THE SHIP
Scene I1—7Zhe Temple of the Sun.
BEHIND a veil is a column, on which ave poised two
intersecting disks, terrestrial and celestial, the cut-off part
Sorming a true Vesica, fitting which is a shrine, capable of
being opened and removed at will, The column is of gold
and ivory. The veil is of azure blue.
Before this column, but without the veil, is a single candle
by whose side stands the high priest John. He is of mature
age, and has a black beard. He is dressed in robes of gold and
scarlet embroidery. A crown is on his head; in one hand he
holds a sceptre, in the other an orb. In front of him are two
thrones, vight and left, each with column and candle. In the
first sits a youth in white garments, his head bare; his left
hand holds a dagger. In the second sits a grown man in
black garments, his head covered with a hood, and in his
right hand a coin.
Steps covered with seaweed lead up to the stage from the
orchestra (or auditorium), and the edge of the stage gives the
appearance of a wharf. In the north are trees; in the south
a heap of builder's refuse.
Within the veil, one on each side the shrine, ave two
women, one (Julia) in a low-cut vobe of green, broidered with
voses, the skirt much slit, with a girdle of rose and gold, the
other (Joanna) in a deep full robe of blue, covered completely
59