SCENE IV
_The same. Josaphat. Matthias._
JOHN
Josaphat, so thou art here. And thou, Matthias.
JOSAPHAT
Master, chide us not for having lingered. We paused by Herod's Palace, which, as a rule, is dark and deserted. We saw rosy lights kindled, and the pillars garlanded with flowers. Fresh ignominy shall befall Israel, more deadly sin weigh upon her, if thou, Rabbi, comest not to the rescue.
JOHN
Speak out!
JOSAPHAT
Herod hath not come out of Galilee, as every year before, for the Passover. He is not expected till to-morrow. Another guest hath arrived. The wife of Philip, Herod's brother, hath deserted him, and taken with her Salome, Philip's daughter.
The guest at the Palace is called Herodias, and to-morrow the marriage feast is to be celebrated.
JOHN
Between Herod and the wife of his own brother?
JOSAPHAT
Thou sayest right, Rabbi.
JOHN
No! No! Whoever hath told thee this informed thee falsely. His lips were shameless, and his soul lied.
AMARJA
Pardon, Rabbi; there are maids here belonging to the Palace.... Question them.
JOHN
Hadidja, I know thee. Speak!
HADIDJA
Rabbi, my place is menial. I only hear what the idle gossips say. But here is Miriam. She has been chosen as the playmate of the young maiden Salome since she came yesterday. She waits on her at the bath. Question her!
JOHN
Miriam, why art thou silent?
HADIDJA
Rabbi, she hath never yet conversed with strangers.
MIRIAM
[_In a low, stuttering tone._] Master, it is true what that man saith. And----[_Emotion._]
JOHN
Continue!
MIRIAM
And after the wedding, on the first day of the Passover, Herodias is to enter the Temple, as far as the women's outer court, her new consort leading her by the hand. They will show themselves to the people.
JOHN
That the people may stone them? But what am I saying? They dare not! Those priests, lustful as they are, cowards cringing in the dust at the feet of the Romans, dare not permit this! The iron gates will close upon the scandal, and the High Priest will stretch forth his arm to curse them!
HADIDJA
Speak, Miriam!
JOHN
What else hast thou to say, Miriam?
MIRIAM
Master, at this very hour, messengers are passing to and fro between Herodias and the Temple. The Princess desireth that the High Priest shall meet them at the second gate, where the men and women separate, to bless her----
JOHN
Enough! Go home, all of you. I wish to be alone. To-morrow ye will see me at Jerusalem. [_Horror amongst the people._]
ONE OF THE CROWD
Rabbi, wilt thou be responsible for thy enemies?
OTHERS
Reflect, Rabbi! The Pharisees will trap thee. The priests will condemn thee.
JOHN
I am the son of a priest. I will speak priestly words to those who countenance this infamous crime. I will speak to them in the name of Him Who cometh, for Whom I prepare the way. Go! [_As they appear unwilling and hesitate._] Go! [_The curtain falls._]
FIRST ACT
FIRST ACT
_Square in front of the Palace of Herod--The guardroom of the Roman soldiers is to the right of the Palace in the foreground, with benches before the door--To the right of centre is the chief entrance--Steps in background, which lead to the top of a hill--Behind, separated by an invisible valley, is a view of rising masses of house-tops belonging to another part of the town--A narrow street to the left of centre, and another street in foreground, which may be taken as a continuation of the one that runs to right of guard-room--In it is the shop of the woollen merchant_ Eliakim--_At its right corner the shop of the fruit-seller_ Pasur, _with wares exhibited--A fountain with seats round it, near the middle of the stage._