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diff --git a/39402.txt b/39402.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..01d1328 --- /dev/null +++ b/39402.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10310 @@ +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: ASCII + +*** 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.) + + + + + + + [ Transcriber's Notes: + + Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully + as possible, including inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation. + Some corrections of spelling and punctuation have been made. They + are listed at the end of the text. + + Stage directions in brackets were italicised in the original. + Upright text within them has been marked with _underscores_. + ] + + + + + JEREMIAH + + A Drama in Nine Scenes + + By + STEFAN ZWEIG + + Translated + from the Author's revised German Text + by + Eden and Cedar Paul + + New York + THOMAS SELTZER + 1922 + + + Copyright, 1922, by + Thomas Seltzer, Inc. + + Printed in the United States of America + + + + + TO + FRIEDERIKE MARIA von WINTERNITZ + + + Easter 1915-Easter 1917 + + + + +CONTENTS + + + SCENE PAGE + + I. The Awakening of the Prophet 1 + + II. The Warning 27 + + III. Rumors 71 + + IV. The Watch on the Ramparts 99 + + V. The Prophet's Ordeal 137 + + VI. Voices in the Night 173 + + VII. The Supreme Affliction 231 + + VIII. The Conversion 259 + + IX. The Everlasting Road 303 + + + + +THE AWAKENING OF THE PROPHET + + + + +THE PERSONS OF THE DRAMA + + + ZEDEKIAH, the King. + PASHUR, the High Priest. + NAHUM, the Steward. + IMRE, the oldest Burgher. + ABIMELECH, the General. + HANANIAH, the Prophet of the People. + SWORDBEARERS, WARRIORS. + + * * * * * + + JEREMIAH. + HIS MOTHER. + JOCHEBED, a Relative. + AHAB, the Servingman. + BARUCH, a young Man. + ZEBULON, his Father. + + * * * * * + + THE PEOPLE OF JERUSALEM. + THE ENVOYS OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR. + CHALDEAN AND EGYPTIAN WARRIORS. + + * * * * * + +The action takes place in Jerusalem at the time of the Destruction of +the City. + + + + +SCENE ONE + +Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty +things, which thou knowest not. JEREMIAH XXXIII, 3. + + + + +SCENE ONE + +The flat roof of JEREMIAH'S 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. + +Of a sudden, impetuous footsteps sound upon the stair. JEREMIAH staggers +in; his robe is torn open at the throat; he gasps like one being +strangled. + + +JEREMIAH + +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.... [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] Illusion! Once again these terrible +visions. Full, how full, is the House of Dreams! [He leans on the +parapet and gazes down] 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 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! + +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 winged 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? [He is +silent, straining his ear to the all-pervading silence, and then +continues with growing excitement] 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. + +A VOICE + +[Calling softly from the darkness. It seems to come from far above or +far beneath, mysterious in its remoteness] Jeremiah! + +JEREMIAH + +[Staggers as if struck by a stone] Who calls? Surely I heard my name? +Was it a voice from the stars, or was it the voice of my own dream? [He +listens. All is quiet again] 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. + +THE VOICE + +[Drawing nearer] Jeremiah! + +JEREMIAH + +[Quailing, sinks to his knees] Here am I, Lord! Thy servant heareth. +[Breathless he hearkens. Nothing stirs; he trembles with emotion] 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. [He +listens again with strained attention. Profound silence] 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 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! + +THE VOICE + +[Nearer and more urgent] Jeremiah! + +JEREMIAH + +[Rapturously] 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. + +THE VOICE OF JEREMIAH'S MOTHER + +[Now close at hand and plainly recognizable] Jeremiah! + +JEREMIAH + +[In ecstasy] 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 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! + +THE MOTHER + +[Her search has led her up the stair; her countenance shows anxiety, her +voice is full of tenderness] Here at last I find you, my son. + +JEREMIAH + +[Springing to his feet in fear and wrath] Begone! Alas the voices are +stilled; the way is lost, never shall I find it again. + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +[Wildly] Why do you follow me, why do you pester me? Unending chase. You +follow me without pause, waking or sleeping. + +THE MOTHER + +Jeremiah, what do you mean? I was sleeping below, and then I seemed to +hear people talking on the roof. + +JEREMIAH + +You heard, you too? God's holy truth! You heard him speak? Understood +his call? + +THE MOTHER + +Whom do you mean? You have no companion. + +JEREMIAH + +[Seizing her arm] 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? + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +[Trembling] You called my name? + +THE MOTHER + +Thrice did I call you. But why ... + +JEREMIAH + +Thrice? Mother, are you certain ... + +THE MOTHER + +Thrice did I call you. + +JEREMIAH + +[His voice breaking] Disaster and derision! Fraud everywhere, without +and within. There came an earnest call, and in my terror I thought it +was God. + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +Nay, you found a madman. The torture of these visions! Sense and +nonsense join in cheating me. I am befooled by my own fantasy. + +THE MOTHER + +What are you talking about? What is troubling you? + +JEREMIAH + +Nothing, Mother, nothing. Pay no heed to my words. + +THE MOTHER + +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? + +JEREMIAH + +Nothing is tormenting me, Mother. I was too hot in bed, and sought the +roof for coolness. + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +Do not concern yourself about it, Mother. + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +Not now the time for beginnings. The end draws nigh. + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +[In bitter distress] Lead a wife home to desolation? Beget children for +the slaughter? In sooth, it is not the bridal hour that approaches! + +THE MOTHER + +I do not understand. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +THE MOTHER + +What mad fancy has seized you? When were the times more propitious? When +was the land more peaceful? + +JEREMIAH + +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 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. + +THE MOTHER + +[Greatly moved] How know you these things? + +JEREMIAH + + A word has come to me in secret, + For I have seen faces in the night, + I have wandered in my dreams. + Fear and dread fell upon me, + I trembled in every limb, + And like a crumbling wall + My heart fainted within me. + Mother, + Such sights have I seen, + That, if they were written, + Men's hair would stand on end, + And sleep would depart from them + For ever. + +THE MOTHER + +Jeremiah, what do you mean? + +JEREMIAH + + The end draweth near; the end! + Evil appeareth out of the north, + Fire is its chariot, + Massacre its pinions! + Already the heavens ring with terror, + The earth shakes with the stamping of the hoofs. + +THE MOTHER + +[Horrified] Jeremiah! + +JEREMIAH + +[Seizing her arm, listens] Do you hear, do you not hear, the rushing of +chariots? + +THE MOTHER + +I hear nothing! Day is dawning. The shepherds are piping in the valleys, +and a gentle breeze blows across the roof. + +JEREMIAH + + A gentle breeze? + Woe is me! + With mighty roaring + The wind is rising, + The whirlwind of God. + From the caverns + Of the north down-rushing, + Terror it brandishes + Over the town. + Mother! Mother! Do you not hear it? + Swords clash in the wind, + Loud roar the chariot wheels, + The night flashes with lances and with armor; + Warrior upon warrior, countless in number, + The whirlwind scatters over the land. + +THE MOTHER + +All is illusion, the madness of dreams! + +JEREMIAH + + They are coming, they are coming, + Strangers from the east, + Men of an ancient people, + Men of a mighty people. + They hasten from the east + In unending files; + Their arrows speed like lightning; + Their chargers are shod with swiftness; + Their chariots are solid as rock. + Among them there rideth, + With blood-stained crown, + The destroyer of cities + By fire and sword, + The tyrant of nations, + The king of kings from the north. + +THE MOTHER + +The king from the north? You dream. The king from the north! + +JEREMIAH + + Whom the Lord has awakened + That he may scourge the people for all its transgressions, + That he may crumble the walls and throw down the towers, + That he may quench the light and the laughter of homes, + That he may raze the city and the temple to the ground, + And that he may plough up the streets of Jerusalem. + +THE MOTHER + +Blasphemous folly! The city endureth for ever! + +JEREMIAH + + It is falling! + The onslaughts of God + None may withstand! + Below ground + Its roots shall wither, + Above ground + Its fruits shall rot! + With axe and with fire + The horsemen shall ravage + Israel's forest and Zion's fair plains. + +THE MOTHER + + [Breaking in] It is false! + Ne'er shall an enemy circle our wall, + David's city be taken, Jerusalem fall. + Though foes from the ends of the earth should rage, + The towering battlements ever shall stand. + Firm Israel's heart, and mighty her hand, + Eternal the days of Jerusalem! + +JEREMIAH + +It is falling! Broken is the staff and foretold is the hour. The end +draws near, the end of Israel. + +THE MOTHER + +False prophet! We are the elect of the Lord, and our strength shall +endure through the ages! Never shall Jerusalem perish! + +JEREMIAH + +I have seen it in my dreams; 'twas made plain to my eyes. + +THE MOTHER + +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? + +JEREMIAH + +The horror came upon me against my will; naught could I do to ward off +the faces. + +THE MOTHER + +Watch and pray against them and shatter their lies 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! + +JEREMIAH + +How can I? My own despair is the greatest of all. Leave me, Mother, +leave me! + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +You also consecrated me, Mother? + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +THE MOTHER + +What has befallen you? Your words are like those of a drunken man. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +THE MOTHER + +Woe is me if you should reveal your mad dreams. You are no son of mine +if you cry such fancies aloud! + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +THE MOTHER + +Go, then, to God's house. Give yourself to him who has called you, +praise his holy name. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +THE MOTHER + +Whither would you go ere the day has well begun? + +JEREMIAH + +I know not, God knoweth. + +THE MOTHER + +Tell me what you mean to do. + +JEREMIAH + +I know not, I know not! My heart is his, and my deeds are his. + +THE MOTHER + +Jeremiah, you shall not go unless you swear to me to say naught of your +dreams ... + +JEREMIAH + +I will not swear! I am vowed to him alone. + +THE MOTHER + +... to refrain from breathing terror into the people. + +JEREMIAH + +His is the revelation, mine are the lips alone! + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +His is my word; my dwelling is his care. + +THE MOTHER + +Who believes not in Zion is no longer my son. + +JEREMIAH + +I am his alone, his who placed me within thy womb. + +THE MOTHER + +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 ... + +JEREMIAH + +[Shuddering] Curse not, Mother, curse not! + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +Curse not, Mother ... + +THE MOTHER + +I curse the unbeliever, who has more faith in his own dreams than in +God's mercy. Cursed be he who denies God, were he my own son! For the +last time, Jeremiah, choose! + +JEREMIAH + +I follow my own path. [With heavy steps he makes ready to descend the +stair] + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +I, too, am vowed to him, Mother; me also has he heard. Farewell! [He +descends the first step] + +THE MOTHER + +[With a loud cry] Jeremiah! You trample me down. Your footsteps crush my +heart. + +JEREMIAH + +I know not the road along which I move. All I know is that one calls me, +and I follow the call. [He slowly goes down the stair, his face +expressing restrained emotion, and his gaze turned heavenward] + +THE MOTHER + +[Rushing in despair to the top of the staircase] Jeremiah! Jeremiah! +Jeremiah! + +[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] + + + + +THE WARNING + + + + +SCENE TWO + +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. + +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. JEREMIAH, XXVIII, 8 and 9. + + + + +SCENE TWO + +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. + +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. + + +VOICES + +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? + +OTHER VOICES + +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. + +A VOICE + +But is it certain that they are coming? + +ANOTHER VOICE + +I myself spoke to the messenger who brought the tidings. + +VOICES + +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! + +[A group forms round ISSACHAR] + +ISSACHAR + +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. + +VOICES + +Long live Pharaoh!