SCENE XV

_The same. Herod, Herodias, with train from right._

JOHN

[_John has mounted the steps and stands in the middle of the threshold._]

HEROD

[_Pale, but smiling._] Hearest thou what they cry?

HERODIAS

Have him seized, else it means death to you and to me.

THE PEOPLE

[_Are silent and tense in expectation. Most of them have picked up stones._]

JOSAPHAT

[_Who stands to the left of John on a lower step, hands him a stone, and says in a low voice._] Take this stone! [_More urgently._] Take this stone!

JOHN

[_Takes the stone._]

HEROD

Thou on the steps. Knowest thou me not?

JOSAPHAT

[_Whispers._] Hurl the stone!

JOHN

[_Firmly._] In the name of Him [_He is about to throw the stone, then pauses, half-questioning, half-swooning._] ... Who ... commands me ... to love thee----[_A low moaning runs through the people._]

TWO SERVANTS

[_Have approached John. They seize him and push him down from the Temple steps._]

HEROD AND HERODIAS

[_Walk up._]

THE PEOPLE

Woe to us! He too hath forsaken us. Woe, woe!

JOSAPHAT

[_To John, who is pinioned by the servants._] Master, what hast thou done to us?

THE PEOPLE

Woe! Woe!

[_The curtain falls._]

FOURTH ACT

FOURTH ACT

_A town in Galilee.... The stage represents a grass-grown prison-yard which, on the right side, is adjacent to the gardens of a Herodian Palace, divided from them by a low wall, which continues in a right-hand direction to the centre of background. On the left side of background a higher wall, and entrance with heavy doors. To the left, the clumsy pile of the prison buildings and a door. In the garden wall is a gate, over which hangs the green foliage of the garden beyond, which bounds the right side of background. On the right is a semi-circular shaped marble seat with back; on left, stones covered with moss._