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diff --git a/old/67806-0.txt b/old/67806-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 15d2e6e..0000000 --- a/old/67806-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3622 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Mary Magdalene, by Maurice Maeterlinck - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Mary Magdalene - A Play in Three Acts - -Author: Maurice Maeterlinck - -Translator: Alexander Texeira de Mattos - -Release Date: April 10, 2022 [eBook #67806] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Mark C. Orton and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team - at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARY MAGDALENE *** - - - - - -Transcriber's note: Italic font is indicated by _underscores_. - -Characters' names within italicised stage directions are intended -to be read as upright font. - - - - - MARY MAGDALENE - - - _A Play in Three Acts_ - - BY - MAURICE MAETERLINCK - - _Translated by_ - ALEXANDER TEIXEIRA DE MATTOS - - [Illustration] - - - NEW YORK - DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY - 1910 - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1910, - BY MAURICE MAETERLINCK - - - - - AUTHOR’S NOTE - - -I have borrowed from Mr. Paul Heyse’s drama, _Maria von Magdala_, the -idea of two situations in my play, namely, at the end of the first -act, the intervention of Christ, who stops the crowd raging against -Mary Magdalene with these words, spoken behind the scenes: “He that -is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone;” and, in the -third, the dilemma in which the great sinner finds herself, of saving -or destroying the Son of God, according as she consents or refuses to -give herself to a Roman. - -Before setting to work, I asked the venerable German poet, whom I -hold in the highest esteem, for his permission to develop those two -situations, which, so to speak, were merely sketched in his play, with -its incomparably richer plot than mine; and I offered to recognize his -rights in whatever manner he thought proper. My respectful request -was answered with a refusal, none too courteous, I regret to say, and -almost threatening. - -From that moment, I was bound to consider that the words from the -Gospel, quoted above, are common property; and that the dilemma of -which I speak is one of those which occur pretty frequently in dramatic -literature. It seemed to me the more lawful to make use of it inasmuch -as I had happened to imagine it in the fourth act of _Joyzelle_, in the -same year in which _Maria von Magdala_ was published and before I was -able to become acquainted with that play. - -I will add that, excepting the principle of these two situations, in -all that concerns the subject of the play, the conduct of the action, -the persons, the characters, the evolution and the atmosphere, our two -works have absolutely nothing in common: not a phrase, not a cue of the -one will be found in the other. - -Having said this, I am happy to express to the aged master my gratitude -for an intellectual benefit which is none the less great for being -involuntary. - - MAURICE MAETERLINCK. - - - - - ACT I - -(_The gardens of ANNŒUS SILANUS at Bethany. A Roman terrace. A - quincunx. Marble benches, porticoes, statues. In the centre, a - basin with a fountain. Arbours. Orange-trees and laurel-trees - in stone vases. A balustrade on the right and left, overlooking - the valley. A balustrade at the back, open at the middle to give - access to a walk lined with plane-trees and statues and ending in - a thick hedge of laurels which closes the garden._) - - - SCENE I - - (_ENTER ANNŒUS SILANUS and LUCIUS VERUS_) - - SILANUS - -Here is the terrace, the glory of my little domain: it reminds me of -my terrace at Præneste, which was the crown of my desires. Here are my -orange-trees, my cypresses and my oleanders. Here is the fish-pond, -the portico with the images of the gods: one of them is a statue of -Minerva, discovered at Antioch. (_Pointing to the landscape on the -left._) And here you have the incomparable view over the valley, where -spring already reigns. We hang midway in space. Admire the anemones -streaming down the slopes of Bethany. It is as though the earth were -ablaze beneath the olive-trees. Here I relish in peace the advantages -of old age, which knows how to take pleasure in the past; for youth -narrows the enjoyment of good things, by considering only those which -are present.... - - VERUS - -At last! Here are trees and water and grass!... I had lost the memory -of them since my arrival in this stony desert which men call Judæa.... -But how comes it, O my good master, that you have taken up your abode -near that dull and barren city, where the soil is abominable, where the -men are ugly, churlish, crafty and mischievous, unclean and barbarous? - - SILANUS - -As you know, I came with the Procurator Valerius Gratus to Cæsarea; -then I returned to Rome, where you were for some time my faithful -and favourite pupil. But soon I became ashamed of teaching a wisdom -whose certainties became more doubtful to my mind as the assurance -wherewith I proclaimed them increased. I was brought back here, to -this barbarous Judæa, by the strangest curiosity. During my first -sojourn, I had begun to study the sacred books of the Jews. They are -crude and bloodthirsty; but they also contain beautiful myths and the -early efforts of an uncivilized but, at times, singular wisdom. They -have not yet wearied me. - - VERUS - -Yes, our friend Appius, whom I met at Antioch, told me of your studies -and of your sudden and inordinate passion for old Jewish books.... - - SILANUS - -He will be here shortly.... - - VERUS - -Who? Appius?... Is he at Jerusalem? - - SILANUS - -Did you not know?... But how long have you yourself been in this -country?... In your letter of two days since, you did not tell me.... - - VERUS - -Nearly a week; and I wished to give my first leisure to you. I left -Antioch to go to Jerusalem with the Procurator Pontius Pilate. He fears -disturbances and will probably need the help of my old legionaries.... - - SILANUS - -The spacious, ample Appius, whose words are as rambling as his habits -and bring together the most distant friends, spoke to me of you, even -as he spoke to you of me. He told me that, when he had the good -fortune to meet you at Antioch, you seemed a prey to some great unhappy -love.... - - VERUS - -Which was that? - - SILANUS - -What! Can the handsomest of military tribunes, in his magnificent -array, know more than one love that is not happy?... It concerned a -woman of these regions, a Galilean, if I be not mistaken.... - - VERUS - -Mary of Magdala?... Did he speak to you of her?... Where is she?... I -did not see her again; she left Antioch suddenly; and I lost trace of -her.... - - SILANUS - -But why did she not listen to you?... Appius declared to me that she -sets the men of this country, it is true, at naught, but shows herself -not at all inexorable to the Roman knights.... - - VERUS - -It is one of those riddles of womankind which our duties as soldiers -hardly leave us time to solve. She did not appear to dislike me; -at least, the dislike which she affected was not without a harsh -gentleness.... But there was mingled with it a certain incomprehensible -dread, which made her timidly avoid me.... Besides, she seemed lately -to have suffered a great sorrow, for which she has already, I hear, -consoled herself more than once.... - - SILANUS - -I do not know; and all this does not seem to me so very discouraging. -After all, why afflict one’s self with what the gods created for -pleasure?... Appius, therefore, wished me to cure you, by my wise -counsels, of an ill that saddens you needlessly. But, first, do you -love her as much as Appius declares? His talk is often extravagant and -heedless.... - - VERUS - -I desired her, I still desire her, as I have never desired any woman.... - - SILANUS - -You speak wisely in not separating, from the outset, desire and love. -Besides, I understand. She is certainly the loveliest of all the many -women whom I have admired in my life. - - VERUS - -What!... You have seen her?... Is she at Jerusalem then? - - SILANUS - -She is even nearer to us than Jerusalem, which is fifteen stadia from -Bethany.... (_Drawing him a little to the right_). Come to this portico -and look over there, at the bottom of the valley.... What do you see?... - - VERUS - -I see olive-trees, paths, tombs.... Then I see the pediments of palaces -or temples, columns, cypresses.... One might think one’s self in the -outskirts of Rome.... But I do not perceive.... - - SILANUS - -It was Herod the Great, a sort of raving lunatic, but given to -building, who filled this valley with splendid palaces more Roman than -those of Rome herself.... But look half-way down the hill, to the left -of those three tall cypresses, three or four stadia from here.... Do -you espy one of the most beautiful marble villas?... - - VERUS - -The villa with the wide white steps leading to a semicircular colonnade -adorned with statues?... - - SILANUS - -That is where she has retired.... - - VERUS - -Mary Magdalene?... In that solitude, so far from the city?... - - SILANUS - -She told me that she was fleeing from the fanaticism of the Jews, the -tumult and the sickening smells, which increase twofold at Jerusalem -as the Passover approaches.... - - VERUS - -Then you see her?... You have spoken to her?... - - SILANUS - -The good Appius, knowing that the sight of a young and beautiful woman -delights my eyes without endangering them, did not dissuade her from -coming up to the house of a disarmed and harmless old man.... - - VERUS - -What did she say to you?... What impression did she make upon you?... - - SILANUS - -She was clad in a raiment that seemed woven of pearls and dew, in a -cloak of Tyrian purple with sapphire ornaments, and decked with jewels -that rendered a little heavier this eastern pomp. As for her hair, -surely, unloosed, it would cover the surface of that porphyry vase with -an impenetrable veil of gold.... - - VERUS - -I speak of her intelligence, her character.... Do not mistake: she is -no vulgar courtezan.... She has other attractions, binding love more -firmly.... - - SILANUS - -I minded only her beauty, which is real and contents the eye.... -However, we can judge better presently: she will soon be coming.... - - VERUS - -She is coming here?... But does she know that she will find me with -you?... - - SILANUS - -Most certainly. It seemed to me that this meeting would do more to -assuage your malady than the wise counsels threatened by Appius.... - - VERUS - -But she?... What did she say when she learnt that.... - - SILANUS - -She smiled with a quivering and pensive grace.... The other guests -will be our indispensable Appius and Cœlius, your fellow-pupil at -Præneste.... I hope that they will bring our poor friend Longinus, -who, three weeks ago, lost a little daughter two years old.... I will -try to console him, by good and persuasive arguments, for a sorrow -certainly disproportionate to his loss. We shall have, among other -dishes--all excellent, I hope,--two fish from the Jordan, new to you, -which, dressed by Davus, my old cook.... But I hear the sound of the -double flute.... It must be the litter of the queen of Bethany and -Jerusalem at the threshold of my house.... Your eyes will soon behold -the soft light which they have missed and mine the smile that pleases -them ... unless the silver mirrors in the Atrium delay her longer than -they should.... - - VERUS - -She is here.... - - (_ENTER, on the right, MARY MAGDALENE. She is followed by - some slaves, whom she dismisses with a harsh and imperious - gesture._) - - - SCENE II - - THE SAME, MARY MAGDALENE - - SILANUS (_going up to receive MARY MAGDALENE_) - -“Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, -perfumed with myrrh and frankincense?... Who is she that looketh forth -as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun and terrible as an -army with banners,” as your sacred books sing at the approach of the -Shulamite?... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Do not speak to me of my sacred books. I loathe them, as I loathe -everything that comes from that deceitful and sordid, greedy and -mischievous nation.... - - VERUS (_coming forward to greet her in his turn_) - -I will say then, in the Roman fashion, “Hail to the eldest daughter of -Aglaia, youngest and happiest of the Graces!” - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Pity me, instead of praising me. I was robbed, last night, of my -Carthaginian rubies, besides twelve of my finest pearls; and, what -I feel even more, my Babylonian peacock and all the murænæ in my -fish-pond.... - - VERUS - -Who dared commit such manifest sacrilege?... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -I do not know.... I have had the slaves in charge of the aviary and the -fish-pond beaten with rods and put to the torture: they have confessed -nothing and I believe that they know nothing.... - - VERUS - -Have you no clue, no suspicion? - - SILANUS - -The theft amazes me, for the country is safe.... I have been living -here for nigh six years; and no one has ever tried to rob me of an -atom of my wisdom, which is never under lock and key and is the -only precious thing that I possess.... The Jew is crafty, sly and -evil-minded; he practises cheating and usury as well as most of the -cringing virtues and vices; but he nearly always avoids frank, -straightforward theft, honest theft, if one may say so.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -I at first suspected some Tyrian workmen who are fitting one of the -rooms in my villa with those movable panels which are changed at every -course, so that the walls may harmonize with the dishes covering the -table.... - - VERUS - -I have seen some like them in the house of our Governor, Pomponius -Flaccus, at Antioch; but I did not know that this fashion, so new to -Rome herself, had already made its way into this remote country.