SCENE III
Eliakim, Pasur, Hadidja, and the two other maids. Two Priests [descending the central steps].
FIRST PRIEST
Damsels, you belong to the Palace?
HADIDJA
Yes, ye priests.
FIRST PRIEST
Announce us to your mistress.
HADIDJA
Our mistress, priests, is gone forth to meet the Tetrarch Herod, to receive him at the gates.
FIRST PRIEST
When will she return?
HADIDJA
That we cannot say, priests; it depends on the coming of the Prince.
FIRST PRIEST
Do you desire our blessing?
HADIDJA
No! [She vanishes with the other maids into the interior of the Palace.]
BOTH PRIESTS
[Look discomposed.]
FIRST PRIEST
[Observing Eliakim and Pasur sitting in front of their doors, raises his hands unctuously.] Blessed be ye who----
ELIAKIM
No one asked thy blessing!
BOTH PRIESTS
[Regard each other in dismay.]
SECOND PRIEST
[Furiously.] These again are of the school of the Pharisees!
FIRST PRIEST
We hold the Temple. They shall yet be our servants. Come! [Exeunt both priests.]