SCENE VIII
Manassa, Amarja, John.
JOHN
How Amarja, and how Manassa? Those whom I trusted the most have forsaken me, and ye are still here!
AMARJA
Rabbi, I was at all times the least among thy disciples. What should I be worth if I were not faithful?
MANASSA
And to me, Rabbi, thou hast given a hope.
JOHN
Yet he is gone to Jesus of Nazareth. Be ye not fools. Go with him.
MANASSA
Let us be fools, Rabbi.
JOHN
[Sitting down on a stone.] So seat yourselves with me. Night draweth nigh, and I am weary. Hearken! It was even as if I heard a beating of wings above me. Did ye hear nothing?
AMARJA
Nothing, Rabbi.
JOHN
The womb of my soul is opened. I am ready for the blessing from on high. Is there not a whispering, roundabout? Heard ye nothing?
MANASSA
Nothing, Rabbi.
JOHN
There is a light shining over yonder mountains. Lovely is that light, and within me dawns the meaning of a contradiction. Who alone can deliver the world? To obtain it as a gift is to stretch forth your hands for the unobtainable.... We are in Galilee, know ye, where He now teacheth, this Jesus of Nazareth!
AMARJA
We heard in the streets that He was not far off. He tarries on the sea-coast.
MANASSA
And they say He may perhaps come into the town.
JOHN
Mayhap. Yet only mayhap! And my time is over. I must make haste, lest I die. Will ye do me a service?
AMARJA, MANASSA
Rabbi, command us!
JOHN
Get ye up and go unto Him.
AMARJA, MANASSA
To Him?
JOHN
[Nods.] And wheresoever ye find Him, speak to Him. Ask: "Art Thou He Who cometh, or shall we wait for another?" So ask Him, and when He hath answered, come back--quickly--for my longing for Him is very great. I believe I could not die ere ye returned.
AMARJA
Master, we will not pause or rest.
JOHN
And ye will not forget my darkness in His radiance?
MANASSA
Master, why makest thou us ashamed?
JOHN
Then, farewell.
MANASSA, AMARJA
Farewell, Rabbi. [They turn to go.]
JOHN
Go not thus; not yet. Let me clasp your hands, then ye are the least among my disciples, and [in great emotion] methinks I--I--love you.
[The Curtain falls.]