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Nor will you find it, except in my house; and the last palace of -the Tetrarch Antipas is still without it.... Therefore I began by -suspecting those workmen; but I have proofs that they are innocent. -I now feel sure that the thieves must be sought among that band of -vagrants and prowlers who have been infesting the country for some -time.... - - SILANUS - -The famous band of the Nazarene.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Even so. Their leader, I hear, is a sort of unwashed brigand who -entices the crowds with a rude kind of sorcery and, on the pretence -of preaching some new law or doctrine, lives by plunder and surrounds -himself with fellows capable of everything.... Besides, I have other -causes to complain of them.... Two days ago, when I was walking in my -gardens, under the portico that divides them from the road, a dozen -wretches, belonging to that band, insulted me foully and threatened -me with stones.... It is becoming intolerable; and it is time that the -countryside were rid of them.... - - VERUS - -I have heard about those people.... I know that the authorities have -their eyes upon them.... I will have them watched more closely. For -that matter, if you wish, it would be easy for me to arrest their -leader.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Do so, I pray you, and as soon as possible.... I should be especially -grateful to you.... - - SILANUS - -I believe that you are misled. The robbers, in my opinion, must -not be looked for there. I am in a fairly good position to know the -band, seeing that, for five or six days, it has been gathered near my -house. I have even had the pleasure--for everything turns to pleasure -at my age--I have even had the pleasure of attending one of their -meetings. It was near the old road to Jericho. The leader was speaking -in the midst of a crowd covered with dust and rags, among whom I -observed a large number of rather repulsive cripples and sick. They -seem extremely ignorant and exalted. They are poor and dirty, but I -believe them to be harmless and incapable of stealing more than a cup -of water or an ear of wheat.... They were listening greedily to a more -or less silly anecdote, the story of a son who returns to his father -after squandering his patrimony.... I did not hear the end, for they -looked upon me with a certain suspicion.... But the Galilean, or the -Nazarene, as they call him here, is rather curious; and his voice is of -a penetrating and peculiar sweetness.... He appears to be the son of -a carpenter.... I will tell you more of him, I know many interesting -things about him; but permit me first to go to the other side of the -house, which commands the road, to see if my belated guests are not in -sight.... - - (_He GOES OUT on the left_.) - - - SCENE III - - MARY MAGDALENE, VERUS - - VERUS - -I was not prepared for the joy of seeing you again, of your own -consent, after your cruel words. They deprived me even of the hope -that is sometimes left to those whom one would drive to despair.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -I was stupid and foolish; but reason has returned; and I now know that -the best love is not worth a tear.... - - VERUS - -Inasmuch as it is hardly the best, nor even a good love, as soon as it -causes tears to be shed.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -There is no more best or worst love for me. Until lately, I lived among -falsehoods by which others profited; for the past six months, I have -lived among truths by which I myself profit. - - VERUS - -What do you mean?... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -That I sell myself more skilfully and dearer than before. - - VERUS - -Magdalene!... You slander yourself!... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -You would see, if your desire prompted you to try your fortune, that, -on the contrary, I rate myself very highly. - - VERUS - -You will always rate yourself less highly than I do. You will not -succeed in degrading yourself in my eyes; and I see in what you say -no more than the just rebellion of a deeply wounded soul struggling -against pain.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -You are wrong: it is not a soul struggling, but one that is finding -itself. - - VERUS - -I do not believe a word of it. However, I would rather spite or hatred -gave you to me than lose you for the noblest of reasons; and, as it is -a question only of rating you very highly, know, Magdalene, that from -this moment you are mine.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -May be.... But here is our host returning. We have nothing more to say -to each other, for the moment.... - - (_ENTER, on the left, SILANUS, APPIUS and CŒLIUS._) - - - SCENE IV - - THE SAME, SILANUS, APPIUS, CŒLIUS - - APPIUS (_going to MARY MAGDALENE_) - -“Venus has left Cyprus and soars above Jerusalem!” Or, rather, it is -the fair Techmessa, who already brings back the smile to the lips of -the son of Telamon!... Admire, O Cœlius, the magnificent image raised -under this portico by Love and Beauty! - - CŒLIUS - -It is as though the azure sky were spread for them between those two -columns. - - SILANUS - -The azure and the light seem happy only when environing youth and -love.... But, to return to less dazzling images, better-suited to my -head burdened with years, I observed that it must have been a sort -of presentiment that urged us to speak, but a moment ago, of the -Nazarene’s band, for it was that same band which delayed our guests.... - - APPIUS - -Yes, imagine, when we approached the last cross-road down there, we -found the whole country in a stir and the way blocked by a shouting, -gesticulating throng, which was crowding round a blind man who saw!... - - VERUS - -Yes, that is one of those phenomena which one meets with nowhere except -in Judæa.... - - CŒLIUS - -It was extraordinary!... The poor man, crushed against an old wall, -rolled two drunk and virgin eyes, crying, “He is a prophet! He is a -prophet! I see men as trees, walking!” And the crowd stamped all around -for joy. He seemed dazed with the light.... - - APPIUS - -Or rather with wine, for he was plainly staggering. - - VERUS - -And the Nazarene, did you see him?... - - APPIUS - -No, he had just gone away, taking with him the most turbulent part of -the crowd; but for that, we should never have been able to pass.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Yes, it appears that, when those ruffians crowd round their leader, -they would not trouble to make way for Cæsar. - - CŒLIUS - -Where did he go?... I should be curious to see him.... - - SILANUS - -He cannot be very far.... Do you see that laurel-hedge, at the bottom -of my garden?... It divides my little domain from the orchard of my -neighbour, known as Simon the Leper.... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_starting_) - -What, your next neighbour is a leper?... You should have told us.... - - SILANUS - -Be reassured, lady, he has no leprosy now.... - - APPIUS - -I thought that one became a leper for life, just as one becomes a -senator.... This is another of the surprises of this monstrous -Judæa.... - - SILANUS - -The Nazarene healed him. - - CŒLIUS - -Is he really healed?... As his next neighbour, you must know the -truth.... - - SILANUS - -I know that he is as healthy in the face as the rose of Magdala and -lily of Bethany whom you see before you; but I do not know if he was -ever sick, not having seen him before his recovery.... - - APPIUS - -I thought so.... Besides, I have seen much more extraordinary magicians -in Thrace and Egypt.... But, to return to this leper without leprosy, -what happens behind that hedge and in the house of your mysterious -neighbour? - - SILANUS - -The Nazarene has been his guest for the past three days. This Simon, -his sister, his wife and, I believe, his brother-in-law are common -people, who live on the produce of their olive-trees. They were -timorous, peaceable neighbours; but, since the arrival of the Nazarene, -everything is in commotion. It is a perpetual coming and going, a -perpetual tumult. Their orchard is filled incessantly with a multitude -of sick, of vagrants, of cripples, issuing from all the rocks in Judæa -to beseech him whom, with loud cries, they call the Saviour of the -World, the Son of David and King of the Jews. There are sometimes so -many of them that they overflow into my garden. The hedge, as you -see, has been trampled, crushed and even torn in certain places. -Fortunately, the Nazarene’s appearances are few and brief. Besides, -this picturesque spectacle, despite its inconveniences, amuses and -puzzles me. - - (_ENTER, on the left, five or six POOR FOLK._) - - CŒLIUS - -Who are those people? - - SILANUS - -What did I tell you?... Here are half-a-dozen coming to ask for -bread.... - - APPIUS - -Do they belong to this famous band? - - MARY MAGDALENE - -They are hateful and loathsome!... One of them has his face gnawed with -an ulcer, another is almost naked, another is starving!... - - APPIUS - -They certainly lack shame, thus to flaunt ugliness and dread.... - - SILANUS - -Do not be uneasy: these will not long mar the pleasing grace of the -porticoes that refresh our eyes. My gardener has discovered them; he is -armed with a stout hoe and is driving them back uncivilly.... You see, -they do not insist, they walk away in silence, hanging their heads.... -And, now that we have occupied ourselves long enough with these -unfortunate people, with their great leader and their maladies, let us -think a little of ourselves and enjoy the delightful afternoon which -spring-time sets before us.... My pleasure at seeing you here would -be flawless, if only our old friend Longinus had yielded to Appius’ -entreaties and consented to accompany you.... - - APPIUS - -I never felt more keenly the vanity of the great eloquence which he -himself taught me. To all my most convincing and well-stated arguments -he replied with a sullen silence, or shook his head, repeating that -he did not wish to throw a gloom over our happy party with his dismal -presence.... - - CŒLIUS - -And yet it is quite three weeks since that child died.... I should not -have thought that grief could have affected him so much.... - - APPIUS - -The more so as it concerned a child of tender years, whom her father -knew less well than did her nurse!... - - SILANUS - -There is something more astonishing yet, which clearly shows that -the greatest wisdom is not so much to know as to conform to what one -knows!... When, more than fifteen years ago, I lost a little boy -who must have been of about the same age as the child whom he now -mourns, Longinus undertook to console me. He wrote me an eloquent -letter, wherein, relying on the authority of Metrodorus, Panætius and -Hermachus, he proved that sorrow is not only useless, but ungrateful. I -found and read the letter again this morning; and so striking are its -more important passages that I know them almost by heart.... They were -the loftiest words that human wisdom could utter against death and -sorrow.... They protected me once.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -What were the words? It is well to know anything that can relieve -sorrow.... - - SILANUS - -“You expect consolation,” he said; “you shall receive only reproaches. -If you bear the death of a child with so little patience, what would -you do if you had lost a friend? You ought to bring yourself to this -frame of mind, that you were more pleased at having had him than -grieved that you had him no longer. But most men reckon past advantages -and pleasures as of no account. They bury friendship with their -friend....” - - APPIUS - -I recognize and hail the mighty wisdom of our venerable master. - - SILANUS - -Why does he not remember it, when misfortune strikes him? But why did I -forget it myself, when I needed it most?... “I assure you,” he added, -“that of those whom we have loved, much remains to us after death has -removed them. The time that is past is ours; and I see nothing of -which we are more certain than of that which has been. The hope of the -future makes us ungrateful for the benefits which we have received, as -though the favours which we expect were not bound soon to be ranked -among things past. Death has deprived you of a son so young that he -could be of no promise to you yet; it is only a little time lost. There -are instances without end of fathers losing infant children without -shedding a single tear and returning to the senate after laying them -in the grave. This is not unreasonable; for, in the first place, it is -idle to give way to grief when grief can serve no purpose. And then it -is unjust to complain of a misfortune that has befallen one person and -still threatens all the others. Moreover, it is madness to complain, -when there is so little distance between the one who is dead and the -one who mourns him. Consider that all mankind, destined to one and the -same end, is divided only by little intervals, even when they appear -very great. He whom you think lost has only gone before. Since we must -all travel the same road, is it not unworthy of a wise man to weep for -one who has set out earlier than ourselves? To complain that the friend -or the child is dead is to complain that he was ever born. We are all -linked to the same fate. He who has come into the world must also leave -it. His stay may be longer, but the end is always alike. The time that -elapses between the first day and the last is uncertain and variable. -If you consider the wretchedness of life, it is long, even for a child; -if you regard the duration, it is short, even for an old man.” - - MARY MAGDALENE - -That would not have consoled me.... - - SILANUS - -To console, lady, is not to do away with sorrow, but to teach one how -to overcome it. - - (_At this moment, there is heard rising from the roads, the - paths and all the invisible country commanded by the terrace - a noise, at first dull and confused, which gradually becomes - more positive and precise. Sounds of a crowd forming and - hurrying, stones rolling, children crying, dogs barking; shouts - that grow more and more distinct: “This way! This way!... Come - quickly!... Come down!... To the right, to the right!... He is - there!... We saw him!... He is leaving the house!... To Simon’s - orchard!... Carry the palsied there!... Lead the blind!... - Quick, quick, this way!... They say he is going to speak!” - etc._) - - APPIUS - -What is this? What is happening?... - - VERUS - -They are hurrying from every side!... - - CŒLIUS - -All the roads are covered with people running like madmen!... - - APPIUS - -They seem to spring from the stones!... - - CŒLIUS - -But what is happening?... They are disappearing behind those -olive-trees.... - - VERUS - -Here come two sick men carried on their beds.... - - CŒLIUS - -A blind man falling!... - - APPIUS - -What is the matter with them?... Are they mad?... - - VERUS - -Who are those extraordinary creatures leaping among the rocks?... - - SILANUS - -They are the men possessed by devils, coming out of the tombs.... - - APPIUS - -But, after all, what is happening?... - - SILANUS - -They have seen the Nazarene.