Chapter I: Part 1

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JOHN THE BAPTIST

JOHN THE BAPTIST

A PLAY

BY HERMANN SUDERMANN

TRANSLATED BY
BEATRICE MARSHALL

LONDON JOHN LANE THE BODLEY HEAD VIGO STREET W. NEW YORK JOHN LANE COMPANY MCMIX

WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, LTD., PRINTERS, PLYMOUTH

PERSONS IN THE PLAY

Herod Antipas. _Tetrarch of Galilee_. Herodias. Salome. _Her daughter_. Vitellius. _Legate of Syria_. Marcellus. _His companion_.

Merokles, _the rhetorician_. \ Gabalos, _the Syrian_. > _At the Court of Herod_. Jabad, _the Levite_. /

John. _Called "The Baptist."_

Josaphat. \ Matthias. } > _His disciples_. Amarja. | Manassa. /

Jael. _Josaphat's wife_. Their two Children. Hadidja. _Maid in the Palace_.

Miriam. \ Abi. > _Playfellows of Salome_. Maecha. /

Mesulemeth. _A beggar-woman_.

Amasai. \ > _Pharisees_. Jorab. /

Eliakim. \ Pasur. > _Citizens of Jerusalem_. Hachmoni. /

Simon. _The Galilean_. First Galilean. Second Galilean. A Paralytic. First Priest. Second Priest. A Citizen of Jerusalem. The Commander of the Roman Soldiers.

First \ Second > Roman Soldier. Third /

The Captain of the Palace Guard. The Gaoler. Men and Women from Jerusalem, Pilgrims, Roman Legionaries, Men and Maidservants in the Palace.

Time of Action. _The Year 29 after Christ_.

Scene of Action. _During the Prelude a rocky wilderness near
Jerusalem_.

In the First, Second, and Third Acts. _Jerusalem_.
In the Fourth and Fifth Acts. _A town of Galilee_.

PRELUDE

PRELUDE

_Wild, rocky scenery in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem.... Night--The moon shining dimly through jagged clouds.... In the distance is seen the fire of the great sacrificial altar, burning on the horizon._

SCENE I

_Dark shadows flit in groups across the background from right to left._

MIRIAM

Hadidja, I am afraid!

HADIDJA

Come!

MIRIAM

I am afraid. Seest thou not those gliding shadows? Their feet scarce touch the stones, and their flesh is like the shadow of the night-wind.

HADIDJA

Fool that thou art! Thou art afraid of thy companions in misery and suffering. The same need as thine brings them hither; the same hope leads them on to the heights.

MIRIAM

Do they also wish to go to him?

HADIDJA

Every one wishes to go to him. Is there a light in Israel which doth not irradiate from his hand? Is there water for the thirsty which doth not flow from him? Streams of sweet water gush forth from these dead stones, and his voice is born out of silence.

MIRIAM

But I am afraid of him. Why dwelleth he among the terrors of the desert? Why flieth he from the paths of the joyous, and shunneth the suffering?

HADIDJA

The joyous need him not. The suffering will find their way to him.

MIRIAM

Look, Hadidja! There is the glow of fire yonder above Jerusalem. The Romans are burning down our houses, and yet we tarry here!

HADIDJA

What! Dost thou not know that is the great altar on which, day and night, the priests offer up a tenth part of the sweat of our brows?

MIRIAM

[_In horrified amazement._] And would he let the great altar fall too?

HADIDJA

I know not. But what he willeth is best. See--who is coming?

SCENE II

_The same; two men, half carrying, half dragging a paralytic who moans._

FIRST MAN

Women, say, have ye met the great Rabbi whom men call the Baptist?

HADIDJA

We also are seeking the Baptist.

[_The Paralytic, moaning._] Put me down; let me die!

FIRST MAN

We have carried this palsied man here in our arms, and they are weary, and he whom we hoped to find is not here.

THE PARALYTIC

[_With a groan._] I shall die!

MANASSA'S VOICE

[_Crying aloud from the right._] John! John!

MANASSA

[_Rushing on the scene._] John, where art thou, John? I cry unto thee in my distress. Have mercy; let me behold thee, John!

MIRIAM

[_Pointing to the left._] Look! A crowd of people are drawing near. They go before him.

HADIDJA

Kneel; for it is he.

SCENE III

_The same. John, behind him a number of men and women, among them Amarja._

JOHN

Whose wretchedness is so great that he wails aloud, and forgets that grief should be silent?

MANASSA

[_Kneeling before him._] Rabbi, mighty Rabbi. If thou art he of whom men are talking in the streets of Jerusalem, help me, save me!

JOHN

Stand up and speak.

MANASSA

I am Manassa, the son of Jeruel, and my father was sick and blind; and I lived with him on the road to Gibeon, close by the well which is never dry. And men came unto me who said, "It is the will of the Lord our God that ye refuse to pay tribute to the Romans," and I refused to pay the Romans tribute. Then have the soldiers fallen on me and burned my house, and my young wife hath perished in the flames, and my father, who was blind. And I am now left alone and desolate. Help me, Rabbi! Help!

JOHN

Am I lord over Life and Death that I can make thy father, wife, and child alive again? Can I build up thy house once more out of its ashes? What dost thou ask of me?

MANASSA

Then cursed be those who----

JOHN

Stop! Cursings enough hang over us. Israel is loaded with them, like the autumn boughs with ripe grapes. Wherefore dost thou lament? Look before, instead of behind. If thou canst not withhold thy lamentations, put a gag between thy teeth; for prayer should be silent, and longing and patience without sound.

MANASSA

How shall that help me, Rabbi, in my loneliness and desolation?

JOHN

Thou speakest sinfully. Is He not with thee?

MANASSA

Rabbi! Who?

AMARJA

Hearken! He hath not heard the news of Him Who cometh!

JOHN

Know'st thou not that soon there will be rejoicing in Israel? Bridal garments and music of cymbals! Know'st thou not that there will be no more sorrow in Israel? Therefore wipe the foam from thy lips and sanctify thyself.

ALL

Sanctify thyself!

MANASSA

No more sorrow. No more suffering! Rabbi, say that I may stay with thee?

JOHN

Mix with thy fellows over there and learn silence.

MANASSA

[_Stammering._] Rabbi! [_He withdraws._]

JOHN

I see not Josaphat among ye. Neither is Matthias here. Who hath tidings of them?

