University of Virginia Library

Scene V.

The council-room. Night. Nimrod Kraft, Hugh, Jonas, Simeon, and two other members of the Twelve.
NIMROD
All now are housed and sleeping: first their souls
Were satisfied, and then their bodies soothed.
On this rock must we build. The arch of truth
Requires abutments in the life of flesh:
It cannot hang in air. See, therefore, ye,
That these the weak foundations of our state
Be firmer settled. Scourge the drones away;
Over the labor needful unto each
Be labor added for the sake of all.
Let him whose lips are not anoint believe
With hand and sinew!

JONAS
If the hand should doubt?
Equality of service and of power
Was promised them; and many bear the yoke
As they that seem to stoop, and mean to spring.

NIMROD
Equality? Yes, were there equal faith.
Not yet dare I to measure mine by his,
The Prophet's, since the token lies in power.
They sleep; we watch for them: why, let them watch,
And we will sleep.

SIMEON
Then wolves would rend the fold.
The new life must begin: he spake the word.
It will be hard; but we submit to him,
And they not more so, in obeying us.

JONAS
How far will he concede? The government,
Scarce framed as yet, will he alone direct,
Uncounselled, or be led to side with them
Who, standing nearest, easier prevail?
Whence comes decision, when opinions clash?

NIMROD
By revelation.

SIMEON
May it come at need!

HUGH.
We, the apostles of the wandering church,
Should be, of right, foundations here.

NIMROD
He takes,
Lifts up, or sets aside. You know my work,
If it be good. I never thought to say,
“Reward me!” but whatever implement,—
Scythe-blade, or sword, or knife that scullions use,—
His hand has need of, he will find me that!

JONAS
(Aside to Hugh.)
When one is sword already, sharpened too,
The offer's glibly made.

NIMROD
I say but this:
It was my providence to know him first,
To see descending on him, like a flame,
The Spirit: near, because alone, I stood,
But am less near than he who more believes.
What use of prying words? 'Tis signs we need,
Accord of all. The temple-walls complete
With roof and pinnacle, the shrine set up,
Symbolic vessels, altar, veil, and ark,
New psalms of praise, and joyfulness of hymns,—
All this made visible. Their faith is firm;
And their impatient thoughts, now floating loose
In every wind, will settle, and have rest.

[Exit Hugh, Jonas, and others.
SIMEON
You touched his secret sore,—I name no names,—
Kept tender, as I guess, by discontent
Of womankind. You've seen the kind of wife
That never wholly justifies the man,
And, when he follows, straightway shifts her mind
To make new disagreement: such is she.
With brethren one must be considerate,
As you have been; but those whom now he makes
Apostles should not wear a home-made bit.
That I am widowed, nigh a blessing seems,
Though mine respected me.

NIMROD
The words I spake
Were but the Prophet's unpronounced desires.
I am the nearest yet, because I keep
A circle round him clear and unprofaned,
That so his soul be tempered to receive
Continual revelations. They mistake
Probation, preparation, for the end.
But that which draws the few is not enough
To sow infection in the blood of all,
And overcome the world. Much more awaits,
And grander: are you as the fallow earth?

SIMEON
Yea, passive as a field the sower treads.

NIMROD
'Tis well: till he shall order otherwise,
Be led by me! Go, now, and counterwork
The small dissensions: I have other tasks.
It was a wondrous sign that heralded
The Prophet's coming: keep the wonder fresh
In all, yet raise not wild and over-wrought
Expectancy of more. The woman's power
Renews another ancient virtue lost,—
Zion shall have its prophetess! I go
To give my homage, and to arm for us
A Deborah,—a chieftainess of the faith.