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -The Nazarene?... Where is he?... - - SILANUS - -He has probably just come out of Simon’s house. They watch all his -movements. As soon as he is seen, they bring the sick; and the fanatics -come rushing up.... He must be walking in the neighbouring orchard.... -(_Listening._) Yes.... Do you hear the crowd humming like bees?... It -is close to my laurel-hedge.... - - APPIUS - -Let us go and see.... - - SILANUS - -I do not advise you to. In the first place, those people are mostly -very poor, extremely dirty and very unpleasant to come into touch -with.... Then, you know the Jewish fanaticism.... In these moments of -exaltation, the most inoffensive become dangerous; and the sight of the -Roman toga and arms enrages them strangely.... Besides, we shall hear -what happens quite well from where we stand.... Listen!... The cries -are coming nearer still and increasing.... - - (_Behind the hedge that closes the end of the garden rise cries - that sound nearer and nearer: “Hosannah! Hosannah!... Son of - Man!... Lord, Lord, have pity! Lord, Son of David, heal the - sick man!... Master! Master! Lord!... Jesus of Nazareth, have - pity on me!... Make way!... Silence, silence!... He is going - to speak!” At these words, the tumult suddenly subsides. An - incomparable silence, in which it seems as though the birds - and the leaves of the trees and the very air that is breathed - take part, falls with all its supernatural weight upon the - countryside; and, in this silence, which weighs upon people on - the terrace also, there rises, absolute sovereign of space and - the hour, a wonderful voice, soft and all-powerful, intoxicated - with ardour, light and love, distant and yet near to every - heart and present in every soul._) - - THE VOICE - -Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!... -Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted!... Blessed -are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth!... - - APPIUS - -What is he saying?... - - SILANUS - -Listen!... It is rather curious.... - - THE VOICE - -Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for -they shall be filled!... Blessed are the merciful, for they shall -obtain mercy!... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -I want to see!... (_She rises and, as though irresistibly drawn by the -divine voice, goes as if to descend the steps of the terrace and to -make for the bottom of the garden._) - - SILANUS (_in a low voice, trying to hold her back_) - -Do not go there!... - - THE VOICE - -Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -I will go!... - - VERUS - -I shall go with you.... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_fiercely, imperiously_) - -No! Nobody!... Let me be!... (_She goes down towards the hedge, as -though fascinated._) - - THE VOICE - -Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of -God!... Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, -for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!... - - VERUS - -Where is she going.... - - APPIUS - -What is she doing?... She is mad!... She is trying to pass through the -hedge!... - - THE VOICE - -Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you!... Rejoice -and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven!... - - VERUS - -She has opened the gate of the garden!... She is in the orchard!... - - SILANUS - -Women sometimes have thoughts which wise men do not understand.... - - VERUS - -I shall go and join her; and, if I have to protect her against those.... - - SILANUS - -Do no such thing.... They are listening to the voice and will not -perceive her presence, whereas the sight and sound of your arms.... -Listen, listen to what he is saying: it is rather singular.... - - THE VOICE - -But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do -good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use -you!... - - (_At that moment, cries, at first scattered, rise among - the invisible crowd behind the hedge. A few words are - distinguishable: “It Is the Roman woman! The Roman woman!... - The adulteress!... Shame!... Shame! Shame!... Magdalene!... The - strumpet!... Drive her away, drive her away!...” Immediately - afterwards, these cries are lost in a violent and formidable - shout of reprobation, in which only a few resounding words - are, with difficulty, perceived: “Shame! Shame!... Stone her! - Stone her!... Death! Death!... Stone her!” etc. All this is - accompanied by a noise of flight, of hurrying footsteps, of - sticks and pebbles clashing, of broken branches, etc._) - - SILANUS - -They have seen her!... - - VERUS - -But what is happening?... Is it she whom they are attacking?... - - SILANUS - -It is what I feared.... We must take care.... - - VERUS (_rushing to the bottom of the garden_) - -This way!... Follow me!... Appius, Cœlius, your swords!... - - (_At the moment when he rushes down, the laurel-hedge is burst - through in every part by the yelling and gesticulating crowd - pursuing MARY MAGDALENE. She makes a frenzied attempt to reach - the terrace. VERUS and his two friends run towards her, to try - to protect her against the invading multitude. Stones fly. - VERUS, standing in front of the others, brandishes his bare - sword. Just as the fighting is about to begin, when already - branches are broken, a statue overturned and so forth, suddenly - a loud call of the supernatural voice rings under the nearer - olive-trees. All cease, struck with stupor. A word of command - is passed from mouth to mouth: “Silence! Silence!... Listen! - Listen!... He is speaking! He is going to speak!... The Master - has made a sign!... Listen! Listen!...” Then, in the silence - thus suddenly produced, the divine voice rises, calm, august, - profound and irresistible._) - - THE VOICE - -He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her!... - - (_The stones are heard to drop to the ground. The crowd sways to - and fro, abashed, and disappears gradually, in silence, through - the hedge. VERUS comes forward to support MARY MAGDALENE, who - has stopped and is standing erect and motionless in the middle - of the walk. She rejects the proffered aid, with a harsh and - fierce gesture, and, staring in front of her, alone among the - others, who look at her without understanding, slowly she - climbs the steps of the terrace._) - - - CURTAIN - - - - - ACT II - -(_The Tablinum [or large room behind the Atrium] of MARY - MAGDALENE’S villa at Bethany. At the back, leading one into the - other, the Atrium and a long vestibule with marble columns._) - - - SCENE I - - MARY MAGDALENE, LUCIUS VERUS - - (_Enter LUCIUS VERUS. MARY MAGDALENE runs up to him and throws - herself into his arms._) - - MARY MAGDALENE - -You at last, my Verus!... For three days I have awaited you, for three -days I have called you. Men grant me my beauty when its triumph brings -me nothing but regret and disgust. And I ask myself, is that beauty -really powerless when, at last, there is a question of the happiness -which every woman has the right to expect in her life?... - - VERUS - -I know not if I shall be able to give you the happiness that is your -due, Magdalene; but be assured that your beauty never gained a more -complete victory.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -What care I now for its victory!... It is I who am vanquished, utterly -vanquished beforehand, without daring to confess it to myself, without -being able to hide it from my indifference, so odiously acquired, or -from my vanity, which has never been more than the shameful crown -of my shame!... But why keep me waiting so long?... I thought that -everything was abandoning me, that all was lost because of the -dreadful words which I spoke at our good Silanus’ and which were not -true, which were only a profounder lie then my other lies, because -I was mad, because I did not know, because I did not wish for an -impossible happiness.... - - VERUS - -You well know, Magdalene, that I never believed you the woman you -depicted.... But now neither do I dare believe in the happiness that -approaches.... I am quite dazzled, I doubt, I grope in the dark.... I -do not recognize the voice that has so often and so harshly repelled me. - - MARY MAGDALENE (_in VERUS’ arms_) - -It is not the same voice, it is not the same soul.... - - VERUS - -And yet it is really you whom I hold in my arms, it is every parcel -of you whom I have implored so long!... I ask myself still if all -is indeed real, if all is indeed possible, if you are not trifling -with a too-credulous happiness which you will fling aside among all -those which beauty shatters when testing its power.... But no, when I -question, when I follow your eyes that plunge into mine, I see that it -is indeed true, that it was always true.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Yes, yes, it is true, it is true and it was always true.... I did not -know it, I searched my heart in vain and I was ignorant of all my -feelings until these days of anguish.... I refused to see that you were -coming towards me and that everything was awaiting you.... And yet I -ought to have known it.... Already, at Antioch, do you remember, Verus, -how I avoided you?... I received so many others; and you alone, the -comeliest, the purest, I tried to ignore, to blot out, to destroy.... -As soon as you appeared, I withdrew, like a shy and distrustful animal, -to my lair; and, only the other day, at our good Silanus’, I felt all -the evil, all the cruelty, or all the despair that fills my heart rise -to my lips.... But, to-day, I see; I am no longer the same; I no longer -know myself, because I am myself once more.... All that used to resist -is broken within my soul.... I no longer understand myself and I did -not know that happiness is so strange a thing.... I, who never wept in -my worst moments of distress, am sobbing to-day when happiness awaits -me.... I am glad and light-hearted and yet more shattered than if all -the misfortunes that hover in the skies were about to burst over me.... -(_Embracing him more passionately_) Help me, my Verus, help me, support -me, you whom nothing threatens, you who have nothing to fear!... - - VERUS - -But what has happened? Can any one have dared, in my absence...? - - MARY MAGDALENE - -No, no, nobody; and it is not that; and I myself do not know the danger -that surrounds me.... But I have no other shelter than your arms; and -I feel myself lost if I lose you too.... Take me, bear me away on that -heart to which I am listening, far from myself, far from this place and -from my anxiety.... You alone can save me and I have no life but that -which you give me.... But why did you forsake me so long in my tears, -why did you not come until after the third day, abandoning me thus, -without a word of pity, without a sign of hope?... - - VERUS - -You are mistaken, Magdalene, or else your slaves did not acquaint you -with the truth.... The very day after our meeting at Silanus’, I came -to Bethany to tell you that, by order of the Procurator, I was suddenly -sent, at the head of a cohort, to suppress a curious riot that had -broken out near Jericho. The slaves who keep your door would not allow -me to approach you and replied to me in such a way that I dared not -well insist.... I understood that they were obeying orders so precise -and so stern that I must not try to thwart them.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -It is true.... I forgot.... I was mad and worn out, incapable of -seeing, willing or hearing.... I was not yet awake.... It seemed to -me that I was still struggling amid the hideous crowd in Simon’s -garden, where I called in vain upon him who had delivered me.... He was -abandoning me, he too.... I sent in search of him to no purpose. No one -could tell me where he was hiding.... Have you not seen him since?... -Do you not know where he is?... - - VERUS - -Who? - - MARY MAGDALENE - -The Nazarene.... - - VERUS - -Let us not speak of that wretched man: his hours are numbered.