AMARJA

Rabbi, none hath seen them.

JOHN

Who is that lying on the ground groaning?

THE PARALYTIC

Master, I am a poor man, sick of a palsy and in great agony. If Thou canst not cure me, I must die!

JOHN

Die _now_! Now, when One is at hand Who bringeth relief for thy tumours and balm for thy sores? I say unto Thee thou wilt thank the Lord thy God with shouts of joy for every hour of thy pain, for every inch of the road thou hast crawled along on inflamed knees, when thou beholdest Him for Whom our soul longeth and hopeth, for Whose coming we wait and watch by the roadside, looking towards the East. Therefore endure sevenfold suffering and groan no more.

THE PARALYTIC

Rabbi, thou hast done wonders for me. I feel no longer--I----[_He makes an effort to rise, but sinks back. His companions lead him away. He breathes more easily, laughing as he goes._]

MURMUR OF PEOPLE

See! a miracle. He works miracles!

ONE OF THE PEOPLE

Truly the word is fulfilled--Elias is risen. The Great Prophet is risen from the dead!

ANOTHER

No, not Elias, not the Prophet! See ye not, ye blind? It is He Himself! He is the promised One. Worship Him! worship Him!

ALL

[_Falling on their knees._] Worship Him!

JOHN

A man sick of a fever crawled along the road looking for the physician, and when a beggar or a slave came by, carrying water, he fell on his knees before him and cried, "Hail to thee, great physician! Thank God, thou art come!" And so he went on till evening, and the children mocked him. [_The people rise slowly._] What have I, the beggar, to give you? The water I carry is to baptize you in; it is the pure water of repentance. But He Who cometh after me will baptize with fire and the Spirit, and I am not worthy to unlatch His shoes, ... so little am I compared with Him.

SEVERAL

Rabbi, tell us, when will He come of Whom thou speakest?

OTHERS

Who is it, Rabbi? Be merciful and strengthen our souls. Speak to us of Him.

JOHN

Then sit ye down in a circle and hear the oft-told tidings, ye insatiable ones. [_The people crouch on the ground._]

MIRIAM

Hadidja, what is he going to tell us?

HADIDJA

Be silent.

MIRIAM

Let me take thy hand, Hadidja.

JOHN

It was on the banks of Jordan that I baptized all, according to the command of the Lord. Many people were gathered round me and hearkened to what I preached, but my soul was consumed with doubt and misgiving. Then, lo, a youth came down from the cliffs above, and he was alone, and all the people drew back. And as I raised my eyes to his face, I knew that this was He, for the glory of eternity shone round about Him. And when He spake with me, and prayed me to baptize Him as if He were a sinner, I trembled and refused, saying, "I would be baptized by Thee, but _Thou_ comest to me?" And He made answer, "So be it, for thus shall the law be fulfilled." Then I yielded, and let it be as He desired. And when He had received Baptism from my trembling hand, He rose from the water, and behold, the Heavens opened above Him and I saw the Holy Ghost descending like a white dove, and He was bathed in the Heavenly light. And a voice out of Heaven spake, "Behold, this is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased." Then I fell on my face and prayed. And I was no longer afraid.

ONE OF THE CROWD

[_After a pause._] And whence came He, He Who was thus illumined by the radiance of the Lord?

ALL

Yes, whence came He, and whither did He go? Didst thou not hold Him?

JOHN

Plague me not with questions. He cometh and goeth, and no man holdeth Him. At this very hour He may be sitting in our midst.

ALL

[_Turn on each other a scared and inquiring gaze._]

AMARJA

Rabbi, we are all poor workpeople from Jerusalem, and every one knoweth his fellow.

ONE OF THE CROWD

[_Pointing to Miriam._] Yes, we men! But here is a woman whom I never saw before.

HADIDJA

Her name is Miriam, and she serves as maid in the Palace, as I do.

JOHN

Leave her in peace.

ANOTHER

But if He of Whom thou speakest dwells among the living, He must bear a name, and His Father's name.

ALL

Yea; tell us His name. His name?

JOHN

Ye would hear his name? Listen to the wind whispering among the rocks, mark well what it saith ere it vanisheth. So His name, heard first here and then there, passed by my ear. I am waiting with prayer and anxiety to hear it again. Therefore I say unto you, Question me not further, lest it melt away like a dream when the cock croweth.

AMARJA

Yet give us withal some guidance. Whence came He to thee--He----

JOHN

The wind which wafted Him to me blew from Galilee.

ALL

From Galilee!

ONE

Is then the Messiah the Galileans', the fisheaters'?

ANOTHER

He shall come to us Judaeans! Up, and let us seek Him!

ALL

Aye, let us seek Him!

JOHN

Think ye that He will permit Himself to be found by you? Ye miserable creatures full of mutiny and revolt! Who are ye that ye should alter the course of the world's history by a hair's breadth? When the time for His harvest is ripe, then He shall appear to you of His own free will in glory as the Lord of Hosts. The four cherubim shall ride before Him on caparisoned horses, with flaming sickles in their hands.... Whatsoever hath been planted in sin and hath grown up rankly, that shall be mown down, root and branch; whatsoever hath reared itself against Him shall be trampled upon. Therefore, ye men of Israel, root up the weeds that flourish and encumber your bodies, so that ye do not rot, and in your corruption are not swept away with your polluters when _He_ draweth near with the seven-coloured rainbow about His head. He Who shall come must come [_reflectively_], must come!

ONE OF THE CROWD

Rabbi, we have repented of our sins. We pray day and night, and our bodies are emaciated from fasting. Say, what more can we do?

SCENE IV

_The same. Josaphat. Matthias._

JOHN

Josaphat, so thou art here. And thou, Matthias.

JOSAPHAT

Master, chide us not for having lingered. We paused by Herod's Palace, which, as a rule, is dark and deserted. We saw rosy lights kindled, and the pillars garlanded with flowers. Fresh ignominy shall befall Israel, more deadly sin weigh upon her, if thou, Rabbi, comest not to the rescue.

JOHN

Speak out!

JOSAPHAT

Herod hath not come out of Galilee, as every year before, for the Passover. He is not expected till to-morrow. Another guest hath arrived. The wife of Philip, Herod's brother, hath deserted him, and taken with her Salome, Philip's daughter.

The guest at the Palace is called Herodias, and to-morrow the marriage feast is to be celebrated.

