John the Baptist: A Play Part 41

No.

JOHN

What, Josaphat, thou who wast ever the nearest to me, hast thou no greeting to give?

JOSAPHAT

[_Turns away._]

JOHN

Well, then, what is it?

JOSAPHAT

Rabbi, it is written ... One knife sharpens another, and one man another ... but thou hast made us blunt.

JOHN

And thou hast come this long way to tell me that?

JOSAPHAT

Rabbi, thou shouldst be the way that all the erring follow. Thou shouldst strengthen weak knees and mould trembling hands to the sword's hilt. Thy work was wrath, Rabbi, but thou hast made of it a sophistry and a weakness.

JOHN

Thou art not to know what my work was. Had I known myself, I should not be here. Truly the time of my fall is come, when enemies sing my praises and friends speak ill of me. What would ye have me do? My end must be in solitude and silence.

JOSAPHAT

Thy end, Rabbi, is no concern of ours. It is for Israel's end that I fear. Thou tookest the law from us. What hast thou given us instead?

JOHN

Who art thou, that like a kennelled hound, thou bitest at my shanks?

_I_ took the law from you? My soul hath wrestled with the law till it is weary; my forehead beat against its walls till it bled! But now ye have opened your mouths wide that salvation should slip down them like sweet crumbs. Ye gazed up at me so long as I stood erect, and now shrink away like cowards from my fall. I have not fallen for myself, I fell for you. To you it was a compulsion and a matter of watching. To me it was voluntary, and a combat at the sword's point.... Look at me!

Twice to-day I have been face to face with the world's sin. But it seemed to me almost fair, for I have yet to meet the worst. Thou art a renegade! Thou hast ever been a renegade, and renegades will ye be to all eternity, ye men of universal utility, who manure your acres with the blood of those who have died for you! Go! I am weary of you!

JOSAPHAT

I am going, Rabbi, whither Matthias hath gone before me, to Jesus of Nazareth.

JOHN

[_Startled and moved._] To Jesus of Nazareth?

JOSAPHAT

[_Turns silently to go out._] [_Exit._

SCENE VIII

_Mana.s.sa, Amarja, John._

JOHN

How Amarja, and how Mana.s.sa? Those whom I trusted the most have forsaken me, and ye are still here!

AMARJA

Rabbi, I was at all times the least among thy disciples. What should I be worth if I were not faithful?

MANa.s.sA

And to me, Rabbi, thou hast given a hope.

JOHN

Yet he is gone to Jesus of Nazareth. Be ye not fools. Go with him.

MANa.s.sA

Let us be fools, Rabbi.

JOHN

[_Sitting down on a stone._] So seat yourselves with me. Night draweth nigh, and I am weary. Hearken! It was even as if I heard a beating of wings above me. Did ye hear nothing?

AMARJA

Nothing, Rabbi.

JOHN

The womb of my soul is opened. I am ready for the blessing from on high. Is there not a whispering, roundabout? Heard ye nothing?

MANa.s.sA

Nothing, Rabbi.

JOHN

There is a light s.h.i.+ning over yonder mountains. Lovely is that light, and within me dawns the meaning of a contradiction. Who alone can deliver the world? To obtain it as a gift is to stretch forth your hands for the un.o.btainable.... We are in Galilee, know ye, where He now teacheth, this Jesus of Nazareth!

AMARJA

We heard in the streets that He was not far off. He tarries on the sea-coast.