THE GRASS WITHERETH
A Play for Easter
by
Jewell Ellen Smith
Copyright © 1982 Jewell Ellen
Smith. First performed at
Click here to go to the Jewell Ellen Smith Homepage
"The
grass withereth; the flower fadeth,
But the Word of our God shall stand for ever."
--Isaiah
40:8
TIME:
90 AD, and the years between 30 and 33 AD.
PLACE:
PURPOSE,
or theme: "...these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his
name."
--John
20:31
PLOT, and general structure:
The
aged apostle John, chained to a Roman soldier, has been sentenced to exile on
the
While
John waits for the ship to sail from Ephesus at sunset, he spends the hours
having his pupil Polycarp write down some of the
miracles he saw Jesus the Christ do and things he heard the Christ teach.
Principal scenes depicted are:
a.
John the Baptist introducing the
Christ
b.
Jesus healing the lame, the halt,
the blind
c.
The Christ visiting in
d.
The Christ speaking with the Woman
at the Well
e.
The illness and death of Lazarus
f.
Jesus raising Lazarus from the
grave
g.
The Last Supper
SCRIPTURE BACKGROUND: The Gospel
according to John, with cross references to the other Gospels. Also: writings
from Isaiah.
LENGTH: One hour and a few
minutes.
THE
CHARACTERS, in the order of their appearance:
ACT
I, Scenes 1 and 2
JOHN, "the
beloved," the last of the twelve apostles of Jesus, who is now an old
man--leader of the Christians at
ATTICUS, a Roman soldier
stationed in
LINUS, a Roman soldier in
the same unit as Atticus.
CASSIA, John's kinswoman,
aunt and guardian of Zulah and Tabitha.
ZULAH. John's
great niece, who is spending the summer in
ABITHA, Zulah's
sister.
POLYCARP, A young Christian
from
ACT I, Scene 3
YOUNG JOHN, the beloved
apostle, when he was a young man.
ANDREW, one of the twelve
apostles.
JOHN THE BAPTIST, the
forerunner of the Christ, an ascetic prophet in the wilderness, to whom
thousands, even Jesus of Nazareth, came to be baptized.
CHRIST FIGURE
ACT I, Scene 4
CROWD OF PEOPLE, including
these:
Blind Beggar, named Kelitah
Beggar’s Wife
A Father
Young Boy, with a withered hand
Four stretcher bearers
A Patient named Simon
Old Woman
Frail Woman
First Daughter
Second Daughter
Stooped Man with palsied hand
Old Man
Three other women
Two Children
ACT
II, Scene 1
MARTHA, older sister of Lazarus of Bethany
MARY, younger sister of Lazarus
JAMES. one of the twelve apostles,
brother of John.
NICODEMUS, a prominent man
of
LAZARUS, a close friend of
Jesus.
ACT II, Scene 2
WOMAN OF SAMARIA, a
resident of Sy-char, who talked to Jesus at Jacob's Well.
A CROWD of Samaritans (Same
players as in Crowd in ACT I )
SAMARITAN SPOKESMAN, a
resident of Sy-char
ACT II, Scene 3
TWO FANNERS, servant girls
in the home of Lazarus
FIRST NEIGHBOR, a neighbor
and friend of Martha and Mary
SECOND NEIGHBOR, another
friend of Martha and Mary
Act III, Scene 2
MESSENGER, a runner from
APOSTLES:
Simon Peter
Bartholomew (or Nathaniel)
Phillip
James, son of
Judas Iscarot
Simon, the Caananite
Thomas
Judas, not Iscariot
Matthew
ACT III, Scene 3
THREE WOMEN FROM
THREE MEN FROM
A SERVANT, in the home of
Lazarus.
+ + +
Total number of roles: about 50; Speaking parts: about
40
Note: Many players may take two minor roles, and appear in Crowd scenes
SCRIPT:
ACT I, Scene 1
Scene 1:
JOHN:
much distressed and speaking to himself, not the soldiers Exiled! Exiled! Oh, that my
God would deliver me! What shall I do! All my churches! All my work to
spread the good news! What's to become of it all?
ATTICUS:
with no sympathy Old Man, I never saw
you before this morning in court--and I don't know you from the emperor's
housecat--but you brought this exile on yourself!