JOHN

Between Herod and the wife of his own brother?

JOSAPHAT

Thou sayest right, Rabbi.

JOHN

No! No! Whoever hath told thee this informed thee falsely. His lips were shameless, and his soul lied.

AMARJA

Pardon, Rabbi; there are maids here belonging to the Palace.... Question them.

JOHN

Hadidja, I know thee. Speak!

HADIDJA

Rabbi, my place is menial. I only hear what the idle gossips say. But here is Miriam. She has been chosen as the playmate of the young maiden Salome since she came yesterday. She waits on her at the bath. Question her!

JOHN

Miriam, why art thou silent?

HADIDJA

Rabbi, she hath never yet conversed with strangers.

MIRIAM

[_In a low, stuttering tone._] Master, it is true what that man saith. And----[_Emotion._]

JOHN

Continue!

MIRIAM

And after the wedding, on the first day of the Passover, Herodias is to enter the Temple, as far as the women's outer court, her new consort leading her by the hand. They will show themselves to the people.

JOHN

That the people may stone them? But what am I saying? They dare not! Those priests, lustful as they are, cowards cringing in the dust at the feet of the Romans, dare not permit this! The iron gates will close upon the scandal, and the High Priest will stretch forth his arm to curse them!

HADIDJA

Speak, Miriam!

JOHN

What else hast thou to say, Miriam?

MIRIAM

Master, at this very hour, messengers are passing to and fro between Herodias and the Temple. The Princess desireth that the High Priest shall meet them at the second gate, where the men and women separate, to bless her----

JOHN

Enough! Go home, all of you. I wish to be alone. To-morrow ye will see me at Jerusalem. [_Horror amongst the people._]

ONE OF THE CROWD

Rabbi, wilt thou be responsible for thy enemies?

OTHERS

Reflect, Rabbi! The Pharisees will trap thee. The priests will condemn thee.

JOHN

I am the son of a priest. I will speak priestly words to those who countenance this infamous crime. I will speak to them in the name of Him Who cometh, for Whom I prepare the way. Go! [_As they appear unwilling and hesitate._] Go! [_The curtain falls._]

FIRST ACT

FIRST ACT

_Square in front of the Palace of Herod--The guardroom of the Roman soldiers is to the right of the Palace in the foreground, with benches before the door--To the right of centre is the chief entrance--Steps in background, which lead to the top of a hill--Behind, separated by an invisible valley, is a view of rising masses of house-tops belonging to another part of the town--A narrow street to the left of centre, and another street in foreground, which may be taken as a continuation of the one that runs to right of guard-room--In it is the shop of the woollen merchant_ Eliakim--_At its right corner the shop of the fruit-seller_ Pasur, _with wares exhibited--A fountain with seats round it, near the middle of the stage._

SCENE I

_Eliakim, Pasur. First, second, third common soldiers._

PASUR

[_As he comes forward glances anxiously at the soldiers, who sit in front of guard-room._] Neighbour, neighbour, dost thou not hear me?

ELIAKIM

[_Sitting outside his shop reading a parchment_] It is written that whosover disturbeth a man when he is reading the law shall forfeit his life.

PASUR

Thou readest the law?

ELIAKIM

Knowest thou not that I read the law day and night?

PASUR

Forgive me, neighbour; accuse me not. I sinned out of ignorance.... I was in fear of the soldiers who are quartered yonder ... but I am going in. [_Slinks back to his shop._]

FIRST SOLDIER

[_To the second who sharpens his sword._] Marcus, wherefore handiest thou thy blade with such terrific zeal? There is naught to hew down in there. These damned Judeans have had enough. They'll rebel no more.

SECOND SOLDIER

Who can tell? Since that woman entered there yesterday, my nostrils have scented bloodshed. Everything is upside down in Herod's house, and your so-called princes are ticklish subjects.

FIRST SOLDIER

Here in Judea they have none; so we are masters.

SECOND SOLDIER

We are masters everywhere, with or without a Herod.

FIRST SOLDIER

What brings the Tetrarch of Galilee to Jerusalem?

SECOND SOLDIER

Yes, well mayest thou ask! Yet he cometh twice or thrice in the year to rub his nose on the fleeces of the Temple, and then away he goes again. God requires it of him, so they say. A crazy people!

FIRST SOLDIER

And we must stand by as guard of honour. A nice business for a Roman citizen!

SCENE II

_The same, Hadidja and two other maids_ (_with jugs on their heads, come out of the Palace and go to the well, where they draw water_).

SECOND SOLDIER

Idiot! We are bound to do it, so that we may appear to honour him. In reality we guard him. He will soon be here now.

THIRD SOLDIER

[_Who has been squatting on a brick, without taking any part in conversation, sings._] Sweet smiling Lalage, thee will I love for ever. Thee, sweet smiling Lalage----

SECOND SOLDIER

[_Irritably._] Have done howling after thy Lalage! Before thou goest back to Rome again, she will be a grandmother.

THIRD SOLDIER

[_Stretching out his arms._] Alack! Yes.

SECOND SOLDIER

[_Pointing to the maids._] Are not there women enough here?

THIRD SOLDIER

Ah! but they are Jew girls. They mean well enough, but the punishment of death hangs over them.

SECOND SOLDIER

A crazy people.

THIRD SOLDIER

If only there were no foreigners! I, for my part, take not kindly to these Asiatics. They wash all day long, and yet stink in spite of it.... Ha! yesterday a Syrian sweetheart made me a present of a necklace. There it is. Shall we dice for it?

SECOND SOLDIER

Show it to me. I say fifty denarii.

THIRD SOLDIER

Rogue! A hundred and fifty!

SECOND SOLDIER

Very well.

FIRST SOLDIER

I will join.

THIRD SOLDIER

Come along. [_All three disappear into the guard-room._]

SCENE III

_Eliakim, Pasur, Hadidja, and the two other maids. Two Priests_ [_descending the central steps_].

FIRST PRIEST

Damsels, you belong to the Palace?

HADIDJA

Yes, ye priests.

FIRST PRIEST

Announce us to your mistress.

HADIDJA

Our mistress, priests, is gone forth to meet the Tetrarch Herod, to receive him at the gates.

FIRST PRIEST

When will she return?

HADIDJA

That we cannot say, priests; it depends on the coming of the Prince.

FIRST PRIEST

Do you desire our blessing?

