John the Baptist: A Play - LightNovelsOnl.com
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_The same. Amarja; with a fresh crowd of people._
AMARJA
[_Calling._] John, where is John?
JOSAPHAT
[_With resolution._] Here is John.
THE PEOPLE
[_Hear and murmur, joyously._] See, there is John!
JOSAPHAT
Hear all of you! Go not past; and thou over there mayest speak. The master will listen unto thee.
AMARJA
Herod is coming to the Temple, wearing princely robes. At his side, sparkling with precious stones, walks the courtezan.
THE PEOPLE
[_Break out into cries of anger._]
JOSAPHAT
Master, thy hour is come; mount the steps and speak to them!
THE PEOPLE
[_Pressing round._] John, speak--Rabbi, speak--What shall we do?
JOSAPHAT
Keep back! He will speak to you. [_Sotto voce._] Mount the steps!
JOHN
[_Walks as if in a dream towards the steps._]
THE PEOPLE
[_Murmuring._] See! He sways. What aileth him?
JOSAPHAT
Make haste. Speak!
CALL
Here is Herod. Here cometh Herod!
THE PEOPLE
Stone him! Stone the courtezan!
OTHERS
Look at John! Do what John does, else are ye lost.
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