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -His hours are numbered?... What do you mean?... - - VERUS - -No matter: that does not interest us now and soon we shall know nothing -of aught that does not touch our love; for it is wonderful to see how -the thoughts of those who love each other meet and unite in spite of -the distance and of the ill-natured speeches that come between them. -Is it not astonishing that, after leaving you at Silanus’, where I had -heard words that should have deprived me of all hope, I for the first -time felt our young happiness swell and blossom in all its strength -and all its certainty?... While you were calling me, I called you also -with all the deep and wonderful voices of my heart. I was kept far from -you by a duty unworthy of a soldier; for that expedition to Jericho, -the last, I trust, upon which I shall be sent, was almost odious and -often ridiculous. I counted with rage the minutes stolen from our new -life, which was already beginning in a soul that feared none of my -reasons for fearing.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -It will not really begin until we are far from this land where I -suffocate, where everything darkens and threatens happiness, where -I can no longer live.... Verus, I beseech you, if you love me as I -love you, let us hasten, let us leave everything; there is no time to -lose.... - - VERUS - -You are right: a joy so long awaited must not be born among these -sinister rocks, where floats an odour of death and madness.... And -yet, even here, our thoughts came to an understanding long before our -words.... Like you, I have resolved to leave this hated city, where -really my obedience is abused.... I am at the orders of the Procurator, -but not at the venomous service of the Jewish priests, nor of the -clamorous and perfidious nation whom my old legionaries have conquered. -I have had enough of this ambiguous life. Before to-night, I shall find -a pretext for evading an order which I was to execute this very day, an -order of which I but too well know the origin.... If the pretext appear -insufficient, let Caiaphas and Annas go and complain to Cæsar.... -Nothing counts in the presence of our love; and the inglorious errand -which they claim the right to impose upon me repels me all the more -inasmuch as it was to be accomplished, so to speak, before your eyes.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Before my eyes?... Of what are you speaking?... - - VERUS - -Nothing that interests you; let us think only of our happy escape.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -I know that some danger threatens him.... - - VERUS - -Whom do you mean?... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -It is impossible, after what he has done, that you should become the -instrument of his worst enemies.... You owe him my life and perhaps -our happiness.... What do they want with him? What orders have you -received?... - - VERUS - -I am charged to arrest him before this evening, together with the -principal leaders of his band. It is a vulgar constabulary measure, -directed against sick men and vagrants, of a kind that has never yet -been exacted of the legionaries.... It shall not take place; do not let -us speak of it.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -But why arrest him? What has he done? What is he accused of?... He is -innocent, I know; besides, one need but see him to understand.... He -brings a happiness that was not known before; and all those who come -near him are happy, it seems, like children at their awaking.... I -myself, who only caught a glimpse of him among the olive-trees, felt -that gladness was rising in my soul like a sort of light that overtook -my thoughts.... He fixed his eyes for but a moment on mine; and that -will be enough for the rest of my life.... I knew that he recognized -me without ever having seen me and I knew that he wished to see me -again.... He seemed to choose me gravely, absolutely, for ever.... - - VERUS - -What does this mean? Are you speaking of him? What happened?... Have -you seen him again?... I was told, for that matter, that he is an -intriguer, ready for everything; but I should never have believed that -he would have dared.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -He has dared nothing.... I have not seen him again, I shall never see -him again, now that we are about to leave everything, to be only we two -alone.... - - VERUS (_clasping her more closely_) - -To be one alone, Magdalene, in a happier land, where everything -encourages happiness, smiles upon lovers and blesses beauty.... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_bursting into convulsive sobs on VERUS’ breast_) - -I love you.... I know it.... - - VERUS - -Come, I know these tears that well at the same moment from our two -hearts in our one joy.... But here, between the columns of the -vestibule, come the greatest ornaments of that beautiful Rome which -we shall soon astonish with our love.... I am right: it is our good -Silanus, accompanied by the faithful Appius; led by the immortal gods, -they descend the marble steps to hallow with their fraternal presence -the first smiles of a happiness born under their eyes.... - - - SCENE II - - THE SAME, SILANUS, APPIUS - - SILANUS - -It was said and it was written that, on this most propitious day, I -should behold two marvels, not the lesser of which is to see thus -promptly reunited two lovers who, according to love’s ancient custom, -should have fled from each other the more obstinately the more they -yearned to meet.... - - APPIUS - -By Metrodorus, Hermachus and Zeno, there are other things on hand than -the too-long-expected happiness of two lovers cutting short their -quarrels!... Tell them at once what has happened; shout it to them, -with all your throat and all your soul: death no longer exists! The -graves are about to open, the spirits of the dead to show themselves; -the gods are shaken, all the laws of life are overturned!... We have -just admired an unequalled, unspeakable, unheard-of phenomenon, that -has never been seen since light first rose upon the world, that will -not be seen again before the death of the gods!... - - SILANUS - -The more extraordinary it seems to you, Appius, the less should it -trouble the perfect composure of your soul, considering that a -phenomenon that will not be seen again could not well shake the laws of -the universe nor the stability of the gods! - - VERUS - -But what has happened? Appius seems to be the victim of a greater -exaltation than usual; and you yourself, my worthy master, despite your -even mind.... - - APPIUS - -I will tell you what has happened: he has brought a dead man to life!... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Who?... - - SILANUS - -The Nazarene, whose return I have come to announce to you, as I -promised. - - MARY MAGDALENE - -He has come back? Since when? Where is he?... Have you seen him?... - - SILANUS - -To reply to your questions in order, lady, I will tell you that he -returned this morning, that I saw him with my eyes and that, at this -moment, he is with my neighbour Simon the Leper. I am surprised, -however, that the absolute frenzy which has shaken the country for two -or three hours has not yet spread as far as here. It is true that your -dwelling is separated by a high hill and some olive-woods from the spot -where the sepulchre lies hidden. - - MARY MAGDALENE - -I have heard nothing, learned nothing.... In spite of my orders, no one -has told me.... But, after all, what has happened?... Appius is as -pale as a ghost.... What is it? What has he said, what has he done?... - - APPIUS - -He has done a thing which no man, no god, has done before him; a thing -which I would not have believed if ten thousand witnesses had come to -swear it in the name of the immortals, but in which I believe as firmly -as I am bound to believe in my own existence, having seen it with my -eyes, as I see you now, and almost touched it with my hands, as I touch -this vase. He said, “Rise, come forth and walk.” And the dead man rose, -came forth and began to walk among us! - - VERUS - -It was apparently a dead man whose health left nothing to be wished -for?... - - SILANUS - -No, I am convinced that it was really a dead man. - - APPIUS - -It was a real, a terrible dead man!... If not, my senses can no longer -declare that the sun shines in the blue or that human flesh decays!... -He had been four days in the grave!... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -But who? How? Where?... And the Nazarene?... I want to know.... Speak -for him, Silanus: he has not yet recovered his senses.... - - SILANUS - -Here, in a few words, is what happened. Nevertheless, it is right that -I should tell you that I do not entirely share Appius’ amazement. -It should astonish us no more to see a man return to life than to -see a child come to life or an old man leave it. (MAGDALENE _makes a -movement of impatience_.) But I understand your impatience. I spoke to -you the other day of my neighbour Simon. He lives in the little house -that touches my property, with his wife, his sister-in-law and his -brother-in-law, named Lazarus. This Lazarus, whom I saw only two or -three times, for he was often away from home, had been ailing for some -weeks and died four days ago.... - - APPIUS - -Four days, do you understand?... That is what nobody would dare deny.... - - SILANUS - -Nor does any one think of doing so, Appius. They were a very united -family; and the sorrow of those poor people was great. From my -terrace, I could hear the lamentations of the women. According to the -custom of the Jews, Lazarus was buried on the night that followed after -his death. They laid him in a new grave, dug in the rocks that form -the other side of that hill, and closed the grave with an enormous -stone. This morning, suddenly, the rumour spread that the Nazarene had -returned and that he was going to restore to life the dead man, who was -his friend. Appius, who was at my house, persuaded me to go down with -him; and we followed the crowd into the valley of the tombs. - - MARY MAGDALENE - -I knew that he was to return to-day; but why did you not send word to -me at once, as you promised?... - - SILANUS - -It seemed to me that the spectacle at hand was not one of those on -which the eyes of a woman in the hour of her beauty love to rest. -Moreover, there was cause to fear lest your arrival among the excited -crowd should cause a repetition of the violence of the other day. For -an enormous crowd, silent, but quivering like a swarm of bees, escorted -the Nazarene, in front of whom walked the two sisters of Lazarus. We, -Appius and I, climbed on to a block of stone hidden behind some bushes, -whence we could see and hear everything without arousing the suspicion -of the Jews. They showed the grave to the Nazarene, who stopped and -lowered his head. - - APPIUS - -He wept. They whispered in the crowd, “Behold how he loved him!” But -nobody dared approach. They formed a circle at a distance, as though -round a dread being.... - - SILANUS - -“Take ye away the stone,” said the Nazarene; and two men stepped toward -the grave. - - APPIUS - -You forget that, at that moment, one of the sisters of the dead man, -alarmed and all in tears, seized the Nazarene by the arm and said, -“Lord, by this time he stinketh; for he hath been dead four days.” -The Nazarene answered--I have not forgotten a single one of his -words--“Said I not unto thee that, if thou wouldest believe, thou -shouldest see the glory of God? Take ye away the stone.” - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Who is this sister of Lazarus? Is she Simon’s wife? - - SILANUS - -No, it is the other one: her name is Mary and, when the Nazarene stays -at Bethany, she never leaves him. - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Is she young? - - SILANUS - -She is younger than Simon’s wife. - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Have you seen her? Do you know her?... - - SILANUS - -I have spoken to her more than once. But to return to the stone, which -was enormous, flat and fastened into the walls of the cave: two men -attacked it with levers. It resisted at first and then, suddenly, fell -down all of a piece.... - - APPIUS - -We were quite close, hanging aslant over the cave. By all the gods who -from heaven rule the earth and men, I swear that, at that moment, I -felt the terrible breath of the dead man strike me in the face!... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Did you see the dead man?... - - APPIUS - -As I see you now, lady!... - - VERUS - -I do not understand how you can seriously interest yourselves in -these things which happen in an incongruous, mad world, where all is -witchcraft, coarse illusions and barbarous lies.... - - APPIUS - -By Hades and Persephone, what my senses perceived was no illusion, I -assure you!... We nearly fell from our rock!... The corpse was there, -in the greedy light that devoured the cave, lying like a stiff and -shapeless statue, closely bound in grave-clothes, the face covered with -a napkin. The crowd, heaped up in a semicircle, irresistibly attracted -and repelled, leaned forward, stretched its thousand necks, without -daring to approach. The Nazarene stood alone, in front. He raised his -hand, spoke a few words which I did not catch and then, addressing the -corpse in a voice whose pent-up force I shall never forget, he cried, -“Lazarus, come forth!” - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Did he come forth?... - - APPIUS - -We heard only the sound of the wind moving the garments of the -multitude and the buzzing of the flies that swarmed into the grave. -All eyes were so firmly fixed upon the corpse that I saw, so to speak, -their motionless beams, as one sees the sunbeams in a dark room.... -Suddenly, it became plain, terrifying, superhuman! The dead man, -obeying the order, slowly bent in two; then, snapping the bandages that -fastened his legs, he stood up erect, like a stone, all white, with his -arms bound and his head veiled. With small, almost impossible steps, -guided by the light, he came forth from the grave. The affrighted -crowd gradually fell back, without being able to turn away its gaze. -“Loose him and let him go,” said the Nazarene. And the two sisters of -the dead man, releasing themselves from the human hedge, rushed to -their brother. - - MARY MAGDALENE - -And he?... - - APPIUS - -He staggered, he stumbled at every step.