HADIDJA

No! [_She vanishes with the other maids into the interior of the Palace._]

BOTH PRIESTS

[_Look discomposed._]

FIRST PRIEST

[_Observing Eliakim and Pasur sitting in front of their doors, raises his hands unctuously._] Blessed be ye who----

ELIAKIM

No one asked thy blessing!

BOTH PRIESTS

[_Regard each other in dismay._]

SECOND PRIEST

[_Furiously._] These again are of the school of the Pharisees!

FIRST PRIEST

We hold the Temple. They shall yet be our servants. Come! [_Exeunt both priests._]

SCENE IV

PASUR

[_Drawing near humbly._] Forgive me, neighbour, but now thou no longer readest in the law?

ELIAKIM

No.

PASUR

This will be a sorry Passover for us tradesmen. See all this fine stock which I have laid in. There is the sacred pomegranate wood, whereon to roast the lamb. Here are the sweet herbs, with which to prepare the holy broth, and here are the bitter roots, the garlic, cresses, and bay leaves, all according to the precept. In six, or at latest seven hours the feast begins, and I shall be left stranded with my whole stock on hand. Oh, woe is me! Woe is me!

ELIAKIM

Well, have I not also superior and holy wares for sale? There are stuffs of the very finest quality. Beautiful tassels of white and hyacinth-blue wool. And are not my Tephillims the most beautiful ever worn by a son of Abraham at morning prayer? Nay, Abraham himself never wore a finer Tephillim. I believe I have eighteen dozen or more. But one should take no thought of bodily raiment, but read the Scriptures. So it is written.

PASUR

But, neighbour, the man who deals in vegetables does not find it so easy to be righteous in the sight of the Lord. Thy woollen goods will keep till Herod is gone again with his new wife.

ELIAKIM

[_Shakes his fist at the Palace._] It's a shame, a crying shame!

PASUR

Yes; once this was always a good spot for business, but now grass groweth in front of the Palace.

ELIAKIM

Only _priests_ go in and out.

SCENE V

_The same. A citizen of Jerusalem_ [_who comes to fill his pitcher at the fountain_].

CITIZEN

[_Distressfully._] Neighbour, dear neighbour!

ELIAKIM

What is thy trouble?

CITIZEN

Thou art a righteous man and knowest the law. Give me advice, and thou shalt have my thanks. My poor wife has hurt her foot while working in the fields. It is burning and swollen, and I bathe it with cold water from the fountain, which does it good. But in a short time beginneth the feast. May I continue with the bathing then?

ELIAKIM

Sabbath breaking. Thou wilt be guilty, and deserve death.

THE CITIZEN

Oh, Lord eternal!

ELIAKIM

Yes. If it were her throat that ailed, then thou mightest pour the remedy into her mouth. But foot! No!

CITIZEN

But suppose that it mortifies!

ELIAKIM

Yea, if it mortifies and is a danger to life, the law alloweth it.

THE CITIZEN

[_Crying out in despair._] But then it is too late!

[_Meanwhile a man wrapt in a cloak has come down the street, and looks up calmly at the windows of Herod's Palace._]

ELIAKIM

[_Points to him, looking shocked._] Hush, if thou lovest thy life! The man thou seest yonder is one David, belonging to the Zealots who dwell in the desert. They come down to the towns with daggers hidden in the folds of their cloaks. And when they find people committing a breach of the law by word or deed, they strike at them from behind. [_Rising, as the stranger approaches._] Greeting; thou holy man! Behold I know thee well. Wilt thou not bless thy servant? [_The stranger passes, and disappears in the street to the left._]

PASUR

I feel a shiver run through me. One can err and not know it.

THE CITIZEN

How many hours are there yet, ere the feast begins?

ELIAKIM

[_Regarding the sun._] Six.

THE CITIZEN

So long, then, I may use the cooling remedy, but I know not what to do afterwards. [_Drags his pitcher away dejectedly._]

PASUR

Of a truth, we Hebrews are hunted like vermin. If the Romans leave us alone, the law strikes at us.

SCENE VI

_The same. The stage has become half-filled with people, who gesticulate in excitement, looking up at Herod's Palace. Among them Hachmoni; later, the soldiers._

ELIAKIM

What is going on there? Hachmoni, thou shalt speak. What ails the people?

HACHMONI

Hast thou not heard? John is in the town!

ELIAKIM

There are many Johns.

HACHMONI

The Baptist, man!

ELIAKIM

The Baptist; enemy of the Priests and of the Pharisees; to whom every Rechabite hath sworn death. Is he caught at last?

HACHMONI

Thou speakest like one in his sleep! If there is a man in Jerusalem safe and untouched by the curse of the Romans, it is he. He standeth in the market-place and preacheth; he standeth at the gates and preacheth.--Did I say _preach_? Firebrands issue from his lips; scorpions leap out of his mouth.

ELIAKIM

Against whom doth he preach, then?

HACHMONI

Against Herod, naturally. And his paramour, and his paramour's whelp.

ALL

Down with Herod! Death to Herod!

[_The first and second Roman soldiers step out of the guard-room._]

FIRST SOLDIER

What are the blear-eyed scum crying?

SECOND SOLDIER

Death to Herod! Did not I say it would be so? I can trust my nose. [_Draws his sword._]

PASUR

Protect yourselves! The soldiers! [_The people fall back._]

FIRST SOLDIER [_laughing._]

The dogs are affrighted already. Curs! [_They go in, laughing._]

SCENE VII

_The same. Amasai and Jorab_ [_from left centre, remain in the street_].

AMASAI

Look at them! Must this not appear a mad mockery in the sight of the Lord? Who that follows the straight path laid down by the law, after the manner of God-fearing men, can have anything in common with these sinners?

JORAB

They are infatuated with the Baptist's preaching, and yet too weak to kick against the pricks. Speak to them, so that they come to themselves.

AMASAI

After the Baptist? Rather would I grasp a mad bull by the horns. They would go up to the Temple to make an offering of sow's blood, if he bade them do it.

JORAB

Cannot we trap him?

