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diff --git a/34383.txt b/34383.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..395f82a --- /dev/null +++ b/34383.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6606 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of John the Baptist: A Play, by Hermann Sudermann + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: John the Baptist: A Play + +Author: Hermann Sudermann + +Translator: Beatrice Marshall + +Release Date: November 20, 2010 [EBook #34383] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN THE BAPTIST: A PLAY *** + + + + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + + + + + + +Transcriber's Note: Page Scan Source: +http://www.archive.org/details/johnbaptistplay00suderich + + + + + + + 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 + + + + + + + PERSONS IN THE PLAY + +Herod Antipas. _Tetrarch of Galilee_. +Herodias. +Salome. _Her daughter_. +Vitellius. _Legate of Syria_. +Marcellus. _His companion_. + +Merokles, _the rhetorician_. \ +Gabalos, _the Syrian_. > _At the Court of Herod_. +Jabad, _the Levite_. / + +John. _Called "The Baptist."_ + +Josaphat. \ +Matthias. } + > _His disciples_. +Amarja. | +Manassa. / + +Jael. _Josaphat's wife_. +Their two Children. +Hadidja. _Maid in the Palace_. + +Miriam. \ +Abi. > _Playfellows of Salome_. +Maecha. / + +Mesulemeth. _A beggar-woman_. + +Amasai. \ + > _Pharisees_. +Jorab. / + +Eliakim. \ +Pasur. > _Citizens of Jerusalem_. +Hachmoni. / + +Simon. _The Galilean_. +First Galilean. +Second Galilean. +A Paralytic. +First Priest. +Second Priest. +A Citizen of Jerusalem. +The Commander of the Roman Soldiers. + +First \ +Second > Roman Soldier. +Third / + +The Captain of the Palace Guard. +The Gaoler. +Men and Women from Jerusalem, Pilgrims, Roman Legionaries, Men and +Maidservants in the Palace. + + 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 distress. Have mercy; let me behold thee, John! + +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._] + +AMARJA + +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 Judaeans! 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 soldiers._ + +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 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. + +AMASAI + +And as one that there knoweth Law and Sacrifice---- + +SIMON THE GALILEAN + +[_Interrupting._] Greater than law, greater than sacrifice, is love! +[_Sensation and dismay among people_] + +AMASAI + +See ye not now that he is guilty against the law? [_He continues +speaking earnestly to the people_] + +JOHN + +[_Approaching the Galilean in great excitement._] Who taught thee that? +[_As Simon is silent, more urgently._] Who taught thee that? + +MATTHIAS + +[_In a quick, low tone to the Galilean._] Before they capture thee, +fly! + +SIMON THE GALILEAN [_Shakes his head._] + +JOHN + +This knowledge, that comes straight from thy simple and timid heart, +awes me, for it cannot be thine own. [_The people, hounded on by +Amasai, jostle the Galilean_] Back! In the Name of Him Who cometh, keep +back. Leave him alone! [_People retreat._] + +PASUR + +Thou playest with us and our great longing as if we were toys. + +AMASAI + +Ah, now I have caught thee! Thou who poisonest a thirsty people with +foul water! Where is He Who shall come? Where is thy Messiah? Where is +the King of the Jews? Aye, show Him to us! + +THE PEOPLE + +[_Fiercely._] Yea, woe to thee if thou canst not show Him to us! + +JOHN + +[_Firmly._] Here cometh the King of the Jews whom ye acclaim! + + + SCENE X + +_The same. Herod, Herodias, Salome and their train appear above in the +background. The company of soldiers, with their officers, have posted +themselves at the Palace gates. In silence the procession descends._ + +ONE OF THE TRAIN + +Hail to Herod! [_Still silence._] Now, ye dogs! Cry, Hail! + +HEROD + +At what are the people gaping? [_To the Commander of the Guard._] Ye, +who in obedience to Rome's command are here to protect me, cannot you +clear them out of my way? + +THE SOLDIERS + +[_At a sign from their Captain begin to charge the people with lowered +spears._] + +AMASAI + +[_Who is standing in the foremost row. Turns with a shrill cry._] Woe! +woe! [_Takes fight._] + +[_Jorab follows him. The people retreat with a subdued exclamation of +fear. John alone stands his ground, his head held high, and measures +Herod with his glance._] + +SALOME + +[_Raising her veil._] Mother, look at that man. It is the same who +stood in the market-place and at the gates and everywhere where we have +passed. + +HEROD + +And everywhere caused dissension. + +SALOME + +Look! His eyes flash fire! Mother, look! + +HEROD + +Come along, ye women. And if the pious citizens of Jerusalem have +unlearnt the way to welcome with rejoicing the representative of the +great race of Herod [_with a glance at the Captain of the Guard_], +Rome, I hope, will teach it to them again. [_The Captain shrugs his +shoulders with a slight smile._] + +HEROD + +Come, I pray. [_Herod, Herodias, Salome, go with their train into the +Palace; the common soldiers into the guard-room._] + + + SCENE XII + +_Johannes, Josaphat, Matthias, Manassa, Hachmoni, Pasur, the people._ + +HACHMONI + +[_At the head of a group, pressing forward_] Pardon us, great prophet. +The Pharisees have fled like cowards. But, see, we cling to thee. So +now help us. + +THE PEOPLE + +Help us! + +JOHN + +[_As if in a dream._] Tell me, whither hath the man from Galilee gone? + +MANASSA + +Rabbi, we know not. + +JOHN + +Then seek him. Bring him to me. + +MANASSA + +Yes, Rabbi. + +ALL THE PEOPLE + +Tarry with us, great prophet. Help us! We flee to thee. + +JOHN + +[_Pondering in uncertainty._] Matthias, Josaphat, did he not say Love? +[_The curtain falls_]. + + + + + SECOND ACT + + + + + SECOND ACT + +_Hall in Roman style of architecture in Herod 's Palace--On the right +side, a balcony upheld by pillars, which extends the whole depth of the +stage, and to which a fight of steps leads--Off the balcony a door +opens into Salome's room--Underneath, on the ground floor, another +door--In the centre of the background is the chief entrance--On the +left, a window--Near it a couch and other furniture--To the right, +between the pillars of the balcony, is a divan--Carpets and tiger-skins +on the floor--A mixture of Roman and Oriental luxury._ + + + SCENE I + +_Maecha, Miriam, Abi_ [_on the balcony_]. _After them, Salome._ + +THE DAMSELS + +[_Stepping cautiously and listening._] + +SALOME + +[_Through the door._] Is it safe? No one there? + +MAECHA + +Not a sound of anyone. + +SALOME + +Then, come! [_They skip down the stairs._] + +SALOME + +Ah, here it is light, and one can see oneself reflected in the walls. +Do you know why we have been suddenly mewed up in the apartments above? +Yesterday we were allowed to wander as we listed through all the +passages, to dance unveiled in the gardens, and peep through the +railings and mock the passers-by. But to-day, since my uncle came, we +have had to sit moping in sackcloth and ashes. Why? Do none of you know +why? + +MAECHA + +Mistress, the house is now filled with strangers who were not here +yesterday. And, it is said that the men who are in the Tetrarch's +following run after young maidens. + +SALOME + +Let them! I am not afraid of any men.... I take them as I find them.... +I love them. + +ABI + +Thou knowest men, mistress? + +SALOME + +I mean not the men of our own people! They wear beards on their chins +like forests, and before one can look round, they stand there +barefooted, and then people say---- No; I mislike that. But once, when +I was with my father in Antioch, I met pale youths with golden brown +hair, and they wore red shoes and smelt of perfumes.... They were +Greeks, my father said, real Greeks from Hellas.... They smiled, and it +made me thrill.... Why dost thou stand there sulking, Miriam, and +listenest not to my converse? It doth not please thee? Laugh, or I'll +beat thee. If thou laughest not, I'll have thee whipped! + +MIRIAM + +Let me be whipped, mistress. + +SALOME + +Where wert thou last night? The palace guards said thou wouldst visit +thy sweetheart.... Thou hast a lover? [_Roguishly._] Whisper his name +in my ear and I'll give thee a gold pin. + +MIRIAM + +I have no one that loveth me, mistress. + +SALOME + +The language of you Judeans hath an insipid flavour, and your eyes +dissemble. Yet, I love Jerusalem. A purple haze hangs over its gables. +And it seemeth to me ever as if the sun in Jerusalem kissed one +secretly. But ye could not understand how that is ... ye have not the +blood of the great Herod in your veins. My mother hath it, and I have +it from her.... And whatever they may say in Jerusalem, my mother was +wise to run away from that other husband, for the one here is of more +account than he. And because she was so wise, and at the same time so +sadly foolish, I love her, and will share the consequences of her +folly. [_She flings herself on the couch._] I am not displeasing to my +uncle Herod.... I have remarked that he casts stolen glances at me.... +Now when my mother scolds me I shall know how to tease her! [_Trills +forth._] I am the Rose of Sharon, a flower of the valley. Cometh not my +friend into his garden to eat of---- Miriam, where does that window +look out? + +MIRIAM + +I do not know, mistress. I have never been in this hall before. + +SALOME + +Go and see. + +MIRIAM + +[_Looks out of the window and starts._] + +SALOME + +Why dost thou start? + +MIRIAM + +Did I, mistress? + +SALOME + +Tell me what thou seest? + +MIRIAM + +There are many people standing round a fountain, and---- + +SALOME + +And? + +MIRIAM + +I cannot---- + +SALOME + +[_Stands up and goes to window._] Ah! [_Looking out for a moment in +silence._] Miriam, who is that? + +MIRIAM + +[_Confused._] Whom dost thou mean, mistress? + +SALOME + +Is there anyone else but him?... Miriam, thou gentle, brown Miriam +[_half threateningly_], deny him not! + +MIRIAM + +It is--John--the Baptist. + +ABI, MAECHA + +[_Hurrying up, all curiosity._] The Baptist? + +SALOME + +Let him be who he be. See how the people surge round him! Have ye ever +in your valley seen a rock bend? He doth not bend. Ha! ha! Not he! Only +if--perhaps---- [_She stretches out her arms._] + + + SCENE II + + _The same. Herodias_. [_Enters from centre._] + +MAECHA + +Mistress, thy mother! + +THE THREE MAIDENS + +[_Withdraw quickly from the window._] + +HERODIAS + +What are ye doing here, damsels? Salome thou! Shall we let it be said +that we have brought evil manners into Jerusalem? + +SALOME + +[_Intending to wound, but outwardly meek._] Methinks it is said +already. + +HERODIAS + +[_Enraged._] Go! + +SALOME + +Yes, mother. [_She crosses over, and lingers between the pillars of the +balcony._] + +HERODIAS + +Ye damsels, stay! Ye are Judeans? + +MAECHA + +Yes, mistress. + +HERODIAS + +Intelligence hath reached me of one they call the Baptist stirring up +rebellion in the streets. Which of you know the man? + +MAECHA + +She does. + +ABI + +She hath this moment confessed it. + +HERODIAS + +What dost thou know of him? + +MIRIAM + +That last night I sat at his feet praying. + +SALOME + +[_Coming forward_] Thou? Thou? + +MAECHA + +Pardon! A moment ago he was standing close to the Palace. + +HERODIAS + +Show him to me. + +MAECHA + +[_From the window_] Now is he gone. + +HERODIAS + +[_To Miriam_] So speed after him, and when thou hast found him, bring +him privately through yonder gate. [_Points below to the right_] + +SALOME + +She shall not.... I will not ... _Not_ her! + +HERODIAS + +Why not? + +SALOME + +[_Throwing her arms round Miriam_] She is dearest to me. I will not let +her go out of my sight. [_Comes over and supplicates Herodias_] Mother! + +HERODIAS + +Art thou still such a child? [_To Miriam._] Go! + +SALOME + +[_Angrily._] Miriam! + + [_Exit Miriam._ + +HERODIAS + +Such a child, and already hast the tooth of a serpent in thy mouth! + +SALOME + +[_Kneels on the couch before her mother and encircles her knees with +her arms._] Forgive me, mother. We, thou and I, are not like others. We +sting those we love. + +HERODIAS + +[_Sotto voce._] And those we hate? + +SALOME + +[_Sotto voce._] We kiss! + +HERODIAS + +[_Laughing._] Child! [_She kisses her._] + +SALOME + +[_Laughing._] Thou kissest me! + + + SCENE III + + _The same. The Palace Captain._ + +PALACE CAPTAIN + +My master, the Tetrarch Herod, would see thee, mistress. + +HERODIAS + +[_In growing anxiety covers Salomes' face with her veil._] Go, make +haste; go! + +SALOME + +Mother, I am dull in the upstair chambers. May I not stay near thee? + +HERODIAS + +[_Looking towards the door._] Go, instantly! + +SALOME + +[_Slowly climbs the stairs with her companions._] + +HERODIAS + +Thou art Captain in the Palace? + +THE PALACE CAPTAIN + +[_Bows._] + +HERODIAS + +Go, set watches at every door. Who entereth goeth not out again.... And +keep silent. + +THE PALACE CAPTAIN + +One has but to see thee to know that thou art the mistress.... How +should I not be silent? [_Goes to the door._] + + + SCENE IV + +_The same. Herod, Gabalos, Merokles, Jabad. The Palace Captain_ [_exit +when the others enter_]. + +HEROD + +Princess, after waiting even the space