John the Baptist: A Play

_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._]