AMASAI

And so stand before the people as the friends of Herod? Leave that kind of fame to the Priests and the Sadducees. The disaffection which we quelled, at a signal from him, screams aloud in the gutter. So what good have we done? That is why the people flock to him. We have missed our opportunity. But still; I know a way to entangle him. I will strike at him through his folly about the Messiah. [_Shouts of applause arise from the people._] Listen! so they once hailed us. [_They withdraw further into the street to the left._]

SCENE VII

_The same, without Amasai and Jorab. John, accompanied by Josaphat, Matthias, and Manassa and afresh crowd. People appear behind left._

JOHN

[_Throwing himself down on the edge of the fountain._]

JOSAPHAT

See, Rabbi, what power hath been given thee. They wag their tails like pleased hounds. Jerusalem the Blessed lies at thy feet.

JOHN

Give me to drink!

MANASSA

[_Draws him water._]

HACHMONI

Behold! The great prophet drinks as if he were one of us----

PASUR

That is goat's hair wherewith he is clothed. It must prick his skin. It shows what a holy man he is.

ELIAKIM

But he doth not favour the woollen trade. If all were so holy, we should be beggared.

HACHMONI

And his food, people say, is nought but locusts and wild honey.

MATTHIAS

Get back. See ye not that ye plague him? [_They retire._]

JOSAPHAT

Rabbi, forgive. The people wait. What is thy command to them?

JOHN

Is this Herod's house?

JOSAPHAT

Yes, Rabbi [_silence_]. Rabbi, say, what shall they do?

JOHN

Am I the keeper of these people? The shepherd may drive his flock through thorns or flowers. I pine for the wilderness, for my rocky fastnesses.

JOSAPHAT

[_Dismayed._] Rabbi!

JOHN

I have awakened the slumbering conscience, scourged and roused the idle, shown the erring the right road. One great burst of indignation against Herod now flames towards heaven. So now they may let me go my way, or send their spies after me. But no priest has yet dared to stand in my path. It is well. My work in Jerusalem is at an end.

MATTHIAS

Not so, Rabbi. Thy work only beginneth. We have to face the Prince's entry. The people want a leader.

JOHN

Whither will they be led?

MATTHIAS

That we know not, Rabbi.

JOHN

And do I know? Am I one to subject my will to the fetters of a plan, or to spin a web of calculations for others? I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. That is my destiny. Come! [_He stands up._]

THE PEOPLE

Hail to thee, John! Hail! [_As he is going, Amasai and Jorab step in his way._]

SCENE VIII

_The same. Amasai, Jorab._

AMASAI

Pardon us, great Prophet, that we have not yet been present at thy baptisms.

JOHN

Who are ye?

JOSAPHAT

[_Whispering._] Be on your guard, Rabbi. They wear the wide hem of the Pharisees. Their brethren are high in the Council.

AMASAI

We are diligent scribes, simple men, to whom the study of the law hath brought more honour than we deserve.

JOHN

May be. But what do ye want with me?

AMASAI

Many reports of miracles worked by thee have come to our ears. Some say thou art Elias; and others, even greater than he. We are willing to believe this, even if thou performest not his miracles. Naturally thou mayest have reasons in thy heart for keeping thy power of miracle-working a secret from us.

PASUR

Hath he worked miracles?

ELIAKIM

Not for me.

PASUR

Ah!

AMASAI

We have heard, too, much of thy godliness; that thou fastest and prayest as one to whom meat and drink and earthly intercourse are of no account. We fast and pray also, and our desire for doing good cannot be satisfied. But the law is harder and more zealous than we. Therefore we beg thee to be so gracious as to bestow on us the benefit of thy teaching, Rabbi, and to tell us how we can keep the law.

JOHN

So? Ye lay traps for me under the cloak of your glib words. Ye generation of vipers! Who hath told you that ye shall escape the wrath to come? Woe unto you, when He cometh Who is stronger than I! He hath His sickle already in His hand. He will gather the grain into His barn, but the chaff He will burn with everlasting fire.

PASUR

Of whom doth he speak?

HACHMONI

Hush! he speaks of the Messiah.

ELIAKIM

What Messiah?

JORAB

Come, Amasai. I am afraid of this man.

AMASAI

[_Shielding himself with his hand._] We approached thee as petitioners, and thou hast abused us. We will let that pass, presuming that thou hast a right thereto. The one of whom thou speakest as coming after thee has given thee the right. Is it not so? [_Silence._] Behold, ye people of Israel, your prophet is silent. If it be not the Messiah, the Messiah of Whom he preaches in the wilderness, and even in the market-place, who hath given him the right to chide us? Where else hath he obtained his authority? Ye know what we are, God-fearing, upright men, that strive to obey the law in everything.

ONE OF THE PEOPLE

Who is this?

ELIAKIM

Amasai, the wise and learned scribe.

PEOPLE

[_Murmuring._] Listen, it is Amasai.

ANOTHER

Rabbi, wilt thou not bless us?

AMASAI

Yea, we, in short, who are a piece of the law ourselves. And we have never done this man any harm. If he is an enemy to us, it must be because he is an enemy to the law.

JOHN

Thou liest.

AMASAI

Good. If I lie, so teach me, great prophet, how thou keepest the law.

JOSAPHAT

[_In a low voice._] Yes, Rabbi, explain! The people expect it.

JOHN

I have nothing to do with the law, of which ye and your like set up to be guardians and students. [_Sensation among the people._]

JOSAPHAT

[_Sotto voce._] Rabbi, think what thou art saying. Injure not thyself.

JOHN

Nay, it is not your law, but ye yourselves that I hate. For your hand lieth heavily on this people, and your well-being is its affliction.

AMASAI

That thou hast yet to prove, great prophet.

JOHN

Who are ye, ye men of worldly wisdom, that ye should look on the law as your special inheritance and possession? Here is an enslaved people crawling patiently on its belly beneath a scourge, oppressed by a heavy burden, and ye desire to tell it _how_ it shall crawl.

AMASAI

Yea, because it must crawl somehow, great prophet.

JOHN

Ye think so. I say that it shall rise out of the dust.

AMASAI

Thus have rebels ever spoken, and the end hath always been the cross and the gallows. Thou, whom men call the great prophet, listen to me! When the Lord redeemed His people the first time, how did He do it? Through the law. And when He redeemed them a second time, knowest thou how He did it? Through the law. So if we guard and watch this law, and let it expand by itself, swelling like an ear of corn, a thousand times into a thousandfold blessings, what is our object? Redemption, the hope which lives in all of us. Only we do not noise it abroad in the gutter and on the housetops.

PEOPLE

[_Murmuring._] There he is right. Aye, he is right!

