou wilt consent to crown thy brow with this wreath, as our\nLord and Master, I shall be able to persuade myself that I am thy\nguest, instead of thou being mine.\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nThou art _Rome's_ guest, Highness. Thus I will accept what befitteth\nme. [_Puts on the wreath which a servant hands to him._]\n\nGABALOS\n\nThere was a sting in that speech.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Quickly collecting himself._] My good Merokles, begin.\n\nMEROKLES\n\n [_Stands up and reads from a roll of parchment._]\n\n \"Cooled by Hebron's far-gleaming snow,\n The fiery soul, concealed in ice,\n Favours with its flickering smile\n Us the worshippers.\n\n \"So thou sendest forth twofold beams of silent light,\n So flames for us shoot forth from thy coldness,\n So we prize as sacred thy flickering smile, mighty Vitellius--\n Till we----\"\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nMy dear friend, what is this man talking about?\n\nHEROD\n\nDoth it displease thee, Exalted One?\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nIt seemed to me that he called my name. In the case of his desiring a\nfavour, it shall be immediately granted if he promises to keep silent\nfor the future!\n\nGABALOS\n\nOh, friends, what a success!\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nNevertheless, thy peacock's liver is good, very good, my dear Herod.\n\nHEROD\n\nThou rejoicest me, Exalted Highness. Wilt thou not now command thy\nLibyan flute-players to come and charm thy ear?\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nMy ear is obedient. Let them come.\n\n\n SCENE V\n\n[_The same. Salome_ (_thickly veiled_) _led in by Herodias while the\nharps are tuned. A murmur of astonishment runs round the table._]\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nAre these thy Libyan----\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Who has risen._] This is my wife, Exalted Highness.\n\nVITELLIUS\n\n[_Also rising._] Mistress, if thou wouldst grace this feast with thy\nsmiles, I bid thee welcome.\n\nHERODIAS\n\nPardon, noble Vitellius. The custom of the East, over which thou\nreignest so gloriously, doth not permit of my sitting beside thee at\ntable. Yet we know how to entertain even when we are not merry. My lord\nand consort, zealous to please thee, hath commanded me to adorn myself\nand my little daughter to enter thy presence, therewith she may delight\nthy eyes with her maidenly art, trembling in maidenly modesty.\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nHail to thee, Prince, and to thy noble wife! Rome will not be grudging\nwhere thou art so lavish. Hearest thou not?\n\nHEROD\n\n[_With his eyes fixed on Salome._] Exalted, look!\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nTruly, he is right; let us look, Romans. Open your eyes wide, for what\nis coming is the art of all arts. And if thou tremblest, maiden,\nremember that thou rulest because thou tremblest.\n\nMARCELLUS\n\nOne is obliged to say that, Gabalos, to encourage her.\n\nGABALOS\n\nAh, my brave Marcellus, see to it, is it fast on its neck?\n\nMARCELLUS\n\nWho? What?\n\nGABALOS\n\nThe head! the head! Look at Herodias. That will cost some one his head!\nOnly _whose_ has not yet transpired.\n\nMARCELLUS\n\n[_Pointing to Salome._] Silence!... See!...\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Has extricated herself from the arms of Herodias and, accompanied by\nexclamations of admiration and delight, has begun to dance. Her dance\nbecomes wilder and more abandoned; she gradually loosens her veil, then\ncovers herself with it again in voluptuous playfulness, till at last,\nquite unveiled, she stands with the upper part of her body apparently\nunclothed. She sinks on her knees half exhausted, half in homage,\nbefore Herod, who stands on the right side of the table._]\n\n [_All break into ecstasies of applause._]\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Rushes forward to raise her._]\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Who has retreated as far as the proscenium on right, and has watched\neverything intently with a harassed expression playing on her face, now\nintervenes to prevent him. She and Herod exchange hostile glances._]\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Hoarsely._] Salome!