diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:12:41 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:12:41 -0700 |
| commit | 3cb2fab63a42419446607eebfca865f5377e16a6 (patch) | |
| tree | ad37efdb375be082a837a6ab30b247a8129171c7 /39402-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '39402-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 39402-h/39402-h.htm | 12497 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 39402-h/images/emblem.png | bin | 0 -> 2782 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 39402-h/images/title-page.jpg | bin | 0 -> 52167 bytes |
3 files changed, 12497 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/39402-h/39402-h.htm b/39402-h/39402-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c2448a9 --- /dev/null +++ b/39402-h/39402-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12497 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8"/> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css"/> +<title>Jeremiah, by Stefan Zweig—A Project Gutenberg eBook</title> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/title-page.jpg"/> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- +p +{ + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.5em; + line-height: 1.25; +} + +p.center, +p.speaker, +p.scene-heading, +#tnote p, +#tnote-bottom p +{ + text-indent: 0; +} + +p.hanging-indent +{ + padding-left: 1.5em; + text-indent: -1.5em; +} + +h1, +h2, +.scene-heading +{ + text-align: center; + clear: both; + font-weight: normal; +} + +h1 +{ + font-size: x-large; + margin: 6em 0 0.5em 0; +} + +h2, +.scene-heading +{ + font-size: large; + margin: 6em 0 1em 0; + line-height: 1.6; +} + +a:link, +a:visited +{ + text-decoration: none; +} + +hr +{ + width: 15%; + margin: 3em 42.5%; +} + +hr.thought-break +{ + margin: 1.5em 42.5%; +} + +ins +{ + text-decoration: none; + border-bottom: 1px dashed #add8e6; +} + +.speaker, +.small-caps +{ + font-variant: small-caps; + font-style: normal; +} + +p.speaker +{ + text-align: center; + padding-top: 1em; +} + +.scene-description +{ + font-style: italic; + margin-bottom: 2em; +} + +span.stage-direction +{ + font-style: italic; +} + +span.stage-direction em +{ + font-style: normal; +} + +.italic +{ + font-style: italic; +} + +.center +{ + text-align: center; +} + +.image-center +{ + text-align: center; + margin: 2em auto 3em auto; +} + +.right +{ + text-align: right; +} + +.spaced +{ + line-height: 1.6; +} + +.space-above +{ + margin-top: 4em; +} + +.poetry +{ + margin-left: 1.5em; +} + +.poetry .line +{ + text-indent: -2em; + padding-left: 2em; +} + +a[title].pagenum +{ + position: absolute; + right: 3%; +} + +a[title].pagenum:after +{ + content: attr(title); + border: 1px solid silver; + display: inline; + font-size: x-small; + text-align: right; + color: #808080; + background-color: inherit; + font-style: normal; + padding: 1px 4px 1px 4px; + font-variant: normal; + font-weight: normal; + text-decoration: none; + text-indent: 0; + letter-spacing: 0; +} + +ul +{ + list-style-type: none; + margin: 0; + padding: 0; +} + +ul li +{ + text-align: justify; + margin: 0.25em 0; +} + +ul#corrections .correction +{ + text-decoration: underline; +} + +#toc +{ + margin: auto; +} + +#toc th +{ + text-align: right; + font-weight: normal; + font-size: smaller; +} + +#toc td.small-caps +{ + padding-left: 0.5em; + padding-right: 0.5em; +} + +@media screen +{ + body + { + width: 80%; + max-width: 35em; + margin: auto; + } + + p + { + margin: 0.5em auto; + } + + #tnote, + #tnote-bottom + { + background-color: #fafafa; + border: 1px dashed #808080; + padding: 0 0.75em; + margin: 6em auto; + } + + .page-break + { + margin-top: 8em; + } +} + +@media screen, print +{ + hr + { + border: none; + border-bottom: 1px solid black; + } +} + +@media print +{ + a:link, + a:visited + { + color: black; + } +} + +@media print, handheld +{ + p + { + margin: 0; + } + + p.speaker + { + padding-bottom: 0.5em; + } + + #tnote, + #tnote-bottom + { + background-color: white; + border: none; + padding: 0; + } + + #tnote p, + #tnote-bottom p + { + margin: 0.25em 0; + } + + #tnote .screen, + .pagenum + { + display: none; + } + + ins + { + border: none; + } + + #tnote, + #tnote-bottom, + h1, + h2, + .scene-heading, + .page-break + { + page-break-before: always; + } + + .speaker + { + page-break-after: avoid; + } +} + +@media handheld +{ + body + { + margin: 0; + padding: 0; + width: 95%; + } + + p + { + line-height: 1; + margin: 0; + } + + ul#corrections li + { + margin: 0; + } +} +--> +</style> +<!--[if lt IE 8]> +<style type="text/css"> +a[title].pagenum +{ + position: static; +} +</style> +<![endif]--> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jeremiah, by Stefan Zweig + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Jeremiah + A Drama in Nine Scenes + +Author: Stefan Zweig + +Translator: Eden Paul + Cedar Paul + +Release Date: April 9, 2012 [EBook #39402] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JEREMIAH *** + + + + +Produced by Sharon Joiner, Jana Srna and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div id="tnote"> +<p class="center"><b>Transcriber’s Notes:</b></p> + +<p>Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully +as possible, including inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation.</p> + +<p>Some corrections of spelling and punctuation have been made. +<span class="screen">They are marked <ins title="transcriber's note">like +this</ins> in the text. The original text appears when hovering the cursor +over the marked text.</span> A <a href="#tn-bottom">list of amendments</a> is +at the end of the text.</p> +</div> + +<p class="center page-break" style="font-size: x-large;">JEREMIAH</p> + +<h1>JEREMIAH</h1> + +<p class="center small-caps" style="font-size: large;">A Drama in Nine Scenes</p> + +<p class="center spaced" style="margin: 3em auto;">By<br/> +<big>STEFAN ZWEIG</big></p> + +<p class="center spaced">Translated<br/> +from the Author’s revised German Text<br/> +by<br/> +<big class="small-caps">Eden and Cedar Paul</big></p> + +<div class="image-center"> +<img src="images/emblem.png" width="" height="" alt=""/> +</div> + +<p class="center small-caps spaced">New York<br/> +THOMAS SELTZER<br/> +1922</p> + +<p class="center page-break">Copyright, 1922, by<br/> +Thomas Seltzer, Inc.</p> + +<p class="center italic space-above">Printed in the United States of America</p> + +<p class="center page-break spaced small-caps">to<br/> +FRIEDERIKE MARIA von WINTERNITZ</p> + +<p class="center space-above small-caps">Easter 1915–Easter 1917</p> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table id="toc" summary="Contents"> +<tr> + <th>SCENE</th> + <th> </th> + <th>PAGE</th> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="right">I.</td> + <td class="small-caps">The Awakening of the Prophet</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="right">II.</td> + <td class="small-caps">The Warning</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="right">III.</td> + <td class="small-caps">Rumors</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="right">IV.</td> + <td class="small-caps">The Watch on the Ramparts</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="right">V.</td> + <td class="small-caps">The Prophet’s Ordeal</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="right">VI.</td> + <td class="small-caps">Voices in the Night</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_173">173</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="right">VII.</td> + <td class="small-caps">The Supreme Affliction</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_231">231</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="right">VIII.</td> + <td class="small-caps">The Conversion</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_259">259</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="right">IX.</td> + <td class="small-caps">The Everlasting Road</td> + <td class="right"><a href="#Page_303">303</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_1" title="1"> </a>THE AWAKENING OF THE PROPHET</h2> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_2" title="2"> </a>THE PERSONS OF THE DRAMA</h2> + +<ul> +<li><span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span>, the King.</li> +<li><span class="speaker">Pashur</span>, the High Priest.</li> +<li><span class="speaker">Nahum</span>, the Steward.</li> +<li><span class="speaker">Imre</span>, the oldest Burgher.</li> +<li><span class="speaker">Abimelech</span>, the General.</li> +<li><span class="speaker">Hananiah</span>, the Prophet of the People.</li> +<li><span class="speaker">Swordbearers</span>, <span class="speaker">Warriors</span>.</li> +</ul> + +<hr class="thought-break"/> + +<ul> +<li><span class="speaker">Jeremiah.</span></li> +<li><span class="speaker">His Mother.</span></li> +<li><span class="speaker">Jochebed</span>, a Relative.</li> +<li><span class="speaker">Ahab</span>, the Servingman.</li> +<li><span class="speaker">Baruch</span>, a young Man.</li> +<li><span class="speaker">Zebulon</span>, his Father.</li> +</ul> + +<hr class="thought-break"/> + +<ul> +<li><span class="speaker">The People of Jerusalem.</span></li> +<li><span class="speaker">The Envoys of Nebuchadnezzar.</span></li> +<li><span class="speaker">Chaldean and Egyptian Warriors.</span></li> +</ul> + +<hr class="thought-break"/> + +<p class="hanging-indent">The action takes place in Jerusalem at the +time of the Destruction of the City.</p> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_3" title="3"> </a><a name="Scene_1">SCENE ONE</a></p> + +<p>Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee +great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. +<span class="small-caps">Jeremiah</span> XXXIII, 3.</p> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_5" title="5"> </a>SCENE ONE</p> + +<div class="scene-description"> +<p>The flat roof of <span class="speaker">Jeremiah’s</span> house; the white flagstones +gleam in the dim moonlight. Below are seen +the towers and battlements of sleeping Jerusalem. +Nothing stirs, save that from time to time we hear +the whispering of the breeze that heralds the dawn.</p> + +<p>Of a sudden, impetuous footsteps sound upon the +stair. <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> staggers in; his robe is torn open +at the throat; he gasps like one being strangled.</p> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>They batter in the gates … to the walls … to the +walls!… Faithless watchmen … they are coming … +they are upon us…. The temple is in +flames…. Help, help!… The walls are breached…. +[<span class="stage-direction">He has rushed forward to the edge of the roof, where +he abruptly stops. His cry rends the shimmering +silence. With a start, he awakens from his trance. +He looks forth over the town like a drunken man; his +arms, which in his terror he has raised, sink slowly to +his sides; then wearily he draws his hand across his +open eyes</span>] Illusion! Once again these terrible visions. +Full, how full, is the House of Dreams! [<span class="stage-direction">He +leans on the parapet and gazes down</span>] Peace broods +over the city; the country is at peace; in me alone, in +my breast alone, this fire rages. How quietly the +town reposes in God’s arms, nestling in slumber, roofed +over by peace, the moonbeams falling on every house, +and every house plunged in gentle sleep. But I, I +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_6" title="6"> </a> +alone, am consumed with fire night after night; I crash +earthward with the falling towers, rush to escape, perish +amid the flames; I, and none but I, my bowels +troubled, leap heated from my bed and stagger forth +into the moonlight seeking coolness! For me alone +comes a vision to shatter sleep; for me alone does a +fiery horror wrench the darkness from my lids. The +martyrdom of this vision; the madness of these faces +which swarm in their blood-stained multitude and then +fade in the clear moonlight!</p> + +<p>Always the same dream, the same illusion. Night +after night, the same terror seizes me, the same dream, +culminating in the same torment. Who has instilled +this dream poison into my veins? Who hunts me +thus with terror? Who covets my sleep, that he must +rob me of it; who is my torturer, and for whom must +I thus hold vigil? Answer! Who art thou, invisible one, +aiming at me from the darkness thy wingèd shafts? +Who art thou, terror incarnate, coming to lie with me +by night, quickening me with thy spirit until my frame +is twisted as with labor pains? Wherefore in this +slumbering city should the curse be laid on me alone? +[<span class="stage-direction">He is silent, straining his ear to the all-pervading +silence, and then continues with growing excitement</span>] +Silence, nothing but silence, while within is unceasing +turmoil and storm-tossed night. With scorching talons +it tears at my vitals and yet cannot grasp them. I am +scourged with visions, and know not who holds the +scourge. My cries go forth into the void. Desist, +invisible hunter, or if it must be otherwise, seize your +quarry; call to me when I wake, not when I sleep; +speak to me in words, not in visions. Reveal what you +are hiding from me; tell me the meaning of these +torments.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_7" title="7"> </a>A Voice</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Calling softly from the darkness. It seems to +come from far above or far beneath, mysterious in its +remoteness</span>] Jeremiah!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Staggers as if struck by a stone</span>] Who calls? +Surely I heard my name? Was it a voice from the +stars, or was it the voice of my own dream? [<span class="stage-direction">He +listens. All is quiet again</span>] Is it thou, invisible one, +who huntest me and tormentest me? Or is it I myself; +is it the fierce current of my own blood? Voice, speak +once more, that I may know thee. Call to me once +again.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Voice</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Drawing nearer</span>] Jeremiah!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Quailing, sinks to his knees</span>] Here am I, Lord! +Thy servant heareth. [<span class="stage-direction">Breathless he hearkens. +Nothing stirs; he trembles with emotion</span>] Speak, Lord, +to thy servant. Thou didst call my name. Give me +thy message that I may understand it. I am ready for +thy word and await thy command. [<span class="stage-direction">He listens again +with strained attention. Profound silence</span>] Is it +presumption that I should long for thee? I am no +more than an ignorant fellow, a man of no account, a +speck of dust in the world thou hast made, but thine +is all power of choice. Thou who choosest kings from +among shepherds, and who often unsealest the lips of +a boy so that he glows with thy speech, thy choice is +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_8" title="8"> </a> +made by other tokens. Whom thou touchest, Lord, he +is chosen; whom thou choosest, Lord, he is appointed. +If it were thy call which came to me, lo I have +hearkened to the call. If it be thou, Lord, who +huntest me, I flee thee not. Seize thy quarry, Lord, +seize thy prey; or hunt me yet farther to the goal! +But make thyself known, that I may not fail thee; +reveal the heaven of thy word, that I, thy servant, may +behold thee!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Voice</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Nearer and more urgent</span>] Jeremiah!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Rapturously</span>] I hear, Lord, I hear. With all my +soul I listen to thy word. Unworthy vessel that I am, +I wait to be filled with thy message. I vow myself to +thy service, Lord, to thine alone, for my soul is athirst +to serve thee. I await thy word and thy sign.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Voice of Jeremiah’s Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Now close at hand and plainly recognizable</span>] +Jeremiah!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In ecstasy</span>] Show thyself to me, Lord; my heart +is racked with the imminence of thy coming. Pour +forth thy waters, holy storm; plough me up, that I +may bear thy seed; make my earth fruitful, inspire my +lips; brand me with the mark of thy service! Set thy +yoke upon me. See, my neck is bowed in readiness, +for thine am I, thine for evermore. Make thyself +known to me, Lord, even as I know thee; let me but +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_9" title="9"> </a> +see thy glory, even as thou lookest down upon my +unworthiness in the gloom; deign only to show me the +way of thy will, point the way to him who is thy +servant for ever!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Her search has led her up the stair; her countenance +shows anxiety, her voice is full of tenderness</span>] +Here at last I find you, my son.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Springing to his feet in fear and wrath</span>] Begone! +Alas the voices are stilled; the way is lost, never shall +I find it again.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Woe is me, why do you stand here so thinly clad in +the chill night air? Come down, my son. The +morning mist brings fever.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Wildly</span>] Why do you follow me, why do you +pester me? Unending chase. You follow me without +pause, waking or sleeping.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Jeremiah, what do you mean? I was sleeping +below, and then I seemed to hear people talking on the +roof.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>You heard, you too? God’s holy truth! You +heard him speak? Understood his call?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_10" title="10"> </a>The Mother</p> + +<p>Whom do you mean? You have no companion.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Seizing her arm</span>] Mother, tell me I beseech you. +Death or joy hangs upon your words. Did you hear a +voice; did you hear it after you had awakened?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>I heard a voice on the roof and went to summon you. +But your bed was cold and empty. Then fear came +upon me, and I called your name.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Trembling</span>] You called my name?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Thrice did I call you. But why …</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Thrice? Mother, are you certain …</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Thrice did I call you.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">His voice breaking</span>] Disaster and derision! Fraud +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_11" title="11"> </a> +everywhere, without and within. There came an +earnest call, and in my terror I thought it was God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>How strange you are! I meant no harm. Since +there was no answer, I came to the roof to see if there +was anyone here. I found no one.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Nay, you found a madman. The torture of these +visions! Sense and nonsense join in cheating me. I +am befooled by my own fantasy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>What are you talking about? What is troubling +you?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Nothing, Mother, nothing. Pay no heed to my +words.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>I must heed them, Jeremiah; but they are dark to +me. An evil mood has beset you, and has estranged +you from me. What has happened; what is tormenting +you?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Nothing is tormenting me, Mother. I was too hot +in bed, and sought the roof for coolness.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_12" title="12"> </a>The Mother</p> + +<p>You are closing your heart to me, and yet I can read +you. I know that night after night for months past +you have been wandering about. I have often heard +you groaning in your sleep. When you have left +your bed to walk restlessly in the darkness, my heart +has followed your every step. Tell me your troubles. +Shut not yourself away from me.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Do not concern yourself about it, Mother.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>How can I help but concern myself about it? Are +you not the day of my days and the prayer of my +nights? You have outgrown the arms which used to +carry you; but I still hold you in my soul, which +watches over your life. I knew, ere you yourself were +aware; I saw months ago, before you yourself had +seen. I saw the shadow upon your brow and the +anguish of your soul. You have become a stranger to +your friends; you shun merrymakings; you keep away +from the marketplace and from the dwellings of men. +Buried in thought, you renounce life. Jeremiah, +bethink yourself. You were trained for the priesthood. +Your father’s mantle awaits you, that you may +praise the Lord with psaltery and song. Look forth +from the darkness into the daylight. The hour has +come for you to begin your life’s work.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Not now the time for beginnings. The end draws +nigh.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_13" title="13"> </a>The Mother</p> + +<p>It is time! It is time! Long since have you grown +to manhood. The house has need of a wife, and of +children to raise up seed to your father.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In bitter distress</span>] Lead a wife home to desolation? +Beget children for the slaughter? In sooth, it is not +the bridal hour that approaches!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>I do not understand.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Shall I build a house in the abyss? Shall I build +my life in death? Shall I sow corruption, and sing +the praises of disaster? I say unto you, Mother, +blessed is he whose heart is now free from ties to the +living, for whosoever breathes this day is already +drinking the waters of death.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>What mad fancy has seized you? When were the +times more propitious? When was the land more +peaceful?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>No, Mother, the fools say: Peace, Peace. But their +words do not bring peace. They lie down to sleep +unheeding, and as they sleep they are on their way to +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_14" title="14"> </a> +death. A time is coming such as Israel has never yet +known, a war such as the world has never yet seen. +The living will covet the peace of the dead in their +graves, and those who can see will envy the darkness +with which the blind are stricken. Not yet can the +fools see, not yet is it manifest to the dreamers; but I +have beheld it night after night. Higher leap the +flames, nearer comes the foe; the day of tumult and +destruction is at hand; war’s red star is rising on the +night.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Greatly moved</span>] How know you these things?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">A word has come to me in secret,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For I have seen faces in the night,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I have wandered in my dreams.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Fear and dread fell upon me,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I trembled in every limb,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And like a crumbling wall<br/></div> +<div class="line">My heart fainted within me.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Mother,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Such sights have I seen,<br/></div> +<div class="line">That, if they were written,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Men’s hair would stand on end,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And sleep would depart from them<br/></div> +<div class="line">For ever.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Jeremiah, what do you mean?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_15" title="15"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">The end draweth near; the end!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Evil appeareth out of the north,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Fire is its chariot,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Massacre its pinions!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Already the heavens ring with terror,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The earth shakes with the stamping of the hoofs.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Horrified</span>] Jeremiah!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Seizing her arm, listens</span>] Do you hear, do you not +hear, the rushing of chariots?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>I hear nothing! Day is dawning. The shepherds +are piping in the valleys, and a gentle breeze blows +across the roof.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">A gentle breeze?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Woe is me!<br/></div> +<div class="line">With mighty roaring<br/></div> +<div class="line">The wind is rising,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The whirlwind of God.<br/></div> +<div class="line">From the caverns<br/></div> +<div class="line">Of the north down-rushing,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Terror it brandishes<br/></div> +<div class="line">Over the town.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Mother! Mother! Do you not hear it?<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_16" title="16"> </a><div class="line">Swords clash in the wind,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Loud roar the chariot wheels,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The night flashes with lances and with armor;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Warrior upon warrior, countless in number,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The whirlwind scatters over the land.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>All is illusion, the madness of dreams!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">They are coming, they are coming,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Strangers from the east,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Men of an ancient people,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Men of a mighty people.<br/></div> +<div class="line">They hasten from the east<br/></div> +<div class="line">In unending files;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Their arrows speed like lightning;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Their chargers are shod with swiftness;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Their chariots are solid as rock.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Among them there rideth,<br/></div> +<div class="line">With blood-stained crown,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The destroyer of cities<br/></div> +<div class="line">By fire and sword,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The tyrant of nations,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The king of kings from the north.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>The king from the north? You dream. The king +from the north!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_17" title="17"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Whom the Lord has awakened<br/></div> +<div class="line">That he may scourge the people for all its transgressions,<br/></div> +<div class="line">That he may crumble the walls and throw down the towers,<br/></div> +<div class="line">That he may quench the light and the laughter of homes,<br/></div> +<div class="line">That he may raze the city and the temple to the ground,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And that he may plough up the streets of Jerusalem.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Blasphemous folly! The city endureth for ever!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">It is falling!<br/></div> +<div class="line">The onslaughts of God<br/></div> +<div class="line">None may withstand!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Below ground<br/></div> +<div class="line">Its roots shall wither,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Above ground<br/></div> +<div class="line">Its fruits shall rot!<br/></div> +<div class="line">With axe and with fire<br/></div> +<div class="line">The horsemen shall ravage<br/></div> +<div class="line">Israel’s forest and Zion’s fair plains.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Breaking in</span>] It is false!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ne’er shall an enemy circle our wall,<br/></div> +<div class="line">David’s city be taken, Jerusalem fall.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Though foes from the ends of the earth should rage,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_18" title="18"> </a><div class="line">The towering battlements ever shall stand.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Firm Israel’s heart, and mighty her hand,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Eternal the days of Jerusalem!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>It is falling! Broken is the staff and foretold is the +hour. The end draws near, the end of Israel.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>False prophet! We are the elect of the Lord, and +our strength shall endure through the ages! Never +shall Jerusalem perish!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I have seen it in my dreams; ’twas made plain to +my eyes.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Evil is he who dreams such dreams, and seven times +an evildoer he who believes them. Alas that I should +have lived to see this day when my own blood is fearful +for Zion and has lost faith in the Lord! Jeremiah, do +you wish me to curse the womb that bore you?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>The horror came upon me against my will; naught +could I do to ward off the faces.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Watch and pray against them and shatter their lies +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_19" title="19"> </a> +in the name of the Lord. Forget not, Jeremiah, that +you are an anointed and consecrated son, that your +voice should praise the Lord, that you should uplift +the hearts of the sorrowful and fill with hope the minds +of the despairing!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>How can I? My own despair is the greatest of all. +Leave me, Mother, leave me!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>I will not leave you, neither will I abandon your +soul to despair. Jeremiah, my only son, hearken to +me. For the first time let me tell you something +which may awaken your courage. Hear the words +that are forced from me by my distress. I, too, was +once filled with despair, inasmuch as for ten years the +Lord had closed my womb. I was the sport of my +companions and the mock of the concubines. For ten +long years I bore my lot patiently, and had almost +given up hope; but in the eleventh year my heart was +kindled, and I went to the house of God to implore +him that my womb should bear fruit. Throwing myself +on the ground, I watered it with tears, vowing +that if a son were vouchsafed me I would devote him +to the Lord’s service. I swore to be silent, to utter no +word during my time of trial, that my son in days to +come might speak abundantly, praising God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>You also consecrated me, Mother?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_20" title="20"> </a>The Mother</p> + +<p>The selfsame day your father knew me and I was +blessed with you. Hearken, Jeremiah. For nine +months did I faithfully refrain from speech that you +might speak abundantly, that you might glorify the +everlasting God! Thus did I fulfil my vow, and we +brought you up to read the scripture, and sweetly did +you sing to the psaltery. Know, then, that from the +first you were a consecrated priest and devoted to the +service of the Lord. Rend the veil of your dreams +and come forth into the daylight.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>A double consecration, Mother, a twofold witness of +this night. A second time you have called me to life. +Through your words the light has come to me, for, +wonderful to relate, I cried my question to God and he +sent you to speak to me! Now do I know who +knocked on the wall of my sleep until I awakened from +my life’s slumber; now do I know who summoned me.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>What has befallen you? Your words are like those +of a drunken man.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Yea, drunk am I now with the certainty of his will; +so full am I of speech, that the words must forth. The +seals upon my mouth are broken, and my lips burn to +utter the revelation.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_21" title="21"> </a>The Mother</p> + +<p>Woe is me if you should reveal your mad dreams. +You are no son of mine if you cry such fancies aloud!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Your son, Mother? Indeed and indeed I am your +son, with a fate like unto yours! Learn that I too +have been barren, and that the Lord hath quickened me +with a word and a secret. I have renewed your vow, +Mother, and have given myself to the Lord.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Go, then, to God’s house. Give yourself to him +who has called you, praise his holy name.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Nay, Mother, not for me the service of the sacrificial +priest. I myself must be the sacrifice. For God +my veins run blood; for him my flesh is consumed; for +him my soul burns. I will serve him as none ever +served him before; his paths shall henceforward be +mine. Behold the dawn upon the valley, and within +me likewise is darkness dispelled by light! God’s +heaven flames, and in me no less the heart is aflame. +Chariot of Elijah, fiery chariot, carry my words that +they may fall like thunder into the hearts of men. +My lips scorch me, I must go, I must go.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Whither would you go ere the day has well begun?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_22" title="22"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I know not, God knoweth.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Tell me what you mean to do.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I know not, I know not! My heart is his, and my +deeds are his.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Jeremiah, you shall not go unless you swear to me +to say naught of your dreams …</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I will not swear! I am vowed to him alone.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>… to refrain from breathing terror into the people.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>His is the revelation, mine are the lips alone!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Woe is me, you will not hearken to my words. +Know, then, that he who sows despair in Israel shall +never enter my house more.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_23" title="23"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>His is my word; my dwelling is his care.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Who believes not in Zion is no longer my son.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I am his alone, his who placed me within thy womb.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>You will go then? But first hear me, Jeremiah, +hear me before you open your lips to the people. +With all my strength do I curse him who spreads +terror over Israel, I curse …</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shuddering</span>] Curse not, Mother, curse not!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>I curse him who saith the walls shall fall and the +streets be laid waste; I curse him who cries death over +Israel. May his body be consumed with fire and his +soul fall into the hands of the living God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Curse not, Mother …</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_24" title="24"> </a>The Mother</p> + +<p>I curse the unbeliever, who has more faith in his +own dreams than in God’s mercy. Cursèd be he who +denies God, were he my own son! For the last time, +Jeremiah, choose!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I follow my own path. [<span class="stage-direction">With heavy steps he makes +ready to descend the stair</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Jeremiah, my only son, the stay of my old age, +bring not my curse upon you, for God will hear it as +he heard my vow.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I, too, am vowed to him, Mother; me also has he +heard. Farewell! [<span class="stage-direction">He descends the first step</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">With a loud cry</span>] Jeremiah! You trample me +down. Your footsteps crush my heart.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I know not the road along which I move. All I +know is that one calls me, and I follow the call. [<span class="stage-direction">He +slowly goes down the stair, his face expressing restrained +emotion, and his gaze turned heavenward</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_25" title="25"> </a>The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Rushing in despair to the top of the staircase</span>] +Jeremiah! Jeremiah! Jeremiah!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">There is no answer. Her cry sinks to a wail, and +after a while she is silent. Her figure, broken with +grief, is silhouetted against the sky, where the colors +of dawn are showing in fire and blood</span>]</p> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_27" title="27"> </a>THE WARNING</h2> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_29" title="29"> </a><a name="Scene_2">SCENE TWO</a></p> + +<p>The prophets that have been before me and before +thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and +against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of +pestilence.</p> + +<p>The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the +word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the +prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him. +<span class="small-caps">Jeremiah</span>, XXVIII, 8 and 9.</p> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_31" title="31"> </a>SCENE TWO</p> + +<div class="scene-description"> +<p>The great square of Jerusalem. Thence a broad +long flight of steps leads to the porch of pillars of the +fortress of Zion; on the right is the king’s palace and +in the center the adjoining temple. On the other side +the great square is bounded by houses and streets which +seem low and mean in contrast with the towering structures +facing them. The walls of the entrances to the +palace are lined with cedar, carved with figures of +cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, all overlaid +with gold; there are lavers in the foreground with +running water. In the background are seen the brazen +gates of the temple.</p> + +<p>In front of the palace, in the streets and on the stairway, +the people of Jerusalem move to and fro confusedly; +a motley mass of men, women, and children, +swayed by strong excitement, and in eager expectation. +Many voices rise from the crowd, usually in animated +dispute, but uniting at times to a single cry. When +the scene opens, all have pressed towards the streets +and are restlessly expectant.</p> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>The sentinel has already given the signal from the +tower.—No, not yet.—But I heard the trumpet.—So +did I.—So did I.—They must be close at hand.—From +which side are they coming?—Shall we see +them?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_32" title="32"> </a>Other Voices</p> + +<p>They are coming from Moria Gate.—They must +pass this way as they go to the palace.—Don’t block up +the whole street.—We want to get a sight of them.—Stand +back.—Room, room for the Egyptians.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>But is it certain that they are coming?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Voice</p> + +<p>I myself spoke to the messenger who brought the +tidings.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>He spoke with the messenger.—Tell us all about +it.—How many are there?—Do they bring gifts?—Who +is their leader?—Speak up, Issachar!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A group forms round <span class="speaker">Issachar</span></span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Issachar</p> + +<p>I can only tell you what the messenger, my father-in-law, +told me. Pharaoh is sending the finest warriors +of Egypt. With them are many slaves bearing +gifts. Nothing like these gifts has come to Zion since +the days of Solomon.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Long live Pharaoh!—Glory to his reign!—Hail +Egypt!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_33" title="33"> </a>An Old Man</p> + +<p>No alliance with Egypt! Their wars are not ours!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Issachar</p> + +<p>But our need is the same as theirs. They do not +want to be the slaves of the Chaldeans.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p><ins title="No">Nor</ins> we, nor we.—Down with Ashur.—Let us break +the yoke.—Let us be on our guard.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A young man, in great excitement</span>] We spend our +days in chains. Month after month, when the moon +is new, our messengers go forth to Babylon bearing +tribute of golden shekels. How long shall we suffer it?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Baruch’s</span> father</span>] Silence. It is not for you to +speak. A light yoke is the yoke of Chaldea.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>But we want no yoke at all.—The day of freedom +has dawned.—Down with Ashur!—Let us form an +alliance with the Egyptians.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>Never did good come out of Mizraim. We must +feel our way cautiously, patient and ever mistrustful.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_34" title="34"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>We must renew the furniture of the temple.—No +longer shall Baal enjoy our holy things.—Down with +the robbers of the temple!—Now is the appointed +hour.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Other Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">From farther up the street</span>] They are coming! +They are coming!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">From all sides</span>] Here they are.—Make room.—Come +higher up.—Come back here.—I can see them +already. You can see them from here.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The people swarm up the steps and form a lane +through which the Egyptian embassy can pass to the +palace. At first nothing can be seen of the newcomers +but the spear points showing above the noisy throng</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>How finely they march.—Who is the leader?—Araxes +is their leader.—Look at the gifts.—Look at +the carrying chairs.—One of them is curtained.—That +must be Pharaoh’s daughter.—Hail Araxes!—Hail +Egypt!—Those are heavy chests; there must be gold +in them!—We shall have to pay for it with our blood!—How +short their swords are.—Ours are better.—Look +at their proud gait.—They must be mighty warriors.—Long +live Pharaoh-Necho.—Hail Egypt!—God +punish Ashur.—Hail Araxes!—Blessings on +Pharaoh!—Blessings on the alliance!</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_35" title="35"> </a>[<span class="stage-direction">With frenzied acclamations, the people close in +upon the procession of the Egyptians. These latter, +richly appareled, march proudly by. They rattle +their swords and make gracious acknowledgments</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Speaking from the steps</span>] May the king fulfil +your wishes! May he cement the alliance!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The Egyptians have mounted the steps to the +palace, and have entered the porch of pillars. The +people throng at their heels. Other sections of the +crowd disappear into the streets. On the steps there +now remain only isolated groups of the older men, +while the soldiers and the women hasten after the +Egyptians, eager to see what they are bearing, and +vanishing after the train in the entry to the palace</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Who has been looking on in ecstasy</span>] I must go +with them.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>Stay where you are.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>I want to see for myself how Israel rises against the +oppressors. My soul is consumed with desire to behold +great deeds, and now the hour is at hand.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>Stay where you are. The time is God’s choice, not +ours. The king will decide.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_36" title="36"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>Listen to the shouts of joy! Let me go with them, +father.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>You will have many other opportunities. The +people always flock to hear loud talkers, and crowd +ever to witness showy sights.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another</p> + +<p>Why do you deny him the pleasure? Is not the +day come for which we have been longing? Friends +have been raised up for Israel.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>Never was Mizraim the friend of Israel.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Our shame is theirs, and Israel’s need is Egypt’s.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>Naught have we in common with any other folk on +earth. Our strength lies in isolation.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Other</p> + +<p>But they will fight for us.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_37" title="37"> </a>Zebulon</p> + +<p>They will fight for themselves. Each nation fights +for itself alone.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Are we still to be slaves? Shall Zedekiah be a king +of slaves, and Zion remain in bondage to Chaldea? +Were but Zedekiah a true king!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>Silence, I command you. It befits not a boy to lay +down the law for kings.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>It is true that I am young; but who is Jerusalem, +if it be not her young men? It was not the cautious +elders who built Jerusalem. David, young David, +established her towers, and made her great among +the nations.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>Hold your peace. You have no right to speak in +the marketplace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Shall only the cautious elders speak, none but the +aged give counsel, that Israel may grow old before +her time and God’s word decay in our hearts? The +moment is ours, and it is for us to take revenge. You +have abased yourselves, and we will lift ourselves up; +you have faltered, but we will bring fruition; you +had peace, and we want war.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_38" title="38"> </a>Zebulon</p> + +<p>What do you know of war? We, the fathers, have +known war. In books war is great, but in reality war +is a destroyer, a ravisher of life.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>I fear not war. Let us have done with slavery!</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>Zedekiah hath sworn an oath of peace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>The oath matters nothing.—Let him break his +oath.—No oath need be kept with the heathen.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Other Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Exultant, coming from the street</span>] Abimelech!—Hail +Abimelech!—Abimelech, our leader!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Groups crowd round <span class="speaker">Abimelech</span>, the general, and +acclaim him</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Abimelech!—Is it true that Egypt offers an alliance? +Draw your sword.—Up, march against Ashur.—Gather +Israel’s forces.—We are ready.—We are ready.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Speaks to the crowd from the top of the steps</span>] +Make ready, people of Jerusalem, for the hour of +freedom is at hand.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_39" title="39"> </a>[<span class="stage-direction">The crowd shouts exultantly</span>]</p> + +<p>Pharaoh-Necho has offered us the help of his armies. +He wishes us to join him in breaking the might of +Ashur, and we shall do it, people of Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>On against Ashur.—War with Chaldea.—Hail +Abimelech!</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Warrior</p> + +<p>We shall drive them before us like sheep. They +have grown soft in the houses of the women, and their +king has never worn harness.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>That is false.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Warrior</p> + +<p>Who says it is false?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Voice</p> + +<p>I say so. I have been in Babylon and I have seen +Nebuchadnezzar. He is a mighty man of valor, and +his soldiers have no equals.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Wretch, you praise our foes.—He is sold to the +enemy.—His wife is a Chaldean.—She has gone +a-whoring with all the men of Babylon.—Traitor!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_40" title="40"> </a>The Warrior</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Approaching the speaker</span>] Do you mean to say +that we cannot beat them?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Voice</p> + +<p>I say that the Chaldeans are mighty men.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Warrior</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Pressing closer</span>] Look upon my fist, and say once +more that they are better than the men of Israel.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Say it again.—Tear him to pieces.—Traitor.—Traitor.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Speaker</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Encircled by a threatening mob, loses courage</span>] I +did not say that. All I meant to say was that they +are many in number.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Always have our foes been many, and always have +we laid them low.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Who can stand against us?—We have overthrown all +our enemies.—None can withstand us.—Death to him +who despises our power.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Messengers hasten from the palace</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_41" title="41"> </a>The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Thronging round them</span>] Whither so fast?—What +news do you bear?—Whom do you seek?—What’s +afoot?</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Messenger</p> + +<p>The king has summoned the council.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>War.—He decides for war.—War.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Whom has he summoned?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Messenger</p> + +<p>Imre, the oldest burgher; Nahum, the steward. To +you also the summons goes forth.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Waverers and wiseacres are to be my fellow councilors; +men who weigh their words overmuch and +shrink from deeds. But I have my sword with me, +and I will cast it from me if I may not draw it against +Ashur. Yours is the hour, people of Jerusalem; I +fight in your behalf.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>Hail Abimelech.—Hail Abimelech, hail soldier of +God.—Hail!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Abimelech</span> hastens into the palace</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_42" title="42"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>Follow him, follow him! The king shall hear our +voices. Let us thunder our will beneath the windows +of his palace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>I shall disown you if you do not hold your peace. +The king has summoned a council, and there must be +no clamor to disturb its deliberations.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>He shall not deliberate. Let him decide! Let him +decide for war! We are all for war.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, all of us.—All of us.—Shout that the king +may hear us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>Nay, I am not for war, I am not for war.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Silence.—Traitor.—Another spy.—Who are you?—Down +with him.—Who are you?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Speaker</p> + +<p>I am a peasant, and in peace only will my land bear +fruit. War comes trampling across my fields. No war +for me, I am against it.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_43" title="43"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Savagely</span>] Shame upon you! May you rot amid +your fields and be choked with your fruits! Cursed be +he whose courage is measured by his gains, and cursed +be he who values his own pitiful life more than the +welfare of his country! Israel is our land for tillage. +We will manure it with our blood. Are we not happy, +brothers, to die for the one God?