John the Baptist: A Play

_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!