John the Baptist: A Play Part 31

JOHN

Thou spakest His name first. Fear sealed my lips. But now thou hast said it. Yes, I mean Him.

FIRST GALILEAN

Yes ... I know His father well. He is an honest carpenter, and very pious too. He well deserves that his son should be a joy to him.

JOHN

Tell me more of Him.

FIRST GALILEAN

He put up a bedstead for a friend of mine.

JOHN

Tell me of the son.

FIRST GALILEAN

Ah, the son. Well, Abia, what shall we say of the son?

SECOND GALILEAN

Aye, what shall we say of the son?

JOHN

Hast thou ever seen Him?

FIRST GALILEAN

Oh, yes.

JOHN

Thou hast seen Him?

FIRST GALILEAN

Many a time ... from my s.h.i.+p. For He carries on His work on the sh.o.r.e.

And there is always a great gathering along the banks, is there not, Abia?

SECOND GALILEAN

Yes, the banks are always quite black with people. And the fish take notice of it. That is not good for our trade.

FIRST GALILEAN

They say that He works miracles. I once met a man myself who had been blind till his--I forget what year--and he maintained that he was made to see again by spittle from His mouth ... It may be possible--but----[_Laughs stupidly._]

JOHN

[_To Josaphat._] Have not many said of me, that I work miracles?

JOSAPHAT

Many say it, but we know it, Rabbi.

JOHN

Indeed? I have seen no miracle but the power ... and no one to whom it hath happened, save the weak. But speak on, man.

FIRST GALILEAN

It may be all very well for Him to heal the sick, but the worst of it is He doeth it on the Sabbath. That is bad, bad! And then, His friends are not well chosen. Circ.u.mspect people, naturally, are not disposed to mix with Him. For how can one trust a man who sitteth at meat with publicans and sinners? And, then, He is always at weddings and feasts.

Ah! No, no.

JOHN

At feasts?

JOSAPHAT

Master, these are little people. They understand not the wisdom of cunning speech.

JOHN

The great should carry the little with them, the wise should master these simple intellects. That he hath not done.... And what is it He teacheth?

FIRST GALILEAN

Ah, what does He teach? All sorts of folly. For instance, that we should love our enemies.

JOHN

Love our enemies?

FIRST GALILEAN

And bless them that curse us ... and pray for them that persecute us.

JOHN

Pray for them that persecute us?

FIRST GALILEAN