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -But the Nazarene?... - - APPIUS - -He went away without a word and withdrew into Simon’s house. - - VERUS - -And the dead man, how did he go?... - - APPIUS - -The two sisters, wild-eyed, mechanically, blindly fumbled and cut the -napkin and the grave-clothes; then, supporting the dead man and helping -him to walk, they led him away to the same house. The crowd dared not -follow them save with their eyes. No one uttered a word; even the two -women did not yet speak to the dead man. - - MARY MAGDALENE - -And the Nazarene? Has he been seen again? - - SILANUS - -He has not left Simon’s house. The swaying multitude is waiting for him -in the orchard and along the roads; for, after the first long minutes -of stupor, reaction set in and a general alacrity followed.... - - APPIUS - -Which was as extraordinary as the miracle itself! First, a confused -and almost dumb gladness, made up of whispers that seek and feel for -one another, passed through the crowd. Then, as though the truth had -suddenly burst forth under the skies, an unspeakable gaiety seized upon -the mass. The whispers became cries that were not recognizable. The -women, the children and especially the older men exulted frantically. -It was as though they were trampling on death, which a god had just -conquered and laid low, for the first time since man came into -existence. At this moment, an inconceivable and dangerous exaltation -still prevails in all the region round about the tombs; and, by -Hercules, though we have escaped unscathed, I would not advise my worst -enemy to risk the Roman toga and arms there! - - VERUS - -Is that all?... - - APPIUS - -What more would you have?... - - VERUS - -I should like to know what all this proves. - - APPIUS - -It proves that this man who has conquered death, which hitherto had -conquered the world, is greater than we and our gods. It therefore -behoves us to hear what he has to tell us and to conform our lives to -it. - - SILANUS - -I will conform mine to it, Appius, if what he teaches is better than -what I have learned. By awaking a dead man, in the depth of his grave, -he shows us that he possesses a power greater than that of our masters, -but not a greater wisdom. Let us await everything with an even mind. -It is not difficult, even for a child, to discern that which, in men’s -words, augments or decreases the love of virtue. If he can convince me -that I have acted wrong until to-day, I will amend, for I seek only the -truth. But, if all the dead who people these valleys were to rise from -their graves to bear witness, in his name, to a truth less high than -that which I know, I would not believe them. Whether the dead sleep or -wake, I will not give them a thought unless they teach me to make a -better use of my life.... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_starting_) - -Listen!... - - VERUS - -What is it?... - - APPIUS - -I hear stones rolling.... - - VERUS - -It is like the murmur of a crowd.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -He is coming!... - - APPIUS (_going to the first columns of the vestibule_) - -From here we overlook the wall of the first court.... I see them!... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_pale and staggering, takes a few steps toward - the back of the Atrium and gazes into the distance_) - -Yes.... - - APPIUS - -They are wrapped in a cloud of dust.... There are two or three thousand -of them crowding toward the entrance.... I think it is those who were -at the grave.... - - VERUS - -They would not dare!... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Verus!... - - VERUS - -Fear nothing, Magdalene: this time, I alone will defend you. - - APPIUS - -They are following, at a distance, a man clad in white, who is entering -the court.... - - VERUS - -But what is the janitor of the first courtyard doing?... Will he not -stop him?... - - APPIUS - -Yes.... He is coming now.... What is he doing?... One would think he -was afraid!... He suddenly stops and lets him pass without a word.... - - VERUS - -And the others follow him.... They are entering the second court.... -The impudence of those Jews is really incredible!... In Rome, even -during the Saturnalia, we should not allow the crowd to push its way -like that.... What are the slaves doing?... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Is it he?... - - SILANUS - -Who?... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -The Nazarene.... - - SILANUS - -I think not.... It is not his walk.... I believe rather that it is.... - - APPIUS - -There he is, in the plane-tree avenue! - - SILANUS - -He is coming straight in our direction.... - - VERUS - -He is even taking the shortest way. He is coming up the steps under the -boxwood arbour.... He seems at home.... Fortunately, the slaves are -running from every side to bar his entrance to the vestibule.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Hush, I entreat you!... - - VERUS - -What is the matter?... - - APPIUS - -He is coming nearer; he is terribly pale.... - - SILANUS - -I believe it is.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Who?... - - SILANUS - -The other one.... The one whom he brought forth from the.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Lazarus?... - - SILANUS - -Yes, I recognize him.... - - VERUS - -What does he want with us?... Ghosts do not walk like that, in broad -daylight.... He is horrible!... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Oh, hush, hush!... - - SILANUS - -Here he is.... - - - SCENE III - - _THE SAME, LAZARUS. At the back of the vestibule, the SLAVES. - Further away, imagined rather than perceived, the crowd of - JEWS._ - - (_A great silence. LAZARUS advances slowly from the back of the - vestibule. He looks neither to the right nor to the left. - The SLAVES of the villa, who have hastened up among the last - columns, form a group for a moment as though to block his - way. But, at the approach of the man risen from the dead, who - seems unaware of their presence, they fall back silently, one - after the other. LAZARUS ENTERS by the back of the Atrium - and stops on the threshold, which is raised by three steps. - MARY MAGDALENE moves backwards to one of the columns in the - foreground, against which she crushes herself, motionless. But - VERUS, breaking the silence, with his hand on the hilt of his - sword, goes up to LAZARUS._) - - VERUS (_in a hectoring voice_) - -Who are you?... (_LAZARUS does not reply._) You do not answer?... It is -indeed easier to cover with silence what one dare not confess. But, if -you have nothing to say, you have no business here. It is well for you -that my pity is stronger than my indignation. Go! - - (_A new and profound silence._) - - LAZARUS (_in a voice that does not seem yet to have recovered its - human note, to MAGDALENE_) - -Come. The Master calls you. - - (_MAGDALENE leaves the column against which she is leaning and - takes four or five steps towards LAZARUS, as though walking in - her sleep._) - - VERUS (_barring the road_) - -Where are you going?... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_as though recovering consciousness with - difficulty, in a stifled, hesitating voice, which she vainly - tries to render firmer_) - -Wherever he wishes.... - - VERUS - -No, not while I am here!... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_throwing herself convulsively into VERUS’ arms_) - -Verus!... - - VERUS (_clasping her violently_) - -Have no fear, Magdalene. Nothing can touch you in these arms which -close round you. The madness of this land seems more contagious than -its pestilence and more tenacious than its leprosy; but Roman reason -does not waver, like the rest, at the first foul breath that issues -from a tomb. We will cut this matter short. (_To LAZARUS_) You I will -not touch with my sword. It shrinks from corpses, even when they -walk and drive the trade which you do. It is for the slaves to show -you the road back to the sepulchre.... Where are the slaves?... But, -before going, look at this and tell your master that the woman whom he -covets--by the gods, he lacks neither taste nor daring!--has sought a -refuge in these arms, which will know how to defend her against his -barbarous witchcraft and his childish spells. Above all, repeat to him -what I am about to say: he will perhaps understand. His life, which -will not be a long one, after what he has done, lies wholly in this -hand which drives you hence. I have spoken. Go. She will not follow -you.... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_struggling to escape from VERUS’ embrace, while, - in the effort, her hair becomes loosened and falls over her - shoulders_) - -Yes!... - - VERUS (_holding her back by force_) - -What does this mean?... Then you wish to...? (_MAGDALENE nods her -head._) I no longer understand.... Or rather I begin to understand too -well.... You were at one.... And it was he whom you were awaiting with -that impatience which seemed so sweet to me?... For who could be made -to believe that the fairest, richest and proudest woman in all Judæa -would thus, without a previous understanding, obey the first word, the -first sign of the grotesque and repulsive messenger sent by one whom -she had seen but once in her life!... It is too much.... I see, I know: -go, since you love him!... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -No, no!... I love you, but he.... - - VERUS - -But he?... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_sinking in sobs at VERUS’ feet_) - -It is a different thing!... - - VERUS - -It is well, stand up.... I do not keep you by force. But I could not -have believed that you had come to this.... I have fallen into one -of your Jewish traps. Do you see the crowd posted there, under the -portico, spying upon its hostages?... I will not have Roman property -defiled.... I bear you no grudge, Magdalene. Love, in me, is not -extinguished in a moment; and I possess more constancy than woman.... -I shall watch over you. I know now that, by destroying him, I can save -her whom he wished to destroy. He does not suspect that he owes his -life to me; for hitherto, from pity or indifference, I had held back -the threats that were gathering over his head. But, since he himself -comes to attack me in my happiness, I add to those threats all the -weight of flouted love.... And, now, go with your guide from the -tombs.... We shall meet again before long. - - (_LAZARUS GOES OUT slowly through the vestibule. MAGDALENE, - without a word, without a movement, without a look, GOES OUT - after him, amid the profound, still silence of all present._) - - APPIUS (_after a long pause_) - -We have this day seen more than one thing that we had not seen -before.... - - SILANUS - -It is true, Appius; and this is as surprising as the resurrection of a -dead man.... - - - CURTAIN - - - - - ACT III - -(_In the house of JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA. The Supper-room in which the - Last Supper took place. Windows at the back. Doors to the right - and left. Judæo-Roman architecture. The lamps are lit. It is the - end of the night of the sixth of April._) - - - SCENE I - - _NICODEMUS. LEVI THE PUBLICAN. SIMON THE LEPER. LAZARUS, THE - MAN RISEN FROM THE DEAD. CLEOPHAS, ZACCHÆUS. THE MAN THAT WAS - BORN BLIND. BARTIMÆUS, THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO. THE MAN OF - GERASA POSSESSED BY A DEVIL. THE IMPOTENT MAN OF BETHESDA. - THE MAN HEALED OF A DROPSY. THE MAN WHOSE HAND WAS WITHERED. - SIMON PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW MARY CLEOPHAS. SALOME, THE WIFE - OF ZEBEDEE. SUSANNA. Several nameless MEN AND WOMEN CURED BY - MIRACLES. A few HUNCHBACKED, HALT, BLIND, LEPERS and PALSIED - waiting to be healed. Some BEGGARS, two or three HARLOTS, etc. - (All these people are struck with consternation and alarm at - the arrest of JESUS and at the bad news that is current. They - crowd at the back of the room, muttering and whispering. ENTER - MARTHA, the sister of LAZARUS._) - - MARTHA (_affrighted, looking anxiously around her_) - -I have seen him! - - (_Sensation. ALL gather eagerly round MARTHA._) - - NICODEMUS - -Where is he?... - - MARY CLEOPHAS - -Has he suffered?... - - SALOME - -What does he say?... - - MARTHA - -Where is my sister?... - - MARY CLEOPHAS - -She is with her mother, in our host’s chamber.... Her mother was worn -out with sorrow.... - - MARTHA (_going to one of the windows_) - -Did no one follow me?... No, the street is empty.... I went a long way -round.... - - NICODEMUS - -Where did you see him?... - - MARTHA - -He was coming out of Annas’ palace.... I followed him to Caiaphas’.... -It seems they are looking for us.... They have a special grudge against -Lazarus, the man raised from the dead.... Where is he?... - - NICODEMUS (_pointing to LAZARUS, in the shadow_) - -Here, among us.... - - MARTHA - -They mean to arrest all those who went with him.... They mean to stone -us according to the law.... They will persecute all those who come from -Galilee.... - - CLEOPHAS - -We are all Galileans.... - - A MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE - -No, not I.... - - ANOTHER - -Nor I: I am from Bethany. - - BARTIMÆUS - -And I from Jericho.... - - A MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE - -It is not well that we should be found together.... - - NICODEMUS - -Where will you go?... - - A MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE - -No matter where.... We shall be safer than here.... - - ANOTHER - -They do not know us.... I have never been seen with him.... - - A WOMAN - -Nor I either: he just simply healed me.... I was bowed together and he -made me straight.... - - A MAN - -I saw him only once: it was when he said to me, “Arise and take up -thy bed and go thy way into thine house.” I am he whom they let down -through the roof upon a bed.... Now I walk like other men.... (_He -turns to the door and GOES OUT, followed by THOSE CURED BY MIRACLES who -spoke before him._) - - A SICK MAN - -They are right.... We are not known either.... I came to be healed of -a dysentery.... I have not had time to touch him. (_He also makes for -the door._) - - MARTHA - -Are you not ashamed?... - - THE SICK MAN (_stopping on the threshold_) - -Of what?... It serves no purpose that those whom he has healed should -perish because of him.... (_He GOES OUT._) - - ANOTHER MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE - -He can do nothing for us, because he can do nothing for himself; and we -can do nothing for him.... - - A HUNCHBACK - -Yes, why does he not protect us?... He is constantly speaking of his -father and the angels.... Where are those angels? - - NICODEMUS - -It is because his hour has not yet come. - - THE HUNCHBACK - -When will his hour come?... When it is too late.... I have not the time -to wait.... (_He GOES OUT._) - - NICODEMUS - -Let those who do not love him go.... The Son of Man shall come in such -an hour as you think not.... - - CLEOPHAS - -His kingdom is not of this world.... - - A BLIND MAN - -His kingdom is lost.... - - NICODEMUS - -He said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings and not one of -them is forgotten before God?”