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Peasant</p> + +<p>Die, then, and let me live. I love the land. This, +too, is God’s, and he has given it to me for my own.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Nothing is given to us for our own. We hold everything +in trust from the living God, and must restore +everything when the call comes. Now has the call +sounded; let us hearken to it gladly. The signs are +fulfilled. Where are they who should reveal his +words? Where are they who disclose his spirit, who +can spur on the slothful and make the deaf hear? +Where are the priests, and where the prophets? Why +are their voices silent at this hour in Jerusalem?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Yes.—The prophets.—Where are the priests?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>To the temple! Nothing must be done without +God’s word! Let the men of God decide.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_44" title="44"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, where are our shepherds? In them is the +truth.—Hananiah—Pashur—where are they? Open +the temple.—Open the gates.—Hananiah.—Pashur.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Some of the crowd race up the steps and knock upon +the brazen gates. The gates open and <span class="speaker">Hananiah</span> +appears. He is received with fierce acclamations</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Hananiah, messenger of God, the people thirst for +your speech. Let your words pour forth to kindle our +hearts, to make fruitful our wrath, and to direct our +aim. The fate of Jerusalem is in your hands.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>Pour forth God’s word over us.—Reveal the promise.—Say, +shall we fight?—Let us know God’s will.—Teach +the people, messenger of the Lord, teach the +king.—Give utterance to the promise.—Look upon our +weakness.—Awaken our courage.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Standing before the threshold of the temple, speaks +with strong emotion</span>] Blessed your questions, blessed +your voices, blessed are you, people of Jerusalem, who +at length hearken to the cry. For sleep had fallen +upon you, Jerusalem; you had been passive in the +chains of slavery. The nations have been marching +over you as over a drunken man; they have been +spitting upon your garments; they have mocked your +nakedness. But a call has summoned the sleepers; a +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_45" title="45"> </a> +message has roused the dreamers; and I will testify to +you, now that God has awakened you.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Breaking into fanatical cries</span>] Listen to him!—We +are awakened!—It is true that we have been sleeping.—Tell +us, master, is it time?—Say, has the hour +struck?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>How long will you refrain from deeds, now that +God hath awakened you? How long will you remain +passive, now that the Lord hath summoned you? God +is athirst, for his pitchers are empty; God is anhungered, +for his altars are broken; God is cold, for the +hangings of the temple have been stolen; God suffers, +for the priests of Baal and the servants of Ashtaroth +heap scorn upon him! Cast off the yoke, break your +chains, raise hosannas, unsheathe your swords. God +has awakened you; fight for the Lord!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Let hosannas sound! Up, Israel; up Jerusalem, and +break the yoke!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>Let us break the yoke.—Down with Ashur.—To +arms against Nebuchadnezzar.—Unfurl the flag.—Tell +us, is it time to start?—War against <ins title="Ashur,">Ashur.</ins>—Say, shall +the victory be ours?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>The voice of the Lord burns within me. The words +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_46" title="46"> </a> +come to my mouth like the roaring of the sea, and thus +do they sound: “Arise, Israel. I have delivered +Ashur into thy hand; clench thy fist, Israel, and break +the bones of thy foe! Tread the oppressor beneath +thy heels, bring back my stolen goods, deliver me as I +deliver thee. Reject those who would counsel thee +otherwise; destroy those who would curb thee; pay no +heed to the weaklings, and hearken only to the words +of my messenger! Hear the words of my messenger, +O Israel!”</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Calling wildly from amid the crowd</span>] Heed him +not! Heed him not! Heed him not!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A tumult ensues, and the crowd draws apart, +disclosing <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> in the midst. He tries to make +his way up the steps to the place from which <span class="speaker">Hananiah</span> +is speaking</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Who is that speaking?—What is he saying?—Who +is he?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Do not heed him. Pay no heed to him who speaks +through the lips only; reject the lure of his words. +Do not listen to the hypocrites who would lead you +into slippery places. Do not fall into the snare of +the fowlers. Do not listen to the decoy calling to war.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The high priest, wearing full vestments, has +appeared on the threshold of the temple</span>] Who speaks +in the crowd?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_47" title="47"> </a>Hananiah</p> + +<p>Who speaks against the Lord? Let him show himself +in the open.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Coming forward</span>] Dismay speaks; concern for +Jerusalem cries aloud; the mouth of terror is opened. +I speak for Israel, and for the life of Israel.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Who is he?—I know him not.—He is not one of the +prophets.—I know him not.—Who is he?</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>It is Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, of the priests in +Anathoth.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Who is Jeremiah?—Who is he?—What do the +people of Anathoth want in Jerusalem?—He is the son +of Hilkiah.—Who is he?—What does he want?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">To <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span>, who is mounting the steps</span>] Away +from the steps of the temple! The messengers of the +Lord, the men of God and the prophets, may alone +tread the holy threshold. To none but us is it given +to reveal God’s will.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Who dares declare that to him only has the Lord +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_48" title="48"> </a> +vouchsafed wisdom and the secret of his will? God +speaks to men in dreams, and to me likewise has he sent +dreams. He has filled my nights with horror, and has +awakened me at due time; he has given me a mouth +that I may speak and a voice that I may cry aloud. He +has breathed dismay into my mind that I may spread +it over you like a burning cloth. I will utter my dismay +on behalf of Jerusalem; I will cry my cry before the +people; I will reveal my dreams.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Away with dreamers and interpreters of dreams. +The hour needs waking men.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Dreams come to all. Beasts stir in their sleep, and +the dreams of slaves are full of visions. Who has +anointed you, that you should speak before the temple?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>No.—Let him speak.—We want to hear him.—He is +out of his mind.—Let him reveal his dreams.—The +marketplace is free to all.—God’s house is free. +Speak, Jeremiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Not from the threshold of the temple.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>I am the prophet of God, and there is no other +prophet in Israel to-day. You shall hear my words, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_49" title="49"> </a> +not those of the chatterers in the streets. Scourge the +dreamers out of the marketplace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>He is a coward, shun his terrors.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Let him speak.—We want to hear what he has to +say.—No, let Hananiah speak.—Perhaps Jeremiah is +sent by the Lord.—Why should not we hear him.—Speak, +Jeremiah.—What has he dreamed?—Revelation +often comes in dreams.—Let him speak, Hananiah.—We +can compare their words.—Speak, Jeremiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">From the top of the steps</span>] Brothers in Israel, +brothers in Jerusalem, in my dream I heard a storm +burst upon the city, and I saw warriors assail our walls. +The pillars fell and the battlements were laid low. +Fire sat upon the roofs like a red beast devouring our +dwellings. No stone was left standing upon another, +and the streets were laid waste. I saw the dead lying +in heaps upon the ground, so that my heart was turned +within me and my mouth was unsealed even in sleep.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Madness is crying from the steps of the temple.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>The falling sickness afflicts him, and he in turn +afflicts us.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_50" title="50"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>Down with him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>No, we want to hear his dreams.—What do they +mean?—He is a madman.—He is a fool.—Away with +him!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>But, brothers, when I awakened in the sweat of my +body, I mocked myself even as you mock me now. Did +not peace brood over the land; were not the walls +untouched, so that no breeze stirred athwart them? I +went forth from the house full of shame for my own +terrors; I sought the marketplace that I might rejoice +in its peace. But when I came thither I heard shouts +of exultation; and my heart broke within me, for the +shouts were clamors for war. Brothers, my soul was +bitter as gall, and the words came to my lips against +my will. Tell me, is war so precious that you should +praise it? Is it so kindly that you should long for it? +Does it bring so much good that you should greet it +with all the warmth of your heart? I say unto you, +people of Jerusalem, that war is a fierce and evil beast, +one that devours the flesh of the strong and sucks the +marrow of the mighty, crushing towns in its jaws and +trampling the land beneath its hoofs. Those who +awaken it, shall not again lay it to sleep; and he who +draws the sword, is like to perish by the sword. Woe, +therefore, to the contentious man who quarrels when +there is no need, for he shall come out upon one way, +and flee upon seven. Woe to those who murder peace +with the words of their mouth. Beware of all such, +O people of Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_51" title="51"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>Beware of cowards, O people of Jerusalem; beware +of traitors in the pay of the enemy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>What promise does he bring? Where is God’s word? +He speaks for Babylon and for Baal.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>No, no.—His words are just.—There is much truth +in what he says.—Let him deliver his message.—Dreams.—Where +is the promise?—Go on.—We want +to hear him too.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Why do you awaken the ravening beast with your +shouts. Why do you summon the king of the north +to your city? Why do you clamor for war, men of +Jerusalem? Did you beget your sons for slaughter, +and your daughters for shame? Did you build your +houses for destruction by fire, and your walls for the +battering ram? Bethink thee, Israel; call a halt ere +thou runnest into the darkness, Jerusalem. Is thy +slavery so hard, are thy sorrows beyond assuagement? +Look around. God’s sun shines over the land; the vines +bloom in peace; lovers walk happily together; children +play unhindered; the moon shines gently over the sleep +of Jerusalem. Fire and water keep their appointed +places, the storehouses are well filled, and God has his +spacious mansion. Say, Israel, is it not well with thee +within the walls of Zion; art thou not blithe in the +valleys of Sharon; art thou not happy by the blue +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_52" title="52"> </a> +waters of Jordan? Let it suffice thee to live at peace +under God’s tranquil gaze. Hold fast to peace, people +of Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>His words are just! Hail unto him. His speech is +golden.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Like the gold of Chaldea.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, he has been bribed.—No, his words are just.—Peace.—We +want peace.—He is a traitor.—He is in +the pay of Ashur.—Let him speak.—No, Hananiah is +right.—Let us listen to Hananiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Away with you, away. Go, talk to Samaria, the land +of slaves. Deliver your message to Moab, or to the +uncircumcised, but not to Israel, God’s first-born among +the nations.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Menacingly, to <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>] Answer me, in face of +the people. Is our slavery to endure? Are we still to +pay tribute to Chaldea? Answer me, traitor.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, yes.—Answer.—Speak.—Are we to go on +paying tribute?—Answer.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_53" title="53"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Loudly do I speak my mind before the people. It is +better to pay tribute of gold to the enemy than tribute +of blood to war. It is better to be wise than powerful; +it is better to be the servant of God than the ruler of +men.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Man of servile obedience, slave of Chaldea, will you +deny God’s word which commandeth war against the +oppressor; will you deny his holy word?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>But it is also written: “In returning and rest shall +ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be +your strength.”</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, thus is it written.—He speaks truth.—His +words are the words of wisdom.—Nay, he twists the +scripture to his own purpose.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>This is written of an unholy war, of dissension among +the brethren of Israel. But ours is a holy war, a war +of God waged in the everlasting name of Jerusalem, a +war of God, a war of God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Couple not God’s name with war. Not God makes +war, but man. No war is holy; no death is holy; life +alone is holy.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_54" title="54"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>You lie! Life is given us that we may sacrifice it +to God. I will offer myself upon his altar, I will fall +before his foes, I will die for Israel and for Israel’s +rule upon earth. Never shall Israel be vanquished so +long as all her sons share these thoughts.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Never shall Israel be vanquished while God’s stars +shine in heaven. If we join forces with Egypt, Babylon +will fall into our hands within three months.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Exultantly</span>] Within three months.—Hail Hananiah.—Hearken +to Hananiah.—Within three months.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Israel will gain the victory over countless thousands.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>He spreads fear as they spread gold before him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Israel shall rule the nations.—Down with Ashur.—War.—War.—Nay, +peace.—Peace in Israel.—War.—War.—He +is speaking for Ashur.—He is a traitor.—Do +those only speak truth who clamor for war?—He +has taken bribes.—Let us not decide too quickly.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_55" title="55"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>Send the coward to the house of the women!</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Woman</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Spitting on <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>] His company would bring +shame on us. That for the man whose cringing is a +disgrace! War against Ashur!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Flashing out in wrath</span>] Who are you that you +crave blood so fiercely? Did you bear children and +suckle them only for the tomb? A curse upon the man +who thirsts for blood, but seven times accursed be the +woman who is eager for war; for war shall devour the +fruit of her womb, and the men of Ashur shall cast +lots for her and for her raiment. You and such as you +shall be mourners, tearing your cheeks with your nails, +and uttering shrill cries of lamentation, you women +who spit upon me and revile peace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Women’s Voices</p> + +<p>Woe, Woe! Listen to the curse.—Our sons.—Woe, +woe!—Man of terror!—Woe!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>You can frighten women, faint-heart, but not men. +Down, down!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Certain Warriors</p> + +<p>Down with him. Hunt him into the street.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_56" title="56"> </a>Hananiah</p> + +<p>Close his mouth!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Away with him!—He frightens women.—Away +with him.—He has foretold enough disaster.—My +flesh crept while he was speaking.—Let him hold his +peace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I will not hold my peace, for Jerusalem cries aloud +through my mouth. The walls of Jerusalem stand up +in my heart, and would fain still stand; the land of +Israel blossoms in my soul, and my hope is to safeguard +it. Thy own blood calls through me, Jerusalem, +that it may not be shed; thy seed, that it may not be +scattered; thy stones, that they may not fall; and thy +name, that it may not perish. Stand firm, waverer, and +gather thy children under thy care; hearken, Jerusalem, +to my voice of warning. Hearken, Zion, thou +citadel of God. Keep the peace, keep the peace!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Fiercely disputing</span>] Yes.—God’s peace upon Israel.—Traitor.—He +has taken a bribe.—God’s peace upon +us.—I would fain save my sons.—War.—War against +Ashur.—Leave the matter to the king.—He is a traitor.—We +want to live at peace.—He is a coward.—He has +sold himself to the enemy.—War.—Peace.—Hananiah +speaks the truth.—Nay, Jeremiah speaks the +truth.—Break the yoke.—War.—Peace.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A bustle arises at the entrance to the palace. A +number of men come forth. In their midst is <span class="speaker">Abimelech</span>, +swordless</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_57" title="57"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">From among the newcomers</span>] Treason.—Treason.—Treason +in Israel.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The dispute around <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> ceases</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>What has happened?—Abimelech.—What has happened?—He +comes from the king.—Abimelech.—Look +at his angry frown.—Tell us what has happened.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Standing at the top of the steps beside <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>] +Israel has been sold by the weaklings; chaffered away +by the hucksters. Imre and Nahum gained the upper +hand in the council. They spoke against Egypt, and +the king hearkened to their words.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Down with Nahum.—Treason.—Imre, the dotard.—Traitor.—What +was the decision?—What did the +king say?—Peace, hail to peace.—God’s judgment.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>His heart quaileth within him, for he dreads war. +He will think the matter over, will take further counsel +ere he decide.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Glory to Zedekiah, girdled with wisdom!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_58" title="58"> </a>Abimelech</p> + +<p>He is hedged about with weakness; old age and fear +are his counselors. For my part I threw my sword +aside, for no longer will I wear a sword while Zion +pays tribute to Ashur.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In ecstasy</span>] Soldier of God, your sword is holy +since it flashes for Israel.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Blessings upon you that you will have naught to do +with hucksters.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Shall we still hesitate? Whose is the hour? Is it +that of Nahum, the huckster, and that of Imre, the +dotard; or is it your hour, people of Jerusalem? God’s +hour has come, therefore seize it. To the palace, to +the king; let him behold us and hear us. People of +Jerusalem, raise your voices, give vent to the breath of +your anger. To the palace, to the palace!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>To the king! Show yourselves to him, people of +Jerusalem. To the king and to victory! Such is +God’s will.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>To the king!—To the palace!—To victory!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_59" title="59"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Springing forward to block the entry to the porch +of pillars</span>] Keep the peace, keep the peace; you are +murdering Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Drawing his sword</span>] Here’s for him who still +speaks of peace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Cut him down!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Down with the traitor!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Help me, friends of God; help me to save +Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>For the last time! Let us pass in to the king. [<span class="stage-direction">He +endeavors to push <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> aside</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Resists and shouts at the top of his voice</span>] No step +will I yield to folly! Peace! God’s peace be upon +Israel.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Baruch</span> cuts him down, and <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> falls +bleeding to the foot of the steps</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_60" title="60"> </a>The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Scattering in horror</span>] Murder.—They have killed +him.—Murder.—Who is it?—Jeremiah.—They have +killed him.—Woe.—Why use force?—Why kill the +prophets?—Justice has been dealt on the liar.—To the +king, to the king!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Baruch</span> stands thunderstruck with lowered sword</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shouts exultantly</span>] May such be the fate of all +faint-hearts, all slaves of Chaldea, all hirelings of +Ashur! To the palace, to the king. Save Israel, +deliver Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Death to traitors! Vengeance on Ashur!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>God has struck him down.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>God’s thunderbolt has fallen on the liar.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">After its brief pause of consternation, begins to +flow into the porch of pillars of the palace</span>] To the +king.—Let Israel rule the nations.—War.—War +against Ashur.—Down with the traitors.—To the +king.—God is on our side.—Down with Ashur.—Freedom.—Freedom. +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_61" title="61"> </a> +[<span class="stage-direction">Rejoicing they stream into +the palace</span>]</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> still lies in a swoon at the base of the +steps, none heeding him. The crowd passes over him +in a flood, leaving him like jetsam among the stones. +<span class="speaker">Baruch</span>, who, in his bewilderment, was swept along +by the mob, has struggled back from among them. +Slowly, as if driven by an inner force, he comes down +to the swooning man, bends over him, feels his brow, +and listens for his breath</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Jeremiah, speak, Jeremiah, if you are still alive. +[<span class="stage-direction">He raises <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> into a sitting posture</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">His eyes still closed, not yet himself, speaks hesitatingly</span>] +The fiery cloud has fallen. Fire is raging +through the town. Woe is me!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Keep still a moment, that I may wipe the blood +from your eyes.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Away! Your face was full of hatred towards me. +Your eyes flashed fiercely. Was it not you who struck +me down?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>I indeed it was who drew sword upon you in anger, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_62" title="62"> </a> +but the blade turned in my hand so that I struck you +with the flat only. I rejoice thereat, for I drew upon +an unarmed man. I will pay blood-money. Let me +staunch your wound.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Let the blood flow. Would that mine alone were +to flow in Jerusalem. [<span class="stage-direction">Half rising</span>] What has become +of the crowd? The marketplace is empty. +Have they gone to the palace, gone to force war upon +the king? Where are they?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Compose yourself …</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>They have gone. It is too late. Curse upon you +for that you felled me to the ground. More, far +more, than me have you slain. Not my blood alone +has been shed, but the blood of all Israel. Through +you, Zion has been broken and destroyed. You have +killed the watchman, and they are raging in the holy +places of the Lord. Let me rise. Avaunt, murderer +of Israel!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>What do you wish to do?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In febrile excitement</span>] Help me, help me to my +feet. You struck me down, so now you must help +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_63" title="63"> </a> +me. Perhaps there is still time. [<span class="stage-direction">Distant shouts are +heard from the palace</span>] Their jubilation means death; +their joy means destruction. Too late! Too late! +For Jerusalem’s sake I must give warning. Your aid! +I must go to him. The hour calls. [<span class="stage-direction">He struggles to +his feet</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Confused</span>] Whither away? You are still too +weak to do anything.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Let me testify against Hananiah, against Pashur; +against those who would lure to war; against the +people. I must cry the words of peace …</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Will you make the attempt once again, alone against +them all? Great, indeed, is the force that drives you. +Steadfastly did you face my sword, you whom I had +despised as a coward, whom I had proclaimed a faint-heart +before the people. But in the strength of your +will you are ready to defy death, proving yourself a +mighty man of valor.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>If you reverence me, then help me. Help me to +cry aloud. Help me to save Zion from destruction.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Supporting him</span>] I will help you, Jeremiah, against +my will, for you have in you a power which compels +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_64" title="64"> </a> +me. I had believed you a weakling, and therefore did +I oppose you as one who shunned action and favored +the easy path of peace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>The easy path of peace! Do you fancy that peace +is not action, that peace is not the action of all actions? +Day by day you must wrest it from the mouths of +liars and from the hearts of men. You must stand +alone against the multitude; for clamor is always on +the side of the many, and the liar has ever the first +word. The meek must be strong; those who desire +peace are continually at war.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>But you will not go alone?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I must go, I must go. I must make my words good. +Empty is the speech of him who will not stand by it +with his life. Let me publish my visions; let me proclaim +my warning before the king.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>I would fain go with you, would fain do what you +are doing, for it is borne in on me that you are +beginning a great work.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>You would walk with me? But did you not resist +me with your will and with your sword?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_65" title="65"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>You are too strong for me, and I who stood up +against you wish to help you now. Your blood has +won me to your cause. I will do what you do, for I +have faith in you, Jeremiah, who faced my sword so +steadfastly.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>You believe in me, against the priests and the +prophets who deny me, against the people and the city?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>I believe in you, for you have shed your blood for +your words.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>You believe in me when I myself hardly believe in +my own dreams. Is it true, boy?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>I believe in you, for I saw you stand steadfast +against death. Your will is my will.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Greatly moved</span>] You believe in me, you who +wounded me, who resisted me to the uttermost? You +are the first to believe in me, you whose very name is +unknown to me.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>I am Baruch, the son of Zebulon of Gilead.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_66" title="66"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>No longer will you be any man’s son, if you believe +in me. Despised and rejected will you be, should +you follow me. He who would shine in the word, +must burn in the flames. Think well, Baruch. You +are little more than a boy. You have shed my blood, +shall I therefore shed yours?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Let me go with you, for the sake of Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>For the sake of Jerusalem! Indeed and indeed +Jerusalem needs help in this hour. Come, then, +Baruch, first-born of my faith, son of my anguish, +support me that we may testify together. My anguish +shall be turned against the king, my sorrow shall be +thundered in his ears. Aid me, aid me against king +and people.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>I will go with you.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Exultant shouts nearer at hand</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Woe, woe! When the mob rejoices, disaster is +afoot.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>They are streaming forth from the palace.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_67" title="67"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Forward, let us meet them. Lend me the strength +of your arm, for I am still weak.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>The king is among them. He carries a naked +sword. They are making for the temple.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Help me forward. There is still time.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>The clamor echoes through the marketplace. +Hananiah is dancing before them even as David danced +before the ark. The war-makers have triumphed. +It is too late. Give way before them. Hide yourself. +It is too late.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>It is never too late. Let me forth to encounter +them.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>What would you do? Let me go instead, for I am +young and strong.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I would brandish the word against them like a sword. +I would turn the king’s heart. Let me go to him.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shouting and singing, the crowd streams out of the +palace, down the steps, and then up again towards the +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_68" title="68"> </a> +temple. All are in a frenzy, shouting for war and for +victory</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Drunken with excitement, leading the way to the +temple</span>] Open the gates. Throw the gates wide. The +king will swear before the altar the oath of alliance +against Ashur!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Hail to the alliance!—Day of promise!—Slavery is +overthrown!—Down with Ashur!—Hail Zedekiah!—Victory, +victory!—Israel shall rule the nations.—God +is on our side.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">King Zedekiah</span>, followed by the Egyptian envoys, +has come out of the palace. He bears a drawn sword. +His expression is grave. Amid the exultant crowd he +seems oppressed with thought. Scarcely heeding the +tumult and the acclamations, he makes for the temple +with slow strides. Suddenly, above the clamor of the +multitude, rises the voice of <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Zedekiah, Zedekiah, sheathe thy sword.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Disorder in the crowd; the cries are stilled. The +king, standing on the steps of the temple, looks round +for the speaker</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shouting yet more loudly</span>] Sheathe thy sword, +Zedekiah! Thus wilt thou save Jerusalem. Give +peace to Israel, God’s peace.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_69" title="69"> </a>The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Vociferating wildly</span>] War! War upon Ashur!—Who +is the speaker?—He is sold to the enemy.—Down +with all traitors.—Israel shall rule the +nations.—War, war!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The voice of <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> is drowned amid the general +uproar. He is thrust aside, and <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> has +difficulty in protecting him. With redoubled energy +the crowd continues to shout in an ecstasy around the +king. <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> stands awhile, still trying to find +the one who had called on him to sheathe the sword. +For a moment, indeed, he lowers his weapon, and seems +to be looking round for help. But, amid fanatical +cries of the populace, the gates are opened. After a +moment’s further hesitation, <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> raises his +sword once more, and with earnest mien mounts the last +steps and disappears into the temple</span>]</p> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_71" title="71"> </a>RUMORS</h2> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_73" title="73"> </a><a name="Scene_3">SCENE THREE</a></p> + +<p>Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my +words in thy mouth fire, and this people, wood, and +it shall devour them. <span class="small-caps">Jeremiah</span> V, 14.</p> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_75" title="75"> </a>SCENE THREE</p> + +<div class="scene-description"> +<p>The same square in front of the temple and the +king’s palace. Groups of idlers, men and women, +loiter upon the steps, some sitting and some standing. +In the streets and in the porch of pillars there is the +usual coming and going of persons working and +conversing.</p> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">A Man</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">One of the larger group on the steps</span>] I have it for +certain that there has been a great battle between +Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Man</p> + +<p>I have heard the same report. A messenger has +come.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>That means nothing. Messengers are always coming +to the palace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Second Man</p> + +<p>But I have spoken to him. I’m sure of it.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Voice</p> + +<p>Have you spoken to the messenger?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_76" title="76"> </a>The Second Man</p> + +<p>No, it was Aphitor, the king’s scribe. He told me +that a battle had begun, a great battle.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The First Man</p> + +<p>A mighty battle, such as there has never been +before within the memory of man, Egypt against +Nebuchadnezzar.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>May the heavens crush him, the accursèd.—Egypt +is all-powerful.—Our army is there too.—They will +know how to deal with him, the man of pride.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>God will break him, for God is on our side.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Voice</p> + +<p>The Egyptians are strong, and Nebuchadnezzar will +not be able to withstand them.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Third Voice</p> + +<p>Nebuchadnezzar is likewise strong. They say …</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Fourth Voice</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Interrupting</span>] Let them say, the faint-hearts. Who +cares what they say?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_77" title="77"> </a>Third Voice</p> + +<p>They say that his warriors are like a swarm of +locusts.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Voice</p> + +<p>Warriors! His men are no warriors! Small in +stature are they like boys, and unhandy with their +swords. My sister’s husband has seen many of them. +Among the women they are men, but they are not men +in battle. [<span class="stage-direction">Laughter</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Pharaoh will destroy them.—He will sweep them +like chaff from the threshing-floor.—Long live +Pharaoh!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Others</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Hearing the shouts and coming to join the group</span>] +What is he saying about Pharaoh?</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>Pharaoh is fighting a great battle against Nebuchadnezzar.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Other Voices</p> + +<p>He will conquer.—He will set us free.—Long live +Pharaoh.—Pharaoh for ever.—They shall grave him +a tablet of fine gold.—Long live Pharaoh, the +conqueror of Ashur.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Newcomers</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Eager to know what is afoot</span>] What is it? What +has happened?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_78" title="78"> </a>One of the Recent Comers</p> + +<p>Pharaoh has defeated Nebuchadnezzar.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Hail Pharaoh-Necho!—Is it true? I must go home +and tell my wife.—Hail Pharaoh-Necho!</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>But we have no certain news yet.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Other Voices</p> + +<p>What do you mean by saying the news is not certain?—Can +you doubt it?—I have always known that +God would strengthen our arms.—Victory is ever on +God’s side.—None can stand against us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">One of the Group</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Hastening away, shouting as he goes</span>] The victory +is ours. Pharaoh has defeated Nebuchadnezzar.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Hearing these words, idlers in the square flock to +join the group on the steps</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>They are talking of a victory.—Is it true that +Pharaoh has vanquished Nebuchadnezzar?—Quite +true.—No one really knows yet.—It is absolutely certain.—Who +says so?—Everyone says so.—The king’s +scribe says so.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_79" title="79"> </a>A Man</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Detaching himself from the crowd, runs away +shouting</span>] Victory! Victory at last. Hail Pharaoh. I +must get home with the news. Victory over Ashur.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Swelling in numbers, growing more enthusiastic as +it is enheartened by its own clamor</span>] It was God’s will +that we should begin this war.—Hail Zedekiah!—Now +we must conquer all the others.—Israel shall rule the +nations.—A sacrifice on the altar.—Give praise unto +God, for that he has cast down our enemies.—They +shall be our bondsmen.—My heart has thirsted for +this hour.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>A messenger is coming from the gate of the city.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Making a rush in the direction of the last voice</span>] A +messenger.—A messenger.—Who said so?—He comes +from beyond the walls.—What news does he bring? +Where is he?</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A messenger, drenched with sweat and gasping for +breath, struggles through the crowd</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Tell us the news.—Pharaoh is victorious.—What has +happened to Nebuchadnezzar?—How many have been +slain?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_80" title="80"> </a>The Messenger</p> + +<p>Let me be. Make room. My message is for the +king.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Don’t be so churlish.—Let us hear one word at +least.—Has he fled?—Tell us the news.—Let the man +alone.—His business is with the king.—Just a word.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Messenger</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Breaking loose</span>] Let me be, let me be. You will +learn soon enough. My message is urgent, and for +the king. [<span class="stage-direction">Exit messenger.</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>What did he say? The message was urgent.—What +did he say?</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>He said we should soon hear, but that he must go to +the king at once.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Voice</p> + +<p>That is good news.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Third Voice</p> + +<p>Wherefore good?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Second Voice</p> + +<p>Would the bearer of evil tidings be in so desperate +a hurry?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_81" title="81"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>True, true.—The king will pay him a silver shekel +for every word.—He is eager to earn the messenger’s +guerdon.—He brings tidings of victory.—Victory!—Good +news.—Victory!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Some Newcomers</p> + +<p>What has happened? Why are you shouting?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Victory!—Victory!—A messenger has come.—He +brings tidings of victory.—Nebuchadnezzar is beaten.—A +great and glorious victory.—God be praised.—Alleluia! +The news is certain.—Victory.—Victory!</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>It must be a mighty victory.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Second Voice</p> + +<p>Were it otherwise he would not have been so secret.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Third Voice</p> + +<p>They grudge us the news.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Newcomer</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Pressing forward</span>] Is it true? Is Nebuchadnezzar +slain? So the word runs from street to street.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_82" title="82"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, slain is the oppressor.—Nay, the news is not yet +confirmed.—But the messenger said so; he told us that +Nebuchadnezzar had been killed in his tent.—Myriads +of the enemy have fallen with him, God be thanked.—The +oppressor is slain.—Alleluia!</p> + +<p class="speaker">An Old Man</p> + +<p>But all that the messenger said was …</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>He told us of the victory.—Why are you still in +doubt?—I wish we could exterminate these faint-hearts.—I +heard it myself.—So did I.—So did I.—The +messenger said that Nebuchadnezzar had been +killed in his tent.—No, he never said that.—Yes.—No.—But +undoubtedly he brought tidings of victory.—Israel +is free.—Free!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Old Man</p> + +<p>I tell you I was standing quite close to him. I could +hear every word he said.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Your ears and your heart are deafened.—These kill-joys +should themselves be killed.—Let us don our +festal attire.—Out of the way, chatterbox.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_83" title="83"> </a>A Voice</p> + +<p>Hananiah was a true prophet. Wise were we to +heed his words, and not to hearken to those who +declared that the temple would fall …</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Voice</p> + +<p>Who said that Ashur would lay Zion low …</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Third Voice</p> + +<p>Who said that our maids would be ravished by the +Chaldeans …</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Voice</p> + +<p>To the temple, to the temple. Let us give thanks +there to God, and to Hananiah, his prophet!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>No, let us wait here, for the king will come soon.—Who +said so?—Kings always appear in public after a +victory.—The king will go to the temple.—The king +must be the first to offer a sacrifice.—All right, let us +stay here.—Let us send for drums and cymbals to celebrate +the victory.—We will dance like David before +the ark.—God is once more showing his love for +Jerusalem.—Fetch the dancers.—Summon the women.—Call +the trumpeters and the lute-players.—Let us +make merry and give praise to the king of kings.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The crowd sways to and fro joyfully, in movements +like those of a troubled sea. Groups form, dissolve, +and reform. The general mood is one of +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_84" title="84"> </a> +expectation and impatience. <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> and <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> +enter from a side street, and endeavor to make their +way through the press</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">One of the Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Laughing</span>] Look! There he comes! Jeremiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Others</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Giving vent to their high spirits</span>] Hail to the +revealer!—Lo, the prophet draws nigh.—Let us welcome +the destroyer of Jerusalem.—Behold the mob +orator.—Come and join us.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Some of the crowd form a circle round <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> +and <span class="speaker">Baruch</span>, bowing before them in mock veneration.</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">One of the Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">With a profound reverence</span>] Hail anointed of the +Lord!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Others</p> + +<p>Hail Elijah!—Hail revealer.—Hail mighty man of +valor! Hail Jeremiah, the prophet!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Standing his ground, gloomily</span>] What would ye +of me?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Hold no converse with them. Mockery is on their +lips, and derision in their glance.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_85" title="85"> </a>One of the Crowd</p> + +<p>Deign to bestow upon us wisdom and revelation.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another</p> + +<p>We would fain ask you whether our daughters shall +keep their <ins title="virginity">virginity.</ins></p> + +<p class="speaker">A Third</p> + +<p>Prithee be patient, and allow the walls of Jerusalem +to remain standing yet awhile.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">With conviction</span>] What would ye of me? This is +no time for jesting, when blood flows and war hangs +over Israel.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The First Speaker</p> + +<p>The war is finished, and we can make merry once +more.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Second Speaker</p> + +<p>What has become of your king from the north? +Tell us, revealer, where does he tarry?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>What has confused your senses? Are you all mad? +Can the war already be over when it is hardly begun?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Hold no speech with them. He makes himself a +mock who speaks with mockers.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_86" title="86"> </a>First Speaker</p> + +<p>Jeremiah knows nothing about it yet! The prophet +knows nothing.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Speaker</p> + +<p>He does not know what happened yesterday, and yet +he would tell us what will happen to-morrow.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>What is it that I do not yet know? What makes +you so joyful? It must be something of ill omen.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Speaker</p> + +<p>He says it is something of ill omen. It is that, in +very truth, for your wishes.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Speaker</p> + +<p>Your king is slain and welters in his blood.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Nebuchadnezzar is slain? Ashur is vanquished?</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Speaker</p> + +<p>Even so, all-knower. Hananiah’s word has been +fulfilled.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Speaker</p> + +<p>Rend your raiment and clip your beard. Israel is +victorious.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_87" title="87"> </a>Third Speaker</p> + +<p>Bury yourself, prophet. Cut out your tongue. +Nebuchadnezzar is dead, but Zion endureth for ever.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Greatly moved</span>] Nebuchadnezzar dead? Is it true, +it is certain? Tell me, and do not jest in matters of +such moment.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Speaker</p> + +<p>He still doubts! Weep, prophet, weep!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Speaker</p> + +<p>I will cry it aloud in your ears; dead is Nebuchadnezzar; +overthrown are his chariots; scattered are his +armies. Israel is saved.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Remains motionless for a moment. Then he +spreads his arms wide, drawing a deep breath of joyful +relief. Dropping his arms, he speaks fast and almost +exultantly</span>] Blessed be God. I thank thee, all-good, +that thou hast brought my dreams to shame, that thou +hast saved Jerusalem. Better, assuredly that I should +be fooled by my illusions than that the city should be +laid waste by the foe. Blessings upon God’s name.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Speaker</p> + +<p>Yea, all-knower, God is more merciful than you; +he loves us and gladdens our hearts.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_88" title="88"> </a>Second Speaker</p> + +<p>What will your next revelation be? Into which +corner will you creep, mole? Whom will you now +lead astray?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Third Speaker</p> + +<p>Whom will you now deceive, deceiver?</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Fourth Speaker</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">With feigned anger, to the others</span>] How irreverently +you speak to the messenger of the Lord! Let +us kiss the hem of his garment; let us pay honor to his +visions!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Mingled with laughter</span>] Prophesy to us Elijah.—Instruct +us further, all-knower.—Happy the man who +puts his trust in Jeremiah.—Where did you pick up +that fledgling that chirps at your heels?—Prophesy, +Jeremiah; prophesy disaster; mountains of disaster.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Suddenly breaking forth into speech</span>] A miracle has +<ins title="happened">happened,</ins> people of Jerusalem, a miracle which delivers +you from death, and instead of trembling with +fear, you make merry. Hardly an hour ago, you +were racked with anxiety; your hearts are still quaking, +and yet you are already beginning to give tongue. +Woe unto you, that your first cry, when the cord is +loosed from your necks, should be one of folly and +presumption.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_89" title="89"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>Speak not with them. Folly alone holds converse +with fools.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Speaker</p> + +<p>Stop your ears as you may, I will cry aloud in my +joy: “The victory is ours, the victory is ours!”