\n\nSALOME\n\nSire!\n\nHEROD\n\nStand up and speak.\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Slowly rising._] What shall I say, Sire?\n\nHEROD\n\nI am a poor man. Rome--who gave Herod's son, as if in mockery, the name\nof Herod--Rome has not left him much of his father's heritage. Yet\nenough is still his wherewith to thank thee. Speak, what wilt thou\nhave? And by that God and Lord before whom we kneel in the dust,\nbarefoot, at Jerusalem, I swear it shall be thine.\n\nSALOME\n\nI beg and desire that thou wilt give me, on a dish, the head of John\nthe Baptist.\n\nHEROD\n\nHerodias--thou!\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nDear friend, whose head doth she want?\n\nHEROD\n\nThe head of a man, great legate, who lies in my prison, whom I have\nthere learnt to respect, I had almost said, to love.\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nOh, oh!... And is he on view, this man for whose head daughters of\nprinces dance before thee?\n\nHEROD\n\nFetch him. [_Exit servant._] Damsel, thy mother led thee into this.\nThou knowest not what thou askest.... Take back thy request.\n\nSALOME\n\nI beg and desire that thou wilt give me the head of John the Baptist on\na golden dish. [_Silence._]\n\nHEROD\n\nAnd if I refuse?\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Drawing herself erect._] Thou hast sworn, Sire.\n\nVITELLIUS\n\n[_Laughing._] Of course, my friend, thou hast sworn. We are all\nwitnesses of that. Ah! What a wood-god they are bringing in over there.\n\n\n SCENE VI\n\n _The same. John_ [_led in by two armed men_].\n\nHEROD\n\nI have summoned thee, Baptist. I am sorry for thee. Prepare thyself,\nfor the evening of thy days is come.\n\nJOHN\n\nI am ready, Sire.\n\nHEROD\n\nUnderstand me. I am truly sorry. But thou must meet death. Now, on the\nspot.\n\nJOHN\n\n[_After looking searchingly towards the door._] Sire, grant me a\nrespite.\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nThy hero doth not appear to be all too ready. A little more and he\nwould whimper.\n\nHEROD\n\nBaptist, wherefore dost thou want this respite?\n\nJOHN\n\nI have sent out messengers and await their return.\n\nHEROD\n\nTo whom hast thou sent these messengers?... Thou art silent.... As I\nsaid before. I am from my heart sorry. So much might have been made of\nthee.... Still ... [_He shrugs his shoulders._]\n\nJOHN\n\n[_Holding out his arms distressed._] I beseech thee, Sire!\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nDid not I tell you? All kinds of people struggle to live, only the\nRoman understands how to die.\n\nHEROD\n\nThou must ask the maiden, Baptist. Know that in her hands rests what\nchance thou hast of the thing called life.\n\nSALOME\n\nMaster, now see'st thou how powerful I am? Now ask me! Ask me!\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Prompting her, behind._] If he does ask, laugh at him.\n\nSALOME\n\nPerhaps, but who knoweth what my heart desireth?... Now, master, why\ndost thou not beg?\n\nJOHN\n\nMaiden ... I ...\n\nSALOME\n\nThere is the stone floor, see! The stone longs for the touch of thy\nknees.\n\n [_Pause._]\n\n\n SCENE VII\n\n _The same. The Gaoler._\n\nHEROD\n\nWhat brings thee here?\n\nGAOLER\n\nForgive, Sire. Had I not known that thou wast friendly towards the\nprisoner ...\n\nHEROD\n\nWhat dost thou want with him?\n\nGAOLER\n\nTwo of his friends who were with him yesterday, the same thou sawest\noutside the gate, have come back, and learning that his life is now\nin jeopardy--thy servant hath told me, and I have got everything\nready--they became like creatures possessed, and implored me to lead\nthem to him wheresoever he might be.\n\nHEROD\n\nDost thou approve, Mighty Legate?\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nDear friend, this is the most enjoyable entertainment that has ever\nbeen provided for me at meat. Let them come! Let them come!