JOHN THE BAPTIST
JOHN THE BAPTIST
A PLAY
BY HERMANN SUDERMANN
TRANSLATED BY
BEATRICE MARSHALL
LONDON
JOHN LANE THE BODLEY HEAD VIGO STREET W.
NEW YORK JOHN LANE COMPANY MCMIX
WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, LTD., PRINTERS, PLYMOUTH
Time of Action. The Year 29 after Christ.
Scene of Action. During the Prelude a rocky wilderness near Jerusalem.
In the First, Second, and Third Acts. Jerusalem.
In the Fourth and Fifth Acts. A town of Galilee.
PRELUDE
PRELUDE
Wild, rocky scenery in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem.... Night--The moon shining dimly through jagged clouds.... In the distance is seen the fire of the great sacrificial altar, burning on the horizon.
SCENE I
Dark shadows flit in groups across the background from right to left.
MIRIAM
Hadidja, I am afraid!
HADIDJA
Come!
MIRIAM
I am afraid. Seest thou not those gliding shadows? Their feet scarce touch the stones, and their flesh is like the shadow of the night-wind.
HADIDJA
Fool that thou art! Thou art afraid of thy companions in misery and suffering. The same need as thine brings them hither; the same hope leads them on to the heights.
MIRIAM
Do they also wish to go to him?
HADIDJA
Every one wishes to go to him. Is there a light in Israel which doth not irradiate from his hand? Is there water for the thirsty which doth not flow from him? Streams of sweet water gush forth from these dead stones, and his voice is born out of silence.
MIRIAM
But I am afraid of him. Why dwelleth he among the terrors of the desert? Why flieth he from the paths of the joyous, and shunneth the suffering?
HADIDJA
The joyous need him not. The suffering will find their way to him.
MIRIAM
Look, Hadidja! There is the glow of fire yonder above Jerusalem. The Romans are burning down our houses, and yet we tarry here!
HADIDJA
What! Dost thou not know that is the great altar on which, day and night, the priests offer up a tenth part of the sweat of our brows?
MIRIAM
[In horrified amazement.] And would he let the great altar fall too?
HADIDJA
I know not. But what he willeth is best. See--who is coming?
SCENE II
The same; two men, half carrying, half dragging a paralytic who moans.
FIRST MAN
Women, say, have ye met the great Rabbi whom men call the Baptist?
HADIDJA
We also are seeking the Baptist.
[The Paralytic, moaning.] Put me down; let me die!
FIRST MAN
We have carried this palsied man here in our arms, and they are weary, and he whom we hoped to find is not here.
THE PARALYTIC
[With a groan.] I shall die!
MANASSA'S VOICE
[Crying aloud from the right.] John! John!
MANASSA
[Rushing on the scene.] John, where art thou, John? I cry unto thee in my
MIRIAM
[Pointing to the left.] Look! A crowd of people are drawing near. They go before him.
HADIDJA
Kneel; for it is he.
SCENE III
The same. John, behind him a number of men and women, among them Amarja.
JOHN
Whose wretchedness is so great that he wails aloud, and forgets that grief should be silent?
MANASSA
[Kneeling before him.] Rabbi, mighty Rabbi. If thou art he of whom men are talking in the streets of Jerusalem, help me, save me!
JOHN
Stand up and speak.
MANASSA
I am Manassa, the son of Jeruel, and my father was sick and blind; and I lived with him on the road to Gibeon, close by the well which is never dry. And men came unto me who said, "It is the will of the Lord our God that ye refuse to pay tribute to the Romans," and I refused to pay the Romans tribute. Then have the soldiers fallen on me and burned my house, and my young wife hath perished in the flames, and my father, who was blind. And I am now left alone and desolate. Help me, Rabbi! Help!
JOHN
Am I lord over Life and Death that I can make thy father, wife, and child alive again? Can I build up thy house once more out of its ashes? What dost thou ask of me?
MANASSA
Then cursed be those who----
JOHN
Stop! Cursings enough hang over us. Israel is loaded with them, like the autumn boughs with ripe grapes. Wherefore dost thou lament? Look before, instead of behind. If thou canst not withhold thy lamentations, put a gag between thy teeth; for prayer should be silent, and longing and patience without sound.
MANASSA
How shall that help me, Rabbi, in my loneliness and desolation?
JOHN
Thou speakest sinfully. Is He not with thee?
MANASSA
Rabbi! Who?
AMARJA
Hearken! He hath not heard the news of Him Who cometh!
JOHN
Know'st thou not that soon there will be rejoicing in Israel? Bridal garments and music of cymbals! Know'st thou not that there will be no more sorrow in Israel? Therefore wipe the foam from thy lips and sanctify thyself.
ALL
Sanctify thyself!
MANASSA
No more sorrow. No more suffering! Rabbi, say that I may stay with thee?
JOHN
Mix with thy fellows over there and learn silence.
MANASSA
[Stammering.] Rabbi! [He withdraws.]
JOHN
I see not Josaphat among ye. Neither is Matthias here. Who hath tidings of them?
AMARJA
Rabbi, none hath seen them.
