SECOND SOLDIER
We are masters everywhere, with or without a Herod.
FIRST SOLDIER
What brings the Tetrarch of Galilee to Jerusalem?
SECOND SOLDIER
Yes, well mayest thou ask! Yet he cometh twice or thrice in the year to rub his nose on the fleeces of the Temple, and then away he goes again. God requires it of him, so they say. A crazy people!
FIRST SOLDIER
And we must stand by as guard of honour. A nice business for a Roman citizen!
SCENE II
The same, Hadidja and two other maids (with jugs on their heads, come out of the Palace and go to the well, where they draw water).
SECOND SOLDIER
Idiot! We are bound to do it, so that we may appear to honour him. In reality we guard him. He will soon be here now.
THIRD SOLDIER
[Who has been squatting on a brick, without taking any part in conversation, sings.] Sweet smiling Lalage, thee will I love for ever. Thee, sweet smiling Lalage----
SECOND SOLDIER
[Irritably.] Have done howling after thy Lalage! Before thou goest back to Rome again, she will be a grandmother.
THIRD SOLDIER
[Stretching out his arms.] Alack! Yes.
SECOND SOLDIER
[Pointing to the maids.] Are not there women enough here?
THIRD SOLDIER
Ah! but they are Jew girls. They mean well enough, but the punishment of death hangs over them.
SECOND SOLDIER
A crazy people.
THIRD SOLDIER
If only there were no foreigners! I, for my part, take not kindly to these Asiatics. They wash all day long, and yet stink in spite of it.... Ha! yesterday a Syrian sweetheart made me a present of a necklace. There it is. Shall we dice for it?
SECOND SOLDIER
Show it to me. I say fifty denarii.
THIRD SOLDIER
Rogue! A hundred and fifty!
SECOND SOLDIER
Very well.
FIRST SOLDIER
I will join.
THIRD SOLDIER
Come along. [All three disappear into the guard-room.]
SCENE III
Eliakim, Pasur, Hadidja, and the two other maids. Two Priests [descending the central steps].
FIRST PRIEST
Damsels, you belong to the Palace?
HADIDJA
Yes, ye priests.
FIRST PRIEST
Announce us to your mistress.
HADIDJA
Our mistress, priests, is gone forth to meet the Tetrarch Herod, to receive him at the gates.
FIRST PRIEST
When will she return?
HADIDJA
That we cannot say, priests; it depends on the coming of the Prince.
FIRST PRIEST
Do you desire our blessing?
HADIDJA
No! [She vanishes with the other maids into the interior of the Palace.]
BOTH PRIESTS
[Look discomposed.]
FIRST PRIEST
[Observing Eliakim and Pasur sitting in front of their doors, raises his hands unctuously.] Blessed be ye who----
ELIAKIM
No one asked thy blessing!
BOTH PRIESTS
[Regard each other in dismay.]
SECOND PRIEST
[Furiously.] These again are of the school of the Pharisees!
FIRST PRIEST
We hold the Temple. They shall yet be our servants. Come! [Exeunt both priests.]
SCENE IV
PASUR
[Drawing near humbly.] Forgive me, neighbour, but now thou no longer readest in the law?
ELIAKIM
No.
PASUR
This will be a sorry Passover for us tradesmen. See all this fine stock which I have laid in. There is the sacred pomegranate wood, whereon to roast the lamb. Here are the sweet herbs, with which to prepare the holy broth, and here are the bitter roots, the garlic, cresses, and bay leaves, all according to the precept. In six, or at latest seven hours the feast begins, and I shall be left stranded with my whole stock on hand. Oh, woe is me! Woe is me!
ELIAKIM
Well, have I not also superior and holy wares for sale? There are stuffs of the very finest quality. Beautiful tassels of white and hyacinth-blue wool. And are not my Tephillims the most beautiful ever worn by a son of Abraham at morning prayer? Nay, Abraham himself never wore a finer Tephillim. I believe I have eighteen dozen or more. But one should take no thought of bodily raiment, but read the Scriptures. So it is written.
PASUR
But, neighbour, the man who deals in vegetables does not find it so easy to be righteous in the sight of the Lord. Thy woollen goods will keep till Herod is gone again with his new wife.
ELIAKIM
[Shakes his fist at the Palace.] It's a shame, a crying shame!
