By the Susan Gate. I heard the servants say, as I crept by. JOSAPHAT And will the Roman soldiers be amongst them? MIRIAM That I did not hear. JOSAPHAT For if the Romans accompany them, we must wait behind the second gate; there where no heathen may penetrate at the cost of his head. MATTHIAS On the other hand, they can there be saved by the priests. JOSAPHAT Certainly, there the priests---- Master, what is thy counsel? JOHN I counsel you to go forth into the streets, and to seek right and left. I would learn from that Galilean what counsel I ought to give you. MATTHIAS Canst thou understand him? JOSAPHAT I would liefer not understand him. [_Exeunt Josaphat, Matthias, and Amarja._] SCENE VII _John, Miriam._ MIRIAM [_Shrinks against the wall near the door and looks shyly across at John, who broods with his back turned to her._] JOHN [_Suddenly noticing her._] Thou, Miriam, art still here? MIRIAM Forgive me, master. I am a little afraid; for if I go homewards the guards at the gate will seize me. JOHN But thou camest to me in the wilderness at night? MIRIAM Then no one knew with whom I associated, master. JOHN Who art thou? Tell me about thyself. Who is thy father? MIRIAM I have no father--and no mother. The country is full of orphans like me. There are far too many. I have never asked anyone why. JOHN And why didst thou go to the Palace as serving maid? MIRIAM They say that I once sat and played with pebbles on the threshold. And when evening came, they took me in. Since then I have belonged to the Palace, and know no better. JOHN Thou servest me with zeal, Miriam. Why dost thou serve me? MIRIAM I know not why. JOHN And thou servest me to no purpose--knowest thou that? MIRIAM [_Bows her head._] JOHN Will they not punish thee? MIRIAM [_With a shudder._] They will ... I.... JOHN Speak! MIRIAM Master, what does it matter? JOHN Miriam, is it also He Who shall come that thou servest? MIRIAM I cannot tell, master. When I see thee, I feel a longing for Him.... But if thou speakest to me of Him, I see only thee. JOHN Ye children of men ... there is a rushing as of many waters in your souls.... Clear and muddy ... I shall gather all together in one great river, and I feel as if I should drown therein. MIRIAM Master, now I must go. Whether or no I served thee to no purpose, be gracious. Praise me, master. JOHN I see thee sitting on the threshold again ... playing with thy life, and thou excitest my pity. ... Go, maid! Go, child! and [_He listens._] MIRIAM Master! SCENE VIII _The former. Josaphat, Matthias, Amarja, Manassa._ JOHN [_Going forward to him._] Where is the Galilean? MANASSA I have sought Him, master, from the hour thou sentest me till past midnight. I have not rested nor tasted a crumb. JOHN The Galilean? Hast thou found Him? MANASSA