The Ghetto Part 32

SACHEL.

She said--she said she hated our race--she hated you--she hated all of us; she was going away, out of the Ghetto, away, off there, there--[_He points away from the ca.n.a.l. The excitement at the ca.n.a.l wall increases. RAFAEL starts as if towards the wall._] Not there, not there, Rafael, my boy, my boy!

RAFAEL.

What's the matter down there? [_Two men bring ROSA up the steps; the crowd obscures her from RAFAEL._] Who is that? My G.o.d! Is it a woman?

A MAN.

Yes.

RAFAEL.

[_Pushes through the crowd._] Rosa, Rosa--Rosa! Oh! oh! oh!

SACHEL.

Oh, my boy!--oh, my boy! Rafael! Rafael! I couldn't stop her!

RAFAEL.

[_Turning on his father._] Ugh! Off from me--off! Oh, oh, d.a.m.nable, d.a.m.nable monster! Take him away!

AN OLD MAN.

He's your father! Shame! shame!

[_Hisses from crowd._

RAFAEL.

[_To SACHEL._] Keep your cursed talons off! Murderer! Murderer! You made her drown herself!

A SECOND MAN.

Leave him alone! Shame! This is the man who blasphemes G.o.d!

A THIRD MAN.

He profaned the synagogue--he curses his father!

[_RAFAEL meanwhile looks upon the body of ROSA._

THE SECOND MAN.

Shall he do all this--this--in our teeth? [_Hisses from the crowd._]

Hide your face! Hide your face!

[_Advances on RAFAEL._

RAFAEL.

Stand away from her! [_Throws him down, turns to his father._] O G.o.d, if I had not concealed your knavery from her, your holiest oath would not have moved her! And now must you live on, while she lies thus?

SACHEL.

[_To the crowd._] She poisoned my son; she took away his religion--she killed my son's love for his father! She deserves it--she deserves it!

RAFAEL.

Rosa, my Rosa, you shall not die! Life, life, freedom--the blue sweet sky, we two together singing in the sun--not the dead soul sighing through the trees--not the whisper of night--the sorrowful shade that pa.s.ses in the mist! No, no, you must feel my breath upon your cheek, you must feel my arms, you must live, live! [_ROSA stirs._] Live! She breathes--she breathes! Air--distance--distance, I say! Rosa, it is I, Rafael! You are safe! Not all the fiends in G.o.d's grey world shall thrust an arm between us. Rosa! Rosa!

ROSA.

[_Raising her head a little._] Rafael, forgive me----

SACHEL.

Rafael--Rafael--she means me. Forgive _me_--for G.o.d's sake--[_on his knees to RAFAEL, who turns his back_]--Rafael!

SECOND MAN.

Shame! shame! He hates his father!

THE CROWD.

Shame! shame! Punish him!

[_The crowd closes in on RAFAEL._

ROSA.

[_In fear._] Rafael!

RAFAEL.

Are you no better than a mob of Christians? Stand back! [_Pushes the crowd back violently._] Rosa, Rosa--away--out of the Ghetto--into the air! Rosa!

[_The crowd starts to close in again; he takes ROSA in his arms and rushes across the bridge. The crowd follows, walking rapidly. SACHEL is left solitary._

SACHEL.

Rafael! Raf---- [_He falls._

_Enter A WATCHMAN._

WATCHMAN.

Eleven o'clock, and all's--[_Stops and looks at SACHEL, who stirs and sobs._] Eleven o'clock!