John the Baptist: A Play Part 6

BOTH PRIESTS

[_Regard each other in dismay._]

SECOND PRIEST

[_Furiously._] These again are of the school of the Pharisees!

FIRST PRIEST

We hold the Temple. They shall yet be our servants. Come! [_Exeunt both priests._]

SCENE IV

PASUR

[_Drawing near humbly._] Forgive me, neighbour, but now thou no longer readest in the law?

ELIAKIM

No.

PASUR

This will be a sorry Pa.s.sover for us tradesmen. See all this fine stock which I have laid in. There is the sacred pomegranate wood, whereon to roast the lamb. Here are the sweet herbs, with which to prepare the holy broth, and here are the bitter roots, the garlic, cresses, and bay leaves, all according to the precept. In six, or at latest seven hours the feast begins, and I shall be left stranded with my whole stock on hand. Oh, woe is me! Woe is me!

ELIAKIM

Well, have I not also superior and holy wares for sale? There are stuffs of the very finest quality. Beautiful ta.s.sels of white and hyacinth-blue wool. And are not my Tephillims the most beautiful ever worn by a son of Abraham at morning prayer? Nay, Abraham himself never wore a finer Tephillim. I believe I have eighteen dozen or more. But one should take no thought of bodily raiment, but read the Scriptures.

So it is written.

PASUR

But, neighbour, the man who deals in vegetables does not find it so easy to be righteous in the sight of the Lord. Thy woollen goods will keep till Herod is gone again with his new wife.

ELIAKIM

[_Shakes his fist at the Palace._] It's a shame, a crying shame!

PASUR

Yes; once this was always a good spot for business, but now gra.s.s groweth in front of the Palace.

ELIAKIM

Only _priests_ go in and out.

SCENE V

_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 pa.s.ses, and disappears in the street to the left._]

PASUR

I feel a shiver run through me. One can err and not know it.