MATTHIAS
See, he is there!
JOSAPHAT
Rabbi, forgive us for following thee hither----
JOHN
It is not yet dawn.... At this hour ye have nothing to claim from me----
MATTHIAS
But, remember Herod----
JOHN
Why stir ye up so much dust? This puny Herod, who runs after women, is not my business.
JOSAPHAT AND MATTHIAS
[_Exchange dismayed glances._]
JOHN
Go, find me Galileans! Wake those who sleep on the steps, ransack the houses if necessary. Only bring me Galileans, that I may question them.
SECOND GALILEAN
Hearest thou? Some one standeth there, clamouring for Galileans!
FIRST GALILEAN
I thought I dreamt it. Thou, who wilt not let us sleep, what dost thou want with us Galileans?
JOHN
Stand up and come to me!
SECOND GALILEAN
Goest thou?
FIRST GALILEAN
He must be great in Israel, otherwise he would not command.
SECOND GALILEAN
Yes, yes; thou art right. [_They both stand up._]
JOSAPHAT
Rabbi----[_John signs to him with his hand to be silent._]
FIRST GALILEAN
Now, here we are.
JOHN
Who are ye? Whence do ye come?
FIRST GALILEAN
We are fishermen from the Sea of Galilee. My name is Ram, and that is my brother-in-law, and he is called Abia. And we both fish with the same net. Is it not so?
SECOND GALILEAN
Yes; we both fish with the same net.
JOHN
And tell me, ye two men, have ye ever heard of a prophet that teacheth in Galilee?
FIRST GALILEAN
A prophet! Hast thou heard of a prophet, Abia?
SECOND GALILEAN
I have heard of no prophet.
JOHN
Not ... of one who saith ... He is the Son of G.o.d?
FIRST GALILEAN
Ah, thou meanest Jesus of Nazareth?
JOHN
[_In great agitation, scarcely audible._] Jesus of Nazareth!
JOSAPHAT AND MATTHIAS.
[_Awed._] Jesus of Nazareth!