of a moment, a man will enjoy +his favours to the full.... Therefore ... [_Kisses her on brow and +mouth._] Pardon! + +HERODIAS + +Thou hast rested; art refreshed? + +HEROD + +That question thou oughtst not to ask me. My father was one of those +men who never knew what weariness was. So his son, likewise, parts +company with his pillow betimes, and---- [_He observes Salome who, with +her veil slightly lifted, looks down from the balcony, and after she +sees that he has noticed her, vanishes._] + +HERODIAS + +Thou art silent. + +HEROD + +Thy daughter is not with thee? + +HERODIAS + +[_Dryly._] No. + +HEROD + +[_Bows his head, smiling._] Allow me, Princess ... to present these +friends.... I will not call them servants, for such they are not. + +MEROKLES + +Oh, mistress, they are servants whom thou mayest safely make thy +friends. + +JABAD + +And they are friends in order that they may serve thee. + +GABALOS + +And are amply rewarded for both, great mistress. + +HEROD + +[_Smiling._] This rascal, whose Syrian dialect thou art now acquainted +with for the first time, is Gabalos from Antioch. Thou seest, I +tolerate his jesting. + +GABALOS + +For Herod the Great also kept a Fool. + +HERODIAS + +And people say that he acquired a second Fool before he let the first +drown. + +GABALOS + +[_Bows, smiling, then turns aside with a grimace._] + +HEROD + +This is Merokles, the rhetorician. His voice carries far. It is heard +in Rome, when folks there would overhear my own. + +MEROKLES + +But I shall take no satisfaction in that voice till it may greet thee, +mistress, with the cry "Hail to thee, O Queen!" + +HERODIAS + +[_Winces, then smiles and exchanges a glance with Herod._] + +MEROKLES + +[_Sotto voce, joining Gabalos._] Thou madest a good hit; I a better. + +HEROD + +And in contrast to this cool flatterer, here is Jabad the Levite, my +guide and my conscience ever since I set foot on Jewish soil. For, by +Bacchus, he knows exactly what I have to do, every moment, in order to +be pious, after the manner of my pious people. + +GABALOS + +[_Sotto voce._] He acts as if he had forgotten the way. + +MEROKLES + +[_Sotto voce._] For by so doing he thinks he will the more resemble his +father. + +HEROD + +As an example, what ought I to be doing at this sacred moment? + +JABAD + +The sun is sinking, oh master. Thy Passover lamb, one year old and +flawless, hath been slaughtered in the Temple. It is now in the yard to +be blessed. Thou, as the lord and master of this house---- + +HEROD + +Must do it myself? + +JABAD + +Thine illustrious father did not, and there was, on that account, +grumbling amongst the people. + +HEROD + +Blessing is cleaner work than slaughter. I will do it. See, ye wise +Greeks, that we must serve the gods in order to rule over men! And in +the end we serve to no purpose. [_He motions them away. To Jabad._] Go +and make ready, and I will follow thee. [_Exeunt Gabalos, Merokles, and +Jabad._] + + + SCENE V + +_Herod, Herodias_ [_later Salome with Maecha, on the balcony. Herod and +Herodias stand together a few moments in silence._] + +HERODIAS + +Art thou content? + +HEROD + +Thy kindness oppresses me. Whether thou art content seemeth to me of +more importance. + +HERODIAS + +[_Feeling his tone of contempt._] I have had no roof over my head for +three nights. Like a tramp I have wandered in the dust of the roads. My +serving-women one by one deserted me. Only Salome hath not forsaken me. +I have robbed her of her father; the father I have robbed of his child. +And what I have robbed my husband of thou canst estimate better than it +beseemeth me. See, all this I have done for thee! + +HEROD + +I have abandoned my wife, who also said she loved me. She flew to her +father. He now maketh ready for war to avenge his child's wrong. Only a +trifle is lacking: I have no army. In Rome I am threatened with +disgrace; my brother curses me; Judea points the finger of scorn at +me.... So little have I done for thee---- + +HERODIAS + +And thou repentest this little already? + +HEROD + +No! only forgive me if I blame thy coming too soon. + +HERODIAS + +Too soon! Was warmer welcome ever heard than this "too soon"? + +HEROD + +Take not my words amiss, I entreat thee! + +HERODIAS + +I dare not say that longing drove me here. + +HEROD + +[_With an embarrassed smile._] Say it ... by all means! + +HERODIAS + +Then thou hast not forgotten the days--of eloquent looks and silent +vows--when every breath was a longing desire and every word a feast? + +HEROD + +How should I forget? Love, how should I----? + +HERODIAS + +And thou rememberest no more the nights when wandering footsteps stole +their way to the fragrant gardens, where, in the feverish blossoming +around them, two sleepless ones mingled their sighs? + +HEROD + +How could I not remember; Love, how could I not? + +HERODIAS + +I have clothed myself in Indian draperies; I have put pomegranate +blossoms in my bosom, and gold dust in my hair ... but thou seest +nothing!... My converse is bridal, but thou hearest it not. + +[_Salome has appeared on the balcony with Maecha. Herod notices her._] + +SALOME + +Wait; let me see whether he has already come. [_She looks over, and +after her eyes have met Herod's she vanishes._] + +HERODIAS + +[_Observing his absence of mind, with an exclamation._] No! thou +hearest nothing. + +HEROD + +[_Quickly recovering himself?_] Well; what if it is so? The language of +our soul, which thou art kind enough to call bridal, was fitting to the +delight of those fragrant gardens. To-day, methinks, we have another +task before us! + +HERODIAS + +Thinkest thou that I have been idle? Am I a woman who cometh to beg of +you a nightly dole of caresses? Look at me.... Not thy beloved.... She +exists no longer.... See in me thy ruling mistress! + +HEROD + +I am looking, and I see a woman who raves. + +HERODIAS + +As real as the ambition of thy mistress, as real as the secret +resentment which gnaws beneath thy own; despite thy ever-ready smiles. + +HEROD + +[_Horrified._] Who told thee ... whence ...? + +HERODIAS + +So real and positive is my hold over thee. Just now, when thou didst +say I raved, thou wast reflecting how thou couldst best get rid of +me.... Thou fool; then get rid of thy wakeful nights and all that which +thou thinkest great in thyself, the inheritance of that greater than +thou, whom thou wilt never equal.... + +HEROD + +Woman ... what ... [_his words choke in his throat._] + +HERODIAS + +[_Laughing._] Speak out what thou hast to say. If thou no longer +needest me for love, thou mayest still require me as a listener and +adviser. + +HEROD + +[_After he has walked up and down several times in great excitement._] +Never resemble.... What is the man who smiles amiably in wrath? A +coward?... What is the man, who has two faces? Insincere?... Who fawns +on those in power. Servile? No; because the great Herod also did these +things. But sometimes, when the blood throbbed to bursting in his +veins, he snatched his sword from the sheath and slashed at friend and +enemy alike who stood in his way ... till the blood of his victim +washed him calm and cool again ... till the mighty at Rome experienced +a thrill at such a display of strength.... I, too, feel the blood +hammering in my veins.... I, too, would ... but I have no sword ... and +so I must continue to smile amiably ... continue showing two faces, and +licking the sandals of the priests.... I, the son of Herod; I, his ape! + +HERODIAS + +And suppose that the priests of the Temple adopted the attitude of +shield and barrier betwixt thee and the fury of the people, wouldst +thou doubt thyself less? + +HEROD + +I doubt myself not. And what thou sayest can never happen. + +HERODIAS + +[_Goes to the middle door and opens it._] + + [_A Porteress enters._] + +HERODIAS + +What tidings hast thou? + +THE PORTERESS + +The two messengers to the Temple, mistress, have come back with word +from the High Priest. + +HERODIAS + +Show them into the outer hall.... They shall wait there. + + [_Exit the Porteress._] + +HEROD + +[_With a laugh of rage and fear._] Are their trumpets already sounding +on the road? Hath the great curse already reached the door? + +HERODIAS + +Thou art wrong, my friend. Only a little blessing scratches at the +door.... If it pleaseth thee, let it come in. + +HEROD + +Thou dreamest. + +HERODIAS + +Listen to me! Why did I come before thee in haste to inhabit this empty +house?... Because every hour since I came I have been negotiating with +the priests---- + +HEROD + +Thou? + +HERODIAS + +What if instead of hiding the sinning woman from the people, thou, with +head held aloft, repairest with her to the Temple? Would it not be an +ironical event if the High Priest, with the same air of patriarchal +servility with which he greeted the virtuous Mariamne, also smiled a +welcome to thy brother's runaway wife? + +HEROD + +With what sum hast thou purchased this? + +HERODIAS + +When it is given, it will be a present, not a purchase. + +HEROD + +Only one who knows not these butchers of the High Altar could believe +you. + +HERODIAS + +Well, these are the terms [_in a low voice_]. If we were to promise +never again to aspire in Rome to the sceptre of Judea [_scoffingly_], +then they might consider---- + +HEROD + +And what answer didst thou make to such drastic, such---- + +HERODIAS + +I promised.... What else should I do?... for thee, as well as myself. + +HEROD + +[_Pointing to himself._] Even before this booty was thine, thou hast +betrayed it? + +HERODIAS + +I fancied that I heard thee crying out just now for a sword. +[_Smiling._] When thou art king, thou wilt, of course, kill all whom +thou hast promised not to be king! That is the same thing as if thou +hadst never promised it. + +HEROD + +[_Staring at her._] Woman! + +HERODIAS + +Believest thou still that I hurried here only for the sake of a kiss? + +HEROD + +I shudder at thee. But even if the priests be won over, there remains +the people, the hydra-headed; thou knowest not the people. They once, +it is said, hurled sacrificial victims at the head of their king, they +slew Barachia's son between the Temple and the altar. And besides, dost +thou not know that John the Baptist is in the town? + +HERODIAS + +The Baptist! Leave the Baptist to me. + +HEROD + +I warn thee, approach him only with a weapon in thy hand! + +HERODIAS + +[_Laughs._] + + + SCENE VI + + _The same. Jabad and several servants._ + +JABAD + +Pardon, oh master, the lamb is ready. + +HEROD + +First, we will hear what the priests have to say if your mistress, +_our_ mistress, so pleaseth. + +HERODIAS + +[_Assents, smiling._] [_Exeunt all._ + + + SCENE VII + + _John, Miriam_ [_come through the lower door to right_]. + +MIRIAM + +Await her here, Rabbi.... What are thy commands to thy handmaiden? + +JOHN + +[_Shakes his head._] + +MIRIAM + +[_Kisses the hem of his garment._] [_Exit._ + + + SCENE VIII + +_John_ [_left alone for a brief space_], _then Salome, and two of her +damsels._ + +SALOME + +[_Steps softly to the balustrade and gazes down on John, seeks in her +breast for a flower, and not finding one turns back to Maecha._] Give +me those thou wearest in thy girdle. [_She takes the roses which Maecha +hands to her and throws them down._] He doth not see them. Bring more +flowers, and thy harp. Stay, Maecha, or I shall be afraid. [_Exeunt the +maids, except Maecha._] Thou fair savage, out of the wilderness of +Judah! The fire of hate that flashes from thy eye shall not devour me! +I will kindle another fire in it, lovely and languid like my dreams, +when at night the perfume of the narcissi is wafted to my pillow. [_The +maids come back._] Give them here.... Roses ... two arms' full. [_Hides +her face in the flowers._] Now if I had narcissi, too! Nay, but tarry +and sing the song which I taught you yesterday, the song which the +dancers sang at Antioch. But sing softly, so that he be not shy of us. +Where is Miriam? + +ABI + +She refuseth to come. + +SALOME + +[_Between her teeth._] She refuseth! He saw the rose. He is picking it +up ... as if he had never----There are more ... and more ... and more. +[_She scatters the roses down on him._] + +SONG OF THE MAIDENS + +[_The following is accompanied by the harp, which, after playing a +finale alone, dies away._] + + I have entertained thee with myrrh and honey. + I bound sweet sandals on my feet. + From my waist I have loosened the girdle, + I have sung with the harp, thee to greet. + Now come, let us quench + The fire that consumes me ... Come! + Or thou from fear shalt blench. + For my soul will hate thee ... Come! + +JOHN + +[_Has looked up astonished. The hail of flowers strikes him in the +face. He shrinks back._] Who playeth with me? + +SALOME + +[_Who has slowly descended the steps._] Master, I---- + +JOHN + +Who art thou? + +SALOME + +[_Coyly trifling._] I am a rose of Sharon and a flower of the valley. + +JOHN + +Then play with thy mates ... Leave me in peace ... or go and call her +who summoned me. + +SALOME + +My mother? + +JOHN + +Thou art Salome the---- + +SALOME + +Yes; I am she. + +JOHN + +Let me look into thy eyes, maiden. + +SALOME + +Look, master ... No, but not like that.... If you compellest me to put +my hands before my face, I