John the Baptist: A Play

_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._]