No, not Elias, not the Prophet! See ye not, ye blind? It is He Himself! He is the promised One. Worship Him! worship Him!
ALL
[Falling on their knees.] Worship Him!
JOHN
A man sick of a fever crawled along the road looking for the physician, and when a beggar or a slave came by, carrying water, he fell on his knees before him and cried, "Hail to thee, great physician! Thank God, thou art come!" And so he went on till evening, and the children mocked him. [The people rise slowly.] What have I, the beggar, to give you? The water I carry is to baptize you in; it is the pure water of repentance. But He Who cometh after me will baptize with fire and the Spirit, and I am not worthy to unlatch His shoes, ... so little am I compared with Him.
SEVERAL
Rabbi, tell us, when will He come of Whom thou speakest?
OTHERS
Who is it, Rabbi? Be merciful and strengthen our souls. Speak to us of Him.
JOHN