SCENE IX

_The same. A troop of pilgrims have come up by degrees and slake their thirst at the fountain. Among them Simon the Galilean._

AMASAI

See! Look around thee. Behold these pilgrims! They come with their knapsacks from far distant lands: from Egypt, from Euphrates, and Syria, and from the accursed city of Rome itself. They are indifferent to hunger and thirst, the heat of the sun, and the dust of the road. And wherefore have they come? Because of this very law, which I and my brethren guard and study. And if thou sayest thou hast nothing to do with this law, and hatest it, tell us, then, what law thou lovest? Where do the Commandments leave off which the Lord made for His people, and where begin the vain works of men? Enlighten us, great prophet, and scold us not.

JOHN

[_Is silent, and uncertain what to say._]

JOSAPHAT

I warned thee, Rabbi!

AMASAI

[_With a laugh of scorn._] Now see, all of you. See! Methinks the great---- [_Breaks off as a woman, sickly and heavily loaded, comes accidentally near to him. He turns round in anger._] Touch me not, lest I become unclean! I am a Rechabite!

SIMON THE GALILEAN

[_To the woman._] No; touch _him_ not, lest _thou_ becomest unclean.

AMASAI

What?

SIMON THE GALILEAN

For the Pharisees who call themselves Rechabites are unclean from within. Come! [_Leads her to the fountain._]

AMASAI

He denies God!

THE PEOPLE

[_Murmuring._] He denies God!

AMASAI

A Rechabite unclean? A man who doth nothing day and night but fulfil the law; who performeth his sacred ablutions three times more than necessary; who sitteth, on the Sabbath, like a monument; who speaketh a blessing at meat twice, and over salt, bread er----er--[_half choking._] A Rechabite unclean?

JOHN

If I could not answer thy questions with their double meaning, thou thyself hast now answered them!

AMASAI

And may seven swine possess thee, thou great prophet, so that compared with them thou appearest to me a saint. [_To the Galilean._] And what evil spirit hath taken possession of thee, man? Art thou a Jew? Where dost thou come from? What is thy name?

MATTHIAS

[_In a low voice._] Tell him not thy name. He will ruin thee.

SIMON THE GALILEAN

[_Calmly._] I am a Jew. My name is Simon, and I come from Galilee.

AMASAI

And as one that there knoweth Law and Sacrifice----

SIMON THE GALILEAN

[_Interrupting._] Greater than law, greater than sacrifice, is love! [_Sensation and dismay among people_]

AMASAI

See ye not now that he is guilty against the law? [_He continues speaking earnestly to the people_]

JOHN

[_Approaching the Galilean in great excitement._] Who taught thee that? [_As Simon is silent, more urgently._] Who taught thee that?

MATTHIAS

[_In a quick, low tone to the Galilean._] Before they capture thee, fly!

SIMON THE GALILEAN [_Shakes his head._]

JOHN

This knowledge, that comes straight from thy simple and timid heart, awes me, for it cannot be thine own. [_The people, hounded on by Amasai, jostle the Galilean_] Back! In the Name of Him Who cometh, keep back. Leave him alone! [_People retreat._]

PASUR

Thou playest with us and our great longing as if we were toys.

AMASAI

Ah, now I have caught thee! Thou who poisonest a thirsty people with foul water! Where is He Who shall come? Where is thy Messiah? Where is the King of the Jews? Aye, show Him to us!

THE PEOPLE

[_Fiercely._] Yea, woe to thee if thou canst not show Him to us!

JOHN

[_Firmly._] Here cometh the King of the Jews whom ye acclaim!

SCENE X

_The same. Herod, Herodias, Salome and their train appear above in the background. The company of soldiers, with their officers, have posted themselves at the Palace gates. In silence the procession descends._

ONE OF THE TRAIN

Hail to Herod! [_Still silence._] Now, ye dogs! Cry, Hail!

HEROD

At what are the people gaping? [_To the Commander of the Guard._] Ye, who in obedience to Rome's command are here to protect me, cannot you clear them out of my way?

THE SOLDIERS

[_At a sign from their Captain begin to charge the people with lowered spears._]

AMASAI

[_Who is standing in the foremost row. Turns with a shrill cry._] Woe! woe! [_Takes fight._]

[_Jorab follows him. The people retreat with a subdued exclamation of fear. John alone stands his ground, his head held high, and measures Herod with his glance._]

SALOME

[_Raising her veil._] Mother, look at that man. It is the same who stood in the market-place and at the gates and everywhere where we have passed.

HEROD

And everywhere caused dissension.

SALOME

Look! His eyes flash fire! Mother, look!

HEROD

Come along, ye women. And if the pious citizens of Jerusalem have unlearnt the way to welcome with rejoicing the representative of the great race of Herod [_with a glance at the Captain of the Guard_], Rome, I hope, will teach it to them again. [_The Captain shrugs his shoulders with a slight smile._]

HEROD

Come, I pray. [_Herod, Herodias, Salome, go with their train into the Palace; the common soldiers into the guard-room._]

SCENE XII

_Johannes, Josaphat, Matthias, Manassa, Hachmoni, Pasur, the people._

HACHMONI

[_At the head of a group, pressing forward_] Pardon us, great prophet. The Pharisees have fled like cowards. But, see, we cling to thee. So now help us.

THE PEOPLE

Help us!

JOHN

[_As if in a dream._] Tell me, whither hath the man from Galilee gone?

MANASSA

Rabbi, we know not.

JOHN

Then seek him. Bring him to me.

MANASSA

Yes, Rabbi.

ALL THE PEOPLE

Tarry with us, great prophet. Help us! We flee to thee.

JOHN

[_Pondering in uncertainty._] Matthias, Josaphat, did he not say Love? [_The curtain falls_].

SECOND ACT

SECOND ACT

_Hall in Roman style of architecture in Herod 's Palace--On the right side, a balcony upheld by pillars, which extends the whole depth of the stage, and to which a fight of steps leads--Off the balcony a door opens into Salome's room--Underneath, on the ground floor, another door--In the centre of the background is the chief entrance--On the left, a window--Near it a couch and other furniture--To the right, between the pillars of the balcony, is a divan--Carpets and tiger-skins on the floor--A mixture of Roman and Oriental luxury._

SCENE I

_Maecha, Miriam, Abi_ [_on the balcony_]. _After them, Salome._

THE DAMSELS

[_Stepping cautiously and listening._]

SALOME

[_Through the door._] Is it safe? No one there?