LINUS:
roughly Yeah! Atticus
is right! All you had to do was was make a little bow
to the magistrate and say: "Yes! Yes! Domitian pronounced Do-MEESH-an is divine! Domitian
is the Lord and God! The son of Minerva!"
They would 'a let you go!
JOHN:
No, Soldier! Never! Jesus is my Lord! God, his Father, is God--the only
God!
ATTICUS:
ignoring John's assertion You didn't use your head! But, even so, you're lucky.
Very lucky! Exactly two months ago today, me and Linus
here left
JOHN:
Yes, I--
ATTICUS:
interrupting Feeding
'em to the wild beasts! Burnin' ‘em
alive! Crucifying 'em!
LINUS:
I saw 'em crucify one guy upside down!
ATTICUS:
You're plenty lucky.
JOHN:
dejectedly Yes,
yes, I know. The persecution is dreadful.
LINUS:
Old Man, how much farther is it to your house?
JOHN:
Just around the corner. straightens himself up I think I'm able to walk by
myself now. You can let go of my arms.
ATTICUS:
We could. But we're not!
LINUS:
If we let you escape they could throw us on that ship. Send us to
ATTICUS: Yeah, and I'd sure hate to spend the rest of my life
on that little rocky lump in the sea--ten miles long and six miles wide!
CURTAIN
As
three reach entrance to John's garden, spotlight picks up Cassia, Polycarp, and girls in far corner.
Scene 2
Immediately after scene 1. In the
courtyard of John's
ZULAH:
idly holding the trowel in
her hand Aunt Cassie, you know what I like best about this summer here with
you and Uncle John?
CASSIA:
mildly amused No.
What do you like best? holds up pot Here,
put a little more dirt in here.
ZULAH:
as she scoops up soil and dumps it into
flower pot I like it when we sit out here in the garden after supper, and Uncle
John tells about when he was young, down in
Cassia holds container over for
Tabitha to pour in water.
TABITHA:
pouring water, generously Me too! I like to hear about the miracles!
CASSIA:
reflective tone Jesus performed many
miracles. I saw some of them, but your Uncle John saw them all. He went
with--
Cassia sees Polycarp
hurrying to the gate. He rushes back to her.
POLYCARP:
much alarmed Ma’am, something's
wrong! Roman soldiers! runs back to John
Cassia sees soldiers entering with
John
CASSIA:
drops flower pot, starts getting girls
out of the garden Roman
Soldiers! Mercy! Quick, girls! Into the house! Those soldiers mustn't see you!
Girls dash away, Cassia hurries to
John.
Soldiers let John--now exhausted
and out of breath--slump down on the first garden bench. John, Cassia and Polycarp all speak at once.
|
John: to soldiers You'll have to let me sit
down. I--I-- This is where I live. sweeps
hand in gesture to include whole courtyard, turns to Cassia and Polycarp Cassia: much
distressed John! Are you all right? Polycarp: What's happened? |
JOHN:
Cassie, I-- Bad news-- I-- Ah, Polycarp, I'm glad you're
here! You can help my sister.
POLYCARP:
Sir, you look ill!
CASSIA:
What're these soldiers doing here? Did you faint and fall in the street?
JOHN:
still panting I'll explain. I--
CASSIA:
John, you're pale as a sheep! starts fanning John with her headpiece.
Quick, Polycarp! Run get some wine!
Polycarp wheels around to go, Linus grabs his arm
LINUS:
Not so fast! You don't go anywhere unless we tell you!
Pulls Polycarp
over to one side
ATTICUS:
matter of fact tone Lady, the Old Man is all right. He didn't faint and
fall in the street. He's under house arrest.
CASSIA:
outraged House arrest?
ATTICUS:
That's right. We're here to guard him. That wine, though-- Uh-- Uh-- we all
need a little wine, now and then!
CASSIA:
ignoring A.'s hint about the wine He-- He--
He's an old man! Nearly ninety years old!
ATTICUS:
starts fastening chain around one of John's ankles
He's being exiled to
CASSIA:
dismayed Exiled! O, merciful
heavens! bends over John John!
John!
Atticus fastens free
end of chain around a tree or shrub or post.
POLYCARP:
How dreadful! I'll go get help!
