And the jailer replied: “Since the wrath of King Herod a dish
Your head shall contain by to-morrow, I give you your wish.”
So he brought the disciples to John and the two of them led
To the cell where he sat, and John to the two of them said:—
“At this end of my life and my hopes, at the door of my doom
Go ask him for me and report: is it he that should come,
Or shall we yet look for another?” Amazed were the two
And one of them spoke to the Baptist and said: “Is it true
That you preached in the wilderness saying repent and prepare
The way of the Lord, whose shoes I am worthless to bear;
Who will fan out the chaff, gather wheat, purge the floor
With fire and the Spirit baptize you, bring down and restore
The kingdom of heaven? And are we abused in the word
That as he came out of the waters of Jordan you heard
A voice call from heaven which thundered: ‘This son of my love
With whom I am pleased you shall hear,’ and a dove
For the Spirit descended upon him—and yet can you ask
If he be the one that should come? Yet we take up the
task
And go at your bidding.” And John said: “I suffer without
You seek him and ask, for this is the cause of my doubt:—