--Glory to his reign!--Hail Egypt! + +AN OLD MAN + +No alliance with Egypt! Their wars are not ours! + +ISSACHAR + +But our need is the same as theirs. They do not want to be the slaves of +the Chaldeans. + +VOICES + +Nor we, nor we.--Down with Ashur.--Let us break the yoke.--Let us be on +our guard. + +BARUCH + +[A young man, in great excitement] 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? + +ZEBULON + +[BARUCH'S father] Silence. It is not for you to speak. A light yoke is +the yoke of Chaldea. + +VOICES + +But we want no yoke at all.--The day of freedom has dawned.--Down with +Ashur!--Let us form an alliance with the Egyptians. + +ZEBULON + +Never did good come out of Mizraim. We must feel our way cautiously, +patient and ever mistrustful. + +VOICES + +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. + +OTHER VOICES + +[From farther up the street] They are coming! They are coming! + +VOICES + +[From all sides] Here they are.--Make room.--Come higher up.--Come back +here.--I can see them already. You can see them from here. + +[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] + +VOICES + +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! + +[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] + +BARUCH + +[Speaking from the steps] May the king fulfil your wishes! May he cement +the alliance! + +[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] + +BARUCH + +[Who has been looking on in ecstasy] I must go with them. + +ZEBULON + +Stay where you are. + +BARUCH + +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. + +ZEBULON + +Stay where you are. The time is God's choice, not ours. The king will +decide. + +BARUCH + +Listen to the shouts of joy! Let me go with them, father. + +ZEBULON + +You will have many other opportunities. The people always flock to hear +loud talkers, and crowd ever to witness showy sights. + +ANOTHER + +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. + +ZEBULON + +Never was Mizraim the friend of Israel. + +BARUCH + +Our shame is theirs, and Israel's need is Egypt's. + +ZEBULON + +Naught have we in common with any other folk on earth. Our strength lies +in isolation. + +THE OTHER + +But they will fight for us. + +ZEBULON + +They will fight for themselves. Each nation fights for itself alone. + +BARUCH + +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! + +ZEBULON + +Silence, I command you. It befits not a boy to lay down the law for +kings. + +BARUCH + +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. + +ZEBULON + +Hold your peace. You have no right to speak in the marketplace. + +BARUCH + +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. + +ZEBULON + +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. + +BARUCH + +I fear not war. Let us have done with slavery! + +A VOICE + +Zedekiah hath sworn an oath of peace. + +VOICES + +The oath matters nothing.--Let him break his oath.--No oath need be kept +with the heathen. + +OTHER VOICES + +[Exultant, coming from the street] Abimelech!--Hail Abimelech!--Abimelech, +our leader! + +[Groups crowd round ABIMELECH, the general, and acclaim him] + +VOICES + +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. + +ABIMELECH + +[Speaks to the crowd from the top of the steps] Make ready, people of +Jerusalem, for the hour of freedom is at hand. + +[The crowd shouts exultantly] + +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. + +THE CROWD + +On against Ashur.--War with Chaldea.--Hail Abimelech! + +A WARRIOR + +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. + +A VOICE + +That is false. + +THE WARRIOR + +Who says it is false? + +THE VOICE + +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. + +VOICES + +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! + +THE WARRIOR + +[Approaching the speaker] Do you mean to say that we cannot beat them? + +THE VOICE + +I say that the Chaldeans are mighty men. + +THE WARRIOR + +[Pressing closer] Look upon my fist, and say once more that they are +better than the men of Israel. + +VOICES + +Say it again.--Tear him to pieces.--Traitor.--Traitor. + +THE SPEAKER + +[Encircled by a threatening mob, loses courage] I did not say that. All +I meant to say was that they are many in number. + +ABIMELECH + +Always have our foes been many, and always have we laid them low. + +VOICES + +Who can stand against us?--We have overthrown all our enemies.--None can +withstand us.--Death to him who despises our power. + +[Messengers hasten from the palace] + +THE CROWD + +[Thronging round them] Whither so fast?--What news do you bear?--Whom do +you seek?--What's afoot? + +A MESSENGER + +The king has summoned the council. + +VOICES + +War.--He decides for war.--War. + +ABIMELECH + +Whom has he summoned? + +THE MESSENGER + +Imre, the oldest burgher; Nahum, the steward. To you also the summons +goes forth. + +ABIMELECH + +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. + +THE CROWD + +Hail Abimelech.--Hail Abimelech, hail soldier of God.--Hail! + +[ABIMELECH hastens into the palace] + +BARUCH + +Follow him, follow him! The king shall hear our voices. Let us thunder +our will beneath the windows of his palace. + +ZEBULON + +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. + +BARUCH + +He shall not deliberate. Let him decide! Let him decide for war! We are +all for war. + +VOICES + +Yes, all of us.--All of us.--Shout that the king may hear us. + +A VOICE + +Nay, I am not for war, I am not for war. + +VOICES + +Silence.--Traitor.--Another spy.--Who are you?--Down with him.--Who are +you? + +THE SPEAKER + +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. + +BARUCH + +[Savagely] 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? + +THE PEASANT + +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. + +BARUCH + +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? + +VOICES + +Yes.--The prophets.--Where are the priests? + +BARUCH + +To the temple! Nothing must be done without God's word! Let the men of +God decide. + +VOICES + +Yes, where are our shepherds? In them is the truth.--Hananiah--Pashur-- +where are they? Open the temple.--Open the gates.--Hananiah.--Pashur. + +[Some of the crowd race up the steps and knock upon the brazen gates. +The gates open and HANANIAH appears. He is received with fierce +acclamations] + +BARUCH + +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. + +THE CROWD + +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. + +HANANIAH + +[Standing before the threshold of the temple, speaks with strong +emotion] 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 message has roused +the dreamers; and I will testify to you, now that God has awakened you. + +THE CROWD + +[Breaking into fanatical cries] 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? + +HANANIAH + +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! + +BARUCH + +Let hosannas sound! Up, Israel; up Jerusalem, and break the yoke! + +THE CROWD + +Let us break the yoke.--Down with Ashur.--To arms against +Nebuchadnezzar.--Unfurl the flag.--Tell us, is it time to start?--War +against Ashur.--Say, shall the victory be ours? + +HANANIAH + +The voice of the Lord burns within me. The words 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!" + +JEREMIAH + +[Calling wildly from amid the crowd] Heed him not! Heed him not! Heed +him not! + +[A tumult ensues, and the crowd draws apart, disclosing JEREMIAH in the +midst. He tries to make his way up the steps to the place from which +HANANIAH is speaking] + +VOICES + +Who is that speaking?--What is he saying?--Who is he? + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +PASHUR + +[The high priest, wearing full vestments, has appeared on the threshold +of the temple] Who speaks in the crowd? + +HANANIAH + +Who speaks against the Lord? Let him show himself in the open. + +JEREMIAH + +[Coming forward] Dismay speaks; concern for Jerusalem cries aloud; the +mouth of terror is opened. I speak for Israel, and for the life of +Israel. + +VOICES + +Who is he?--I know him not.--He is not one of the prophets.--I know him +not.--Who is he? + +A VOICE + +It is Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, of the priests in Anathoth. + +VOICES + +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? + +PASHUR + +[To JEREMIAH, who is mounting the steps] 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. + +JEREMIAH + +Who dares declare that to him only has the Lord 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. + +BARUCH + +Away with dreamers and interpreters of dreams. The hour needs waking +men. + +HANANIAH + +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? + +VOICES + +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. + +PASHUR + +Not from the threshold of the temple. + +HANANIAH + +I am the prophet of God, and there is no other prophet in Israel to-day. +You shall hear my words, not those of the chatterers in the streets. +Scourge the dreamers out of the marketplace. + +BARUCH + +He is a coward, shun his terrors. + +VOICES + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +[From the top of the steps] 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. + +PASHUR + +Madness is crying from the steps of the temple. + +HANANIAH + +The falling sickness afflicts him, and he in turn afflicts us. + +BARUCH + +Down with him. + +VOICES + +No, we want to hear his dreams.--What do they mean?--He is a madman.--He +is a fool.--Away with him! + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +BARUCH + +Beware of cowards, O people of Jerusalem; beware of traitors in the pay +of the enemy. + +HANANIAH + +What promise does he bring? Where is God's word? He speaks for Babylon +and for Baal. + +VOICES + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +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 waters of Jordan? Let it suffice thee to +live at peace under God's tranquil gaze. Hold fast to peace, people of +Jerusalem. + +ZEBULON + +His words are just! Hail unto him. His speech is golden. + +PASHUR + +Like the gold of Chaldea. + +VOICES + +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. + +HANANIAH + +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. + +BARUCH + +[Menacingly, to JEREMIAH] Answer me, in face of the people. Is our +slavery to endure? Are we still to pay tribute to Chaldea? Answer me, +traitor. + +VOICES + +Yes, yes.--Answer.--Speak.--Are we to go on paying tribute?--Answer. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +HANANIAH + +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? + +JEREMIAH + +But it is also written: "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in +quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." + +VOICES + +Yes, thus is it written.--He speaks truth.--His words are the words of +wisdom.--Nay, he twists the scripture to his own purpose. + +HANANIAH + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +BARUCH + +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. + +HANANIAH + +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. + +VOICES + +[Exultantly] Within three months.--Hail Hananiah.