shall spread my fingers apart and laugh +between them; yes, I shall laugh. + +JOHN + +Maiden, knowst thou not how abhorred this house is? Keepest thou thy +soul innocent among the guilty? + +SALOME + +Look at me again, master.... Am I not young among the Daughters of +Israel? And I have heard say that youth knoweth nothing of the guilty +and of guilt. See, they keep me confined to the upper chambers. I drew +back the bolts and crept out here, because I knew thou wert here, +master. + +JOHN + +How can I say to the storm wind: "Pass by," and to the floods, "Swallow +her not"? + +SALOME + +Speak on, master, even if I understand nothing thou sayest. And knowest +thou that we are now sinning according to the Jewish "law"? Both of +us--yea, it is true. My companions are gone; and is it not forbidden +for a Jewish man to be alone with a virgin? + +JOHN + +I am not alone with thee. Behind us standeth the shadow of those who +have dragged thee with them through the foul refuse of their pleasures. + +SALOME + +I have my own pleasures, master. How shall the pleasures of others +concern me? I read once a saying that stolen fruits are sweet, and my +nurse used to tell me that undiscovered treasure was only found by +those who did not seek for it.... Is it not true thou hast not sought +me? + +JOHN + +Thy converse is confused. + +SALOME + +No matter. Chide me not. Think, are not our _dreams_ confused too? When +I flew hither with my mother, we came at night to a field of poppies. +And the dew shone on their petals.... They looked grey, and were all +closed up because it was night.... But now they are wide open, and I +think my cheeks must glow red in their reflection. + +JOHN + +Thou art lovely among the daughters of Jerusalem. They will weep for +thee. + +SALOME + +Why will they weep? Am I to be sacrificed? Not I, master. Protect me! I +have heard of a king, master, who made a compact with the sun. Hast +thou heard of him? [_John bows his head._] + +SALOME + +Well, I will make a compact with thee. Shall I be the sun, and thou my +king? Or wilt thou be the sun, and I thy queen? + +JOHN + +Maiden, I cannot be either sun or king. + +SALOME + +Why not? It is only a game. + +JOHN + +A King cometh after me, but I wander in the wilderness and seek a path +among thorns. + +SALOME + +And hast not found it? + +JOHN + +Not for myself. + +SALOME + +But for others? + +JOHN + +[_In torture, half to himself._] Who knoweth? + +SALOME + +Master, what harm shall wrath do one, who is a jubilation and a feast +day? And if thou camest to me in flames of fire, I would not mourn my +youth for the length of two moons.... I would stretch out my arms and +cry, "Destroy me, flame; take me up!" + +JOHN + +[_After a pause._] Go! + +SALOME + +I am going. [_She rushes into the arms of Herodias, who enters._] +Mother! + + + SCENE IX + + _The same. Herodias and her women._ + +SALOME + +Forgive me, mother, and let me stay with thee. + +HERODIAS + +Thou who lookest at me so imperiously, art thou the man who stirreth up +the people against me? + +JOHN + +I am he whom thou hast summoned. + +HERODIAS + +[_Seating herself._] Come hither to me! + +JOHN + +Send thy women away, and this child, so that she be not corrupted ere +she is ripe. + +HERODIAS + +But this child, companion of my fate, shall hear what thou hast to say +to me. + +JOHN + +She should be guarded from what I have to say to thee. + +HERODIAS + +Take care, prophet! At that door stand armed men, two deep. Consider +thy danger, so that thou courtest not death! + +JOHN + +I am a servant of life, and danger never standeth in my way. + +HERODIAS + +I respect thy faith, prophet, and so would speak to thee in a friendly +spirit.... People have told me of a man who keeps far away from human +dwellings, and only descends now and then to the banks of fresh waters +to bless, so it is said. That pleased me well.... The great willingly +bow to greatness ... and so I bow to thee. + +SALOME + +[_After cowering at her feet, springs up, and throws herself on her +neck._] + +HERODIAS + +I will not reproach thee for denouncing me in the market-place of +Jerusalem, for thou dost not know me.... Yet I was _not_ well pleased +that thou didst chew the cud of wormwood, which hath embittered these +Judean cattle against me. I should have thought thou wast too proud, +thy solitary nature too noble! + +JOHN + +I have not come here for thy praise or thy blame. I have but a simple +question to ask. Art thou going on the first day of the Passover to the +Temple, at the Tetrarch's side? + +HERODIAS + +[_Mastering her scorn with difficulty._] I perceive, thou great +prophet, that thy wrath strains on its chain.... Before thou lettest it +loose, permit me also to ask a question; for see, I am endeavouring to +approach thee, and would gladly win thee. Wert thou not a riddle to me, +I should not ask it. Yet truly no man is so curiously fashioned as not +to cherish secret wishes in his heart. Every one hath said to himself: +"This were my delight, and that my desire." + +JOHN + +I understand thee not. + +HERODIAS + +Look round thee. Doth not the gleaming snow of marble attract thy eyes, +nor the yellow glitter of gold? + +JOHN + +[_Is silent._] + +HERODIAS + +Or ... hast thou never dreamed of the power and splendour and riches of +this world? + +JOHN + +[_Still silent._] + +Or [_pointing to Salome, who again cowers at her feet._] has thy heart +not trembled at the sight of this sweet, unveiled youth? + +JOHN + +[_After further silence._] Thou wouldst sell thyself to me! Dost thou +know thy own price? A grain of barley would be too dear ... for thy +name is courtezan, and adulteress is written on thy brow. + +HERODIAS + +[_Infuriated._] Thou--thou---- + +SALOME + +[_Falling into her arms._] Mother! + +HERODIAS + +[_Controlling herself haughtily and contemptuously._] I should have thee +seized on the instant, only thou makest sport for me. And if not quite +intoxicated with thy own superiority, listen to me once more. He who +thinketh himself designed to be a judge over men should take part in +the life of men, should be human among human beings. + +JOHN + +[_Impressed._] What ... didst thou say? + +HERODIAS + +But thou seemest to me so isolated from thy fellow-men that the throb +of a human heart itself is nothing to thee.... Thou hast avoided, +cowardlike, all contact with sin and guilt in thy waste places, and now +creepest forth to condemn others as guilty. The scorching winds of thy +desert may perhaps have taught thee hate ... but what knowest thou of +love? of those who live and die for the sake of their love? + +JOHN + +Thou too speakest of love ... thou too? + +HERODIAS + +See! I am laughing at thee, great prophet. [_She laughs._] + +SALOME + +Mother, look at him ... be silent! + +JOHN + +Thy poisoned arrows are well aimed, and hit their mark! But ... +[_pointing to the window_] see there, the Lord's people ... they gnash +their teeth against thee, for thou hast taken their bitter bread out of +their mouths and dissipated their miserable joys.... Thou sayest that I +know them not.... Yet I know their heart's desire ... for I have +created it; I have put my life at the service of that desire, and I cry +to thee, "Woe! thou that hast contaminated it for them.... Thou +enervatest the strength of their young men, and exposest the shame of +their young women. Thou sowest scoffings where I thought to reap +faith.... And if thou bendest the High and Mighty to be the footstool +of thy lusts, I will fling the poor and humble in thy path, that they +may trample thee beneath their feet.... Woe to thee, and woe to him who +shareth thy adulterous couch!... Woe, too, to this youthful body that +cringes under the scourge of thy blood! Woe! Woe!" + +HERODIAS + +[_Springing up and going to the door on right._] The guards shall seize +him.... Guards!... [_She wrenches the door open._] + + + SCENE X + + _The same. Two guards._ + +HERODIAS + +Lead this man ... . [_She hesitates as she meets John's eyes._] + +JOHN + +[_Smiling._] Now, look to it, what thou dost with me! + +HERODIAS + +Lead this man ... out ... into the street.... [_She staggers to the +divan._] + +SALOME + +Thou camest in flames of fire!... + +JOHN + +[_Walks to the door._] + + [_The Curtain falls._] + + + + + THIRD ACT + + + + + THIRD ACT + +_A room in Josaphat's house. In the background a door, which leads into +the street. Near it a barred window. On the left side is a door to +another living room. A door also on the right. In the foreground to +left a cobbler's tools. Towards centre, a table and two or three +benches. To the right, a couch, a small table, and chair beside it. The +room is poor, but not bare; lighted by two clay lamps._ + + + SCENE I + +JAEL [_With a child at her breast._] + +[_Two other children and several women standing near door on left +listening to a psalm sung by men's voices, which is heard in subdued +strains coming through the door._] + +THE BOY + +What are they singing now, mother? + +JAEL + +[_Pale and troubled._] They sing the great Hallelujah, my child. + +THE BOY + +Is the prophet singing with them, mother? + +JAEL + +That I cannot hear, my child. [_Two more women come through middle +door._] + +FIRST WOMAN + +Jael, we have heard that the Great Prophet eateth the passover in thy +house. Wilt thou permit us to see him? + +JAEL + +Come in! + +ONE OF THE OTHER WOMEN + +That is he, the last there on the left. + +FIRST WOMAN + +He that sitteth there looking so heavy of spirit? + +THE SECOND WOMAN + +I should be frightened of him. [_The singing has meanwhile ceased._] + +FIRST WOMAN + +They say that he hath come into the town to judge Herodias. Is that so, +Jael? + +JAEL + +I know not. + +THE BOY + +Mother, see, they are now drinking the fourth goblet. They will be here +directly. + +FIRST WOMAN + +Hath he spoken a blessing over the fourth goblet? + +SECOND WOMAN + +No; Josaphat spake it. + +FIRST WOMAN + +See, they are standing up! + +ANOTHER + +Are they coming hither, Jael? + +JAEL + +That is the couch on which he will rest. + +SEVERAL + +Then farewell, Jael. + +JAEL + +Farewell! [_They hurry out._] + + + SCENE II + + _Jael with her children. John, Josaphat, Amarja._ + +JOSAPHAT + +Here thou wilt be alone, Rabbi. The others remain outside. + +JOHN + +Accept my thanks, Josaphat. + +AMARJA + +Mine, too, Josaphat. + +JOSAPHAT + +Thank him, Amarja, for eating with us. [_While John seats himself, he +says, sotto voce, to Amarja_] Come! [_Observes Jael, who has been +standing at the door unnoticed._] Jael, thou here, and the children? + +JOHN + +Is that thy wife, Josaphat? + +JOSAPHAT + +Yes, Rabbi. + +JOHN + +And thy children? + +JOSAPHAT + +Yes, Rabbi. + +JOHN + +Thou hast never told me of these.... Is thy name Jael? He called thee +so. + +JAEL + +Yes, Rabbi. + +JOHN + +Why comest thou not nearer? + +THE BOY + +We are afraid of thee, Rabbi. + +JOHN + +[_Smiling._] Why are you afraid? + +THE BOY + +I do not know. + +JOSAPHAT + +Forgive him, Rabbi ... he ... + +JOHN + +Josaphat, wilt thou entrust them to me for a few minutes? + +JOSAPHAT + +[_Bows his head, signs to Amarja, and goes away with him to the +right._] + + + SCENE III + + _John, Jael, the children._ + +JOHN + +Thy eyes have a sad look, Jael. Is thy heart troubled? + +JAEL + +Kneel down, Baruch, my son. Kneel down, both. + +THE BOY + +[_Half crying._] Mother! + +JOHN + +What is it, Jael? + +JAEL + +[_To the children._] Say: Prithee, Rabbi? + +THE CHILDREN + +Prithee, Rabbi. + +JAEL + +And this little one prayeth, too, though not old enough to pray.... + +JOHN + +For what? + +JAEL + +That thou wouldest give them back their father; for see, they have no +bread. + +JOHN + +[_Lifting the children from their knees._] Just now we ate of the lamb +in thy house, and thou sayest "we have no bread"? + +JAEL + +I do not speak of to-day; to-day the poorest have something to eat. +Thou art truly a great prophet, Rabbi, and thou givest much to the +people; but from us--from me and these little children--thou takest +away all that we have. + +JOHN + +How could I do that, Jael? + +JAEL + +See; for a long time my husband goeth out every night to thee in the +wilderness, and then the tools lie there idle, and we starve. But +willingly would we starve and die of hunger for him, if thou hadst not +estranged his heart from us, and stolen his love for thyself. + +JOHN + +Art thou, too, one of those who say, Greater than the law and sacrifice +is love? + +JAEL + +[_Anxiously._] I did not say that, Rabbi.... Thou wouldst not get me +into trouble with the priests? + +JOHN + +But thou thinkst so in thy heart! + +JAEL + +Rabbi! + +JOHN + +Hadst thou come to me in my wilderness, I would have shown thee the way +to One Who shall bring food to the hungry. Here, I am powerless. Go; I +have nothing to do with thee! + +JAEL + +[_Goes with the children to the door,_] + +JOHN + +[_Makes a movement as if he would call her back._] + +JAEL + +Rabbi! + +JOHN + +[_Shakes his head._] + + [_Exit Jael, with the children._] + + + SCENE IV + + _John, Josaphat, Amarja._ + +JOHN + +Josaphat, how long have I known thee? + +JOSAPHAT + +It is two years since I came to thy baptism. + +JOHN + +And since, thou hast been often? + +JOSAPHAT + +Have I not always been with