She says that if you delay any longer, she will not recognize her child
when he is revived. If it is necessary for you to know his name, it is
Moishe, little Moishe. He is a dark little one,--I looked at him.
WOMAN.
_Falling down on her knees._
Forgive me, David, for breaking the line and not waiting for my turn.
But there are those who died but a little while ago, while I am
carrying him already three days and three nights on my breast. Perhaps
it is necessary for you to take a look at him? Then I will uncover
him--I am not deceiving you, David.
SARAH.
I have looked at him already, David. She let me hold him awhile. She is
very tired, David.
_David retreats slowly, the palms of his hands
outstretched forward. He moves thus until he
reaches the wall._
DAVID.
Mercy! Mercy!
_Both women wait patiently._
DAVID.
What shall I do? I am fainting, O God! Nullius, tell them that I do not
resurrect the dead!
WOMAN.
I implore you, David! Do I ask you to restore life to an old man who
has lived long and who has deserved death for his evil deeds? Do I
not understand whom it is possible to resurrect and whom it is not
possible to resurrect? But perhaps it is hard for you because he is
dead so long. I did not know this,--forgive me. And when he was dying,
I promised him: "Moishe, do not be afraid to die--David, who brings joy
to mankind, will restore your little life to you."
DAVID.
Show him to me.
_Looks at him, shaking his head, and weeps, wiping
his eyes with his red kerchief. Sarah looks at him
confidently, leaning on his shoulder._
SARAH.
How old was he?
WOMAN.
Two years, going on the third.
_David turns his tear-stained face to Anathema and
says in a strange voice:_
DAVID.
Shall I make an attempt, perhaps, Nullius?
_Suddenly he bends down and cries hoarsely:_
Adenoi!... Adenoi!... Begone! Begone! The Devil has sent you here. Tell
them, Nullius, that I do not resurrect the dead. They have come to
mock me! Look, they are both laughing there. Begone! Begone!
ANATHEMA.
_In a low voice, to Sarah._
Go away, Sarah, and lead the woman away. David is not quite ready yet.
SARAH.
_In a whisper._
I will take her to my room. Later you may tell David that she is there.
_To the woman._
Come, woman,--David is not quite ready yet.
_They go out. David, exhausted, sits down in an
arm-chair and lowers his grey head. He reads
something softly._
ANATHEMA.
They have gone, David. Do you hear? They have gone away.
DAVID.
Nullius, did you see? It was a dead child. Moishe.... Yes, yes, Moishe,
a dark little one; we looked at him.... (_Loudly, in despair._) What
shall I do? Teach me, Nullius.
ANATHEMA.
_Quickly._
Flee!
_Listens to what is going on outside the window,
nods his head affirmatively, and advances to David
cautiously, like a conspirator; David waits for
him, with his arms folded as in prayer, a confident
smile on his lips. His back is bent, and he
frequently takes his red kerchief from his pocket,
but does not know what to do with it._
ANATHEMA.
_In a whisper._
We must flee, David, flee!
DAVID.
_Joyously._
Yes, yes, Nullius,--we must flee.
ANATHEMA.
I shall hide you in a dark room which no one knows of; when they fall
asleep, tired of waiting and hungry, I shall lead you through the
sleeping people--and will save you.
DAVID.
_Joyously._
Yes, yes, save me.
ANATHEMA.
And they will be waiting! In their sleep they will, wait and dream
dreams of great expectations--and you will not be here any longer!
DAVID.
_Nodding his head joyously._
And I shall not be here any longer, Nullius! And I shall have fled
already, Nullius!
_Laughs._
ANATHEMA.
_Laughing._
And you will not be here any longer! You will have fled! Let them speak
to Heaven then.
_They look at each other and laugh._
ANATHEMA.
_In a friendly tone._
Wait for me, David. I shall go out at once and see whether the house is
still surrounded. They are such madmen!
DAVID.
Yes, yes, look. They are such madmen! Meanwhile I shall prepare myself,
Nullius.... But I ask you, do not leave me here all alone for a long
time.
