Our wives are here and our children are here. Here they stand, waiting for your word of kindness, David,—you who have brought joy to mankind! I have no strength left in me and I have nothing to say. Go.
WOMAN.
Move forward a little, Rubin, and bow to our master David. You probably remember him, David? Bow to him once more, Rubin.
The boy bows timidly and hides in the crowd again. Laughter.
OLD MAN.
Smiling.
He is afraid of you, David. Don't be afraid, boy.
Milled laughter. The Wanderer comes forward.
WANDERER.
You have called us, David, and we have come. We have long waited silently for your merciful call, and now your call has reached the remotest boundaries of the earth. The roads have become black with people; the deserted roads have come to life and the narrow paths are filled with footsteps, and they will soon become highways—and even as the blood that is in the body all rushes to the heart, so all the poor on earth will come to you alone. Welcome to you, our master David—the people are bowing before you with their life and the earth.