[_Sitting outside his shop reading a parchment_] It is written that whosover disturbeth a man when he is reading the law shall forfeit his life. PASUR Thou readest the law? ELIAKIM Knowest thou not that I read the law day and night? PASUR Forgive me, neighbour; accuse me not. I sinned out of ignorance.... I was in fear of the soldiers who are quartered yonder ... but I am going in. [_Slinks back to his shop._] FIRST SOLDIER [_To the second who sharpens his sword._] Marcus, wherefore handiest thou thy blade with such terrific zeal? There is naught to hew down in there. These damned Judeans have had enough. They'll rebel no more. SECOND SOLDIER Who can tell? Since that woman entered there yesterday, my nostrils have scented bloodshed. Everything is upside down in Herod's house, and your so-called princes are ticklish subjects. FIRST SOLDIER Here in Judea they have none; so we are masters. SECOND SOLDIER We are masters everywhere, with or without a Herod. FIRST SOLDIER What brings the Tetrarch of Galilee to Jerusalem? SECOND SOLDIER Yes, well mayest thou ask! Yet he cometh twice or thrice in the year to rub his nose on the fleeces of the Temple, and then away he goes again. God requires it of him, so they say. A crazy people! FIRST SOLDIER And we must stand by as guard of honour. A nice business for a Roman citizen! SCENE II _The same, Hadidja and two other maids_ (_with jugs on their heads, come out of the Palace and go to the well, where they draw water_). SECOND SOLDIER Idiot! We are bound to do it, so that we may appear to honour him. In reality we guard him. He will soon be here now. THIRD SOLDIER [_Who has been squatting on a brick, without taking any part in conversation, sings._] Sweet smiling Lalage, thee will I love for ever. Thee, sweet smiling Lalage---- SECOND SOLDIER [_Irritably._] Have done howling after thy Lalage! Before thou goest back to Rome again, she will be a grandmother. THIRD SOLDIER [_Stretching out his arms._] Alack! Yes. SECOND SOLDIER [_Pointing to the maids._] Are not there women enough here? THIRD SOLDIER Ah! but they are Jew girls. They mean well enough, but the punishment of death hangs over them. SECOND SOLDIER A crazy people. THIRD SOLDIER If only there were no foreigners! I, for my part, take not kindly to these Asiatics. They wash all day long, and yet stink in spite of it.... Ha! yesterday a Syrian sweetheart made me a present of a necklace. There it is. Shall we dice for it? SECOND SOLDIER Show it to me. I say fifty denarii. THIRD SOLDIER Rogue! A hundred and fifty! SECOND SOLDIER Very well. FIRST SOLDIER I will join. THIRD SOLDIER Come along. [_All three disappear into the guard-room._] SCENE III _Eliakim, Pasur, Hadidja, and the two other maids. Two Priests_ [_descending the central steps_]. FIRST PRIEST Damsels, you belong to the Palace? HADIDJA Yes, ye priests. FIRST PRIEST