First Jew Thou speakest truly. Verily, God is terrible. He breaketh in pieces the strong and the weak as men break corn in a mortar. But as for this man, he hath never seen God. No man hath seen God since the prophet Elias.

Herodias Make them be silent. They weary me.

Herod But I have heard it said that Iokanaan is in very truth your prophet Elias.

The Jew That cannot be. It is more than three hundred years since the days of the prophet Elias.

Herod There be some who say that this man is Elias the prophet.

A Nazarene I am sure that he is Elias the prophet.

The Jew Nay, but he is not Elias the prophet.

The Voice of Iokanaan Behold the day is at hand, the day of the Lord, and I hear upon the mountains the feet of Him who shall be the Saviour of the world.

Herod What does that mean? The Saviour of the world?

Tigellinus It is a title that Caesar adopts.

Herod But Caesar is not coming into Judaea. Only yesterday I received letters from Rome. They contained nothing concerning this matter. And you, Tigellinus, who were at Rome during the winter, you heard nothing concerning this matter, did you?

Tigellinus Sire, I heard nothing concerning the matter. I was but explaining the title. It is one of Caesar’s titles.

Herod But Caesar cannot come. He is too gouty. They say that his feet are like the feet of an elephant. Also there are reasons of state. He who leaves Rome loses Rome. He will not come. Howbeit, Caesar is lord, he will come if such be his pleasure. Nevertheless, I think he will not come.

First Nazarene It was not concerning Caesar that the prophet spake these words, sire.

Herod How?—it was not concerning Caesar?

First Nazarene No, my lord.

Herod Concerning whom then did he speak?

First Nazarene Concerning Messias,° who hath come.

A Jew Messias hath not come.

First Nazarene He hath come, and everywhere He worketh miracles!

Herodias Ho! ho! miracles! I do not believe in miracles. I have seen too many. (To the Page) My fan.

First Nazarene This Man worketh true miracles. Thus, at a marriage which took place in a little town of Galilee, a town of some importance, He changed water into wine.° Certain persons who were present related it to me. Also He healed two lepers that were seated before the Gate of Capernaum simply by touching them.

Second Nazarene Nay; it was two blind men that He healed at Capernaum.