PASUR
Yes; once this was always a good spot for business, but now grass groweth in front of the Palace.
ELIAKIM
Only priests go in and out.
SCENE V
The same. A citizen of Jerusalem [who comes to fill his pitcher at the fountain].
CITIZEN
[Distressfully.] Neighbour, dear neighbour!
ELIAKIM
What is thy trouble?
CITIZEN
Thou art a righteous man and knowest the law. Give me advice, and thou shalt have my thanks. My poor wife has hurt her foot while working in the fields. It is burning and swollen, and I bathe it with cold water from the fountain, which does it good. But in a short time beginneth the feast. May I continue with the bathing then?
ELIAKIM
Sabbath breaking. Thou wilt be guilty, and deserve death.
THE CITIZEN
Oh, Lord eternal!
ELIAKIM
Yes. If it were her throat that ailed, then thou mightest pour the remedy into her mouth. But foot! No!
CITIZEN
But suppose that it mortifies!
ELIAKIM
Yea, if it mortifies and is a danger to life, the law alloweth it.
THE CITIZEN
[Crying out in despair.] But then it is too late!
[Meanwhile a man wrapt in a cloak has come down the street, and looks up calmly at the windows of Herod's Palace.]
ELIAKIM
[Points to him, looking shocked.] Hush, if thou lovest thy life! The man thou seest yonder is one David, belonging to the Zealots who dwell in the desert. They come down to the towns with daggers hidden in the folds of their cloaks. And when they find people committing a breach of the law by word or deed, they strike at them from behind. [Rising, as the stranger approaches.] Greeting; thou holy man! Behold I know thee well. Wilt thou not bless thy servant? [The stranger passes, and disappears in the street to the left.]
PASUR
I feel a shiver run through me. One can err and not know it.
THE CITIZEN
How many hours are there yet, ere the feast begins?
ELIAKIM
[Regarding the sun.] Six.
THE CITIZEN
So long, then, I may use the cooling remedy, but I know not what to do afterwards. [Drags his pitcher away dejectedly.]
PASUR
Of a truth, we Hebrews are hunted like vermin. If the Romans leave us alone, the law strikes at us.
SCENE VI
The same. The stage has become half-filled with people, who gesticulate in excitement, looking up at Herod's Palace. Among them Hachmoni; later, the soldiers.
ELIAKIM
What is going on there? Hachmoni, thou shalt speak. What ails the people?
HACHMONI
Hast thou not heard? John is in the town!
ELIAKIM
There are many Johns.
HACHMONI
The Baptist, man!
ELIAKIM
The Baptist; enemy of the Priests and of the Pharisees; to whom every Rechabite hath sworn death. Is he caught at last?
HACHMONI
Thou speakest like one in his sleep! If there is a man in Jerusalem safe and untouched by the curse of the Romans, it is he. He standeth in the market-place and preacheth; he standeth at the gates and preacheth.--Did I say preach? Firebrands issue from his lips; scorpions leap out of his mouth.
ELIAKIM
Against whom doth he preach, then?
HACHMONI
Against Herod, naturally. And his paramour, and his paramour's whelp.
ALL
Down with Herod! Death to Herod!
[The first and second Roman soldiers step out of the guard-room.]
FIRST SOLDIER
What are the blear-eyed scum crying?
SECOND SOLDIER
Death to Herod! Did not I say it would be so? I can trust my nose. [Draws his sword.]
PASUR
Protect yourselves! The soldiers! [The people fall back.]
FIRST SOLDIER [laughing.]
The dogs are affrighted already. Curs! [They go in, laughing.]
SCENE VII
The same. Amasai and Jorab [from left centre, remain in the street].
AMASAI
Look at them! Must this not appear a mad mockery in the sight of the Lord? Who that follows the straight path laid down by the law, after the manner of God-fearing men, can have anything in common with these sinners?
JORAB
They are infatuated with the Baptist's preaching, and yet too weak to kick against the pricks. Speak to them, so that they come to themselves.
AMASAI
After the Baptist? Rather would I grasp a mad bull by the horns. They would go up to the Temple to make an offering of sow's blood, if he bade them do it.
JORAB
Cannot we trap him?