--Hearken to +Hananiah.--Within three months. + +HANANIAH + +Israel will gain the victory over countless thousands. + +BARUCH + +He spreads fear as they spread gold before him. + +VOICES + +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. + +BARUCH + +Send the coward to the house of the women! + +A WOMAN + +[Spitting on JEREMIAH] His company would bring shame on us. That for the +man whose cringing is a disgrace! War against Ashur! + +JEREMIAH + +[Flashing out in wrath] 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. + +WOMEN'S VOICES + +Woe, Woe! Listen to the curse.--Our sons.--Woe, woe!--Man of +terror!--Woe! + +BARUCH + +You can frighten women, faint-heart, but not men. Down, down! + +CERTAIN WARRIORS + +Down with him. Hunt him into the street. + +HANANIAH + +Close his mouth! + +VOICES + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +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! + +VOICES + +[Fiercely disputing] 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. + +[A bustle arises at the entrance to the palace. A number of men come +forth. In their midst is ABIMELECH, swordless] + +VOICES + +[From among the newcomers] Treason.--Treason.--Treason in Israel. + +[The dispute around JEREMIAH ceases] + +VOICES + +What has happened?--Abimelech.--What has happened?--He comes from the +king.--Abimelech.--Look at his angry frown.--Tell us what has happened. + +ABIMELECH + +[Standing at the top of the steps beside JEREMIAH] 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. + +VOICES + +Down with Nahum.--Treason.--Imre, the dotard.--Traitor.--What was the +decision?--What did the king say?--Peace, hail to peace.--God's +judgment. + +ABIMELECH + +His heart quaileth within him, for he dreads war. He will think the +matter over, will take further counsel ere he decide. + +JEREMIAH + +Glory to Zedekiah, girdled with wisdom! + +ABIMELECH + +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. + +BARUCH + +[In ecstasy] Soldier of God, your sword is holy since it flashes for +Israel. + +PASHUR + +Blessings upon you that you will have naught to do with hucksters. + +HANANIAH + +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! + +PASHUR + +To the king! Show yourselves to him, people of Jerusalem. To the king +and to victory! Such is God's will. + +VOICES + +To the king!--To the palace!--To victory! + +JEREMIAH + +[Springing forward to block the entry to the porch of pillars] Keep the +peace, keep the peace; you are murdering Jerusalem. + +BARUCH + +[Drawing his sword] Here's for him who still speaks of peace. + +HANANIAH + +Cut him down! + +PASHUR + +Down with the traitor! + +JEREMIAH + +Help me, friends of God; help me to save Jerusalem. + +BARUCH + +For the last time! Let us pass in to the king. [He endeavors to push +JEREMIAH aside] + +JEREMIAH + +[Resists and shouts at the top of his voice] No step will I yield to +folly! Peace! God's peace be upon Israel. + +[BARUCH cuts him down, and JEREMIAH falls bleeding to the foot of the +steps] + +THE CROWD + +[Scattering in horror] 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! + +[BARUCH stands thunderstruck with lowered sword] + +HANANIAH + +[Shouts exultantly] 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. + +ABIMELECH + +Death to traitors! Vengeance on Ashur! + +PASHUR + +God has struck him down. + +HANANIAH + +God's thunderbolt has fallen on the liar. + +THE CROWD + +[After its brief pause of consternation, begins to flow into the porch +of pillars of the palace] 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. +[Rejoicing they stream into the palace] + +[JEREMIAH 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. BARUCH, 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] + +BARUCH + +Jeremiah, speak, Jeremiah, if you are still alive. [He raises JEREMIAH +into a sitting posture] + +JEREMIAH + +[His eyes still closed, not yet himself, speaks hesitatingly] The fiery +cloud has fallen. Fire is raging through the town. Woe is me! + +BARUCH + +Keep still a moment, that I may wipe the blood from your eyes. + +JEREMIAH + +Away! Your face was full of hatred towards me. Your eyes flashed +fiercely. Was it not you who struck me down? + +BARUCH + +I indeed it was who drew sword upon you in anger, 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. + +JEREMIAH + +Let the blood flow. Would that mine alone were to flow in Jerusalem. +[Half rising] 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? + +BARUCH + +Compose yourself ... + +JEREMIAH + +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! + +BARUCH + +What do you wish to do? + +JEREMIAH + +[In febrile excitement] Help me, help me to my feet. You struck me down, +so now you must help me. Perhaps there is still time. [Distant shouts +are heard from the palace] 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. [He struggles to +his feet] + +BARUCH + +[Confused] Whither away? You are still too weak to do anything. + +JEREMIAH + +Let me testify against Hananiah, against Pashur; against those who would +lure to war; against the people. I must cry the words of peace ... + +BARUCH + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +If you reverence me, then help me. Help me to cry aloud. Help me to save +Zion from destruction. + +BARUCH + +[Supporting him] I will help you, Jeremiah, against my will, for you +have in you a power which compels 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. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +BARUCH + +But you will not go alone? + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +BARUCH + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +You would walk with me? But did you not resist me with your will and +with your sword? + +BARUCH + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +You believe in me, against the priests and the prophets who deny me, +against the people and the city? + +BARUCH + +I believe in you, for you have shed your blood for your words. + +JEREMIAH + +You believe in me when I myself hardly believe in my own dreams. Is it +true, boy? + +BARUCH + +I believe in you, for I saw you stand steadfast against death. Your will +is my will. + +JEREMIAH + +[Greatly moved] 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. + +BARUCH + +I am Baruch, the son of Zebulon of Gilead. + +JEREMIAH + +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? + +BARUCH + +Let me go with you, for the sake of Jerusalem. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +BARUCH + +I will go with you. + +[Exultant shouts nearer at hand] + +JEREMIAH + +Woe, woe! When the mob rejoices, disaster is afoot. + +BARUCH + +They are streaming forth from the palace. + +JEREMIAH + +Forward, let us meet them. Lend me the strength of your arm, for I am +still weak. + +BARUCH + +The king is among them. He carries a naked sword. They are making for +the temple. + +JEREMIAH + +Help me forward. There is still time. + +BARUCH + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +It is never too late. Let me forth to encounter them. + +BARUCH + +What would you do? Let me go instead, for I am young and strong. + +JEREMIAH + +I would brandish the word against them like a sword. I would turn the +king's heart. Let me go to him. + +[Shouting and singing, the crowd streams out of the palace, down the +steps, and then up again towards the temple. All are in a frenzy, +shouting for war and for victory] + +HANANIAH + +[Drunken with excitement, leading the way to the temple] Open the gates. +Throw the gates wide. The king will swear before the altar the oath of +alliance against Ashur! + +VOICES + +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. + +[KING ZEDEKIAH, 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 +JEREMIAH] + +JEREMIAH + +Zedekiah, Zedekiah, sheathe thy sword. + +[Disorder in the crowd; the cries are stilled. The king, standing on the +steps of the temple, looks round for the speaker] + +JEREMIAH + +[Shouting yet more loudly] Sheathe thy sword, Zedekiah! Thus wilt thou +save Jerusalem. Give peace to Israel, God's peace. + +THE CROWD + +[Vociferating wildly] 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! + +[The voice of JEREMIAH is drowned amid the general uproar. He is thrust +aside, and BARUCH has difficulty in protecting him. With redoubled +energy the crowd continues to shout in an ecstasy around the king. +ZEDEKIAH 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, +ZEDEKIAH raises his sword once more, and with earnest mien mounts the +last steps and disappears into the temple] + + + + +RUMORS + + + + +SCENE THREE + +Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth +fire, and this people, wood, and it shall devour them. JEREMIAH V, 14. + + + + +SCENE THREE + +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. + + +A MAN + +[One of the larger group on the steps] I have it for certain that there +has been a great battle between Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh. + +ANOTHER MAN + +I have heard the same report. A messenger has come. + +A VOICE + +That means nothing. Messengers are always coming to the palace. + +THE SECOND MAN + +But I have spoken to him. I'm sure of it. + +THE VOICE + +Have you spoken to the messenger? + +THE SECOND MAN + +No, it was Aphitor, the king's scribe. He told me that a battle had +begun, a great battle. + +THE FIRST MAN + +A mighty battle, such as there has never been before within the memory +of man, Egypt against Nebuchadnezzar. + +VOICES + +May the heavens crush him, the accursed.--Egypt is all-powerful.--Our +army is there too.--They will know how to deal with him, the man of +pride. + +A VOICE + +God will break him, for God is on our side. + +ANOTHER VOICE + +The Egyptians are strong, and Nebuchadnezzar will not be able to +withstand them. + +A THIRD VOICE + +Nebuchadnezzar is likewise strong. They say ... + +A FOURTH VOICE + +[Interrupting] Let them say, the faint-hearts. Who cares what they say? + +THIRD VOICE + +They say that his warriors are like a swarm of locusts. + +ANOTHER VOICE + +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. +[Laughter] + +VOICES + +Pharaoh will destroy them.--He will sweep them like chaff from the +threshing-floor.--Long live Pharaoh! + +OTHERS + +[Hearing the shouts and coming to join the group] What is he saying +about Pharaoh? + +A VOICE + +Pharaoh is fighting a great battle against Nebuchadnezzar. + +OTHER VOICES + +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. + +NEWCOMERS + +[Eager to know what is afoot] What is it? What has happened? + +ONE OF THE RECENT COMERS + +Pharaoh has defeated Nebuchadnezzar. + +VOICES + +Hail Pharaoh-Necho!--Is it true? I must go home and tell my wife.--Hail +Pharaoh-Necho! + +A VOICE + +But we have no certain news yet. + +OTHER VOICES + +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. + +ONE OF THE GROUP + +[Hastening away, shouting as he goes] The victory is ours. Pharaoh has +defeated Nebuchadnezzar. + +[Hearing these words, idlers in the square flock to join the group on +the steps] + +VOICES + +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. + +A MAN + +[Detaching himself from the crowd, runs away shouting] Victory! Victory +at last. Hail Pharaoh. I must get home with the news. Victory over +Ashur. + +THE CROWD + +[Swelling in numbers, growing more enthusiastic as it is enheartened by +its own clamor] 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. + +A VOICE + +A messenger is coming from the gate of the city. + +THE CROWD + +[Making a rush in the direction of the last voice] A messenger.--A +messenger.--Who said so?--He comes from beyond the walls.--What news +does he bring? Where is he? + +[A messenger, drenched with sweat and gasping for breath, struggles +through the crowd] + +VOICES + +Tell us the news.--Pharaoh is victorious.--What has happened to +Nebuchadnezzar?--How many have been slain? + +THE MESSENGER + +Let me be. Make room. My message is for the king. + +VOICES + +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. + +THE MESSENGER + +[Breaking loose] Let me be, let me be. You will learn soon enough. My +message is urgent, and for the king. [Exit messenger.] + +VOICES + +What did he say? The message was urgent.