JOHN
Who is that lying on the ground groaning?
THE PARALYTIC
Master, I am a poor man, sick of a palsy and in great agony. If Thou canst not cure me, I must die!
JOHN
Die now! Now, when One is at hand Who bringeth relief for thy tumours and balm for thy sores? I say unto Thee thou wilt thank the Lord thy God with shouts of joy for every hour of thy pain, for every inch of the road thou hast crawled along on inflamed knees, when thou beholdest Him for Whom our soul longeth and hopeth, for Whose coming we wait and watch by the roadside, looking towards the East. Therefore endure sevenfold suffering and groan no more.
THE PARALYTIC
Rabbi, thou hast done wonders for me. I feel no longer--I----[He makes an effort to rise, but sinks back. His companions lead him away. He breathes more easily, laughing as he goes.]
MURMUR OF PEOPLE
See! a miracle. He works miracles!
ONE OF THE PEOPLE
Truly the word is fulfilled--Elias is risen. The Great Prophet is risen from the dead!
ANOTHER
No, not Elias, not the Prophet! See ye not, ye blind? It is He Himself! He is the promised One. Worship Him! worship Him!
ALL
[Falling on their knees.] Worship Him!
JOHN
A man sick of a fever crawled along the road looking for the physician, and when a beggar or a slave came by, carrying water, he fell on his knees before him and cried, "Hail to thee, great physician! Thank God, thou art come!" And so he went on till evening, and the children mocked him. [The people rise slowly.] What have I, the beggar, to give you? The water I carry is to baptize you in; it is the pure water of repentance. But He Who cometh after me will baptize with fire and the Spirit, and I am not worthy to unlatch His shoes, ... so little am I compared with Him.
SEVERAL
Rabbi, tell us, when will He come of Whom thou speakest?
OTHERS
Who is it, Rabbi? Be merciful and strengthen our souls. Speak to us of Him.
JOHN
Then sit ye down in a circle and hear the oft-told tidings, ye insatiable ones. [The people crouch on the ground.]
MIRIAM
Hadidja, what is he going to tell us?
HADIDJA
Be silent.
MIRIAM
Let me take thy hand, Hadidja.
JOHN
It was on the banks of Jordan that I baptized all, according to the command of the Lord. Many people were gathered round me and hearkened to what I preached, but my soul was consumed with doubt and misgiving. Then, lo, a youth came down from the cliffs above, and he was alone, and all the people drew back. And as I raised my eyes to his face, I knew that this was He, for the glory of eternity shone round about Him. And when He spake with me, and prayed me to baptize Him as if He were a sinner, I trembled and refused, saying, "I would be baptized by Thee, but Thou comest to me?" And He made answer, "So be it, for thus shall the law be fulfilled." Then I yielded, and let it be as He desired. And when He had received Baptism from my trembling hand, He rose from the water, and behold, the Heavens opened above Him and I saw the Holy Ghost descending like a white dove, and He was bathed in the Heavenly light. And a voice out of Heaven spake, "Behold, this is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased." Then I fell on my face and prayed. And I was no longer afraid.
ONE OF THE CROWD
[After a pause.] And whence came He, He Who was thus illumined by the radiance of the Lord?
ALL
Yes, whence came He, and whither did He go? Didst thou not hold Him?
JOHN
Plague me not with questions. He cometh and goeth, and no man holdeth Him. At this very hour He may be sitting in our midst.
ALL
[Turn on each other a scared and inquiring gaze.]
Rabbi, we are all poor workpeople from Jerusalem, and every one knoweth his fellow.
ONE OF THE CROWD
[Pointing to Miriam.] Yes, we men! But here is a woman whom I never saw before.
HADIDJA
Her name is Miriam, and she serves as maid in the Palace, as I do.
JOHN
Leave her in peace.
ANOTHER
But if He of Whom thou speakest dwells among the living, He must bear a name, and His Father's name.
ALL
Yea; tell us His name. His name?
JOHN
Ye would hear his name? Listen to the wind whispering among the rocks, mark well what it saith ere it vanisheth. So His name, heard first here and then there, passed by my ear. I am waiting with prayer and anxiety to hear it again. Therefore I say unto you, Question me not further, lest it melt away like a dream when the cock croweth.
AMARJA
Yet give us withal some guidance. Whence came He to thee--He----
JOHN
The wind which wafted Him to me blew from Galilee.
ALL
From Galilee!
ONE
Is then the Messiah the Galileans', the fisheaters'?
ANOTHER
He shall come to us Judæans! Up, and let us seek Him!
ALL
Aye, let us seek Him!
JOHN
Think ye that He will permit Himself to be found by you? Ye miserable creatures full of mutiny and revolt! Who are ye that ye should alter the course of the world's history by a hair's breadth? When the time for His harvest is ripe, then He shall appear to you of His own free will in glory as the Lord of Hosts. The four cherubim shall ride before Him on caparisoned horses, with flaming sickles in their hands.... Whatsoever hath been planted in sin and hath grown up rankly, that shall be mown down, root and branch; whatsoever hath reared itself against Him shall be trampled upon. Therefore, ye men of Israel, root up the weeds that flourish and encumber your bodies, so that ye do not rot, and in your corruption are not swept away with your polluters when He draweth near with the seven-coloured rainbow about His head. He Who shall come must come [reflectively], must come!
