John the Baptist: A Play Part 34

[_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 gra.s.s-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._

SCENE I

_Gaoler, Abi._

ABI

[_With head thrust over the garden wall._] Master Gaoler, dost thou not hear?

GAOLER

What wilt thou?

ABI

A ball went over the wall. Hast thou seen it?

GAOLER

No.

ABI

Please look for it, and throw it back.

GAOLER

Look for it thyself.

ABI

How can I, unless thou openest the gate.

GAOLER

I may not open it. Let me be.

ABI

Listen, Gaoler. The ball belongs to Salome, our young Princess. If thou art not obliging, beware!

GAOLER

Oh, if it belongs to the young Princess----[_Opens the gate._]

SCENE II

_The Gaoler, Abi, Maecha, and later, Salome._

ABI

[_Calls back, laughing._] Mistress, the door is open.

GAOLER

Is that the young Princess, who is daughter of his new wife?

ABI

[_Nods._]