SCENE XIV _The same. Amarja; with a fresh crowd of people._ AMARJA [_Calling._] John, where is John? JOSAPHAT [_With resolution._] Here is John. THE PEOPLE [_Hear and murmur, joyously._] See, there is John! JOSAPHAT Hear all of you! Go not past; and thou over there mayest speak. The master will listen unto thee. AMARJA Herod is coming to the Temple, wearing princely robes. At his side, sparkling with precious stones, walks the courtezan. THE PEOPLE [_Break out into cries of anger._] JOSAPHAT Master, thy hour is come; mount the steps and speak to them! THE PEOPLE [_Pressing round._] John, speak--Rabbi, speak--What shall we do? JOSAPHAT Keep back! He will speak to you. [_Sotto voce._] Mount the steps! JOHN [_Walks as if in a dream towards the steps._] THE PEOPLE [_Murmuring._] See! He sways. What aileth him? JOSAPHAT Make haste. Speak! CALL Here is Herod. Here cometh Herod! THE PEOPLE Stone him! Stone the courtezan! OTHERS Look at John! Do what John does, else are ye lost. SCENE XV _The same. Herod, Herodias, with train from right._ JOHN [_John has mounted the steps and stands in the middle of the threshold._] HEROD [_Pale, but smiling._] Hearest thou what they cry? HERODIAS Have him seized, else it means death to you and to me. THE PEOPLE [_Are silent and tense in expectation. Most of them have picked up stones._] JOSAPHAT [_Who stands to the left of John on a lower step, hands him a stone, and says in a low voice._] Take this stone! [_More urgently._] Take this stone! JOHN [_Takes the stone._] HEROD Thou on the steps. Knowest thou me not? JOSAPHAT [_Whispers._] Hurl the stone! JOHN [_Firmly._] In the name of Him [_He is about to throw the stone, then pauses, half-questioning, half-swooning._] ... Who ... commands me ... to love thee----[_A low moaning runs through the people._] TWO SERVANTS [_Have approached John. They seize him and push him down from the Temple steps._] HEROD AND HERODIAS [_Walk up._] THE PEOPLE Woe to us! He too hath forsaken us. Woe, woe! JOSAPHAT [_To John, who is pinioned by the servants._] Master, what hast thou done to us? THE PEOPLE Woe! Woe! [_The curtain falls._] FOURTH ACT FOURTH ACT