</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Addressing one of them</span>] Where have you conquered? +Whom have you defeated, that you should +strut in the marketplace? There is no blood on your +sword. [<span class="stage-direction">To another</span>] Show the scar of the wound you +received at the battle front! You have all been about +your business in the city, have all lain in safety beside +your wives at night. What have you and such as you +to do with the victory of the Egyptians, with the deeds +of foreign fighters? Bow your knees humbly, for the +victory is not your work.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Egypt’s victory is Israel’s victory.—We are Israel.—His +very rage shows that the victory is ours.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>But it is not yours, nor yours, nor yours, you who +now swell with pride, battening on the deeds of others. +The soldiers have won the victory, not you! Meekly +went they forth, to deal death and to suffer it; their +backs were bent beneath the weight of their weapons; +the shadow of death fell across their path, and all but +the strongest fainted by the way. Where they +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_90" title="90"> </a> +ploughed with naked limbs, you would fain harvest +pride. Abandoned wretches, you crave to quench your +thirst with their blood. Alas that they have conquered +for you and your hateful arrogance!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Alas that they have conquered, did you hear him? +Let us rend our garments, for that we have conquered. +Let us strew ashes on our heads, for that +Nebuchadnezzar is slain.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">His wrath blazing up</span>] Verily, O people, to be +among you is to dwell among scorpions; but I say unto +you that your laughter shall wither more quickly than +the blossoms of the vine. God has been gracious to +you. Again has he saved Jerusalem; yet not for your +laughter, but for the sake of those who are humble in +spirit. You will not acknowledge him in his gentleness, +men of evil. So be it; ere long shall you +acknowledge him in his wrath. Like a curtain shall +he rend your laughter asunder, and in your terror your +eyes shall become fixed like stones. Your joy then +must you put behind you, Jerusalem, for the hour of +retribution is at hand, and terrible is the doom that +awaits you.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>The walls shall crumble.—The virgins shall weep.—We +have heard it all before.—Zion shall perish.—Jeremiah, +Jeremiah, you alone are wise among fools.—To +him our rejoicing is bitter as gall.—Do you hear +the cracking of the walls?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_91" title="91"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Do you scorn the messenger of doom? But the +avenger is at hand, who shall purge you of your +accursèd pride; drawn is the sword which shall hew +away your presumption; the bearer of evil tidings is +afoot; he is running, he is running; his swift footsteps +lead towards Jerusalem. Already he is at hand, the +messenger of fear, the messenger of terror; his words +will fall on you like the blows of a hammer; even now +he is entering the gate.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Go home, Jeremiah.—Sate yourself with your own +venom, and do not vomit it forth upon our joy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In the background</span>] A messenger! He is coming +from Moria gate.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Again rushing in the direction of the voice</span>] A messenger? +Where is he? He brings further news of +the victory.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Trembling with fear</span>] The messenger! The +messenger!</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>He runs hitherward from the gate, and he reels like +a drunken man from weariness.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_92" title="92"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>Where is he?—Here he comes. [<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Messenger</span> enters. +The crowd surrounds him as he tries to hasten to the +palace and sinks to the ground exhausted</span>] Hail you +who bring tidings of victory.—Hail.—Tell us your +news.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Messenger</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">So breathless he can hardly speak, tries to rise and +make his way forward</span>] Room, room, let me go to the +king.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Just a word.—How did Nebuchadnezzar die?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Messenger</p> + +<p>Are you all struck with madness? Why this jubilation +in Jerusalem? To arms! To arms! Let me +pass to the king.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>What has happened?—Is Nebuchadnezzar still +alive?—Pharaoh has beaten him.—Why this call to +arms?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Messenger</p> + +<p>He draws near with all his forces. Nebuchadnezzar +is close at hand. Hardly could I outrun his riders. +To arms, to arms! Sentinels to the walls.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>What does the man say?—Who has been beaten?—Where +is Pharaoh?—You don’t know what you are +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_93" title="93"> </a> +talking about.—Get him some water.—Nebuchadnezzar +alive?—It is impossible.—What has become of +the Egyptians?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Messenger</p> + +<p>Water! I am worn out. The Egyptians have +been routed. Necho has made peace, and must pay +tribute to Ashur. Nebuchadnezzar is coming; his +riders are at my heels. I must to the king.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Some of the crowd help the <span class="speaker">Messenger</span> to the +palace</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">From the back</span>] What did he say?—Are the +Chaldeans beaten?—Why does not the man tell us +what has happened?</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Anxiety gradually spreads through the crowd, and +the tumult of rejoicing is stilled. In their stupefaction +all are mute for a while, and then terrified voices +break the silence</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>Impossible!—It cannot be true.—The man is a +liar.—He was drunk.—Nay, he was only staggering +from fatigue.—He said the horsemen were hard at his +heels.—The whole story is false.—The messenger had +not the mien of a liar.—It cannot be true.—God would +never allow such a thing to happen.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Loudly</span>] Pharaoh has betrayed us.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_94" title="94"> </a>Other Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Quickly and angrily taking up the cry</span>] Pharaoh +has betrayed us.—A curse upon Pharaoh.—Egypt has +sworn a peace.—A curse upon Mizraim.—The +Egyptians are traitors.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>I have always said that we should never form an +alliance with Egypt.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>So did I.—So did I.—We all said so.—Accursèd be +Pharaoh.—What will happen to us now?—Alas for +Israel.—My wife.—My children.—I warned you what +would happen.—So did I.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Man</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Rushing in</span>] To arms! To arms! Close the +gates, Nebuchadnezzar and his hordes are at hand. +The advance guard has already reached Hebron.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Hebron did he say?—To arms!—Nay, peace, peace! +Let us march out against him.—All is lost.—From the +very first I told you what would happen.</p> + +<p class="speaker">One of the Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Pointing to <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> who leans brokenly against +a pillar, his face hidden</span>] Look, there is the man.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_95" title="95"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>What?—Who?—What do you mean?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Same Man</p> + +<p>It is his doing. He summoned them. He announced +the coming of the messenger. His curse has +fallen upon us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Who?—Jeremiah!—Who is it?—It is Jeremiah, he +has cursed us.—It is indeed his doing.—He prayed for +Nebuchadnezzar’s victory.—He is sold to the enemy.—Tear +him to pieces.—Touch him not; he foretold what +would happen; he is a true prophet.—He has been +bribed.—See how he stands there brooding.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Same Man</p> + +<p>He hides his face lest we should see his laughter. +But he makes merry too soon. Zion still stands; +Jerusalem shall endure for ever.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A herald comes hastily from the palace</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>A herald.—A messenger from the king.—Silence.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The crowd gathers round the steps to hear the +herald’s announcement</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Herald</p> + +<p>A message from the king! The enemy is about to +attack Jerusalem. The Chaldeans are at the gates. +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_96" title="96"> </a> +Let every man able to bear arms make ready to fight; +women must fashion arrows. All that are sick and +weakly must leave the city. Let every man store +what food he may in his house lest hunger overcome +us. For our walls can withstand attack; Baal can +do naught against Jehovah, nor can Ashur prevail +against Zion.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>True, true.—We will make ready.—God is on our +side.—To arms!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Herald</p> + +<p>Let none hold back; let none be faint-hearted. Who +speaks of fear, him shall ye put to the sword; who +talks of flight, him shall ye chase beyond the walls. +Ye may not gather in the streets; each shall keep his +own house, ready for the fight. Up, Israel! Gather +your forces, fearing nothing, for Jerusalem endureth +for ever!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Again in tumult</span>] Jerusalem endureth for ever.—To +arms.—I must fetch my sword.—Up, against +Ashur.—Let us take heart.—To the walls.—We shall +break them.—Jerusalem endureth for ever.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The crowd disperses in confusion, so that the square +is rapidly emptied, and the noise is followed by silence. +<span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> slowly draws himself up, and, still hiding +his face, ascends the steps of the temple. <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> +follows him</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Whither away, master? Do not leave your faithful +disciple.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_97" title="97"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I must go alone to seek light from the Lord. He +made me deliver a sign before the people. Nevertheless, +Baruch, I cannot believe that the faces in my +ghastly visions are truly from God. Would that I +could feel assured they are all illusion, and not the +message of God’s spirit. Woe indeed if I be chosen +as revealer and if my dreams be true.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>You are chosen, master. It has been made plain to +me in this hour. The sign came to you from God. +The spirit and the power of the prophets are upon you.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Still mounting the steps, flees before him, repelling +<span class="speaker">Baruch</span> with his hands</span>] Say not that I am chosen. +Tempt me not! For Israel’s sake, for Jerusalem’s +sake, it is impossible that my words can be true. Far +better for me to bear the laughter and the scorn of the +people, than that this message of terror should be fulfilled. +Rather let me be proved liar and fool, than +the prophet of such a truth. May I be thy victim +Lord, and not this city. Let me disappear into the +darkness of oblivion, if thy towers may still shine, O +Jerusalem. May my words vanish like smoke, so +long as thou endurest, eternal city. God forget me, +if he will but remember thee. I will kneel before his +altar praying him to give me the lie; I will beseech +him to prove my message false. Pray with me, +Baruch, that I be known for a liar in Jerusalem.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_98" title="98"> </a>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span>, humbly bending his head, goes up the +last steps into the porch of pillars of the temple. +Without moving, <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> gazes after him until he +disappears</span>]</p> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_99" title="99"> </a>THE WATCH ON THE RAMPARTS</h2> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_101" title="101"> </a><a name="Scene_4">SCENE FOUR</a></p> + +<p>Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying: +… When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people +of the land take a man from among them, and set him +for their watchman, … if the watchman see the +sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people +be not warned, and the sword come, and take any +person from among them, … his blood will I require +at the watchman’s hand. <span class="small-caps">Ezekiel</span> XXXIII, 1–6.</p> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_103" title="103"> </a>SCENE FOUR</p> + +<div class="scene-description"> +<p>On the ramparts of Jerusalem. The walls, of hewn +stone, surround the town. In the background is the +starry sky, and faint in the distance the valley with +hazy outlines and lights twinkling here and there. +The masonry shines in the moonlight. On the wall +two sentries march up and down. Their faces are +shadowed by their helmets; their spears gleam as they +move. Though the hour is late and midnight approaches, +a few civilians have ventured on to the wall +and are looking out into the distance.</p> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">A Woman</p> + +<p>It is bedtime. You will see the wretches soon +enough in the morning. Do come home; this may be +our last quiet night.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Man</p> + +<p>How can one sleep when the enemy is arrayed +against us? My heart has been heavier than lead +since I have been standing here; and yet I cannot leave. +It seems as if I were forced to remain in the flood +which is rising to overwhelm us. Last night and +to-day the horsemen have been streaming across the +plain. Again and again we thought that all must have +come, but still there came more and yet more, as if +whole countries had been emptied like sacks of grain; +while the spears were as the stalks of the corn in +number.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_104" title="104"> </a>Another</p> + +<p>Already have they pitched their tents, so that a white +forest now stands in the valley.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Third</p> + +<p>Alas, they are settling down for the siege.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Fourth</p> + +<p>They must have come with the speed of the wind. +Yesterday they were still at Bethel, and to-day they +have already encircled Zion.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The First Man</p> + +<p>Terrible is the might of Ashur. God help us all.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Woman</p> + +<p>Look at the glow in the north, like a pillar rising +heavenward.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Man</p> + +<p>That is where Samaria lies.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Third Man</p> + +<p>’Tis a pillar of fire that rises heavenward. Samaria +has fallen.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Alas!—It is not possible.—Samaria is a strong +fortress, within a triple wall.—Nay, it is certainly +Samaria.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_105" title="105"> </a>A Voice</p> + +<p>Look there to the east, another pillar of fire. That +must be Gilgal.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Voice</p> + +<p>They are ravaging the countryside like a hurricane. +Fierce is the wrath of Ashur.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Voice</p> + +<p>Never should we have entered into a struggle with +such as they.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Who began it?—Not we.—Not I.—It was the king.—It +was the priests.—We wanted to live at peace with +them.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>Egypt lured us on, and then betrayed us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, it was Egypt.—It was Pharaoh.—A curse upon +Pharaoh.—The Egyptians have sold us to the enemy, +have abandoned us to our misery.—Where are the fifty +thousand bowmen they promised? We are alone.—All +is lost.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Voice</p> + +<p>Woe, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. Thou art given over +to thine enemies, and those who hate thee are showing +their teeth.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_106" title="106"> </a>First Sentry</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Fiercely interrupting</span>] Away with you! Why are +you loitering on the walls? Home to your wives, and +to bed. We stand guard for you.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Man</p> + +<p>We want to see …</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>There is nothing to see. You have been clamoring +for Ashur, and now Ashur has come. Leave it to us +men-at-arms to chase them home again. For yourselves, +go sleep, or pray if you cannot sleep.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Man</p> + +<p>But tell us …</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>Naught to tell. There has been too much talking +already; the time has come for blows. Away, away!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The two sentries roughly clear the loiterers from +the wall. The crowd disappears in the darkness down +the steps leading from the wall into the shadow. When +all have gone, quiet reigns. In the white moonlight +the sentries stand like figures of brass</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>They give way to despair at the first gleam of an +enemy’s spear. They must not be allowed to talk like +that.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_107" title="107"> </a>Second Sentry</p> + +<p>One who is afraid and cannot master his fear must +perforce speak. It is of no use, and yet it gives relief.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>Let them sleep, not chatter.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>Sleep is not man’s servant. Vainly do we summon +sleep to a couch of sorrow. To-night many hold vigil +and look forth into the moonlight.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>In any case, those alone should speak who wear a +sword. We stand guard for all.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The two sentries are silent for a while, marching +to and fro</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Stands and listens</span>] Do you hear?</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>What?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>The sound is very faint, but the breeze bears it to +us. When I was in Joppa, for the first time I heard +in the night the distant murmur of the waves. Such a +sound rises now from the plain. They are there in +their thousands, moving quietly, but the air is stirred +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_108" title="108"> </a> +by the rolling wheels and the clashing arms. A whole +nation must be afoot, falling upon Israel. The noise +echoes from our walls like the noise of the sea.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Obdurately</span>] I refuse to hear anything but my +orders. I care not what wheels roll, or noises stir.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>Why does God hurl the nations against one another? +There is room for all beneath the skies. There is still +plenty of land unploughed; many forests still await +the axe. Yet men turn their ploughshares into swords, +and hew living flesh with their axes. I cannot understand, +I cannot understand.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>It has always been so.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>But must it always be so? Why does God wish the +nations to fight?</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>The nations want war for its own sake.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>What are nations? Are not you one of our nation, +am not I another? Are not our wives, your wife and +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_109" title="109"> </a> +mine, part of this same people? Did any of us want +war? I stand here armed with a spear, not knowing +against whom it is to be turned. Down there in the +darkness, unwitting, waits the man for whom it is +destined. I know him not, have never seen his face, +or the breast I must pierce with death. In the enemy’s +camp another perchance warms his hands at the camp +fire, the man who is to kill the father of my children. +He has never seen me, and I have never done him +harm. We are strangers, like trees in the forest. They +grow quietly and bear their blossoms. But we rage +furiously one against the other with axe and with +spear, until our blood runs like resin, and therewith +the life oozes forth. What puts death between the +nations? What is it which sows hatred when there is +room and to spare for life, and when there is abundant +scope for love? I cannot understand, I cannot understand!</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>These things must be God’s will, for they have +always happened. I question no further.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>This crime cannot be God’s will. He has given us +our lives that we may live them. Everything that men +do not understand they describe as God’s will. War +does not come from God. Whence comes it then?</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>How can I tell whence it comes? I know that there +is war, and that it is useless to chatter about it. I do +my duty; sharpen my spear, not my tongue.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_110" title="110"> </a>[<span class="stage-direction">For a time they are silent once more, gazing out +into the white stillness. From a great distance come the +words of the challenge “<em>Samson guard us</em>,” scarcely +audible at first. Then the sound grows louder, still +coming from unseen sentries. At length the words +“<em>Samson guard us</em>,” loud and clear from the next +post. Our two sentries take up the challenge, and it +is heard with diminishing loudness as it passes on round +the wall. Again all is still. The two sentries stand +silent in the moonlight, their faces shadowed by their +helmets</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>Know you aught of the Chaldeans?</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>I know that they are our enemies, that they are +attacking our homes.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>I am not thinking about that. Have you ever seen +any of them close at hand; do you know their customs +and their country?</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>I have been told that they are cruel as wild cats and +venomous as serpents. It is said that they sacrifice their +children to idols of copper and lead. But I have never +set eyes on a Chaldean.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>Nor I. Too many mountains tower skyward between +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_111" title="111"> </a> +Jerusalem and Babylon; there are rivers to cross, and +more country than a man can march over in many weeks. +The very stars in the sky are different, and yet the men +of Ashur are arrayed against us and we against them. +What do they covet from us? If I were to question +one of them, all he could tell me would doubtless be +that in his house as in mine are wife and children lying +upon straw. I believe if I could talk things over with +such a man we should understand one another well +enough. Often I feel that I should like to summon +one of them, to hold out a friendly hand, so that we +could have a heart to heart talk.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>You must not do that.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>Wherefore not?</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>They are our enemies and it is our duty to hate them.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>Why should I hate them if my heart knows no reason +for hatred?</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>They began the war; they were the aggressors.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>Yes, that is what we say in Jerusalem. In Babylon, +perchance, they tell another story. If we could talk +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_112" title="112"> </a> +things over with them, we might get some light on the +question.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>You must not talk with them. Our duty is to strike +them down. Such are our orders, and we must obey.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>My reason tells me that I must not converse with +them, but in my soul I feel that I must. Whom do we +serve by compassing their death?</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>What a question, simpleton! We serve God, and the +king our master.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>But God said, and it is written: “Thou shalt not +kill”. Mayhap, if I were to take my sword and cast it +from me, I should serve God better than by slaying an +enemy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>But it is likewise written: “Eye for eye, tooth for +tooth”.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Sighs</span>] Many things are written. Who can understand +them all?</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>This is idle dreaming. The Chaldeans have invested +our town; they wish to burn our houses; I stand here +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_113" title="113"> </a> +with sword and spear, and will do my utmost to prevent +them. Too much knowledge is unwholesome. I +know all I want to know.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>Yet I cannot but ask myself …</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Stubbornly</span>] You should not ask so many questions. +A soldier’s business is to fight, not to reason why. +You ponder overmuch, instead of doing your duty +unquestioningly.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>How can a man help questioning himself? How +can he be other than uneasy, at such an hour? Do I +know where I am, or how long I have still to stand on +guard? This darkness beneath the wall, where the +masonry is crumbling, will perhaps be my grave +to-morrow. Maybe the wind which now caresses my +cheek will not find me here in the morning. But can +I fail, while I live, to ask the meaning of life? The +flame flickers until the torch goes out. How can life +do other than question until it is quenched by death? +Maybe death is already within me; perchance the questioner +is no longer life, but death.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>You brood and brood. You are only tormenting +yourself to no purpose.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_114" title="114"> </a>Second Sentry</p> + +<p>God has given us a heart precisely that it may torment +us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>What is the use of talking about it? We are on +guard here. That’s enough for me.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>Talking helps to keep us awake, and only the stars +hear our words.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Both are again silent for a time</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>Who goes there? Someone is moving in the +darkness.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>More busybodies. Why cannot they stay in bed? +Send them home.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>No! Let them talk while we stay in the shadow.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>You are a strange fellow. I shall continue my round.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The two sentries pass into the shadow of the tower +on the wall, their figures disappearing in the darkness. +The gleam of their spears is still seen from time to +time.—<span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> and <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> ascend out of the darkness +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_115" title="115"> </a> +of the stairway and advance to the battlements, +<span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> hastening on in front, while <span class="speaker">Baruch</span>, who +does not share the prophet’s excitement, lags in the rear. +The second sentry stands unnoticed in the shadow of +the tower</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Whither are you leading me, master?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>On, on! I must look Terror in the face. [<span class="stage-direction">He +gazes down into the valley, standing motionless and +silent</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>What are you staring at?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Still gazing</span>] The king has come, the king from +the north. [<span class="stage-direction">He seizes <span class="speaker">Baruch’s</span> sleeve</span>] Come closer, +Baruch! Touch my hand that I may know whether I +wake or sleep. Are my eyes open? Is this wall builded +of stones or of tears? Does Jerusalem lie behind us +unheeding in the darkness? Are the forces of Ashur +couched in the plain beneath? Tell me, Baruch, convince +me that I am dreaming. Shake me till I awake, +to laugh at my mad fancy that Zion is encircled by the +Chaldeans.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>What do you mean, master? I don’t understand. +How can you doubt?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_116" title="116"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Alas, it is true, then. I am not dreaming now. The +horses are there and the chariots; Ashur is arrayed +against Zion; the vision is fulfilled. All these miseries +spring from my dreams, for they existed in me before +they were in the world of reality. I alone knew, before +ever God’s words became deeds. In me they arose; +through me they came. Yet naught can I do to hinder +their flow; nor by sword nor by shield can I stay their +progress.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Master, you talk at random. Speak in words that +I can believe and understand.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Words that you can believe? But Baruch will you +believe the words that I have to say to you at this hour +beneath the stars? I fear you will deny me, will laugh +at me, for what I would fain say will sound like nonsense +in your ears.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Faith in you is my very life.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Hearken, then. [<span class="stage-direction">He speaks low and impressively</span>] +All that is now happening, I have beheld in my dreams +for months past. Not a star shines in heaven which I +have not seen above this wall and above God’s temple. +I have looked down upon the multitude of the foe, +upon their myriad tents. Baruch, do you hear me?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_117" title="117"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shuddering</span>] I hear, I hear.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Why was all this made plain to me before the day? +It cannot be against God’s will that he should disclose +his plans to me, should vouchsafe me visions of the +future. Nor can I rebel; nor can I be silent; though +in truth for long I refused the summons, and stopped +my ears to the call. But now, when I see in the real +world what has again and again been revealed to me +in dreams, for the first time do I feel assured that God +speaks through me. I say to you, Baruch, that I am +the chosen of the Lord. Woe unto me should I conceal +my forebodings from the people and from the king. +For this is no more than the beginning, and I know +the end.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Reveal it, chosen one. Cry your words aloud.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Baruch, do you see the camp and the tents; do you +see this sleeping ocean surging down from the north?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shuddering</span>] I see the enemy; I see the tents.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>You see the night, sleep, and the false quiet of +repose. But in my ears the trumpets blare and the arms +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_118" title="118"> </a> +clash as the Chaldeans arise and storm the city. The +walls whereon our feet are now planted, crumble at +their onslaught; the cries of the fugitives ring in my +ears. The brazen flood foams over us. I hear the +beating of Death’s wings o’er city and walls; I see the +destruction of Zion. Baruch, waking I see it, for God +hath opened an eye within the darkness of my body; +my heart maketh a noise in me; my soul hath heard the +sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Why sleep +they still? Time is it they should wake, ere their sleep +pass into death. Verily the hour is come to awaken +Jerusalem!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Stirred by his words</span>] Yea, yea, Jeremiah, awaken +Jerusalem!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">More and more carried away</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">O foolish people, afflicted town,<br/></div> +<div class="line">How, ah how, can you sleep at peace<br/></div> +<div class="line">When Death’s cold winding sheet is spread<br/></div> +<div class="line">Beneath you where you lie.<br/></div> +<div class="line">O foolish people, afflicted town,<br/></div> +<div class="line">How can you rest when thunder rages?<br/></div> +<div class="line">How can you drowse,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Lost in dreams,<br/></div> +<div class="line">When Ashur’s rams<br/></div> +<div class="line">Are battering the gates?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Who shall waken the fools? Who make the deaf hear?<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Ecstatically</span>] You, master. Cry aloud. Awaken +them. Save them from the jaws of death.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_119" title="119"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Awaken, awaken, up and away!<br/></div> +<div class="line">The land is afire, the foe holds the town!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Flee ere his wrath wholly consume you,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Flee from the sword, flee from the flames,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Leave your possessions, abandon your homes,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Gather your households, your women and children;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ere he can seize you take refuge in flight.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Up and away!<br/></div> +<div class="line">The land is afire, the foe holds the town!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Up and away!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Coming forward from the shadows</span>] Who shouts +here? You will waken the sleepers.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Oh that I could awaken them. Up, Jerusalem, +awake! City of God, save thyself.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>You are drunk. Go home to sleep.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Stepping between</span>] Touch him not.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I must not sleep. No one must sleep. I am the +watchman. Woe to him who hinders me.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_120" title="120"> </a>Second Sentry</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Taking him by the shoulder</span>] You must be moonstruck +to think yourself watchman. I am the watchman. +Away with you.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Touch him not, the chosen of the Lord, the prophet.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Loosing <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>] Are you Hananiah, the +prophet of God?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>It is Jeremiah the prophet.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>Jeremiah, who leads the people astray? <ins title="Jeremiah">Jeremiah,</ins> +who cried through the street that Ashur would prevail? +Have you come hither to gloat over the fulfilment of +your vision? Too soon, faint-heart, too soon; and yet +in an apt moment, prophet of evil, to feel the weight +of my anger. I will reveal you something.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Struggling with the sentry</span>] Hands off, touch him +not.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Entering hurriedly</span>] The king is coming. Zedekiah +goes the rounds. Clear away the people.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_121" title="121"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>The king! God be praised! His meaning is plain. +The Lord sends him to my hand.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>Away chatterer, away.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>Down with you. Away. Creep down there and +keep quiet, or you shall rue it.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>Here comes the king.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> and <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> are hustled from the wall +and disappear into the dark. The two sentries stand +at the extreme edge of the ramparts to leave room for +the king and his train to pass. When <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> enters +they clash spears on shields in salute and then stand to +attention. <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> is making the rounds, accompanied +by <span class="speaker">Abimelech</span> and others. He is unarmed +and bareheaded; his face looks pale and thoughtful in +the moonlight. He halts, and gazes for a time over +the plain</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>See how the camp fires burn athwart the plain. It +looks as if the black heavens had fallen upon earth, +whence star after star now shines forth. A people +countless in numbers is encamped round Israel. Spears +are leveled; hands are raised; even in sleep, their +dreams turn against us. To-morrow they will all arise +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_122" title="122"> </a> +as the herbage rises after rain; stillness will be replaced +by the screams of death. This is perchance the last +night of peaceful slumber.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Be not despondent, O king. Upon this very wall +where now thou standest sorely troubled, stood aforetime +King Hezekiah. His mind, likewise, was full of +care, for in the plain beneath, wave upon wave, countless +like these, lay the hosts of Senaccherib. Then, +as now, the flood of Ashur threatened the holy city. +But the Lord stretched forth his hand and smote the +enemy with a pestilence. These walls shall never be +broken. Jerusalem endureth for <ins title="ever">ever.</ins></p> + +<p class="speaker">The Others</p> + +<p>Jerusalem endureth for ever.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Voice of Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">From the darkness</span>] Awaken, doomed city, that +thou mayest save thyself. Awaken from your heavy +slumbers, heedless ones, lest you be slain in sleep; +awaken, for the walls are crumbling, and will crush +you; awaken, for Ashur’s sword is brandished over +your heads.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">On the alert</span>] Who speaks? Who speaks?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Who speaks?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_123" title="123"> </a>The Voice of Jeremiah</p> + +<p>The anger of the Lord hath fallen upon the disturbers +of the peace. God hath sent the king of the +north against Israel, to break her towers, and her pride. +Awaken that ye may flee; awaken that ye may save +yourselves; for he has come, the slayer of your sons, +the ravisher of your daughters, he who will lay your +fields waste. Awaken, awaken!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shrinking with alarm, and then recovering himself</span>] +Who speaks?</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>A madman, Lord; he is moonstruck.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Close his mouth.—Away with him.—He is mad.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Nay, bring him hither. I wish to see him. I wish +to see that he who spoke was a living man. Terrible +was the sound of his voice. It seemed to me as if the +stones of Jerusalem were uttering lamentations, as if +the words issued from the very walls.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The two sentries hasten away into the darkness</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Suffer not thyself to be misled, Lord. Many in the +city have been bought with Chaldean gold.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_124" title="124"> </a>Others</p> + +<p>Heed him not.—Hurl him from the wall.—Hold no +converse with a coward.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> and <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> are brought into the light +by the sentries, and <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> is thrust forward to the +king</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Second Sentry</p> + +<p>This is he who spoke the words of shame. He was +railing in like fashion, Lord, just before thou camest.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>There has been talk of one going up and down the +city and foretelling disaster to the people. Is this the +man?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>It is he.—Jeremiah.—Curses light on him.—He +foretells disaster.—Poisons men’s hearts.—Bears false +witness.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Nay, he is God’s messenger and utters words of +truth. I testify for him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Who are you to testify?—You are no more than a +boy.—Heed him not.—Such vipers should be crushed.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Silence. Take the young man away, for I need no +testimony.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_125" title="125"> </a>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Baruch</span> is pushed back into the shadows</span>]</p> + +<p>Draw nearer, Jeremiah. Art thou he who leadest +Israel astray?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Israel is verily astray, but not by my leadership.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>I know thy voice. My heart tells me that I have +heard thee speak, but never before have I seen thy face. +Was it thou who criedst aloud for peace at the portal of +the palace?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Yea, Lord, it was I.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Many voices assailed my ears in that hour, but when +I had returned home at nightfall and lay sleepless on +my couch, it was thy call which dinned in my ears.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>God’s will was that thou shouldst hearken. Woe unto +thee that thou heardest not. Had it been otherwise +there would be sleep on thy lids and peace in Israel.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">To <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>] What make you here on the wall +at night? Would you go over to the Chaldeans? [<span class="stage-direction">To +the king</span>] Have him seized, for his behavior is suspicious.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_126" title="126"> </a>A Voice</p> + +<p>His mother is on her deathbed, for his words have +broken her heart. But he shuns the house, comes here +by night, and would parley with the enemy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In alarm</span>] My mother is dying?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>He is a traitor.—Heed him not.—Cast him into +prison.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Be silent, all. My soul is not so weak that I can be +swayed by the words of chatterers. Fear not, Jeremiah, +I heard thy voice on the day when we decided upon +war. It resounded in my heart, for a word of peace +is the word of God. But the past is past. War now +rages between Ashur and Israel. Words no longer +avail. I cannot stop the war at will.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Nay, Lord, but thou canst.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Wrathfully</span>] How, tell me how? Dost thou not +see the foe encompassing the walls? Dost thou not +hear the spears clashing? What can I do to stop the +war?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_127" title="127"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>The issue is in thy hands, for thou art the king.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>It is too late to talk of peace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>It is never too late to talk of peace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Still more angrily</span>] Thy words are the words of +folly.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>The shedding of blood digs a trench between the +nations. The more deeply we dig it, the harder to stop +the bloodshed. Therefore let words go before the +sword. Seek audience of Nebuchadnezzar; send him +an envoy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>I seek Nebuchadnezzar, my foe?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Send envoys, while there is yet time to save +Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Why should I be the one to propose a parley?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_128" title="128"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Blessed is he who first holds out his hand for peace. +Blessed is the king who spares the blood of his people.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>What if I were to offer my hand, only to find the +offer rejected?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Blessed are they who are rejected for justice’ sake, +for they are men after God’s heart.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>I tell thee that the very children would mock me, +and the women would laugh at me in my shame.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Better to be followed by the laughter of fools than +by the tears of widows. Think not of thyself; but of +the people, which God hath appointed thee to lead. +Do God’s will, though fools laugh. Thou hast raised +thy head against Ashur. Humble thyself now before +him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Humble myself?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Humble thyself, anointed of the Lord, for the sake +of Jerusalem. Open the gates, open thy heart, thus +only canst thou save the city.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_129" title="129"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>With the sword will I save Jerusalem, at the hazard +of my life, but not of my honor. Thou knowest not +what thou askest.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Of thee I demand the hardest of duties, as is befitting +for the Lord’s anointed. Offer up thy pride, the treasure +of thy heart, for the sake of Jerusalem. Kneel +before Nebuchadnezzar, even as I kneel before thee. +Open the gates, and open thy heart. Abase thyself, +King Zedekiah, for it is better thou shouldst be abased +than that Israel should be laid low.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Away with thee, away! I will humble myself before +no man on earth.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Springing impetuously to his feet</span>] Accurst, then, +be the oil with which thou wast anointed. Zion has +been entrusted to thy hands, and by thy hands is Zion +destroyed. Mayst thou be forgotten by God’s mercy, +even as thou hast forgotten Jerusalem. A curse be +upon thee, murderer of Zion.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Throw him from the wall!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>He has slandered the king.—Throw him from the +wall.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_130" title="130"> </a>[<span class="stage-direction">The members of the king’s train close in on +<span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Who has yielded ground as if attacked by an unseen +enemy, recovering himself</span>] Desist! Harm him not. +Think ye that the curse of a fool can affright me, or +an impudent word unman me? [<span class="stage-direction">A pause</span>] Nevertheless, +the rumor is true, and this man’s speech is full +of danger. Like a ram do his words batter at men’s +hearts. No longer must such a liar speak freely to the +people, endeavoring to spread dismay among our +warriors.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>He should be put to death. Unworthy to live is the +man who has lost faith in God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Stone the hireling.—He would sell the town to the +Chaldeans.—He prays for our defeat.—Slay him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Shall I kill the man who slandered me, that it may +be said he filled me with fear? Jeremiah, I value +thy words lightly as air; but once more, for thine own +sake, I ask thee the question. Does thy heart faithfully +assure thee that death hangs over Zion and over +all within her walls? Speak freely.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Death is over Jerusalem. Death’s hand is upon us +all. Naught but surrender can save us.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_131" title="131"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Away then, and surrender. Save thine own life.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> stares at him in bewilderment</span>]</p> + +<p>No man shall sap our powers while he eats our bread. +If thou fearest for Zion, flee from Zion. I give thee +thy life. Climb down the wall; seek out Nebuchadnezzar; +take shelter in his camp. If thy word be fulfilled, +puff out thy cheeks and laugh at thy brethren +who died for Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Too gentle, O king, in thy dealings with this +slanderer.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> struggles for speech</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Away, renegade, away! Seek out Nebuchadnezzar, +whose victory thou foretellest. Kiss his feet. I stay +in the midst of my people and in the home of my +fathers, for my faith shall remain steadfast till my last +breath. False are this man’s words! Jerusalem +endureth for ever!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Others</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shouting</span>] Jerusalem endureth for ever.—God’s +house shall never pass away.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Haste, haste to Ashur. I give thee free permission. +Leave us to our deaths; and for thy part, crawl to +safety.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_132" title="132"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Controlling himself</span>] I will not forsake Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Didst thou not even now assure us that death was +hanging over Zion? Flee, that thou at least save thyself +alive.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Not for my own life am I filled with sorrow. It +is for the life of thousands upon thousands that my +heart is heavy. I will not flee. If Zion’s walls fall, I +will fall with them.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>I have warned thee, Jeremiah, as thou warnedst me. +Henceforth thy life is in thine own charge. [<span class="stage-direction">To the +others</span>] Let none molest him while he keeps due +measure. But should he again seek to spread terror, +seize and bind him, and he shall pay for it with his +life. [<span class="stage-direction">To <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>] Guard thyself, place a seal on +thy lips, lest thy life atone for speech. May God +spare us, as I have spared thee to-day.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Motionless, his voice unsteady</span>] Not myself would +I guard, but Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Returning to the outer edge of the wall</span>] Still +they come! Still they come! The noise of their +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_133" title="133"> </a> +chariot wheels and the trampling of their chargers are +like the growling of a storm. Terrible indeed is the +king of the north. Dreadful will it be to encounter +him. God save Jerusalem! [<span class="stage-direction">Breathes deeply</span>] God +save Jerusalem.