--What did he say? + +A VOICE + +He said we should soon hear, but that he must go to the king at once. + +ANOTHER VOICE + +That is good news. + +A THIRD VOICE + +Wherefore good? + +THE SECOND VOICE + +Would the bearer of evil tidings be in so desperate a hurry? + +VOICES + +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! + +SOME NEWCOMERS + +What has happened? Why are you shouting? + +VOICES + +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! + +A VOICE + +It must be a mighty victory. + +A SECOND VOICE + +Were it otherwise he would not have been so secret. + +A THIRD VOICE + +They grudge us the news. + +A NEWCOMER + +[Pressing forward] Is it true? Is Nebuchadnezzar slain? So the word runs +from street to street. + +VOICES + +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! + +AN OLD MAN + +But all that the messenger said was ... + +VOICES + +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! + +THE OLD MAN + +I tell you I was standing quite close to him. I could hear every word he +said. + +VOICES + +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. + +A VOICE + +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 ... + +ANOTHER VOICE + +Who said that Ashur would lay Zion low ... + +A THIRD VOICE + +Who said that our maids would be ravished by the Chaldeans ... + +FIRST VOICE + +To the temple, to the temple. Let us give thanks there to God, and to +Hananiah, his prophet! + +VOICES + +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. + +[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 expectation and impatience. JEREMIAH and BARUCH enter from a side +street, and endeavor to make their way through the press] + +ONE OF THE CROWD + +[Laughing] Look! There he comes! Jeremiah. + +OTHERS + +[Giving vent to their high spirits] Hail to the revealer!--Lo, the +prophet draws nigh.--Let us welcome the destroyer of Jerusalem.--Behold +the mob orator.--Come and join us. + +[Some of the crowd form a circle round JEREMIAH and BARUCH, bowing +before them in mock veneration.] + +ONE OF THE CROWD + +[With a profound reverence] Hail anointed of the Lord! + +THE OTHERS + +Hail Elijah!--Hail revealer.--Hail mighty man of valor! Hail Jeremiah, +the prophet! + +JEREMIAH + +[Standing his ground, gloomily] What would ye of me? + +BARUCH + +Hold no converse with them. Mockery is on their lips, and derision in +their glance. + +ONE OF THE CROWD + +Deign to bestow upon us wisdom and revelation. + +ANOTHER + +We would fain ask you whether our daughters shall keep their virginity. + +A THIRD + +Prithee be patient, and allow the walls of Jerusalem to remain standing +yet awhile. + +JEREMIAH + +[With conviction] What would ye of me? This is no time for jesting, when +blood flows and war hangs over Israel. + +THE FIRST SPEAKER + +The war is finished, and we can make merry once more. + +THE SECOND SPEAKER + +What has become of your king from the north? Tell us, revealer, where +does he tarry? + +JEREMIAH + +What has confused your senses? Are you all mad? Can the war already be +over when it is hardly begun? + +BARUCH + +Hold no speech with them. He makes himself a mock who speaks with +mockers. + +FIRST SPEAKER + +Jeremiah knows nothing about it yet! The prophet knows nothing. + +SECOND SPEAKER + +He does not know what happened yesterday, and yet he would tell us what +will happen to-morrow. + +JEREMIAH + +What is it that I do not yet know? What makes you so joyful? It must be +something of ill omen. + +FIRST SPEAKER + +He says it is something of ill omen. It is that, in very truth, for your +wishes. + +SECOND SPEAKER + +Your king is slain and welters in his blood. + +JEREMIAH + +Nebuchadnezzar is slain? Ashur is vanquished? + +FIRST SPEAKER + +Even so, all-knower. Hananiah's word has been fulfilled. + +SECOND SPEAKER + +Rend your raiment and clip your beard. Israel is victorious. + +THIRD SPEAKER + +Bury yourself, prophet. Cut out your tongue. Nebuchadnezzar is dead, but +Zion endureth for ever. + +JEREMIAH + +[Greatly moved] Nebuchadnezzar dead? Is it true, it is certain? Tell me, +and do not jest in matters of such moment. + +FIRST SPEAKER + +He still doubts! Weep, prophet, weep! + +SECOND SPEAKER + +I will cry it aloud in your ears; dead is Nebuchadnezzar; overthrown are +his chariots; scattered are his armies. Israel is saved. + +JEREMIAH + +[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] 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. + +FIRST SPEAKER + +Yea, all-knower, God is more merciful than you; he loves us and gladdens +our hearts. + +SECOND SPEAKER + +What will your next revelation be? Into which corner will you creep, +mole? Whom will you now lead astray? + +THIRD SPEAKER + +Whom will you now deceive, deceiver? + +A FOURTH SPEAKER + +[With feigned anger, to the others] 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! + +VOICES + +[Mingled with laughter] 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. + +JEREMIAH + +[Suddenly breaking forth into speech] A miracle has happened, 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. + +BARUCH + +Speak not with them. Folly alone holds converse with fools. + +SECOND SPEAKER + +Stop your ears as you may, I will cry aloud in my joy: "The victory is +ours, the victory is ours!" + +JEREMIAH + +[Addressing one of them] Where have you conquered? Whom have you +defeated, that you should strut in the marketplace? There is no blood on +your sword. [To another] 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. + +VOICES + +Egypt's victory is Israel's victory.--We are Israel.--His very rage +shows that the victory is ours. + +JEREMIAH + +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 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! + +VOICES + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +[His wrath blazing up] 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. + +VOICES + +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? + +JEREMIAH + +Do you scorn the messenger of doom? But the avenger is at hand, who +shall purge you of your accursed 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. + +VOICES + +Go home, Jeremiah.--Sate yourself with your own venom, and do not vomit +it forth upon our joy. + +A VOICE + +[In the background] A messenger! He is coming from Moria gate. + +THE CROWD + +[Again rushing in the direction of the voice] A messenger? Where is he? +He brings further news of the victory. + +JEREMIAH + +[Trembling with fear] The messenger! The messenger! + +A VOICE + +He runs hitherward from the gate, and he reels like a drunken man from +weariness. + +VOICES + +Where is he?--Here he comes. [MESSENGER enters. The crowd surrounds him +as he tries to hasten to the palace and sinks to the ground exhausted] +Hail you who bring tidings of victory.--Hail.--Tell us your news. + +THE MESSENGER + +[So breathless he can hardly speak, tries to rise and make his way +forward] Room, room, let me go to the king. + +VOICES + +Just a word.--How did Nebuchadnezzar die? + +THE MESSENGER + +Are you all struck with madness? Why this jubilation in Jerusalem? To +arms! To arms! Let me pass to the king. + +VOICES + +What has happened?--Is Nebuchadnezzar still alive?--Pharaoh has beaten +him.--Why this call to arms? + +THE MESSENGER + +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. + +VOICES + +What does the man say?--Who has been beaten?--Where is Pharaoh?--You +don't know what you are talking about.--Get him some water.--Nebuchadnezzar +alive?--It is impossible.--What has become of the Egyptians? + +THE MESSENGER + +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. + +[Some of the crowd help the MESSENGER to the palace] + +VOICES + +[From the back] What did he say?--Are the Chaldeans beaten?--Why does +not the man tell us what has happened? + +[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] + +THE CROWD + +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. + +A VOICE + +[Loudly] Pharaoh has betrayed us. + +OTHER VOICES + +[Quickly and angrily taking up the cry] Pharaoh has betrayed us.--A +curse upon Pharaoh.--Egypt has sworn a peace.--A curse upon +Mizraim.--The Egyptians are traitors. + +A VOICE + +I have always said that we should never form an alliance with Egypt. + +VOICES + +So did I.--So did I.--We all said so.--Accursed be Pharaoh.--What will +happen to us now?--Alas for Israel.--My wife.--My children.--I warned +you what would happen.--So did I. + +A MAN + +[Rushing in] To arms! To arms! Close the gates, Nebuchadnezzar and his +hordes are at hand. The advance guard has already reached Hebron. + +VOICES + +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. + +ONE OF THE CROWD + +[Pointing to JEREMIAH who leans brokenly against a pillar, his face +hidden] Look, there is the man. + +VOICES + +What?--Who?--What do you mean? + +THE SAME MAN + +It is his doing. He summoned them. He announced the coming of the +messenger. His curse has fallen upon us. + +VOICES + +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. + +THE SAME MAN + +He hides his face lest we should see his laughter. But he makes merry +too soon. Zion still stands; Jerusalem shall endure for ever. + +[A herald comes hastily from the palace] + +VOICES + +A herald.--A messenger from the king.--Silence. + +[The crowd gathers round the steps to hear the herald's announcement] + +THE HERALD + +A message from the king! The enemy is about to attack Jerusalem. The +Chaldeans are at the gates. 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. + +THE CROWD + +True, true.--We will make ready.--God is on our side.--To arms! + +THE HERALD + +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! + +THE CROWD + +[Again in tumult] 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. + +[The crowd disperses in confusion, so that the square is rapidly +emptied, and the noise is followed by silence. JEREMIAH slowly draws +himself up, and, still hiding his face, ascends the steps of the temple. +BARUCH follows him] + +BARUCH + +Whither away, master? Do not leave your faithful disciple. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +BARUCH + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +[Still mounting the steps, flees before him, repelling BARUCH with his +hands] 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. + +[JEREMIAH, humbly bending his head, goes up the last steps into the +porch of pillars of the temple. Without moving, BARUCH gazes after him +until he disappears] + + + + +THE WATCH ON THE RAMPARTS + + + + +SCENE FOUR + +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. EZEKIEL XXXIII, 1-6. + + + + +SCENE FOUR + +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. + + +A WOMAN + +It is bedtime. You will see the wretches soon enough in the morning. Do +come home; this may be our last quiet night. + +A MAN + +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. + +ANOTHER + +Already have they pitched their tents, so that a white forest now stands +in the valley. + +A THIRD + +Alas, they are settling down for the siege. + +A FOURTH + +They must have come with the speed of the wind. Yesterday they were +still at Bethel, and to-day they have already encircled Zion. + +THE FIRST MAN + +Terrible is the might of Ashur. God help us all. + +THE WOMAN + +Look at the glow in the north, like a pillar rising heavenward. + +SECOND MAN + +That is where Samaria lies. + +THIRD MAN + +'Tis a pillar of fire that rises heavenward. Samaria has fallen. + +VOICES + +Alas!--It is not possible.--Samaria is a strong fortress, within a +triple wall.--Nay, it is certainly Samaria. + +A VOICE + +Look there to the east, another pillar of fire. That must be Gilgal. + +ANOTHER VOICE + +They are ravaging the countryside like a hurricane. Fierce is the wrath +of Ashur. + +ANOTHER VOICE + +Never should we have entered into a struggle with such as they. + +VOICES + +Who began it?--Not we.--Not I.--It was the king.--It was the +priests.