thee, Rabbi? + +JOHN + +I never knew that thou wast a cobbler ... and that thy children cried +for bread! It seems to me that I do not know thee even yet, Josaphat. + +JOSAPHAT + +Thou knowest what is best in me, for thou hast given it to me! + +JOHN + +So, then, I know myself alone. And of thee, too, Amarja, I know no +more.... Only this I know. [_Gazing into vacancy._] I am sent---- +[_Breaks off._] + +JOSAPHAT + +Rabbi! + +JOHN + +Some one hath said to me that I knew ye not; one of those who have the +word "love" on their tongues.... And I am inclined to believe her.... +But even if I have known you, I have not desired to love you, but +rather to judge you in the name of---- In whose name? Know ye the rest? + +JOSAPHAT + +In the name of Him Who shall come. So thou hast taught us, master. + +JOHN + +Sooner would I talk to these black walls, that they might perhaps fall; +sooner to thy hungry children, that my words might fill them. But the +belief that looketh up to me, transfigured because it believeth.... +That hurts me. + +AMARJA + +[_Low to Josaphat._] It is now the second hour. Wilt thou not mention +Herod to him? + +JOHN + +[_As Josaphat comes nearer to him._] I sent the youngest of you to +search for the Galilean. Where is he? + +JOSAPHAT + +He has not yet come back, master. + +JOHN + +May be he has lost the way. + +JOSAPHAT + +I told him where to come to, master. + +JOHN + +I want the Galilean.... Ye shall procure me the Galilean.... See ye not +that my strength rests in my King ... Even if I serve Him like an +unworthy vessel ... I serve Him according to my measure.... I have +borne witness to Him.... Is that not true? + +JOSAPHAT + +Thou hast borne witness, indeed, Rabbi. + +JOHN + +But the testimony hath grown up in my soul. When He comes, will He bear +it out? + +JOSAPHAT + +He will, master; for God sendeth Him. + +JOHN + +Else my soul hath not known Him, even as it hath not known you. Have ye +no news of Manassa? Go and keep watch outside, that he doth not miss +the house. + +JOSAPHAT + +That will be he! [_Goes to open the door._] + + + SCENE V + + _The same. Matthias._ + +JOSAPHAT + +Thou, Matthias? Hast thou not seen Manassa? + +MATTHIAS + +No. Rabbi, I come to thee in the night because of Herod. + +JOHN + +Because of Herod? [_Seats himself with head turned away._] + +MATTHIAS + +I sent spies to the Palace up till the time of the Passover Feast. The +priests were coming to and fro. What their business was no one knows. +And if he cometh now to the morning sacrifice at eight of the clock, as +is his custom on high festivals ... and comes with that woman ... +flaunting his sin in the face of the people.... Rabbi, speak! What +then? + +JOHN + +[_Does not answer,_] + +AMARJA + +He hears thee not. + +JOSAPHAT. + +He is thinking of the Galilean. + +JOHN + +I heard some one here speak of sin. Know ye in what raiment sin clothes +itself gorgeously when it goeth abroad among the people? Say +courtliness, say hate, say what ye will, and I shall laugh at you. +Hear, and mark well. They call it love. Everything that is small, and +stoops because it is small, that throws crumbs from its table in order +not to throw bread; that covers up graves that they may stink secretly; +that hews off the thumb of the left hand that it may have nothing to +say to the thumb of the right; take care; all that is called love. And +they call it love when in spring the ass brays and the dogs whine; when +a woman herself gathers together the stones whereon to rest with her +lover in the evening, stones which in the morning the people will hurl +at her, and the woman speaketh: "See beloved, how sweet is our couch." +... They call this love. + +MATTHIAS + +[_After exchanging a look with Josaphat._] Rabbi, forgive us, but the +people are waiting for thee. The many who desert their beds, expectant +of the morrow, think only of one thing--judgment! The judgment of +Herod. + +JOHN + +Judgment of Herod--well. + +JOSAPHAT + +And thou shalt judge him. No one else but thou? + +JOHN + +I shall judge him. + +MATTHIAS. + +Him and the woman? + +JOHN + +Him and the woman. Did ye doubt? + +MATTHIAS + +If we did, forgive. + +AMARJA + +But suppose he comes without the woman. What would happen then? + +JOHN + +Ye ask so much. Ye and your questions become wearisome. Hark! There is +Manassa. [_Josaphat opens._] + + + SCENE VI + + _The former. Miriam._ + +JOHN + +Miriam, thou? What desirest thou of me? + +MIRIAM + +[_Breathless._] I flew from the Palace.... The guards have chased +me.... Perhaps what I know ... may be of use to thee. + +JOSAPHAT + +Speak, Miriam! + +MIRIAM + +If the master will hear. With ye others I have nothing to do. + +JOHN + +I will listen, Miriam. + +MIRIAM + +A rumour has reached the Tetrarch that the people are plotting evil +against him. He would on that account hide the woman, but she will not +be hid. She will defy the master, because he hath offended her. An +order is just gone forth for all the servants of the house to arm +themselves and line the road. Even during the night, so that the +procession shall pass to the Temple ere the great crowd assembleth. +Thus they think to escape the people's wrath and thine, master. + +THE DISCIPLES + +That shall not come to pass; verily it shall not. + +JOSAPHAT + +Hast thou learned, Miriam, by which of the outer gates they go to the +Temple? + +MIRIAM + +By the Susan Gate. I heard the servants say, as I crept by. + +JOSAPHAT + +And will the Roman soldiers be amongst them? + +MIRIAM + +That I did not hear. + +JOSAPHAT + +For if the Romans accompany them, we must wait behind the second gate; +there where no heathen may penetrate at the cost of his head. + +MATTHIAS + +On the other hand, they can there be saved by the priests. + +JOSAPHAT + +Certainly, there the priests---- Master, what is thy counsel? + +JOHN + +I counsel you to go forth into the streets, and to seek right and left. +I would learn from that Galilean what counsel I ought to give you. + +MATTHIAS + +Canst thou understand him? + +JOSAPHAT + +I would liefer not understand him. + + [_Exeunt Josaphat, Matthias, and Amarja._] + + + SCENE VII + + _John, Miriam._ + +MIRIAM + +[_Shrinks against the wall near the door and looks shyly across at +John, who broods with his back turned to her._] + +JOHN + +[_Suddenly noticing her._] Thou, Miriam, art still here? + +MIRIAM + +Forgive me, master. I am a little afraid; for if I go homewards the +guards at the gate will seize me. + +JOHN + +But thou camest to me in the wilderness at night? + +MIRIAM + +Then no one knew with whom I associated, master. + +JOHN + +Who art thou? Tell me about thyself. Who is thy father? + +MIRIAM + +I have no father--and no mother. The country is full of orphans like +me. There are far too many. I have never asked anyone why. + +JOHN + +And why didst thou go to the Palace as serving maid? + +MIRIAM + +They say that I once sat and played with pebbles on the threshold. And +when evening came, they took me in. Since then I have belonged to the +Palace, and know no better. + +JOHN + +Thou servest me with zeal, Miriam. Why dost thou serve me? + +MIRIAM + +I know not why. + +JOHN + +And thou servest me to no purpose--knowest thou that? + +MIRIAM + +[_Bows her head._] + +JOHN + +Will they not punish thee? + +MIRIAM + +[_With a shudder._] They will ... I.... + +JOHN + +Speak! + +MIRIAM + +Master, what does it matter? + +JOHN + +Miriam, is it also He Who shall come that thou servest? + +MIRIAM + +I cannot tell, master. When I see thee, I feel a longing for Him.... +But if thou speakest to me of Him, I see only thee. + +JOHN + +Ye children of men ... there is a rushing as of many waters in your +souls.... Clear and muddy ... I shall gather all together in one great +river, and I feel as if I should drown therein. + +MIRIAM + +Master, now I must go. Whether or no I served thee to no purpose, be +gracious. Praise me, master. + +JOHN + +I see thee sitting on the threshold again ... playing with thy life, +and thou excitest my pity. ... Go, maid! Go, child! and [_He listens._] + +MIRIAM + +Master! + + + SCENE VIII + + _The former. Josaphat, Matthias, Amarja, Manassa._ + +JOHN + +[_Going forward to him._] Where is the Galilean? + +MANASSA + +I have sought Him, master, from the hour thou sentest me till past +midnight. I have not rested nor tasted a crumb. + +JOHN + +The Galilean? Hast thou found Him? + +MANASSA + +I found him. He lay stretched out on the stones in charge of the +soldiers, and near him, in chains, was his murderer. + +AMARJA + +Who, on the holy eve of the Passover----? + +MANASSA + +They called him David the Zealot. The Galileans blaspheme God, he hath +said, and therefore must this one die. + +JOSAPHAT + +It is true; he did blaspheme God. + +MATTHIAS + +He blasphemed God! + +JOHN + +But I say unto you ... To him it was not blasphemy. To him it was +worship. Methinks more such men will come out of Galilee. For there is +an uprising there.... Tell me, Josaphat, do not many pilgrims sleep on +the stones at night, nigh the doors of the Temple? + +JOSAPHAT + +Yes, Rabbi. On starry nights, like these, many a one wraps himself in +his blanket and tarries by the House of the Lord. + +JOHN + +[_In sudden decision._] It is well. [_Exit._ + +MATTHIAS + +Rabbi! + +AMARJA + +Hath he deserted us? + +JOSAPHAT + +Be not troubled! Thou, Amarja, wake our friends. Thou, Manassa, bring +us tidings from the Palace. We two will follow the master. Meet us at +the Susan Gate, at the place where the old beggar-woman sits. Come! +[_Exeunt the men._] + +MIRIAM + +[_Who has stood unheeded, goes out with bowed head._] + + + CHANGE OF SCENE + +_A stone square before the open gate of the Temple called the Susan +Gate. The front of the stage is enclosed by the circuit of the outer +wall. In the centre more than half the breadth of the stage is taken up +by the massive doors of the gate, to which steps lead. It is night. The +fire of the great sacrificial altar is reflected from the background on +the walls, and fills the foreground with red, uncertain flickering +glow._ + + + SCENE X + +_Pilgrims_ (_men and women_) _lie in their blankets, scattered about +the steps and on the stones which fill the space on left side. Among +them the First Galilean and Second Galilean. To the right of the path +which leads outside the wall of the Temple, across the stage, lies +Mesulemeth_. (_In a little while enter John from left._) + +JOHN + +[_Looks round searchingly, and pauses before a pilgrim who is sleeping +on the steps._] Pilgrim, awake! + +PILGRIM + +It is not yet day. Why dost thou wake me? + +JOHN + +Whence comest thou? Art thou a Galilean? + +PILGRIM + +I come from Gaza on the south-east coast. Let me sleep. + +SECOND GALILEAN + +[_To first._] Didst hear? Some one there is talking of Galileans. + +FIRST GALILEAN + +Sleep, and let them talk. + +JOHN + +[_Walks on, and then pauses in front of Mesulemeth._] Thou who liest +here by the way, be thou man or woman, wake up! + +MESULEMETH + +Why dost thou not step over me, as every one does in Jerusalem? + +JOHN + +Dost thou lie here always in the road? + +MESULEMETH + +I lie here always. For I must be at the Temple. Day and night I must be +at the Temple. + +JOHN + +Art thou not greedy for alms? + +MESULEMETH + +[_Shaking her head._] The little I want, the pilgrims give me. But hast +thou never heard of Hannah, the prophetess? + +JOHN + +I have heard speak of her, when I was a child. + +MESULEMETH + +Well, this is her place. Here she sat and waited for the Messiah, forty +years long. When she died she left the place to me ... And now I sit +and wait till He comes again. + +JOHN + +Comes again? Hath He then been already? + +MESULEMETH + +Certainly He hath. + +JOHN + +[_In deep emotion._] He came? Came even to thee? + +MESULEMETH + +To me? No. If He had come to me, I should have been at rest long ago. +But Hannah ... She saw Him when He came. + +JOHN + +Woman! I implore thee ... Speak, tell me, how did He come? + +MESULEMETH + +Then sit down here beside me, so that I may speak low.... Once a little +lad was brought to the Temple by his mother, to be circumcised. And +there was one called Simeon who, when he saw this boy-babe, was filled +with the Holy Ghost, and said, "Lord, now lettest thou Thy servant +depart in peace, for his eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast +prepared for all nations." ... And Hannah heard this, and she came up +to them and recognised Him? + +JOHN + +How did she recognise Him? + +MESULEMETH + +Did I not tell thee that she was a prophetess? Otherwise she might not +have recognised Him. But as it was, she praised the Lord, and laid +herself down and died. So now I sit where she sat, and wait for Him to +come again. + +JOHN + +Verily, He must come again; and dost thou know, woman, how He will +come? As the Lord of Hosts, arrayed in golden armour, with His sword +drawn above His head, so He will come to save His people Israel. He +will trample His enemies under His horse's hoofs, but the youth of +Israel shall greet Him with hosannas and jubilation. See, woman, that +is how He will come! + +MESULEMETH + +[_Anxiously._] Who art thou, stranger? Dost thou imagine thyself to be +the prophet of anyone? + +JOHN + +It matters not who I am, if