John the Baptist: A Play

_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.