(_If this play be given out of doors, the thieves must conceal themselves in the shrubbery before the play begins; if indoors, they may conceal themselves in corners, or creep in._) (_Enter the_ PROLOGUE.) PROLOGUE: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? And Jesus spake unto them this parable. (_The_ PROLOGUE _draws to one side and stands watching the action of the parable._) (_The_ THIEVES _pop their heads out of the shrubbery and advance cautiously._) FIRST THIEF: Hark'ee, brothers, I have sure word that one of our profession is coming this day from Jerusalem to Jericho, bearing rich merchandise. SECOND THIEF (_eagerly_): To join our band? FIRST THIEF: Fool, I mean a rich man. SECOND THIEF: Ohé, a _very_ rich man? FIRST THIEF: A _very_ rich man! THIRD THIEF: We will share his ill-gotten gains in right neighborly fashion--if he be willing. SECOND THIEF: But if not--? FIRST THIEF: If not? With a crack on the head! SECOND THIEF: Aye! THIRD THIEF: Aye! (_They listen, then creep cautiously into shrubbery._) (_Enter the_ JEW _and his_ SERVANTS. _They carry big bales of merchandise and advance fearfully._) JEW: Come on, my men, come on; what do ye fear? FIRST SERVANT (_trembling_): Master, I like not the look of the lonely road; they say thieves lie in wait here to rob rich travelers. JEW (_casting a worried look around_): Then hasten, hasten! (_He passes out._) SECOND SERVANT (_scornfully_): Thieves! Thieves! Have we no sticks?--no cudgels? FIRST SERVANT (_feelingly_): So have the thieves. SECOND SERVANT: Faint-heart! Hath not the master paid us yellow gold to guard his merchandise to Jericho? FIRST SERVANT: Ai! I would I were in Jerusalem again. (_Suddenly he clutches the other._) Yonder! Didst not see something stirring? SECOND SERVANT: Bah! (_Shakes him off._) FIRST SERVANT: Let us but say a prayer. (_His knees knock together._) (_The_ JEW _reenters and beckons angrily._) JEW: Hurry, ye fools! It will be night ere-- (_Loud and piercing whistles and cries come from shrubbery. The_ SERVANTS _drop their goods and flee wildly._) JEW (_cries_): Stay! Stay! Ah, the good gold pieces I paid you rascals! (_He tries to gather together his goods_): Ai! Ai! (_The_ THIEVES _gather closely round him._) FIRST THIEF: Master, wilt help three poor and hungry men? JEW (_looks up and cries_): Help! Help!