thou art prepared for my message. + +MESULEMETH + +Thou canst take thy message further. I will not have it. + +JOHN + +What! Thou wilt not have the Messiah? + +MESULEMETH + +Not that one. I will not have that one. For many have come in golden +armour, and have drawn their sword, and then Israel hath bled after, +like a sacrificial ox. _He_ shall be no king! No! When kings come, they +come to kings! No one hath come, as yet to us, the poor---- Go away, +stranger, lest thou snatch from me my crumb of hope. Begone, thou art a +false prophet!... Go, let me lie on the road! [_She sinks back._] + +JOHN + +[_To himself._] False prophet! + + + SCENE XI + + _The same. Josaphat, Matthias_. [_From the left._] + +MATTHIAS + +See, he is there! + +JOSAPHAT + +Rabbi, forgive us for following thee hither---- + +JOHN + +It is not yet dawn.... At this hour ye have nothing to claim from +me---- + +MATTHIAS + +But, remember Herod---- + +JOHN + +Why stir ye up so much dust? This puny Herod, who runs after women, is +not my business. + +JOSAPHAT AND MATTHIAS + +[_Exchange dismayed glances._] + +JOHN + +Go, find me Galileans! Wake those who sleep on the steps, ransack the +houses if necessary. Only bring me Galileans, that I may question them. + +SECOND GALILEAN + +Hearest thou? Some one standeth there, clamouring for Galileans! + +FIRST GALILEAN + +I thought I dreamt it. Thou, who wilt not let us sleep, what dost thou +want with us Galileans? + +JOHN + +Stand up and come to me! + +SECOND GALILEAN + +Goest thou? + +FIRST GALILEAN + +He must be great in Israel, otherwise he would not command. + +SECOND GALILEAN + +Yes, yes; thou art right. [_They both stand up._] + +JOSAPHAT + +Rabbi----[_John signs to him with his hand to be silent._] + +FIRST GALILEAN + +Now, here we are. + +JOHN + +Who are ye? Whence do ye come? + +FIRST GALILEAN + +We are fishermen from the Sea of Galilee. My name is Ram, and that is +my brother-in-law, and he is called Abia. And we both fish with the +same net. Is it not so? + +SECOND GALILEAN + +Yes; we both fish with the same net. + +JOHN + +And tell me, ye two men, have ye ever heard of a prophet that teacheth +in Galilee? + +FIRST GALILEAN + +A prophet! Hast thou heard of a prophet, Abia? + +SECOND GALILEAN + +I have heard of no prophet. + +JOHN + +Not ... of one who saith ... He is the Son of God? + +FIRST GALILEAN + +Ah, thou meanest Jesus of Nazareth? + +JOHN + +[_In great agitation, scarcely audible._] Jesus of Nazareth! + +JOSAPHAT AND MATTHIAS. + +[_Awed._] Jesus of Nazareth! + +JOHN + +Thou spakest His name first. Fear sealed my lips. But now thou hast +said it. Yes, I mean Him. + +FIRST GALILEAN + +Yes ... I know His father well. He is an honest carpenter, and very +pious too. He well deserves that his son should be a joy to him. + +JOHN + +Tell me more of Him. + +FIRST GALILEAN + +He put up a bedstead for a friend of mine. + +JOHN + +Tell me of the son. + +FIRST GALILEAN + +Ah, the son. Well, Abia, what shall we say of the son? + +SECOND GALILEAN + +Aye, what shall we say of the son? + +JOHN + +Hast thou ever seen Him? + +FIRST GALILEAN + +Oh, yes. + +JOHN + +Thou hast seen Him? + +FIRST GALILEAN + +Many a time ... from my ship. For He carries on His work on the shore. +And there is always a great gathering along the banks, is there not, +Abia? + +SECOND GALILEAN + +Yes, the banks are always quite black with people. And the fish take +notice of it. That is not good for our trade. + +FIRST GALILEAN + +They say that He works miracles. I once met a man myself who had +been blind till his--I forget what year--and he maintained that +he was made to see again by spittle from His mouth ... It may be +possible--but----[_Laughs stupidly._] + +JOHN + +[_To Josaphat._] Have not many said of me, that I work miracles? + +JOSAPHAT + +Many say it, but we know it, Rabbi. + +JOHN + +Indeed? I have seen no miracle but the power ... and no one to whom it +hath happened, save the weak. But speak on, man. + +FIRST GALILEAN + +It may be all very well for Him to heal the sick, but the worst of it +is He doeth it on the Sabbath. That is bad, bad! And then, His friends +are not well chosen. Circumspect people, naturally, are not disposed to +mix with Him. For how can one trust a man who sitteth at meat with +publicans and sinners? And, then, He is always at weddings and feasts. +Ah! No, no. + +JOHN + +At feasts? + +JOSAPHAT + +Master, these are little people. They understand not the wisdom of +cunning speech. + +JOHN + +The great should carry the little with them, the wise should master +these simple intellects. That he hath not done.... And what is it He +teacheth? + +FIRST GALILEAN + +Ah, what does He teach? All sorts of folly. For instance, that we +should love our enemies. + +JOHN + +Love our enemies? + +FIRST GALILEAN + +And bless them that curse us ... and pray for them that persecute us. + +JOHN + +Pray for them that persecute us? + +FIRST GALILEAN + +Yes; and more nonsense of the kind. Also that---- + +CALL + +[_From the roof of the Temple._] It groweth light towards Hebron. + +JOHN + +[_Eagerly._] Why dost thou not proceed? + +FIRST GALILEAN + +[_Rising._] It is now time for morning prayer. + +CALL + +[_More distant._] It groweth light towards Hebron. [_All stand up and +begin to pray, their faces turned towards the Temple._] + +CALL + +[_Quite distant._] It groweth light towards Hebron. + +JOHN + +[_Baffled and tormented._] Towards Hebron it groweth light. + + + SCENE XII + +[_The great gates are slowly opened, displaying marble walls, mounting +in terraces, behind which are two more gates. The Temple-building +itself is almost completely hidden by smoke from the great lighted +sacrificial altar, which bounds the perspective. From the mountains +behind the Temple are heard the long-drawn notes of the silver +trumpets. People begin to stream up._] + +MATTHIAS + +[_Has gone to Josaphat's side and speaks to him privately, then turns +to John, who stands alone on the left._] Master, the people are +flocking to the Temple.... In a few moments the Tetrarch will certainly +be there too, with the woman. Wilt thou not step among them, that they +may know their leader? + +JOHN + +The image of my King shining in the radiance of the cherubim. Where is +it? Where is the rainbow of seven colours that was round His head? +Seven torches burned by His throne. I see them no more! + + + SCENE XIII + + _The same. Manassa._ + +MANASSA + +[_Hurrying up from left._] Matthias, Josaphat, where is the master? + +JOSAPHAT + +Herod has come forth from his door? + +MANASSA + +[_Assents._] + +JOSAPHAT + +With the woman? + +MANASSA + +With the woman. + +JOSAPHAT + +Master [_as he heeds not_], Master---- + +JOHN + +What is it? + +JOSAPHAT + +Herod is on the way. + +JOHN + +Who is Herod? + +JOSAPHAT + +[_Buries his face in his hands._] + +MATTHIAS + +[_To Manassa._] Had he the Roman soldiers with him? + +MANASSA + +Only his servants are with him. + +MATTHIAS + +Hearest thou, master? He is delivered into our hands. + + + SCENE XIV + + _The same. Amarja; with a fresh crowd of people._ + +AMARJA + +[_Calling._] John, where is John? + +JOSAPHAT + +[_With resolution._] Here is John. + +THE PEOPLE + +[_Hear and murmur, joyously._] See, there is John! + +JOSAPHAT + +Hear all of you! Go not past; and thou over there mayest speak. The +master will listen unto thee. + +AMARJA + +Herod is coming to the Temple, wearing princely robes. At his side, +sparkling with precious stones, walks the courtezan. + +THE PEOPLE + +[_Break out into cries of anger._] + +JOSAPHAT + +Master, thy hour is come; mount the steps and speak to them! + +THE PEOPLE + +[_Pressing round._] John, speak--Rabbi, speak--What shall we do? + +JOSAPHAT + +Keep back! He will speak to you. [_Sotto voce._] Mount the steps! + +JOHN + +[_Walks as if in a dream towards the steps._] + +THE PEOPLE + +[_Murmuring._] See! He sways. What aileth him? + +JOSAPHAT + +Make haste. Speak! + +CALL + +Here is Herod. Here cometh Herod! + +THE PEOPLE + +Stone him! Stone the courtezan! + +OTHERS + +Look at John! Do what John does, else are ye lost. + + + SCENE XV + + _The same. Herod, Herodias, with train from right._ + +JOHN + +[_John has mounted the steps and stands in the middle of the +threshold._] + +HEROD + +[_Pale, but smiling._] Hearest thou what they cry? + +HERODIAS + +Have him seized, else it means death to you and to me. + +THE PEOPLE + +[_Are silent and tense in expectation. Most of them have picked up +stones._] + +JOSAPHAT + +[_Who stands to the left of John on a lower step, hands him a stone, +and says in a low voice._] Take this stone! [_More urgently._] Take +this stone! + +JOHN + +[_Takes the stone._] + +HEROD + +Thou on the steps. Knowest thou me not? + +JOSAPHAT + +[_Whispers._] Hurl the stone! + +JOHN + +[_Firmly._] In the name of Him [_He is about to throw the stone, then +pauses, half-questioning, half-swooning._] ... Who ... commands me ... +to love thee----[_A low moaning runs through the people._] + +TWO SERVANTS + +[_Have approached John. They seize him and push him down from the +Temple steps._] + +HEROD AND HERODIAS + +[_Walk up._] + +THE PEOPLE + +Woe to us! He too hath forsaken us. Woe, woe! + +JOSAPHAT + +[_To John, who is pinioned by the servants._] Master, what hast thou +done to us? + +THE PEOPLE + +Woe! Woe! + + [_The curtain falls._] + + + + + FOURTH ACT + + + + + FOURTH ACT + +_A town in Galilee.... The stage represents a grass-grown prison-yard +which, on the right side, is adjacent to the gardens of a Herodian +Palace, divided from them by a low wall, which continues in a +right-hand direction to the centre of background. On the left side of +background a higher wall, and entrance with heavy doors. To the left, +the clumsy pile of the prison buildings and a door. In the garden wall +is a gate, over which hangs the green foliage of the garden beyond, +which bounds the right side of background. On the right is a +semi-circular shaped marble seat with back; on left, stones covered +with moss._ + + + SCENE I + + _Gaoler, Abi._ + +ABI + +[_With head thrust over the garden wall._] Master Gaoler, dost thou not +hear? + +GAOLER + +What wilt thou? + +ABI + +A ball went over the wall. Hast thou seen it? + +GAOLER + +No. + +ABI + +Please look for it, and throw it back. + +GAOLER + +Look for it thyself. + +ABI + +How can I, unless thou openest the gate. + +GAOLER + +I may not open it. Let me be. + +ABI + +Listen, Gaoler. The ball belongs to Salome, our young Princess. If thou +art not obliging, beware! + +GAOLER + +Oh, if it belongs to the young Princess----[_Opens the gate._] + + + SCENE II + + _The Gaoler, Abi, Maecha, and later, Salome._ + +ABI + +[_Calls back, laughing._] Mistress, the door is open. + +GAOLER + +Is that the young Princess, who is daughter of his new wife? + +ABI + +[_Nods._] + +SALOME + +[_Appears in the gateway._] + +GAOLER + +Princess, if ever thou comest through again, be sure to laugh, as +to-day. For this gate is full of danger for Herod's children. + +SALOME + +What does it do to Herod's children, thy gate? + +GAOLER + +The two sons of Herod the Great came through this gate before they were +sentenced, and through this gate---- + +MAECHA + +Stop!... + +SALOME + +Let him alone, Maecha! His wisdom has taken a holiday. Hast thou no +livelier stories, old man? + +GAOLER + +What sort dost thou mean, young Princess? + +SALOME + +Stories of yesterday. Stories that have not yet come to an end--stories +that are as young [_stretches herself_] as we are. + +GAOLER + +Ah, I knew; but---- + +SALOME + +But? Tell me, hast thou a new prisoner? + +GAOLER + +Yes. + +SALOME + +What has he done? + +GAOLER + +[_Maliciously._] He stole hens, young Princess. + +SALOME + +See to it that thou dost not steal my time! + +ABI + +[_Softly to him._] With her there is no jesting. + +GAOLER + +Princess, forgive.... I did not know.... Thou meanest, perhaps, John? + +SALOME + +Which John? + +GAOLER + +The one they call the Baptist--the Prophet from Judea, who---- + +SALOME + +So he is here? + +GAOLER + +Yes; he has been here the last three days, Princess. They brought him +at the end of the same cavalcade which brought thee. He lieth now safe +with the salamanders and scorpions. They say he stirred up rebellion in +Jerusalem, and therefore---- + +SALOME + +I wish to see John. Bring him here! + +GAOLER + +[_Horrified._] Princess, that cannot be. + +SALOME + +I wish it! Hast thou not heard? I wish it! + +GAOLER + +Princess, I opened this gate for thee because thou hadst lost a +plaything. Shall I now, instead of thy plaything, lose this old head? + +MAECHA + +Mistress, the Tetrarch is coming. + +SALOME + +[_Veiling herself._] Hide yourselves! [_She stoops behind the seat; +the maidens slip into the bushes._] + + [_In the gateway Herod and his attendants._] + + + SCENE III + + _The same. Herod, Merokles, Jabad, Gabalos._ + +HEROD + +Gaoler! + +GAOLER + +Sire. + +HEROD + +Who are the three men who linger about the door? They look morose, and +did not salute me. + +GAOLER + +Sire, those are the remnant of the crew which followed John, they say, +from Jerusalem. For eight days and eight nights they followed him. + +HEROD + +The remnant, sayest thou? Where are the rest? + +GAOLER + +They lie somewhere by the wayside, Sire, and