... - - CLEOPHAS - -He said, “Live not in careful suspense.”... - - NICODEMUS - -He said, “If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”... - - THE BLIND MAN - -But he also said, “Let the dead bury their dead.” (_He gropes his way -to the door and GOES OUT._) - - A LAME MAN - -I am going away, not that I am afraid, but to go and look for him.... - - ANOTHER - -I also.... (_They GO OUT._) - - A LEPER - -Who said that we must wait for him here?... - - NICODEMUS - -Simon Peter. - - THE LEPER - -Where is Simon Peter?... He hardly shows himself. - - MARTHA - -He was by the fire, in the high-priest’s hall.... - - NICODEMUS - -And John?... - - MARTHA - -I heard that he was in Annas’ house.... - - NICODEMUS - -And what was the Master doing when you saw him?... - - MARTHA - -I saw him only for a moment, while he passed between the columns of the -vestibule.... There was a great crowd around him.... - - MARY CLEOPHAS - -Did he see you?... - - MARTHA - -Yes. He looked at me.... - - NICODEMUS - -He was not free?... - - MARTHA - -His hands were bound.... The Roman soldiers were striking him to make -him walk faster.... - - MARY SALOME - -Oh!... - - CLEOPHAS - -And the others, the twelve, where are they?... - - MARTHA - -Nobody knows.... They were seized with panic.... I have heard that -Thomas and Jude have fled to Galilee.... - - NICODEMUS - -And Mary Magdalene, did you see her?... - - MARTHA - -No, but James met her.... She is mad with grief, it seems.... She was -crying out, tearing her garments and dashing her head against the walls -in Annas’ palace.... The servants drove her away; and, since then, -nobody knows what became of her.... A poor man told me that she was -wandering in the Roman quarter.... - - NICODEMUS - -Does she know that we are here?... - - MARTHA - -Yes, Simon Peter told her.... - - A SICK MAN - -When she comes, do not let her go out again.... She will bring -misfortune upon us. She is dangerous and does not know what she is -doing.... - - A MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE - -There are men marching in the street.... I hear the sound of arms.... -They are coming to arrest us!... Let all escape who can!... (_To -NICODEMUS, who is going to a window_) Do not go to the windows, you -will be recognized!... - - BARTIMÆUS - -I will go, I am not known, I am from Jericho.... (_He looks cautiously -into the street_). It is twelve soldiers, with a centurion.... Hush!... -Do not speak!... - - NICODEMUS - -Are they stopping?... - - BARTIMÆUS - -No.... They are passing.... There is no one in the street now.... -Yes!... There is some one coming at the other end.... Do not make a -noise.... It is a woman and four men.... Why, I know them!... It is -Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathæa, James, I believe, and Andrew -and Simon Zelotes.... They are looking around them.... They are -knocking.... Go down and open the door to them.... - - - SCENE II - - _THE SAME, MARY MAGDALENE, JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA, JAMES, ANDREW and - SIMON ZELOTES_ - - MARY MAGDALENE (_beside herself, dishevelled, barefoot, with torn - garments_) - -How many are you?... Are you ready?... What have you been doing while -waiting for me?... I have come from the Antonia Tower.... The military -tribune was not in the Roman quarter.... But I have seen his friend -Appius.... He will send him to us as soon as he returns.... Verus said -that it might be possible to save him.... I do not know how.... He will -explain it to us.... But, if he does not save him, we must.... James -and Simon have swords under their cloaks. Where is Peter? Where is -John?... - - MARTHA - -I saw them in the hall of the high-priest’s house.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -They ought to be here.... We must be many.... He is to pass through -this street, under that window, on his way to Pilate.... - - NICODEMUS - -When?... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -To-night, before the second watch.... Which of you has arms? Where are -they hidden?... - - NICODEMUS - -What do you wish to do?... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -To deliver him, if Verus does not deliver him.... It is easy, you -shall see.... They will let us do as we please, I know they will.... -The Romans do not want to judge him.... Appius told me so, they are -perplexed.... When they took him to Caiaphas, there were only two -soldiers to guard him and two sergeants from the Temple, armed with -sticks.... If only there had been five or six men with me!... We would -have hidden him, I know where; and he would have been saved!... But I -was all alone!... - - JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA - -It is not so easy as you think, Magdalene.... All the populace was -there, ready to stone him.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -But the populace is on his side and the crowd adores him!... You have -forgotten his triumphal entry!... - - JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA - -It is different now.... They were all shouting for his death outside -Caiaphas’ palace.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -It was a few servants of the Pharisees and Sadducees.... - - JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA - -A few servants would not have been enough to cover a public place to -the very roofs.... It was indeed the same crowd as on the day of the -triumph.... No, believe me, Magdalene, he knows what he wishes.... He -is determined to be destroyed.... He has confessed everything.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -What can he have confessed, when he has done no wrong?... - - JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA - -He admitted that he was the Son of God and the King of the Jews. - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Is it not the truth?... - - JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA - -No doubt, but it would have been better not to proclaim it to-night. In -the eyes of the priests and Romans, it is a crime punishable by law.... - - AN INFIRM MAN - -He must be guilty, or they would not have arrested him.... - - NICODEMUS - -We cannot do more than he wishes and commands; and he renounces his -defence. - - MARY MAGDALENE - -But you do not see that he does that to try your faith, your strength, -your love!... - - NICODEMUS - -He foretold all this many times.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -That was because he knew the cowardice of those who pretended to love -him!... Ah, men are great and heroic and proud!... The only men who -have not fled, those who tremble least, the best of you discuss and -argue as though they had to do with a measure of wheat; and the women -are silent and weep!... Well, what do you say, my sisters?... Is not -this the moment to show your love?... And those whom he has healed, -where are they, what are they doing?... You there, who want to flee, -blind Bartimæus, the other one from Jericho, the other from Siloam: -those eyes, which he has opened, you turn from me, because I have the -courage to speak to you of him!... You, Simon the Leper, you, the -other from Samaria, have you forgotten that, before he came, you were -more hideous than death?... I see nothing around me but miracles in -hiding!... The man whose hand was withered, the man who was healed of a -dropsy on the Sabbath and the man of Gerasa possessed by a devil, who -dares not lift up his head!... And, among the palsied, he of Bethesda -who is running to the door, using his legs only to forsake the God who -healed him!... Even those whom he raised from the dead are afraid!... -Why, look at Lazarus: he is more pale than any of you!... And yet you -saw death, you; you lay touching it for four long days.... Is it more -terrible than men thought?... You do not answer?... - - (_A long pause._) - - JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA - -Listen, Magdalene.... I lack neither courage nor loyalty.... -Notwithstanding the power of the priests, I have thrown open my house -to those who followed him. I know the price which I shall have to -pay.... I am prepared to sacrifice everything and life itself to him. -But I know his will and I cannot disobey him.... Peter wished to defend -him and drew his sword.... He made him put it up into the sheath.... I -was at Gethsemane.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Since you were there, why did you not help Peter?... We save those whom -we love; we listen to them afterwards!... But what will you do when you -have destroyed him?... Oh, I am delaying too long with those who are -afraid!... What am I doing here, among men who will do nothing?... I -am wasting his last chances and his last minutes.... I will go to meet -Verus; after him, we shall see.... (_She turns to the door. JOSEPH OF -ARIMATHÆA and NICODEMUS block her way._) - - NICODEMUS - -Do not go out, Magdalene: it means destroying him and destroying us -with him.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Ah, destroying you with him, that is the trouble!... Wait! (_She takes -another step towards the door. NICODEMUS stops her resolutely._) - - NICODEMUS - -You shall not go out. - - MARY MAGDALENE - -I shall not go out?... True, you dare fight against a woman. I had not -foreseen this great courage born of terror. You all shake your heads -like empty cornspikes; and the women rejoice in at last discovering the -cowardice of the men, showing itself suddenly more signal than their -own!... - - JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA - -Take counsel, Magdalene; think of him and reflect that, if he heard -you.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Well, if he heard me, it would be as on the day when that one among you -whom you all resemble reproached me with anointing his feet with too -costly an ointment!... Have you forgotten what he said?... Whom did he -declare to be right?... You have understood nothing!... For months and -years, you have lived in his light; and not one of you has the least -idea of what I saw because I loved him, I who did not come until the -eleventh hour, I whom he drew from lower than the lowest slave of the -lowest among you all!... - - NICODEMUS (_listening to the sounds outside_) - -Hush!... Listen!... Some one is walking outside the house.... (_To -BARTIMÆUS._) Go see who it is.... - - BARTIMÆUS (_at the window_) - -It is a man wrapped in a cloak.... A Roman.... He has stopped.... He -knocks at the door.... He is coming in.... The door was not closed.... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_running to the door of the Supper-room_) - -It is he, it is Lucius Verus!... Open the door to him! Open quickly!... -I hear him!... - - (_They open the door of the Supper-room. LUCIUS VERUS appears in - the embrasure. At the sight of the strange assembly of PERSONS - CURED BY MIRACLES, CRIPPLES, BEGGARS and SICK, he stops and - stands dumbfoundered on the threshold._) - - - SCENE III - - THE SAME, LUCIUS VERUS - - MARY MAGDALENE (_running to VERUS with outstretched arms_) - -It is you, my Verus, it is indeed you!... An eye that looks me in the -face, a sword, shoulders, hands that do not tremble!... Come! Come! -What are we to do?... Have you seen him?... Where are we going?... How -can we help him?... How many men do you need?... Where are yours? He is -not only innocent, as you well know, he is so pure, he stands so high -that the thoughts of men cannot reach him.... In his goodness he is -bearing everything for the sins of the world; but we will not have him -sacrifice himself for us.... A single glance from his eyes, a single -word from his mouth, are worth all the lives of all other men.... - - VERUS (_icily_) - -Is this indeed the place where I was to meet you?... Who are these ... -these men ... surrounding you?... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -They can be trusted.... They love him as well as he loved them; but -they want a leader.... They were waiting for you.... They will follow -you everywhere.... - - VERUS (_ironically_) - -I have not come to command this ... foreign ... troop.... I do not know -what you mean. There is some misunderstanding; and we should not, I -think, explain it here, before so many witnesses.