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker"><ins title="Zekediah">Zedekiah</ins></span> turns away, and slowly resumes the +round, plunged in thought. He is followed by +<span class="speaker">Abimelech</span> and the other members of the train. The +two sentries move after them out of sight</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Rushing forward from the shadow</span>] Quick, quick! +Hasten after him. The spirit of God is upon you. +Hasten that you may compel him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Awakening as from a trance</span>] Compel whom?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>The king. Let your words be like flame. Save +Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>The king? [<span class="stage-direction">He looks round horror-stricken upon +the deserted wall</span>] Lost, lost the sacred hour. My +hasty tongue has ruined all.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Try once again and you will overcome him. Already +he was yielding.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_134" title="134"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Too late, too late. Why did God choose a weakling? +Why did he put words of gall into my mouth?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Do not torment yourself, master. Your sufferings +confuse your mind.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Think you so? But I have failed. To whom have +I brought joy? I am a horror to the upright and a +grievous affliction to my mother. No wife bears my +child in her womb, nor does any one living believe in +my words.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>I believe you. I will not forsake you. You are +great. I cleave to you for your very sorrow.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Praise me not. My soul burns with shame. What +have I done that shall profit Jerusalem? Have I +softened the king’s heart; have I led the erring people +into the right path; have I found an envoy of peace? +How, when I myself have faltered, shall I show the +way for an envoy?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>You seek an envoy from Nebuchadnezzar to our +king?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_135" title="135"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Will Nebuchadnezzar be readier to parley than Zedekiah? +Kings are like boys, each waiting for the other +to begin.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Ardently</span>] Jeremiah, your words bear fruit in my +soul.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>What mean you?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>This deed is for me. Well know I that the road +leads through the valley of the shadow, even as yours. +But I will walk it for the sake of Jerusalem. Master, +farewell.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Whither will you go?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Farewell, master. Your blessing should I succeed. +Spare me your curse should I fail. For Jerusalem! +[<span class="stage-direction">He begins to climb down the wall</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>But Baruch, whither are you going?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>By your road. Farewell. [<span class="stage-direction">He disappears over the +parapet</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_136" title="136"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Leaning forward</span>] Whither, Baruch, whither? +Stay, they will seize you. Already the spies of Chaldea +block every road. Baruch, stand by me in this hour. +Baruch, Baruch!</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Running in</span>] Who calls there in the night? What +is afoot?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Standing up</span>] I call, I call; but no one heeds me.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>Still you, is it? What are you doing here? I +thought I saw a shadow pass down the wall. Are you +alone?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I am alone! I am alone!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Slowly, with heavy steps, <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> passes towards +the town. The sentry stares after him until he is swallowed +up in the gloom. Then the soldier resumes +his march to and fro in the moonlight. Nothing is +heard save his footsteps on the flagstones, until from a +distance the challenge: “<em>Samson guard us</em>”, “<em>Samson +guard us</em>”, begins to pass once more round the walls</span>]</p> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_137" title="137"> </a>THE PROPHET’S ORDEAL</h2> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_139" title="139"> </a><a name="Scene_5">SCENE FIVE</a></p> + +<p>Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put +him to grief. <span class="small-caps">Isaiah</span> LIII, 10.</p> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_141" title="141"> </a>SCENE FIVE</p> + +<div class="scene-description"> +<p>The small bed-chamber where <span class="speaker">Jeremiah’s Mother</span> +lies ill. Doorways and windows are covered with curtains +to exclude light and sound. The interior is so +dark that the figures of those in the chamber are barely +visible. The white bed-furniture is conspicuous in the +gloom. Close to the bed stands <span class="speaker">Ahab</span>, the elderly +servingman.</p> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A female relative, coming from without, <ins title="cautionsly">cautiously</ins> +draws aside the curtain over the doorway</span>] Ahab!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Speak low! Tread softly! Her sleep is light as +thistle-down. A breath will scatter it.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>Well for one who can still sleep, when the gates of +the city are being assailed.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Not a word of the matter. Not a word of the +enemy. As you love her, spare her.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>What do you mean? What must I not speak of?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_142" title="142"> </a>Ahab</p> + +<p>Not a word of our troubles. She knows naught of +Jerusalem’s evil plight.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>I don’t understand. She does not know that the +town is besieged?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Why should we tell her what is impending? The +very thought would kill her.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Greatly astonished</span>] She does not know that Ashur +is upon us? Is there still a living being within the +walls who remains ignorant of our misery? How has +this miracle been wrought? Are her senses closed? +Is she deaf to the hosannas? Does she think we are at +peace when the battering rams thunder against the +walls?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Her senses are dulled. Such noises as she hears +seem the noises of a dream. I have closed the entries, +shutting out sound and light.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>She knows nothing? Wonderful, and yet horrible. +Has she no suspicion?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_143" title="143"> </a>Ahab</p> + +<p>At times she has suspected, but I have been able to +calm her fears. Yesterday, when the first rams were +at work, she was alarmed by the cries of the populace. +Throwing off the coverlet, she wrung her hands, and +declared she must forth to the walls, that war had +come, that the enemy was in the city, that Zion was +perishing. Her son’s prophecy was being fulfilled, +the king of the north had come. She struggled to her +feet. Then her knees gave way beneath her. I caught +her as she fell, bore her back to bed, and persuaded +her that it was all a dream, that the shouting and the +hosannas were but the illusion of fever. She seemed +to believe me, lying with open eyes, and listening to +the muffled clamor from the street.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>’Tis wondrous strange. But what has thus confused +her?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>In her sickness she craves for her son.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>Jeremiah, the madman! The zealot of the streets. +She herself drove him from the house.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Not for an hour since has she known happiness. She +sat ever in silence, or stood at the door like one awaiting +a guest. When he failed to return, her mind +gradually became confused.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_144" title="144"> </a>Jochebed</p> + +<p>Why then comes he not, the reprobate, that he may +restore her to health? He tramps the streets spewing +curses among the people, while his mother is dying for +lack of him. Why comes he not, chatterer in the +market, slayer of peace?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>He knows naught of her longing. No less proud +is he than she, and he will never cross the threshold +until he is summoned.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>Summon him then.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>How dare I without her command? I am but a +servingman. How can I act upon words which she +mutters unwitting?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>You may and you must, since her life is at stake.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Do you believe I should do rightly to summon +Jeremiah without awaiting her command?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>By God’s mercy I believe it. Thus will you save +her alive.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_145" title="145"> </a>Ahab</p> + +<p>God be praised, Jochebed. In my sore need I have +already done what you wish.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>A blessing on you therefor!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>I have sent my boys seeking him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>If they can but find him. Lacking him, she will die +of mingled pride and longing.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Truly, since she drove him forth, she has been +unceasingly at war with herself.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>Who is at peace in this stormy time?</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The mother wakens with a sigh</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Speaking softly to <span class="speaker">Ahab</span></span>] Ahab, she stirs, she is +waking. Her eyes are still closed, but her lips move +as if to speak.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Ahab</span> bends over the sick woman</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_146" title="146"> </a>The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Speaks with closed eyes, the tones of her voice like +those of a song heard in the distance</span>] Has he come? +Is he here? Where is he, the son of my sorrow?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Whispering</span>] How wonderful! For the first time +she speaks of him plainly.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Nay, she is still dreaming.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Moves and opens her eyes</span>] Are you there, Ahab? +Is that you Jochebed? My dreams are dark and +uneasy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Tenderly</span>] How do you feel? Have you slept +well?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>How can I sleep well, when my dreams are so +dreadful? Where is he? I saw him. Why did he +go away?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Whom do you mean?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Why did he go away? Why did you let him go +away?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_147" title="147"> </a>Ahab</p> + +<p>There has been no one in the room but Jochebed +and me.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Not he? Not he? The house is haunted with +dreams. [<span class="stage-direction">She sits up suddenly in bed, glancing round +with feverish anxiety</span>] Why do you not summon him?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Summon whom?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>How can you ask? Can you not see that death’s +hand is upon me? Yet you will not send for him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>How should I dare …</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Alas, that I should be immured here, too ill to move, +tended by blind servants with hearts of stone. Away, +away.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>But mistress …</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>You have betrayed me. You have forbidden him +the house. I know he must have come, and you have +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_148" title="148"> </a> +barred the door. He has been here. My instinct +tells me. He waits but the summons, and you will +not send. You have denied him entry.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Hearken, mistress …</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Woe is me! Away! May you die as I am dying, +abandoned by your children; may you die in the straw +like an outcast.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Let me say a word …</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>One word only will I listen to, that he is coming, +that he is here.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>That is what I would fain tell you. He is coming. +His footsteps draw nigh.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Rapturously</span>] He is coming, my Jeremiah? Deceive +me not, Ahab. Cheat not a dying woman.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>Ahab has already sent his sons to seek out Jeremiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_149" title="149"> </a>The Mother</p> + +<p>He is coming. Is it true? Yes, I hear him. I +hear his footfall. I hear him in the house. He knocks +at the door, knocks within my heart. Hasten, man, +hasten. Why do you tarry to admit him?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Endeavoring to calm her</span>] Mistress, he will be here +anon. Early this morning did I send my boys.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In excitement once more</span>] Nay, he will not come. +Your lads are slothful, and are idling in the streets. +Would they but hasten. The darkness gains on me. +If I could but see him ere I sink into it. Run, Ahab, +he may be at the door.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Have patience, you will do yourself a harm.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Why do you not let him in? Can you not hear how +he is hammering at the door? I feel it in my temples. +Open to him, open.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Not yet is he here, but he will come ere long.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>He will soon be here. Have patience a while.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_150" title="150"> </a>The Mother</p> + +<p>No, no; he is there, but you are keeping him from +me. My time is short. My limbs are cold …</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> comes quietly into the doorway, and +remains standing in doubt, his hands clenched, his head +bowed as if he were carrying a heavy burden</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Don’t throw yourself about so. He will be here +anon.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Catching sight of <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span>, he starts and stops +speaking. <span class="speaker">Jochebed</span> likewise preserves an anxious +silence. For a few moments no one speaks in the +darkened room</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Raising herself with difficulty</span>] Why are you both +silent? [<span class="stage-direction">She suddenly gives a cry of joy</span>] Has he +come? Is my Jeremiah here? Where are you, +Jeremiah?</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Hesitatingly, <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> moves forward a few +steps. He, too, is a prey to strong emotion</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Stretching out her arms towards him</span>] You are +there, I feel it. Would that I could see you clearly. +Why come you not close, that I may touch you?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Not moving, his hands still clenched</span>] I dare not, I +dare not. Disaster dogs my footsteps. Curses go +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_151" title="151"> </a> +before me. Let me stand thus apart, lest my breath +harm you, lest it strike terror to your soul.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Feverishly</span>] My child, my arms crave for you. +Come close, dear, come close. Are my lips so hateful +to you? Is my hand so estranged?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I am estranged from myself, and a stranger in this +house.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>Alas, he repels me, will leave me once more. What +makes you so cold, so hard-hearted?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>A word burns between us like the sword of the angel +of God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>The curse, for which I have cursed myself a thousand +times? Idle breath was it, and the wind has +blown it away.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Nay, Mother, the curse stands, and all the streets +are filled with it. It rebounds from the wall of every +house, attacks me from all men’s mouths. No longer +am I your son, no longer living flesh, but the mock of +the world, an outcast from my people, hated by the +righteous, forgotten by God, loathed by myself. To +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_152" title="152"> </a> +myself leave me. Let me remain in the darkness, +most accurst of all men.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>My child, were you indeed the rejected of all men, +banned by the priests, outlawed by the people; had +God himself thrust you away from the light of his +countenance; still were you my son, blood of my blood +for evermore. I will love you for their hatred, and +bless you for their curse. If they have spit upon you, +come that I may kiss you; if they have cast you out, +come that I may take you in; home, come home to my +heart. Sweet to me is the bitterness of your lips, sweet +the salt of your tears; blessed is all that you do; if only +you return to my mother’s heart.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Falling to his knees with a groan</span>] Mother, spirit of +eternal kindness. Mother, you give me back my lost +world.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The mother folds him in her arms, and clasps him +without speaking for a time. Tremblingly she strokes +his head and his body again and again. At length, as +she looks at him, a strange glow of happiness lights up +her face, and she speaks to him in a plaintive chant</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Child of my heart, whom the world thrusts aloof,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Had you but stayed with me, ne’er left my roof!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Home now returning, find peace in my arms,<br/></div> +<div class="line">They hold you once more, son, safe from all harms.<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_153" title="153"> </a><div class="line">Tranquilly cradled, unscathed shall you bide,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Keeping the house, no more ranging wide.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Tenderly stroking your brow and your hair,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I will set your heart free from all sorrow and care,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And the curse which I spoke on that ill-omened day,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Lo, with my hands I have brushed it away!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Awestruck</span>] Oh Mother, how thin your hands have become;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Oh Mother, how wan your cheeks have become.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Your heart is scarce beating; your lips are so pale.<br/></div> +<div class="line">How can I help you? Can nothing avail?<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">My days have been lonely, my nights have been dreary.<br/></div> +<div class="line">When you did not return, I grew heart-sick and weary.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Your absence was killing me. Now you are back,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Your coming suffices. Naught more do I lack.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Through the streets did I wander, my heart turned to stone.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Your forgiveness now craving, I fain would atone.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Nightly I dreamed your dreams,<br/></div> +<div class="line">As I lay in the empty house,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_154" title="154"> </a><div class="line">Alone and forsaken.<br/></div> +<div class="line">By day they lurked in the shadows;<br/></div> +<div class="line">But as night fell,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Stealing forth from dark corners,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Like toads, bats, and owls,<br/></div> +<div class="line">They crawled and flittered round my temples,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Filling my soul with horror.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Rending and gnawing,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Devouring sleep,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Like vampires did they sap my strength,<br/></div> +<div class="line">So that the dawning of day<br/></div> +<div class="line">Found me hag-ridden,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shattered and broken.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Jeremiah, I adjure you,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Leave me not again.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Jeremiah, I implore you,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Stay with me, stay with me,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For the time is short.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Mother, what mean you?<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Seek not to deceive me.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Think you I know not<br/></div> +<div class="line">That death draws near?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Even as on a dial<br/></div> +<div class="line">The shadow rises<br/></div> +<div class="line">Stage by stage up the wall<br/></div> +<div class="line">While the sun sinks in the west,<br/></div> +<div class="line">So, with every breath I draw,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Does darkness rise within me.<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_155" title="155"> </a><div class="line">Woe is me that, still living and aware,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I feel the grip of death’s cold hand.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Nay, Mother, God’s purpose with us is plain.<br/></div> +<div class="line">How can you think he will part us anew?<br/></div> +<div class="line">No more am I froward. Your child once again,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I am sent back by him for a fresh life with you.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Were it otherwise, say to me why should I be<br/></div> +<div class="line">Unclouded by visions, from dreaming set free?<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Do you dream no longer?<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">My sleep is dreamless; my slumber is mute.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The night-time faces trouble me no more.<br/></div> +<div class="line">My dreams have become daylight realities.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Revealed in full horror, they stalk ’neath the sun.<br/></div> +<div class="line">I dream no longer, now the world’s awake.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Ecstatically, for she has heeded only the first part of <span class="speaker">Jeremiah’s</span> speech</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Your dreaming is over?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Then joy comes again.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Indeed, I was certain<br/></div> +<div class="line">That God in his mercy<br/></div> +<div class="line">Would scatter the darkness<br/></div> +<div class="line">That clouded your brain.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Recall but my words<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_156" title="156"> </a><div class="line">When we parted in pain:<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ne’er shall an enemy circle our wall,<br/></div> +<div class="line">David’s city be taken, Jerusalem fall.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Though foes from the ends of the earth should rage,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The towering battlements ever shall stand.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Firm Israel’s heart, and mighty her hand,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Eternal the days of Jerusalem.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Rises from his knees. He stares blankly as he +mutters in amaze</span>] Ne’er shall … an enemy +… circle … our wall?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">What sudden fear assails your soul?<br/></div> +<div class="line">What thought steals color from your cheek?<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Still shuddering</span>] Ne’er shall … an enemy … +circle … our wall?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Jeremiah,<br/></div> +<div class="line">What has befallen you?<br/></div> +<div class="line">What has frightened you?<br/></div> +<div class="line">What has taken you aback?<br/></div> +<div class="line">And you,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ahab and Jochebed,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Why are you making signs to him?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Jeremiah, I conjure you,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Tell me what is amiss.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_157" title="157"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">There is nothing wrong, Mother, nothing at all.<br/></div> +<div class="line">I was but mazed for a moment,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Startled out of myself by your words.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Nay, nay, it is false.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Your faces, of a sudden, grew dark and careworn;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Now you all turn away, exchange glances, and whisper.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Awesome, indeed, must be the secret you hide.<br/></div> +<div class="line">It chills me like death;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Like God’s wrath it affrights me.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Stammering</span>] Nothing, Mother, we are hiding +nothing.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Why seek to deceive me? Why hoodwink my eyes?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Not yet am I dead, nor in coffin enclosed.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Life’s breath in my lungs,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Life’s pulse at my heart,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I can hear, I can speak;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Why then hide ye the truth?<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Mother, you are distraught with fever. Your +temples are burning, your hands are cold.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_158" title="158"> </a>The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Why are doors and windows curtained so close?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Why is all so dark and still?<br/></div> +<div class="line">You stifle me in wrappings,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Bury me in cushions,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Me, who am yet alive.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Tell me, tell me why.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Mother, calm yourself. Take my hands. I am +here beside you.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">I live, I live; I say to you that I live.<br/></div> +<div class="line">No longer shall you deceive me.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Fearful is my awakening.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Too well do I know the truth,<br/></div> +<div class="line">That my dreams were not dreams but realities.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Again and again did I hear<br/></div> +<div class="line">The rolling of the chariots,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The trampling of the chargers,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The clashing of the weapons,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The singing of the hosannas.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Muffled were the sounds,<br/></div> +<div class="line">As they reached me in this darkened room;<br/></div> +<div class="line">And I fancied all was a dream.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Yet now I am awake,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Horribly awake.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Death has forced open my lids.<br/></div> +<div class="line">I know<br/></div> +<div class="line">Why you have shut away light and sound.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Disaster assails the city, has entered the gates.<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_159" title="159"> </a><div class="line">We are besieged, we are lost.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Woe is me, there is war in Israel!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Mother, Mother!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Jeremiah, speak!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Tell me,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Is he come,<br/></div> +<div class="line">He whose advent you foretold,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The king of kings from the north?<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Mother, you are dreaming.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Whispering</span>] Lie to her! For her life’s sake, lie +to her!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">In delirium</span>] Alas, hear the trumpets<br/></div> +<div class="line">Sounding the onslaught!<br/></div> +<div class="line">He comes in his panoply,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The king from the north.<br/></div> +<div class="line">War is upon us.<br/></div> +<div class="line">They swarm to attack.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The ramparts are crumbling,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The gates broken down.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The city is lost,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The temple destroyed.<br/></div> +<div class="line">I am crushed in the ruins,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_160" title="160"> </a><div class="line">I burn in my bed.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Save me, oh save me,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Jeremiah, save me,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Carry me forth!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Kneels beside her</span>] Mother, an evil fancy<br/></div> +<div class="line">Enthrals your mind.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Mother, hearken.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">I hold your hands.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Swear to me, swear,<br/></div> +<div class="line">That it is not true.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Swear to me, swear,<br/></div> +<div class="line">That no danger threatens Israel.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Swear to me, swear,<br/></div> +<div class="line">That no enemy shall disturb my last rest,<br/></div> +<div class="line">That my burial place shall be Zion.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>So shall it be. God will be gracious to us in death +as in life.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Jeremiah,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Do I wander in mind?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Is the foe at the gates?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Or is our world filled with peace?<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> struggles vainly for words</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_161" title="161"> </a>Ahab</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Breaking in on his hesitation</span>] Deceive her, speak ere she passes.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Can you not see<br/></div> +<div class="line">How the darkness shadows her face,<br/></div> +<div class="line">As the angel of death hovers nigh?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Speak, and chase the terror from her soul.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Speak, or it will be too late.<br/></div> +<div class="line">A word, only one word,<br/></div> +<div class="line">So that she may die in peace.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Still struggling with contending passions</span>] I cannot, I cannot.<br/></div> +<div class="line">There is one grips my throat,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Holds my soul in his grasp.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">He is silent.<br/></div> +<div class="line">It must then be true<br/></div> +<div class="line">That God has smitten his own people:<br/></div> +<div class="line">May the day perish wherein I was born!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Alas, the darkness gains on me.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Fire ravages the land.<br/></div> +<div class="line">I burn. Bear me forth.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Interrupting, to <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>] A word, only one +word.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_162" title="162"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Choking, as if strangled</span>] No such word can I utter.<br/></div> +<div class="line">God’s hand grips my throat;<br/></div> +<div class="line">God’s hand grasps my soul.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ah, cruel one, free me …<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Mother</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">With a wild cry</span>] Lost, all is lost.<br/></div> +<div class="line">I burn.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The city … the temple … God falls.<br/></div> +<div class="line">God has fallen!<br/></div> +<div class="line">The flames of Gehenna strike home to my heart.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Jerusalem!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">She collapses suddenly. There is silence</span>]</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Ahab</span> and <span class="speaker">Jochebed</span> move in alarm to the bedside +and bend over the dead woman</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">His voice bursting forth as when a fountain is unsealed</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">It is false!<br/></div> +<div class="line">I lied, I lied!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Eternal the days of Jerusalem.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ne’er shall an enemy circle our wall,<br/></div> +<div class="line">David’s city be taken, Jerusalem fall.<br/></div> +<div class="line">O Mother, once again give ear.<br/></div> +<div class="line">I swear it, look you, I solemnly swear,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Eternal the days of Jerusalem!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Fiercely</span>] Away!<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_163" title="163"> </a><div class="line">Your oaths will not waken her!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Leave her in peace!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">She must hear me before ’tis too late.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Bitterly</span>] As you say, ’tis too late.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Away from the room.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Your cries will not waken her,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Nor your lies break her sleep.<br/></div> +<div class="line">While she lived you were silent,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Unfeeling as stone.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Idle dreamer and outcast,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Hence, get you begone!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Away, rejected of men,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Scorn of the just,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Away from the house.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Why, ah why,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Did she readmit you?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Away, man accurst,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Break not the calm<br/></div> +<div class="line">Of the death which you wrought.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Overwhelmed</span>] Ever accursèd,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ever rejected,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_164" title="164"> </a><div class="line">Thrust forth from home,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Unfriended to roam.<br/></div> +<div class="line">God, God, it is hard to bear men thy word!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Ahab</span> and <span class="speaker">Jochebed</span> pay the last duties to the +dead, pressing down the eyelids, and wrapping the body +in a shroud. <span class="speaker">Ahab</span> goes to the pitchers and sprinkles +water on the ground. No sound but their solemn +paces can be heard. <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> stares before him in +stupor. Silence prevails for a time, full of the mystery +of death. Then a clamor is heard without. +There is a vehement knocking at the door</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Who knocks?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>There is a turbulent crowd without.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>They assail the door as if they were enemies. You +had better open.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jochebed</p> + +<p>Hark to the savages, they have burst in the door.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The sound of splintering wood is heard. Then +hasty footsteps. <span class="speaker">Zebulon</span>, <span class="speaker">Pashur</span>, <span class="speaker">Hananiah</span>, the +<span class="speaker">First Sentry</span>, and many others, rush in</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>He must be here.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Boy</p> + +<p>I saw him go in.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_165" title="165"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>So did I.—He slipped in an hour back.—I was on +watch as you ordered.—I saw him too.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>Whom do you seek?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Deliver him up—the man you are hiding.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>We will have blood for blood.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>What mean ye by breaking in here? Away, rabble.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Catching sight of the corpse, raises his hands and +speaks reverently</span>] Praise to the eternal judge. May +he be merciful to the just. [<span class="stage-direction">Turning away he passes +into the background</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Others</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Suddenly stilled, murmur</span>] Praise to the eternal +judge.</p> + +<p class="speaker">One Speaks</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Gently</span>] Who has died?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Ahab</p> + +<p>One from whom God had hidden the light of his +countenance. One full of sorrows, and acquainted +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_166" title="166"> </a> +with grief. One whose bitterest affliction was that she +gave birth to the enemy of her nation.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Speaks</p> + +<p>Jeremiah!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>It is Jeremiah whom we seek. Where is Jeremiah?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Comes forward, speaking loudly in grief and +indignation</span>] Who seeks Jeremiah? Who still desires +to rain curses on me? Let him come, let him curse. I +am the mark for all the curses in the world.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>It is I, wretch, who come to curse you, I, Zebulon, +father of Baruch, whom you have led astray. Where +is my son?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Tonelessly</span>] How should I know? Am I your +son’s keeper?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>This man makes a charge against you. Answer, +Jeremiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>He, too, makes a charge. Should I begin to bring +charges I should speak from now till midnight.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_167" title="167"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>He answers not.—He talks at random, evading the +charge.—Pashur, Hananiah, make an end.—Pass +judgment upon him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Have you brought witnesses, Zebulon?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>My son has vanished from the town. He has been +continually with Jeremiah. On the ramparts, last +night, this man heard Jeremiah inciting Baruch to +desert to the enemy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">To the <span class="speaker">First Sentry</span></span>] Do you bear this witness?</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>Verily, prophet, while I stood on guard, there came +two men. One was Jeremiah, well known to me. The +other was young, little more than a boy, with black hair +and flashing eyes.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>It was Baruch my son, whom this man hath +corrupted.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>There was much talk between them. Jeremiah +prophesied disaster, so that my heart grew hot +within me.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_168" title="168"> </a>Hananiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">To the others</span>] Do you hear? He prophesied the +fall of Zion.</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Sentry</p> + +<p>When the king had gone, and Jeremiah and the +other were alone, then the other, he whom you name +Baruch, climbed down the wall and deserted to the +enemy, leaving Jeremiah on the ramparts.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>Do you hear, men of Israel? I charge Jeremiah +with leading my son astray, with bringing shame upon +my house.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Advancing to the front</span>] Your answer, Jeremiah. +What say you to this charge? [<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> is silent</span>] +Do you call witnesses?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In low tones</span>] The one who would testify for me +must not be named.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Will he come forward in due time?</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> is silent</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Make an end, make an end.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_169" title="169"> </a>Pashur</p> + +<p>Silence. I will hold just judgment! Jeremiah, I +cite you to answer. [<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> is silent</span>] You are +charged with having, in defiance of the king’s command, +foretold disaster.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> is silent</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Do you deny your words? [<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> still holds +his peace</span>] Lo, the fear of death has moved him at +length. For the first time he is silent.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>You who have misled Israel, would you tempt me to +say No when God says Yes, and Yes when God says +No? More strongly hath he tempted me to depart +from his ways, yet would I not depart from them. +He raised up one against me whose breath was dearer +to me than the breath of my own life, but I would not +yield to her, for the Lord cuts from the tree of life +him whom he hath chosen for a scourge. Go, and +leave me in peace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zebulon</p> + +<p>I will not go. He has destroyed my son. I demand +judgment.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Twice have I charged you to speak. You have +spoken when you should have been silent; now you are +silent when you should speak. For the third time I +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_170" title="170"> </a> +cite you. [<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> is silent</span>] Hear then my +judgment. No longer shall you seek to daunt the +courageous, no longer shall you lead youth astray, +Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah in Israel.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Make short work! Wither me no longer with your +glances. Enough, enough.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>You shall be lowered into a pit, that you may no +longer be an offence to God’s daylight, nor your voice +an affliction to the city. May you perish, and your +words with you, in the darkness of the earth.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Life is affliction! Words are affliction! Blessed +be darkness, thrice blessed the tomb.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Lay hands on him. Execute judgment!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Oh, just judgment!—Great is the wisdom of +Pashur.—Away with Jeremiah.—Fetch a rope, that we +may lower him into the pit.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_171" title="171"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shrinking from their touch</span>] Touch me not. Better, +far better is darkness, for the hour is at hand in +Israel when the living will envy the dead, and when +those that wake will envy the sleepers. My heart +yearns for silence; my soul is consumed with longing +that I may become brother to the dead. Make way, I +will bury myself, that I may deliver myself from the +world, and Israel of my presence. [<span class="stage-direction">He folds his arms +and moves towards the doorway. The others begin to +follow him hesitatingly</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Bursting in on the silence with an exultant cry</span>] +Rejoice, Zion, for broken is the song of thy destruction, +rent are the lips of thy slanderer. Rejoice, Zion, for +eternal is thy springtime. Jerusalem endureth for +ever!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> turns fiercely, raising his arms as if +about to rebuke <span class="speaker">Hananiah</span>. His eyes flash fire. +Those at his heels draw back in alarm, as from a wild +beast at bay. But <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> controls himself. His +arms sink to his sides, and the fierce expression vanishes +from his countenance. With a last look at the dead +form of his mother, he regains composure. Covering +his face, he walks forth alone, like one carrying a heavy +burden. The rest follow in disorder. Last of all +walks <span class="speaker">Pashur</span>, deep in thought. <span class="speaker">Ahab</span> and <span class="speaker">Jochebed</span> +are left, looking at one another uneasily. <span class="speaker">Ahab</span> takes +a linen sheet and spreads it reverently over the body</span>]</p> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_173" title="173"> </a>VOICES IN THE NIGHT</h2> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_175" title="175"> </a><a name="Scene_6">SCENE SIX</a></p> + +<p>Evening cometh and the shadows lengthen. <span class="small-caps">Jeremiah</span>, +VI, 4.</p> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_177" title="177"> </a>SCENE SIX</p> + +<div class="scene-description"> +<p><span class="speaker">King Zedekiah’s</span> bed-chamber, large and stately. +It is dimly lighted, so that details are scarcely visible. +What light there is comes from a lamp hanging in a +golden bowl, and from the soft moonbeams which +stream in through the casement. This is widely open +and commands a view of the town. In the foreground +stands a large table surrounded by broad seats. +The curtained bed occupies the center of the background. +<span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> is standing motionless at the +window, looking down on the moonlit city. <span class="speaker">Joab</span>, a +young spearman, enters, and stands respectfully waiting +for the king to notice him. <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> pays no +heed, but continues to gaze out of the window.</p> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Lad</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">After a pause ventures to speak</span>] My Lord King! +[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> turns with a start</span>] It is midnight, O King. +This is the hour at which thou orderedst me to summon +the council.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Are they all here?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Lad</p> + +<p>All, at thy command.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_178" title="178"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Have they come unseen by the people and by the +palace servants?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Lad</p> + +<p>Unseen, Lord King. By secret ways I led them +hither.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Where is the spy? Hast thou kept him apart?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Lad</p> + +<p>He tarries with the doorkeepers.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Let him tarry. Summon the council.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">The Lad</span> bows, and disappears through the +doorway</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Strides to and fro, and then returns to the window. +He soliloquizes</span>] Never have I seen the stars shine so +brightly. They stand confusedly in rows, like letters +on the dark background of heaven, a writing which no +man can read. In Babylon, they say, are interpreters +and priests who serve the stars, conversing with them +by night. Other kings can talk with their gods; they +have shrines on their towers where they can learn the +will of heaven when their hearts are troubled. Why +have I no soothsayers who can tell the future? It is +terrible to be the servant of a god who is always silent; +whom no one has ever seen! [<span class="stage-direction">A pause while he contemplates +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_179" title="179"> </a> +the city</span>] They are all asleep, those over +whom I rule; they rest beside their wives or beside +their weapons; in me is centered their need and their +wakefulness. I must counsel others, but who shall +counsel me? I must lead others, but who shall lead +me? I am exalted over others, but over me is exalted +one whom I cannot see. Below is sleep; above is +silence.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">The Lad</span> draws aside the curtain; and the five +councilors enter noiselessly. They are <span class="speaker">Pashur</span>, the +high priest; <span class="speaker">Hananiah</span>, the prophet; <span class="speaker">Imre</span>, the oldest +burgher; <span class="speaker">Abimelech</span>, the general; <span class="speaker">Nahum</span>, the +steward. <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> turns to receive them. They +bow</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>I summoned you by night that our talk might be +private. I demand from you a pledge of secrecy. +Lay your hands within the priest’s hands; he will +answer for you to the Most High. [<span class="stage-direction">Silently they raise +their hands in adjuration, and each in turn lays his +hand in <span class="speaker">Pashur’s</span></span>] I swear by Almighty God that I +will show no anger against any who opposes me. +[<span class="stage-direction">He lays his hand in <span class="speaker">Pashur’s</span></span>] Now let us take +counsel. [<span class="stage-direction">He waves them towards the table, and all +take their seats</span>] We are in the eleventh month of the +siege. The vines are green once more. Nebuchadnezzar +has been unable to take Jerusalem, but we on +our part have not been able to force him to raise the +siege. His sword against us beats the water, but so +likewise does ours beat the water against him. We +have left nothing undone that might bring aid. I +have sent envoys to the king of the Medes; I have +sent to the princes of the east, asking their help against +Ashur. The missions were fruitless. We stand alone.