die of thirst, unless the +ravens give them to drink. + +HEROD + +Drive them away! + +GAOLER + +Sire, we have hunted them off several times; but they always come back. + +HEROD + +So, let them be. + +MEROKLES + +See, how mild is our ruler! He doth not order them to be cut in pieces. + +JABAD + +Hail to our Ruler! [_The two others join in._] + +HEROD + +To speak candidly, friends, I do not lay hands on sages and fools +willingly; for one can never know whether the executioner holds up the +head of a sage or a fool. + +GABALOS + +Thou canst do no wrong, Sire; for thou art wise, all-wise! + +HEROD + +When I order thee to be beheaded, I shall not be wrong; for thou art a +fool, a complete fool. [_Nearing the seat._] Bring me----[_Observes +Salome, who, listening, has raised her head a little above the edge of +the seat, then quickly dives down again._] I beg you to retire, and +await me without the gate. + + [_Exeunt Gabalos, Merokles, Jabad._] + + + SCENE IV + + _Herod, Salome. Also Abi and Maecha, hidden._ + +HEROD + +Tell me, thou veiled one, art thou not Salome, my wife's daughter? + +SALOME + +Sire, so true as 'tis that thou art my protector I am Salome. + +HEROD + +How camest thou into this prison-yard? + +SALOME + +Ask me not, Sire. My soul else will blush before thee. It was +curiosity, because I heard thee coming. + +HEROD + +And where are thy playmates? + +SALOME + +They are afraid of thee, so they have crept away. Abi, Maecha, come +forth; our master commands it. [_Abi and Maecha come out hesitatingly, +and curtsey profoundly._] + +HEROD + +Thy eyes plead for them, therefore they shall not be scolded. + +SALOME + +And my lips thank thee on their behalf. + +HEROD + +They thank like conquerors. There is music in them. How is it, Salome, +that I have never heard thy voice? + +SALOME + +Thou shouldst ask my mother, Sire. + +HEROD + +[_Fiercely._] Thy mother! Still, I know that thou art well disposed +towards me. Thou didst deliver into my hand that maid who carried on +treason at night outside the Palace. + +SALOME + +Could I do less, Sire? And him to whom she betrayed thy secrets, wilt +thou not punish him too? + +HEROD + +I do not know. But how? + +SALOME + +Sire, it seemeth to me that he hath a great following among the people. +If thou sparest him, the people will like thee. + +HEROD + +Words of wisdom fall from thy lips, Salome. + +SALOME + +See how his disciples tarry at the entrance. If thou treatest him well, +they will carry praises of thee to Jerusalem. + +HERODIAS + +How unlike thou art to thy mother, Salome! + +SALOME + +And how like, too! + +HEROD + +I would rather think that thou wert unlike. My sweet, unveil thyself. + +SALOME + +Sire, if thou wert my father! But thou art not. Directly thou comest +near, my mother herself draweth my veil down deep over my breast. + +HEROD + +Unveil to me. + +SALOME + +Sire, not when I am alone with thee. + +HEROD + +Then if I was with others, thou wouldst? + +SALOME + +Perhaps. Ask my mother. + +HEROD + +A little now. Just a finger's length. + +SALOME + +No, really ... it is not seemly, Sire. + +HEROD + +But if I were sitting with other men ... at meat ... or over wine ... +and thou camest and unveiled, that would be more seemly? + +SALOME + +May be!... I can dance, Sire. + +HEROD + +Wouldst thou do that for me also? + +SALOME + +And what wouldst thou do for me? + +HEROD + +Salome! + +SALOME + +[_Rising._] No, but thou must indeed ask my mother, Sire. I am still +far too ignorant; I know not what a maiden ought to do. Only what I +would like to do. I know that well enough. + +HEROD + +What wouldst thou _like_ to do? + +SALOME + +Thy pleasure, Sire. Nothing else, nothing. Seest thou, if thou treatest +this prisoner humanely, they will sing thy praises, and I shall be so +proud, I shall say in my heart, He acted on my advice. + +HEROD + +[_To the gaoler._] Bring the Baptist here.... I will consider it, +Salome. + + [_Exit Gaoler._ + +SALOME + +[_From the gate, with a slight fluttering of her veil._] And I will +thank thee, Sire! + +HEROD + +Salome! + +SALOME + +[_Vanishes, with a burst of laughter. Abi and Maecha have preceded +her._] + +HEROD + +[_Looks after her, and then sits down on the seat._] + + + SCENE V + + _Herod, John. The Gaoler. A Guard._ + +HEROD + +Tell me, how should one address thee when one would show thee respect? +Thou thinkest that I mock thee? But knowest thou that in reality I am +indebted to thee? The people's meditated attack was not hidden from me, +and yet I came without the escort of warriors which Rome sent for my +protection. Thou heldest me in the hollow of thy hand, as thou heldest +the stone. Say, why didst thou let it fall? Why hast thou spared me? + +JOHN + +Sire, even if I spoke thou wouldst not understand me. + +HEROD + +That is defiance, which I cannot praise. In chains it is easy to be +defiant. Take off his chains and go. [_The Gaoler obeys. Exit with the +guard._] Now, as a free man, revile me. Art thou a preacher of +repentance? If so, preach to me! + +JOHN + +Sire, thou wouldst not understand me. + +HEROD + +So thou saidst before. Think of something new. Here in Galilee I am +inclined to be mild and tolerant of goodness. I am told that thou +hatest the Pharisees. I hate them too. I am told that thou hatest the +priests. I love them not. I am told that thou hatest the Romans. +I---- Say, why didst thou spare me? + +JOHN + +Sire, my heart failed me. + +HEROD + +Failed thee! Before me, whom thou callest "the little"! Art thou +flattering me because I have loosened thee from thy chains? + +JOHN + +Thou hast not laid me in chains, and canst not loosen me from them. + +HEROD + +What ... and yet I made thee falter? + +JOHN + +It was Another who threw thee in my way.... And so my heart failed me. + +HEROD + +Tell me, Baptist--I call thee by the name I have heard people speak of +thee by, and I hope thou wilt not be angry--tell me, Who is that King +of the Jews whose image thou danglest before the people?... See, the +guards are gone, and thy confidence shall be rewarded. Tell me, who is +it? + +JOHN + +Sire, I know not. + +HEROD + +And so thou deniest thy own creature? + +JOHN + +What is my own I deny. + +HEROD + +Ha, ha, ha! I have half a mind to summon my little Greek that he may go +to school under thee. Listen [_in a low voice_], I too have heard of a +King of the Jews who will come with a sword drawn above his head, and +he will spare no one who doth not serve him at the right moment. + +JOHN + +[_Eagerly._] Who is it, of whom thou speakest? + +HEROD + +Master, I do not know. Thou seest thus that I too have a burden of +secret anxiety oppressing me, and await the sunrise.... But let me +speak with thee seriously, Baptist. Thou hurlest thy arrows of reproach +at me on account of the woman I stole.... I could almost pity thee for +that. Thou, a great man, mightst have chosen a greater subject than a +woman. And knowest thou every day she sharpens those arrows herself for +me?... But enough of that. The smiths say that good metal rings true +even when it is cracked, and thou ringest true. How dost thou manage +it?... I pray thee teach me the way.... What, silent again? + +JOHN + +Methinks I know you now, ye smiling scoffers. Ye grow fat on the wit of +the market-places; but hunger seizes you, and ye then lift your eyes to +the earnest ones, walking on the mountain-tops. + +HEROD + +By Bacchus, there lurks some truth in that. But it's not good walking +on the mountain-tops. We wait to see you fall; then we shall not smile, +but laugh. + +JOHN + +But I say unto thee, Sire, thou wilt not laugh. He Who cometh requireth +me not. That is why He cast me down.... Gaze into His eyes when He +comes, and thou wilt not laugh, even at me. + +HEROD + +It seems to me thy reasoning is poor, and revolves in a circle.... And +yet there is something that attracts me to thee. Baptist, thou hast so +long been my enemy, couldst thou not possibly be my friend? + +JOHN + +Sire, meseemeth that to be nobody's enemy and nobody's friend is the +right of the lonely. It is their all. Let me keep it. + +HEROD + +Yet I do not give thee up as lost. If thou wert so minded we might +pursue the same paths for a spell. + +JOHN + +Whither, Sire? + +HEROD + +Whither? Upwards! + +JOHN + +For thee there is no upwards. Thou bearest the times that are and +were before thee, like an ulcerous evil, on thy body. Burnest thou +not from all their poisonous lusts? Art thou not weighted by their +unholy desires? And thou wouldst mount to the heights. Stay in the +market-place and smile. + +HEROD + +Baptist, take care. Thy chains lie not far off. + +JOHN + +Let me be chained, Sire; I ask for nothing better. + +HEROD + +[_Gnashing his teeth._] Truly thou art ruled by a broken spirit. +[_After a little reflection._] Yet tell me, Baptist, when that other +cometh, that other----Say, was it in His Name that thou didst not throw +the stone at me? + +JOHN + +[_Confused._] Sire, what dost thou ask? + +HEROD + +Was it in His Name? For if so, thy Jewish king shall not rob my nights +of sleep. Ha! ha! Here, gaoler! [_The gaoler comes._] The prisoner +shall go in and out as he pleaseth, for he is not dangerous. + +GAOLER + +[_Dumfounded, then in a low voice._] Sire, how shall my life be safe, +if---- + +HEROD + +And his disciples, who loiter about the gates. Let them in and out as +often as he wishes.... Now, did this God's people ever know a more +clement master than I? [_Laughing, walks away._] + + + SCENE VI + + _John and the Gaoler. Later, Maecha, Salome._ + +GAOLER + +Well, thou art now thy own master. What are thy commands? + +JOHN + +The Tetrarch spoke of my disciples---- + +MAECHA + +[_Appearing in the gateway to left._] He is alone. + +SALOME + +[_Signs to the Gaoler. Exeunt Maecha and Gaoler._] + +JOHN + +What wilt thou? + +SALOME + +Master, seest thou the sun sinking yonder between the pomegranate +boughs? + +JOHN + +I see it. + +SALOME + +Knowest thou whose doing it is that thou art able to see it ere it +goeth down, and ere thou goest down? Mine! + +JOHN + +May be. What dost thou want? + +SALOME + +Thou shalt not go down. Not thou. For my soul is thirsty. Teach me, +master. + +JOHN + +What shall I teach thee? + +SALOME + +See, I am pious by nature, and I have a longing for salvation.... What +thou givest to the humblest by the highway, give also to me. Let me sit +at thy feet. I will be pious. Yea, I will. And if I touch thy hairy +shirt, then be not frightened. I mean thee no harm. + +JOHN + +Why shouldst thou mean me harm, young virgin? + +SALOME + +Who can say ... if thou shouldst reject me! No one knows how powerful I +am to-day. When I stretch my limbs [_she spreads out her arms_] it +seems to me as if I carried the whole world like this ... only to hug +it to my heart. + +JOHN + +Maiden, thou hast a playmate. + +SALOME + +[_Attentively._] Which playmate? + +JOHN + +Her name is Miriam. + +SALOME + +I _had_ her. Now she is dead. + +JOHN + +[_Bows his head. His suspicions realized._] + +SALOME + +I had her slain because she went to thee. No one shall go to thee +except me. Seest thou now how pious I am? Seest thou? My soul feels thy +strength, and feels it with joy; for I have never seen anyone so strong +as thou art. I have made thankofferings and secret vows like those the +Psalms sing of. Then I have been forth in the gloaming to seek thy +countenance and the light of thy eyes. And I have decked my bed with +beautiful, many-coloured rugs from Egypt, and I have sprinkled my +pillows with myrtle, aloes, and cinnamon. I will give thee my fair +young body, thou barbarian among the sons of Israel! Come, let us make +love till morning. And my playmates shall keep watch on the threshold, +and greet the dawn with their harps. + +JOHN + +Verily, thou art powerful; thou carriest the world in thy arms ... for +thou art sin itself. + +SALOME + +Yes. Sweet as sin.... That am I. + +JOHN + +Go! + +SALOME + +Thou spurnest me! Spurnest me? [_She rushes through the gate._] + + + SCENE VII + + _John, Josaphat, Manassa, Amarja._ + +JOHN + +[_Goes to the door, where the Gaoler is waiting._] + +GAOLER + +Wouldst thou see thy disciples now? + +JOHN + +Bring them to me. + +[_Manassa, Amarja hasten to him and kiss his garment. Josaphat hangs +back._] + +JOHN + +Matthias is not with you? + +JOSAPHAT + +No. + +JOHN + +What, Josaphat, thou who wast ever the nearest to me, hast thou no +greeting to give? + +JOSAPHAT + +[_Turns away._] + +JOHN + +Well, then, what is it? + +JOSAPHAT + +Rabbi, it is written ... One knife sharpens another, and one man +another ... but thou hast made us blunt. + +JOHN + +And thou hast come this long way to tell me that? + +JOSAPHAT + +Rabbi, thou shouldst be the way that all the erring follow. Thou +shouldst strengthen weak knees and mould trembling hands to the sword's +hilt. Thy work was wrath, Rabbi, but thou hast made of it a sophistry +and a weakness. + +JOHN + +Thou art not to know what my work was. Had I known myself, I should not +be here. Truly the time of my fall is come, when enemies sing my +praises and friends speak ill of me. What would ye have me do? My end +must be in solitude and silence. + +JOSAPHAT + +Thy end, Rabbi, is no concern of ours. It is for Israel's end that