\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Signs._]\n\nGAOLER\n\n[_Retires behind curtain of door and beckons._]\n\n\n SCENE VIII\n\n _The same. Manassa. Amarja._\n\n[_They seem at first as if they would rush to John, but overcome by\nshyness stand still._]\n\nJOHN\n\nWhat have ye to tell me?\n\nMANASSA\n\nMaster!\n\nHEROD\n\nSpeak louder, my good men! Unless ye let us participate in the news, I\nwill have you carried off through separate doors.\n\nMANASSA\n\nMay we, Master?\n\nJOHN\n\nSpeak freely, for methinks we are alone together.\n\nMANASSA\n\nWe took the road in all haste to Bethesda, and at break of day we found\nHim there.\n\nJOHN\n\nYe found him there?\n\nMANASSA\n\nAnd many people were gathered about him resting in the olive gardens,\nand praised the Lord for the miracle which had been done to them at\nthat hour. And behold there was a light in every eye, and in every\nmouth the music of thanksgiving.\n\nJOHN\n\nAnd He? How looked His countenance? What were His gestures?\n\nMANASSA\n\nMaster, I know not.\n\nJOHN\n\nBut ye saw Him?\n\nAMARJA\n\nRabbi, thou mightest as well ask, What is the face of the sun, and what\nthe gestures of light?... As we beheld His smile we sank to the ground,\nand in our souls was a great peace.\n\nJOHN\n\nAnd when ye had questioned Him, and He began to speak, tell me what was\nHis manner of speech? Say; I stand here awaiting His wrath.\n\nAMARJA\n\nRabbi.... He spoke to us like a brother. His speech was simple.\n\nMANASSA\n\nAnd it was beautiful ... like the voice of the wind which blows from\nthe sea towards evening.\n\nAMARJA\n\nAnd this is what He spake. \"Go and tell John what ye have seen and\nheard. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf\nhear, the dead rise, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.\"\n\nJOHN\n\nThe poor--He said the poor?\n\nMANASSA\n\nAnd when He prepared to come hither to this town with the people who\nwere gathered about Him, we accompanied Him as far as the gate, and\nthen hurried on before, according to thy wish.\n\nJOHN\n\nAnd said He nothing else to you? Reflect well.\n\nAMARJA\n\nYes; yet one more thing. He said, \"Blessed be he who hath not been\noffended at me.\" But this we could not understand.\n\nJOHN\n\nBut I understand it well and to whom He spoke. I have been offended,\nfor I have not recognized Him. And my anger filled the world, for I\nknew Him not. Ye yourselves are my witnesses that I have said, \"I am\nnot the Christ, but one sent to prepare the way for Him that cometh.\" A\nman can take nothing to himself that is not given him by Heaven. And\nunto me nothing was given. The key of death ... I held it not ... the\nscales of sin were not confided to me. For out of no man's mouth may\nthe name of sin sound, save out of the mouth of the one that loveth.\nBut I would have scourged you with iron rods. Therefore is my kingdom\ncome to shame, and my lips are sealed. I hear roundabout a rushing\nnoise, as of many waters, and the divine radiance is near me.... A\nthrone hath descended out of heaven amidst darts of fire. The King of\nPeace sitteth thereon in white robes. And His sword is called Love, and\nHis watchword is mercy.... Behold He hath the bride, He is the\nbridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom standeth and listeneth,\nand rejoiceth over the voice that is coming. The same is my joy. Now is\nit fulfilled. [_He stands with his arms outspread and his eyes turned\ntowards heaven. Manassa and Amarja sink at his feet._]\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nDear friend, it seems to me that we have had enough of this maniac.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Between emotion and scorn._] John, I am truly grieved on thy account.\nAnd when He cometh of whom thou dreamest, I will greet Him as I have\ngreeted thee. Ha! ha! ha! Lead him to execution.\n\nSALOME\n\nNow, ask me! [_As John smilingly looks beyond her._] Mother, will he\nnot ask?