Enough!... Besides, there is no time. My patience in saving a rival whom I hate is as ridiculous as your persistent attempt to save your lover by singing his praises!... When you see him dead, in less than three hours hence, do not weep over him, lest your tears should be flung back in your own face!... (_Perceiving JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA, who discreetly opens the door, to the left, of the Supper-room._) Who goes there?... Come in, come in, this is the very thing!... We need witnesses. Where are the mountebanks, the monsters, the lepers? I want to tell them.... MARY MAGDALENE What?... VERUS They shall know who has betrayed their god!... We shall then see if you have the heart to despatch him before their eyes and how they will take the news!... Repugnant though they be, I want to see their ugly faces again!... (_He reaches the door and throws it open wide._) MARY MAGDALENE (_hurrying to stop his action_) Verus! Verus!... This is not worthy of you!... VERUS I know! I know!... I am not worthy of anything, it appears! Not even of you, harlot!... (_Calling in a loud voice_) Hi! Hi! The rest of you!... Where are you?... Hasten this way, you halt and lame, you club-feet, you cripples, you beggars, vagrants, lepers, paralytics!... I have something of importance to tell you!... (_Startled faces appear in the embrasures of the two doors._) SCENE V _VERUS, MARY MAGDALENE and nearly ALL THE CHARACTERS of_ SCENE III VERUS Come in, come in, you have nothing to fear!... (_They ENTER, timidly._) Are you all there?... There seem to be fewer of you.... Where are the others gone?... JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA Sir, some of them fear lest the night.... VERUS I understand; they were afraid.... Their love and their faith do not take any risk of blows.... However, these will do.... Do you see that woman?... I came to offer to save your master. She had only to say yes. She has said no. She orders his death. He will therefore die at sunrise. (_Sensation in the crowd._) NICODEMUS What is he saying, Magdalene?... (_MARY MAGDALENE does not reply._) VERUS Ask her, you will learn.... NICODEMUS Magdalene, is it true?... (_MARY MAGDALENE remains silent._) JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA But come, answer!... What is the matter with you?... VERUS She is at the same time betraying and destroying all those who followed the tempter. I have spoken. Farewell. Look to yourselves. (_He turns to the door._) JOSEPH OF ARIMATHÆA (_stopping him and beseeching him_) Sir, I beg of you, do not go away like this.... She is mistaken, you will see.... There is some terrible misunderstanding.... Magdalene, come, what is he saying, what do you say?... Why, it is impossible!... What has happened?... _SEVERAL SICK MEN and BEGGARS (surrounding MAGDALENE, who remains motionless, gazing blindly into the distance_) Magdalene! Magdalene.... A HUNCHBACK She also has sold him!... She was with the Iscariot!...