AMASAI
And so stand before the people as the friends of Herod? Leave that kind of fame to the Priests and the Sadducees. The disaffection which we quelled, at a signal from him, screams aloud in the gutter. So what good have we done? That is why the people flock to him. We have missed our opportunity. But still; I know a way to entangle him. I will strike at him through his folly about the Messiah. [Shouts of applause arise from the people.] Listen! so they once hailed us. [They withdraw further into the street to the left.]
SCENE VII
The same, without Amasai and Jorab. John, accompanied by Josaphat, Matthias, and Manassa and afresh crowd. People appear behind left.
JOHN
[Throwing himself down on the edge of the fountain.]
JOSAPHAT
See, Rabbi, what power hath been given thee. They wag their tails like pleased hounds. Jerusalem the Blessed lies at thy feet.
JOHN
Give me to drink!
MANASSA
[Draws him water.]
HACHMONI
Behold! The great prophet drinks as if he were one of us----
PASUR
That is goat's hair wherewith he is clothed. It must prick his skin. It shows what a holy man he is.
ELIAKIM
But he doth not favour the woollen trade. If all were so holy, we should be beggared.
HACHMONI
And his food, people say, is nought but locusts and wild honey.
MATTHIAS
Get back. See ye not that ye plague him? [They retire.]
JOSAPHAT
Rabbi, forgive. The people wait. What is thy command to them?
JOHN
Is this Herod's house?
JOSAPHAT
Yes, Rabbi [silence]. Rabbi, say, what shall they do?
JOHN
Am I the keeper of these people? The shepherd may drive his flock through thorns or flowers. I pine for the wilderness, for my rocky fastnesses.
JOSAPHAT
[Dismayed.] Rabbi!
JOHN
I have awakened the slumbering conscience, scourged and roused the idle, shown the erring the right road. One great burst of indignation against Herod now flames towards heaven. So now they may let me go my way, or send their spies after me. But no priest has yet dared to stand in my path. It is well. My work in Jerusalem is at an end.
MATTHIAS
Not so, Rabbi. Thy work only beginneth. We have to face the Prince's entry. The people want a leader.
JOHN
Whither will they be led?
MATTHIAS
That we know not, Rabbi.
JOHN
And do I know? Am I one to subject my will to the fetters of a plan, or to spin a web of calculations for others? I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. That is my destiny. Come! [He stands up.]
THE PEOPLE
Hail to thee, John! Hail! [As he is going, Amasai and Jorab step in his way.]
SCENE VIII
The same. Amasai, Jorab.
AMASAI
Pardon us, great Prophet, that we have not yet been present at thy baptisms.
JOHN
Who are ye?
JOSAPHAT
[Whispering.] Be on your guard, Rabbi. They wear the wide hem of the Pharisees. Their brethren are high in the Council.
AMASAI
We are diligent scribes, simple men, to whom the study of the law hath brought more honour than we deserve.
JOHN
May be. But what do ye want with me?
AMASAI
Many reports of miracles worked by thee have come to our ears. Some say thou art Elias; and others, even greater than he. We are willing to believe this, even if thou performest not his miracles. Naturally thou mayest have reasons in thy heart for keeping thy power of miracle-working a secret from us.
PASUR
Hath he worked miracles?
ELIAKIM
Not for me.
PASUR
Ah!
AMASAI
We have heard, too, much of thy godliness; that thou fastest and prayest as one to whom meat and drink and earthly intercourse are of no account. We fast and pray also, and our desire for doing good cannot be satisfied. But the law is harder and more zealous than we. Therefore we beg thee to be so gracious as to bestow on us the benefit of thy teaching, Rabbi, and to tell us how we can keep the law.
JOHN
So? Ye lay traps for me under the cloak of your glib words. Ye generation of vipers! Who hath told you that ye shall escape the wrath to come? Woe unto you, when He cometh Who is stronger than I! He hath His sickle already in His hand. He will gather the grain into His barn, but the chaff He will burn with everlasting fire.
PASUR
Of whom doth he speak?
HACHMONI
Hush! he speaks of the Messiah.
ELIAKIM
What Messiah?
JORAB
Come, Amasai. I am afraid of this man.
AMASAI
[Shielding himself with his hand.] We approached thee as petitioners, and thou hast abused us. We will let that pass, presuming that thou hast a right thereto. The one of whom thou speakest as coming after thee has given thee the right. Is it not so? [Silence.] Behold, ye people of Israel, your prophet is silent. If it be not the Messiah, the Messiah of Whom he preaches in the wilderness, and even in the market-place, who hath given him the right to chide us? Where else hath he obtained his authority? Ye know what we are, God-fearing, upright men, that strive to obey the law in everything.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE
Who is this?
