JEWS. Lurking among the ruins of the Temple, Deep in its inner courts, we found this man, Clad as High-Priest.
JUDAS. I ask not who thou art. I know thy face, writ over with deceit As are these tattered volumes of the Law With heathen images. A priest of God Wast thou in other days, but thou art now A priest of Satan. Traitor, thou art Jason.
JASON. I am thy prisoner, Judas Maccabaeus, And it would ill become me to conceal My name or office.
JUDAS. Over yonder gate There hangs the head of one who was a Greek. What should prevent me now, thou man of sin, From hanging at its side the head of one Who born a Jew hath made himself a Greek?
JASON. Justice prevents thee.
JUDAS. Justice? Thou art stained With every crime against which the Decalogue Thunders with all its thunder.
JASON. If not Justice, Then Mercy, her handmaiden.
JUDAS. When hast thou At any time, to any man or woman, Or even to any little child, shown mercy?
JASON. I have but done what King Antiochus Commanded me.
JUDAS. True, thou hast been the weapon With which he struck; but hast been such a weapon, So flexible, so fitted to his hand, It tempted him to strike. So thou hast urged him To double wickedness, thine own and his. Where is this King? Is he in Antioch Among his women still, and from his windows Throwing down gold by handfuls, for the rabble To scramble for?