Act I

" Pange Lingua 99 begins as soon as the Doctor has retired; and at beginning of the second verse the curtain goes up, disclosing a plain roomy with doors R. and L.: a wide arch at the backy leading to two steps up behind; beyond these is a parapet looking over a concealed street. Over the parapet is seen Calvary in the far distance against the skyy which is lit by stars and a moon with streaks of clouds below. Plain curtains hang on either side of the arch. A long table is across the stage, laid with white cloth; two candles burn on this tabley near centrey with a silver cup between them and a silver plate beside it: earthen plates and mugs stand abouty and loaves of bread. A tall chair is behind tabley with open backy pushed clear: stools are behind the tabley and one showing at each end; but that on R. is thrown down. Samuel is kneeling on upper step of parapety with his hands claspedy looking over parapet (R.) listening. He is in a short white tunicy with legs bare to the kneey and arms bare to the elbows; he wears a plain bracelet on left arm: and sandals with straps to the knee. u Pange Lingua 99 continues till the Voice ceases.

Voice ( gradually fainter till it dies away).

I am the True Vine; and my Father is the husbandman.

Every branch in Me, that beareth not fruit, He will take away:...

And every one that beareth fruit, He will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit....

Now you are clean; by reason of the word which I have spoken to you....

Remain in Me; and I in you...

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine; so neither can you, unless you abide in Me...

I am the Vine; you the branches....

[u Pange Lingua 99 ceases softly. Samuel rises y impulsively.

Sam.

Master!... He’s gone.

[He goes to parapet; stands watching (R.): turns suddenly and comes downy pensively, with clasped hands. Enter (L.) Achaz. He is in grey tunic to the kneesy with a green mantle and sandals; with a full short brown beard. He carries a pitcher, which he sets on floor (L.) before table.

Achaz.

Well, lad?

Sam.

The Master’s gone;

Down to the garden with His friends; and I...

I, left alone!

[He comes past (R.) side of table to front.

Achaz.

Come, lad! What passed there, then?

What did He say?... Gone to Gethsemane?

Come, come, my lad!

[He speaks uneasily, as if he tried to reassure himself

Sam.

Why, sir, I...

[He looks as if on the point of tears.

Achaz ( taking him genially by the shoulder).

Come, my lad!

You marked them, did you not?

Sam. (crying^ and suddenly throwing himself on his knees, and clasping Achaz’s arm).

Sir! save Him!

Achaz.

... Save!

Why! What’s this talk of saving? Speak, I say!

[He shakes him gently; he looks sharply towards the street, and back again.

Is there some peril, then, that threatens Him?

Sam.

Sir! I am frightened — frightened...

Achaz.

Nay! stand up!

Stand up! I tell you. [Sam. stands.] Now then; what’s this talk

Of saving? What is it that frightens you?

Sam.

Sir: the city’s still: too still. The guards are still, There up in the citadel. No man’s abroad.

The moon is still: too still and white it shines There above Golgotha. [He points.

Achaz.

What talk is this,

You fool? [He looks rounds terrified.] Should not the Paschal moon be still!

What would you have it? [ He seizes him by the arm.

Sam.

Sir; the very heavens

Are sick with fear; and all God’s angels there Move not for terror; and the Father’s Face —

[ He covers his face with his hand; then makes gesture.

I would the sun and moon and all the stars Shook, rather, in their places —

Achaz ( savage with fear).

Ah! then hold

Your peace!

[ He filings off S AM.’s arm; takes a couple of steps past him and comes back. Sam., meanwhile, runs back and up to parapet, where he cranes over, listening.

Come back, my lad! Come back, my lad, And tell me all that passed.

[j He waves to him. Sam. comes down by L. more self-controlled.

Nay, quiet now!

What passed when I was gone?

[He makes to pick up fallen chair as if to sit on it.

Sam. [alarmed).

Sir; leave it there!

He flung it down; when out into the night He ran — he, with the devil-driven face,

That bore the bag and paid you!

Achaz ( recoiling, dropping stool).

What! you say

He ran into the night and left them?

Sam. ( whispering ).

Aye!

The man Iscariot! [ They stare at one another.

Achaz ( recovering ).

Come! come, my lad!

Tell me what passed.

[He draws out a stool from tabley and sits.

Sam ( recovering: after pause).

Sir; when you left me here;

I did all as you bid: fetched up the wine:

Poured water; set the bread; brought up the lamb And bitter herbs; then when the guests were set Thirteen in all, I served them as you bade.

So when the Pasch was done, I went without,

Beyond the curtains, in the window-place.

And there I heard them... Sir — [He is agitated.

Achaz (reassuringly).

Nay, tell me!

Sam.

Sir;

I know not all that passed; but this I know

[u Pange Lingua 99 begins, closed lips. That when the Master spoke at length, the earth Shivered to silence; while the harps of heaven Sounded; and in the sound, voices of priests Ten thousand, all together... and the air Turned faint with incense.