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_180" title="180"> </a>Hananiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Fiercely</span>] God is on our side.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The others say nothing</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Quietly</span>] God is on our side. He has set up his +tabernacle upon this hill, and my own roof stands in +the shadow of his holy house. But God sends trials +upon his own people. Those who swore faith to us, +betrayed us; the Egyptians abandoned us; we are +alone. Let us take counsel together, how to fight out +our quarrel with Nebuchadnezzar, or whether we can +find a means to end it.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Let us pray to God for a miracle. Let our hearts +overflow with prayer, our altars smoke with sacrifices. +What we have done once hitherto, let us now do twice +over.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>There is nothing left to sacrifice, neither bulls nor +rams.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>It is false. I have heard the lowing of the cattle +which you refuse to deliver up to the sacrifice.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>The last we have. They are milch cows to provide +food for nursing mothers and the sick.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_181" title="181"> </a>Hananiah</p> + +<p>Such thrift is impious where God is concerned. Let +the sick starve and the breasts of the women run dry, +so long as God receives due meed of sacrifice.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Earnestly</span>] God requires no gifts to make him +aware of our distresses.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Naught is sweeter to the Lord than the gifts of the +needy. We should give to the uttermost, tearing the +morsels from our own mouths.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>I know the customs. It is not for you, Hananiah, +to teach me my duty, which I know better perchance +than you know God’s word and God’s will.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Who sacrifices grudgingly, who sacrifices with a +cold heart, is but a slaughterman, and no true servant +of the Lord. Lo, I say unto you unless ye give of +your uttermost need, ye are unworthy to stand in the +light of his countenance.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Passionately</span>] Hold your peace. Your words are +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_182" title="182"> </a> +past bearing. But a few grains of sand have run +through the hour glass, and already you rail against +one another. We do not meet to discuss what it is +fitting we should render unto God. We meet to consider +our pressing need, and how we can relieve it. +We are in the throes of war, and to you therefore I +turn first for counsel, Abimelech, general of my army.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Stout are the walls of Jerusalem, O King, but stouter +still is my heart.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>And your men, old stalwart; are they, too, stout-hearted? +Rarely do I hear them raise exultant cries. +When I pass among them, no longer do they strike +their shields. They turn away their faces.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>War makes men silent, but it steels their hearts. No +longer, indeed, do they shout with delight, for that +they can use their swords freely. Custom stales all +joys. But they watch and wait; strong as brass are +they, guarding the walls of Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>But what if the moons still wax and wane; what if +the second year of the siege begins? There is no +help coming from outside.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_183" title="183"> </a>Abimelech</p> + +<p>The siege will last as long as God pleases, and we +shall last as long as the siege.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>May the Lord fulfil thy words. [<span class="stage-direction">To the others</span>] +Are ye all of the same opinion?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>We must be steadfast, enduring patiently until the +end.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>What sayest thou, Hananiah?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Never shall Nebuchadnezzar overthrow us. Woe +unto all faint-hearts. Did it rest with me, I would +put them to the sword.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Imre</p> + +<p>Mine eyes are dim with age, but being old, I saw the +days when Senaccherib was arrayed against Israel, and I +saw his men lying dead in heaps around our walls. +Never were the jackals so fat as in the year when +Jerusalem was encircled by the enemies of the Lord. +The same may happen again to those who now besiege +us. Let mine eyes not be wholly darkened ere this +day dawn. Jerusalem endureth for ever!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_184" title="184"> </a>Abimelech, Hananiah, Pashur</p> + +<p>Jerusalem endureth for ever!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A pause</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Thou sayest nothing, Nahum. Wherefore art thou +silent?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Gloomy are my thoughts, Lord King, and bitter will +be my speech. He thrusts not himself forward, to +whom joy is lacking.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>I summoned you in council, one and all. Welcome +is the bearer of good tidings, but no less welcome he +who brings wise warnings. Speak freely.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Shortly before you called me to the council, I was +visiting the storehouses, and having the grain measured, +bushel by bushel. They were full when the siege +began, but now they are almost empty. No longer +can we provide a whole loaf for the day’s ration.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">All sit in dismayed silence</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Was there not ample provision of grain from the +villages? Was not an abundance of milch cows and +other beasts driven within the walls?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_185" title="185"> </a>Nahum</p> + +<p>Forget not that the siege has lasted nearly a year, +and that there are many mouths to feed.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">After another pause</span>] We can reduce the rations yet +further. Let nothing be wasted.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Long have we been careful to avoid waste. Yet the +storehouses gape with emptiness. Time is a mighty +eater.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>How long, then, thinkest thou, ere famine is upon +us?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In low tones</span>] Three weeks, Lord. No more.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A pause</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Three weeks … And then?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>How can I answer thee, O King? God alone knows +the answer. [<span class="stage-direction">Renewed silence</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In great excitement</span>] Cut the loaves in half. Cut +them in three, and let that suffice for the day. Too +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_186" title="186"> </a> +long have they lived riotously, they and their concubines; +let them grow lean, now, fighting the Lord’s +fight.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>My soldiers must not have their food cut down. No +man can fight on an empty stomach.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>We must all share and share alike, the soldiers as +well as the others. Jerusalem is at stake.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>My men must have their strength kept up. Let the +useless mouths go hungry, the windbags and the +prattlers.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>You talk folly. What would it avail to pinch ourselves +unduly, seeing that there are an hundred thousand +within the walls. There is food to last us three +weeks. If we slaughter the beasts reserved for the +temple, we can hold out a fortnight more.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Let us keep the peace among ourselves. Ye rail +against one another like enemies. Let us stand united +against Nebuchadnezzar and likewise against our own +people. Neither he nor they must know aught of our +need.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_187" title="187"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>What if he know it already?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>None can know it. Daily I set my seal on the doors +of the storehouses. Neither the people nor Nebuchadnezzar +can be aware of our distress.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>God be praised. Nebuchadnezzar would show us no +mercy if he knew.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">After a pause</span>] I have called you in council, elders +of the people. Wars are not ended by the sword alone. +I have summoned you to ask whether I should send +an envoy to Nebuchadnezzar, praying him that there +should be peace between our nations.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>No peace with the blasphemers of the Almighty!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Let him make the first offer.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>I think it would be dangerous for us to begin. +Should we open the parley, he would seek to make +slaves of us.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_188" title="188"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>I hold other views. Though as yet he knows nothing +of our desperate plight, it can remain hidden for a few +days only. We must turn these days to account.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>True are thy words, O King. We must seek mercy +of Nebuchadnezzar before he triumphs over us with +the sword.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Bitterly</span>] Sue for mercy! Death were better!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>We need God’s mercy, not man’s.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">To <ins title="Nahum"><span class="speaker">Nahum</span></ins></span>] Coward and traitor!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Imre</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Wearily</span>] When will you cease quarreling? The +king’s words are true. It would be folly to wait till the +last hour. Let us seek parley while we can still show +a bold front.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>It is too late. The dead lying before the walls will +cry reproach on us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>It is too late. The war has heaped up such mountains +of hatred.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_189" title="189"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Nay, it is not too late. [<span class="stage-direction">He pauses for a moment</span>] +An envoy has already passed between Nebuchadnezzar +and me.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The councilors spring excitedly to their feet</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Thou hast received an envoy from Nebuchadnezzar? +Blessed be the hour.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Traitor! Thou holdest parley with the enemy!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>No treaty without our consent! Thou hast forgotten.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Thou hast held parley, King, without consulting us? +Why then are we summoned in council?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Peace, peace. Can ye not wait till I have finished? +Ye snap at my first word like a pack of hungry hounds. +[<span class="stage-direction">A pause. He continues more quietly</span>] A messenger +has come from Nebuchadnezzar. I have not yet heard +the message. Is this to hold parley? Is this treachery? +Answer!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">All are silent for a while</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_190" title="190"> </a>Pashur</p> + +<p>I crave thy pardon, King. It is hard to weigh one’s +words when so much hangs in the balance.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>It is for you to decide; for you to hear the envoy, +or to send him away unheard.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Our position is desperate. We must hear him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Imre</p> + +<p>We can listen to his message, and be cautious about +accepting it.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>We can hear him, and can settle afterwards whether +we will let him return. He may be sent only to spy +out the land.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>What say ye, Pashur and Hananiah?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Let us hear him.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Hananiah</span> is silent and averts his face</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Since no one opposes, we will hear the message. +[<span class="stage-direction">Going to the doorway he calls out</span>] Joab, fetch the +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_191" title="191"> </a> +envoy. [<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> returns to the table</span>] Let each +ask what questions he will. But our answers must show +one mind.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Baruch</span> is ushered in by <span class="speaker">Joab</span>. The latter passes +out again, replacing the curtain. <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> bows before +the king</span>]</p> + +<p>Dost thou bring a message to Israel from King +Nebuchadnezzar?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>He has sent me with a message to thee, O King.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>These are my councilors. Who speaks to me speaks +to them also, for they and I, Israel and Israel’s king, +are at one by God’s will. [<span class="stage-direction">Turning to the others</span>] +Question him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Scornfully</span>] What grace does the king of the +heathen vouchsafe …</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Interrupting</span>] Let us consider practical matters +first! What is your name?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Baruch, son of Zebulon, of the house of Naphtali.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Are you then of our blood?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_192" title="192"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>I am a servant of the one God, and was born in +Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Does anyone here know this man?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>I know his father, a just man, and a faithful servant +of the Lord.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>How did you fall into the enemy’s hands?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>I was drawing water from Moria well when they +seized me.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>What proof have you that you are an envoy? Have +you a letter, signed and sealed?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Nebuchadnezzar gave me his signet ring, that I +might pass the sentries going and returning. [<span class="stage-direction">He +shows the ring on his finger.</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>I have no more questions to ask. Let him deliver +his message.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>When the Assyrian soldiers waylaid me, they took +me to the king’s tent. Nebuchadnezzar has kept me +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_193" title="193"> </a> +under guard these eleven months. Sending for me +yesterday, he said: “Wilt thou take my message to +King Zedekiah?” Standing before him without fear, +I answered: “I will.” Then spake Nebuchadnezzar: +“Eleven months have I laid siege to this town. I have +sworn that not again will I lie with woman until the +gates of Jerusalem have been opened. But I will wait +no longer. Should King Zedekiah wish for terms, +let him hasten. Never has an enemy withstood me +more stoutly. To none will I be more gentle than +to him, should he hasten to sue for mercy.”</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Nebuchadnezzar is a great warrior. It is an honor +to have held out against him for eleven months.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>He said further: “If ye open the gates and humble +yourselves ere the moon be full, I will grant you your +lives. Every man may dwell in safety under his vine +and under his fig tree. Though ye have shed our +blood, I seek not yours, but only victory and renown. +It is my will that from sunrise to sunset the nations +should learn the news that none can withstand my +sword; that there is no king but shall bow before me, +the king of kings. I need but a sign, and your city +shall be safe, your days long in the land.”</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Methinks the terms are easy.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_194" title="194"> </a>Pashur</p> + +<p>Too easy for me to trust them.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>But the sign! What sign does Nebuchadnezzar +demand?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>He said: “Zedekiah, who has taken up arms against +me, must abase himself. When I enter the city, let +him walk to meet me, from the gates of the temple to +the wall, carrying his crown in his hands, and wearing +a wooden yoke on his neck …”</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Drawing himself up</span>] A yoke?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>“A yoke that all men may know his stubbornness is +broken and his pride humbled. I will meet him, will +lift the yoke from his neck, and replace the crown on +his head.”</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Never shall the man wear a crown whose neck has +borne a yoke. Never! [<span class="stage-direction">He rises to his feet</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>I could not endure it! [<span class="stage-direction">He also rises</span>]</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_195" title="195"> </a>[<span class="stage-direction">The others remain seated and silent. After a long +pause, <span class="speaker">Nahum</span> speaks meditatively</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>From the gates of the temple to the wall?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>It is barely an hundred paces.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Imre</p> + +<p>No more than seventy, I think. No more than +seventy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Turning fiercely upon them</span>] Ye reckon up the +paces I am to take, with my neck yoked like an ox +drawing the plough? Are ye all mad to think that I +shall so humble myself? Did ye show courage only +while your own lives were at stake? Do ye think +nothing of my shame, if ye can make your own peace? +Cowards all!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Thou hast sworn, O King, that each of us should +speak freely the words which came to his mouth.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Thou dost well to remind me. Pardon my anger. +Speak freely.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_196" title="196"> </a>Nahum</p> + +<p>I beseech thee to accept the terms, not for our sake +alone but for that of our children.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Imre</p> + +<p>For the sake of our country.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>For temple and altar.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>For God, who commands it.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Abimelech</span> is silent, hiding his face</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Paces up and down, as the struggle rages within +him. At length he steps up to the table, and speaks in +solemn tones</span>] I will do what ye demand, breaking +my pride like a potter’s vessel, bowing my neck beneath +the yoke.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">All move to speak, but he imposes silence, and +continues</span>]</p> + +<p>I will take the crown from my head, and offer it +up with my hands, as is enjoined. But holy is the +crown of Israel, and none shall wear it whose neck hath +borne a yoke. When I have put off from me the wood +of shame, I shall put away likewise sceptre and ring, +consigning both to my son. Young is he, but ye will +counsel him. Swear that ye will be true to him, so +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_197" title="197"> </a> +that the people may look up to him. Swear that ye +will invest him with crown and with ring.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Greatly moved</span>] I swear it, O King.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Imre, Hananiah, Nahum</p> + +<p>We swear it.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>As a king hast thou acted. Praised be thy name.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Eternal honor to King Zedekiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Thus shall the walls stand fast, thus shall the holy +city be saved, though I sink into the dust. Better I +should perish than Zion. Jerusalem endureth for ever.</p> + +<p class="speaker">All</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Fervently</span>] Jerusalem endureth for ever.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">To <span class="speaker">Baruch</span></span>] Thou hearest, boy? Go, then, to +the king of Ashur, and say unto him: “Zedekiah, who +hath been ruler, and hath taken up arms against thee, +boweth himself before thee, that thou mayest show +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_198" title="198"> </a> +him thy mercy.” Hasten, that soon I may stand before +the door of my house, saying to my people the precious +word, “Peace”.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Disquieted, speaks in subdued tones</span>] I hear, Lord +King. But there is yet one other thing I have to tell +thee, one more demand from the king of Ashur.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Angrily</span>] Yet more? Does not this shame suffice +him?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>A trifle he termed it. It looms large in my mind.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>What does his pride still crave?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>He spake unto me and said: “I will take the yoke +from the king’s neck and restore the crown to his head. +He shall walk at my left hand, that men may know I +honor him as my royal brother. But there is still one +within your walls, of whom folk say that he is mightier +than any. I would see this mighty one. They say +that there is a god within your walls, whose countenance +ye hide behind the curtains of a tabernacle, for that no +one can bear to look upon him. To me, fear is +unknown, and I wish to enter his presence, that I may +behold him. I will not lay hands on his altar, nor +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_199" title="199"> </a> +touch his bread, neither will I covet his treasures. One +thing only do I ask, that I may enter his tabernacle, +for I would fain set eyes on him who hath proved +mightier than I.” Thus spake Nebuchadnezzar.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Never! Never!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>The fire of the Lord consume him for the sacrilegious +thought.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Better that the temple should crumble to dust, than +that the tabernacle should be desecrated.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Imre</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In consternation</span>] He would look upon the holy +of holies! Terrible is the request.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Unbounded is the insolence of the heathen ruler! +Dismiss his messenger, Lord King. Send back the +envoy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Send back the envoy. Never must such a thing be.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Be not too hasty, O King. In our hands lies the +welfare of the nation.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_200" title="200"> </a>Abimelech</p> + +<p>A thousand deaths were better than this shame.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>I will face death with you, will perish in the midst +of your warriors.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Savagely</span>] Dismiss the envoy. Rather death than +this sacrilege.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Imre</p> + +<p>Ye talk lightly of dying. Bethink ye that your +pride means seventy thousand deaths.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>Would you profane God’s holy of holies?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Imre</p> + +<p>Life is part of God’s holiness. God himself is life.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>It would be an everlasting disgrace could the heathen +<ins title="on">look on</ins> the face of <ins title="Jehovah.”">Jehovah.</ins></p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Let our foes exult; let our pride be humbled. So +be it, if the city outlast our pride and our lives. King +Zedekiah, save Jerusalem!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_201" title="201"> </a>Hananiah</p> + +<p>Nay, dismiss the envoy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>I am naught but the hand holding the scales. I stand +aloof from your decision. Make up your minds. +Count your votes. Speed ye, that the matter may be +settled for good or for ill.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Imre</p> + +<p>I am the oldest among you. My word is, let us +comply with Nebuchadnezzar’s demands.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Let us refuse. God will help us. Let us refuse.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>I will not chaffer with God’s majesty. Never will +I consent to such impiety.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Let God’s city stand for ever. Accept the terms.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>What sayest thou, Abimelech?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_202" title="202"> </a>Abimelech</p> + +<p>Not for me to advise thee, King Zedekiah. Not for +me, who am but thy servant and thy sword. By yes +and by no, in life and in death, do I stand by thy +decision.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Two votes against two, and in my own mind there +are voices twain! Conflict without; conflict within. I +hold aloof, leaving it to you to direct my will. You +cast it back to me like seadrift, and, trembling, I am +still constrained to decide. Have I, indeed, to throw +these dreadful dice?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>God will give thee light.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Ah, would he but speak to me. Happy our forefathers +to whom he appeared in a cloud. I stretch +forth my hands towards him, but still for me the voice +of heaven is dumb. I grope in the darkness, finding +I know not what. Pray for me that I may be rightly +guided.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Thou hast our love, O King.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Time presses. Ere the night is spent I must say +yes or no; where perchance no is yes, and yes is no. God +give me light. [<span class="stage-direction">He rises to his feet and all rise with +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_203" title="203"> </a> +him</span>] Leave me to myself. The cleavage among you +increases my own indecision. I shall act as my heart +dictates, and it may well be that ere ye reach home I +shall have made my choice, for my soul travaileth. +Pray, friends, pray, that my choice may be the best +for Israel. Pray for me, pray for Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Pashur</p> + +<p>God give thee light. I shall not close my eyes in +sleep until thou hast chosen. I will hold vigil before +the altar.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Hananiah</p> + +<p>Remember God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Remember the city.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Imre</p> + +<p>Remember the children, remember the women.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>I abide by thy choice in life or in death.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">All depart, leaving <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> and the king</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Quietly</span>] Shall I, too, take my leave, King +Zedekiah?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Collecting his thoughts</span>] What sayest thou? Nay, +thou must remain.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_204" title="204"> </a>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Baruch</span> stands by the doorway while <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> +walks restlessly to and fro for a time. Then, pausing +by the window, the king stares over the town, subsequently +resuming his restless pacing. At length he +turns and speaks to <span class="speaker">Baruch</span></span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Nebuchadnezzar demands an answer to-day?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Yea, Lord; for to-morrow the moon is full.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Paces the floor again. Then abruptly</span>] Thou +sawest him face to face. Did he ask thee anything +concerning me?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>His chief counselor and his scribe were present. +The former asked me about you, but Nebuchadnezzar +bade him be silent.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Full of pride is he, and his wrath is like a storm over +our heads. But I fear him not. Himself, he asked +nothing concerning me?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Nothing, Lord King.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_205" title="205"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>To him we are naught. To him our walls are but a +handful of dust. Yet we can meet defiance with defiance. +For eleven months he has been breaking his +teeth against the ramparts of the city, and he would +dismiss us with a smile. I am not worth a word, and +he rates our town at a breath. Nevertheless my yoke +is not yet ready; the walls of Jerusalem still stand. +We have taught him to wait, but he has not yet learned +his lesson. Shall I be the slave of his caprices? He +would tarry but a day? Let him tarry for weeks and +months. [<span class="stage-direction">Drawing himself up</span>] Take this message +to Nebuchadnezzar. Say unto him …</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In alarm</span>] Decide not in anger, King Zedekiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Rigid with astonishment</span>] How darest thou interrupt +me?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Kneels</span>] I implore thee, save Jerusalem. Stretch +forth thine hand in peace, lest the walls crumble and +the temple be shattered. Lord King, I adjure thee, +open the gates, open thy heart.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Wrathfully</span>] “Open the gates, open thy heart”. +I have heard those words before. They have been put +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_206" title="206"> </a> +into thy mouth. One stands behind thee speaking +against me with thy voice.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Nay, Lord King. My supplication arises from the +depths of my heart. Something will I tell thee, which +hitherto I have withheld. It was not at Nebuchadnezzar’s +summons that I went to him, but of my own +free will, hoping that I might soften his heart. I saw +that either side waited for the other to propose peace. +Day after day, for eleven long months, did I importune +him till he sent me with this message.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Thou, a boy, a child? While we were holding counsel, +thou soughtest out the king of kings to seek peace +and ensure it?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>This did I, O King, in the urgency of my heart’s +wishes.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Regards him fixedly for a time. Then, speaking +sharply</span>] Not thine own deed, this, nor thy thought.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>I went at no man’s orders.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Thou speakest falsely. No boy could conceive such +a deed for himself.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_207" title="207"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>I swear to thee that I did it unadvised. He knew +naught of it, neither commanded it nor approved.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>He? Who is he of whose orders thou speakest?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Evasively</span>] My teacher, my master.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Who is thy master, who? I would know who issues +commands to the boys of this city.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>God’s servant and prophet is my master. Men call +him Jeremiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Furiously</span>] Jeremiah, always Jeremiah. Ever the +shadow that follows my deeds, ever in revolt against +me. I have cast him into a dungeon, but still, as in the +beginning, rises his clamor for peace. Why this persecution? +Why?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Thou art mistaken. Jeremiah hath more love for +thee than for any other in this town.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_208" title="208"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>I need not his love. I spew forth his love, and I +despise his anger. Who is he, that he should dare to +love me? Shall one venture to stand up in the streets +and give tongue, declaring that he loveth me, or loveth +me not? Why should Jeremiah push in twixt me and +my resolve? Would he show himself the greater of +us twain? I am the king, I alone! Let him cry, +Peace, peace! Not in his hand lieth the fate of Jerusalem. +I am king in Zion, and never shall he boast +that he frightened me with his dreams. Better the +city should perish, than be saved by the hand of Jeremiah. +Go thou to Nebuchadnezzar and say unto him: +Never will Zedekiah bear a yoke. Never shall the +king of Ashur raise the curtain before the holy of +holies. Nebuchadnezzar may come with all his men; +he will find Zedekiah ready to meet him.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Baruch</span> raising both hands imploringly, is about to +speak. <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> continues</span>]</p> + +<p>Not a word. If thou failest to carry my message, I +will have Jeremiah’s head.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Again <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> endeavors to speak</span>]</p> + +<p>A single word, and Jeremiah’s life is forfeit. Away, +I command thee, away!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Baruch</span> stands for a moment, and then, veiling his +face, passes out. <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> draws himself up threateningly +when <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> hesitates. As soon as the young +man has gone, the king lowers his outstretched arm, +and his countenance is once more shadowed with +anxiety. Then he draws a deep breath and speaks</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_209" title="209"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>It is finished. No longer the torture of indecision.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">He paces to and fro once more. Then he stamps +twice. <span class="speaker">Joab</span> enters</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>The king calls?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Wine, bring me wine. I need sleep, deep and +dreamless sleep.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Joab</span> brings a pitcher and fills a silver goblet. +<span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> empties it at a draught. Then he listens, +and his face is again clouded</span>]</p> + +<p>Who is walking outside there? I hear footsteps. +Does the spy still tarry?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>He has gone forth, Lord. You hear the sentry, my +brother Nehemiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Tell him to tread softly when he is on guard outside +my bedchamber at night. I need sleep just as much +as other men.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>I will see to it, Lord. [<span class="stage-direction">He draws aside the curtains +of the bed and veils the lamp. Now the only light in +the room comes from the pale moonbeams</span>] Shall I +read from the scriptures, Lord King, as heretofore?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_210" title="210"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Nay, not even the scriptures can help me. I would +fain sleep, even as other men sleep. My lids ache and +my heart aches likewise.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Joab</span> helps him to remove his outer garment. +<span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> flings himself on the couch</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>God guard thy slumbers, O King.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Joab</span> calls <span class="speaker">Nehemiah</span>. Silently the two stand at +the head of the bed, motionless figures holding spears. +In the moonlight their shadows rise in giant silhouettes +on the wall. The only sound is the gentle plashing +of a fountain in the court-yard</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Springing up with a wild cry</span>] Why do ye whisper +together? Did I not command ye to silence?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Alarmed</span>] We said nothing, Lord King.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Some one is talking. Who is it that devours my +slumber? All should sleep, so that I too may sleep. Is +there anyone awake in the neighboring rooms?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>No one, Lord King. Nor anywhere throughout the +palace.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_211" title="211"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>So I alone hold vigil. Why should all the burden +be laid upon me? All the walls of the city, all the +towers of care? Get me wine.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Joab</span> fills the goblet once more. <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> drains +it and flings it away. With a groan he lies down again. +All is still save for the murmur of the fountain. <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span>, +who has been lying motionless on the bed, now +very quietly sits up in the gloom. Crouching like a +wild beast about to spring, he listens intently. Then +he suddenly screams</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Some one is speaking. I hear a voice which drones +unendingly. I have given orders that none shall speak +in my house. The voice is chanting. But I have forbidden +that any should sing under my roof. Do ye not +hear it?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>I hear nothing, Lord.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nehemiah</p> + +<p>No sound has reached me.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Glares at the two lads. Crouching he listens for a +moment, and breaks forth again</span>] I hear it, I tell you; +an interminable monotone. Listen, Joab, here where +I am listening. It is somewhere beneath us, burrowing +like a mole in the darkness of my slumber, devouring +my sleep. Canst not hear, lad?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_212" title="212"> </a>Joab</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Listens intently for a moment, and then shudders</span>] +I hear a voice rising from the depths. Like the voice +of one singing. The spirits of the deep are awake +beneath the house. The voice laments and moans like +a caged beast.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nehemiah</p> + +<p>Perchance it is but the wind moaning through a +cranny.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>I hear words; I feel them without understanding +them. Who dares to sing by night in my house? Is it +so well with my slaves that they must sing while I toss +sleepless? Away, Joab, and silence the disturber.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Joab</span> hastens out. <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> crouches, listening. +He seems at first to hear something. Then he raises +his head, and subsequently lowers it to listen once more. +Suddenly three dull blows are heard. The king listens +eagerly. He draws a breath of relief</span>]</p> + +<p>God be praised, the voice is stilled.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Joab</span> reenters with troubled mien</span>]</p> + +<p>Who was talking?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Trembling</span>] I know not, Lord, I did not find him. +As I neared the marketplace, the noise of singing came +to me louder, rising as it were from the depths of the +earth. I followed the direction of the sound. There +was no one singing in the marketplace. The utterance +had a hollow ring, as if it came from a well or from a +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_213" title="213"> </a> +pit. Now I could hear the words, and they were terrible. +Thrice did I strike the ground with the haft +of my spear. Then was the Gehenna silent.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>What were the words?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shuddering</span>] I dare not repeat them.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Tell me the words, I command thee.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>It was blasphemy that rose from the pit.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Repeat the words, if you fear my anger.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Complies. His voice rises in a psalm</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">I have forsaken mine house,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I have cast off mine heritage;<br/></div> +<div class="line">I have given the dearly beloved of my soul<br/></div> +<div class="line">Into the hand of her enemies.<br/></div> +<div class="line">My tears run down like a river day and night,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For grievous is the affliction<br/></div> +<div class="line">Of the daughter of my people.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_214" title="214"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">With a loud cry</span>] Jeremiah! Always Jeremiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Continuing to chant as if inspired</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">He hath given up into the hand of the enemy<br/></div> +<div class="line">The walls of her palaces;<br/></div> +<div class="line">They have made a noise in the house of the Lord,<br/></div> +<div class="line">As in the day of a solemn feast.<br/></div> +<div class="line">He hath …<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Be still, be still. I will hear no more. Always Jeremiah, +and again Jeremiah. Wherever I go he stands +at the cross roads; his challenge rings behind all my +doings; he forces his way into my dreams, and feeds +my indecision. How can I outrun this terrible shadow? +He cries to me even from the pit. Who will free me +from him?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Joab</p> + +<p>Lord, if he be thine enemy, say the word … [<span class="stage-direction">He +makes a movement with his spear</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Startled out of his anger, looks at the lad wonderingly. +Then, with awakening pride</span>] Thou wouldst +… Nay, I fear him not. I fear no man. Nor am I +certain if he be my enemy. I was foolish, perhaps, to +flee from him. Who can tell? [<span class="stage-direction">He paces the room</span>] +Joab!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_215" title="215"> </a>Joab</p> + +<p>My Lord?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Go forth, taking with thee thy brother Nehemiah. +Open the pit and bring hither the man ye will find +there. None must know that he enters and leaves the +palace.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Joab</span> and <span class="speaker">Nehemiah</span> pass out. The king soliloquizes +in low tones</span>]</p> + +<p>At every cross road, behind my back, always too late +and always compelling me to listen. Why did I appeal +only to God, who vouchsafes me no answer? Why +did I not hearken to those who say that he declares his +will through their mouths? But wherefore do they +speak with conflicting voices? How could I discern +the false from the true? Dread is this God who will +not break silence, and whose messengers cannot be certainly +known.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> enters accompanied by the two lads. At +a sign from <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span>, <span class="speaker">Joab</span> unveils the lamp. Then +he and <span class="speaker">Nehemiah</span> withdraw. <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> is pale and +emaciated. His dark eyes flash from a white and bony +face, looking almost as if set in a skull. He regards +the king with a questioning calm. After a momentary +embarrassment the king speaks</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>I sent for thee, Jeremiah, to ask why thou dost disturb +my rest. Why singest thou in the night when +others sleep?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_216" title="216"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>He may not sleep who watches over the people. The +Lord hath appointed me to watch and to give warning.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Jeremiah, I have summoned thee to hold counsel +with me. No man knoweth that to this end I have +drawn thee from the pit where thou hast been prisoned. +Wilt thou advise me truly?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>God helping me, I will.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Know, then, what none other knows save my innermost +counselors. An envoy has come from Nebuchadnezzar, +seeking to end the war between our nations.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Exultantly</span>] God be praised! Open the gates, +open thy heart to humbleness.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Rejoice not too soon. Hard are the terms and +measureless is the arrogancy of the king of Ashur.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Arrogant hast thou been towards him, therefore must +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_217" title="217"> </a> +thou accept arrogancy in return. Put compulsion on +thy heart, so thou save Jerusalem from destruction.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>He asks my honor.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Sacrifice thine honor for the city.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Is not honor my office; is not pride my crown?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>If they be truly thine, cast them from thee. Peace +is better than honor; suffering is better than death.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>He would bow my neck beneath a yoke.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Blessed is he who suffers for all; who suffers that +all may live. Bow thy neck, and save the city.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>I should bring shame on all the kings whose throne +is my heritage; I should disgrace the mantle of my +forefathers.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_218" title="218"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Think no longer of those who have been. They are +dead, and worms have eaten them. Think of the city +and of those who now live therein.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Not me alone will Nebuchadnezzar abase, but God +also.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>God smiles at those who would abase him. Open +the gates, open thy heart to humbleness.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Nebuchadnezzar would enter the holy of holies +which none may approach.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>God will avert it, should it be his will; thou canst +not avert it. Open the gates, open thy heart to +humbleness.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Angrily</span>] Thy wisdom is stubbornness; thy counsel, +insolence. With deaf ears dost thou hearken, and +thine answer is hard as flint.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Am I to laud thy blindness, to approve whate’er thou +sayest? Feigning to ask counsel, thou wouldst have +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_219" title="219"> </a> +naught but flattery. May my tongue consume away +in my mouth, my bones fall apart, ere I praise thy folly +and cease from crying against thy blindness.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Why railest thou thus, when thou hast not yet heard +my purpose?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I know thy purpose. With words dost thou fawn on +me, whilst thy will is set up against me. Wouldst +mock me, and play with God’s word? Thou hast not +summoned me to help thee decide. Long ere this has +the message been signed and sealed within thy soul. +Thou mayst deceive thyself, King of Israel, but me +thou canst not deceive.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Jeremiah!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Yea, verily, I, Jeremiah, say unto thee, the king: +Thou dealest falsely with me, and thy words are a +blind. No longer is thy will free, nor dost thou truly +desire me to influence thy decision.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Unsteadily</span>] How canst thou know this?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Thy lips betray thee. Thou quailest before my +wrath like a guilty man. Fain wouldst thou tempt me +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_220" title="220"> </a> +to approve thy decision, to lift the guilt from thy +shoulders. Woe unto him who tempts men, for he +tempts the god that is in men.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Hesitates, greatly moved. Then he speaks in low +tones</span>] Much, indeed, is it given thee to know, +Jeremiah. Too true are thy words. My will is no +longer free, I have delivered my message to the +envoy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Recall it! Save the city.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>He is on his way to Nebuchadnezzar.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Send for him! Bring him back!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Too late. The advice comes too late.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Hasten after him. Pursue him with runners and +riders.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>It is too late. By now my message must have +reached the king of Ashur.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_221" title="221"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Hides his face, lamenting</span>] Woe, woe unto Jerusalem, +woe unto Jerusalem!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Drawing near him in alarm</span>] What ails thee +Jeremiah?</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> does not heed the king. Sobs shake his +frame. Soon, however, he draws himself up once +more. Now his gaze is fixed on the distance. He +speaks as in a dream, raising his hands, like one +inspired</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">How art thou fallen from heaven,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Jerusalem, sun of the morning!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thou hast said in thine heart,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I will ascend into heaven,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Alas, thou art fallen from glory,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Art sunken in darkness and night.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Calls to him loudly, hoping to awaken him from +the trance</span>] Jeremiah!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">What star was brighter than thine,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thou city of Jacob,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thou fortress of David,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_222" title="222"> </a><div class="line">Thou tabernacle of Solomon,<br/></div> +<div class="line">God’s treasure and his holy house?