John the Baptist: A Play.
by Hermann Sudermann.
PRELUDE
_Wild, rocky scenery in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem.... Night--The moon shining dimly through jagged clouds.... In the distance is seen the fire of the great sacrificial altar, burning on the horizon._
SCENE I
_Dark shadows flit in groups across the background from right to left._
MIRIAM
Hadidja, I am afraid!
HADIDJA
Come!
MIRIAM
I am afraid. Seest thou not those gliding shadows? Their feet scarce touch the stones, and their flesh is like the shadow of the night-wind.
HADIDJA
Fool that thou art! Thou art afraid of thy companions in misery and suffering. The same need as thine brings them hither; the same hope leads them on to the heights.
MIRIAM
Do they also wish to go to him?
HADIDJA
Every one wishes to go to him. Is there a light in Israel which doth not irradiate from his hand? Is there water for the thirsty which doth not flow from him? Streams of sweet water gush forth from these dead stones, and his voice is born out of silence.
MIRIAM
But I am afraid of him. Why dwelleth he among the terrors of the desert? Why flieth he from the paths of the joyous, and shunneth the suffering?
HADIDJA
The joyous need him not. The suffering will find their way to him.
MIRIAM
Look, Hadidja! There is the glow of fire yonder above Jerusalem. The Romans are burning down our houses, and yet we tarry here!
HADIDJA
What! Dost thou not know that is the great altar on which, day and night, the priests offer up a tenth part of the sweat of our brows?
MIRIAM
[_In horrified amazement._] And would he let the great altar fall too?
HADIDJA
I know not. But what he willeth is best. See--who is coming?
SCENE II
_The same; two men, half carrying, half dragging a paralytic who moans._
FIRST MAN
Women, say, have ye met the great Rabbi whom men call the Baptist?
HADIDJA
We also are seeking the Baptist.
[_The Paralytic, moaning._] Put me down; let me die!
FIRST MAN
We have carried this palsied man here in our arms, and they are weary, and he whom we hoped to find is not here.
THE PARALYTIC
[_With a groan._] I shall die!
MANASSA'S VOICE
[_Crying aloud from the right._] John! John!
MANASSA
[_Rushing on the scene._] John, where art thou, John? I cry unto thee in my distress. Have mercy; let me behold thee, John!
MIRIAM
[_Pointing to the left._] Look! A crowd of people are drawing near. They go before him.
HADIDJA