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -You are right.... (_To the others_) Leave us.... I will call you when -the time comes for action.... - - (_ALL GO OUT, except MARY MAGDALENE and LUCIUS VERUS._) - - - SCENE IV - - LUCIUS VERUS, MARY MAGDALENE - -VERUS (_sarcastically_) - -Who are those extraordinary persons?... I have never seen so many -cripples, vagrants and evil-smelling sick people gathered together.... -What do they want with you?... I was told that you were living in the -midst of uncouth creatures, the oldest, the ugliest, the dirtiest and -the most pestilential of those Jews whom you mocked so pleasantly in -the house of the wise Silanus; but I could not have believed that they -were so intimate with you as this.... However, that no longer concerns -me. But I told you that we should meet again before long.... Appius -informed me that you had been looking for me in the Roman quarter. -I left everything to hasten at your first summons. I knew what was -happening and I was biding my time.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -How good and generous you are!... How reassuring and comforting your -presence and your smile!... Those others ... if you only knew!... They -were trembling like the reeds of which our Master speaks; and I was -helpless and dying with shame.... But I knew that you would come back -to us; and now this is you, your arms, your breast.... It seems to me -that Rome in her entirety is protecting us and that your arms, which -can do all things, cannot abandon him.... - - VERUS - -They will not abandon you, Magdalene. The rest depends upon yourself -alone.... I am good and generous, perhaps, but in my own manner; and -we must understand each other.... So they have arrested him in whom you -take so lively an interest, as I told you that they would?... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -They have not only arrested him: all the menials of the Temple, the -grooms, the herds, the meanest scullions in the kitchens rushed at him, -insulted, flouted and ill-treated him.... And, as they were afraid, -as they were too cowardly to venture it alone, they made the Roman -soldiers help them!... - - VERUS - -I know.... But had we not best be brief and to the point?... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Yes, we have no time to lose.... - - VERUS - -Even so. It is not now a question of arrest nor of more or less -justifiable ill-usage, but of imminent death. I have seen the -Procurator Pontius Pilate. - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Good. What did he say?... - - VERUS - -I found him anxious, perplexed, at a loss. He is a mild, irresolute -man, an enemy to quarrels and violence. He had to choose between -the inevitably bloody revolt of the priests and their sectaries and -the sacrifice of an agitator who was unquestionably troublesome and -dangerous, but who has not, perhaps, incurred the death penalty in -the eyes of Roman law and justice. I spoke according to my duty and -conscience. He did not hesitate. He chose the more humane and wiser -course. And, as I am the armed guardian responsible for the Roman -peace, he gave the fate of your Nazarene into my hands. However, I must -admit that, before our interview, I had purposely allowed events to -take the course they did.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -He is saved! I was sure of it! And how right I was to fear nothing and -to hope all things in turning to you!... - - VERUS - -Do not let us go too fast. There are many things to consider.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -What do you say?... - - VERUS - -I say that there are many things to consider.... Had I known nothing -whatever of your adventure, my choice would not have been in doubt: I -should, while more or less pitying him, have sacrificed the wretched -man to the public tranquillity; it is the sovereign law of the empire; -but now.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -But now, it is different, you know him, you know everything.... There -is no excuse for a moment’s hesitation; it would be monstrous.... - - VERUS - -Indeed, there is no excuse for a moment’s hesitation; it would be -monstrous, as you say.... Shall I, to snatch a favoured rival from a -well-merited death, for the second time lose the only woman whom I love -or can love?... That certainly is impossible.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -I do not quite understand.... - - VERUS - -Yet it is simple enough: in saving him, I hand you over, without -defence, to the fellow who will drag you with him, by fall after fall, -to the bottom of none can tell what pit of folly and wretchedness, -whence no human and reasoning power will be able to extricate you. -Moreover, speaking for myself, I lose you irrevocably by thus giving -you, with my own simple, foolish hands, to one who robs me of my -happiness by methods against which a man who values the name does not -try to struggle. Whereas, if I abandon him to his fate, there remains -a chance of seeing you return to the light and for me some prospect of -finding you in my path; for our two lives have still, I hope, a long -space to cover; and many roads, as you well know, lead to Rome.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -I understand.... I understand, since I needs must understand.... But I -do not yet believe.... No, it is not possible; and you, the man whom I -know, have not come to tell me coldly that you wish to destroy him and -thus revenge yourself for an injury which he has not done you.... There -is, there must be, something else.... - - VERUS - -Yes, there is something else.... There remains to us, if you are -absolutely bent upon it, one means of saving him. But, at the point to -which we have come and to which I have driven the adventure, saving -him probably means ruin to myself. Besides, time presses. The sentence -is written, I have seen it. He will be put to death at daybreak; for -the hours are numbered because of the Passover.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -What must I do?... Quick, quick, I will do it.... - - VERUS - -The prisoner is guarded by my men; it is therefore not quite impossible -to effect his escape.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Why yes, why yes, it is simple; and that, of course, is what we must -do!... Once free, he will hide and he will be forgotten.... Let us lose -no time.... But I do not understand why you came to say.... - - VERUS - -You will soon understand.... I answer for the prisoner, therefore. Do -you know what I am doing, do you know what I risk by restoring him to -liberty?... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -You are only doing your duty in freeing an innocent man.... - - VERUS - -It is not for me to enquire into his innocence; that does not concern -me. I am not his judge, but his keeper.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Your soldiers will hold their tongues and no one will know that.... - - VERUS - -My soldiers will not be able to hold their tongues. They will have to -choose between silence and their lives. It will therefore be known -that they acted only on my orders. Now there is no instance of the -high-priests’ ever abandoning a prey, a revenge, a hatred. They will -go and complain, first, at Antioch, to the Governor of Syria, and, -next, to Cæsar himself, whose anger is kindled at the very breath of a -suspicion. Do you know what Cæsar is? The greatest, the most powerful -men in Rome tremble before his shadow.... For me, it means, if not -death, at least exile far from Rome; and death, to us Romans, seems -sweet compared with exile.... That is what I give; that is my stake; I -am waiting for yours. - - MARY MAGDALENE - -You are waiting for mine?... What would you have me give?... I have -nothing left.... I distributed all to the poor the other evening.... - - VERUS - -I do not ask for what one gives to the poor.... And, besides, I have -had enough of those evasions which lead to nothing and of those -shuffling phrases.... Ah, much I care for justice and a vagrant more -or less in the world and my own fate and my own exile!... Have you not -understood that it is you I want, you alone and all of you; that I have -wanted you for years; and that this is my hour?... It is not beautiful, -I know, and it is not as I dreamt it!... But it is all I have; and a -man takes what he can to make his life!... We stand here face to face, -with our two madnesses, which are more powerful than ourselves and -cannot recede; we must come to an understanding!... The more you love -him, the more I love you, the more you wish to save him and the more I -wish to destroy him! We must come to an understanding!... You want his -life, I want mine; and you shall have his life, but I shall have you, -before he escapes his death.... Is it understood?... Are we agreed?... -Say no, if you dare, and let his blood be upon her who has brought him -to this pass and who is destroying him twice over!... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Ah, so that was it!... Yes, yes, I know, I see.... I was not conscious -and I no longer thought of it; but it was bound to be.... Ah, so it -was that which caused me just now, while you were speaking, to have no -confidence despite my confidence!... It is so strange, so monstrous, so -remote from us!... One needs a little time to understand.... All one’s -thoughts become deranged and one’s soul falls, falls, like a stone in -a well.... One grasps the meaning of nothing.... One no longer knows -where one stands.... - - VERUS - -You and I know quite well; and there is nothing extraordinary in all -this.... A few days ago, you would not have needed so much urging; and -I do not understand that to-day, when the price of love is something -quite different, to-day, when a life, dear to you among all lives.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Ah, you do not understand!... And to think that scarcely any one, not -even those who loved him, would understand better!... Am I then the -only being that has seen into his soul?... And yet it is not so very -difficult!... He has spoken to me only three times in my life, but I -know what he thinks. I know all that he wishes, I know all that he is -as completely as though I were within him, or as though he were there, -near me, fixing upon my brow his glance in which the angels come down -from heaven, as on the evening when I kissed his feet and wiped them -with my hair.... - - VERUS - -I well knew that I came too late, but I should never have believed -that you had gone so far.... If he has spoken to you only three times, -he has not wasted the minutes and has told you enough to remove my -doubts.... But let us be calm. It is a question other than of love; and -your lover himself, were he consulted, would judge that a kiss does not -weigh much in the presence of death.... Since you love him so well, -is his life not worth a slight displeasure, which but lately would not -have inspired you with such horror?... If there were a looking-glass -in this room, I would go and gaze at myself with curiosity, to make -out what, in a few days, has made me so repulsive that the torture of -the one man whom you adore is preferred to the touch of my lips!... -But what is the matter?... One would think that I was speaking of -unimaginable things!... What have I said? What have I done?... Your -face is distorted.... There is no need to look at me like that, with -mad and terrified eyes, as though they beheld the fall of the sun or -the violation of a tomb!... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Let me be.... You cannot know.... I am only beginning to understand.... - - VERUS - -A few days since, you were not so slow in understanding.... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_in a soft and distant voice_) - -Yes, yes.... For one sees only little by little.... (_Staring before -her_) It is unfolded slowly, like a thing that has no beginning, no -end, no name.... There are two deaths here, I hold two deaths in my -hand; and that is too heavy a weight for a poor creature born upon this -earth.... - - VERUS - -Two deaths?... What do you mean?... You do not intend to follow him, -surely?... Your death, since he loves you, would only add a very -useless bitterness to his.... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_in the same soft and distant voice_) - -No.... I am not speaking of mine.... It is two other deaths.... I still -have my senses.... I can see clearly in the abyss.... Let me look, -where you can see nothing.... - - VERUS - -I should not have thought that, when I came to bring you his safety and -the great sacrifice which I am making to love.... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_with a sudden outburst_) - -The sacrifice which you are making to love!... Ah, if you could see -the sacrifice which is being accomplished here and which the very -angels dare not look upon!... But you cannot know what has happened on -earth since he descended upon it!... It is no longer the same earth; -and it is no longer possible!... Before he came, the purest would not -have hesitated!... Before he came! Before he came!... And, even then, -to-day, I, who have been born again through him, if it were not he, if -it were a question of another, I should not have the strength!... I -should perhaps sin against all that he loves, to save what I love!... -But he gives too much strength to love and to suffer!... I could save -him in spite of himself; but no longer in spite of myself!... If I -bought his life at the price which you offer, all that he wished, all -that he loved would be dead!... I cannot plunge the flame into the mire -to save the lamp! I cannot give him the only death that could touch -him!... But look at me with clearer eyes and you shall perhaps see all -that I perceive without being able to tell you!... Were I to yield but -for a moment under the weight of love, all that he has said, all that -he has done, all that he has given would sink back into the darkness, -the earth would be more deserted than if he had not been born and -heaven would be closed to mankind for ever!... I should be destroying -him altogether, destroying more than himself, to gain for him days -which would destroy everything.... - - VERUS - -It is not so much a question of gaining days for him as of sparing him -tortures, the mere thought of which should make you reflect.