_Anathema goes out. David goes cautiously on tiptoe
to the window and wants to look out, but he dares
not; he goes to the table and is frightened by the
scattered sheets of paper; he moves cautiously
to the corner where his clothes are. He dresses
hastily, mixing up his clothes. For a long time he
does not know what to do with his beard; suddenly
he pushes it under his coat and hides it with his
collar._
DAVID.
_Muttering._
Yes, yes. I must hide my beard. All the children know my beard.... But
why did they not tear it out? Yes, yes, my beard.... But what a black
coat! It does not matter, you will hide it. That's the way. Rosa had a
mirror.... But Rosa ran away, and Naum also died, and Sarah--oh, but
why does not Nullius come? Does he not hear how they are shouting?...
_A knock on the door._
DAVID.
_Frightened._
Who is there? David Leizer is not here.
ANATHEMA.
It is I, David; let me in.
_Anathema enters._
DAVID.
Well, Nullius,--it is possible to recognize me now, is it not?
ANATHEMA.
Very good, David. But I don't know how we can get out. Sarah has
filled the house with guests: in every room the blind and the maimed
are waiting for you with a pleasant smile; there are also dead people
there, David. Your Sarah is a splendid woman, but she is too much of
a hostess, David, and she intends to build up a fine household on
miracles.
DAVID.
But she must not do it, Nullius.
ANATHEMA.
Many people are already sleeping at your doors, smiling in their
dreams,--self-confident, lucky people, who have managed to outstrip
the others.... And in the garden and in the yard....
DAVID.
_With fear._
What is there in the yard?...
ANATHEMA.
Not so loud, David. Look and listen.
_He puts out the light in the room and draws aside
the draperies; the windows are lit up with a red
light; it is dark in the room, but David's head,
and the paper on the floor, are tinted a pale
crimson hue._
DAVID.
_Frightened, in a whisper._
Where does this fire come from, Nullius? I am afraid.
ANATHEMA.
_Also in a whisper._
'Tis a cold night, and they have started bonfires. Sarah told them that
they would have to wait a long time yet, so they have taken precautions.
DAVID.
Where did they get the wood?
ANATHEMA.
They broke certain things. Sarah told them that you ordered them to
start bonfires, and they are humbly burning whatever wood they find....
And there, David, farther away....
DAVID.
_In despair._
What is it, Nullius? What else can there be, there yonder?...
ANATHEMA.
I do not know, David. But from the upper window, which was wide open,
I heard something like the roaring of the ocean when the rocks tremble
with pain from the beating of the breakers; it was as though the
roaring of brass trumpets that I heard, David,--they are shouting to
the sky and to you, and they are calling you.... Do you hear?
_In the muffled noise and chaos of sounds, ring out
the sounds: Da-vid! Da-vid! Da-vid!_
DAVID.
I hear my name. Who is calling? What do they want?
ANATHEMA.
I don't know. Perhaps they want to crown you as their king.
DAVID.
Me?
ANATHEMA.
You, David Leizer. Perhaps they are bringing you might and power--and
the power of performing miracles--do you not want perhaps to become a
God, David? Look and listen.
_He throws the windows wide open. The sounds of
the voices calling "Da-vid, Da-vid, Da-vid!"
grow louder and are mingled with the blowing of
trumpets._
_David at first moves to the wall, then he slowly
advances to the window. He straightens himself,
looks out of the window, and pushing Anathema
aside, outstretches his arms to the poor of the
earth._
DAVID.
_Calling._
Come this way! Come here! To me! I am here! I am with you!
ANATHEMA.
_Astonished._
What? You are calling them? You--are--calling--them? Bethink yourself,
Leizer!
DAVID.
_Angrily._
Be silent! you do not understand me! We are all human beings and we
shall go together.
_Enthusiastically._
And we shall go together! Come here, brethren, come! Look,
Nullius,--they have lifted their heads, they are looking, they hear me.
This way! this way!
ANATHEMA.
Will you perform miracles?
DAVID.
