SCENE VI
The same. The stage has become half-filled with people, who gesticulate in excitement, looking up at Herod's Palace. Among them Hachmoni; later, the soldiers.
ELIAKIM
What is going on there? Hachmoni, thou shalt speak. What ails the people?
HACHMONI
Hast thou not heard? John is in the town!
ELIAKIM
There are many Johns.
HACHMONI
The Baptist, man!
ELIAKIM
The Baptist; enemy of the Priests and of the Pharisees; to whom every Rechabite hath sworn death. Is he caught at last?
HACHMONI
Thou speakest like one in his sleep! If there is a man in Jerusalem safe and untouched by the curse of the Romans, it is he. He standeth in the market-place and preacheth; he standeth at the gates and preacheth.--Did I say preach? Firebrands issue from his lips; scorpions leap out of his mouth.
ELIAKIM
Against whom doth he preach, then?
HACHMONI
Against Herod, naturally. And his paramour, and his paramour's whelp.
ALL
Down with Herod! Death to Herod!
[The first and second Roman soldiers step out of the guard-room.]
FIRST SOLDIER
What are the blear-eyed scum crying?
SECOND SOLDIER
Death to Herod! Did not I say it would be so? I can trust my nose. [Draws his sword.]
PASUR
Protect yourselves! The soldiers! [The people fall back.]
FIRST SOLDIER [laughing.]
The dogs are affrighted already. Curs! [They go in, laughing.]