ELIAKIM
Amasai, the wise and learned scribe.
PEOPLE
[Murmuring.] Listen, it is Amasai.
ANOTHER
Rabbi, wilt thou not bless us?
AMASAI
Yea, we, in short, who are a piece of the law ourselves. And we have never done this man any harm. If he is an enemy to us, it must be because he is an enemy to the law.
JOHN
Thou liest.
AMASAI
Good. If I lie, so teach me, great prophet, how thou keepest the law.
JOSAPHAT
[In a low voice.] Yes, Rabbi, explain! The people expect it.
JOHN
I have nothing to do with the law, of which ye and your like set up to be guardians and students. [Sensation among the people.]
JOSAPHAT
[Sotto voce.] Rabbi, think what thou art saying. Injure not thyself.
JOHN
Nay, it is not your law, but ye yourselves that I hate. For your hand lieth heavily on this people, and your well-being is its affliction.
AMASAI
That thou hast yet to prove, great prophet.
JOHN
Who are ye, ye men of worldly wisdom, that ye should look on the law as your special inheritance and possession? Here is an enslaved people crawling patiently on its belly beneath a scourge, oppressed by a heavy burden, and ye desire to tell it how it shall crawl.
AMASAI
Yea, because it must crawl somehow, great prophet.
JOHN
Ye think so. I say that it shall rise out of the dust.
AMASAI
Thus have rebels ever spoken, and the end hath always been the cross and the gallows. Thou, whom men call the great prophet, listen to me! When the Lord redeemed His people the first time, how did He do it? Through the law. And when He redeemed them a second time, knowest thou how He did it? Through the law. So if we guard and watch this law, and let it expand by itself, swelling like an ear of corn, a thousand times into a thousandfold blessings, what is our object? Redemption, the hope which lives in all of us. Only we do not noise it abroad in the gutter and on the housetops.
PEOPLE
[Murmuring.] There he is right. Aye, he is right!
SCENE IX
The same. A troop of pilgrims have come up by degrees and slake their thirst at the fountain. Among them Simon the Galilean.
AMASAI
See! Look around thee. Behold these pilgrims! They come with their knapsacks from far distant lands: from Egypt, from Euphrates, and Syria, and from the accursed city of Rome itself. They are indifferent to hunger and thirst, the heat of the sun, and the dust of the road. And wherefore have they come? Because of this very law, which I and my brethren guard and study. And if thou sayest thou hast nothing to do with this law, and hatest it, tell us, then, what law thou lovest? Where do the Commandments leave off which the Lord made for His people, and where begin the vain works of men? Enlighten us, great prophet, and scold us not.
JOHN
[Is silent, and uncertain what to say.]
JOSAPHAT
I warned thee, Rabbi!
AMASAI
[With a laugh of scorn.] Now see, all of you. See! Methinks the great---- [Breaks off as a woman, sickly and heavily loaded, comes accidentally near to him. He turns round in anger.] Touch me not, lest I become unclean! I am a Rechabite!
SIMON THE GALILEAN
[To the woman.] No; touch him not, lest thou becomest unclean.
AMASAI
What?
SIMON THE GALILEAN
For the Pharisees who call themselves Rechabites are unclean from within. Come! [Leads her to the fountain.]
AMASAI
He denies God!
THE PEOPLE
[Murmuring.] He denies God!
AMASAI
A Rechabite unclean? A man who doth nothing day and night but fulfil the law; who performeth his sacred ablutions three times more than necessary; who sitteth, on the Sabbath, like a monument; who speaketh a blessing at meat twice, and over salt, bread er----er--[half choking.] A Rechabite unclean?
JOHN
If I could not answer thy questions with their double meaning, thou thyself hast now answered them!
AMASAI
And may seven swine possess thee, thou great prophet, so that compared with them thou appearest to me a saint. [To the Galilean.] And what evil spirit hath taken possession of thee, man? Art thou a Jew? Where dost thou come from? What is thy name?
MATTHIAS
[In a low voice.] Tell him not thy name. He will ruin thee.
SIMON THE GALILEAN
[Calmly.] I am a Jew. My name is Simon, and I come from Galilee.