I am Manassa, the son of Jeruel, and my father was sick and blind; and I lived with him on the road to Gibeon, close by the well which is never dry. And men came unto me who said, "It is the will of the Lord our God that ye refuse to pay tribute to the Romans," and I refused to pay the Romans tribute. Then have the soldiers fallen on me and burned my house, and my young wife hath perished in the flames, and my father, who was blind. And I am now left alone and desolate. Help me, Rabbi! Help! JOHN Am I lord over Life and Death that I can make thy father, wife, and child alive again? Can I build up thy house once more out of its ashes? What dost thou ask of me? MANASSA Then cursed be those who---- JOHN Stop! Cursings enough hang over us. Israel is loaded with them, like the autumn boughs with ripe grapes. Wherefore dost thou lament? Look before, instead of behind. If thou canst not withhold thy lamentations, put a gag between thy teeth; for prayer should be silent, and longing and patience without sound. MANASSA How shall that help me, Rabbi, in my loneliness and desolation? JOHN Thou speakest sinfully. Is He not with thee? MANASSA Rabbi! Who? AMARJA Hearken! He hath not heard the news of Him Who cometh! JOHN Know'st thou not that soon there will be rejoicing in Israel? Bridal garments and music of cymbals! Know'st thou not that there will be no more sorrow in Israel? Therefore wipe the foam from thy lips and sanctify thyself. ALL Sanctify thyself! MANASSA No more sorrow. No more suffering! Rabbi, say that I may stay with thee? JOHN Mix with thy fellows over there and learn silence. MANASSA [_Stammering._] Rabbi! [_He withdraws._] JOHN I see not Josaphat among ye. Neither is Matthias here. Who hath tidings of them? AMARJA Rabbi, none hath seen them. JOHN Who is that lying on the ground groaning? THE PARALYTIC Master, I am a poor man, sick of a palsy and in great agony. If Thou canst not cure me, I must die! JOHN Die _now_! Now, when One is at hand Who bringeth relief for thy tumours and balm for thy sores? I say unto Thee thou wilt thank the Lord thy God with shouts of joy for every hour of thy pain, for every inch of the road thou hast crawled along on inflamed knees, when thou beholdest Him for Whom our soul longeth and hopeth, for Whose coming we wait and watch by the roadside, looking towards the East. Therefore endure sevenfold suffering and groan no more. THE PARALYTIC Rabbi, thou hast done wonders for me. I feel no longer--I----[_He makes an effort to rise, but sinks back. His companions lead him away. He breathes more easily, laughing as he goes._] MURMUR OF PEOPLE See! a miracle. He works miracles! ONE OF THE PEOPLE Truly the word is fulfilled--Elias is risen. The Great Prophet is risen from the dead! ANOTHER No, not Elias, not the Prophet! See ye not, ye blind? It is He Himself! He is the promised One. Worship Him! worship Him! ALL [_Falling on their knees._] Worship Him! JOHN