May be.... But here is our host returning. We have nothing more to say to each other, for the moment.... (_ENTER, on the left, SILANUS, APPIUS and CŒLIUS._) SCENE IV THE SAME, SILANUS, APPIUS, CŒLIUS APPIUS (_going to MARY MAGDALENE_) “Venus has left Cyprus and soars above Jerusalem!” Or, rather, it is the fair Techmessa, who already brings back the smile to the lips of the son of Telamon!... Admire, O Cœlius, the magnificent image raised under this portico by Love and Beauty! CŒLIUS It is as though the azure sky were spread for them between those two columns. SILANUS The azure and the light seem happy only when environing youth and love.... But, to return to less dazzling images, better-suited to my head burdened with years, I observed that it must have been a sort of presentiment that urged us to speak, but a moment ago, of the Nazarene’s band, for it was that same band which delayed our guests.... APPIUS Yes, imagine, when we approached the last cross-road down there, we found the whole country in a stir and the way blocked by a shouting, gesticulating throng, which was crowding round a blind man who saw!... VERUS Yes, that is one of those phenomena which one meets with nowhere except in Judæa.... CŒLIUS It was extraordinary!... The poor man, crushed against an old wall, rolled two drunk and virgin eyes, crying, “He is a prophet! He is a prophet! I see men as trees, walking!” And the crowd stamped all around for joy. He seemed dazed with the light.... APPIUS Or rather with wine, for he was plainly staggering. VERUS And the Nazarene, did you see him?... APPIUS No, he had just gone away, taking with him the most turbulent part of the crowd; but for that, we should never have been able to pass.... MARY MAGDALENE Yes, it appears that, when those ruffians crowd round their leader, they would not trouble to make way for Cæsar. CŒLIUS Where did he go?... I should be curious to see him.... SILANUS He cannot be very far.... Do you see that laurel-hedge, at the bottom of my garden?... It divides my little domain from the orchard of my neighbour, known as Simon the Leper.... MARY MAGDALENE (_starting_) What, your next neighbour is a leper?... You should have told us.... SILANUS Be reassured, lady, he has no leprosy now.... APPIUS I thought that one became a leper for life, just as one becomes a senator.... This is another of the surprises of this monstrous Judæa.... SILANUS The Nazarene healed him. CŒLIUS Is he really healed?... As his next neighbour, you must know the truth.... SILANUS I know that he is as healthy in the face as the rose of Magdala and lily of Bethany whom you see before you; but I do not know if he was ever sick, not having seen him before his recovery.... APPIUS