\n\n\n SCENE IX\n\n_Vitellius, his suite, Herod, Herodias, Salome, Merokles, Gabalos,\nJabad._\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nMy friend, thy banquet has been somewhat disturbed. [_As Herod stares\nat the door through which John has disappeared._] No matter what I say,\nhe does not hear me.\n\nHEROD\n\nExalted highness, pardon!\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Has crossed over the stage and goes stealthily to the door on left.\nIn great curiosity she draws back the curtain, and after gazing eagerly\nthrough it, reels backwards into the arms of Herodias. Outside, behind\nthe middle curtain, an ever-increasing tumult and murmur of many voices\nhas arisen._]\n\nVITELLIUS\n\nBid the women to sit down. Thou hast an ill-conducted people. They\nbrawl in the street while we dine.\n\nHEROD\n\nAre they already muttering about the Baptist? Gabalos, look to it, and\ntell them to be quiet.\n\nGABALOS\n\nIt shall be done, Sire. [_Exit._\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Pointing to the door, the curtains of which are open._] Mother, see\nwhat they are bringing. See! [_She rushes out._]\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Descending the steps of the dais._] What does she want there?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nSire, thou art of simple understanding. I advise thee to look the other\nway.\n\nHEROD\n\nWhat is she doing?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nShe is dancing! She holds the charger with the Prophet's head high in\nher arms, and dances.\n\nJABAD\n\nSee, she dances!\n\nHEROD\n\nSo thou hast corrupted thy own flesh and blood. So thou wilt corrupt us\nall.\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Smiling, shrugs her shoulders._]\n\nMEROKLES\n\nShe sways. She will fall!\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Goes out composedly._]\n\nMEROKLES\n\nThe head is rolling on the floor!\n\nMARCELLUS\n\nOh, horror!\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Comes back supporting Salome in her arms._]\n\nSALOME\n\nMother, where is the dish? Where is the head?\n\nHERODIAS\n\nMake obeisance. Speak thy thanks.\n\nSALOME\n\n[_Before Herod._] Sire, I am a rose of Sharon. A flower of the valley\n... Who would thank me should pluck me ... Oh, look at the head!\n\nHEROD\n\nTake the women away!\n\nHERODIAS\n\n[_Curtseys, and leads, smiling; the half-swooning Salome off to\nright._]\n\n\n SCENE X\n\n _The same_. [_Without Herodias and Salome._]\n _Gabalos_ [_has re-entered from left_].\n\nHEROD\n\nWell, what is the matter?\n\nGABALOS\n\nSire, the people will not be restrained. Men and women in holiday\nraiment fill the streets and crowd on the roofs. They carry palms in\ntheir hands, and sing and shout for joy.\n\nHEROD\n\nWhat are they singing?\n\nGABALOS\n\nThou knowest, Sire, I am not servile, but I scarcely like to say.\n\nHEROD\n\nSpeak!\n\nGABALOS\n\nHosannah! to Him Who shall come. Hosannah to the King of the Jews! So\nthey sing.\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Grinding his teeth._] I have had John beheaded. Who may this one be?\n\nGABALOS\n\nIf thou wouldst see Him, Sire, they say He is coming this way.\n\nHEROD\n\nI will see Him. I will greet Him as I promised. Ha! ha! ha! Open!\n\n\n SCENE XI\n\n[_The curtains are drawn aside. One sees the roofs crowded with women\nwaving palms. Others, with palms in their hands, climb the hilly street\nbelow. The shouting swells in volume and becomes an orderly, harmonious\nsong._]\n\nVITELLIUS\n\n[_Who has continued sitting, turns round indignantly._] What is going\non there again?\n\nHEROD\n\n[_Has grasped a goblet, and springs on the topmost step._]\n\nGreeting to thee, my King ---- of the ----\n\n[_He looks, stops short ... the goblet slips from his hand, he turns\naway and hides his face in his mantle._]\n\nTHE OTHERS\n\n[_Also stand, looking down in silent amazement. The Hosannahs rise from\nthe street._]\n\n [_The Curtain falls._]\n\n\n\n\n FINIS","title":"John the Baptist: A Play","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":23509}