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Who could herald thy ways, who could signal thy praise?<br/></div> +<div class="line">All happy the psalteries, the cymbals grew light,<br/></div> +<div class="line">With sounding thy triumphs from morning till night.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Thou ravest, Jeremiah; awake, awake!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Unheeding</span>] How still art thou now, my beloved.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thy brightness, say, where hath it gone?<br/></div> +<div class="line">The voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride<br/></div> +<div class="line">No longer are heard among thy houses.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The market hath become desolate.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Quenched are the voice of joy,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The voice of gladness,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The sound of flute playing,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And the song of the maidens.<br/></div> +<div class="line">A slayer hath fallen upon thee,<br/></div> +<div class="line">An avenger from the north.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Waste places are thy streets,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Nettles grow in thy pleasant places,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thorns and brambles in the palace of thy kings.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Alas, thy walls are laid low,<br/></div> +<div class="line">All thy towers are broken down;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shamefully overthrown<br/></div> +<div class="line">Is the everlasting heart of thy sanctuary.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_223" title="223"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Accursèd one, thou liest! High and hale stand the +walls of Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">With growing frenzy</span>] Every head hath been shorn,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Every beard hath been clipt.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The mothers, wearing sackcloth,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Tear the flesh from their cheeks,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Wailing:<br/></div> +<div class="line">“Where are my sons, where are my daughters?”<br/></div> +<div class="line">Woe is me!<br/></div> +<div class="line">The dead bodies of the sons<br/></div> +<div class="line">Lie like dung in the streets<br/></div> +<div class="line">Where they have perished by the sword;<br/></div> +<div class="line">The daughters have been strangled with their own hair,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And the women with child have been ripped up.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The jackals of the wilderness are gorged,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The ravens weary with feasting.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Be silent, be silent! Thou liest!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">What availeth it to seek safety in thorny thickets,<br/></div> +<div class="line">To flee from death into the burning fissures of the rock?<br/></div> +<div class="line">They hunt thee with horses, with companies of spearmen,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Track thee down, and with sticks beat the coverts for their game,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_224" title="224"> </a><div class="line">Drive thee forth from the crannies with firebrands and smoke,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Pursue thee, and seize thee, and slay.<br/></div> +<div class="line">They ravish the women, they slaughter the elders,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Just men are made slaves of their lowliest bondsmen,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Made servants of servants the daughters of kings.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Hold thy peace, liar, lest my wrath smite thee!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Lamenting</span>] Jerusalem, virgin and daughter of Judah,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The heathen make mock of thy pitiful plight.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Woe is me that I must look on thine affliction.<br/></div> +<div class="line">All thine enemies have opened their mouths against thee,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Laughing, and hissing, and gnashing their teeth,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Saying:<br/></div> +<div class="line">“We have swallowed her up!<br/></div> +<div class="line">“Is this the city that men call<br/></div> +<div class="line">“The perfection of beauty,<br/></div> +<div class="line">“The joy of the whole earth?<br/></div> +<div class="line">“Verily we have laid her low.<br/></div> +<div class="line">“Certainly this is the day we looked for,<br/></div> +<div class="line">“We have found it,<br/></div> +<div class="line">“We have seen it.”<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Beside himself with rage, clenching his fists</span>] Be +silent, liar, I will listen no longer.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_225" title="225"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Jerusalem, holy city of the Lord,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Cradle of the nations, treasure of the world!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Who will extol thee, who now will search thee out?<br/></div> +<div class="line">A legend of the ages hast thou become,<br/></div> +<div class="line">A fable and a proverb among the peoples.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ah, I see …<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Raving madman, naught more shalt thou see.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">I see thy suffering, I witness thy death,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I see …<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Grappling with him, bursts out in a fury</span>] Naught +more shalt thou see! I will have thee blinded.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Stares around, as if suddenly and dreadfully awakened. +Then laughing loudly, he chants with renewed +frenzy</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Me?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Blind me? Nay, ruthless one,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Not such is the purpose of God.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Know well that one shall be blinded<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ere these days draw to a close.<br/></div> +<div class="line">’Tis one with eyes that see not,<br/></div> +<div class="line">With ears that will not hear.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Yet hearken now, King Zedekiah!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> releases <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span>, and regards him +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_226" title="226"> </a> +with amazement and terror. <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> raises his +hands in denunciation, and continues</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Thee<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shall they seize,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The servants of Ashur,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Seize thee in God’s temple which thou hast destroyed.<br/></div> +<div class="line">They tear thee away from the horns of the altar,<br/></div> +<div class="line">To which thy hands cleave in the vain hope of help.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Naught availeth thy sword, for they break it in sunder,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Then bind thine arms straitly with fetters of brass,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Haling thee forth and the stairway adown;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Like a beast for the sacrifice scourging thee on;<br/></div> +<div class="line">To him will they bring thee whose hand thou rejectedst;<br/></div> +<div class="line">To him will they bring thee whose yoke thou hast broken,<br/></div> +<div class="line">To him who thy fiery doom will have spoken.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> has retreated several steps, and makes +gestures as if to avert the threatened fate</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">To thy knees as they force thee with curses and blows,<br/></div> +<div class="line">In the air-blast the furnace roars fiercely and glows.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Now the iron is heated, gleaming red, flashing white.<br/></div> +<div class="line">In thine eyeballs they plunge it, the scorching steel.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thy flesh smokes and hisses, thy senses reel.<br/></div> +<div class="line">God’s daylight has vanished in infinite night.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> screams, and claps his hands to his eyes +as if blinded</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">But ere thy sight, in a fiery mist<br/></div> +<div class="line">Of blood and tears, is forever gone,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_227" title="227"> </a><div class="line">Thy sons, by the sharp sword fiercely kissed,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shall be slain in thy presence, one by one,<br/></div> +<div class="line">As the headsman’s blade flashes through flesh and through bone.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Bootless thy struggles; the slaves hold thee fast!<br/></div> +<div class="line">The first falls, the second, the third and last!<br/></div> +<div class="line">They are sped, and thy weeping and wailing are vain.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Their blood drenches the ground, while thou, in thy pain,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ere the burning steel seareth the sight from thine eyes,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Seest how Israel’s race and kingship dies.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Groping his way across the room like a blind man, +staggers to the couch. Now he puts up his hands +beseechingly</span>] Mercy! Have mercy!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">By thy cries all in vain will the darkness be riven,<br/></div> +<div class="line">As thou liftest thy hands to the unseen heaven,<br/></div> +<div class="line">God’s mercy imploring! God no mercy will show<br/></div> +<div class="line">To the king whose false pride Zion’s temple laid low.<br/></div> +<div class="line">He casteth thee down among worms which are blind,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Which crawl on their bellies, each after his kind.<br/></div> +<div class="line">With despised and rejected, the sick, the forsworn,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shalt thou walk, Zedekiah, debased and forlorn,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Consorting with lepers, with halt and with lame,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Among outcasts the poorest. Thus thy pride God shall tame.<br/></div> +<div class="line">With beggars shall harbor; a beggar thyself,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_228" title="228"> </a><div class="line">Wearing sackcloth and ashes, shalt pass through the land.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Those who know thee—once splendent in power and in pelf,<br/></div> +<div class="line">King erstwhile in Zion—uplifting the hand,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shall curse thee, Zedekiah.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Utterly crushed by the adjuration, has collapsed, +groaning, on to the couch. Now he slowly rises, and +contemplates <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> blankly</span>] What a power is +entrusted to thee, Jeremiah. Thou hast broken the +strength of my limbs. The very marrow is frozen in +my bones. Terrible are thy words, Jeremiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">He has awakened from his trance, and the fire in +his eyes is quenched</span>] Poor are my words, Zedekiah. +Weakness is all my strength. I know, but cannot act!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Why didst thou not come to me sooner?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I was ever at hand, but thou couldst not find me.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Thou hast filled my heart with dread, yet I bear thee +no grudge. There must be no quarrel betwixt us twain +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_229" title="229"> </a> +who stand in the shadow of death. Get thee back +whence thou hast come. Thou shalt not lack food, for +I will share my last crust with thee. Let none know +of our converse, save God. [<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> turns to go</span>] +Stay, Jeremiah. Must the fate be, which thou hast +foretold? Jerusalem, my Jerusalem. Canst thou not +avert it?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Gloomily</span>] Naught can I do to avert it. I can only +prophesy. Woe upon the impotent.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">After a pause</span>] Jeremiah, I did not want war. I +was forced to declare war, but I loved peace. And I +love thee because of thy love for peace. Not with a +light heart did I take up arms, but before I lived there +was war under God’s heaven, and there will be war after +I am dead. I have suffered greatly, as thou canst +testify when the time comes. Be thou near me when +thy words are fulfilled.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I will be near thee, Zedekiah, my brother. [<span class="stage-direction">Slowly +he averts his face from the king and moves towards the +doorway</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Jeremiah! [<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> turns</span>] Thou hast cursed +me, Jeremiah. Bless me now, ere we part.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_230" title="230"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">After a moment’s hesitation, strides back and holds +his hands over the king</span>] The Lord bless thee, and keep +thee in all thy ways. May the light of his countenance +shine upon thee, and may he give thee peace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">As in a dream</span>] May he give us peace.</p> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_231" title="231"> </a>THE SUPREME AFFLICTION</h2> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_233" title="233"> </a><a name="Scene_7">SCENE SEVEN</a></p> + +<p>I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them +that pluck off the hair: I hid not my face from shame +and spitting. <span class="small-caps">Isaiah</span> L, 6.</p> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_235" title="235"> </a>SCENE SEVEN</p> + +<div class="scene-description"> +<p>The following morning; the great square before the +temple. A large crowd, consisting chiefly of women +and children, is swarming up the steps leading to the +palace, shouting and screaming. The leaders of the +mob have reached the palace door, and are hammering +on it with their fists.</p> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Doorkeeper</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Appearing through a wicket which he closes behind +him</span>] Are you still there? I have told you already +that no more bread will be given out to-day.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Woman</p> + +<p>But I am hungry.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Second Woman</p> + +<p>You gave me one tiny loaf for my three children, a +loaf no larger than my fist. Look at my little girl +here; see how skinny her fingers are. [<span class="stage-direction">She lifts the +child to show him</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Third Woman</p> + +<p>Look at mine too. [<span class="stage-direction">She also shows her child</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_236" title="236"> </a>Confused and Angry Voices</p> + +<p>I am hungry.—Give me bread.—We are hungry.—Bread.—Bread.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Voice</p> + +<p>Let us have the keys.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Yes.—Give us the keys.—Open the storehouses.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Doorkeeper</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Pushing back the foremost among the mob</span>] Away +with you! The king’s orders are that everyone shall +have a loaf at daybreak. Then the storehouses are to +be closed.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>I got no loaf.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Other Voices</p> + +<p>Nor I, nor I.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Woman</p> + +<p>You could hardly see mine; and I have a child at the +breast. Justice!</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Second</p> + +<p>Mine was full of sand and gravel.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Third</p> + +<p>They are not the same loaves we used to get. We +are being cheated. Justice!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_237" title="237"> </a>The Doorkeeper</p> + +<p>Nahum treats you all alike. He is perfectly fair.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>Where is he?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Other Voices</p> + +<p>Where is he? We want to see him.—Let him show +himself.—We will talk to him.—He is a thief.—Where +is he?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Voice</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shouting stridently</span>] He sits at home and fattens +up his own household. They bake cake for themselves.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Second Voice</p> + +<p>Yes, the rich have hoarded all they need.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>While we go hungry.—Bread for the poor.—Bread, +bread.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>The king has golden dishes filled with dainties. In +the palace they would rather throw their leavings to +the dogs than feed our children.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>I don’t believe that.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_238" title="238"> </a>Other Voices</p> + +<p>Yes.—Yes.—I have seen them do it.—My sister +says they do.—Where is Nahum?—Give us bread.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Gradually the voices fuse into a single shout for +bread. The mob thronging the steps grows more +threatening. Some of those in the front ranks are +about to seize the doorkeeper, while others continue to +beat on the closed door. The doorkeeper blows a +trumpet</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Hastening from the palace, attended by a number +of soldiers</span>] Away with you. Push them back. Down +the steps. Clear the entrance to the palace.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The soldiers use the hafts of their spears freely, +and the mob yields ground, panicstricken</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>He struck me.—They are killing us.—Where is my +child?—Help.—Help!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The crowd forms again at the foot of the steps, and +faces <span class="speaker">Abimelech</span> angrily</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Are you all mad? The enemy is attacking us. +Since dawn I have been on the ramparts to marshal the +defence, and you meanwhile are raising a tumult at our +backs. What would ye, rabble?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_239" title="239"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>Bread.—We are hungry.—Bread.—Our children +have nothing to eat.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Everyone has had his loaf.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Not I.—They left me out.—Not enough.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>The town is besieged. You must make the most of +what you have. We are at war.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>There is not enough bread.—We are hungry.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Well, be hungry! We are shedding our blood for +you. The city must be our first care. [<span class="stage-direction">Trying to +hearten them up he exclaims</span>] Jerusalem for ever!</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Half-heartedly</span>] Jerusalem for ever!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>Who or what is Jerusalem? Has Jerusalem a +stomach? Has Jerusalem blood? The stones and the +walls are not Jerusalem. We are Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_240" title="240"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, we are Jerusalem.—Give us life.—Give us +food.—Feed our children.—What is Jerusalem to me? +I want bread.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Stamping fiercely</span>] Be silent, all. Back to your +homes. Why do you loiter in the marketplace? Do +you not know that we are at war?</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Woman</p> + +<p>Why are we at war?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, why?—Why are we at war?—Let us make +peace.—Peace.—Peace.—Bread.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>Was it not well with us under Nebuchadnezzar? +Was not his yoke light? Were not our days pleasant?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Yea, yea.—Peace with Nebuchadnezzar.—End the +war.—Down with the war.—A curse on him who began +the war.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Woman</p> + +<p>It was Zedekiah’s doing. He wanted war to help +his friends the Egyptians.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_241" title="241"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, he has betrayed us.—While we suffer, he lies +at ease among his wives.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Who dares to slander the Lord’s anointed? He is +ever in the forefront of the battle.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>It is false.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Who says it is false? Let him stand forth and face +my sword. Who says it? [<span class="stage-direction">The crowd is silent</span>] +Beware of slanderers! Now then, off home with you. +Let those who can fight, man the walls.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">From the back</span>] Nahum, Nahum! Here he comes. +[<span class="stage-direction">The crowd surges round <span class="speaker">Nahum</span></span>] Nahum, good +Nahum.—Give us bread.—Bread.—Bread.—You will +treat us fairly.—Help us.—Good Nahum.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Elbowing his way through the press</span>] Let me pass!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Follows him up the steps</span>] Nahum! Nahum!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_242" title="242"> </a>Abimelech</p> + +<p>Back! Stand back.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The soldiers raise their spears, and the crowd +shrinks away to the foot of the steps</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>What would ye?</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>Open the storehouses.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>The storehouses are empty. Each of you has a loaf +every day. That must suffice.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>I have had no loaf.—Nor I.—Open the storehouses.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>I tell you they are empty.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>Let us see for ourselves.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, let us see for ourselves.—I don’t believe it.—Open +the storehouses.—Let us see for ourselves.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_243" title="243"> </a>Nahum</p> + +<p>I swear to you …</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>When we see we will believe. We have been +cheated too long.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>They are all cheats, the priests, the king, all.—Give +up the keys.—How they lied when they prophesied +victory. [<span class="stage-direction">The voices become more menacing</span>] Where +are the Egyptians?—Zedekiah promised that the +Egyptians would help us.—Where are the signs and +wonders?—Bread, bread, bread.—Give up the keys.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The mob surges up the steps once more, surrounding +<span class="speaker">Nahum</span> and endeavoring to snatch the keys</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Nahum</p> + +<p>Help, help!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Beating them back, aided by his men</span>] Down, down!</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>Oh, I am wounded. See, I bleed!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>For the last time. To your homes! Clear the +marketplace, or I shall use my sword.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_244" title="244"> </a>The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>The marketplace and the city belong to us.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A messenger appears at the back of the crowd</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Messenger</p> + +<p>Abimelech! Where is Abimelech?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>Here.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>There he is, the wretch, the murderer!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Messenger</p> + +<p>Help, Abimelech. They have broken in at Moria +Gate.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Cries of terror arise from the crowd</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Abimelech</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Cutting a path through them with his sword</span>] Make +way, make way.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">He strides off. <span class="speaker">Doorkeeper</span>, <span class="speaker">Nahum</span>, and the +soldiers withdraw through the wicket</span>]</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The crowd becomes chaotic. Previously it had +been animated by a definite will. Now its units form +a confused medley of horror-stricken persons, giving +vent to hardly intelligible cries of terror and distress</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_245" title="245"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>They have broken in at Moria Gate.—All is lost.—My +wife.—My children.—God help us.—To the +temple.—Elijah, Elijah!—Where shall we hide?—What +will become of us?</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>To the walls! Man the walls!</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Man</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Rushing in</span>] We are betrayed! The king has fled! +We are lost!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>We are betrayed.—We are lost.—Where is the +king?—Where are the priests?—Where is Hananiah?—Revenge, +revenge.—Death is upon us.—The +Chaldeans.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>Curses upon the king!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Fiercely</span>] Curses upon the king!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>A curse on the priests! A curse on the prophets! +They lied to us one and all.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_246" title="246"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, curse them every one!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>They persecuted those who warned us, those who +counseled peace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>They persecuted Jeremiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Second Voice</p> + +<p>Yes, Jeremiah told us what would happen.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>He warned us.—He wanted peace.—In this very +place he shouted for peace.—I heard him.—He is the +true prophet.—Everything has happened as he foretold. +Where is Jeremiah?—Fetch Jeremiah. He +will help us.—Where is he?—Where is he?</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>They have prisoned him in the pit, here in the palace.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Cries of fury arise from the crowd</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Set him free.—He will save us.—Force the doors.—Jeremiah, +Jeremiah! God has sent him to help us.—Jeremiah, +man of God, come to our aid.—Down with +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_247" title="247"> </a> +the false prophets.—God spoke through Jeremiah.—Bring +an axe to force the door.—Jeremiah shall be +king.—Where is our saviour?</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">For a time nothing can be heard but the cry, +<em>Jeremiah, Jeremiah</em>, and the noise made by the beating +of axes and staves upon the door. Suddenly the door +is opened and the doorkeeper appears</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Doorkeeper</p> + +<p>What would ye?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>Let us pass.—Jeremiah, Jeremiah!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The <span class="speaker">Doorkeeper</span> is thrust aside</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Doorkeeper</p> + +<p>Help, help!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Part of the mob disappears through the doorway, +and from within is heard the noise of doors being +broken down with axes. Those who remain on the +steps are tense with excitement and impatience</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">From within</span>] The dogs have lowered him into the +pit.—They were afraid of him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">From the steps</span>] He is a holy man.—He is the +chosen of the Lord.—Jeremiah will save us all.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_248" title="248"> </a>A Woman</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Frenzied with excitement</span>] He stretched forth his +hand and cried, Peace. God’s fire breathed from his +lips. His brow shone like that of an angel. He will +save us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Woman</p> + +<p>Could I but look upon his blessed face once more. +It will shed light over Jerusalem.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Cries come from within</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>They have found him.—He is saved.—We are +saved.—God will help us.—Jeremiah! Jeremiah!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Reappearing from within, the rest of the crowd +brings <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> triumphantly to the top of the steps. +He stands with his hand shielding his eyes from the +light</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Ecstatically</span>] Holy One!—Master!—Samuel.—Elijah.—Prophet.—Save +us, Jeremiah.—King.—Anointed +of the Lord.—Israel hear his words.—Jeremiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Frenzied Woman</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Throwing herself at his feet</span>] Why do you hide +your face? Your glance brings healing. Look on this +child of mine that it may grow hale. Look upon us +all that we may arise from death.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_249" title="249"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Slowly withdraws his hand from his eyes. His gaze +is serious and even gloomy, as he contemplates the +agitated and expectant throng</span>] The light is strange to +my eyes, and burns them. Strange, too, is this love +you show me, and it burns my soul. What would ye?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>Save us, Jeremiah, anointed of the Lord.—Save the +city.—Be our king.—Show a miracle.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Your words are dark to me. What is your will?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">All speaking at once</span>] Moria.—The fortress of +Zion.—Save Jerusalem.—A miracle.—We are lost.—You +are our shepherd.—Save us.—Save Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Speak one at a time.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Woman</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Again throwing herself at his feet</span>] Holy One, +anointed of the Lord, star of our hope! Stretch forth +your hand and save Jerusalem. What you foretold +hath been fulfilled. The Chaldeans are upon us.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_250" title="250"> </a>A Voice</p> + +<p>They have broken down Moria Gate.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Second Voice</p> + +<p>Our men have been defeated.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Third Voice</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Despairingly</span>] Save Jerusalem, or we perish.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Taking up the cry</span>] Save Jerusalem, or we perish.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> stands motionless, hiding his face in his +hands</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Woman</p> + +<p>We would take vengeance on your enemies; we +would tear the faces of those who have reviled you. +Have pity on us, you who are our saviour and our hope.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>Who shall save us unless it be you?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>The priests have betrayed us. The king has sold us +to the enemy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Indignantly</span>] It is false! Why slander ye the +king?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_251" title="251"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>Zedekiah has forsaken us.—Where is he?—Why +does he not come to our help?—He has fled.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Vehemently</span>] It is not true.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>It is true.—They led us into this war.—They have +sacrificed us.—We wanted peace.—Let us have peace.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Tardily comes your longing for peace. Why do ye +put your transgressions on the king’s shoulders? Ye +clamored for war.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>No, not I.—No, not I.—It was the king.—Not I.—Not +one of us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Ye all wanted war, all, all! Your hearts are fickle, +and ye sway in the wind like reeds. The very ones +who now shout for peace, I have heard howling for +war. Those who raise their voices against the king, +hounded him on to the fray. Woe unto you, O people! +Ye speak with two voices, and drive before every breeze. +Ye have fornicated with war, and shall now bear the +fruit of war. Ye have played with the sword, and +shall now taste its edge.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_252" title="252"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>Alas, he spurns us.—Jeremiah, be merciful to us in +our distress.—Aid us in our wretchedness.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>No man can help you. Help cometh from God +alone.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>God has forsaken us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>Yea, God has forsaken us.—Where is he?—Where +is the covenant?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Fugitives</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Rush past shouting</span>] The enemy is within the gates. +Abimelech is slain.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shrieks with terror, and then appeals once more to +<span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>] Hearken, hearken!—We are lost!—Show +a miracle, a miracle.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Despairingly</span>] What would ye that I should do? +Am I to stretch forth my bare hands against the +enemy?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Ecstatically</span>] Yea, yea; that do, and save us.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_253" title="253"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Think ye then that I can drive back those whom God +sendeth against you?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>Yea, yea.—You can.—You must.—You can do what +you will.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Naught can I do. Naught against the will of God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>You can save Jerusalem.—Show a miracle.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Fiercely</span>] Were it in my power to work against +God’s will, verily I would not do so. Tempt me not. +I am on God’s side, not on yours. Whatever he +decrees, I bow myself before him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Alas, he spurns us.—He forsakes us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In growing excitement</span>] To him, whose purposes +are fixed, do I cling, spurning you, fickle ones. Not +your will be done, but his. Whatever thy will, Lord, +I submit. Let Jerusalem perish, so it be thy will, I +submit. [<span class="stage-direction">Cries of horror from the crowd</span>] Let thy +temple fall, so it be thy will, I submit. [<span class="stage-direction">The crowd +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_254" title="254"> </a> +bursts into furious exclamations</span>] Let the towers crash, +let thy people be scattered like dust and its very name +vanish from the earth, let my body be given over to +shame and my soul to torment, so it be thy will, I +submit, Lord, I submit.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>He raves.—Strike him down.—He is mad.—He +rains curses on us.—Silence the traitor!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">In a trance</span>] Whatsoever thou doest, Lord, I submit.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Whatsoever thou sendest, I glorify thy name.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Rain down on me terrors uncounted,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thine anger I welcome, I seek not to hide.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Break my heart! Burst the gates! Raze the walls!<br/></div> +<div class="line">With fire consume thine own altar,<br/></div> +<div class="line">To defend which now myriads fall!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Rejecting thy people, the chosen,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Turn thy face from me too in thy wrath!<br/></div> +<div class="line">From the depth of my sorrow I cling to thee;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Though thou slay me, I trust thee in death.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Shouting fiercely</span>] Traitor.—He is cursing us.—He +prays for our death. Stone him.—Stone him!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">More frenzied than ever, as he daunts the menacing +and turbulent mob with the fire of his enthusiasm</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_255" title="255"> </a><div class="line">Not my will, Lord, but thine be done!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thou hast led me into darkness;<br/></div> +<div class="line">I have known many afflictions;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Lord, I will bear all patiently.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Pour out the vials of thine anger,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Break my bones, close mine eyes,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Fill up the measure of my sufferings,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Pressed down and running over,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Still am I thy faithful servant,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For art not thou the Most High?<br/></div> +<div class="line">The more thou visitest me with wormwood and gall,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The more will I testify to thine abounding love.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let me double the martyrdom thou wouldst impose,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let me kiss the rod that striketh the blows,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let me thank the hand that bruiseth my flesh,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let me praise the brand that seareth my flesh,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let me bless the death wrought by foes without pity,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let me bless the destruction befallen thy city,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let me bless bitterness, slavery, shame,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let me bless the enemy, bless in thy name.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Lord to thy wishes I humbly bow!<br/></div> +<div class="line">To accept all thy sendings I fervently vow!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Lord, hear my words; Lord, prove me now!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Cutting him short</span>] Traitor.—Stone him.—He +blesses our foes.—He prays for our enemies.—Stone +the blasphemer, stone him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Strident Voice</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Dominating the rest</span>] Crucify him! Crucify him!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_256" title="256"> </a>The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Echoing the cry and rushing up the steps</span>] Crucify +him! Nail the blasphemer to the cross.—Stone the +traitor.—Crucify him!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In ecstasy, stretching out his arms as if on the cross</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Let God’s will be done. Come hither, draw near,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Nail my limbs to the cross, pierce my side with the spear,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Spit upon me, and scourge and revile me,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Break my bones, and debase and defile me,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thus shall I be, for one and for all,<br/></div> +<div class="line">A trespass offering made for Israel!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Seize me, then, seize;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let my sacrifice please<br/></div> +<div class="line">Jehovah, his anger yet stem;<br/></div> +<div class="line">And save, even now, save Jerusalem.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The crowd surges round him. Some grasp his +limbs, while others strive on his behalf and endeavor +to free him</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Crucify him!—Stone him!—He blasphemes.—A +curse upon Jeremiah!—Crucify him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Other Voices</p> + +<p>Let be.—The spirit of God is upon him.—He is +beside himself.—Harm him not.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_257" title="257"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Amid the tumult he continues to stretch out his +arms as if on the cross</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">But why do ye tarry? Thrice-blessed day!<br/></div> +<div class="line">The price of martyrdom fain would I pay.<br/></div> +<div class="line">For suffering I am athirst.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let me die the death accurst.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Who hangs on the cross in mortal pain,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The world’s eternal welfare shall gain,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Saviour and intercessor, he,<br/></div> +<div class="line">With arms outstretched on the cruel tree.<br/></div> +<div class="line">His lips, trembling with anguish till death bring release,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shall speak the redeeming message of peace;<br/></div> +<div class="line">His sighs to melody shall give birth,<br/></div> +<div class="line">His torment, to love everlasting on earth.<br/></div> +<div class="line">His death shall bring life; his sorrows, forgiveness.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Though his flesh know corruption, his body decay,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Yet his soul, winging heavenward,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Beareth all our sins Godward,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The glorious messenger, he, of man’s new day!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ah, were I but that herald of deliverance!<br/></div> +<div class="line">My spirit is on fire! Lo, I pray:<br/></div> +<div class="line">Crucify me, oh, crucify me!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">With wild cries they seize him, and begin to +carry him away, buffeting him as they go</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Crucify him!—Let him taste the death he yearns +for.—He is our enemy.—Crucify him.—Stone him!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">At this moment a number of fugitives rush into the +marketplace in wild disorder, throwing away their +weapons as they run</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_258" title="258"> </a>Fugitives</p> + +<p>The walls are down.—The enemy is in the city. +The Chaldeans have gained the day.—Israel is lost.</p> + +<p class="speaker">More Fugitives</p> + +<p>Abimelech is slain.—All is lost.—Jerusalem is fallen.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Yet More Fugitives</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In full flight</span>] They are hard on our heels.—To +the temple.—All is lost.—Israel! Israel.—Alas for +Jerusalem.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The crowd joins the fugitives, uttering shrieks of +terror. <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> is forgotten. The whole city +seems to ring with cries of despair and the noise of vain +attempts at flight</span>]</p> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_259" title="259"> </a>THE CONVERSION</h2> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_261" title="261"> </a><a name="Scene_8">SCENE EIGHT</a></p> + +<p>My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end. +<span class="small-caps">Job</span> XXXIV, 36.</p> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_263" title="263"> </a>SCENE EIGHT</p> + +<div class="scene-description"> +<p>A vast crypt with shutters and doors closed so that +the damp underground space is but dimly lighted. +Fugitives, wan and careworn, are crouching and lying +on the stone flooring. Some of them have gathered +round an elder who is reading from the scriptures. In +the background lies a wounded man, tended by a +woman. Remote from the rest, sitting on a piece of +masonry, and as motionless as if he were himself +carved out of the rock, is <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span>, his face buried in +his hands. He plays no part in what is going on, so +that his silence is as it were a rock fixed in the current +of plaints and disputes. It is evening, on the day after +the taking of Jerusalem. As the elder reads, he sways +his body rhythmically in time to the words, which are +low and monotonous, except when he raises his voice to +express despair or hope. From time to time, the others +take up the responses.</p> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Reading</span>] Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thou that dwellest between the cherubims,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shine forth! Stir up thy strength!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Others</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Murmuring in unison</span>] Shine forth! Stir up thy +strength!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_264" title="264"> </a>The Elder</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Reading</span>] Give ear, O Shepherd, come and save us.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.<br/></div> +<div class="line">How long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thou feedest them with the bread of tears,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And givest them tears to drink in great measure.<br/></div> +<div class="line">O God of hosts,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Others</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">[<span class="stage-direction">Reading</span>] O remember not against us former iniquities;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us:<br/></div> +<div class="line">For we are brought very low.<br/></div> +<div class="line">We are consumed by thine anger,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And by thy wrath we are troubled.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Remember not against us our former iniquities.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Remember thy covenant, remember thy name.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Appear, Shepherd, lead thy flock home;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shine forth! Stir up thy strength!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Others</p> + +<p>Shine forth! Stir up thy strength!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Other Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Joining in fervently</span>] Cause thy face to shine, and +we shall be saved.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_265" title="265"> </a>The Wounded Man</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Who has hitherto been moaning, now bursts into a +loud cry</span>] Oh, oh, I am burning. Water! Water!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Woman</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Trying to soothe him</span>] Be quiet, there’s a good man. +For God’s sake, be quiet, or they will hear us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Be silent! Control yourself, or you will destroy +us all.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another</p> + +<p>They will slay us if they find us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Wounded Man</p> + +<p>Let them kill me. I cannot bear it. My wound is +on fire. Water! Water!</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Man</p> + +<p>We must silence him. His cries will betray our +hiding place.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Woman</p> + +<p>Touch him not. He is my brother. I bore him +hither from the walls. [<span class="stage-direction">She kneels beside him</span>] Dear, +I implore you to stifle your cries. I will fetch you +some water. Take my kerchief and muffle your mouth +in it.</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_266" title="266"> </a>[<span class="stage-direction">The wounded man does so. His cries fall to a +whisper. The others, most of whom have stood up +in their excitement, settle down again</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>Go on reading, Pinchas. God’s word consoles us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Voice</p> + +<p>Go on reading about the promise.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Other Voices</p> + +<p>Yes, read us about the Messiah; about the rod that +shall come forth out of the stem of Jesse.—Read about +the saviour.—Our hearts are thirsting after the dew of +the word.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">The Elder</span> takes up the roll once more, and is +about to resume his reading, when there comes a +knocking. All start</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Woman</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Alarmed</span>] Someone knocks!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Others</p> + +<p>They are there!—They have tracked us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Man</p> + +<p>It is not on the outer door, but from the secret +entrance, which is known to our own folk alone. Open!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_267" title="267"> </a>The Women</p> + +<p>No! No, there are traitors among us. Let be!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Silence! [<span class="stage-direction">He cautiously approaches a door hidden +among buttresses</span>] Who is there?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voice</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">From without</span>] Zephaniah!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>It is Zephaniah, my son-in-law, whom we sent forth +for news.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">He draws back the bolt, and a man enters, helmeted +and garbed like a Chaldean. All rush towards him, +<span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> alone remaining motionless</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>What has happened?—Have you seen Neter, my +son? Tebiah, my wife?—Have they burned down +my house?—Where is the king?—What has happened +to the temple? Do you know anything about my +husband, Ishmael?—What is happening outside?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Be silent all. Let Zephaniah speak, for he has seen +the daylight and the city.