MAECHA

Not a sound of anyone.

SALOME

Then, come! [_They skip down the stairs._]

SALOME

Ah, here it is light, and one can see oneself reflected in the walls. Do you know why we have been suddenly mewed up in the apartments above? Yesterday we were allowed to wander as we listed through all the passages, to dance unveiled in the gardens, and peep through the railings and mock the passers-by. But to-day, since my uncle came, we have had to sit moping in sackcloth and ashes. Why? Do none of you know why?

MAECHA

Mistress, the house is now filled with strangers who were not here yesterday. And, it is said that the men who are in the Tetrarch's following run after young maidens.

SALOME

Let them! I am not afraid of any men.... I take them as I find them.... I love them.

ABI

Thou knowest men, mistress?

SALOME

I mean not the men of our own people! They wear beards on their chins like forests, and before one can look round, they stand there barefooted, and then people say---- No; I mislike that. But once, when I was with my father in Antioch, I met pale youths with golden brown hair, and they wore red shoes and smelt of perfumes.... They were Greeks, my father said, real Greeks from Hellas.... They smiled, and it made me thrill.... Why dost thou stand there sulking, Miriam, and listenest not to my converse? It doth not please thee? Laugh, or I'll beat thee. If thou laughest not, I'll have thee whipped!

MIRIAM

Let me be whipped, mistress.

SALOME

Where wert thou last night? The palace guards said thou wouldst visit thy sweetheart.... Thou hast a lover? [_Roguishly._] Whisper his name in my ear and I'll give thee a gold pin.

MIRIAM

I have no one that loveth me, mistress.

SALOME

The language of you Judeans hath an insipid flavour, and your eyes dissemble. Yet, I love Jerusalem. A purple haze hangs over its gables. And it seemeth to me ever as if the sun in Jerusalem kissed one secretly. But ye could not understand how that is ... ye have not the blood of the great Herod in your veins. My mother hath it, and I have it from her.... And whatever they may say in Jerusalem, my mother was wise to run away from that other husband, for the one here is of more account than he. And because she was so wise, and at the same time so sadly foolish, I love her, and will share the consequences of her folly. [_She flings herself on the couch._] I am not displeasing to my uncle Herod.... I have remarked that he casts stolen glances at me.... Now when my mother scolds me I shall know how to tease her! [_Trills forth._] I am the Rose of Sharon, a flower of the valley. Cometh not my friend into his garden to eat of---- Miriam, where does that window look out?

MIRIAM

I do not know, mistress. I have never been in this hall before.

SALOME

Go and see.

MIRIAM

[_Looks out of the window and starts._]

SALOME

Why dost thou start?

MIRIAM

Did I, mistress?

SALOME

Tell me what thou seest?

MIRIAM

There are many people standing round a fountain, and----

SALOME

And?

MIRIAM

I cannot----

SALOME

[_Stands up and goes to window._] Ah! [_Looking out for a moment in silence._] Miriam, who is that?

MIRIAM

[_Confused._] Whom dost thou mean, mistress?

SALOME

Is there anyone else but him?... Miriam, thou gentle, brown Miriam [_half threateningly_], deny him not!

MIRIAM

It is--John--the Baptist.

ABI, MAECHA

[_Hurrying up, all curiosity._] The Baptist?

SALOME

Let him be who he be. See how the people surge round him! Have ye ever in your valley seen a rock bend? He doth not bend. Ha! ha! Not he! Only if--perhaps---- [_She stretches out her arms._]

SCENE II

_The same. Herodias_. [_Enters from centre._]

MAECHA

Mistress, thy mother!

THE THREE MAIDENS

[_Withdraw quickly from the window._]

HERODIAS

What are ye doing here, damsels? Salome thou! Shall we let it be said that we have brought evil manners into Jerusalem?

SALOME

[_Intending to wound, but outwardly meek._] Methinks it is said already.

HERODIAS

[_Enraged._] Go!

SALOME

Yes, mother. [_She crosses over, and lingers between the pillars of the balcony._]

HERODIAS

Ye damsels, stay! Ye are Judeans?

MAECHA

Yes, mistress.

HERODIAS

Intelligence hath reached me of one they call the Baptist stirring up rebellion in the streets. Which of you know the man?

MAECHA

She does.

ABI

She hath this moment confessed it.

HERODIAS

What dost thou know of him?

MIRIAM

That last night I sat at his feet praying.

SALOME

[_Coming forward_] Thou? Thou?

MAECHA

Pardon! A moment ago he was standing close to the Palace.

HERODIAS

Show him to me.

MAECHA

[_From the window_] Now is he gone.

HERODIAS

[_To Miriam_] So speed after him, and when thou hast found him, bring him privately through yonder gate. [_Points below to the right_]

SALOME

She shall not.... I will not ... _Not_ her!

HERODIAS

Why not?

SALOME

[_Throwing her arms round Miriam_] She is dearest to me. I will not let her go out of my sight. [_Comes over and supplicates Herodias_] Mother!

HERODIAS

Art thou still such a child? [_To Miriam._] Go!

SALOME

[_Angrily._] Miriam!

[_Exit Miriam._

HERODIAS

Such a child, and already hast the tooth of a serpent in thy mouth!

SALOME

[_Kneels on the couch before her mother and encircles her knees with her arms._] Forgive me, mother. We, thou and I, are not like others. We sting those we love.

HERODIAS

[_Sotto voce._] And those we hate?

SALOME

[_Sotto voce._] We kiss!

HERODIAS

[_Laughing._] Child! [_She kisses her._]

SALOME

[_Laughing._] Thou kissest me!

SCENE III

_The same. The Palace Captain._

PALACE CAPTAIN

My master, the Tetrarch Herod, would see thee, mistress.

HERODIAS

[_In growing anxiety covers Salomes' face with her veil._] Go, make haste; go!

SALOME

Mother, I am dull in the upstair chambers. May I not stay near thee?

HERODIAS

[_Looking towards the door._] Go, instantly!

SALOME

[_Slowly climbs the stairs with her companions._]

HERODIAS

Thou art Captain in the Palace?

THE PALACE CAPTAIN

[_Bows._]

HERODIAS

Go, set watches at every door. Who entereth goeth not out again.... And keep silent.

