SCENE III

_Eliakim, Pasur, Hadidja, and the two other maids. Two Priests_ [_descending the central steps_].

FIRST PRIEST

Damsels, you belong to the Palace?

HADIDJA

Yes, ye priests.

FIRST PRIEST

Announce us to your mistress.

HADIDJA

Our mistress, priests, is gone forth to meet the Tetrarch Herod, to receive him at the gates.

FIRST PRIEST

When will she return?

HADIDJA

That we cannot say, priests; it depends on the coming of the Prince.

FIRST PRIEST

Do you desire our blessing?

HADIDJA

No! [_She vanishes with the other maids into the interior of the Palace._]

BOTH PRIESTS

[_Look discomposed._]

FIRST PRIEST

[_Observing Eliakim and Pasur sitting in front of their doors, raises his hands unctuously._] Blessed be ye who----

ELIAKIM

No one asked thy blessing!

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._]