SCENE VIII
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.]