LINUS:
grabbing Polycarp's arm again
You won't go anywhere. And you'd better be glad it's
not you!
Atticus saunters
over to Linus and Polycarp.
JOHN:
lowering his voice so that Atticus
does not hear Cassie, take the girls and leave! Go to
CASSIA
whispering This
morning?
JOHN:
Right now! As soon as you see those soldiers looking the
other way.
CASSIA:
That emperor in
JOHN.
You'll be safe in
CASSIA:
half to herself
That tallest soldier wanted some wine. I know what I'll do! I'll bring out some
wine, and while they're drinking, the girls and I can slip out!
Spotlight shifts to Polycarp
and two soldiers.
LINUS:
to Polycarp I take it that you must be Polycarp?
POLYCARP:
Yes, I'm Polycarp. I'm from
ATTICUS:
The Old Man gestures toward John
told us about you. Said you're his pupil.
POLYCARP:
I've been studying with him several years now.
ATTICUS:
We're gonna let you stay here with him the rest of
the day, but you'd better not try anything funny!
LINUS:
Nothing! Understand? We'd as soon run you through with a spear as to look at
you! raises spear in threatening motion
POLYCARP:
taking a deep breath and backing away
from spear Yes, I know!
ATTICUS:
Linus, you want to take the morning watch or the
afternoon watch?
LINUS:
Makes no difference to me. It's gonna
be pure boredom, morning or afternoon.
ATTICUS:
Let's cast lots.
LINUS:
Sure! High man gets the morning. takes dice from his pocket, hands them
to Atticus
You roll the bones first.
ATTICUS:
shakes dice,
looks up
and holds
up dice
Now, all you gods of
Polycarp eases his
way over to John.
LINUS:
laughing Atticus,
you don't know anything about the gods! Listen to my prayer! holds out dice in
his fist You brand new, self-made Roman Emperor
Lord God Domitian, gim'me
a higher number! squats,
rolls dice
Rats! You win, Atticus. pockets dice
Oh well, never mind.
ATTICUS:
walking with Linus to
courtyard gate I'll see you then at high noon?
LINUS:
I'll be back with bells on. leaves
Atticus goes back to
John and Polycarp, begins fastening John's chain to his own ankle.
ATTICUS:
to John You'll
have to remember, Old Man, that I don't like this any better than you do.
Cassia hurries in with barley loaves, wine, and three
glasses. She goes first to Atticus.
CASSIA:
with a tinge of sarcasm
Our sacred Law of Moses says that we are to be kind to
"the stranger that is within our gates." You're a stranger; so I'm
offering you a glass of our best wine, and barley bread.
ATTICUS:
openly pleased Well!
Lady, you surprise me! I am a stranger, and I haven't had a decent glass of
wine since I left
Cassia takes tray to John and Polycarp,
sets it down and goes back into house. Polycarp pours
for John and takes small amount for himself.
JOHN:
Not much for me. takes a sip, breaks off and eats crust of bread
Polycarp, as soon as you can, get word to the seven
churches. Ask them to pray that some good will come out of this tragedy.
POLYCARP:
I will. I will. I'll start tomorrow.
Atticus brings his
cup over for a refill.
ATTICUS:
This is good stuff! takes another gulp You'd better drink up, Old
Man. You won't have anything like this on the i-land of Pat-mos. drains glass, starts to his seat, swaying back and forth.
Turns around, staggers as he goes to get wine pitcher. Tongue thickens and
speech slows.
Does
your Law of uh-- eases himself down on the
ground, leans back against bench. Does your law of What’s-his-name say how much a stranger in the gates
can drink?
Pours and drinks another big gulp, wipes his sleeve across
his mouth.
What’s-his-name sure
made you Jews a firs’ class law!
Slumps over asleep, the handle of the pitcher still
clutched in one hand. He moves one leg just
enough to cause his spear to fall to the ground.
POLYCARP:
He's asleep!
JOHN:
getting up cautiously so as not to rattle chain.
Good! Run tell Cassia! Ah, I'll get to tell the girls good bye, after all! Polycarp starts to
leave. Warn 'em to be quiet!
POLYCARP: whispering I will.
Polycarp meets Cassia
and two girls.
