Look at them! Must this not appear a mad mockery in the sight of the Lord? Who that follows the straight path laid down by the law, after the manner of God-fearing men, can have anything in common with these sinners? JORAB They are infatuated with the Baptist's preaching, and yet too weak to kick against the pricks. Speak to them, so that they come to themselves. AMASAI After the Baptist? Rather would I grasp a mad bull by the horns. They would go up to the Temple to make an offering of sow's blood, if he bade them do it. JORAB Cannot we trap him? AMASAI And so stand before the people as the friends of Herod? Leave that kind of fame to the Priests and the Sadducees. The disaffection which we quelled, at a signal from him, screams aloud in the gutter. So what good have we done? That is why the people flock to him. We have missed our opportunity. But still; I know a way to entangle him. I will strike at him through his folly about the Messiah. [_Shouts of applause arise from the people._] Listen! so they once hailed us. [_They withdraw further into the street to the left._] SCENE VII _The same, without Amasai and Jorab. John, accompanied by Josaphat, Matthias, and Manassa and afresh crowd. People appear behind left._ JOHN [_Throwing himself down on the edge of the fountain._] JOSAPHAT See, Rabbi, what power hath been given thee. They wag their tails like pleased hounds. Jerusalem the Blessed lies at thy feet. JOHN Give me to drink! MANASSA [_Draws him water._] HACHMONI Behold! The great prophet drinks as if he were one of us---- PASUR That is goat's hair wherewith he is clothed. It must prick his skin. It shows what a holy man he is. ELIAKIM But he doth not favour the woollen trade. If all were so holy, we should be beggared. HACHMONI And his food, people say, is nought but locusts and wild honey. MATTHIAS Get back. See ye not that ye plague him? [_They retire._] JOSAPHAT Rabbi, forgive. The people wait. What is thy command to them? JOHN Is this Herod's house? JOSAPHAT Yes, Rabbi [_silence_]. Rabbi, say, what shall they do? JOHN Am I the keeper of these people? The shepherd may drive his flock through thorns or flowers. I pine for the wilderness, for my rocky fastnesses. JOSAPHAT [_Dismayed._] Rabbi! JOHN I have awakened the slumbering conscience, scourged and roused the idle, shown the erring the right road. One great burst of indignation against Herod now flames towards heaven. So now they may let me go my way, or send their spies after me. But no priest has yet dared to stand in my path. It is well. My work in Jerusalem is at an end. MATTHIAS Not so, Rabbi. Thy work only beginneth. We have to face the Prince's entry. The people want a leader. JOHN Whither will they be led? MATTHIAS That we know not, Rabbi. JOHN