[_To the woman._] No; touch _him_ not, lest _thou_ becomest unclean. AMASAI What? SIMON THE GALILEAN For the Pharisees who call themselves Rechabites are unclean from within. Come! [_Leads her to the fountain._] AMASAI He denies God! THE PEOPLE [_Murmuring._] He denies God! AMASAI A Rechabite unclean? A man who doth nothing day and night but fulfil the law; who performeth his sacred ablutions three times more than necessary; who sitteth, on the Sabbath, like a monument; who speaketh a blessing at meat twice, and over salt, bread er----er--[_half choking._] A Rechabite unclean? JOHN If I could not answer thy questions with their double meaning, thou thyself hast now answered them! AMASAI And may seven swine possess thee, thou great prophet, so that compared with them thou appearest to me a saint. [_To the Galilean._] And what evil spirit hath taken possession of thee, man? Art thou a Jew? Where dost thou come from? What is thy name? MATTHIAS [_In a low voice._] Tell him not thy name. He will ruin thee. SIMON THE GALILEAN [_Calmly._] I am a Jew. My name is Simon, and I come from Galilee. AMASAI And as one that there knoweth Law and Sacrifice---- SIMON THE GALILEAN [_Interrupting._] Greater than law, greater than sacrifice, is love! [_Sensation and dismay among people_] AMASAI See ye not now that he is guilty against the law? [_He continues speaking earnestly to the people_] JOHN [_Approaching the Galilean in great excitement._] Who taught thee that? [_As Simon is silent, more urgently._] Who taught thee that? MATTHIAS [_In a quick, low tone to the Galilean._] Before they capture thee, fly! SIMON THE GALILEAN [_Shakes his head._] JOHN This knowledge, that comes straight from thy simple and timid heart, awes me, for it cannot be thine own. [_The people, hounded on by Amasai, jostle the Galilean_] Back! In the Name of Him Who cometh, keep back. Leave him alone! [_People retreat._] PASUR Thou playest with us and our great longing as if we were toys. AMASAI Ah, now I have caught thee! Thou who poisonest a thirsty people with foul water! Where is He Who shall come? Where is thy Messiah? Where is the King of the Jews? Aye, show Him to us! THE PEOPLE [_Fiercely._] Yea, woe to thee if thou canst not show Him to us! JOHN [_Firmly._] Here cometh the King of the Jews whom ye acclaim! SCENE X _The same. Herod, Herodias, Salome and their train appear above in the background. The company of soldiers, with their officers, have posted themselves at the Palace gates. In silence the procession descends._ ONE OF THE TRAIN Hail to Herod! [_Still silence._] Now, ye dogs! Cry, Hail! HEROD At what are the people gaping? [_To the Commander of the Guard._] Ye, who in obedience to Rome's command are here to protect me, cannot you clear them out of my way? THE SOLDIERS [_At a sign from their Captain begin to charge the people with lowered spears._] AMASAI