_Angrily._
Be silent--you are a stranger. You speak as an enemy of God and
mankind. You know neither pity nor compassion. We are tired, we are
exhausted,--even the dead have grown tired of waiting. Come here--and
we shall go together. This way!
ANATHEMA.
_Looking at David._
Are not the blind showing the way to them?
DAVID.
Who needs eyesight if not the blind? This way, blind!
ANATHEMA.
Are not the lame making the road and swallowing the dust there?
DAVID.
Who needs the road if not the lame? This way, maimed!
ANATHEMA.
Are they not carrying the dead on the stretchers, swaying with measured
steps? Look, David, and dare to say: "Come this way, to me. I am he who
resurrects the dead!"
DAVID.
_Tormented._
You know no love, Nullius.
ANATHEMA.
"I am he who restores sight to the blind"--
_Loudly, through the window._
This way! Nations of the earth, seeking God,--come together, at the
feet of David--he is here!
DAVID.
Not so loud.
ANATHEMA.
Eh, this way! Suffering mothers,--fathers who have lost their reason in
grief,--brothers and sisters who devour one another in the convulsions
of hunger--come this way, to David, who has brought joy to mankind!
DAVID.
_Seizing him by the shoulder._
You have lost your mind, Nullius. They may hear you and may break into
the house.... What are you doing, Nullius? Be more cautious.
ANATHEMA.
_Shouting._
David is calling you!
DAVID.
_Dragging him away from the window forcibly._
Be silent! I'll choke you if you utter another word. You dog!
ANATHEMA.
_Releasing himself._
You are as foolish as a human being. When I call you to flee from here,
you curse me. When I call you to love--you want to choke me.
_With contempt._
Man!
DAVID.
_Enfeebled._
Oh, do not ruin me, Nullius. Oh, forgive me if I have angered you,
foolish old man that I am, with a memory that fails me. But I cannot--I
cannot perform any miracles!
ANATHEMA.
Let us flee from here.
DAVID.
Yes, yes, let us flee.
_Irresolutely._
But where? Where do you want to lead me, Nullius? Is there a place on
earth where God is not present?
ANATHEMA.
I shall lead you to God.
DAVID.
No, I don't want to go to Him. What will God tell me? And what shall I
answer Him? Be considerate, Nullius. Can I say anything in answer to
God now?
ANATHEMA.
I shall lead you to the desert. We shall leave here these wicked and
vicious people, who are seized with the itch of suffering and who break
down posts and fences like hogs that scratch themselves.
DAVID.
_Irresolutely._
But they are human beings, Nullius.
ANATHEMA.
Renounce them, and, pure, stand up in the desert before the face
of God. Let the rock be your bed, let the howling jackal become
your friend, let only the sky and the sand hear the penitent moans
of David--not a single stain of another's sin shall come upon the
pure snow of his soul. He who remains with lepers becomes a leper
himself--only in solitude will you see God. To the desert, David, to
the desert!
DAVID.
I shall pray.
ANATHEMA.
You will pray.
DAVID.
I shall exhaust my body with fasting.
ANATHEMA.
You will exhaust your body with fasting.
DAVID.
I shall cover my head with ashes.
ANATHEMA.
What for? Unfortunate people do that. But you will be happy, David, in
your sinlessness. To the desert, David, to the desert!
DAVID.
To the desert, Nullius, to the desert!
ANATHEMA.
_Quickly._
Let us run. There is a cellar here of which no one knows. There are old
barrels there, and there is the smell of wine. I shall hide you. And
when they fall asleep--
DAVID.
To the desert! To the desert!
_They rush out quickly. Disorder and silence in the
room.. Through the open window soon comes in the
noise of voices and of brass trumpets, moans and
sobs of the mob,--"Da-a-a-vid!"_
_And with its pages bent under it, like a house
that is falling apart, lies the Bible, with its
back upward._
SLOW CURTAIN.
ACT FIVE.
_On the right, upon the slope of a mountain, a dilapidated stone fence.
