ALL

Why? Tell us why! Tell the troubles of the Lord!

BROWN

(Dropping his voice almost to a whisper)

He looked about Him, did the Lord; at all His handiwork, bowed down before Him. And He said, “It is not good, it is not enough, it is not finished. I…shall…make…Me…a…Man!”

(The crowd bursts out into an orgy of hosannahs and waving arms.)

ALL

Glory! Hosannah! Bless the Lord who created us!

WOMAN

(Shouting out)

Bow down! Bow down before the Lord!

MAN

Are we good, Lord? Tell us! Are we good?

BROWN

(Answering)

The Lord said, “Yea, thou art good! For I have created ye in My Image, after My Likeness! Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the Earth, and subdue it!”

MAN

(Deep-voiced, singing)

The Lord made Man master of the Earth…!

ALL

Glory, glory! Bless the Lord!

BROWN

(Whipping ’em up)

Do we believe?

ALL

(In chorus)

Yes!

BROWN

Do we believe the Word?

ALL

(Coming back like a whip-crack)

Yes!

BROWN

Do we believe the Truth of the Word?

ALL

Yes!

BROWN

(Pointing a finger toward the jail)

Do we curse the man who denies the Word?

ALL

(Crescendo, each answer mightier than the one before)

Yes!

BROWN

Do we cast out this sinner in our midst?

ALL

Yes!

(Each crash of sound from the crowd seems to strike RACHEL physically, and shake her.)

BROWN

Do we call down hellfire on the man who has sinned against the Word?

ALL

(Roaring)

Yes!

BROWN

(Deliberately shattering the rhythm, to go into a frenzied prayer, hands clasped together and lifted heavenward)

O Lord of the Tempest and the Thunder! O Lord of Righteousness and Wrath! We pray that Thou wilt make a sign unto us! Strike down this sinner, as Thou didst Thine enemies of old, in the days of the Pharaohs! (All lean forward, almost expecting the heavens to open with a thunderbolt. RACHEL is white. BRADY shifts uncomfortably in his chair; this is pretty strong stuff, even for him) Let him feel the terror of Thy sword! For all eternity, let his soul writhe in anguish and damnation—

RACHEL

No! (She rushes to the platform) No, Father. Don’t pray to destroy Bert!

BROWN

Lord, we call down the same curse on those who ask grace for this sinner—though they be blood of my blood, and flesh of my flesh!

BRADY

(Rising, grasping BROWN’S arm)

Reverend Brown, I know it is the great zeal of your faith which makes you utter this prayer! But it is possible to be overzealous, to destroy that which you hope to save—so that nothing is left but emptiness. (BROWN turns) Remember the wisdom of Solomon in the Book of Proverbs—(Softly) “He that troubleth his own house…shall inherit the wind.” (BRADY leads BROWN to a chair, then turns to the townspeople) The Bible also tells us that God forgives His children. And we, the Children of God, should forgive each other. (RACHEL slips off) My good friends, return to your homes. The blessings of the Lord be with you all. (Slowly the townspeople move off, singing and humming “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” BRADY is left alone on stage with DRUMMOND, who still watches him impassively. BRADY crosses to DRUMMOND) We were good friends once. I was always glad of your support. What happened between us? There used to be a mutuality of understanding and admiration. Why is it, my old friend, that you have moved so far away from me?