University of Virginia Library

Scene I.

The street in front of the Prophet's house. Peter at the gate, talking with two citizens.
FIRST MAN
It's floating loose, as one might say: it comes
From everywhere and nowhere.

SECOND MAN
That's the way
To make things happen. Say they'll surely be,
And all the causes of them set to work.

FIRST MAN
I'd check; you'd let alone: which starts a cause,
Or hinders it? There's talk because there's fear.
What says the Prophet?

PETER
Nothing! If I asked,
And he should answer, something would be said;
But that we neither do.

SECOND MAN
Until he calls,
Confessing danger, in your pockets sheathe
Your restless hands, and whistle back your faith!
Their name is not yet Legion.

[Exit.
FIRST MAN
No, nor yours
A watchman of the Lord! There are no signs
Of Jonas yet; but people think him fled,
And plotting mischief in the enemy's camp.
The Twelve hold council: knowing these reports,
Which make alarm, they have not silenced them;
And thus suspicion grows.

PETER
I see it does.

FIRST MAN
You keep close-mouthed: I do believe you're primed
With far more knowledge than you let leak out.

PETER
I'm honest only: ignorance need not talk.

FIRST MAN
As I do, you would say?

[Exit.
PETER
He's in a huff,
But can't help counting me the wiser man.
Why, shut your mouth, and shrewdly move your head,
And stare right hard at him who speaks to you;
And, when he says, “It is so!” answer, “H'm,
Is it, indeed?”—and there's your capital
For thriving business in the wholesale trade
Of leading people. If I'd half a gift
To save from awkward usage of their minds,
I'd make them think me great.

RHODA
(Coming from the house.)
What have you heard?
This is no time for keeping back the truth.
There's danger somewhere.

PETER
One was sure of that,
The t'other not; but all I know is this,—
Some say the Gentiles mean to interfere,
Upset the Prophet's law, and him, the head,
Make chargeable for what the others do.
But that they can't: we're drifting on one raft;
And none but fools would ever try to take
The helmsman prisoner, till they smashed the crew.

RHODA
And all are faithful?

PETER
Well—they think they are.

RHODA
This was my fear: you mean that all are not?

PETER
It comes of management: the priest, and her—
Each is alone a match for any law;
And, if they work together—

RHODA
Nay, they must!
You are worse troubled than you care to show;
But I'll not question more. One way to help—
The hardest way that ever woman walked—
Is set before me, and I take it now!

[Exit.
PETER
I don't know as I'm gladder that she went,
Or sorrier that she seemed to think my wits
Of small account. Here's one that, as I guess,
She means to pump as deeply as he'll let.
He comes this way; he's got a blunted axe,
And I must turn the grindstone.

NIMROD
(Entering.)
Have you seen
Sarah, the wife of Jonas, pass this way?

PETER
Not I.

NIMROD
She still may come. Wait not for me,
Or any officer, but hold her fast!

PETER
There must be two of me, to do so much.

NIMROD
Large-boned, and strong of arm, she is, in fact.
You'll find a watchman yonder by the wood;
But scatter, lest she take another path!

PETER
Why, what's the row?

NIMROD
No more than you have heard.
Put what you know, and what you think might be,
Together, and you'll find disturbance comes
Through her alone, and she can silence it.
The Prophet and the Twelve have that to ask,
Which, having answered, she disarmes herself.

[Exit.
PETER
No use of pumping there! The water comes
Just even with the spout, and then it stops.