Act II

A bell struck three times gives the signal for a Chorale to begin. This is timed so that in the last line the curtain rises slowly.

The Scene is the same as before; except that there are no stars, and streaks of dawn on the sky; and the candles are gone. When the curtain goes up, Achaz is seated at L. end of table, elbow on table, chin in hand. Sam. is standing before table, facing him.

Achaz [heavily).

Well, lad, what next?

Sam.

Sir, when I saw him crowned My heart broke quite for sorrow. There He stood,

Pale with the scourging, white as a beaten flower Spattered with blood. And then they flung on Him A soldier’s cloak, scarlet; and in His Hands,

Bound as they were, they thrust a broken reed,

And so — [He breaks down.

Achaz [kindly).

Come, come, lad!

Sam.

So they brought Him forth, And Pilate went with Him to where the steps

Rise to the Judgement Seat. “ Behold the Man! Behold your King! ” he cried, and smote his hand On the Lord’s shoulder. [Breaks down again.

Achaz.

There; there, lad!

Sam.

And all

The pack cried out — those hounds — “ No King! No King

Of ours! ” And at that Pilate laughed, and cried,

“ What! shall I crucify your King? ” And they,

“ No King have we but Caesar! ” Pilate laughed Again, and then grew grave. “ Why, but,” he said,

“I find no fault in Him. Come! Let Him go!

He’s scourged enough.” And then they all at once Cried “ Crucify ”; and in the din and storm I saw how Pilate called a lad who came Bearing a bowl of water; and in this,

Angry, he dipped his hands, and flung the drops Wide on the heads of those who shouted there. “Innocent! Innocent! ” he cried, “am I Of innocent blood.” And they with one accord <c His blood on us and on our children! ” cried.

And then —

Achaz.

Sam.

And then I saw the crosses there,

Waiting without the gate; and at that sight Could bear no more. ( Covers his face,) And as I came away

His Mother met me: bade me say that she Would be here, presently.

Achaz ( starting up).

What, here I

Sam.

Aye. Hark!

I hear a footstep.

[Runs to parapet, looks over; and comes down.

Hush! she comes alone.

[Achaz rises and stands waiting. Sam. goes to door (R.) and opens it. Enter Mary, as before; she inclines her head as they bow. Sam. kneels. She puts one hand on his head; and her lips move. Then she goes behind table and straight up the steps. There she kneels, against the parapet: and presently bows her head on her hands. Achaz suddenly covers his face with his hands; looks upy beckons Sam. to go out (R.): and himself goes out (L.). There follows a silence. Then very softly with closed lips is sung one verse of the u Stabat Mater T The last line suddenly drowned with clamour and steps on the stairs (R.).

Sam ( off ).

Nay! Nay! you shall not!

Judas {off).

Aye! but I will; I say!

[Door (R.) suddenly bursts open, and Judas enters. He is in a brown tunic, with no mantle; girded with a leather belt: he has auburn hair and full short beard:

Judas: ~Thvrtu pieces lost and a soul lost roitVi them.

no head-dress: he carries a rope across shoulders with a loose end hanging ready to his right hand; his hair is wild, and his face. He carries an empty leather bag, untied, in his right hand. He stops suddenly, as he sees table. He does not see Mary, who remains stilly face and hands hidden. Sam. stops, terrified, by door.

Judas (in whisper of terror ).

Aye! *tis the very same; and here the stool Lies to my foot!... ’Twas there He sat; and there Sat John beside Him.... And here lies my stool... And no man touches it! “ His bishopric..

How runs the psalm? “ And let another take

His bishopric! ”... Aha! And there He dipped The bread in the bitter herbs; ah! bitter indeed!... Here lad!... And what d’you think I’ve gained thereby?

Money, d’you think?

[He lifts purse: then flings it down.

There lies the empty purse — And all the coin dashed in the Temple Courts Before their faces. Thirty pieces lost And a soul lost with them! Nay; a rope for me!

A rope for me! (He lifts loose end and kisses it.) Aye: and I kiss it too

With lips that kissed my Lord last night; and He —

“ Friend,” so He said; M Friend, whereto art thou come?” Well, ’tis to this I’m come. (Kisses it again). My one friend left!

[He turns to go. Sam. suddenly stops him with outstretched arms across the door.

Sam.

No, Judas, no!

Judas.

What’s this, you whelp?

Sam. [crying aloud).

No, no,

There’s yet one friend, beyond that friend of yours You’ve kissed to death. Ah! Judas! Had you seen Her fling her arms round Magdalene; had you seen —

Judas.

What’s this?

Sam. [pointing to Mary).

Why! see where now she kneels in pain Beyond imagining; deaf to all sounds but those Which tell His coming where she waits for Him.

Blind to all sights but that! Yet never deaf Nor blind to those who cry her mercy —

What’s this?

Tudas.

Ah!

[Mary lifts her head; looks; rises; turns. What’s this?

\He turns to struggle with Sam.

Sam.

No, Judas! turn and see! [Mary extends hands.

See how she lifts the hands that dandled Him,

Those hands that give the gift again to God From Whom it came!

[Judas stands petrified; shrinking back.

Judas [whispering).

His Mother!

Sam.

Aye: the same

Who waits to pardon him her Son called Friend — Judas [sudden hissing whisper ).

Ah!