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_268" title="268"> </a>Zephaniah</p> + +<p>Better to sit in darkness than to see what I have +seen; better still to weep oneself blind; even better +were it to sleep among the roots of the trees and in the +bowels of the earth. David’s city has become a city +of the dead; the citadel of Solomon is utterly destroyed.</p> + +<p class="speaker">All</p> + +<p>Alas, alas, for Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>The corpses of our brothers lie like dung in the +streets. The Chaldeans are stripping the bodies of +the slain; they have rifled the tombs of the kings of +Judah; and for the purple vesture of Solomon they +have cast lots; they have seized the bread from the +holy table; and they have stolen the golden candlesticks +from the walls.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Rending his garments</span>] I can live no longer! +Could I but tear my bowels as I tear my raiment.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Where is the power of God?—The covenant.—The +promise.—Where are our leaders?—Jerusalem is lost.—My +husband?—Whom have you seen?—What has +become of Nahum?—What has become of …</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>For many do you ask, and I can give but one answer +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_269" title="269"> </a> +for them all. Of the nobles of Judah, not one now +looketh on the light of day.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>All slain? All?—Impossible!—Abodassar?—Jehoiachin?—Hedassar?—Imre?—Nahum?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>Ask me no more. Their troubles are over, and they +are with God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Nahum too?—The king’s sons?—My brother-in-law +Absalom?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>None are left alive. Those who fell not at the wall +were slain afterwards by Nebuchadnezzar’s officers. +Zedekiah alone remains.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Zedekiah still alive?—Why spare him more than +another?—He has betrayed us.—Why show him mercy +when all the rest have been butchered?—Why spare +him?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>Honor the king! Reverence his sufferings.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>What has happened to him?—Is he a prisoner?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_270" title="270"> </a>Zephaniah</p> + +<p>Zedekiah forced his way through, with sixty of the +bravest who hoped to renew the struggle against Ashur +in the hills. But the army of the Chaldeans pursued +him and overtook him in the plains, and carried him +to King Nebuchadnezzar.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>And then?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>My path crossed his. I saw him in the square bound +with fetters of brass. Before his eyes, one by one, +his sons were put to the sword. Then came it to pass +that the anointed of the Lord was blinded …</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Suddenly roused from his impassivity and speaking +in horror-stricken tones</span>] Blinded, you say? Blinded?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>Who is this?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Do not speak to him.—Do not look at him.—He is +the most infamous of men.—A curse lies on him.—Utter +not his name.—Utter not his name.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>Who is it that spake, saying “Blinded?” I am sure I +know the voice.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_271" title="271"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>Ask not his name.—He is one accurst.—He is +rejected of God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Woman</p> + +<p>He is the curse of God, sent for our burning torment. +He is the scourge of God.—Jeremiah, Jeremiah!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">With a wild outcry, stretching forth his hands as if +to thrust away something horrible</span>] Jeremiah!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Why do you shrink from me? What are you afraid +of? There is no longer any reason for fear. My +words were but wind; my force is spent. Spew me out, +and go on your way.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>I tremble before you, man of doom.—He foresaw +everything. He alone. That other called on his +name.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Who called on his name?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Utterly crushed</span>] Zedekiah, the king. They +brought him in chains, held him fast lest he should +turn away his head, forced him to watch the slaughter +of his sons. Fain would he have made no complaint. +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_272" title="272"> </a> +He bit his lip and was silent as the first fell. But when +they seized the second, he moved as if to speak. As +the third was struck down, a word escaped from his +mouth. Not a plea for mercy. He cried, “Jeremiah, +Jeremiah.”</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">All shudder</span>]</p> + +<p>Thus in his anguish he called upon Jeremiah. When +the fiery steel pierced his eyes, again did he call on the +name of Jeremiah, saying: “Jeremiah, Jeremiah, +where art thou, revealer? Where art thou, Jeremiah, +my brother?” Zedekiah called upon his name, the +name of him who had foreseen.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">They shrink away from <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span>, as from a dangerous +beast</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Struggling with emotion</span>] It is false. Not by my +will did this happen. Let him not dare to accuse me. +The word came to me; what I said was struck from +me as we strike fire from flint. I wished him no ill. +God made me a liar, resist his power as I would. Not +mine the will that moved me.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>What is he talking about?</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Woman</p> + +<p>Madness hath seized him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Woman</p> + +<p>He raves.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_273" title="273"> </a>A Man</p> + +<p>Nay, he foretold these happenings. A sage is he, +and a prophet.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Why should the king accuse me? A greater power +than mine constrained my utterance. I was the tool of +the pitiless one, his breath, the slave of his malice. He +commanded, and I had to obey, for his strength is +greater than mine. He breathed curses into my +breath. His was the gall in my speech, his the bitterness +in my spittle. Woe upon the hands of God; +whom he seizes, shall not again be loosed. Ah, would +he but set me free from his curse, that no longer I +might have to speak his words. [<span class="stage-direction">A pause</span>] No longer +will I speak his words. I will hold my peace. [<span class="stage-direction">A +pause</span>] God! No longer will I obey thy behests. I +curse thy curses. Lift thy hand from me, take the fire +from my mouth. No more can I bear.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>He is in a frenzy.—Look how convulsions rack +him.—He is twisted with pain like a woman in labour.—Heed +not his words.—God has punished him.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> sinks to the ground broken</span>]</p> + +<p>Look, look, the hand of the Lord hath fallen upon +him.—Go not near him whom God hath banned.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">They draw farther away from <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> and +huddle together. <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> lies like a felled tree. +For a few moments there is a hush of despair. This +silence is broken by the sound of a distant trumpet</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_274" title="274"> </a>Zephaniah</p> + +<p>Alas, they draw near, the heralds of disaster.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">To <span class="speaker">Zephaniah</span></span>] What is it?—What has happened?—What +meaneth this summons?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>’Tis Nebuchadnezzar’s message to the remnant of +the people.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Must we go forth to hear the message?—Dare we +leave our shelter?—What shall we do, Zephaniah?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>No need for haste. Evil tidings ever come too soon.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>What is to happen?—What is our doom?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>It is the will of Nebuchadnezzar that our city be +utterly destroyed.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">There is a wail of horror. The trumpet is heard +once more, nearer</span>]</p> + +<p>Those who survive must go as slaves to Babylon.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_275" title="275"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>We are to leave Zion?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>I will not go. Here will I remain.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>Who refuses to go, shall perish by the sword. All +are to make ready for the journey and are to assemble +in the marketplace. Thrice at dawning will the trumpet +sound. Thereafter, anyone who lingers in the city, +is to be slain.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Let death come! I will not go. There is no life +for me away from Jerusalem. The grave is better +than slavery in a far country.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Woman</p> + +<p>My brother, my nephew, and my husband have all +been slain. Tombs are my heritage, and this heritage +will I keep.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Man</p> + +<p>I shall stay! I shall stay! Here have I struck my +roots, and from this soil alone can I draw strength. +Palsied would be my arm should I try to plough the +furrow in another land, and my eyes would not serve +me in a strange world.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_276" title="276"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In the enthusiasm of despair</span>] Let us stay.—Let +us choose death.—Better death than slavery.—Never +will we go into exile.—Better to die.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Wounded Man</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Half rising</span>] No, no.—Not death for me. Life is +what I crave. Exile is better than death. I cannot +walk, and if ye stay who will carry me? Do not forsake +me. Life, life!</p> + +<p class="speaker">His Sister</p> + +<p>Be calm. I will carry you.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Wounded Man</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Deliriously</span>] Yes … Let us go. Let us leave +these mad folk, who want to die. Why should we +seek death?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>His body is parched with fever. He knows not +what he says.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Wounded Man</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Fiercely</span>] I know, I know. I have been near to +death, and would rather live than die. Better to burn, +better to suffer, than to feel nothing at all. While +there is life there is hope.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Young Woman</p> + +<p>True, true! I too want to live. My life lies before +me. As yet I have seen nothing, felt nothing. Young +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_277" title="277"> </a> +and vigorous are my limbs. Death is cold, life is +warm. I will not stay. I will go with you, anywhere, +anywhere.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Woman</p> + +<p>Shameless one, are you willing to be the concubine +of an enemy?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Young Woman</p> + +<p>Anything, if I can but live.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Wounded Man</p> + +<p>Life, at any cost of suffering.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Man</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Wildly</span>] No life without God! No life without +Jerusalem!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Death were better.—Death were better.—Let us +not accept slavery.—Death is a fearful thing.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Again the trumpet sounds, now close at hand</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>Let them call, I will not hearken. I hear the +voice of death, loud and clear like the voice of God. +We must not heed the lure. Better to perish with +Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>I hold thee fast, city of Zion. Weak though my +hands, still do I cling to thee. My life hast thou +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_278" title="278"> </a> +been, be also my death. How could I breathe without +thee, how open my eyes in the morning without +being able to look upon Solomon’s house and God’s +dwelling. Rather would I be buried in thy earth than +walk at large in another land; rather would I lie dead +with my fathers than live to be the slave of the heathen. +Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, take me to thy +bosom. As I have been with thee in life, let me be +with thee in death.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>In this you and I must part company. Death has +no charms for me. I have seen too many dead lying +in the streets, and I tell you that life is better.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Wounded Man</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Raising himself</span>] Yea, let me live, to feel but a +grain of sand between my fingers. To look again upon +the almond blossoms, to see them open as night falls. +To watch the moon waxing and waning in its passage +across the starry heavens. Even if life were to deny +all its joys, even if I were to be crippled and deaf, +yet still might I look upon the glorious things in the +world, still draw the breath of life. Let me feel my +heart beating, the warm blood coursing through my +veins. Give me life, I ask nothing more!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Shame upon you, weaklings! Would you live without +God?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>God will be with us wherever we go.—God speaks to +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_279" title="279"> </a> +us wherever we may be.—Even from exile our voices +will rise towards him.—There too shall we be faithful. +The light of his countenance shines upon all roads.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Nay, nay, who leaveth Jerusalem, leaveth God +behind. Here and here only is the dwelling of Jehovah. +Sacrifice at any other altar than this can be naught +but idolatry.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In conflict</span>] No.—Yes.—God is everywhere.—He +is here only.—He will reveal himself to us anywhere.—God +abides nowhere but in his own temple.—Anywhere, +everywhere.—Nowhere but in Jerusalem can +we look upon his face.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Suddenly springing to his feet, with an awesome +outburst</span>] God is nowhere! Nowhere at all! Who +among the living hath seen him, who hath heard the +sound of his voice? Those who seek him, seek him +in vain; those who created him, lied before the faces +of men. God is nowhere! Neither in heaven, nor on +earth, nor in the souls of men.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">His jaw has dropped in amazement and horror. At +length he raises his hands tremblingly towards heaven, +with the invocation</span>] Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Strike +him down with thy lightnings.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_280" title="280"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">More fiercely</span>] Who hath blasphemed him, if it +be not God himself? He hath broken his covenant, +thrown down his walls, and burned his own temple. +He denies himself; he himself blasphemes God; he +and none other!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Heed him not! A backslider is he, and an outcast. +Heed him not, ye servants of the Almighty.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Still more fiercely</span>] Who has served him in Israel +as I have served him? Who within Jerusalem’s walls +has been more faithful than I? For his sake I left +my home; for his sake I refused to comfort my mother +in death. I have sacrificed friendship to him, and for +his jealousy have I forfeited the love of women. I +have submitted to his will as a wife submits to her +husband. The words that I spake were those which he +put into my mouth; his was the blood in my body; my +thoughts were the children of his will; his were the +dreams that visited my sleep. I gave my back to the +smiters; I hid not my face from shame and spitting. +I served him, I served him, for I believed that through +me he would avert the evil to come. I cursed, thinking +he would turn my curses into blessings. I prophesied, +thinking he would prove me a liar, would save +Jerusalem. But my prophecies have been fulfilled, and +God is proved a liar. Woe is me that I served the +faithless one so faithfully! He sent me that my +brothers should laugh me to scorn while I spat upon +their joys. Now, when misery has befallen them, he +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_281" title="281"> </a> +wishes that I in turn should mock their distress. But +I do not laugh, God! I will not laugh at my brothers’ +torment. Not like thee can I rejoice at another’s +sorrow. The odor of the slaughter-house delights not +my nostrils. Too harsh for me is thy harshness, too +heavy thy hand! No longer will I be the instrument +of thy vengeance; no longer will I serve thee. I tear +asunder the bond between thee and me. I tear it +asunder!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>He raves.—He blasphemes.—Away with him.—He +is beside himself.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In an ecstasy, speaks over their heads into the void</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Dumb and sinister Being, I witness against thee!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Be thou silent no longer, witness thou against me!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Say,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Have I ever, I charge thee, proved backward or loath?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Have I ever, I charge thee, been false to my oath?<br/></div> +<div class="line">Dumb and sinister Being, thy silence now break.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ope thy mouth, and against me thy parable take.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thou hast sought me by day and by night and hast found me,<br/></div> +<div class="line">With dreams to amaze, and with fears to confound me.<br/></div> +<div class="line">With fire my soul thou hast filled. As a brand<br/></div> +<div class="line">Spreading flame, spreading flame far and wide through the land,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Hast thou driven me on. ’Twas thy will not mine,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Made me stand as a foe ’gainst this people of thine.<br/></div> +<div class="line">I was the hand their throats fiercely clamping,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_282" title="282"> </a><div class="line">I was the hoof, their peace roughly down stamping,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I was the saw, their limbs ever rending,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I was the goad, bringing torment unending,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I was the terror, the vision of fright,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I was the nightmare that rode them by night.<br/></div> +<div class="line">In their bones I the fire, in their flesh I the thorn,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The mockery, likewise, that laughed them to scorn;<br/></div> +<div class="line">For relentless, unfeeling, as any dumb beast,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Made mad by thy will, I obeyed thy behest.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Of the love of my brothers though still I was fain,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Made mad by thy will, I but cursed them again.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thus quelling compassion, constrained to do ill,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I spurred myself onward thy word to fulfil.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>He is seized with the frenzy of fever.—He raves.—To +whom is he speaking?—He is out of his wits.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">But I renounce my allegiance!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Resuming my freedom, no longer a thrall,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I nor heed thy commandments nor answer thy call!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Where ’twas shrined in my heart I thy image discrown,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And from out thy high heaven I hurl thee adown!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thou spurnedst thy people, so thee too I reject;<br/></div> +<div class="line">No merciless God shall compel my respect!<br/></div> +<div class="line">For why is it seemly that reverence be paid<br/></div> +<div class="line">To a god who gives scorn when his children seek aid?<br/></div> +<div class="line">He only is God who turns sorrow aside,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Almighty but he who can solace provide!<br/></div> +<div class="line">And of men him alone may we prophet proclaim<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_283" title="283"> </a><div class="line">Whose spirit with measureless love is aflame,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Whose words and whose deeds teach all men to know<br/></div> +<div class="line">That his soul with compassion is ever aglow.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Now to me my purpose in life is plain,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For the plaints that assail thine ears all in vain<br/></div> +<div class="line">Wring my heart with the passion of infinite pain.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Come cries from the city thine anger hath burned,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Come cries from the people thy hatred hath spurned,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Come cries from the widows, made widows by thee,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Come cries from the mothers, made childless by thee,<br/></div> +<div class="line">From the king, now blind, as by thee ordained,<br/></div> +<div class="line">From thine altar, by thine own self profaned;<br/></div> +<div class="line">From the earth, from the air, the message is sent;<br/></div> +<div class="line">As I hearken, with anguish my bowels are rent;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Appeals from the living, appeals from the dead;<br/></div> +<div class="line">As I hearken, perforce I must turn my head<br/></div> +<div class="line">From thee, who art cold and unfeeling as stone,<br/></div> +<div class="line">From thee, who art deaf when thy children make moan,<br/></div> +<div class="line">To my brothers, my sisters, who are bone of my bone<br/></div> +<div class="line">And flesh of my flesh, those whom sorrows invest,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Those whom torments afflict. With them, none but them,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Can my spirit find peace or my heart be at rest.<br/></div> +<div class="line">In reverence I bow before them, none but them;<br/></div> +<div class="line">For them, tenderest love; for thee, God, naught but hate!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>He hath cursed God. Strike him down.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>He raves.—He is mad.—He dreams.—’Tis dangerous +to listen to him.—Silence the madman!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_284" title="284"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Suddenly kneels and apostrophizes the others</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">My brothers, my brothers, forgive me, forgive<br/></div> +<div class="line">The vain pride of a man now unfitted to live!<br/></div> +<div class="line">For God, none but he, with dreams dazzled my eyes.<br/></div> +<div class="line">With words he confused me, with signs led astray,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Until, to an evil self-will giving way,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I believed myself prophet, all-knowing, all-wise!<br/></div> +<div class="line">I believed myself great with the greatness of God,<br/></div> +<div class="line">When, invoking his name, your dooms I shrilled.<br/></div> +<div class="line">When with his curses my mouth was filled!<br/></div> +<div class="line">But lo, I abjure him, this pitiless God!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Though toward you I proved myself arrogant, vain,<br/></div> +<div class="line">I beseech you, my brothers, show mercy again.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Though my curses rained down on you many a day,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Repulse me not now—for he led me astray.<br/></div> +<div class="line">There is naught but forgiveness my spirit to heal;<br/></div> +<div class="line">At your feet now abased, craving pardon, I kneel.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">All draw away from him in horror. He moves +after them, without rising from his knees</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">My brothers, my brothers, look kindly on me!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Well assured is my heart that we brothers be,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And I the least worthy, the youngest of all!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Lo, I curse you no longer, but breathe benediction,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Lo, I yearn to share with you the bread of affliction!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let it please you, my brothers, whate’er may befall,<br/></div> +<div class="line">That I love you, that thanks to the love I bear,<br/></div> +<div class="line">No more word of mine, I swear it, I swear,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shall add by one grain to your load of care.<br/></div> +<div class="line">In atonement for wrongdoing ask what you will.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The meanest of services glad to fulfil,<br/></div> +<div class="line">As the slave of your slaves I demand only this,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_285" title="285"> </a><div class="line">That the dust from your shoes I may thankfully kiss.<br/></div> +<div class="line">My brothers in darkness, my brothers in grief,<br/></div> +<div class="line">From my humble repentance withhold not belief.<br/></div> +<div class="line">My brothers, my brothers, your pardon were bliss.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Death to the man who touches him! God hath +judged him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Accursed of God, away.—Forth from among us.—Poison +us no longer with thy presence.—Away liar, +away!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">When they thrust him from them, cries plaintively</span>] +Driven out like a leper! [<span class="stage-direction">He falls prone</span>]</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">There is a peremptory knocking, at the door</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>The heralds!—The Chaldeans!—They knock like +masters.—It is not one of our own people. [<span class="stage-direction">The +knocking becomes more imperative</span>] What impatience!—We +must not anger him.—Do not unbar the door, +for they are all robbers, the Chaldeans.—We must open +to him, or he will grow angry.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>I will open the door. In the midst of life we are +in death.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">He cautiously begins to open the great door, but as +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_286" title="286"> </a> +soon as the bar is down one of the leaves is violently +pushed open and <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> rushes in. <span class="speaker">The Elder</span> +rebars the door</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">His face working with anxiety</span>] Brothers, is +Jeremiah here?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Name him not! Speak not to him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Looking around</span>] Jeremiah, Jeremiah!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Slowly rising, stares at <span class="speaker">Baruch</span> as if he were a +stranger</span>] Who still seeks me? Who now would +tempt me?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Master mine, do you not know me? Do you not +recognize my voice?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I will look no more and listen no more. Away, you +who still breathe the breath of life! Let me lie and +rot!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Jeremiah, beloved master, I implore you to collect +yourself. The enemy is hunting for you.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_287" title="287"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Who still seeks me in this world?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>You have been betrayed; they know your hiding-place. +Nebuchadnezzar has sent officers in search of +you.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Let them come! Blessed be the slayers! Blessed +be death!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Jeremiah, if you love me, seek refuge in flight. I +cannot bear that your life should be forfeited.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>No more love have I for anyone.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Embracing him</span>] Nay, master, my blood rather than +yours. I will die with you.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Violent blows are struck on the door</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Scattering into the darkest corners</span>] Alas, alas.—The +Chaldeans.—Our hour has come.—Jeremiah has +brought disaster upon us.—Let us deliver him up.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_288" title="288"> </a>Baruch</p> + +<p>Too late! They are already here.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Open to them, Baruch. [<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Baruch</span> hesitates. +<span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> standing erect speaks slowly and clearly, +almost exultantly</span>] Open, that I may receive them. +My soul yearns for death. Welcome, first fulfiller of +my word! Welcome, Death. Open, Baruch! Open +to the deliverer. [<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Baruch</span> moves to the door where +he again hesitates. The door is once more shaken by +violent blows from without. <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> repeats +masterfully</span>] Open, Baruch, I command you.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">Baruch</span> veils his face and unbars the door. The +two leaves of the folding door are flung open, and a +gleam of the fading light of evening penetrates the +dark crypt. The king’s three officers enter, richly +appareled, their figures showing in strong relief against +the red sky. <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> stands alone, confronting +them</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Chief Officer</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Advancing to the front</span>] Is the man named +Jeremiah among you, the son of Hilkiah of Anathoth?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I am he whom you seek. Fulfil your orders.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker">The Chief Officer</span> prostrates himself before +<span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span>, touching the ground three times with his +forehead. The two other officers do the same. +<span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span>, startled, draws back a pace. +<span class="speaker">The Chief Officer</span> rises to his knees</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_289" title="289"> </a>The Chief Officer</p> + +<p>Hail to the interpreter of signs! Honor and glory +to the revealer of events, to the seer of that which is +hidden. [<span class="stage-direction">Having again abased himself three times, +he stands erect; his companions follow his example. +<span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span>, recovering composure, regards him +gloomily</span>] I bear a message through my unworthy +mouth from Nebuchadnezzar, my master, king of +kings, destroyer of nations. Thus saith my dread +lord. It hath been reported to Nebuchadnezzar that +thou alone among thy people foretoldest destruction +to the rebels and disgrace to those who goaded on the +people to revolt. Melted like lead are the words of +the priests who withstood thy strength; but thy warning, +like gold, hath endured the test of time. Thy +fame hath reached the ears of Nebuchadnezzar, and +now he is eager to set eyes upon thee. He sendeth +thee raiment such as is worn by the princes of Chaldea, +and will have thee for the chief among his servants +who wait at his table.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>No more will I serve any, either in heaven above or +in the earth beneath, for I have served God and have +wearied of that service. Say unto Nebuchadnezzar +that I refuse to serve him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Chief Officer</p> + +<p>Thou understandest not the words of my lord and +master. Not to any menial service doth he appoint +thee, but would have thee to be the chief over all his +servants. Master of the magicians, astrologers, and +soothsayers, shalt thou be, reading the stars and foretelling +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_290" title="290"> </a> +that which is to come. Second to none shalt +thou be, but shalt come and go in the palace even as +thou wilt.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I hear your words, and therefrom I learn the king’s +wishes. Great is the call of Nebuchadnezzar, but +greater is the need of mine own people. Hearken, +therefore! I enter not the palace where the daughters +of Israel will scour the steps as bondwomen. No +bread do I break as guest at the table of him who hath +profaned the temple of Zion. Not for me the favors +of the cruel, nor the grace of him who hath been +pitiless.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Chief Officer</p> + +<p>The message I brought thee was a king’s message, +and to kings obedience is due.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>You brought me true word from Nebuchadnezzar. +Render him my answer no less truly. Return to him +who sent you, and say unto him: “Thus saith +Jeremiah to Nebuchadnezzar. My bitterness has no +sweetness for thee, nor shall my lips minister to thy +pride. Wert thou to summon me with the tongues of +angels, yet would I not heed thy call; wert thou to +load for me with gold all the stones of Jerusalem, yet +would I not speak soft words to thee. Honor me if +you wilt, to thee I pay not honor. Seek me if thou +wilt, but thee I will not seek.”</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_291" title="291"> </a>The Chief Officer</p> + +<p>Bethink thee, ’tis the king of kings who summons +thee to enjoy the light of his countenance.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I refuse to go! I refuse!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Chief Officer</p> + +<p>Never before hath any man refused to comply with +the wishes of Nebuchadnezzar.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Nevertheless I refuse, I, the least among the sons +of Israel. Who is he, that I should fear him? His +power is but a straw, and his wrath but a breath of +wind.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Chief Officer</p> + +<p>Rash and presumptuous art thou, to speak thus +lightly of the king my master. Curb thy tongue, and +have a care for thy life.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Fiercely</span>] Who is he that I should fear him? +Many have there been who bore the proud name of +Pharaoh, many whose foreheads were once adorned +with circlets of gold, but no man careth to remember +their deeds, and no man taketh pen to inscribe their +names in the book of time. There have been mightier +than he, whom the generations of men have forgotten +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_292" title="292"> </a> +ere the trees they planted have rotted. Who is +Nebuchadnezzar under the stars, that I should fear +him? Is he not a worm, even as other men? Does +not death dog his footsteps, and corruption await his +body? Shall he escape the finger of time? Think +you that he, more than another, can keep that which +he now hath, or that he can find an issue from the doom +which awaits all the sons of men? Return, therefore, +to your master, bearing from me this message: “Woe +to the destroyer, for he shall be destroyed! Woe to +the robber, for he shall be robbed. He who has drunk +his fill of blood, shall be drowned in blood; he who has +battened on the flesh of the nations, shall himself soon +become food for worms! Hearken! A wind is +rising against Babylon, and a tempest is about to break +over Nineveh! Numbered are the days of Ashur. +Drawn is the sword, and it hangs over thee, thy people, +and thy realm. Thou art greedy for news of that +which is to come. Learn, O Nebuchadnezzar, that +Ashur is ripe for destruction; the measure of thine +iniquity is full.”</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The officers shrink before these fiery words, and +make gestures as if to avert the threatened doom</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Suddenly stands forth from a dark corner, and +cries enthusiastically</span>] Hear him, O Lord, hear him! +Fulfil the promise of his words.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Imploringly</span>] Hear him, Lord God of Sabaoth!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_293" title="293"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Already hath the avenger awakened, for the Lord +hath summoned him, and hath equipped him with +strength. He is coming. Already is he near. +Mighty are his hands; they will crush Babylon like a +bird’s nest, and will scatter the people of Ashur like +chaff before the wind. Set watchmen in the towers +upon the walls, that they may warn you of his coming; +send forth men in armor, bearing sharp spears, that +they may resist his onslaught. Just as little as thou +canst blow away the clouds of heaven with thy breath, +just so little canst thou avert the coming of the avenger, +whose sword will slay the children of Ashur.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Ecstatically</span>] So let it be, Lord, so let it be!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Other Refugees</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">They have collected round <span class="speaker">The Elder</span>, and have +caught fire from his enthusiasm</span>] Smite them, O Lord, +as he has foretold.—Fulfil the words he has spoken.—Send +the avenger.—Cast down Babylon even as he has +prophesied.—Hear him, O Lord, hear him.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The officers, panic-stricken, make for the door</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In a frenzy of joy</span>] O fool among fools, didst thou +verily believe thou couldst enslave us; didst thou +verily believe that God would forget us, would forsake +his city of Jerusalem? Are we not his children, his +first-born and his heirs? Is not his spirit upon us, and +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_294" title="294"> </a> +his blessing upon the seed of Abraham? He has +chastised us for our sins, but will now have pity on us. +What his left hand has taken from us, his right hand +will restore a thousandfold. For know, brothers, that +sooner shall mountains fall and rivers flow upwards, +sooner shall the stars be darkened, than that God shall +forget his covenant, shall abandon Israel, shall turn +away his face from Zion.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The officers have vanished during this speech</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder and The Others</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Thronging round <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>] Blessings upon your +words.—Blessings upon your head.—God will be mindful +of Jerusalem.—O glorious prophecy!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Ignoring them in his growing exaltation</span>] How dark +were the days upon earth when God frowned upon his +children. We thought to perish in that darkness, to +go down unto death in our anguish. But with the end +of his wrath came the beginning of his love. A storm +has raged; God has broken our strength like a reed. +But now, once more, the sun of his mercy shines upon +us. He has laid aside the lightnings; he has stilled the +thunder of his voice; his words fall softly on our ears. +Sweet do they sound, sweet and gentle:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Arise, Jerusalem,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Arise, city of affliction.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Fear no longer,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For I have compassion upon thee.<br/></div> +<div class="line">I have been wroth with thee,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For a moment I have forsaken thee,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_295" title="295"> </a><div class="line">But not for ever doth mine anger endure.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Therefore, since thou hast been forsaken,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Hast been for a day the rejected of God,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Now shall thy glories be restored unto thee,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And now shalt thou be exalted for all eternity.<br/></div> +<div class="line">I will deck thee with my love,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And girdle thee with peace,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Will show thee the light of my countenance,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And bestow my blessing upon thee.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Arise, Jerusalem,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Arise,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For I have delivered thee.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>A blessing upon your words.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Others</p> + +<p>Hear him, God.—Fulfil his words.—Deliver +Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Lo, she is risen. She has heard the call. The Lord +has loosened the fetters from her limbs, and has lifted +the yoke from her neck. He has wiped the tears from +her cheeks, has consoled the widows and the orphans. +Smiles succeed to sorrow. The season of blossoming +hath returned. Zion yearns for her children, that +they may look upon her in her happiness and rejoice in +her renewal. Already have the children of Israel +heard the summons of the Lord. Dispersed never so +widely to the ends of the earth and among the islands +of the sea, yet do they return in their myriads to Zion. +From the north and the south, from the east and the +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_296" title="296"> </a> +west, the happy pilgrims come. Their footsteps hasten +across the hills of Gilead, eagerly do they make their +way over Bashan and Carmel, that they may see the +city of our love, the city of our suffering, the holy +fortress of Zion. And Jerusalem rejoices to welcome +her children, returned in countless numbers from the +prison-houses of exile. Where the flowers were +withered, new buds are springing; where darkness had +loomed, there shines fresh light; those who have been +dumb, find voice. Jerusalem has risen from the +tomb. The hills nod to her as of old; the shadows of +the mountains lie athwart her plains; as dew gleams in +the meadows, so peace shines in the city, the peace of +the Lord, the peace of Israel, the peace of Jerusalem!</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Others</p> + +<p>Fulfil the prophecy, O God.—Bring peace to Israel.—Let +Jerusalem arise.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">When the glad day comes, and in Zion we meet,<br/></div> +<div class="line">We, who so long have been captives and slaves,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Who have dwelt with the stranger in gloomy abodes,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Joyfully reassembling,<br/></div> +<div class="line">We shall pray:<br/></div> +<div class="line">Blessed be thy name, Lord God of Sabaoth!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Great and wonderful have been thy mercies!<br/></div> +<div class="line">By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Breaking the bitter bread of slavery;<br/></div> +<div class="line">We mingled the wine in our pitchers with tears;<br/></div> +<div class="line">For our souls were sick with longing for home,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And our servitude was a daily death.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Then we called unto thee, compassionate one, and called not in vain,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For thou didst break our bonds.<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_297" title="297"> </a><div class="line">With the dew of thy goodness, with the waters of life,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Didst thou quench the fever of our thirsty souls.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Us the dispersed, us the vanquished,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Didst thou raise from the dust and lead home to Zion.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Look on us, O mountains; look on us, O fields!<br/></div> +<div class="line">We have returned, we have risen as from the dead!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let the sound of our streamlets murmur in our prayers;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let the gardens welcome us with their flowers;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let the roses of Sharon greet us with their perfume,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The forests of Carmel and Lebanon with their shade.<br/></div> +<div class="line">And thou, holy city, the beloved, ne’er forgotten,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The vision of our days, and the dream of our nights,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The bride of our love and the mother of us all,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let thy cymbals sound, thy flutes breathe notes of gladness;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Arouse thee and give utterance to thy rejoicing,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For we have returned to thee, Jerusalem!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Others</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Pressing near him in their delight, throwing themselves +at his feet, embracing his knees</span>] Returned!—Risen +as from the dead.—Glorious prophecy.—Jerusalem.—Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">On his knees</span>] My master, my teacher, how sweet +are your words, how blissful is your message.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Blessed be he who brings comfort in time of affliction.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_298" title="298"> </a>A Woman</p> + +<p>His eyes glow like stars and light up the vault.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Woman</p> + +<p>God’s spirit has descended on him.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Wounded Man</p> + +<p>His words have heartened me. I live, I live again. +Oh that I, too, might one day return to Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zephaniah</p> + +<p>Your words have brought me new courage, Jeremiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Paying no heed, but gradually awakening from his +trance and looking round with alarm</span>] Where are they +to whom I spake? Surely I talked with messengers +from King Nebuchadnezzar? Have I been dreaming? +Methought there were three men, richly appareled.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>They fled before the lightnings of your glance.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another</p> + +<p>Your anger smote them like a sword.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Still confused</span>] What did I say? My mind is +dark, and yet I seem to recall something. What did +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_299" title="299"> </a> +I say? Why do you all look at me yearningly? Why +do you crowd round me? You looked at me with +horror in your faces, but now … What has +happened to me, and what has happened to you?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Man of God, man into whose heart the fire of God +has passed, this light streams from you. Mightily +have you prophesied to us.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Man</p> + +<p>You have freed my soul from its anguish.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Woman</p> + +<p>You have feasted my heart on manna.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Wounded Man</p> + +<p>Look at me. I can get up. I can walk. The pain +has gone. Your words have called me back from +death.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>A miracle.—A miracle like those of Elijah.—Raising +from the dead.—Let us bow before God’s +messenger.—A miracle.—A miracle.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Gently</span>] Nay, brothers, shame me not by your +praises. I have no part in what has befallen. A +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_300" title="300"> </a> +miracle has there doubtless been, but it has been +wrought on me, not by me. I cursed God, and he has +blessed me; I fled from him, and he has found me. +None can escape his love, nor can anyone overcome his +power. He has vanquished me, my brothers; and +nothing is sweeter than to be vanquished by God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Ecstatically</span>] Jeremiah, Jeremiah, may God do by +all of us even as he has done by you.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Alas, that I knew not the Lord till so late! Alas, +that I found you so late, my brothers! Dark lies the +city, and dark our fate; but wonderful is life, holy the +world wherein we dwell. O earth which I have +despised, be gentle to me as I kneel; God, whom but +now I renounced, be gracious to my prayer! [<span class="stage-direction">He +kneels</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">I thank thee, O Lord, for thy gentleness toward me,<br/></div> +<div class="line">When I, froward and fierce, did thy service abjure.<br/></div> +<div class="line">For that thou whom I cursed didst with blessings reward me,<br/></div> +<div class="line">My heart will be grateful while life doth endure.<br/></div> +<div class="line">In life I will praise thee, in death I will praise.<br/></div> +<div class="line">With the bread of thy word thou dost nourish my days.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let me bless thee for filling my soul with thy breath,<br/></div> +<div class="line">With that spirit of love which is stronger than death.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let me bless thee for this, that harshly thou dravest<br/></div> +<div class="line">Me forth from thy face; that sorrow thou gavest<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_301" title="301"> </a><div class="line">To me and to others. Nay, sorrow I bless,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For when men keep aloof, lo, the touch of distress<br/></div> +<div class="line">Makes them know they are kin. But the sorrows God sendeth<br/></div> +<div class="line">Are the firstfruits of storm, which in sunshine oft endeth.<br/></div> +<div class="line">I bless thee then, God, on life’s journey the guide,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Whom all seek to escape, but from whom none can hide,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For the lowliest ever thy grace can best win,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And the sinner thy love, yea, because of his sin!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Blessed the man who can lose self in God!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Blessed the man who is chosen of God!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Blessed the heaven, in music ensphered,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Blessed the world, as thy mirror endeared!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Blest the stars which shine peacefully, far above strife,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Blest the quiet of death—blest the turmoil of life!