--We wanted to live at peace with them. + +A VOICE + +Egypt lured us on, and then betrayed us. + +VOICES + +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. + +ANOTHER VOICE + +Woe, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. Thou art given over to thine enemies, and +those who hate thee are showing their teeth. + +FIRST SENTRY + +[Fiercely interrupting] Away with you! Why are you loitering on the +walls? Home to your wives, and to bed. We stand guard for you. + +A MAN + +We want to see ... + +FIRST SENTRY + +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. + +A MAN + +But tell us ... + +FIRST SENTRY + +Naught to tell. There has been too much talking already; the time has +come for blows. Away, away! + +[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] + +FIRST SENTRY + +They give way to despair at the first gleam of an enemy's spear. They +must not be allowed to talk like that. + +SECOND SENTRY + +One who is afraid and cannot master his fear must perforce speak. It is +of no use, and yet it gives relief. + +FIRST SENTRY + +Let them sleep, not chatter. + +SECOND SENTRY + +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. + +FIRST SENTRY + +In any case, those alone should speak who wear a sword. We stand guard +for all. + +[The two sentries are silent for a while, marching to and fro] + +SECOND SENTRY + +[Stands and listens] Do you hear? + +FIRST SENTRY + +What? + +SECOND SENTRY + +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 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. + +FIRST SENTRY + +[Obdurately] I refuse to hear anything but my orders. I care not what +wheels roll, or noises stir. + +SECOND SENTRY + +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. + +FIRST SENTRY + +It has always been so. + +SECOND SENTRY + +But must it always be so? Why does God wish the nations to fight? + +FIRST SENTRY + +The nations want war for its own sake. + +SECOND SENTRY + +What are nations? Are not you one of our nation, am not I another? Are +not our wives, your wife and 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! + +FIRST SENTRY + +These things must be God's will, for they have always happened. I +question no further. + +SECOND SENTRY + +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? + +FIRST SENTRY + +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. + +[For a time they are silent once more, gazing out into the white +stillness. From a great distance come the words of the challenge +"_Samson guard us_," scarcely audible at first. Then the sound grows +louder, still coming from unseen sentries. At length the words "_Samson +guard us_," 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] + +SECOND SENTRY + +Know you aught of the Chaldeans? + +FIRST SENTRY + +I know that they are our enemies, that they are attacking our homes. + +SECOND SENTRY + +I am not thinking about that. Have you ever seen any of them close at +hand; do you know their customs and their country? + +FIRST SENTRY + +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. + +SECOND SENTRY + +Nor I. Too many mountains tower skyward between 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. + +FIRST SENTRY + +You must not do that. + +SECOND SENTRY + +Wherefore not? + +FIRST SENTRY + +They are our enemies and it is our duty to hate them. + +SECOND SENTRY + +Why should I hate them if my heart knows no reason for hatred? + +FIRST SENTRY + +They began the war; they were the aggressors. + +SECOND SENTRY + +Yes, that is what we say in Jerusalem. In Babylon, perchance, they tell +another story. If we could talk things over with them, we might get some +light on the question. + +FIRST SENTRY + +You must not talk with them. Our duty is to strike them down. Such are +our orders, and we must obey. + +SECOND SENTRY + +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? + +FIRST SENTRY + +What a question, simpleton! We serve God, and the king our master. + +SECOND SENTRY + +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. + +FIRST SENTRY + +But it is likewise written: "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth". + +SECOND SENTRY + +[Sighs] Many things are written. Who can understand them all? + +FIRST SENTRY + +This is idle dreaming. The Chaldeans have invested our town; they wish +to burn our houses; I stand here with sword and spear, and will do my +utmost to prevent them. Too much knowledge is unwholesome. I know all I +want to know. + +SECOND SENTRY + +Yet I cannot but ask myself ... + +FIRST SENTRY + +[Stubbornly] 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. + +SECOND SENTRY + +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. + +FIRST SENTRY + +You brood and brood. You are only tormenting yourself to no purpose. + +SECOND SENTRY + +God has given us a heart precisely that it may torment us. + +FIRST SENTRY + +What is the use of talking about it? We are on guard here. That's enough +for me. + +SECOND SENTRY + +Talking helps to keep us awake, and only the stars hear our words. + +[Both are again silent for a time] + +SECOND SENTRY + +Who goes there? Someone is moving in the darkness. + +FIRST SENTRY + +More busybodies. Why cannot they stay in bed? Send them home. + +SECOND SENTRY + +No! Let them talk while we stay in the shadow. + +FIRST SENTRY + +You are a strange fellow. I shall continue my round. + +[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.--JEREMIAH and BARUCH ascend out of the darkness +of the stairway and advance to the battlements, JEREMIAH hastening on in +front, while BARUCH, who does not share the prophet's excitement, lags +in the rear. The second sentry stands unnoticed in the shadow of the +tower] + +BARUCH + +Whither are you leading me, master? + +JEREMIAH + +On, on! I must look Terror in the face. [He gazes down into the valley, +standing motionless and silent] + +BARUCH + +What are you staring at? + +JEREMIAH + +[Still gazing] The king has come, the king from the north. [He seizes +BARUCH'S sleeve] 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. + +BARUCH + +What do you mean, master? I don't understand. How can you doubt? + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +BARUCH + +Master, you talk at random. Speak in words that I can believe and +understand. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +BARUCH + +Faith in you is my very life. + +JEREMIAH + +Hearken, then. [He speaks low and impressively] 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? + +BARUCH + +[Shuddering] I hear, I hear. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +BARUCH + +Reveal it, chosen one. Cry your words aloud. + +JEREMIAH + +Baruch, do you see the camp and the tents; do you see this sleeping +ocean surging down from the north? + +BARUCH + +[Shuddering] I see the enemy; I see the tents. + +JEREMIAH + +You see the night, sleep, and the false quiet of repose. But in my ears +the trumpets blare and the arms 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! + +BARUCH + +[Stirred by his words] Yea, yea, Jeremiah, awaken Jerusalem! + +JEREMIAH + +[More and more carried away] + + O foolish people, afflicted town, + How, ah how, can you sleep at peace + When Death's cold winding sheet is spread + Beneath you where you lie. + O foolish people, afflicted town, + How can you rest when thunder rages? + How can you drowse, + Lost in dreams, + When Ashur's rams + Are battering the gates? + Who shall waken the fools? Who make the deaf hear? + +BARUCH + +[Ecstatically] You, master. Cry aloud. Awaken them. Save them from the +jaws of death. + +JEREMIAH + + Awaken, awaken, up and away! + The land is afire, the foe holds the town! + Flee ere his wrath wholly consume you, + Flee from the sword, flee from the flames, + Leave your possessions, abandon your homes, + Gather your households, your women and children; + Ere he can seize you take refuge in flight. + Up and away! + The land is afire, the foe holds the town! + Up and away! + +SECOND SENTRY + +[Coming forward from the shadows] Who shouts here? You will waken the +sleepers. + +JEREMIAH + +Oh that I could awaken them. Up, Jerusalem, awake! City of God, save +thyself. + +SECOND SENTRY + +You are drunk. Go home to sleep. + +BARUCH + +[Stepping between] Touch him not. + +JEREMIAH + +I must not sleep. No one must sleep. I am the watchman. Woe to him who +hinders me. + +SECOND SENTRY + +[Taking him by the shoulder] You must be moonstruck to think yourself +watchman. I am the watchman. Away with you. + +BARUCH + +Touch him not, the chosen of the Lord, the prophet. + +SECOND SENTRY + +[Loosing JEREMIAH] Are you Hananiah, the prophet of God? + +BARUCH + +It is Jeremiah the prophet. + +SECOND SENTRY + +Jeremiah, who leads the people astray? Jeremiah, 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. + +BARUCH + +[Struggling with the sentry] Hands off, touch him not. + +FIRST SENTRY + +[Entering hurriedly] The king is coming. Zedekiah goes the rounds. Clear +away the people. + +JEREMIAH + +The king! God be praised! His meaning is plain. The Lord sends him to my +hand. + +FIRST SENTRY + +Away chatterer, away. + +SECOND SENTRY + +Down with you. Away. Creep down there and keep quiet, or you shall rue +it. + +FIRST SENTRY + +Here comes the king. + +[JEREMIAH and BARUCH 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 ZEDEKIAH enters they +clash spears on shields in salute and then stand to attention. ZEDEKIAH +is making the rounds, accompanied by ABIMELECH 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] + +ZEDEKIAH + +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 as the herbage rises after rain; stillness +will be replaced by the screams of death. This is perchance the last +night of peaceful slumber. + +ABIMELECH + +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 ever. + +THE OTHERS + +Jerusalem endureth for ever. + +THE VOICE OF JEREMIAH + +[From the darkness] 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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[On the alert] Who speaks? Who speaks? + +VOICES + +Who speaks? + +THE VOICE OF JEREMIAH + +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! + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Shrinking with alarm, and then recovering himself] Who speaks? + +FIRST SENTRY + +A madman, Lord; he is moonstruck. + +VOICES + +Close his mouth.--Away with him.--He is mad. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +[The two sentries hasten away into the darkness] + +ABIMELECH + +Suffer not thyself to be misled, Lord. Many in the city have been bought +with Chaldean gold. + +OTHERS + +Heed him not.--Hurl him from the wall.--Hold no converse with a coward. + +[JEREMIAH and BARUCH are brought into the light by the sentries, and +JEREMIAH is thrust forward to the king] + +SECOND SENTRY + +This is he who spoke the words of shame. He was railing in like fashion, +Lord, just before thou camest. + +ZEDEKIAH + +There has been talk of one going up and down the city and foretelling +disaster to the people. Is this the man? + +VOICES + +It is he.--Jeremiah.--Curses light on him.--He foretells +disaster.--Poisons men's hearts.--Bears false witness. + +BARUCH + +Nay, he is God's messenger and utters words of truth. I testify for him. + +VOICES + +Who are you to testify?--You are no more than a boy.--Heed him +not.--Such vipers should be crushed. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Silence. Take the young man away, for I need no testimony. + +[BARUCH is pushed back into the shadows] + +Draw nearer, Jeremiah. Art thou he who leadest Israel astray? + +JEREMIAH + +Israel is verily astray, but not by my leadership. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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? + +JEREMIAH + +Yea, Lord, it was I. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +ABIMELECH + +[To JEREMIAH] What make you here on the wall at night? Would you go over +to the Chaldeans? [To the king] Have him seized, for his behavior is +suspicious. + +A VOICE + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +[In alarm] My mother is dying? + +VOICES + +He is a traitor.--Heed him not.--Cast him into prison. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +Nay, Lord, but thou canst. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Wrathfully] 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? + +JEREMIAH + +The issue is in thy hands, for thou art the king. + +ZEDEKIAH + +It is too late to talk of peace. + +JEREMIAH + +It is never too late to talk of peace. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Still more angrily] Thy words are the words of folly. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +I seek Nebuchadnezzar, my foe? + +JEREMIAH + +Send envoys, while there is yet time to save Jerusalem. