John the Baptist: A Play - novelonlinefull.com
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SCENE VII
_The same, without Amasai and Jorab. John, accompanied by Josaphat, Matthias, and Mana.s.sa 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!
MANa.s.sA
[_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 p.r.i.c.k 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._]
SCENE VIII
_The same. Amasai, Jorab._
AMASAI
Pardon us, great Prophet, that we have not yet been present at thy baptisms.
JOHN
Who are ye?
JOSAPHAT
