John the Baptist: A Play

_The same. Manassa. Amarja._

[_They seem at first as if they would rush to John, but overcome by shyness stand still._]

John. What have ye to tell me?

Manassa. Master!

Herod. Speak louder, my good men! Unless ye let us participate in the news, I will have you carried off through separate doors.

Manassa. May we, Master?

John. Speak freely, for methinks we are alone together.

Manassa. We took the road in all haste to Bethesda, and at break of day we found Him there.

John. Ye found him there?

Manassa. And many people were gathered about him resting in the olive gardens, and praised the Lord for the miracle which had been done to them at that hour. And behold there was a light in every eye, and in every mouth the music of thanksgiving.

John. And He? How looked His countenance? What were His gestures?

Manassa. Master, I know not.

John. But ye saw Him?

Amarja. Rabbi, thou mightest as well ask, What is the face of the sun, and what the gestures of light?... As we beheld His smile we sank to the ground, and in our souls was a great peace.

John. And when ye had questioned Him, and He began to speak, tell me what was His manner of speech? Say; I stand here awaiting His wrath.

Amarja. Rabbi.... He spoke to us like a brother. His speech was simple.

Manassa. And it was beautiful ... like the voice of the wind which blows from the sea towards evening.

Amarja. And this is what He spake. "Go and tell John what ye have seen and heard. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise, and the poor have the gospel preached to them."

John. The poor--He said the poor?

Manassa. And when He prepared to come hither to this town with the people who were gathered about Him, we accompanied Him as far as the gate, and then hurried on before, according to thy wish.

John. And said He nothing else to you? Reflect well.

Amarja. Yes; yet one more thing. He said, "Blessed be he who hath not been offended at me." But this we could not understand.

John. But I understand it well and to whom He spoke. I have been offended, for I have not recognized Him. And my anger filled the world, for I knew Him not. Ye yourselves are my witnesses that I have said, "I am not the Christ, but one sent to prepare the way for Him that cometh." A man can take nothing to himself that is not given him by Heaven. And unto me nothing was given. The key of death ... I held it not ... the scales of sin were not confided to me. For out of no man's mouth may the name of sin sound, save out of the mouth of the one that loveth. But I would have scourged you with iron rods. Therefore is my kingdom come to shame, and my lips are sealed. I hear roundabout a rushing noise, as of many waters, and the divine radiance is near me.... A throne hath descended out of heaven amidst darts of fire. The King of Peace sitteth thereon in white robes. And His sword is called Love, and His watchword is mercy.... Behold He hath the bride, He is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom standeth and listeneth, and rejoiceth over the voice that is coming. The same is my joy. Now is it fulfilled. [_He stands with his arms outspread and his eyes turned towards heaven. Manassa and Amarja sink at his feet._]

Vitellius. Dear friend, it seems to me that we have had enough of this maniac.

Herod. [_Between emotion and scorn._] John, I am truly grieved on thy account. And when He cometh of whom thou dreamest, I will greet Him as I have greeted thee. Ha! ha! ha! Lead him to execution.

Salome. Now, ask me! [_As John smilingly looks beyond her._] Mother, will he not ask?