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Why should I be the one to propose a parley? + +JEREMIAH + +Blessed is he who first holds out his hand for peace. Blessed is the +king who spares the blood of his people. + +ZEDEKIAH + +What if I were to offer my hand, only to find the offer rejected? + +JEREMIAH + +Blessed are they who are rejected for justice' sake, for they are men +after God's heart. + +ZEDEKIAH + +I tell thee that the very children would mock me, and the women would +laugh at me in my shame. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Humble myself? + +JEREMIAH + +Humble thyself, anointed of the Lord, for the sake of Jerusalem. Open +the gates, open thy heart, thus only canst thou save the city. + +ZEDEKIAH + +With the sword will I save Jerusalem, at the hazard of my life, but not +of my honor. Thou knowest not what thou askest. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Away with thee, away! I will humble myself before no man on earth. + +JEREMIAH + +[Springing impetuously to his feet] 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. + +ABIMELECH + +Throw him from the wall! + +VOICES + +He has slandered the king.--Throw him from the wall. + +[The members of the king's train close in on JEREMIAH] + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Who has yielded ground as if attacked by an unseen enemy, recovering +himself] Desist! Harm him not. Think ye that the curse of a fool can +affright me, or an impudent word unman me? [A pause] 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. + +ABIMELECH + +He should be put to death. Unworthy to live is the man who has lost +faith in God. + +VOICES + +Stone the hireling.--He would sell the town to the Chaldeans.--He prays +for our defeat.--Slay him. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +Death is over Jerusalem. Death's hand is upon us all. Naught but +surrender can save us. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Away then, and surrender. Save thine own life. + +[JEREMIAH stares at him in bewilderment] + +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. + +ABIMELECH + +Too gentle, O king, in thy dealings with this slanderer. + +[JEREMIAH struggles for speech] + +ZEDEKIAH + +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! + +THE OTHERS + +[Shouting] Jerusalem endureth for ever.--God's house shall never pass +away. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Haste, haste to Ashur. I give thee free permission. Leave us to our +deaths; and for thy part, crawl to safety. + +JEREMIAH + +[Controlling himself] I will not forsake Jerusalem. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Didst thou not even now assure us that death was hanging over Zion? +Flee, that thou at least save thyself alive. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +I have warned thee, Jeremiah, as thou warnedst me. Henceforth thy life +is in thine own charge. [To the others] 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. [To JEREMIAH] 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. + +JEREMIAH + +[Motionless, his voice unsteady] Not myself would I guard, but +Jerusalem. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Returning to the outer edge of the wall] Still they come! Still they +come! The noise of their 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! +[Breathes deeply] God save Jerusalem. + +[ZEDEKIAH turns away, and slowly resumes the round, plunged in thought. +He is followed by ABIMELECH and the other members of the train. The two +sentries move after them out of sight] + +BARUCH + +[Rushing forward from the shadow] Quick, quick! Hasten after him. The +spirit of God is upon you. Hasten that you may compel him. + +JEREMIAH + +[Awakening as from a trance] Compel whom? + +BARUCH + +The king. Let your words be like flame. Save Jerusalem. + +JEREMIAH + +The king? [He looks round horror-stricken upon the deserted wall] Lost, +lost the sacred hour. My hasty tongue has ruined all. + +BARUCH + +Try once again and you will overcome him. Already he was yielding. + +JEREMIAH + +Too late, too late. Why did God choose a weakling? Why did he put words +of gall into my mouth? + +BARUCH + +Do not torment yourself, master. Your sufferings confuse your mind. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +BARUCH + +I believe you. I will not forsake you. You are great. I cleave to you +for your very sorrow. + +JEREMIAH + +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? + +BARUCH + +You seek an envoy from Nebuchadnezzar to our king? + +JEREMIAH + +Will Nebuchadnezzar be readier to parley than Zedekiah? Kings are like +boys, each waiting for the other to begin. + +BARUCH + +[Ardently] Jeremiah, your words bear fruit in my soul. + +JEREMIAH + +What mean you? + +BARUCH + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +Whither will you go? + +BARUCH + +Farewell, master. Your blessing should I succeed. Spare me your curse +should I fail. For Jerusalem! [He begins to climb down the wall] + +JEREMIAH + +But Baruch, whither are you going? + +BARUCH + +By your road. Farewell. [He disappears over the parapet] + +JEREMIAH + +[Leaning forward] 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! + +FIRST SENTRY + +[Running in] Who calls there in the night? What is afoot? + +JEREMIAH + +[Standing up] I call, I call; but no one heeds me. + +FIRST SENTRY + +Still you, is it? What are you doing here? I thought I saw a shadow pass +down the wall. Are you alone? + +JEREMIAH + +I am alone! I am alone! + +[Slowly, with heavy steps, JEREMIAH 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: +"_Samson guard us_", "_Samson guard us_", begins to pass once more round +the walls] + + + + +THE PROPHET'S ORDEAL + + + + +SCENE FIVE + +Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief. +ISAIAH LIII, 10. + + + + +SCENE FIVE + +The small bed-chamber where JEREMIAH'S MOTHER 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 AHAB, the elderly servingman. + + +JOCHEBED + +[A female relative, coming from without, cautiously draws aside the +curtain over the doorway] Ahab! + +AHAB + +Speak low! Tread softly! Her sleep is light as thistle-down. A breath +will scatter it. + +JOCHEBED + +Well for one who can still sleep, when the gates of the city are being +assailed. + +AHAB + +Not a word of the matter. Not a word of the enemy. As you love her, +spare her. + +JOCHEBED + +What do you mean? What must I not speak of? + +AHAB + +Not a word of our troubles. She knows naught of Jerusalem's evil plight. + +JOCHEBED + +I don't understand. She does not know that the town is besieged? + +AHAB + +Why should we tell her what is impending? The very thought would kill +her. + +JOCHEBED + +[Greatly astonished] 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? + +AHAB + +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. + +JOCHEBED + +She knows nothing? Wonderful, and yet horrible. Has she no suspicion? + +AHAB + +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. + +JOCHEBED + +'Tis wondrous strange. But what has thus confused her? + +AHAB + +In her sickness she craves for her son. + +JOCHEBED + +Jeremiah, the madman! The zealot of the streets. She herself drove him +from the house. + +AHAB + +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. + +JOCHEBED + +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? + +AHAB + +He knows naught of her longing. No less proud is he than she, and he +will never cross the threshold until he is summoned. + +JOCHEBED + +Summon him then. + +AHAB + +How dare I without her command? I am but a servingman. How can I act +upon words which she mutters unwitting? + +JOCHEBED + +You may and you must, since her life is at stake. + +AHAB + +Do you believe I should do rightly to summon Jeremiah without awaiting +her command? + +JOCHEBED + +By God's mercy I believe it. Thus will you save her alive. + +AHAB + +God be praised, Jochebed. In my sore need I have already done what you +wish. + +JOCHEBED + +A blessing on you therefor! + +AHAB + +I have sent my boys seeking him. + +JOCHEBED + +If they can but find him. Lacking him, she will die of mingled pride and +longing. + +AHAB + +Truly, since she drove him forth, she has been unceasingly at war with +herself. + +JOCHEBED + +Who is at peace in this stormy time? + +[The mother wakens with a sigh] + +JOCHEBED + +[Speaking softly to AHAB] Ahab, she stirs, she is waking. Her eyes are +still closed, but her lips move as if to speak. + +[AHAB bends over the sick woman] + +THE MOTHER + +[Speaks with closed eyes, the tones of her voice like those of a song +heard in the distance] Has he come? Is he here? Where is he, the son of +my sorrow? + +JOCHEBED + +[Whispering] How wonderful! For the first time she speaks of him +plainly. + +AHAB + +Nay, she is still dreaming. + +THE MOTHER + +[Moves and opens her eyes] Are you there, Ahab? Is that you Jochebed? My +dreams are dark and uneasy. + +AHAB + +[Tenderly] How do you feel? Have you slept well? + +THE MOTHER + +How can I sleep well, when my dreams are so dreadful? Where is he? I saw +him. Why did he go away? + +AHAB + +Whom do you mean? + +THE MOTHER + +Why did he go away? Why did you let him go away? + +AHAB + +There has been no one in the room but Jochebed and me. + +THE MOTHER + +Not he? Not he? The house is haunted with dreams. [She sits up suddenly +in bed, glancing round with feverish anxiety] Why do you not summon him? + +AHAB + +Summon whom? + +THE MOTHER + +How can you ask? Can you not see that death's hand is upon me? Yet you +will not send for him. + +AHAB + +How should I dare ... + +THE MOTHER + +Alas, that I should be immured here, too ill to move, tended by blind +servants with hearts of stone. Away, away. + +AHAB + +But mistress ... + +THE MOTHER + +You have betrayed me. You have forbidden him the house. I know he must +have come, and you have 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. + +AHAB + +Hearken, mistress ... + +THE MOTHER + +Woe is me! Away! May you die as I am dying, abandoned by your children; +may you die in the straw like an outcast. + +AHAB + +Let me say a word ... + +THE MOTHER + +One word only will I listen to, that he is coming, that he is here. + +AHAB + +That is what I would fain tell you. He is coming. His footsteps draw +nigh. + +THE MOTHER + +[Rapturously] He is coming, my Jeremiah? Deceive me not, Ahab. Cheat not +a dying woman. + +JOCHEBED + +Ahab has already sent his sons to seek out Jeremiah. + +THE MOTHER + +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? + +AHAB + +[Endeavoring to calm her] Mistress, he will be here anon. Early this +morning did I send my boys. + +THE MOTHER + +[In excitement once more] 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. + +AHAB + +Have patience, you will do yourself a harm. + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +AHAB + +Not yet is he here, but he will come ere long. + +JOCHEBED + +He will soon be here. Have patience a while. + +THE MOTHER + +No, no; he is there, but you are keeping him from me. My time is short. +My limbs are cold ... + +[JEREMIAH comes quietly into the doorway, and remains standing in doubt, +his hands clenched, his head bowed as if he were carrying a heavy +burden] + +AHAB + +Don't throw yourself about so. He will be here anon. + +[Catching sight of JEREMIAH, he starts and stops speaking. JOCHEBED +likewise preserves an anxious silence. For a few moments no one speaks +in the darkened room] + +THE MOTHER + +[Raising herself with difficulty] Why are you both silent? [She suddenly +gives a cry of joy] Has he come? Is my Jeremiah here? Where are you, +Jeremiah? + +[Hesitatingly, JEREMIAH moves forward a few steps. He, too, is a prey to +strong emotion] + +THE MOTHER + +[Stretching out her arms towards him] You are there, I feel it. Would +that I could see you clearly. Why come you not close, that I may touch +you? + +JEREMIAH + +[Not moving, his hands still clenched] I dare not, I dare not. Disaster +dogs my footsteps. Curses go before me. Let me stand thus apart, lest my +breath harm you, lest it strike terror to your soul. + +THE MOTHER + +[Feverishly] My child, my arms crave for you. Come close, dear, come +close. Are my lips so hateful to you? Is my hand so estranged? + +JEREMIAH + +I am estranged from myself, and a stranger in this house. + +THE MOTHER + +Alas, he repels me, will leave me once more. What makes you so cold, so +hard-hearted? + +JEREMIAH + +A word burns between us like the sword of the angel of God. + +THE MOTHER + +The curse, for which I have cursed myself a