[He turns; seizes Sam. and after very short struggle whirls him aside; tears open door: turns on threshold: stares at Mary; then dashes out (R.). Sam. recovers him - self; runs to doory as it bangs. Then turns.

Sam.

Ah! Mary, pray for him!

[He falls on his knees: she has let her hands fall again as door shuts: she clasps them, turns again, and kneels at parapet, burying her face again. A short silence. Enter Achaz (L.). He does not see Mary.

Achaz [entering).

My lad, go down

And keep the door awhile; the porter’s off,

Gone with the rest.

Sam. [rising).

Sir —

Achaz.

Nay: be off and come

[Exit Sam. (R.).

Back presently.

I never saw such crowds At Paschal time; they’ll beat the doors apart If none be there to keep them — Why — Who’s this?

[He goes quickly across to R. and opens the door. Enter Mary Magd. She is distraught,

Mary Magd.

Ah! save Him! Save Him!

Achaz.

Nay! now; sit awhile. [He supports her to stool on this side of the table; and, supporting her, gives her to drink.

There! lady! there! What is it?

I saw the Cross! I saw them!

Mary Magd.

Save Him, save!

The Cross and Nails and Crown!

[Mary turnsy rises; listens.

Achaz.

There, there, lady!

Mary Magd. {gripping table behind her).

Nay! I saw

The Cross laid on Him; and the title there

Borne by a lad before — “ Jesus of Nazareth

King of the Jews! ” — In Hebrew, Latin, Greek..,

I heard them yell at Him! I saw the mud

Flung at Him till He fell. I saw Him scourged!

I saw Him silent as a lamb before

His shearers. And I heard how Pilate asked

CD.CDagd: Ah! PO ou r> t a-in 5 ^all an >

“What then is truth?” when there the Truth stood bare

And bruised before him. I was there, I say!

I saw King Herod mock Him; and his men Set Him at naught! I who kissed His Feet And washed them with my tears.... I saw those Feet Red with the blood that ran from Him! I saw —!

\Rises: stretches hands.

Ah! Mountains fall on us! Cover us, hills,

From Face of Judgement that comes swiftly on,

The Father’s Face that sees the Son He gave For our redemption, mocked and sent to death.

Achaz.

Nay, lady, nay —

Mary Magd. [fiercely).

And you! you who are men? What do you here, when innocent blood is shed,

And all the earth is dark? See how the sun Rises in blood!

[ She turns and points to dawn: then sees Mary: and stops dead.

Ah! ah! I did not know!

[Mary Magd. falls on her knees and hides her face against the table. Achaz starts upright.

Mary Magd.

Pardon! Forgive! I did not know. Forgive!

[ There is silence. Mary clasps her hands across breast, and lifts her face. Enter R., suddenly, John. He is in a green tunic, with a white mantle over it: he has fair curly hair. He bows low to Mary. He is quiet and steady throughout.

John.

Lady! [Mary Magd. looks up.

Achaz [on defensive ).

Who’s this?

John [quietly).

I am the Master’s friend Who sat by Him at supper. And I come To bid my Lady out.

[Achaz makes gesture for him to speak to her. Lady! I come

From Pilate’s Judgement Hall. Sentence is given And all is finished. Pilate was within When I came out. I saw the Cross prepared And laid upon the shoulders of your Son.

He fell as He came out. I caught His eyes As He rose up. They come this way; the roads Are full already, down to the City gate.

Mount Calvary is the place. Two thieves there are To die with Him. They come the first, and then Your Son comes after. Lady: if you will,

We must be gone. I have a little space Cleared in the street below, where you can speak With Him; or at the least see Him go by.

Lady!

[He hows. She has listened without moving. Then she comes down; Mary Magd. struggles forward to kiss her hand. Mary lays her hand on Mary Magd.’s head. Achaz kneels. John opens door (R.). As Mary comes towards it, she puts out her left hand and lays it on his shoulder. They pass out together (R.).

[ fVexilla Regis ” is heard sung. And the noise of footsteps begins, and voices. Theny

1 have exalted thee xvith great etrength: cvnd thou. hast hanged CDe cm the gibbet? of the Cross.

very slowly, spear-heads begin to go by. Then one Cross; more spear-heads. Mary Magd. starts up as first Cross goes by: Achaz with her. She runs round table and up on to parapet. Enter Sam. (R.). He and Achaz go up behind Mary Magd. and all stand watching. Second Cross goes by: more spear-heads. u Vexilla Regis ” suddenly louder, till sung fortissimo: tramping keeps time. Then third Cross. Mary Magd. falls on her knees at parapet. Achaz catches and supports her. Then Cross falls. Mary Magd.

Ah!

[Sounds of brutal laughter and steps: Cross rises again: sound of blows. Then it passes out of sight. “ V exilla Regis ” begins to grow softer; and ceases as the curtain comes down.

Curtain.

After a pause the u Reproaches 99 begin.

Curtain rises again. Candles extinguished: the table ts stripped of its cloth, and stands quite bare. Stage perfectly dark. Crosses vivid against streaked sky. Sam. kneels by table (L.) in agony. The u Reproaches ” are sung slowly. Suddenly thunder begins: rolls up: louder and louder. Stage pitch dark for an instant. Flash of lightning: roar of thunder; and when it ends the “ Reproaches 99 have abruptly stopped. The scene should occupy not less than six or seven minutes; and not more than ten.

Curtain.