I +fear. Thou tookest the law from us. What hast thou given us instead? + +JOHN + +Who art thou, that like a kennelled hound, thou bitest at my shanks? +_I_ took the law from you? My soul hath wrestled with the law till it +is weary; my forehead beat against its walls till it bled! But now ye +have opened your mouths wide that salvation should slip down them like +sweet crumbs. Ye gazed up at me so long as I stood erect, and now +shrink away like cowards from my fall. I have not fallen for myself, I +fell for you. To you it was a compulsion and a matter of watching. To +me it was voluntary, and a combat at the sword's point.... Look at me! +Twice to-day I have been face to face with the world's sin. But it +seemed to me almost fair, for I have yet to meet the worst. Thou art a +renegade! Thou hast ever been a renegade, and renegades will ye be to +all eternity, ye men of universal utility, who manure your acres with +the blood of those who have died for you! Go! I am weary of you! + +JOSAPHAT + +I am going, Rabbi, whither Matthias hath gone before me, to Jesus of +Nazareth. + +JOHN + +[_Startled and moved._] To Jesus of Nazareth? + +JOSAPHAT + +[_Turns silently to go out._] [_Exit._ + + + SCENE VIII + + _Manassa, Amarja, John._ + +JOHN + +How Amarja, and how Manassa? Those whom I trusted the most have +forsaken me, and ye are still here! + +AMARJA + +Rabbi, I was at all times the least among thy disciples. What should I +be worth if I were not faithful? + +MANASSA + +And to me, Rabbi, thou hast given a hope. + +JOHN + +Yet he is gone to Jesus of Nazareth. Be ye not fools. Go with him. + +MANASSA + +Let us be fools, Rabbi. + +JOHN + +[_Sitting down on a stone._] So seat yourselves with me. Night draweth +nigh, and I am weary. Hearken! It was even as if I heard a beating of +wings above me. Did ye hear nothing? + +AMARJA + +Nothing, Rabbi. + +JOHN + +The womb of my soul is opened. I am ready for the blessing from on +high. Is there not a whispering, roundabout? Heard ye nothing? + +MANASSA + +Nothing, Rabbi. + +JOHN + +There is a light shining over yonder mountains. Lovely is that light, +and within me dawns the meaning of a contradiction. Who alone can +deliver the world? To obtain it as a gift is to stretch forth your +hands for the unobtainable.... We are in Galilee, know ye, where He now +teacheth, this Jesus of Nazareth! + +AMARJA + +We heard in the streets that He was not far off. He tarries on the +sea-coast. + +MANASSA + +And they say He may perhaps come into the town. + +JOHN + +Mayhap. Yet only mayhap! And my time is over. I must make haste, lest I +die. Will ye do me a service? + +AMARJA, MANASSA + +Rabbi, command us! + +JOHN + +Get ye up and go unto Him. + +AMARJA, MANASSA + +To Him? + +JOHN + +[_Nods._] And wheresoever ye find Him, speak to Him. Ask: "Art Thou He +Who cometh, or shall we wait for another?" So ask Him, and when He hath +answered, come back--quickly--for my longing for Him is very great. I +believe I could not die ere ye returned. + +AMARJA + +Master, we will not pause or rest. + +JOHN + +And ye will not forget my darkness in His radiance? + +MANASSA + +Master, why makest thou us ashamed? + +JOHN + +Then, farewell. + +MANASSA, AMARJA + +Farewell, Rabbi. [_They turn to go._] + +JOHN + +Go not thus; not yet. Let me clasp your hands, then ye are the least +among my disciples, and [_in great emotion_] methinks I--I--love you. + + [_The Curtain falls._] + + + + + FIFTH ACT + + + + + FIFTH ACT + +_Hall in Herod's Palace. A row of pillars, raised by two steps, in the +background, which lead to an open balcony with balustrade. This can be +shut off by curtains, which at first are thrown back. A street is +supposed to run at the foot of the next storey. In the middle of the +stage, raised on a dais, is a table, with couches ranged round it; +flowers and ornaments. Doors to right and left._ + + + SCENE I + +_Servants moving about arranging pictures and flowers, Gabalos +superintending them; afterwards, Herod._ + +A SERVANT + +[_Announces from door on left._] Our governor! + +HEROD + +[_Following him._] Now, Gabalos, thou who hast washed in many waters, +what has thy art provided? Thou knowest our guests are spoiled +children. + +GABALOS + +Sire, thou needest have no anxiety about food and drink. Something +customary is best for jaded palates. Therefore I chartered the cook of +Vitellius. But for the other part of the entertainment the prospect is +bad. + +HEROD + +[_Smiling._] Is that thy opinion? + +GABALOS + +Noble Merokles will declaim a new ode, I warrant. Our Libyan +flute-players will have washed their brown legs in honour of the +occasion. Sire, mistrust those legs even when washed. As I tell thee +every day, we are sick of Judean morality. Judean morality is devouring +us like the plague. + +HEROD + +Say, Gabalos, dost thou think that our Legate from Syria, before whom +all the gaiety and colour of life doth shimmer, hath ever seen a young +daughter of Princes dance at table? + +GABALOS + +That would be grand, because it is something new. + + + SCENE II + + _The same. Herodias_ [_from right_]. + +HEROD + +[_Noticing her._] Get thee gone! + +[_Gabalos and the servants withdraw to the background, where they let +down the curtains which now shut in the hall._] + +HEROD + +What hast thou decided? Will it come to pass? + +HERODIAS + +Thy countenance beams. Thy eyes betray a badly concealed desire. + +HEROD + +[_Bewildered_] Of what desire dost thou speak? + +HERODIAS + +Do not prevaricate. I know thee, my friend. The poisonous weed which +thou cultivatest with little sighs, and coverest up with thy crooked +smiles, I know it! + +HEROD + +I vow, love, that I ask this only for the sake of the Roman. And +how should I ever have conceived the idea had it not been for thy +half-promises and suggestion of its possibilities? Thou knowest as well +as I that we must offer the Roman something immense, something that may +not have faded from his tired memory when he enters Caesar's presence. + +HERODIAS + +That is it. And thou thyself gainest thereby a dainty tit-bit for thy +lonely night-dreams! It will be nothing more than that. I'll see to it. + +HEROD + +I am simple of understanding. I cannot follow thee. + +HERODIAS + +Oh, yes; very simple is thy understanding. I know. + +HEROD + +Then it seems thou refusest? + +HERODIAS + +How could I refuse, when youth smiled and consented? + +HEROD + +Ah! And what reward wilt thou claim? + +HERODIAS + +Nothing. + +HEROD + +Thou art like those priests, dearest. What didst thou ever do for +nothing? Hasten then, I pray, to name thy price! + +HERODIAS + +Farewell! + +HEROD + +[_Looks after her, shaking his head._] + +HERODIAS + +[_Turning round._] Before I forget it, just tell me, my friend, what +art thou going to do with that Baptist? + +HEROD + +My Baptist is nothing to thee. + +HERODIAS + +The maids tell me he wanders about loose in the gardens. + +HEROD + +Let him; he will not hurt thee. + +HERODIAS + +I only asked, because I wish to know how I am to avoid him. + +HEROD + +I'll take care, love, that he doth not meet thee. But enough of the +Baptist. Once more thy price, Herodias? + +HERODIAS + +Look at me! Here is a woman that no longer adorns her own body because +thou now scornest it; she therefore adorns instead the body that came +from hers. Here is a woman whose breasts have withered because her eyes +have shed tears of blood. Therefore she will let the budding bosom, +from which the veil has never yet fallen, be exposed to thine and thy +guests' lustful gaze. And for this sacrifice of unspeakable bitterness +I ask nothing, for I am without wishes. One who can still hope shall +ask. Salome shall ask. + +HEROD + +Salome ... I would rather it were so. + +HERODIAS + +And thou wilt grant what she asks? + +HEROD + +I know not. I will see. I will let myself be driven. For in combat with +the strong that is the last resource of the weak. But take care whither +thou drivest me.... Mistress! [_Exit._ + + + SCENE III + + _Herodias, Salome._ + +SALOME + +[_Putting her head through the door._] Mother, am I to dance here? + +HERODIAS + +Come, softly. Art thou trembling, my dove? Art thou afraid of thy own +will? + +SALOME + +Take my hand, mother. I am not trembling, because I know that thou art +my will. + +HERODIAS + +Not I! thou must will. + +SALOME + +For only the one who willeth exerciseth power. [_As Herodias regards +her suspiciously, she adds quickly._] I read that in the Scriptures, +mother. I did not understand what it meant. + +HERODIAS + +Listen to me, thou sharpwits. A carpet of Indian wool will be spread +here, there the Prince will sit with the foreign guests.... Let not thy +foot touch the stone, raise not thy eyes.... Dance thy dance modestly, +and when thou hast finished, wipe signs of shame from thy face; hearken +narrowly to what the Tetrarch saith to thee. And if he should say, "Now +ask of me, and----" + +SALOME + +What then, mother? + +HERODIAS + +Ask nothing.... Then look at him for the first time a long, smiling +look, and ... ask nothing. After that thou mayest demand. + +SALOME + +[_Attentive._] What shall I demand, mother? A gold hair-ornament, or +shoes of velvet? No; I know what I'll demand--a mirror. + +HERODIAS + +[_Passing her hand through Salome's hair._] Verily thou hast never felt +hate to boil in thy breast, like love on a night in May? + +SALOME + +[_Feigning innocence._] No, mother. How should I? + +HERODIAS + +Thou hast never felt an insult coursing through thee, like burning, +liquid fire? + +SALOME + +[_In the same tone._] No, mother; really I have not. + +HERODIAS + +Thou shalt demand no mirror, no hair-ornament, and no velvet shoes. But +that the head of him they call John the Baptist shall be brought to +thee on a dish. + +SALOME + +[_Setting her teeth, and controlling herself with difficulty._] On a +golden dish? + +HERODIAS + +What dost thou say? Understandest thou me not or--who---- + +SALOME + +There's something else. One thing more I want to be sure of! Will _he_ +know--that ... that Baptist, from whom the request cometh? + +HERODIAS + +[_Breaking out_] Certainly, he shall know! I will stand behind thy +bloody trophy as thy will. + +SALOME + +[_Half to herself._] As the will of my will? + +HERODIAS + +I will grow over him, as the sword groweth forth from the sleeve of the +executioner ... [_Trumpets sound._] Come! + +SALOME + +And I will grow over him like a sweet grapevine. [_Exeunt both, to +right._] + + + SCENE IV + +_Herod. Vitellius. Marcellus_ (_and other Romans of the Legate and +suite_), _Merokles, Gabalos, Jabad._ + +HEROD + +Welcome to my table, exalted Vitellius, who bringest on the soles of +thy feet the sacred soil of Rome into my poor dwelling. Welcome to you +also, ye who follow him, according to Rome's command. She, our august +mother, but ordereth what my soul desireth. + +VITELLIUS + +Thou hast my thanks, excellent prince. + +HEROD + +Repose now at thy pleasure, exalted one. [_They lie on the couches._] + +GABALOS + +[_Low._] Say, my brave Marcellus, how dost thou like this Jewish +ear-wig? + +MARCELLUS + +It doth not find its way to our ears. + +HEROD + +And if thou wilt consent to crown thy brow with this wreath, as our +Lord and Master, I shall be able to persuade myself that I am thy +guest, instead of thou being mine. + +VITELLIUS + +Thou art _Rome's_ guest, Highness. Thus I will accept what befitteth +me. [_Puts on the wreath which a servant hands to him._] + +GABALOS + +There was a sting in that speech. + +HEROD + +[_Quickly collecting himself._] My good Merokles, begin. + +MEROKLES + + [_Stands up and reads from a roll of parchment._] + + "Cooled by Hebron's far-gleaming snow, + The fiery soul, concealed in ice, + Favours with its flickering smile + Us the worshippers. + + "So thou sendest forth twofold beams of silent light, + So flames for us shoot forth from thy coldness, + So we prize as sacred thy flickering smile, mighty Vitellius-- + Till we----" + +VITELLIUS + +My dear friend, what is this man talking about? + +HEROD + +Doth it displease thee, Exalted One? + +VITELLIUS + +It seemed to me that he called my name. In the case of his desiring a +favour, it shall be immediately granted if he promises to keep silent +for the future! + +GABALOS + +Oh, friends, what a success! + +VITELLIUS + +Nevertheless, thy peacock's liver is good, very good, my dear Herod. + +HEROD + +Thou rejoicest me, Exalted Highness. Wilt thou not now command thy +Libyan flute-players to come and charm thy ear? + +VITELLIUS + +My ear is obedient. Let them come. + + + SCENE V + +[_The same. Salome_ (_thickly veiled_) _led in by Herodias while the +harps are tuned. A murmur of astonishment runs round the table._] + +VITELLIUS + +Are these thy Libyan---- + +HEROD + +[_Who has risen._] This is my wife, Exalted Highness. + +VITELLIUS + +[_Also rising._] Mistress, if thou wouldst grace this feast with thy +smiles, I bid thee welcome. + +HERODIAS + +Pardon, noble Vitellius. The custom of the East, over which thou +reignest so gloriously, doth not permit of my sitting beside thee at +table. Yet we know how to entertain even when we are not merry. My lord +and consort, zealous to please thee, hath commanded me to adorn myself +and my little daughter