_John, Josaphat, Amarja._
JOHN
Josaphat, how long have I known thee?
JOSAPHAT
It is two years since I came to thy baptism.
JOHN
And since, thou hast been often?
JOSAPHAT
Have I not always been with thee, Rabbi?
JOHN
I never knew that thou wast a cobbler ... and that thy children cried
for bread! It seems to me that I do not know thee even yet, Josaphat.
JOSAPHAT
Thou knowest what is best in me, for thou hast given it to me!
JOHN
So, then, I know myself alone. And of thee, too, Amarja, I know no
more.... Only this I know. [_Gazing into vacancy._] I am sent----
[_Breaks off._]
JOSAPHAT
Rabbi!
JOHN
Some one hath said to me that I knew ye not; one of those who have the
word "love" on their tongues.... And I am inclined to believe her....
But even if I have known you, I have not desired to love you, but
rather to judge you in the name of---- In whose name? Know ye the rest?
JOSAPHAT
In the name of Him Who shall come. So thou hast taught us, master.
JOHN
Sooner would I talk to these black walls, that they might perhaps fall;
sooner to thy hungry children, that my words might fill them. But the
belief that looketh up to me, transfigured because it believeth....
That hurts me.
AMARJA
[_Low to Josaphat._] It is now the second hour. Wilt thou not mention
Herod to him?
JOHN
[_As Josaphat comes nearer to him._] I sent the youngest of you to
search for the Galilean. Where is he?
JOSAPHAT
He has not yet come back, master.
JOHN
May be he has lost the way.
JOSAPHAT
I told him where to come to, master.
JOHN
I want the Galilean.... Ye shall procure me the Galilean.... See ye not
that my strength rests in my King ... Even if I serve Him like an
unworthy vessel ... I serve Him according to my measure.... I have
borne witness to Him.... Is that not true?
JOSAPHAT
Thou hast borne witness, indeed, Rabbi.
JOHN
But the testimony hath grown up in my soul. When He comes, will He bear
it out?
JOSAPHAT
He will, master; for God sendeth Him.
JOHN
Else my soul hath not known Him, even as it hath not known you. Have ye
no news of Manassa? Go and keep watch outside, that he doth not miss
the house.
JOSAPHAT
That will be he! [_Goes to open the door._]