CASSIA:
stage whisper We
were watching! turns to shush girls Sh-h,
girls! We'll say goodbye real quiet and slip out the gate!
Girls run to their uncle, in tears. John gathers girls and
Cassia in his arms. The farewells are whispered.
JOHN:
My little girls! My sweet girls! Goodbye! Goodbye, Cassie!
CASSIA:
Goodbye, John. God be with you!
TABITHA:
between sobs Uncle John, we don't want
you to go to that terrible island!
ZULAH:
We may never see you again!
JOHN:
trying to reassure group Sure
you will! It may be a few years, but God will see me through all this. You
girls go with your Aunt Cassie up to
ZULAH:
Uncle John, you won't get to tell us about the miracles, anymore!
TABITHA:
And we wanted to hear all his miracles! And what Jesus said, too!
JOHN:
somewhat surprised. Well, I-- I-- becomes suddenly inspired The Lord be praised! I just
had a wonderful idea! I'll write down the miracles! I'll write down what
he said! What Jesus did! Everything! Well, no, not everything.
The world couldn't hold all the books that should be written! But I'll write
down all I can remember!
CASSIA:
John, that will be wonderful!
POLYCARP:
enthusiastically I'll help you!
JOHN:
still talking fast and excitedly
Yes, Polycarp, you can help me! Yes! You can write it
all down as I tell it! And make copies for the girls! And copies for the seven
churches! Tone becomes more serious, contemplative
I’ll
record it in such a way that whoever reads it-- or hears it-- will BELIEVE THAT
JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, AND BELIEVING, MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS
NAME!
CASSIA:
Oh, John, that will be a marvelous thing for you to do!
JOHN:
I'm beginning to see the hand of God in my exile!
Atticus groans,
stirs in his sleep.
All
whisper "Goodbye" to each other, wave. Cassia and girls hurry out. Polycarp accompanies group to gate, returns to John, who is
pacing back and forth as best he can with one foot chained. John is highly
elated.
JOHN:
rubbing hands together
Polycarp, get your paper and ink and let's get
started.
POLYCARP:
It’s right over here. brings over his scroll and writing materials
What title do you want me to put on it?
JOHN: sitting back down Never mind the title, or
heading, just yet. Polycarp, do you remember that
line the great prophet Isaiah wrote that said something about how the grass
withers and the flowers fade, but God's word is forever?
POLYCARP:
quoting "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but
the word of our God shall stand forever!"
JOHN:
That's it. Now the first thing I want to show in this record of what I saw
Jesus do and what I heard him say is that man is like grass, while God is
eternal.
|
I
want to show that Jesus is like God’s "Word"--His promise to
man--and that all who believe will have life forever. |
pauses, leans forward
|
So,
begin this way: dictates slowly,
deliberately. "In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God.... The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory,
the glory of the Father, full of grace and truth. From John 1:1, 14 |
pauses
|
Next,
write: "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." |
ATTICUS wakes abruptly, sits up, looks around
as if in a daze.
ATTICUS:
Hey, what's going on? Old Man, what're you up to?
JOHN:
We're writing down things about Jesus the Christ. I hope you don't mind.
ATTICUS:
getting up off the ground I don't know the first thing about your Jesus the Christ,
and I could care less; So far as I'm concerned you can write till the sun goes
down.
JOHN:
Thank you.
ATTICUS:
Just don't be dictating stuff that will bore me to
distraction. Picks up wine pitcher,
tries to drain out a few drops. Rats! Empty! Just my luck!
JOHN:
to Polycarp, in musing,
reflective tone Let me see, Polycarp, what should come next. Hmm-mm-m.
rubs
beard, tries
to think
POLYCARP:
You plan to include something about John the Baptist, don't you?
JOHN:
glad for the suggestion Of course. John, the forerunner.
I think I've told you that, at first, I was a follower of John the Baptist. He
was truly a man sent from God.
Write
that down. Say: "There was a man sent from God, whose name was
John...."
changes tone as if
just giving additional information
John looked like one of the prophets of old. He roamed the wilderness
country near the
Many
people came to him to be baptized. Some even thought he was the Messiah... voice trails off
Spotlight
shifts audience attention to another part of stage for the beginning of Scene 3
Scene 3
A wilderness road, near the
YOUNG
JOHN: Sir, people are saying that you must be the Messiah!