thousand times? Idle breath +was it, and the wind has blown it away. + +JEREMIAH + +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 myself leave me. Let me remain in the +darkness, most accurst of all men. + +THE MOTHER + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +[Falling to his knees with a groan] Mother, spirit of eternal kindness. +Mother, you give me back my lost world. + +[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] + +THE MOTHER + + Child of my heart, whom the world thrusts aloof, + Had you but stayed with me, ne'er left my roof! + Home now returning, find peace in my arms, + They hold you once more, son, safe from all harms. + Tranquilly cradled, unscathed shall you bide, + Keeping the house, no more ranging wide. + Tenderly stroking your brow and your hair, + I will set your heart free from all sorrow and care, + And the curse which I spoke on that ill-omened day, + Lo, with my hands I have brushed it away! + +JEREMIAH + + [Awestruck] Oh Mother, how thin your hands have become; + Oh Mother, how wan your cheeks have become. + Your heart is scarce beating; your lips are so pale. + How can I help you? Can nothing avail? + +THE MOTHER + + My days have been lonely, my nights have been dreary. + When you did not return, I grew heart-sick and weary. + Your absence was killing me. Now you are back, + Your coming suffices. Naught more do I lack. + +JEREMIAH + + Through the streets did I wander, my heart turned to stone. + Your forgiveness now craving, I fain would atone. + +THE MOTHER + + Nightly I dreamed your dreams, + As I lay in the empty house, + Alone and forsaken. + By day they lurked in the shadows; + But as night fell, + Stealing forth from dark corners, + Like toads, bats, and owls, + They crawled and flittered round my temples, + Filling my soul with horror. + Rending and gnawing, + Devouring sleep, + Like vampires did they sap my strength, + So that the dawning of day + Found me hag-ridden, + Shattered and broken. + Jeremiah, I adjure you, + Leave me not again. + Jeremiah, I implore you, + Stay with me, stay with me, + For the time is short. + +JEREMIAH + + Mother, what mean you? + +THE MOTHER + + Seek not to deceive me. + Think you I know not + That death draws near? + Even as on a dial + The shadow rises + Stage by stage up the wall + While the sun sinks in the west, + So, with every breath I draw, + Does darkness rise within me. + Woe is me that, still living and aware, + I feel the grip of death's cold hand. + +JEREMIAH + + Nay, Mother, God's purpose with us is plain. + How can you think he will part us anew? + No more am I froward. Your child once again, + I am sent back by him for a fresh life with you. + Were it otherwise, say to me why should I be + Unclouded by visions, from dreaming set free? + +THE MOTHER + + Do you dream no longer? + +JEREMIAH + + My sleep is dreamless; my slumber is mute. + The night-time faces trouble me no more. + My dreams have become daylight realities. + Revealed in full horror, they stalk 'neath the sun. + I dream no longer, now the world's awake. + +THE MOTHER + +[Ecstatically, for she has heeded only the first part of JEREMIAH'S +speech] + + Your dreaming is over? + Then joy comes again. + Indeed, I was certain + That God in his mercy + Would scatter the darkness + That clouded your brain. + Recall but my words + When we parted in pain: + Ne'er shall an enemy circle our wall, + David's city be taken, Jerusalem fall. + Though foes from the ends of the earth should rage, + The towering battlements ever shall stand. + Firm Israel's heart, and mighty her hand, + Eternal the days of Jerusalem. + +JEREMIAH + +[Rises from his knees. He stares blankly as he mutters in amaze] Ne'er +shall ... an enemy ... circle ... our wall? + +THE MOTHER + + What sudden fear assails your soul? + What thought steals color from your cheek? + +JEREMIAH + +[Still shuddering] Ne'er shall ... an enemy ... circle ... our wall? + +THE MOTHER + + Jeremiah, + What has befallen you? + What has frightened you? + What has taken you aback? + And you, + Ahab and Jochebed, + Why are you making signs to him? + Jeremiah, I conjure you, + Tell me what is amiss. + +JEREMIAH + + There is nothing wrong, Mother, nothing at all. + I was but mazed for a moment, + Startled out of myself by your words. + +THE MOTHER + + Nay, nay, it is false. + Your faces, of a sudden, grew dark and careworn; + Now you all turn away, exchange glances, and whisper. + Awesome, indeed, must be the secret you hide. + It chills me like death; + Like God's wrath it affrights me. + +JEREMIAH + +[Stammering] Nothing, Mother, we are hiding nothing. + +THE MOTHER + + Why seek to deceive me? Why hoodwink my eyes? + Not yet am I dead, nor in coffin enclosed. + Life's breath in my lungs, + Life's pulse at my heart, + I can hear, I can speak; + Why then hide ye the truth? + +JEREMIAH + +Mother, you are distraught with fever. Your temples are burning, your +hands are cold. + +THE MOTHER + + Why are doors and windows curtained so close? + Why is all so dark and still? + You stifle me in wrappings, + Bury me in cushions, + Me, who am yet alive. + Tell me, tell me why. + +JEREMIAH + +Mother, calm yourself. Take my hands. I am here beside you. + +THE MOTHER + + I live, I live; I say to you that I live. + No longer shall you deceive me. + Fearful is my awakening. + Too well do I know the truth, + That my dreams were not dreams but realities. + Again and again did I hear + The rolling of the chariots, + The trampling of the chargers, + The clashing of the weapons, + The singing of the hosannas. + Muffled were the sounds, + As they reached me in this darkened room; + And I fancied all was a dream. + Yet now I am awake, + Horribly awake. + Death has forced open my lids. + I know + Why you have shut away light and sound. + Disaster assails the city, has entered the gates. + We are besieged, we are lost. + Woe is me, there is war in Israel! + +JEREMIAH + +Mother, Mother! + +THE MOTHER + + Jeremiah, speak! + Tell me, + Is he come, + He whose advent you foretold, + The king of kings from the north? + +JEREMIAH + +Mother, you are dreaming. + +JOCHEBED + +[Whispering] Lie to her! For her life's sake, lie to her! + +THE MOTHER + + [In delirium] Alas, hear the trumpets + Sounding the onslaught! + He comes in his panoply, + The king from the north. + War is upon us. + They swarm to attack. + The ramparts are crumbling, + The gates broken down. + The city is lost, + The temple destroyed. + I am crushed in the ruins, + I burn in my bed. + Save me, oh save me, + Jeremiah, save me, + Carry me forth! + +JEREMIAH + + [Kneels beside her] Mother, an evil fancy + Enthrals your mind. + Mother, hearken. + +THE MOTHER + + I hold your hands. + Swear to me, swear, + That it is not true. + Swear to me, swear, + That no danger threatens Israel. + Swear to me, swear, + That no enemy shall disturb my last rest, + That my burial place shall be Zion. + +JEREMIAH + +So shall it be. God will be gracious to us in death as in life. + +THE MOTHER + + Jeremiah, + Do I wander in mind? + Is the foe at the gates? + Or is our world filled with peace? + +[JEREMIAH struggles vainly for words] + +AHAB + + [Breaking in on his hesitation] Deceive her, speak ere she passes. + Can you not see + How the darkness shadows her face, + As the angel of death hovers nigh? + Speak, and chase the terror from her soul. + +JOCHEBED + + Speak, or it will be too late. + A word, only one word, + So that she may die in peace. + +JEREMIAH + + [Still struggling with contending passions] I cannot, I cannot. + There is one grips my throat, + Holds my soul in his grasp. + +THE MOTHER + + He is silent. + It must then be true + That God has smitten his own people: + May the day perish wherein I was born! + Alas, the darkness gains on me. + Fire ravages the land. + I burn. Bear me forth. + +AHAB + +[Interrupting, to JEREMIAH] A word, only one word. + +JEREMIAH + + [Choking, as if strangled] No such word can I utter. + God's hand grips my throat; + God's hand grasps my soul. + Ah, cruel one, free me ... + +THE MOTHER + + [With a wild cry] Lost, all is lost. + I burn. + The city ... the temple ... God falls. + God has fallen! + The flames of Gehenna strike home to my heart. + Jerusalem! + +[She collapses suddenly. There is silence] + +[AHAB and JOCHEBED move in alarm to the bedside and bend over the dead +woman] + +JEREMIAH + +[His voice bursting forth as when a fountain is unsealed] + + It is false! + I lied, I lied! + Eternal the days of Jerusalem. + Ne'er shall an enemy circle our wall, + David's city be taken, Jerusalem fall. + O Mother, once again give ear. + I swear it, look you, I solemnly swear, + Eternal the days of Jerusalem! + +AHAB + + [Fiercely] Away! + Your oaths will not waken her! + Leave her in peace! + +JEREMIAH + + She must hear me before 'tis too late. + +AHAB + + [Bitterly] As you say, 'tis too late. + Away from the room. + Your cries will not waken her, + Nor your lies break her sleep. + While she lived you were silent, + Unfeeling as stone. + Idle dreamer and outcast, + Hence, get you begone! + +JOCHEBED + + Away, rejected of men, + Scorn of the just, + Away from the house. + Why, ah why, + Did she readmit you? + Away, man accurst, + Break not the calm + Of the death which you wrought. + +JEREMIAH + + [Overwhelmed] Ever accursed, + Ever rejected, + Thrust forth from home, + Unfriended to roam. + God, God, it is hard to bear men thy word! + +[AHAB and JOCHEBED pay the last duties to the dead, pressing down the +eyelids, and wrapping the body in a shroud. AHAB goes to the pitchers +and sprinkles water on the ground. No sound but their solemn paces can +be heard. JEREMIAH 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] + +AHAB + +Who knocks? + +JOCHEBED + +There is a turbulent crowd without. + +AHAB + +They assail the door as if they were enemies. You had better open. + +JOCHEBED + +Hark to the savages, they have burst in the door. + +[The sound of splintering wood is heard. Then hasty footsteps. ZEBULON, +PASHUR, HANANIAH, the FIRST SENTRY, and many others, rush in] + +ZEBULON + +He must be here. + +A BOY + +I saw him go in. + +VOICES + +So did I.--He slipped in an hour back.--I was on watch as you +ordered.--I saw him too. + +AHAB + +Whom do you seek? + +PASHUR + +Deliver him up--the man you are hiding. + +ZEBULON + +We will have blood for blood. + +AHAB + +What mean ye by breaking in here? Away, rabble. + +PASHUR + +[Catching sight of the corpse, raises his hands and speaks reverently] +Praise to the eternal judge. May he be merciful to the just. [Turning +away he passes into the background] + +THE OTHERS + +[Suddenly stilled, murmur] Praise to the eternal judge. + +ONE SPEAKS + +[Gently] Who has died? + +AHAB + +One from whom God had hidden the light of his countenance. One full of +sorrows, and acquainted with grief. One whose bitterest affliction was +that she gave birth to the enemy of her nation. + +ANOTHER SPEAKS + +Jeremiah! + +ZEBULON + +It is Jeremiah whom we seek. Where is Jeremiah? + +JEREMIAH + +[Comes forward, speaking loudly in grief and indignation] 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. + +ZEBULON + +It is I, wretch, who come to curse you, I, Zebulon, father of Baruch, +whom you have led astray. Where is my son? + +JEREMIAH + +[Tonelessly] How should I know? Am I your son's keeper? + +HANANIAH + +This man makes a charge against you. Answer, Jeremiah. + +JEREMIAH + +He, too, makes a charge. Should I begin to bring charges I should speak +from now till midnight. + +VOICES + +He answers not.--He talks at random, evading the charge.--Pashur, +Hananiah, make an end.--Pass judgment upon him. + +HANANIAH + +Have you brought witnesses, Zebulon? + +ZEBULON + +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. + +HANANIAH + +[To the FIRST SENTRY] Do you bear this witness? + +FIRST SENTRY + +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. + +ZEBULON + +It was Baruch my son, whom this man hath corrupted. + +FIRST SENTRY + +There was much talk between them. Jeremiah prophesied disaster, so that +my heart grew hot within me. + +HANANIAH + +[To the others] Do you hear? He prophesied the fall of Zion. + +FIRST SENTRY + +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. + +ZEBULON + +Do you hear, men of Israel? I charge Jeremiah with leading my son +astray, with bringing shame upon my house. + +PASHUR + +[Advancing to the front] Your answer, Jeremiah. What say you to this +charge? [JEREMIAH is silent] Do you call witnesses? + +JEREMIAH + +[In low tones] The one who would testify for me must not be named. + +PASHUR + +Will he come forward in due time? + +[JEREMIAH is silent] + +VOICES + +Make an end, make an end. + +PASHUR + +Silence. I will hold just judgment! Jeremiah, I cite you to answer. +[JEREMIAH is silent] You are charged with having, in defiance of the +king's command, foretold disaster. + +[JEREMIAH is silent] + +HANANIAH + +Do you deny your words? [JEREMIAH still holds his peace] Lo, the fear of +death has moved him at length. For the first time he is silent. