Am I lord over Life and Death that I can make thy father, wife, and child alive again? Can I build up thy house once more out of its ashes? What dost thou ask of me?
MANASSA
Then cursed be those who----
JOHN
Stop! Cursings enough hang over us. Israel is loaded with them, like the autumn boughs with ripe grapes. Wherefore dost thou lament? Look before, instead of behind. If thou canst not withhold thy lamentations, put a gag between thy teeth; for prayer should be silent, and longing and patience without sound.
MANASSA
How shall that help me, Rabbi, in my loneliness and desolation?
JOHN
Thou speakest sinfully. Is He not with thee?
MANASSA