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -I know! I know!... Because I love him thus, as none has ever loved -upon this earth where heaven had not yet poured forth its love, must -I not sacrifice to him what no human soul has possessed before me?... -But you come to ask for all that he has given; and what he has given -is much more than his life and lives more in our hearts than it lives -in himself!... If I destroy him in myself, I destroy him in us!... I -know no more, I see no more, I understand no more.... I would do it, -perhaps, if my soul were alone; but it is no longer possible and God -would not have it!... - - VERUS - -The gods always will what men will.... Be sure that, if he whom you -are about to deliver to the torture could make his voice heard at this -moment, he would not hesitate.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Ah, I know that he would not hesitate! And that is why I am struggling -thus, like a blind beast, between two sacrifices!... It is my past -shame that overwhelms me and prevents me from rising to the level of -his will!... - - VERUS - -Man has but one will in the presence of death.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -My God! My God!... I am nothing, I am defiled with every defilement: -what matters this one, which brings thee life?... But am I in -question?... Is it not thou alone whom I defile to-day in defiling thy -salvation, thou, the very source whence the source of all purity and -of every happiness and of every life will spring?... I no longer know -where to thrust back my soul!... Nothing remains to me, if I lose it; -nothing remains to us, if I save it!... - - VERUS - -Nothing is lost so long as life endures.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -Hush, I beseech you!... Leave me alone in his silence and his will.... -Let me contemplate, let me listen to other things.... I do not yet love -him as he would be loved!... In vain I raise my eyes to his heaven -of light: I see only his death, his sorrows, his suffering ... his -steadfast face, his eyes that lit up all he looked upon, his mouth -that spoke unceasingly of happiness ... his feet which I have kissed, -lifeless and icy cold!... Verus, Verus, have pity!... I cannot bear -it, I cannot bear it! I am falling!... Do with me what you will!... - - VERUS (_catching her in his arms_) - -Magdalene, Magdalene!... I knew.... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_springing back at his touch_) - -No, you did not know! And it is not that!... There is something -else!... There is another outlet!... Verus, Verus, come, you are not -without feeling, you are not a monster, you will understand also.... -It depends on you.... For me it is impossible.... There is a wall -there defended by his angels.... I cannot pass it.... I must not -think of it.... But you, you can do everything!... To think that you -hold there, in that human hand of yours, the life of the God of Gods -descended upon earth!... I know, I know, you do not believe it.... -But you must at least believe in his innocence; and you know that he -has done no evil.... He does not even know what evil is, since he is -all goodness.... He has done nothing but heal, console and pray.... -He has done nothing but breathe over men’s souls and flood them with -happiness.... If only you knew him, if he had spoken to you, were it -but once!... Because he is innocent and because you are just, because -you have strength and because you are brave, you cannot deliver him -defenceless to the executioners.... It would not be Roman, it would not -even be manly.... - - VERUS - -Enough of this; and, as everything is useless, let him be treated as -you have decided.... It is not I who am leading him to the torture.... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_clinging to the garments of VERUS, who takes a - step to the door_) - -Verus! Verus!... I implore you!... That is not all!... All is not -said!... It cannot be decided like this!... But do not ask the one -impossible thing.... I will be your slave, I will live at your feet, -serve you on my knees for the rest of my days; but give me his life -without destroying in my soul and throughout the earth that which is -the very life of our new life!... - - VERUS - -Enough!... Besides, there is no time. My patience in saving a rival -whom I hate is as ridiculous as your persistent attempt to save your -lover by singing his praises!... When you see him dead, in less than -three hours hence, do not weep over him, lest your tears should be -flung back in your own face!... (_Perceiving JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA, who -discreetly opens the door, to the left, of the Supper-room._) Who -goes there?... Come in, come in, this is the very thing!... We need -witnesses. Where are the mountebanks, the monsters, the lepers? I want -to tell them.... - - MARY MAGDALENE - -What?... - - VERUS - -They shall know who has betrayed their god!... We shall then see if you -have the heart to despatch him before their eyes and how they will take -the news!... Repugnant though they be, I want to see their ugly faces -again!... (_He reaches the door and throws it open wide._) - - MARY MAGDALENE (_hurrying to stop his action_) - -Verus! Verus!... This is not worthy of you!... - - VERUS - -I know! I know!... I am not worthy of anything, it appears! Not even of -you, harlot!... (_Calling in a loud voice_) Hi! Hi! The rest of you!... -Where are you?... Hasten this way, you halt and lame, you club-feet, -you cripples, you beggars, vagrants, lepers, paralytics!... I have -something of importance to tell you!... (_Startled faces appear in the -embrasures of the two doors._) - - - SCENE V - - _VERUS, MARY MAGDALENE and nearly ALL THE CHARACTERS of_ SCENE III - - VERUS - -Come in, come in, you have nothing to fear!... (_They ENTER, timidly._) -Are you all there?... There seem to be fewer of you.... Where are the -others gone?... - - JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA - -Sir, some of them fear lest the night.... - - VERUS - -I understand; they were afraid.... Their love and their faith do not -take any risk of blows.... However, these will do.... Do you see that -woman?... I came to offer to save your master. She had only to say -yes. She has said no. She orders his death. He will therefore die at -sunrise. - - (_Sensation in the crowd._) - - NICODEMUS - -What is he saying, Magdalene?... - - (_MARY MAGDALENE does not reply._) - - VERUS - -Ask her, you will learn.... - - NICODEMUS - -Magdalene, is it true?... - - (_MARY MAGDALENE remains silent._) - - JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA - -But come, answer!... What is the matter with you?... - - VERUS - -She is at the same time betraying and destroying all those who followed -the tempter. I have spoken. Farewell. Look to yourselves. (_He turns -to the door._) - - JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA (_stopping him and beseeching him_) - -Sir, I beg of you, do not go away like this.... She is mistaken, you -will see.... There is some terrible misunderstanding.... Magdalene, -come, what is he saying, what do you say?... Why, it is impossible!... -What has happened?... - - _SEVERAL SICK MEN and BEGGARS (surrounding MAGDALENE, who remains - motionless, gazing blindly into the distance_) - -Magdalene! Magdalene.... - - A HUNCHBACK - -She also has sold him!... She was with the Iscariot!... - - MARTHA (_putting her arms around MAGDALENE’S neck_) - -Magdalene!... Listen to me!... You used to love me.... What has come to -you?... Tell me it is not true.... You have not heard.... - - MARY CLEOPHAS (_putting her hand on MAGDALENE’S shoulder_) - -Magdalene, Magdalene!... No, it is impossible.... You cannot have -forgotten.... - - A POOR MAN - -How much did you receive?... - - A MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE - -Yes, how much?... Where is the money?... - - ANOTHER - -Give back the gold! Give back the gold!... Search her!... - - MARY SALOME - -Magdalene! Magdalene!... She is mad!... - - A VAGRANT - -Harlot!... Soldiers’ wench!... - - ANOTHER - -Strumpet! Strumpet! Strumpet! - - A MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE - -The seven devils whom he cast out have entered her body again!... - - ANOTHER - -She has sold us like a herd of oxen!... - - A SICK MAN - -We shall all have to suffer!... - - ANOTHER - -Yes, but not before she does!... - - THE MAN WHOSE HAND WAS WITHERED - -She shall not go from here until.... - - A PALSIED MAN - -In any case, she shall not go hence alive, take my word for it!... - - (_Almost ALL, shouting, gesticulating, threatening, with clenched - fists, crowd round MAGDALENE, who remains motionless and dumb._) - - JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA (_intervening_) - -Come, come, do not forget who you are, where you are nor in whose name -you are speaking. (_To VERUS_) Sir, I beg of you, a little patience.... -I am a just and reasonable man; and everything will be explained.... -Listen, Magdalene, I am speaking to you in his name.... There is still -time to say yes.... I am speaking as a father.... - - (_MAGDALENE maintains her motionless silence._) - - THE HUNCHBACK - -You see!... She has received the price!... - - (_An explosion of hatred. ALL surround her more closely. The - cries, the threats, the imprecations, the entreaties, the moans - are redoubled. Suddenly, in the street, rises a tumult which - drowns that in the Supper-room. It is the shouting of an angry - crowd approaching swiftly, the sound of arms and horses. The - uproar in the room is at once lulled. ALL listen, anxiously._) - - A MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE - -The Romans!... The soldiers!... They are coming to arrest us!... She -has betrayed us!... Let us fly!... This way, this way!... - - (_ALL lose their heads. Some run wildly round the room, seeking - for an outlet._) - - A VAGRANT - -No, no!... Do not go out!... There is only one door!... We cannot -escape!... They would discover us!... - - A MAN CURED BY A MIRACLE - -Be silent!... Hide yourselves!... - - A CRIPPLE - -Why do you not put out the lamps?... They will see the lights!... -Quick! Quick! Put out the lamps!... - -(_The lamps are put out._) - - ANOTHER - -Do not go to the windows!... Do not show yourselves at the windows!... -Lie down along the walls!... - - VERUS - -It is a noble spectacle and I long to see it out.... - - JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA (_going up to VERUS_) - -Sir, do not ruin them.... They are weak and poor.... Almost all of them -are sick.... They know not what they do.... Have pity on men and do not -judge them.... - - (_The shouts--“Crucify him! Crucify him!... Tempter! Tempter!... - Galilean! Nazarene!... He would destroy the Temple!... He would - destroy the Law!... Blasphemer!... Crucify him! Crucify him! - Crucify him!”--are redoubled in the street and are now heard - outside the house itself. The red light of the torches is cast - into the room. THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO steals up to one of the - windows and looks out._) - - A PANIC-STRICKEN VOICE - -Do not go to the windows!... - - A LAME MAN (_going to another window_) - -What is happening?... - - THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO - -It is he!... - - (_Several PERSONS, irresistibly attracted, climb up to the - windows and look into the street, with infinite caution. - Occasionally ONE of them turns to those who remain at the back - of the room, to tell them what he sees._) - - ONE OF THOSE AT THE WINDOWS - -There are soldiers all around him!... There is a crowd of them!... - - ANOTHER - -He is coming! He is coming this way!... His hands are bound!... They -are striking him!... - - ANOTHER - -He is weeping!... His eyes are bleeding!... - - ANOTHER - -They are taking him to Pilate!... There are Peter and John, hiding -themselves!... - - ANOTHER - -The blood is dripping on his feet!... - - ANOTHER - -He cannot walk any farther!... He staggers! He staggers!... - - VERUS (_to MAGDALENE, who has not moved and who stands against a - column, in the middle of the room, staring before her, without - turning towards the windows_) - -Magdalene!... - - (_In the street, suddenly, the tumult falls, as a huge, heavy - object might fall. A wonderful silence._) - - A VOICE (_in the room_) - -What is it?... - - THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO (_at the window_) - -He falls!... He has fallen!... He is looking at the house!... - - VERUS - -Magdalene, I still promise you.... - - MARY MAGDALENE (_without stirring, without looking at VERUS, - without anger, simply, in a voice from another life, full of - peace, full of divine clarity and certainty_) - -Go!... - - THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO (_at the window_) - -He rises to his feet!... They drag him along!... - - (_The tumult, the shouts of “Crucify him!” are resumed and - redoubled in the street. VERUS GOES OUT slowly, with his eyes - on MAGDALENE, who remains motionless, as though in ecstasy and - all illumined with the light of the departing torches._) - - - CURTAIN - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - - -The following changes have been made to the text as printed: - -1. A close-bracket ")" has been inserted after "_to receive_ MARY -MAGDALENE" on Page 17. - -2. Two instances of punctuation after the speaker's name "MAGDALENE" -have been removed (Page 48, Page 59). - -3. "THE SAME" (below "SCENE II" on Page 74) has been placed in upright -capitals rather than italics. - -4. "Judea" (Page 104) has been changed to "Judæa". - -5. 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