|
ACT ONE
Scene 2 (cont'd)
|
|
|
(ENTER Caiphas’ servant) |
|
SERVANT
|
Rabbi, lord. A man has come to speak with you.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
What man is he?
|
|
SERVANT
|
He would not give his name, but I do believe
he is one of those who follow Jesus. He’s
dark of visage, slightly stooped. I think his name
is Judas.
|
|
AZRAIM
|
I know the man; he comes from Kerioth.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
Did he reveal his purpose?
|
|
SERVANT
|
My lord, he did not say. But in his eyes
A strange excitement burns.
|
|
GALADAS
|
Perhaps they’ve learned of our designs.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
‘Twere better that I condescend to see him.
Bestow yourselves in the adjoining room,
All save my father, Annas.
|
|
|
(EXEUNT priests) |
|
CAIPHAS (to servant)
|
Bid him come in.
|
|
|
(ENTER Judas) |
|
JUDAS
|
Hail Rabbi!
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
What brings you here?
|
|
JUDAS
|
Necessity and golden opportunity
‘Tis common rumour that your lordship seeks
An apt occasion to arrest the Nazarene.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
And who are you to question and pry out
What plans are hid within the priesthood’s mind?
|
|
JUDAS
|
My name is Judas, born in Kerioth.
I’ve followed Jesus since he first proclaimed
That he was the Messiah.
Among the twelve I hold the purse and manage their affairs.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
And at your master’s bidding you’ve come here
To practise some deceit.
|
|
JUDAS
|
"My master"—faugh! For three long years, too long,
I followed at his heels and ate
The bread of expectation. I’ve preached, baptized,
I’ve blessed the sick and fed the multitudes,
I’ve used my mind more earnestly than Peter, John or James. I dreamed great
dreams,
Blinded by pious prophecy. My sole reward—
Humiliation and a visionary hope
Of some vague unsubstantial recompense.
Enough! I say. My wife and kindred need
Some more substantial food than pious words.
From this day forth my life will be my own
To use and spend to my own profit.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
To what effect do you disclose these things?
|
|
JUDAS
|
Take me and use my talents as you will;
But let the hire be worthy of my labour,
|
|
ANNAS
|
You mean to pledge yourself to help the priests?
|
|
JUDAS
|
I will, for payment, not for distant promise.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
But what occasion do you think most apt
To apprehend the Galilean?
|
|
JUDAS
|
Tell me first
What price my services are worth.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
Well, fifteen shekels is a goodly price
For just as many words.
|
|
JUDAS
|
Count not the words
But make their value equal to their weight.
|
|
ANNAS
|
Say half as much again—
|
|
JUDAS
|
and that half twice!
For thirty shekels you’ll unlock my lips
|
|
ANNAS
|
Then thirty shekels is the price.
|
|
JUDAS
|
And I must have them instantly
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
As soon as ever you reveal your plan.
|
|
JUDAS
|
Good!
Oftentimes when all the world’s asleep
And none but thieves and murderers are out,
This Jesus goes alone to meditate
In lonely places. Betimes he takes us, too—
We mostly sleep. Next time he ventures forth
I shall bring word and lead you to the spot.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
What warrant have we of your loyalty?
|
|
JUDAS
|
Your money in my purse will buy my soul.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
Then let these shekels buy your silence too.
(Passing over a money bag)
|
|
JUDAS
|
Goodnight, kind masters. (Kissing their hands)
Peace be with you and a blessing!
|
|
|
(EXIT Judas) |
|
ANNAS
|
A low and venal fellow; not the sort
That one would look for in the Messiah’s train.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
He’s useful to our needs and cheaply bought.
(Going to door) Come hither, friends.
You have heard the compact we have made.
|
|
|
(others ENTER) |
|
AZRAIM
|
If intimates can change their hearts so soon
There’s little need to fear the testy mob.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
It but remains to hold our men prepared
Each night until our strange ally brings word.
Jesus is in our grasp. The end is near.
His writ of condemnation will be signed
By Pilate’s hand while we escape all blame.
|
|
HORATHIEL
|
No man can be condemned by Roman law
Unless the charge be proven to the hilt.
|
|
ANNAS
|
Think you that Pontius Pilate will refuse
To countersign our national appeal
To punish a blasphemer? He’ll not dare
To risk unpopularity, by spurning our request.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
The fact that Jesus claims a kind of kingship
Is tantamount to treason against Rome.
|
|
AZRAIM
|
May nothing chance amiss to spoil our plan.
|
|
ANNAS
|
Let half the Temple garrison stand fast.
To these our own retainers we shall add.
|
|
CAIPHAS
|
Each one must keep a watch upon his lips,
Nor even by his looks betray his mind.
The future of our race and of ourselves
Depends on this event.
|
|
|
CURTAIN
Second Interval |
Pilate Navigation
First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page |