THE PALACE CAPTAIN

One has but to see thee to know that thou art the mistress.... How should I not be silent? [_Goes to the door._]

SCENE IV

_The same. Herod, Gabalos, Merokles, Jabad. The Palace Captain_ [_exit when the others enter_].

HEROD

Princess, after waiting even the space of a moment, a man will enjoy his favours to the full.... Therefore ... [_Kisses her on brow and mouth._] Pardon!

HERODIAS

Thou hast rested; art refreshed?

HEROD

That question thou oughtst not to ask me. My father was one of those men who never knew what weariness was. So his son, likewise, parts company with his pillow betimes, and---- [_He observes Salome who, with her veil slightly lifted, looks down from the balcony, and after she sees that he has noticed her, vanishes._]

HERODIAS

Thou art silent.

HEROD

Thy daughter is not with thee?

HERODIAS

[_Dryly._] No.

HEROD

[_Bows his head, smiling._] Allow me, Princess ... to present these friends.... I will not call them servants, for such they are not.

MEROKLES

Oh, mistress, they are servants whom thou mayest safely make thy friends.

JABAD

And they are friends in order that they may serve thee.

GABALOS

And are amply rewarded for both, great mistress.

HEROD

[_Smiling._] This rascal, whose Syrian dialect thou art now acquainted with for the first time, is Gabalos from Antioch. Thou seest, I tolerate his jesting.

GABALOS

For Herod the Great also kept a Fool.

HERODIAS

And people say that he acquired a second Fool before he let the first drown.

GABALOS

[_Bows, smiling, then turns aside with a grimace._]

HEROD

This is Merokles, the rhetorician. His voice carries far. It is heard in Rome, when folks there would overhear my own.

MEROKLES

But I shall take no satisfaction in that voice till it may greet thee, mistress, with the cry "Hail to thee, O Queen!"

HERODIAS

[_Winces, then smiles and exchanges a glance with Herod._]

MEROKLES

[_Sotto voce, joining Gabalos._] Thou madest a good hit; I a better.

HEROD

And in contrast to this cool flatterer, here is Jabad the Levite, my guide and my conscience ever since I set foot on Jewish soil. For, by Bacchus, he knows exactly what I have to do, every moment, in order to be pious, after the manner of my pious people.

GABALOS

[_Sotto voce._] He acts as if he had forgotten the way.

MEROKLES

[_Sotto voce._] For by so doing he thinks he will the more resemble his father.

HEROD

As an example, what ought I to be doing at this sacred moment?

JABAD

The sun is sinking, oh master. Thy Passover lamb, one year old and flawless, hath been slaughtered in the Temple. It is now in the yard to be blessed. Thou, as the lord and master of this house----

HEROD

Must do it myself?

JABAD

Thine illustrious father did not, and there was, on that account, grumbling amongst the people.

HEROD

Blessing is cleaner work than slaughter. I will do it. See, ye wise Greeks, that we must serve the gods in order to rule over men! And in the end we serve to no purpose. [_He motions them away. To Jabad._] Go and make ready, and I will follow thee. [_Exeunt Gabalos, Merokles, and Jabad._]

SCENE V

_Herod, Herodias_ [_later Salome with Maecha, on the balcony. Herod and Herodias stand together a few moments in silence._]

HERODIAS

Art thou content?

HEROD

Thy kindness oppresses me. Whether thou art content seemeth to me of more importance.

HERODIAS

[_Feeling his tone of contempt._] I have had no roof over my head for three nights. Like a tramp I have wandered in the dust of the roads. My serving-women one by one deserted me. Only Salome hath not forsaken me. I have robbed her of her father; the father I have robbed of his child. And what I have robbed my husband of thou canst estimate better than it beseemeth me. See, all this I have done for thee!

HEROD

I have abandoned my wife, who also said she loved me. She flew to her father. He now maketh ready for war to avenge his child's wrong. Only a trifle is lacking: I have no army. In Rome I am threatened with disgrace; my brother curses me; Judea points the finger of scorn at me.... So little have I done for thee----

HERODIAS

And thou repentest this little already?

HEROD

No! only forgive me if I blame thy coming too soon.

HERODIAS

Too soon! Was warmer welcome ever heard than this "too soon"?

HEROD

Take not my words amiss, I entreat thee!

HERODIAS

I dare not say that longing drove me here.

HEROD

[_With an embarrassed smile._] Say it ... by all means!

HERODIAS

Then thou hast not forgotten the days--of eloquent looks and silent vows--when every breath was a longing desire and every word a feast?

HEROD

How should I forget? Love, how should I----?

HERODIAS

And thou rememberest no more the nights when wandering footsteps stole their way to the fragrant gardens, where, in the feverish blossoming around them, two sleepless ones mingled their sighs?

HEROD

How could I not remember; Love, how could I not?

HERODIAS

I have clothed myself in Indian draperies; I have put pomegranate blossoms in my bosom, and gold dust in my hair ... but thou seest nothing!... My converse is bridal, but thou hearest it not.

[_Salome has appeared on the balcony with Maecha. Herod notices her._]

SALOME

Wait; let me see whether he has already come. [_She looks over, and after her eyes have met Herod's she vanishes._]

HERODIAS

[_Observing his absence of mind, with an exclamation._] No! thou hearest nothing.

HEROD

[_Quickly recovering himself?_] Well; what if it is so? The language of our soul, which thou art kind enough to call bridal, was fitting to the delight of those fragrant gardens. To-day, methinks, we have another task before us!

HERODIAS

Thinkest thou that I have been idle? Am I a woman who cometh to beg of you a nightly dole of caresses? Look at me.... Not thy beloved.... She exists no longer.... See in me thy ruling mistress!

HEROD

I am looking, and I see a woman who raves.

HERODIAS

As real as the ambition of thy mistress, as real as the secret resentment which gnaws beneath thy own; despite thy ever-ready smiles.

HEROD

[_Horrified._] Who told thee ... whence ...?

HERODIAS

So real and positive is my hold over thee. Just now, when thou didst say I raved, thou wast reflecting how thou couldst best get rid of me.... Thou fool; then get rid of thy wakeful nights and all that which thou thinkest great in thyself, the inheritance of that greater than thou, whom thou wilt never equal....

HEROD

Woman ... what ... [_his words choke in his throat._]

HERODIAS

[_Laughing._] Speak out what thou hast to say. If thou no longer needest me for love, thou mayest still require me as a listener and adviser.

HEROD