Achaz {uneasily).

Come, my lad! you dreamed! What said the Master? [He leans forward to listen.

Sam.

Sir; He took the Bread, And broke it in His Hands the while He said,

“ This is My Body which is given for you.”

So then the wine; and said, “ This is My Blood Shed all for you.”... And all the airs of heaven Breathed as He spoke; the flowers of Paradise Broke into blossom; and yet, mingled there,

The scents of blood and death, as if all lambs That ever shed their blood to God —

Achaz.

Enough!

Enough, my lad! a dream! a dream, I tell you —

Sam.

Nay>

Sir, but I heard Him! — and it seemed to me As if, when all was done, and all were fed With What He gave them —

Achaz.

What! He gave them Bread

And Wine!

Sam.

He gave them what just now was Bread And Wine — that which He blessed —

Achaz ( throwing himself back).

Well! well!

[“ Pange Lingua ” ends.

Sam.

And then

It seemed as if that silence fell which reigns In earth and heaven —

Achaz ( interrupting ).

What of Iscariot?

Sam.

Why, sir, they spoke so low I scarcely heard That which was said — But one cried, “ Is it I? 99 And then another, “ Is it I? ” And He,

The Master, said, w ’Tis he to whom I give The bread when I have dipped it.” Presently I heard a stool fall; and then he ran out Into the night: and Night he was who ran.

[He clasps his hands and shudders.

Achaz.

And which way went he?

Sam.

Sir?

Achaz [angrily).

Which way, you fool? [Sam. comes up to him, looking round as if haunted: throws himself on his knees; takes him by shoulder and whispers.

Sam.

Sir, he went up the street.

Achaz.

What! up the street!

Nay, down, you mean. Why, all the Temple guards Keep close the upper end.

Sam.

Nay, up he went And through them, with his bag.

Achaz.

Hark! what is that?

[A low sound of voices is heard far to L. The two start up; and remain motionless, staring out through window: the voices grow louder: low shuffling footsteps.

Lights begin to shine. Then, presently spear-heads and lights go beyond the parapet from L. to R. The two cling together. Then voices and steps die away: and all is silent.

Achaz.

Run; run, boy! follow them; and come again And tell me where they go.

[Exit Sam., hastily (R.). Achaz goes up to parapet, hesitatingly: he leans over and stares (R.). A sound of voices rises again and dies.

[Enter (R.) Joseph of Arimath&a, with his cloak thrown round Mary Magdalene. He is in crimson silk tunic; purple mantle and crimson head-dress: he wears a sword on belt: bracelets on his arms. He has a full grey beard: he is very upright and resolute. Mary Magd. is in a grey tunic with a black mantley and a black head-dress: she is white and terrified. As they entery he throws off the mantle he is covering her with: she standsy staring.

Joseph.

Nay, lady, then;

You’re safe enough. ( Sees Achaz). Why, Achaz, ’twas your house

She bade me bring her to.

[Mary Magd. looks earnestly round room. I found, just now,

This lady in the streets; I was but come An hour ago from Caiphas —

Mary Magd. ( throwing herself on her knees).

Ah! the Cup

He drank from! ( She bows herself with her forehead to the ground; lifts herself a little and kisses the tablecloth). And the blessed Board — Table of Grace! — He sat at [rises)! Sir, you do not know my name.

You called me Lady. Would you so again

If you but knew my name?... Well — Achaz knows.

Achaz.

Why—

Mary Magd. [proudly).

Nay: Pm not ashamed. He raised me up; Up from the dunghill and the mire to set Me with the princes and the penitents.

My name is Mary — Mary of Magdala!

Mary of Magdala!

Joseph.

[Recoiling.

Mary Magd.

Aye, of Magdala!

He found me, that Good Shepherd, ’mid the wolves Within, without; devils and men; and He Bound up my bitter wounds, and brought me home, Rejoicing, on His shoulder —

[Joseph bows and kisses her hand.

Achaz.

Ah! and what If that Good Shepherd now be smitten too,

And all His sheep be scattered!

Mary Magd, {terrified).

What is that?

Achaz.

What are the guards gone by for?

Joseph ( soothingly ).

Nay, the guards

Are at the Council-hall. Two hours ago The Council met, and still are sitting —

And you were there!

Achaz.

What!

Joseph.

To that their counsel.

Aye: and would not consent Yet I thought I’d best

Advise the Master of their black design Against Him.

Gnter CD eery slowly

Mary Magd.

Black design! Why, what is this?

The Master’s in Gethsemane with His friends —

In secret.

Achaz.

Well: the guards went by just now With arms and torches, for I saw them go,

And sent my boy to follow them.

Mary Magd.

Then, went the guards?