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Throwing himself on his knees before <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>] +Jeremiah, my master, Jeremiah! Let not thy word +shine upon us alone. Many are waiting in the marketplace, +their souls full of fear. Give courage to the +despairing. Fill the thirsty with the waters of life.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Yea, strengthen the knees of the tottering. Console +the afflicted!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Go forth to our brothers.—To them, as to us, bring +solace.—Give them the message.—The promise.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_302" title="302"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Rising</span>] So be it, brothers, lead me to them. I +have been comforted of God, and now will I comfort +others. Let us go forth, that we may build again the +temple in the hearts of the hopeless, may build there +the everlasting Jerusalem. [<span class="stage-direction">He strides out through +the door</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Others</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Surrounding him, some leading the way, while all +the voices mingle in exaltation</span>] Jerusalem.—Jerusalem +the undying.—Prophesy!—On, God’s master-builder.—Jerusalem +endureth for ever!</p> + +<h2><a class="pagenum" name="Page_303" title="303"> </a>THE EVERLASTING ROAD</h2> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_305" title="305"> </a><a name="Scene_9">SCENE NINE</a></p> + +<p>For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, +saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to +give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, +and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, +and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your +heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: +and I will turn away your captivity. <span class="small-caps">Jeremiah</span> XXIX, +11–14.</p> + +<p class="scene-heading"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_307" title="307"> </a>SCENE NINE</p> + +<div class="scene-description"> +<p>The great square in front of the temple, as in the +<a href="#Scene_1">first scene</a>, save that now everywhere signs of the sack +are visible.</p> + +<p>In the square we see a medley of hand-carts laden +with household goods, of packhorses and other beasts +of burden, and of wagons. Men and women, preparing +for the exodus, are busied among these. New +groups continually flock into the square from the surrounding +streets, and the noise of conversation grows +ever louder. The women and children, together with +the men too old for work, sit apart on the steps. +Chaldean warriors, fully armed, stride masterfully +through the crowd, making way for themselves with +their spears.</p> + +<p>The moon shines fitfully. Gradually the dawn +reddens in the east.</p> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>This is our meeting place.—How many of us are +here?—Keep together, sons of Reuben.—How dark it +is.—This is the best place, so that we can lead the way.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Other Voices</p> + +<p>Don’t push.—This is our place.—Our mules have +been standing here since evening.—The place is ours.—The +sons of Reuben always want to be first.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_308" title="308"> </a>An Elder</p> + +<p>Do not quarrel, children. Let Reuben lead the +way, for such is the law.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>There is no longer any law.—The scriptures are +burned.—Who are you to order us about?—It is the +priests’ commandment.—There are no priests left; they +have all been put to the sword.—Hananiah escaped the +slaughter.—Nay, they made an end of him too.—We +are leaderless.—Who shall give us the law?—Who will +make the sacrifices for us in Babylon?—Who will +interpret the scriptures?—All of the race of Aaron have +been slain.—Woe unto us that are orphaned.—Had we +but the ark and the roll of the law.—The roll of the +law has been burned.—Nay, the word of God cannot +be burned.—I tell you I saw it perish in the flames.—Alas, +is the law burned?—Impossible, how can God’s +word be burned?—Has not his house been burned; has +not his altar been overthrown?—Did he not deliver +over his holy city to destruction?—Yea, yea, he has +made us the slaves of our enemies. He has broken the +covenant.—Blaspheme not.—I fear him no longer.—We +are leaderless; would that Moses could lead us as +of old; would that there were still a judge among the +people.—What has become of the king, him whom they +blinded?—He has always been blind.—To him we +owe these disasters.—Alas for the fate of Israel, the +destruction of Jerusalem!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A disorderly rout, laughing loudly, issues from +the palace. The newcomers are the princes of Chaldea, +with slaves bearing torches. The princes are drunk. +In the midst of the brawling crowd we see the figure +of a man whom the princes are buffeting and pushing +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_309" title="309"> </a> +one to another, so that he totters, and is continually in +danger of falling</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Chaldean Princes</p> + +<p>Are you ready for a fresh attack on Nebuchadnezzar?—On, +stormer of Babylon.—Pillar of Israel, +take heed lest you fall.—He cannot dance like King +David.—He cannot play the psaltery.—Enough of +him, let us go back to our wine.—I would rather +amuse myself with his wives.—Let him drink darkness +while we drink wine.—Come away!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Laughing and shouting, the princes return into the +palace, leaving the man of whom they have been making +sport swaying unsteadily as he stands at the top of +the steps. The moon has pierced the clouds, and his +shadow stretches across the stone flooring behind him. +This gives him the appearance of a gigantic wraith. +The crowd beneath is filled with astonishment and +alarm</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Whispering Voices</p> + +<p>Who is it?—Why have they cast him out from their +board?—Why does he not speak?—Look how he raises +his hands imploringly to heaven.—Who is he?—Don’t +go near him.—Yes, I will see who it is.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Some of the bolder spirits have mounted the steps</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">With a cry of recognition</span>] Zedekiah!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_310" title="310"> </a>The Crowd</p> + +<p>The king.—The blinded king.—God’s judgment.—Zedekiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Falteringly</span>] Who calls me?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>No one calls thee.—For thee there are naught but +curses, and God’s judgments.—Where are thy Egyptian +friends?—Where is Zion?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Other Voices</p> + +<p>Be silent!—He is the anointed of the Lord, blinded +by our enemies.—Reverence the king.—Have pity on +his sufferings.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The First Voices</p> + +<p>Nay, he shall not sit among us.—Where are my +children?—Give me back my children.—A curse on +the man who has murdered Israel.—He is to blame for +all.—Why should he live when better men have died?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">To one who has taken his hand, to lead him</span>] Who +are these who rail against me? Are my foes those of +mine own household?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Guide</p> + +<p>Lord, they are thy companions in misfortune.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_311" title="311"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>Do not bring him down here, for his lot and ours +shall not be mingled.—Let him sit apart.—God has +punished him.—A curse lies upon him.—No longer +shall he be king.—Of what use is a blind king?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Wellnigh weeping in his helplessness</span>] Lead me +forth. They have put out my eyes, and now they will +take my crown. Hide me from my enemies.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Woman</p> + +<p>Rest here, Lord King. Lie down and rest.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A couch is extemporized for <span class="speaker">Zedekiah</span> at the foot +of the steps. The inquisitive gather round</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Elder</p> + +<p>Keep away, keep away. Reverence the Lord’s +anointed. God has appointed him our leader.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>How can a blind man lead us?—He cannot reign in +Jerusalem, for Zion has fallen.—We are all slaves, +and slaves need no leader.—Nay, we need a deliverer.—Were +but Moses here to help us at this hour.—How +can a man so afflicted give us help and consolation?—No +one can help us.—See, the dawn comes. Let us +make ready for the journey.—Alas the day!—As +wanderers and exiles, we go leaderless into a far +country. [<span class="stage-direction">Loud chanting is heard in the distance</span>] +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_312" title="312"> </a> +Hark, the trumpet.—Alas the trumpet sounds.—The +first signal for departure.—No, no, that is not a +trumpet.—Cannot you hear singing, with cymbals and +drums?—Our enemies are rejoicing.—O shame! O +torment!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The chanting draws nearer and nearer, until individual +voices and the clashing of the cymbals can be +clearly distinguished. At length a group of persons is +seen advancing, and thronging exultantly round a tall +figure</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>Look! They are of our own people.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Impossible.—They are rejoicing.—How could any +son of Israel exult on this day of sorrow?—They must +be drunken with wine.—Assuredly they are our +brothers of Israel.—Who is it in their midst?—Look +at that frenzied woman clashing the cymbals!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The approaching singers, <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> in the center, +advance in the pale light of dawn. Some of them are +in truth ecstatic and unsteady in their movements, as if +drunken; but others are of sober mien</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Chanting Voices</p> + +<p>Hosanna!—A prophecy.—Jerusalem endureth for +ever!—Blessed our return home.—Blessed be the consoler, +and blessed the comfort he brings.—Hosanna!—Jerusalem +endureth for ever!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_313" title="313"> </a>Voices from the Crowd</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">In excitement</span>] They are mad.—What has happened?—Hark +how they shout Hosanna!—Who is the +prophet?—What is his message?—Let him deliver it +to us also.—Who shall bring us consolation?</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>Look, is it not Jeremiah whom they surround?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Yes.—No.—His face was lowering, but this man’s +face is radiant.—Nay, it is he.—How changed he is.—A +curse upon him who breathed curses.—How can +sweetness come from the bitter?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Hearken to the message of comfort, brothers. Feed +your souls with the word of God, with the bread of +life!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>How can comfort be brought by this man accurst?—His +words are like scorpions.—His message will choke +us.—We have had enough of the prophets, for they +have misled us one and all.—No, no, Jeremiah gave +us true warning.—I tell you he will rub salt into +our wounds.—Away, away, man without bowels of +compassion!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>I beseech you to hear his message. He has uplifted +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_314" title="314"> </a> +our hearts, and will uplift yours likewise, brothers in +God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Wounded Man</p> + +<p>I testify for him, I testify for him! Fevered by my +wounds I lay unable to move. His words have restored +my strength. Lo, on me he hath wrought a miracle.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Who is this?—Listen to what he says.—He tells of +a miracle, and a miracle is what we need.—I need comfort.—Naught +but Zion’s valleys will comfort me.—What +comfort can he give?—Can he raise the dead; +can he rebuild the temple?—Let us hear his message.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Woman</p> + +<p>Balaam! Balaam! Balaam! Hail, for that you +who came to curse Israel have blessed us thrice.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Baruch</p> + +<p>Master, look upon their discord. Make their hearts +one, their spirits fruitful. Lift them from their +mourning, lift their souls to God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Leaving his companions and going to the top of the +steps</span>] Brothers, in the darkness I feel you to be near +me, and know that your souls are filled with darkness. +But why do you despair? Why do you lament?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_315" title="315"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>Hearken to the blasphemer.—I warned you against +him.—He mocks us.—He asks why we lament!—He +rubs salt into our wounds.—Are we to rejoice on the +day of our exodus?—Are we to forget the dead?—He +laughs at our tears.—Silence, let us hear him.—Let us +hear his message.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Hearken, brothers, give ear unto my words. Is all +lost, that you should lament? There still remains the +precious gift of life.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Voice</p> + +<p>What a life!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>And I say unto you, who has life, has God also. +Leave it to the dead to complain of those who have led +them to the tomb. We, who survive, should continue +to hope. Lament not, despair not, while breath +remains; neither opening your mouths in revolt, nor +closing your ears to words of consolation.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Words, only words, which avail nothing.—If you +would lift up our hearts, lift up the walls of Jerusalem.—Rebuild +the fortress of Zion.—Alas, he cannot see +our distress, he cannot recognize our suffering.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Brothers, I read your suffering like an open book, +and the scroll of your pain lies unrolled before me. +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_316" title="316"> </a> +Natheless, brothers, I see a meaning in this pain and +suffering; I see God therein. The hour is sent to us +for trial. Let us meet the test.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Why should God try us?—Why should he visit us, +his chosen people, with affliction?—Why should he +make our burden so heavy?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>God sends us this trial that we may know him to be +God. To those of other nations, few signs are given +and little recognition is vouchsafed. They fancy themselves +able to see the face of the Eternal in images of +wood and stone. Our God, the God of our fathers, is +a hidden God; and not until we are bathed in sorrow +are we enabled to discern him. He chooses those only +whom he has tried, and to none but the suffering does +he give his love. Let us therefore rejoice at our trials, +brothers, and let us love the suffering God sends. He +has broken us with affliction, that he may sink the deeper +into the freshly ploughed ground of our hearts, and +that we may be ready for the scattering of his seed. +He has weakened our bodies that he may strengthen +our souls. Let us joyfully enter the smelting furnace +of his will, that thereby we may be purified. Follow +the example of your forefathers, and thankfully accept +the scourgings of the Almighty!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Not our will but his.—A blessing on our trials.—I +must learn to stifle my complaints.—True, our forefathers +likewise were in bondage.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_317" title="317"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Brothers, if we believe that we shall arise, already +we have arisen. What should we be without faith? +Not to us, as to other nations, has a country been given +to which we may cling; a home, where we may tarry; +rest, that our hearts may wax fat! Not for peace have +we been the chosen among the nations. Wandering is +our habitation, trouble our heritage, God our home. +Do not for that reason covet your neighbor’s goods; do +not for that reason complain. Leave to others their +happiness and their pride; leave to others an abiding +place. For yourselves, people of suffering, gladly +accept trial. Have faith, chosen of God, seeing that +sorrow is your heritage. Because it is your eternal +heritage, therefore are you chosen.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>True is the word.—Sorrow is our heritage.—I will +shoulder my burden.—I have faith in God’s mercy. +He will lead us now, as he led us out of Egypt.—God +will deliver us, as he delivered our fathers.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Arise, then, and cease repining. Take up your faith +as a staff, and you will march bravely through these +trials as you have marched for thousands of years. +Happy are we to be vanquished, and happy to be driven +from home; for we are vanquished, we are driven from +home, by God’s will. Happy are we to lose all, that +we may find him; happy is our hard lot, gladsome our +trial. Kings who mastered us have vanished like +smoke; nations which enslaved us have been scattered +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_318" title="318"> </a> +and their seed has been destroyed; towns wherein we +served as bondmen have been made desolate, and are +now the home of the jackal; but Israel still lives, ever +young, for sorrow is our buttress and overthrow is our +strength. Through suffering we have endured the +assaults of time; reverses have ever been our beginning; +and out of the depths God has gathered us to his +heart. Think of our former troubles, and how those +troubles were met. Think of Egypt, the house of +bondage, the first ordeal. Give praise to affliction, ye +afflicted; give praise to trial, ye sorely tried; praise the +name of God who, through tribulation, has chosen us +for all eternity!</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A wave of enthusiasm answers his words. The +confused medley of voices gradually gives place to +rhythmical choruses</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Bondmen of Mizraim<br/></div> +<div class="line">Were our fathers,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Bridled and bitted<br/></div> +<div class="line">Were our fathers,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Israel’s children.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Taskmasters cruel<br/></div> +<div class="line">Hasted our fathers,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Beat them with rods,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Scourged them with cords,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Afflicted our fathers<br/></div> +<div class="line">With manifold tasks.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Higher Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Ere long the darkness which encompassed us<br/></div> +<div class="line">Was pierced by Jehovah’s compassionate gaze.<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_319" title="319"> </a><div class="line">To save his people before it had perished,<br/></div> +<div class="line">God raised up a deliverer,<br/></div> +<div class="line">One of the house of Levi.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Moses came to our aid,<br/></div> +<div class="line">A man mighty of tongue,<br/></div> +<div class="line">A man mighty of hand.<br/></div> +<div class="line">He led us forth from the land of Egypt.<br/></div> +<div class="line">He freed us from the house of bondage.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Exultant Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Those who had numbered but seventy<br/></div> +<div class="line">When they entered the land of Egypt,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Went out from it numbering countless thousands,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Driving before them flocks and herds,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And bearing with them great possessions.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Before their faces went the pillar of cloud,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Before them went the pillar of fire,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And the angel of God went before the camp of Israel.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Such was the first exodus,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Such the beginning of happiness,<br/></div> +<div class="line">When God was bringing our fathers to the land of promise.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">But new tribulations awaited us,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Fresh trials;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Forbear not to recall the days of bitterness,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Forget not those days!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Pursuing us,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Came the army of Pharaoh,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_320" title="320"> </a><div class="line">Horses and chariots,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And a multitude of horsemen.<br/></div> +<div class="line">With vengeful clamor<br/></div> +<div class="line">Did they follow after.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The sea barred our passage;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Death pressed at our heels.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Higher Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Thereupon the Lord sent the strong east wind,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Dividing the waters that the sea might be dry land.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The waters were a wall unto us,<br/></div> +<div class="line">On our right hand, and on our left.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thus went we into the midst of the sea<br/></div> +<div class="line">Upon the dry ground.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Exultant Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">With the clashing of arms and the roaring of chariot wheels,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Our foes, thirsty for blood, followed after,<br/></div> +<div class="line">On the dry ground between the walls of the sea.<br/></div> +<div class="line">They shouted in their wrath as they thought to smite us.<br/></div> +<div class="line">But Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And all the hosts of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thus did the Lord overthrow the Egyptians in the midst of the sea!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Deep Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Thus did the Lord deliver us out of danger,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And lead us forth from the land of bondage.<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_321" title="321"> </a><div class="line">Thus wonderful was the beginning<br/></div> +<div class="line">Of our happy and unhappy wanderings!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Again and again did he pour over us the bitterness of +death and the waters of the cup of trial, that we might +be healed for evermore. Bethink ye of the scorching +days in the desert, of the forty years of privation ere +we reached the promised land.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Parched were our throats,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Blistered our lips,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Athirst were we<br/></div> +<div class="line">And anhungered,<br/></div> +<div class="line">In that waterless and barren region.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Exultant Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Then Moses lifted up his hand,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And with his rod smote the rock twice.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Lo, the stone was riven in sunder,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The water gushed forth abundantly,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The congregation drank and their cattle,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And the wanderers laved their toilworn feet.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Higher Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">When we were weary, the Lord gave us rest.<br/></div> +<div class="line">He sent cool breezes<br/></div> +<div class="line">To temper the burning heats of noontide.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Bitter springs did he sweeten for our sake.<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_322" title="322"> </a><div class="line">The wind brought fat quails from the sea.<br/></div> +<div class="line">When our entrails were gnawed with hunger,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Lo, after the morning dews had risen,<br/></div> +<div class="line">There lay on the face of the wilderness<br/></div> +<div class="line">Manna, small and round, the bread of heaven.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Albeit, never was it granted us to live in safety.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Continually did the Lord chastise us with his holy hand.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Ever and again did he renew the tribulations of his people.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">The nations stood<br/></div> +<div class="line">Against us in arms;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Greed and envy<br/></div> +<div class="line">Closed the roads<br/></div> +<div class="line">Of our pilgrimage;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Cities shut their gates;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Spears gleamed,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Strewing our path with death.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Higher Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Then God forged us new weapons,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Making our hearts like sharp swords,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Giving us strength against thousands,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Victory over tens of thousands.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Exultant Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Trumpets blew, walls fell down;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Moab was overthrown, and Amalek.<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_323" title="323"> </a><div class="line">With the sword we carved ways<br/></div> +<div class="line">Through the anger of the peoples and the times,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Until our hearts stood the test,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Until we reached the land of promise,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Canaan, where after labor we could rest.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Here was a home for the wanderers,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Now could we ungird our loins,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Doff our shoes, lay aside our staves.<br/></div> +<div class="line">These staves put forth green shoots,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Israel blossomed, and Zion arose.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">All the Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Again and again have we been yoked to the plough,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Necks bowed; again and again enslaved:<br/></div> +<div class="line">But never has he failed to break our yoke,<br/></div> +<div class="line">To free us from captivity and exile:<br/></div> +<div class="line">From all our afflictions, all our privations,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Never has he failed to deliver us,<br/></div> +<div class="line">To summon us home at last,<br/></div> +<div class="line">To grant us a renewed flowering.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Have no fear, have no fear, that the Lord will forsake us!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Mistrust him not, brothers, in days that are dark!<br/></div> +<div class="line">For when he debases us, when he afflicts us,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The suffering he sends is but sign of his love.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Then bow ye, my brothers, bend necks to the yoke,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Accept gladly the lot by Jehovah decreed.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Know, that sorrow but proves us, that trial uplifts us,<br/></div> +<div class="line">That affliction, though sore, brings us nearer to God.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Each pang that we feel is a step toward his kingdom,<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_324" title="324"> </a><div class="line">Since the vanquished on earth are in heaven beloved.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Up brothers, march onward, march onward to God.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Ecstatically</span>] Yea, now let us begin our wanderings.—Lead +us forth.—We shall suffer, even as our fathers +suffered.—Exodus and never-ending return.—Hasten, +hasten, sunrise is at hand.—Let us march steadfastly +into slavery.—Now as ever, God will deliver us.—We +will all go, not one will stay behind.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Alas, alas! Who will lead me? Leave me not +behind! Who will carry me?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Who calls?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Let him stay where he is.—He is chaff for the winnowing +fan.—He is rejected of God. [<span class="stage-direction">To <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span></span>] +Lead us, prophet.—You shall be our master.—Leave +the outcast.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>No one is an outcast! Whoever calls for help must +be heard, for all our sakes.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Not he.—He is the cause of our troubles.—He is +the rejected of God.—He is one accurst!</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_325" title="325"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I, too, was rejected of God, and God has heard +my prayer; I, likewise, was a man accurst, and God has +blessed me. Who was it, crying in his distress? Let +me bring him comfort, even as I was comforted.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>’Tis the man lying on the steps.—God’s wrath has +smitten his pride.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Why lies he alone there? Wherefore does he not +join us?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<p>Look, his stars are darkened.—No longer can he find +his way, for he is blind.—They have put out his eyes.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Drawing near the recumbent figure with profound +emotion</span>] Zedekiah! Lord King!</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Is it thou, Jeremiah?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>It is I, Lord King. I am thy faithful servant, +Jeremiah. [<span class="stage-direction">He kneels beside the king</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_326" title="326"> </a>Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Scorn me not! Drive me not from thee, as I +drave thee from me! Thy words have burned me to +ashes, man of might. Now leave me not alone in the +hour of mine anguish. Be with me, as you swore +before God when last we met.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I am with thee, King Zedekiah.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Groping for him</span>] Where art thou? I cannot find +thee.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>I am at thy feet, thy servant and thy slave.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Trembling</span>] Mock me not before the people, nor +bow thyself in reverence to one abased. The oil +wherewith I was anointed hath turned to blood upon +my brow. My crown is dust.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Thou hast become the king of sorrows, and never +wert thou more kingly. Zedekiah, I stood upright +before thee when I faced thee in thy strength, but I +bow myself before thee now that God hath brought +thee low. Anointed by suffering, lead us forth! Thou +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_327" title="327"> </a> +who now seest God only, who no longer seest the world, +guide thy people. [<span class="stage-direction">He rises and faces the multitude</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Behold, behold,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Children of sorrow, children of God,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The Lord hath hearkened to your cry,<br/></div> +<div class="line">He hath sent you a leader!<br/></div> +<div class="line">One crowned with suffering,<br/></div> +<div class="line">One scorned of men!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Who is more fitted than he<br/></div> +<div class="line">To reign over those that are blessed by defeat?<br/></div> +<div class="line">God hath closed Zedekiah’s eyes on earth<br/></div> +<div class="line">That he may better see the glories of heaven.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Brothers, has any son of the house of David<br/></div> +<div class="line">Been so fitted as he to be king of the sorrowful?<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Zedekiah</p> + +<p>Whither would you take me? What will become +of me?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Lift him up,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Him who has been abased,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Pay him all honor!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Harness the horses,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Make ready the litters,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Tenderly lift him,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Israel’s guardian,<br/></div> +<div class="line">King over Zion.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The king is lifted with all signs of respect, and is +placed in a litter. A trumpet sounds in the distance. +There is a red glow upon the walls as the day dawns. +The sky has cleared. A tremor runs through the +crowd at the sound of the trumpet</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_328" title="328"> </a>Voices</p> + +<p>The signal!—The first signal!—God summons us.—The +day of our trial has dawned.—Soon the sun will +shine over Jerusalem.—The exodus.—The exodus.—Exodus +and return.—Jerusalem.—Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">With confident mien, strides up the steps once more. +The crowd has drawn back, and he stands alone at the +top, looking taller than ever in his isolation</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Up, ye rejected,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Up, all ye vanquished,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Brisk for the journey!<br/></div> +<div class="line">Wanderers,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Chosen of God and the world,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Lift up your hearts!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A surge of activity passes through the crowd. +<span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> gazes out over the city</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">On Jerusalem’s pinnacles<br/></div> +<div class="line">Now for the last time<br/></div> +<div class="line">Look through your tears.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Carry with you the image<br/></div> +<div class="line">Of the home you so love.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Drink your fill of the towers,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Drink your fill of the walls,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Drink your fill of Jerusalem.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Yea, yea, ere we go<br/></div> +<div class="line">Let us drink our fill of Jerusalem.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_329" title="329"> </a>Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Bend down a last time,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Piously caressing<br/></div> +<div class="line">Your native earth.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">He apostrophizes the earth</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Earth drenched with blood and tears,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Lo, I touch you<br/></div> +<div class="line">With loving hand.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The memory of this touch<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shall go with me,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shall be an undying hunger.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">He addresses the people once more</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Unceasingly,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Wherever we wander,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shall we be anhungered,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shall we be athirst,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For Zion!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Voices</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Unceasingly,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Wherever we wander,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shall we be anhungered,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shall we be athirst,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For Zion!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Wanderers, chosen of God,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Filled with your hunger, your thirst,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Having now said your farewells,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Manfully turn to the journey.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Look forward, not backward.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Stay-at-homes<br/></div> +<div class="line">Have home;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Wanderers<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_330" title="330"> </a><div class="line">Have the world!<br/></div> +<div class="line">God’s are the ways<br/></div> +<div class="line">On which ye shall walk.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Made wise through suffering,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Wanderers, chosen of God,<br/></div> +<div class="line">On, through the world!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The People</p> + +<p>Shall we ever see Jerusalem again?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>He who believes, looks always on Jerusalem.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The People</p> + +<p>Who shall rebuild the city?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>The ardor of desire, the night of prison, and the +suffering which brings counsel.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The People</p> + +<p>Will it endure?</p> + +<p class="speaker">Jeremiah</p> + +<p>Yea. Stones fall, but that which the soul builds in +suffering, endureth for ever.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">There is a bustle among the crowd as all make +ready for the start. The trumpet sounds again. It is +now quite light. The crowd, eager to begin the exodus, +greets the second blast of the trumpet with a shout of +impatience</span>]</p> + +<p><a class="pagenum" name="Page_331" title="331"> </a>[<span class="stage-direction">Raising his voice to dominate the tumult</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Wanderers, sufferers, march in the name<br/></div> +<div class="line">Of your forefather Jacob, who erstwhile with God,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Having wrestled the livelong night,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Strove till dawn for a blessing.<br/></div> +<div class="line">March on in the morning light<br/></div> +<div class="line">By a path like that which your forefathers trod,<br/></div> +<div class="line">When from Mizraim forth by Moses led<br/></div> +<div class="line">Toward the land of promise their way they sped.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Scatter your seeds, scatter your seeds,<br/></div> +<div class="line">In unknown lands,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Through numberless years.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Wander your wanderings, watered with tears.<br/></div> +<div class="line">On, people of God; for, wherever ye roam,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Your road leads through the world to eternity, home.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">The march begins in silence. At the head of the +procession, the king is borne in a litter. In due order, +tribe by tribe, the wanderers fall into line and move +towards the gate. They gaze heavenward, singing as +they march, so that the exodus has the solemnity of a +religious procession. There is neither haste nor lagging, +but a rhythmic movement forward. The files +succeed one another in an endless train. An infinite +on the march</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker">First Chorus of Wanderers</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">In strangers’ houses now must we dwell,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Eating bread salted with tears.<br/></div> +<div class="line">By an enemy’s hearth, with souls full of dread,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Must we sit upon stools of shame.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The weight of the years will lie heavy upon us<br/></div> +<div class="line">When, captives and bondmen, we must serve men of might.<br/></div> +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_332" title="332"> </a><div class="line">But from exile escaping, from bondage redeemed,<br/></div> +<div class="line">To Jerusalem homing, to Zion returning,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Our spirits shall ever be free and at rest.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Second Chorus of Wanderers</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Our drink must be drawn from distant waters;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Evil their taste, bitter in the mouth.<br/></div> +<div class="line">We must shelter from the sun beneath strange trees,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Their leaves breathing fear as they rustle in the wind.<br/></div> +<div class="line">But we shall win solace from the starry skies;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Dreams of home will comfort our nights;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Our souls will find continual refreshment<br/></div> +<div class="line">In the thought of Jerusalem.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">Third Chorus of Wanderers</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">We shall journey by unfamiliar roads;<br/></div> +<div class="line">The wind will carry us afar, through many lands;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Weary shall we be, footsore and weary,<br/></div> +<div class="line">As the nations drive us from home after home.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Nowhere at all will they suffer us to take root,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Perpetual our pilgrimage through the changing world.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Yet happy shall we be, eternally vanquished;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Happy shall we be, chaff blown by the breeze;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Kindred to none, and by none made welcome;<br/></div> +<div class="line">For through the ages our path leads unerringly,<br/></div> +<div class="line">To the goal of our desire,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Jerusalem!<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">A few Chaldeans, among them a captain, have come +out from the palace. Some of them are half drunk. +Their voices sound shrill in contrast with the chanting +of the wanderers</span>]</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_333" title="333"> </a>The Captain</p> + +<p>The dogs are mutinous. They murmur against +their fate. Beat them with rods if they refuse to go.</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Chaldean</p> + +<p>Look, Captain, they have not waited for an order. +There is no sign of mutiny.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Captain</p> + +<p>If they complain, strike them on the mouth.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Chaldean</p> + +<p>Captain, they are not complaining.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Chaldean</p> + +<p>Watch them marching. They stride along like +conquerors. Their eyes flash with joy.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Chaldeans</p> + +<p>What people are these?—Have they not been vanquished?—Can +anyone have spread among them false +tidings of liberation?—What are they chanting?—A +strange people.—No one can understand them, whether +in their dejection or in their exultation.—Their very +gentleness is a danger, for it has a strength of its own.—This +resembles rather the triumphal entry of a king, +than the exodus of an enslaved people.—Saw the world +ever such a nation?</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_334" title="334"> </a>Fourth Chorus of Wanderers</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">Here <span class="speaker">Jeremiah</span> inconspicuously joins his tribe</span>]</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">Through ages we wander, we march through the nations,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The tale of our sufferings ever renewed;<br/></div> +<div class="line">Aeon after aeon eternally vanquished,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Thralls at the hearths where in passing we rest.<br/></div> +<div class="line">But the cities wither, and the nations<br/></div> +<div class="line">Shoot into darkness like wandering stars.<br/></div> +<div class="line">The oppressors who scourged us with many whips<br/></div> +<div class="line">Have become a hissing and a byword among the generations.<br/></div> +<div class="line">Whereas we march onward, march onward, march onward,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Drawing strength from within, eternity from earth,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And God from pains and tribulations.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Chaldean Captain</p> + +<p>Verily madness has seized them. We are the victors, +they the defeated and the disgraced. Why, then, do +they not complain?</p> + +<p class="speaker">A Chaldean</p> + +<p>An invisible force must sustain them.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Another Chaldean</p> + +<p>True, they believe in the invisible. That is the +mystery of their faith.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Captain</p> + +<p>How is it possible to see the invisible, or to believe +in what cannot be seen? They must have secret arts, +<a class="pagenum" name="Page_335" title="335"> </a> +like those of our astrologers and soothsayers. It +would be well to learn their mysteries.</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Chaldean</p> + +<p>These mysteries cannot be taught; the secret lies in +faith. What sustains them, they say, is their faith in +the invisible God.</p> + +<p class="speaker">Fifth Chorus of Wanderers</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> +<div class="stanza"> +<div class="line">We wander adown the road of suffering,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Through our trials we are purified,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Everlastingly vanquished, and everlastingly overthrown,<br/></div> +<div class="line">For ever enslaved, for ever enfranchised,<br/></div> +<div class="line">Unceasingly broken and unceasingly renewed,<br/></div> +<div class="line">The mock and the sport of all nations on earth.<br/></div> +<div class="line">We wander through the eternities,<br/></div> +<div class="line">A remnant, a remnant,<br/></div> +<div class="line">And yet numberless.<br/></div> +<div class="line">We march onward to God,<br/></div> +<div class="line">To God who is the beginning and the end,<br/></div> +<div class="line">To God who is our home.<br/></div> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="speaker">The Chaldean</p> + +<p>See how they are walking to meet the sun. His +light shines on their foreheads, and they themselves +shine with the strength of the sun. Mighty must their +God be.</p> + +<p class="speaker"><a class="pagenum" name="Page_336" title="336"> </a>The Captain</p> + +<p>Their God? Have we not broken down his altars? +Have we not conquered him?</p> + +<p class="speaker">The Chaldean</p> + +<p>Who can conquer the invisible? Men we can slay, +but the God who lives in them we cannot slay. A +nation can be controlled by force; its spirit, never.</p> + +<p>[<span class="stage-direction">For the third time the trumpet sounds. The sun +has risen, shining on the exodus of the chosen people, +beginning their march athwart the ages</span>]</p> + +<div id="tnote-bottom"> +<p class="center"><a name="tn-bottom"><b>Transcriber’s Note:</b></a></p> +<p>The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The +first passage is the original passage, the second the corrected one.</p> + +<ul id="corrections"> +<li><a href="#Page_33">Page 33</a>:<br/> +<span class="correction">No</span> we, nor we.—Down with Ashur.—Let us break<br/> +<span class="correction">Nor</span> we, nor we.—Down with Ashur.—Let us break +</li> +<li><a href="#Page_45">Page 45</a>:<br/> +us, is it time to start?—War against <span class="correction">Ashur,</span>—Say, shall<br/> +us, is it time to start?—War against <span class="correction">Ashur.</span>—Say, shall +</li> +<li><a href="#Page_85">Page 85</a>:<br/> +keep their <span class="correction">virginity</span><br/> +keep their <span class="correction">virginity.</span> +</li> +<li><a href="#Page_88">Page 88</a>:<br/> +<span class="correction">happened</span> people of Jerusalem, a miracle which delivers<br/> +<span class="correction">happened,</span> people of Jerusalem, a miracle which delivers +</li> +<li><a href="#Page_120">Page 120</a>:<br/> +Jeremiah, who leads the people astray? <span class="correction">Jeremiah</span><br/> +Jeremiah, who leads the people astray? <span class="correction">Jeremiah,</span> +</li> +<li><a href="#Page_122">Page 122</a>:<br/> +broken. Jerusalem endureth for <span class="correction">ever</span><br/> +broken. Jerusalem endureth for <span class="correction">ever.</span> +</li> +<li><a href="#Page_133">Page 133</a>:<br/> +[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker"><span class="correction">Zekediah</span></span> turns away, and slowly resumes the</span><br/> +[<span class="stage-direction"><span class="speaker"><span class="correction">Zedekiah</span></span> turns away, and slowly resumes the</span> +</li> +<li><a href="#Page_141">Page 141</a>:<br/> +[<span class="stage-direction">A female relative, coming from without, <span class="correction">cautionsly</span></span><br/> +[<span class="stage-direction">A female relative, coming from without, <span class="correction">cautiously</span></span> +</li> +<li><a href="#Page_188">Page 188</a>:<br/> +[<span class="stage-direction">To <span class="correction">Nahum</span></span>] Coward and traitor!<br/> +[<span class="stage-direction">To <span class="correction"><span class="speaker">Nahum</span></span></span>] Coward and traitor! +</li> +<li><a href="#Page_200">Page 200</a>:<br/> +<span class="correction">on</span> the face of <span class="correction">Jehovah.”</span><br/> +<span class="correction">look on</span> the face of <span class="correction">Jehovah.</span> +</li> +</ul> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jeremiah, by Stefan Zweig + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JEREMIAH *** + +***** This file should be named 39402-h.htm or 39402-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/4/0/39402/ + +Produced by Sharon Joiner, Jana Srna and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/39402-h/images/emblem.png b/39402-h/images/emblem.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c5dbb5 --- /dev/null +++ b/39402-h/images/emblem.png diff --git a/39402-h/images/title-page.jpg b/39402-h/images/title-page.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4a34514 --- /dev/null +++ b/39402-h/images/title-page.jpg |