ANDREW:
Some think you might be Elijah come back, but most say you are the Christ.
JOHN
THE BAPTIST. No, no. I am not the Christ. I am only the
voice of one crying in the wilderness. "Prepare ye the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.... Make a highway for our God!...
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill be made low.
"And
the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough
places plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed!"
--Isaiah 40: 3-5a
YOUNG
JOHN: But you baptize. And--
JOHN
THE BAPTIST: Indeed, I do baptize in the
YOUNG
JOHN: repeating, as an echo The Holy Spirit!
ANDREW:
repeating, as an echo Fire!
JOHN
THE BAPTIST: as if he did not hear
comments I'm not so much as worthy to stoop down and
unloose the latchet of his shoes! He is in the world, and the world was made by
him, yet the world knows him not. See John 1:10
He
has come unto his own, and his own receive him not.
ANDREW:
What will happen to those who do receive this mighty man?
JOHN
THE BAPTIST: As many as receive him, to them he gives the power to become the
sons of God--even to them that believe on his name.
YOUNG
JOHN: with much amazement, eagerness Believe on his name? And become the
sons of God? Who is he?
ANDREW:
eagerly And
where is he?
JOHN
THE BAPTIST: I bear witness that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God!
Some days ago--when he came to the River Jordan, to be baptized of me--we saw
the heavens opened. And the Spirit of God, like a dove, descended upon him. And
there came a voice from heaven, saying, "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom
I am well pleased."
--Cf. Mark 1:9-11
John the Baptist and his companions see the Christ Figure and
a crowd of people come into view, in the distance. The group stops.
JOHN
THE BAPTIST: with a wave of the hand
toward C.F. Behold, there he
is--the Lamb of God, who will take away the sins of the world.
|
Go,
both of you, and follow him, for he has the words of eternal life! |
Young John and Andrew hesitate and then step
away from John the Baptist. John the Baptist changes his tone and begins
talking to himself.
|
The
time has come when he must increase and I must decrease. And, so, my joy is
complete. |
John the Baptist slips away, while his companions hurry on toward the Christ Figure and the crowd. There is no break between Scenes 3 and 4
Scene
4
At a roadside not far from the
Young John and Andrew are in such a hurry and so intent on
reaching the Christ Figure that at first, they do not notice the beggar.
BLIND
BEGGAR: as he hears Andrew and John approach
Alms for the blind! Give alms to the blind!
Young John and Andrew pause. John tosses a coin to the
beggar.
BEGGAR’S
WIFE: shaking her finger at Andrew
You, too, rich man! Give a pittance to this poor
beggar!
BEGGAR:
without enthusiasm Have
mercy on the blind.
ANDREW:
tossing a coin Oh, I'm sorry! We're in
such a hurry I didn't notice you.
Young John and Andrew hurry on the find a place at the edge
of the crowd.
Spotlight remains with beggars.
Immediately following Young John and Andrew comes a large man carrying his crippled son in his arms. The
boy holds a crutch in his hands. The father drops a coin into the beggar's cup
and hurries on.
BEGGAR: to his wife Where
do you suppose these people are going in such a hurry?
WIFE:
impatiently How
would I know?
BEGGAR:
Well, there seems to be a lot of people passing by here this morning.
And I just wondered where they're all going.
WIFE:
You quit wondering, and concentrate on looking dejected! Slump down
some! The more pitiful you look, the more strangers will give. I've told you
that a thousand times!
BEGGAR:
Yes, I know. cups hand behind one ear It seems to me I can hear
people talking--way down the road somewhere.
WIFE:
shading her eyes with one hand and looking toward crowd.
Well, there is a crowd of people gathering--farther down the road.
BEGGAR:
Let's go where the crowd is!
WIFE:
No. We'll stay right here. Plenty of people come by here every day. It's a good
spot.
|
glances
in opposite direction from crowd and sees four men approaching with a sick
person on a stretcher Ah,
here comes four men carrying a fellow on a litter. pauses Hm-mm-m, he looks half dead. |
BEGGAR:
Let's ask 'em where they're taking him!
WIFE:
Simpleton! You're here to ask for money! Not where four men are taking
some poor wretch. Start begging!
BEGGAR: