John the Baptist: A Play

_The former. Josaphat, Matthias, Amarja, Manassa._

John. [_Going forward to him._] Where is the Galilean?

Manassa. I have sought Him, master, from the hour thou sentest me till past midnight. I have not rested nor tasted a crumb.

John. The Galilean? Hast thou found Him?

Manassa. I found him. He lay stretched out on the stones in charge of the soldiers, and near him, in chains, was his murderer.

Amarja. Who, on the holy eve of the Passover----?

Manassa. They called him David the Zealot. The Galileans blaspheme God, he hath said, and therefore must this one die.

Josaphat. It is true; he did blaspheme God.

Matthias. He blasphemed God!

John. But I say unto you ... To him it was not blasphemy. To him it was worship. Methinks more such men will come out of Galilee. For there is an uprising there.... Tell me, Josaphat, do not many pilgrims sleep on the stones at night, nigh the doors of the Temple?

Josaphat. Yes, Rabbi. On starry nights, like these, many a one wraps himself in his blanket and tarries by the House of the Lord.

John. [_In sudden decision._] It is well. [_Exit._

Matthias. Rabbi!

Amarja. Hath he deserted us?

Josaphat. Be not troubled! Thou, Amarja, wake our friends. Thou, Manassa, bring us tidings from the Palace. We two will follow the master. Meet us at the Susan Gate, at the place where the old beggar-woman sits. Come! [_Exeunt the men._]

Miriam. [_Who has stood unheeded, goes out with bowed head._]

CHANGE OF SCENE

_A stone square before the open gate of the Temple called the Susan Gate. The front of the stage is enclosed by the circuit of the outer wall. In the centre more than half the breadth of the stage is taken up by the massive doors of the gate, to which steps lead. It is night. The fire of the great sacrificial altar is reflected from the background on the walls, and fills the foreground with red, uncertain flickering glow._