"Moorcock, Michael - Behold The Man2" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moorcock Michael)

It was 28 A.D.something less than a year before the-
crucifixion would take place, and his time machine was
smashed.
Now John the Baptist planned armed rebellion against the
occupying Romans, but, if the Gospels were to be believed,
would soon be decapitated by Herod. Certainly no large-
scale rebellion had taken place at this time. Even those who
claimed that the entry of Jesus and his disciples into Jeru-
salem and the invasion of the Temple were plainly the ac-
tions of armed rebels had found no records to suggest that
John had led a similar revolt.
Glogauer had come to like the Baptist very much. The
man was plainly a hardened revolutionary who had been
planning revolt against the Romans for years and had slowly
been building up enough followers to make the attempt suc-
cessful. He reminded Glogauer strongly of the resistance
leaders of the Second World War. He had a similar tough-
ness and understanding of the realities of his position. He
knew that he would only have one chance to smash the
cohorts garrisoned in the country. If the revolt became pro-
tracted, Rome would have ample time to send more troops
to Jerusalem.
"When do you think Adonai intends to destroy the un-
righteous through your agency?" Glogauer said tactfully.
John glanced at him with some amusement. He smiled.
"The Passover is a time when the people are restless and
resent the strangers most," he said.
"When is the next Passover?"
"Not for many months."
"How can I help you?"
"You are a magus."
"I can work no miracles."
John wiped the honey from his beard. "I cannot believe
that, Emmanuel. The manner of your coming was miracu-
' lous. The Essenes did not know if you were a devil or a
messenger from Adonai."
"I am neither."
"Why do you confuse me, Emmanuel? I know that you
are Adonai's messenger. You are the sign that the Essenes
sought. The time is almost ready. The kingdom of heaven
shall soon be established on earth. Come with me. Tell the
people that you speak with Adonai's voice. Work mighty
miracles."
"Your power is waning, is that it?" Glogauer looked
sharply at John. "You need me to renew your rebels'
hopes?"
"You speak-like a Roman, with such lack of subtlety."
John got up angrily. Evidently, like the Essenes he lived
with, he preferred less direct conversation. There was a
practical reason for this, Glogauer realized, in that John and