Which way,

Achaz.

Down to the lower gate

That leads to Kedron.

Mary Magd. ( crying aloud).

Ah!

Joseph.

Kedron, you say!

Why, that’s the road He went!

Achaz.

Hark, who comes here?

I hear a step upon the outer stairs.

\He goes to door (R.) and opens it. Then he falls back and bows. Enter Mary, slowly. She is in a very dark blue tunic over whitey with heavy dark blue mantle over it, and a white head-dress. She is very still and dignified. Joseph bows; Mary Magd.falls on her knees. Mary inclines her head; and stands looking round the room. Then she passes across front of st age, and round by L. end of table, round to side of chair. She stands there again. Then she lifts the chalice reverently,

/7j yW: sets it down again; places the small silver plate over it; puts a napkin over ally and bows her heady still holding the sacred v esse Is y to Joseph. Joseph comes round R. end of table and kneels: she puts vessels into his hands. He holds them with his left hand close to his breasty and throws his mantle over them. Then he rises y and goeSy walking backwardsy to door (R.), and stands. Mary turnsy goes up to stepSy ascends themy and stands looking over (R.). Achaz starts forward from wall (L.), whither he has retired during this scene.

Achaz (in sharp whisper ).

What is she come for?

Mary Magd. (moaning).

Ah! She comes to save The Son she bore! Mary!

[ She stretches out her hands. Mary turns her head: smiles: then turns back again and resumes watching. She is almost invisible to R.

Achaz (distracted).

What is it all?

Why is she come? Why did she give the Cup Into your keeping? Where’s my lad?

[He runs across to door (R.). As he reaches ity it is burst openy and Sam. enters, running. Mary Magd. stands.

The news!

The news, lad!

Sam. ( breathless ).

Ah! God save us! All is lost! They took Him in the garden!

Achaz ( recoiling ).

Took him!

[Mary Magd. staggers back against table. Joseph moves a step forward.

Sam.

Aye!

Laid hands on Him and bound Him. Bound the Hands That nothing did but bless!

Achaz.

They bound His Hands!

Tell us! ah! tell us!

[ They do not notice Mary, who has turned and is listening.

Sam.

Sir! I followed down,

Out through the gate behind them; crossed the stream And up the hill. ’Twas Judas led the way.

I saw him! When they came to where the gate Stood barred; one broke it down; and in they went 5 Searching and shouting through the olive-trees.

And then I saw Him; and His Face was streaked c

As if He sweated blood; and round about His friends stood all aghast. The flare of light Was all blood-red upon them. And then he,

Of Kerioth, that led them there, went forth And kissed his Master! “ Hail,” he said, “ All hail! ”

Ah! bitter kiss!... “ Friend,” said the Master then, — He called him “Friend”! — “Friend, whereto art thou come?

Betray’st thou with a kiss the Son of Man? ”

And then He said, “ With swords and staves you come To take me! Whom d’ye seek? ” And all at once They cried out, “ Jesus! Jesus of Nazareth! ”

“ Well, I am He,” said He; and at the word The crowd went swaying back: and some fell down. The rest ran at Him, shouting. Then one struck A blow: I think ’twas Peter; he of Galilee,

The fisherman: and struck young Malchus down, Servant to Caiphas — him that kept the gate.

And when the Lord saw that, He bade His friend Put up again his sword into its sheath.

“For they that take the sword,” He said, “by sword One day shall perish.” Then He healed the man And raised him up. And then they all ran in And seized and bound Him.

Achaz.

And His friends!

Sam. [passionately ).

His friends

Ran shrieking in the moonlight. Hounds, not men,

I think them! And I cried aloud — cried shame On such as seized Him; but they laughed at me;

And one threw stones... Hark! Hark, they come this way. [He turns and sees Mary.

Ah!

CDy people tshat have I done to 't’hee?

[ They all stand aghast, suddenly terrified at seeing her. She turns her head; and at same moment far off' sounds of voices and laughter and footsteps. “ Vexilla Regis ” begins softly.

Mary Magd. ( moaning with raised hands).

Mary! Mary! Mother of my Lord!

[Mary turns again with open arms. Mary Magd. runs round table (R.) and up to steps and throws herself at Mary’s feet. Mary stoops; raises her; and turns again, with left arm round Mary Magd.’s shoulder. Together they stand. The other three very softly, as voices grow louder, pass round to back of stage (L.) and stand looking. Glare of lights noises louder still. Spear-heads are seen to go by. As centre of procession comes beneath, and the two women turny Magd. suddenly stretches out her armsy crying, Ah! and sinks down sobbing. Mary stands motionless. Joseph bows his head over the vessels he carries. Achaz and Samuel fall on their knees. As noise begins to grow fainter, curtain comes slowly downy leaving Mary alone upright against the light. u V exilla Regis ” ends with fall of curtain.