ONE OF THE CROWD
Rabbi, we have repented of our sins. We pray day and night, and our bodies are emaciated from fasting. Say, what more can we do?
SCENE IV
The same. Josaphat. Matthias.
JOHN
Josaphat, so thou art here. And thou, Matthias.
JOSAPHAT
Master, chide us not for having lingered. We paused by Herod's Palace, which, as a rule, is dark and deserted. We saw rosy lights kindled, and the pillars garlanded with flowers. Fresh ignominy shall befall Israel, more deadly sin weigh upon her, if thou, Rabbi, comest not to the rescue.
JOHN
Speak out!
JOSAPHAT
Herod hath not come out of Galilee, as every year before, for the Passover. He is not expected till to-morrow. Another guest hath arrived. The wife of Philip, Herod's brother, hath deserted him, and taken with her Salome, Philip's daughter.
The guest at the Palace is called Herodias, and to-morrow the marriage feast is to be celebrated.
JOHN
Between Herod and the wife of his own brother?
JOSAPHAT
Thou sayest right, Rabbi.
JOHN
No! No! Whoever hath told thee this informed thee falsely. His lips were shameless, and his soul lied.
AMARJA
Pardon, Rabbi; there are maids here belonging to the Palace.... Question them.
JOHN
Hadidja, I know thee. Speak!
HADIDJA
Rabbi, my place is menial. I only hear what the idle gossips say. But here is Miriam. She has been chosen as the playmate of the young maiden Salome since she came yesterday. She waits on her at the bath. Question her!
JOHN
Miriam, why art thou silent?
HADIDJA
Rabbi, she hath never yet conversed with strangers.
MIRIAM
[In a low, stuttering tone.] Master, it is true what that man saith. And----[Emotion.]
JOHN
Continue!
MIRIAM
And after the wedding, on the first day of the Passover, Herodias is to enter the Temple, as far as the women's outer court, her new consort leading her by the hand. They will show themselves to the people.
JOHN
That the people may stone them? But what am I saying? They dare not! Those priests, lustful as they are, cowards cringing in the dust at the feet of the Romans, dare not permit this! The iron gates will close upon the scandal, and the High Priest will stretch forth his arm to curse them!
HADIDJA
Speak, Miriam!
JOHN
What else hast thou to say, Miriam?
MIRIAM
Master, at this very hour, messengers are passing to and fro between Herodias and the Temple. The Princess desireth that the High Priest shall meet them at the second gate, where the men and women separate, to bless her----
JOHN
Enough! Go home, all of you. I wish to be alone. To-morrow ye will see me at Jerusalem. [Horror amongst the people.]
ONE OF THE CROWD
Rabbi, wilt thou be responsible for thy enemies?
OTHERS
Reflect, Rabbi! The Pharisees will trap thee. The priests will condemn thee.
JOHN
I am the son of a priest. I will speak priestly words to those who countenance this infamous crime. I will speak to them in the name of Him Who cometh, for Whom I prepare the way. Go! [As they appear unwilling and hesitate.] Go! [The curtain falls.]
FIRST ACT
FIRST ACT
Square in front of the Palace of Herod--The guardroom of the Roman soldiers is to the right of the Palace in the foreground, with benches before the door--To the right of centre is the chief entrance--Steps in background, which lead to the top of a hill--Behind, separated by an invisible valley, is a view of rising masses of house-tops belonging to another part of the town--A narrow street to the left of centre, and another street in foreground, which may be taken as a continuation of the one that runs to right of guard-room--In it is the shop of the woollen merchant Eliakim--At its right corner the shop of the fruit-seller Pasur, with wares exhibited--A fountain with seats round it, near the middle of the stage.
SCENE I
Eliakim, Pasur. First, second, third common
PASUR
[As he comes forward glances anxiously at the soldiers, who sit in front of guard-room.] Neighbour, neighbour, dost thou not hear me?
ELIAKIM
[Sitting outside his shop reading a parchment] It is written that whosover disturbeth a man when he is reading the law shall forfeit his life.
PASUR
Thou readest the law?
ELIAKIM
Knowest thou not that I read the law day and night?
PASUR
Forgive me, neighbour; accuse me not. I sinned out of ignorance.... I was in fear of the soldiers who are quartered yonder ... but I am going in. [Slinks back to his shop.]
FIRST SOLDIER
[To the second who sharpens his sword.] Marcus, wherefore handiest thou thy blade with such terrific zeal? There is naught to hew down in there. These damned Judeans have had enough. They'll rebel no more.
SECOND SOLDIER
Who can tell? Since that woman entered there yesterday, my nostrils have scented bloodshed. Everything is upside down in Herod's house, and your so-called princes are ticklish subjects.
FIRST SOLDIER
Here in Judea they have none; so we are masters.
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
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
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!