His stay may be longer, but the end is always alike. The time that elapses between the first day and the last is uncertain and variable. If you consider the wretchedness of life, it is long, even for a child; if you regard the duration, it is short, even for an old man.” MARY MAGDALENE That would not have consoled me.... SILANUS To console, lady, is not to do away with sorrow, but to teach one how to overcome it. (_At this moment, there is heard rising from the roads, the paths and all the invisible country commanded by the terrace a noise, at first dull and confused, which gradually becomes more positive and precise. Sounds of a crowd forming and hurrying, stones rolling, children crying, dogs barking; shouts that grow more and more distinct: “This way! This way!... Come quickly!... Come down!... To the right, to the right!... He is there!... We saw him!... He is leaving the house!... To Simon’s orchard!... Carry the palsied there!... Lead the blind!... Quick, quick, this way!... They say he is going to speak!” etc._) APPIUS What is this? What is happening?... VERUS They are hurrying from every side!... CŒLIUS All the roads are covered with people running like madmen!... APPIUS They seem to spring from the stones!... CŒLIUS But what is happening?... They are disappearing behind those olive-trees.... VERUS Here come two sick men carried on their beds.... CŒLIUS A blind man falling!... APPIUS What is the matter with them?... Are they mad?... VERUS Who are those extraordinary creatures leaping among the rocks?... SILANUS They are the men possessed by devils, coming out of the tombs.... APPIUS But, after all, what is happening?... SILANUS They have seen the Nazarene.... MARY MAGDALENE The Nazarene?... Where is he?... SILANUS He has probably just come out of Simon’s house. They watch all his movements. As soon as he is seen, they bring the sick; and the fanatics come rushing up.... He must be walking in the neighbouring orchard.... (_Listening._) Yes.... Do you hear the crowd humming like bees?... It is close to my laurel-hedge.... APPIUS Let us go and see.... SILANUS I do not advise you to. In the first place, those people are mostly very poor, extremely dirty and very unpleasant to come into touch with.... Then, you know the Jewish fanaticism.... In these moments of exaltation, the most inoffensive become dangerous; and the sight of the Roman toga and arms enrages them strangely.... Besides, we shall hear what happens quite well from where we stand.... Listen!... The cries are coming nearer still and increasing....