to enter thy presence, therewith she may delight +thy eyes with her maidenly art, trembling in maidenly modesty. + +VITELLIUS + +Hail to thee, Prince, and to thy noble wife! Rome will not be grudging +where thou art so lavish. Hearest thou not? + +HEROD + +[_With his eyes fixed on Salome._] Exalted, look! + +VITELLIUS + +Truly, he is right; let us look, Romans. Open your eyes wide, for what +is coming is the art of all arts. And if thou tremblest, maiden, +remember that thou rulest because thou tremblest. + +MARCELLUS + +One is obliged to say that, Gabalos, to encourage her. + +GABALOS + +Ah, my brave Marcellus, see to it, is it fast on its neck? + +MARCELLUS + +Who? What? + +GABALOS + +The head! the head! Look at Herodias. That will cost some one his head! +Only _whose_ has not yet transpired. + +MARCELLUS + +[_Pointing to Salome._] Silence!... See!... + +SALOME + +[_Has extricated herself from the arms of Herodias and, accompanied by +exclamations of admiration and delight, has begun to dance. Her dance +becomes wilder and more abandoned; she gradually loosens her veil, then +covers herself with it again in voluptuous playfulness, till at last, +quite unveiled, she stands with the upper part of her body apparently +unclothed. She sinks on her knees half exhausted, half in homage, +before Herod, who stands on the right side of the table._] + + [_All break into ecstasies of applause._] + +HEROD + +[_Rushes forward to raise her._] + +HERODIAS + +[_Who has retreated as far as the proscenium on right, and has watched +everything intently with a harassed expression playing on her face, now +intervenes to prevent him. She and Herod exchange hostile glances._] + +HEROD + +[_Hoarsely._] Salome! + +SALOME + +Sire! + +HEROD + +Stand up and speak. + +SALOME + +[_Slowly rising._] What shall I say, Sire? + +HEROD + +I am a poor man. Rome--who gave Herod's son, as if in mockery, the name +of Herod--Rome has not left him much of his father's heritage. Yet +enough is still his wherewith to thank thee. Speak, what wilt thou +have? And by that God and Lord before whom we kneel in the dust, +barefoot, at Jerusalem, I swear it shall be thine. + +SALOME + +I beg and desire that thou wilt give me, on a dish, the head of John +the Baptist. + +HEROD + +Herodias--thou! + +VITELLIUS + +Dear friend, whose head doth she want? + +HEROD + +The head of a man, great legate, who lies in my prison, whom I have +there learnt to respect, I had almost said, to love. + +VITELLIUS + +Oh, oh!... And is he on view, this man for whose head daughters of +princes dance before thee? + +HEROD + +Fetch him. [_Exit servant._] Damsel, thy mother led thee into this. +Thou knowest not what thou askest.... Take back thy request. + +SALOME + +I beg and desire that thou wilt give me the head of John the Baptist on +a golden dish. [_Silence._] + +HEROD + +And if I refuse? + +HERODIAS + +[_Drawing herself erect._] Thou hast sworn, Sire. + +VITELLIUS + +[_Laughing._] Of course, my friend, thou hast sworn. We are all +witnesses of that. Ah! What a wood-god they are bringing in over there. + + + SCENE VI + + _The same. John_ [_led in by two armed men_]. + +HEROD + +I have summoned thee, Baptist. I am sorry for thee. Prepare thyself, +for the evening of thy days is come. + +JOHN + +I am ready, Sire. + +HEROD + +Understand me. I am truly sorry. But thou must meet death. Now, on the +spot. + +JOHN + +[_After looking searchingly towards the door._] Sire, grant me a +respite. + +VITELLIUS + +Thy hero doth not appear to be all too ready. A little more and he +would whimper. + +HEROD + +Baptist, wherefore dost thou want this respite? + +JOHN + +I have sent out messengers and await their return. + +HEROD + +To whom hast thou sent these messengers?... Thou art silent.... As I +said before. I am from my heart sorry. So much might have been made of +thee.... Still ... [_He shrugs his shoulders._] + +JOHN + +[_Holding out his arms distressed._] I beseech thee, Sire! + +VITELLIUS + +Did not I tell you? All kinds of people struggle to live, only the +Roman understands how to die. + +HEROD + +Thou must ask the maiden, Baptist. Know that in her hands rests what +chance thou hast of the thing called life. + +SALOME + +Master, now see'st thou how powerful I am? Now ask me! Ask me! + +HERODIAS + +[_Prompting her, behind._] If he does ask, laugh at him. + +SALOME + +Perhaps, but who knoweth what my heart desireth?... Now, master, why +dost thou not beg? + +JOHN + +Maiden ... I ... + +SALOME + +There is the stone floor, see! The stone longs for the touch of thy +knees. + + [_Pause._] + + + SCENE VII + + _The same. The Gaoler._ + +HEROD + +What brings thee here? + +GAOLER + +Forgive, Sire. Had I not known that thou wast friendly towards the +prisoner ... + +HEROD + +What dost thou want with him? + +GAOLER + +Two of his friends who were with him yesterday, the same thou sawest +outside the gate, have come back, and learning that his life is now +in jeopardy--thy servant hath told me, and I have got everything +ready--they became like creatures possessed, and implored me to lead +them to him wheresoever he might be. + +HEROD + +Dost thou approve, Mighty Legate? + +VITELLIUS + +Dear friend, this is the most enjoyable entertainment that has ever +been provided for me at meat. Let them come! Let them come! + +HEROD + +[_Signs._] + +GAOLER + +[_Retires behind curtain of door and beckons._] + + + SCENE VIII + + _The same. Manassa. Amarja._ + +[_They seem at first as if they would rush to John, but overcome by +shyness stand still._] + +JOHN + +What have ye to tell me? + +MANASSA + +Master! + +HEROD + +Speak louder, my good men! Unless ye let us participate in the news, I +will have you carried off through separate doors. + +MANASSA + +May we, Master? + +JOHN + +Speak freely, for methinks we are alone together. + +MANASSA + +We took the road in all haste to Bethesda, and at break of day we found +Him there. + +JOHN + +Ye found him there? + +MANASSA + +And many people were gathered about him resting in the olive gardens, +and praised the Lord for the miracle which had been done to them at +that hour. And behold there was a light in every eye, and in every +mouth the music of thanksgiving. + +JOHN + +And He? How looked His countenance? What were His gestures? + +MANASSA + +Master, I know not. + +JOHN + +But ye saw Him? + +AMARJA + +Rabbi, thou mightest as well ask, What is the face of the sun, and what +the gestures of light?... As we beheld His smile we sank to the ground, +and in our souls was a great peace. + +JOHN + +And when ye had questioned Him, and He began to speak, tell me what was +His manner of speech? Say; I stand here awaiting His wrath. + +AMARJA + +Rabbi.... He spoke to us like a brother. His speech was simple. + +MANASSA + +And it was beautiful ... like the voice of the wind which blows from +the sea towards evening. + +AMARJA + +And this is what He spake. "Go and tell John what ye have seen and +heard. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf +hear, the dead rise, and the poor have the gospel preached to them." + +JOHN + +The poor--He said the poor? + +MANASSA + +And when He prepared to come hither to this town with the people who +were gathered about Him, we accompanied Him as far as the gate, and +then hurried on before, according to thy wish. + +JOHN + +And said He nothing else to you? Reflect well. + +AMARJA + +Yes; yet one more thing. He said, "Blessed be he who hath not been +offended at me." But this we could not understand. + +JOHN + +But I understand it well and to whom He spoke. I have been offended, +for I have not recognized Him. And my anger filled the world, for I +knew Him not. Ye yourselves are my witnesses that I have said, "I am +not the Christ, but one sent to prepare the way for Him that cometh." A +man can take nothing to himself that is not given him by Heaven. And +unto me nothing was given. The key of death ... I held it not ... the +scales of sin were not confided to me. For out of no man's mouth may +the name of sin sound, save out of the mouth of the one that loveth. +But I would have scourged you with iron rods. Therefore is my kingdom +come to shame, and my lips are sealed. I hear roundabout a rushing +noise, as of many waters, and the divine radiance is near me.... A +throne hath descended out of heaven amidst darts of fire. The King of +Peace sitteth thereon in white robes. And His sword is called Love, and +His watchword is mercy.... Behold He hath the bride, He is the +bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom standeth and listeneth, +and rejoiceth over the voice that is coming. The same is my joy. Now is +it fulfilled. [_He stands with his arms outspread and his eyes turned +towards heaven. Manassa and Amarja sink at his feet._] + +VITELLIUS + +Dear friend, it seems to me that we have had enough of this maniac. + +HEROD + +[_Between emotion and scorn._] John, I am truly grieved on thy account. +And when He cometh of whom thou dreamest, I will greet Him as I have +greeted thee. Ha! ha! ha! Lead him to execution. + +SALOME + +Now, ask me! [_As John smilingly looks beyond her._] Mother, will he +not ask? + + + SCENE IX + +_Vitellius, his suite, Herod, Herodias, Salome, Merokles, Gabalos, +Jabad._ + +VITELLIUS + +My friend, thy banquet has been somewhat disturbed. [_As Herod stares +at the door through which John has disappeared._] No matter what I say, +he does not hear me. + +HEROD + +Exalted highness, pardon! + +SALOME + +[_Has crossed over the stage and goes stealthily to the door on left. +In great curiosity she draws back the curtain, and after gazing eagerly +through it, reels backwards into the arms of Herodias. Outside, behind +the middle curtain, an ever-increasing tumult and murmur of many voices +has arisen._] + +VITELLIUS + +Bid the women to sit down. Thou hast an ill-conducted people. They +brawl in the street while we dine. + +HEROD + +Are they already muttering about the Baptist? Gabalos, look to it, and +tell them to be quiet. + +GABALOS + +It shall be done, Sire. [_Exit._ + +SALOME + +[_Pointing to the door, the curtains of which are open._] Mother, see +what they are bringing. See! [_She rushes out._] + +HEROD + +[_Descending the steps of the dais._] What does she want there? + +HERODIAS + +Sire, thou art of simple understanding. I advise thee to look the other +way. + +HEROD + +What is she doing? + +HERODIAS + +She is dancing! She holds the charger with the Prophet's head high in +her arms, and dances. + +JABAD + +See, she dances! + +HEROD + +So thou hast corrupted thy own flesh and blood. So thou wilt corrupt us +all. + +HERODIAS + +[_Smiling, shrugs her shoulders._] + +MEROKLES + +She sways. She will fall! + +HERODIAS + +[_Goes out composedly._] + +MEROKLES + +The head is rolling on the floor! + +MARCELLUS + +Oh, horror! + +HERODIAS + +[_Comes back supporting Salome in her arms._] + +SALOME + +Mother, where is the dish? Where is the head? + +HERODIAS + +Make obeisance. Speak thy thanks. + +SALOME + +[_Before Herod._] Sire, I am a rose of Sharon. A flower of the valley +... Who would thank me should pluck me ... Oh, look at the head! + +HEROD + +Take the women away! + +HERODIAS + +[_Curtseys, and leads, smiling; the half-swooning Salome off to +right._] + + + SCENE X + + _The same_. [_Without Herodias and Salome._] + _Gabalos_ [_has re-entered from left_]. + +HEROD + +Well, what is the matter? + +GABALOS + +Sire, the people will not be restrained. Men and women in holiday +raiment fill the streets and crowd on the roofs. They carry palms in +their hands, and sing and shout for joy. + +HEROD + +What are they singing? + +GABALOS + +Thou knowest, Sire, I am not servile, but I scarcely like to say. + +HEROD + +Speak! + +GABALOS + +Hosannah! to Him Who shall come. Hosannah to the King of the Jews! So +they sing. + +HEROD + +[_Grinding his teeth._] I have had John beheaded. Who may this one be? + +GABALOS + +If thou wouldst see Him, Sire, they say He is coming this way. + +HEROD + +I will see Him. I will greet Him as I promised. Ha! ha! ha! Open! + + + SCENE XI + +[_The curtains are drawn aside. One sees the roofs crowded with women +waving palms. Others, with palms in their hands, climb the hilly street +below. The shouting swells in volume and becomes an orderly, harmonious +song._] + +VITELLIUS + +[_Who has continued sitting, turns round indignantly._] What is going +on there again? + +HEROD + +[_Has grasped a goblet, and springs on the topmost step._] + +Greeting to thee, my King ---- of the ---- + +[_He looks, stops short ... the goblet slips from his hand, he turns +away and hides his face in his mantle._] + +THE OTHERS + +[_Also stand, looking down in silent amazement. The Hosannahs rise from +the street._] + + [_The Curtain falls._] + + + + + FINIS + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's John the Baptist: A Play, by Hermann Sudermann + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN THE BAPTIST: A PLAY *** + +***** This file should be named 34383.txt or 34383.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/3/8/34383/ + +Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by the Web Archive + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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