_The former. Josaphat, Matthias, Amarja, Manassa._
JOHN
[_Going forward to him._] Where is the Galilean?
MANASSA
I have sought Him, master, from the hour thou sentest me till past
midnight. I have not rested nor tasted a crumb.
JOHN
The Galilean? Hast thou found Him?
MANASSA
I found him. He lay stretched out on the stones in charge of the
soldiers, and near him, in chains, was his murderer.
AMARJA
Who, on the holy eve of the Passover----?
MANASSA
They called him David the Zealot. The Galileans blaspheme God, he hath
said, and therefore must this one die.
JOSAPHAT
It is true; he did blaspheme God.
MATTHIAS
He blasphemed God!
JOHN
But I say unto you ... To him it was not blasphemy. To him it was
worship. Methinks more such men will come out of Galilee. For there is
an uprising there.... Tell me, Josaphat, do not many pilgrims sleep on
the stones at night, nigh the doors of the Temple?
JOSAPHAT
Yes, Rabbi. On starry nights, like these, many a one wraps himself in
his blanket and tarries by the House of the Lord.
JOHN
[_In sudden decision._] It is well. [_Exit._
MATTHIAS
Rabbi!
AMARJA
Hath he deserted us?
JOSAPHAT
Be not troubled! Thou, Amarja, wake our friends. Thou, Manassa, bring
us tidings from the Palace. We two will follow the master. Meet us at
the Susan Gate, at the place where the old beggar-woman sits. Come!
[_Exeunt the men._]
MIRIAM
[_Who has stood unheeded, goes out with bowed head._]
CHANGE OF SCENE
_A stone square before the open gate of the Temple called the Susan
Gate. The front of the stage is enclosed by the circuit of the outer
wall. In the centre more than half the breadth of the stage is taken up
by the massive doors of the gate, to which steps lead. It is night. The
fire of the great sacrificial altar is reflected from the background on
the walls, and fills the foreground with red, uncertain flickering
glow._