On the left, the sea is seen. Beyond the fence, a deserted garden;
among the trees two tall cypress trees stand out prominently. The sea
is dark. It is before a storm. The sky is overcast with heavy clouds,
which are driven rapidly by the wind._
_As the curtain goes up no one is on the stage; then Anathema climbs
over the fence and assists David over the fence. David is very weak and
moves with difficulty. Their dark clothes are covered with mud and torn
in places. Both have lost their hats on the way._
ANATHEMA.
Quicker, quicker, David! They are pursuing us. In this dark garden,
where it is so quiet, I heard a roaring in the distance, on that
side,--as though there were another sea there. Quicker, David!
DAVID.
I can't, Nullius. Put me down here that I may die.
ANATHEMA.
Put your foot here, on this rock. Take care.
DAVID.
Before my eyes are paths which turn and turn and lead to the wall. Then
there are more walls, Nullius, and this dark ditch where a bloated dead
horse is lying. Where are we, Nullius?
ANATHEMA.
We are at the sea. We shall take a boat from the fishermen and trust
ourselves to the waves--You will sooner find mercy with the senseless
waves, David, than with the maddened people.
DAVID.
Yes, it is better to die.
_He lies down by the fence._
I am fifty-eight years old, Nullius, and I must have a rest.... But who
was the man that met us on the highway and was so greatly overjoyed,
and ran off shouting: "Here is David, who has brought joy to mankind?
How does he know me? I had never seen him before.
ANATHEMA.
_As if surveying the shore._
Your fame is great, David.... Strange, I do not find any path leading
downward.
DAVID.
_Shutting his eyes._
The cypress trees have turned dark--there will be a storm to-night,
Nullius. We should have remained at the stone pit: it was dark and
quiet there, and I slept like a man with clear conscience.
_Grumbling._
But why are you silent, Nullius? Or am I to speak all alone, as if I
were already in the desert?
NULLIUS.
I am searching.
DAVID.
_With dissatisfaction._
What else is there to search for? We have searched enough to-day, and
we jumped like trained dogs. I felt ashamed, Nullius, when I climbed
the fences like a little boy stealing apples. You had better come over
here and tell me something about your wanderings. I am too tired to
sleep.
ANATHEMA.
You'll not be able to sleep, David.
_Advancing._
There is no way down to the sea.
DAVID.
What of it? Look for it elsewhere.
ANATHEMA.
_Outstretching his hand in the direction of the
city._
Look, David; what is that white line there in the distance?
DAVID.
_Lifting his head._
I don't see it.
ANATHEMA.
It is the city which is awaiting you. Now listen. What is that noise in
the distance?
DAVID.
_Listening._
That--of course, Nullius, that is the echo of the waves of the sea.
ANATHEMA.
No. It is the voice of the people, who will come here soon and will
demand miracles from you, and will offer you the kingdom of the poor on
earth. When we were hiding in the rocks, I heard two men speak as they
hastened to the city: they said that you had been carried away by some
evil one and that it was necessary to rescue you from that evil one and
offer you the kingdom.
DAVID.
Am I not a sick old Jew? Am I a piece of gold that I should be stolen?
Leave me alone, Nullius; you are raving like the other people.... I am
sleepy.
ANATHEMA.
_Impatiently._
But they are coming this way.
DAVID.
Let them come. You will tell them that David is sleeping and that he
does not want to perform miracles.
_He prepares himself for sleep._
ANATHEMA.
Bethink yourself, David.
DAVID.
_Stubbornly._
He does not want to perform any miracles. Good night, Nullius. I am old
and I do not like to talk nonsense.
ANATHEMA.
David!
_David does not answer; he falls asleep, his hands
folded under his head._
ANATHEMA.
Awaken, David! the people have come here.
_Pushes him angrily._
Get up, I say. You make believe that you are asleep--I don't believe
you. Do you hear?
_Through his teeth._
You've fallen asleep--damned flesh!
_Steps aside and listens._
ANATHEMA.
