HEROD: There be some who say that this man is the prophet Elias.
A NAZARENE: I am sure that he is the prophet Elias.
THE JEW: Nay, but he is not the prophet Elias.
THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN: So the day is come, 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 Cæsar takes.
HEROD: But Cæsar is not coming into Judæa. 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 explaining the title. It is one of Cæsar's titles.
HEROD: But Cæsar 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 Cæsar is lord, he will come if he wishes. Nevertheless, I do not think he will come.
FIRST NAZARENE: It was not concerning Cæsar that the prophet spake these words, sire.
HEROD: Not of Cæsar?
FIRST NAZARENE: No, sire.
HEROD: Concerning whom, then, did he speak?
FIRST NAZARENE: Concerning Messias who has 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 blind men that he healed at Capernaum.
FIRST NAZARENE: Nay, they were lepers. But he hath healed blind people also, and He was seen on a mountain talking with angels.
A SADDUCEE: Angels do not exist.
A PHARISEE: Angels exist, but I do not believe that this Man has talked with them.
FIRST NAZARENE: He was seen by a great multitude of people talking with angels.
A SADDUCEE: Not with angels.
HERODIAS: How these men weary me! They are ridiculous! (To the PAGE.) Well, my fan! (The PAGE gives her the fan.) You have a dreamer's look; you must not dream. It is only sick people who dream. (She strikes the PAGE with her fan.)