Ha, ha! They are coming.... They are coming.... And their king is
sleeping! They are coming--and their miracle-worker is sleeping the
sleep of the horse which draws water. They are carrying a crown and
death--and their victim and master is catching the wind with an open
mouth, smacking his lips for pleasure. O miserable race! There is
treachery in your bones, betrayal in your blood, and falsehood in your
heart! It is better to rely upon flowing waters, to walk upon the waves
as upon a bridge; it is better to lean upon the air as upon a rock,
than to trust one's haughty anger and bitter dreams to a traitor.
_Goes over to David and pushes him rudely._
Get up! Get up, David,--Sarah is here, Sarah, Sarah!
DAVID.
_Awakening._
Are you here, Sarah? I'll be up soon; I am very tired, Sarah.... What
is this? You, Nullius? Where is Sarah? Didn't she call me just now? How
tired I am! how tired I am, Nullius!
ANATHEMA.
Sarah is coming. Sarah is carrying an infant.
DAVID.
What infant? We have no small children. Our children--
_Half rises, looks around, frightened._
What is that, Nullius? who is crying there?
ANATHEMA.
Sarah is carrying a dead child. You must resurrect the dead child,
David. He is dark, and his name is Moishe--Moishe--Moishe!
DAVID.
_Rising._
We must flee, Nullius. We must flee. But where is the road? Where have
you led me to?
_Seizes Anathema by the arm._
Listen how they are shouting. They are coming this way, to me--oh, save
me, Nullius!
ANATHEMA.
There is no way.
_Holding David._
There is an abyss.
DAVID.
What shall I do, Nullius? Shall I, mayhap, hurl myself down and dash my
head against the rocks? But am I a wicked wretch that I should come to
God without His calling me? Oh, if God only called me--faster than an
arrow would my old soul rush to Him....
_Listens._
They are shouting. They are calling ... calling? Step aside, Nullius; I
want to pray.
ANATHEMA.
_Steps aside._
But make haste, David; they are near.
DAVID.
Do you hear? They are coming. I love them, but my love is bitterer than
hatred, and it is as powerless as indifference. Kill me, and meet them
yourself. Kill me--and meet them with mercy, with love. Fertilize the
hungry earth with my body and grow bread upon it, drown sorrow with my
soul and grow laughter upon it. And joy, O Lord, joy for mankind....
_The approach of an enormous mob is heard._
ANATHEMA.
_Advancing._
Quicker, David, quicker,--they are approaching.
DAVID.
One moment, one moment.
_In despair._
Joy ... What else? Only one word--only one word--but I have forgotten
it.
_Weeping._
Oh, what a great number of words there are, but one is missing.... But,
perhaps, you need no words at all?
ANATHEMA.
Only one word is missing? How strange! It seems that they have found
their word--do you hear them wailing? "Da-a-vid! Da-a-vid!"
Rise, David, and meet them proudly; it seems they are beginning to mock
you.
_David rises. Some one rushes in ahead of the mob,
shouting joyously: "David!" and runs back. The sea
looks in one place as though stained with blood._
DAVID.
_Retreating a step._
I am afraid, Nullius. This is the same one we met on the road, with a
red little beard.... I fear him, Nullius.
ANATHEMA.
Meet them proudly. Strike them with the truth, David,--with the truth!
DAVID.
But do not leave me alone, Nullius, or I shall forget again where the
truth is.
_People appear on the fence. They are exhausted,
mud-covered, like David. They seem to be blind yet
their faces are radiant with joy, and they keep
exclaiming: "Da-vid! Da-vid!"_
DAVID.
_Outstretching his arms._
Back--
_They do not listen to him and keep climbing the
fence, wailing._
ANATHEMA.
_Audaciously._
Where are you going? Back--back, you were told.
_The people in the front rank pause in fear._
VOICES.
Stop! Stop! Who's that? That's David. No, that's the robber. The one
who has carried him off. The robber.
A RESTLESS MAN.
Silence! Silence! David wishes to speak. Listen to David.
_They become silent; but in the distance people are
still shouting: "Da-vid!"_
DAVID.
What is it you want? Yes, it is I, David Leizer, a Jew from the same
city that you come from. Why do you pursue me like a thief and frighten
me like a robber with your shouting?
ANATHEMA.
_Audaciously._
What do you want? Go away from here. My friend David Leizer does not
want to see you.
DAVID.
Yes. Let me die here, for death is already approaching my heart; go
home to your wives and your children. I cannot ease your sufferings in
any way,--go. Do I speak properly, Nullius?
ANATHEMA.
Yes, David.
THE RESTLESS MAN.
Our wives are here and our children are here. Here they stand, waiting
for your word of kindness, David,--you who have brought joy to mankind!
I have no strength left in me and I have nothing to say. Go.
WOMAN.
Move forward a little, Rubin, and bow to our master David. You probably
remember him, David? Bow to him once more, Rubin.
_The boy bows timidly and hides in the crowd again.
Laughter._
OLD MAN.
_Smiling._
He is afraid of you, David. Don't be afraid, boy.
_Milled laughter. The Wanderer comes forward._
WANDERER.
You have called us, David, and we have come. We have long waited
silently for your merciful call, and now your call has reached the
remotest boundaries of the earth. The roads have become black with
people; the deserted roads have come to life and the narrow paths are
filled with footsteps, and they will soon become highways--and even as
the blood that is in the body all rushes to the heart, so all the poor
on earth will come to you alone. Welcome to you, our master David--the
people are bowing before you with their life and the earth.
DAVID.
_Tormented._
What do you want?
WANDERER.
_Softly._
Righteousness.
DAVID.
What do you want?
ALL.
Righteousness.
_Expectation._
DAVID.
_With sudden hope._
Tell me, Nullius, tell me: Is righteousness a miracle?
ANATHEMA.
_Bitterly._
There are the blind--they are innocent. There are the dead--and they
are also innocent. The earth is bowing before you with its graves, and
it greets you with darkness. Perform a miracle.
DAVID.
A miracle? Again a miracle?
WANDERER.
_Suspiciously and sternly._
And the people do not want you to speak with him whose name we dare not
utter. He is an enemy of mankind, and at night, when you were asleep,
he carried you off to this mountain--but it did not occur to him to
carry off the heart of the people; and, beating unceasingly, this heart
has brought us to you.
ANATHEMA.
_Audaciously._
It seems that I am superfluous here.
DAVID.
No, no. Do not forsake me, Nullius.
_Tormented._
Begone, begone from here! You are tempting God--I do not know you.
Begone.... Begone!
ANATHEMA.
Begone!
VOICES.
_Frightened._
David is angry. What shall we do? The master is angry. David is angry.
OLD MAN.
Call Sarah.
WOMAN.
Call Sarah. Sarah!
VOICES.
Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!...
DAVID.
_Horror-stricken._
Do you hear? They are calling.
JOYOUS VOICE.
Sarah is coming.
_The mob grows bolder._
KHESSIN.
_Bowing several times._
It is I, David,--I. Peace be with you, our master David.
SONKA.
_Smiling and bowing._
Peace be with you. Peace be with you, David.
_David turns aside and covers his face with his
hands._
ANATHEMA.
_Indifferently._
Begone!
_General confusion; interrupted smiles, muffled
groans. Sarah, led respectfully by the arms,
advances to David. Nearing him, she walks alone._
ANATHEMA.
Turn around, David.... Sarah is here.
SARAH.
Peace be with you, David. Forgive me for disturbing you, but the
people have asked me to speak with you and to find out when you intend
to return home to your palace. And they have also asked you to make
haste, David, for many have died already of unbearable sufferings--and
the dead have already grown tired of waiting. And many have already
lost their reason from their unbearable sufferings, and they will
soon commence to murder; if you will not make haste, David, all the
people will become enemies--and it will be hard for you to establish a
kingdom upon the dead earth.
_Bitter wailings in the distance: "Da-vid! Da-vid!
Da-vid!"_
DAVID.
_With restraint._
Go away, Sarah.
SARAH.
_Humbly._
Your clothes are torn, David, and I fear that there are wounds upon
your body. What ails you? Why do you not rejoice with us?
DAVID.
_Weeping._