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +ZEBULON + +I will not go. He has destroyed my son. I demand judgment. + +PASHUR + +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 cite you. [JEREMIAH is silent] 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. + +JEREMIAH + +Make short work! Wither me no longer with your glances. Enough, enough. + +PASHUR + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +Life is affliction! Words are affliction! Blessed be darkness, thrice +blessed the tomb. + +PASHUR + +Lay hands on him. Execute judgment! + +VOICES + +Oh, just judgment!--Great is the wisdom of Pashur.--Away with +Jeremiah.--Fetch a rope, that we may lower him into the pit. + +JEREMIAH + +[Shrinking from their touch] 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. [He folds his arms and +moves towards the doorway. The others begin to follow him hesitatingly] + +HANANIAH + +[Bursting in on the silence with an exultant cry] 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! + +[JEREMIAH turns fiercely, raising his arms as if about to rebuke +HANANIAH. His eyes flash fire. Those at his heels draw back in alarm, as +from a wild beast at bay. But JEREMIAH 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 PASHUR, deep in +thought. AHAB and JOCHEBED are left, looking at one another uneasily. +AHAB takes a linen sheet and spreads it reverently over the body] + + + + +VOICES IN THE NIGHT + + + + +SCENE SIX + +Evening cometh and the shadows lengthen. JEREMIAH, VI, 4. + + + + +SCENE SIX + +KING ZEDEKIAH'S 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. ZEDEKIAH is +standing motionless at the window, looking down on the moonlit city. +JOAB, a young spearman, enters, and stands respectfully waiting for the +king to notice him. ZEDEKIAH pays no heed, but continues to gaze out of +the window. + + +THE LAD + +[After a pause ventures to speak] My Lord King! [ZEDEKIAH turns with a +start] It is midnight, O King. This is the hour at which thou orderedst +me to summon the council. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Are they all here? + +THE LAD + +All, at thy command. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Have they come unseen by the people and by the palace servants? + +THE LAD + +Unseen, Lord King. By secret ways I led them hither. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Where is the spy? Hast thou kept him apart? + +THE LAD + +He tarries with the doorkeepers. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Let him tarry. Summon the council. + +[THE LAD bows, and disappears through the doorway] + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Strides to and fro, and then returns to the window. He soliloquizes] +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! [A pause while he +contemplates the city] 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. + +[THE LAD draws aside the curtain; and the five councilors enter +noiselessly. They are PASHUR, the high priest; HANANIAH, the prophet; +IMRE, the oldest burgher; ABIMELECH, the general; NAHUM, the steward. +ZEDEKIAH turns to receive them. They bow] + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. [Silently they raise their hands +in adjuration, and each in turn lays his hand in PASHUR'S] I swear by +Almighty God that I will show no anger against any who opposes me. [He +lays his hand in PASHUR'S] Now let us take counsel. [He waves them +towards the table, and all take their seats] 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. + +HANANIAH + +[Fiercely] God is on our side. + +[The others say nothing] + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Quietly] 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. + +HANANIAH + +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. + +NAHUM + +There is nothing left to sacrifice, neither bulls nor rams. + +HANANIAH + +It is false. I have heard the lowing of the cattle which you refuse to +deliver up to the sacrifice. + +NAHUM + +The last we have. They are milch cows to provide food for nursing +mothers and the sick. + +HANANIAH + +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. + +PASHUR + +[Earnestly] God requires no gifts to make him aware of our distresses. + +HANANIAH + +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. + +PASHUR + +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. + +HANANIAH + +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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Passionately] Hold your peace. Your words are 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. + +ABIMELECH + +Stout are the walls of Jerusalem, O King, but stouter still is my heart. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +ABIMELECH + +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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +ABIMELECH + +The siege will last as long as God pleases, and we shall last as long as +the siege. + +ZEDEKIAH + +May the Lord fulfil thy words. [To the others] Are ye all of the same +opinion? + +PASHUR + +We must be steadfast, enduring patiently until the end. + +ZEDEKIAH + +What sayest thou, Hananiah? + +HANANIAH + +Never shall Nebuchadnezzar overthrow us. Woe unto all faint-hearts. Did +it rest with me, I would put them to the sword. + +IMRE + +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! + +ABIMELECH, HANANIAH, PASHUR + +Jerusalem endureth for ever! + +[A pause] + +ZEDEKIAH + +Thou sayest nothing, Nahum. Wherefore art thou silent? + +NAHUM + +Gloomy are my thoughts, Lord King, and bitter will be my speech. He +thrusts not himself forward, to whom joy is lacking. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +NAHUM + +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. + +[All sit in dismayed silence] + +ZEDEKIAH + +Was there not ample provision of grain from the villages? Was not an +abundance of milch cows and other beasts driven within the walls? + +NAHUM + +Forget not that the siege has lasted nearly a year, and that there are +many mouths to feed. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[After another pause] We can reduce the rations yet further. Let nothing +be wasted. + +NAHUM + +Long have we been careful to avoid waste. Yet the storehouses gape with +emptiness. Time is a mighty eater. + +ZEDEKIAH + +How long, then, thinkest thou, ere famine is upon us? + +NAHUM + +[In low tones] Three weeks, Lord. No more. + +[A pause] + +ZEDEKIAH + +Three weeks ... And then? + +NAHUM + +How can I answer thee, O King? God alone knows the answer. [Renewed +silence] + +HANANIAH + +[In great excitement] Cut the loaves in half. Cut them in three, and let +that suffice for the day. Too long have they lived riotously, they and +their concubines; let them grow lean, now, fighting the Lord's fight. + +ABIMELECH + +My soldiers must not have their food cut down. No man can fight on an +empty stomach. + +HANANIAH + +We must all share and share alike, the soldiers as well as the others. +Jerusalem is at stake. + +ABIMELECH + +My men must have their strength kept up. Let the useless mouths go +hungry, the windbags and the prattlers. + +NAHUM + +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. + +PASHUR + +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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +What if he know it already? + +NAHUM + +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. + +ABIMELECH + +God be praised. Nebuchadnezzar would show us no mercy if he knew. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[After a pause] 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. + +HANANIAH + +No peace with the blasphemers of the Almighty! + +ABIMELECH + +Let him make the first offer. + +PASHUR + +I think it would be dangerous for us to begin. Should we open the +parley, he would seek to make slaves of us. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +NAHUM + +True are thy words, O King. We must seek mercy of Nebuchadnezzar before +he triumphs over us with the sword. + +ABIMELECH + +[Bitterly] Sue for mercy! Death were better! + +PASHUR + +We need God's mercy, not man's. + +HANANIAH + +[To NAHUM] Coward and traitor! + +IMRE + +[Wearily] 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. + +ABIMELECH + +It is too late. The dead lying before the walls will cry reproach on us. + +PASHUR + +It is too late. The war has heaped up such mountains of hatred. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Nay, it is not too late. [He pauses for a moment] An envoy has already +passed between Nebuchadnezzar and me. + +[The councilors spring excitedly to their feet] + +NAHUM + +Thou hast received an envoy from Nebuchadnezzar? Blessed be the hour. + +HANANIAH + +Traitor! Thou holdest parley with the enemy! + +ABIMELECH + +No treaty without our consent! Thou hast forgotten. + +PASHUR + +Thou hast held parley, King, without consulting us? Why then are we +summoned in council? + +ZEDEKIAH + +Peace, peace. Can ye not wait till I have finished? Ye snap at my first +word like a pack of hungry hounds. [A pause. He continues more quietly] +A messenger has come from Nebuchadnezzar. I have not yet heard the +message. Is this to hold parley? Is this treachery? Answer! + +[All are silent for a while] + +PASHUR + +I crave thy pardon, King. It is hard to weigh one's words when so much +hangs in the balance. + +ZEDEKIAH + +It is for you to decide; for you to hear the envoy, or to send him away +unheard. + +NAHUM + +Our position is desperate. We must hear him. + +IMRE + +We can listen to his message, and be cautious about accepting it. + +ABIMELECH + +We can hear him, and can settle afterwards whether we will let him +return. He may be sent only to spy out the land. + +ZEDEKIAH + +What say ye, Pashur and Hananiah? + +PASHUR + +Let us hear him. + +[HANANIAH is silent and averts his face] + +ZEDEKIAH + +Since no one opposes, we will hear the message. [Going to the doorway he +calls out] Joab, fetch the envoy. [ZEDEKIAH returns to the table] Let +each ask what questions he will. But our answers must show one mind. + +[BARUCH is ushered in by JOAB. The latter passes out again, replacing +the curtain. BARUCH bows before the king] + +Dost thou bring a message to Israel from King Nebuchadnezzar? + +BARUCH + +He has sent me with a message to thee, O King. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. [Turning to +the others] Question him. + +HANANIAH + +[Scornfully] What grace does the king of the heathen vouchsafe ... + +ABIMELECH + +[Interrupting] Let us consider practical matters first! What is your +name? + +BARUCH + +Baruch, son of Zebulon, of the house of Naphtali. + +ABIMELECH + +Are you then of our blood? + +BARUCH + +I am a servant of the one God, and was born in Jerusalem. + +ABIMELECH + +Does anyone here know this man? + +PASHUR + +I know his father, a just man, and a faithful servant of the Lord. + +ABIMELECH + +How did you fall into the enemy's hands? + +BARUCH + +I was drawing water from Moria well when they seized me. + +ABIMELECH + +What proof have you that you are an envoy? Have you a letter, signed and +sealed? + +BARUCH + +Nebuchadnezzar gave me his signet ring, that I might pass the sentries +going and returning. [He shows the ring on his finger.] + +ABIMELECH + +I have no more questions to ask. Let him deliver his message. + +BARUCH + +When the Assyrian soldiers waylaid me, they took me to the king's tent. +Nebuchadnezzar has kept me 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." + +ABIMELECH + +Nebuchadnezzar is a great warrior. It is an honor to have held out +against him for eleven months. + +BARUCH + +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." + +NAHUM + +Methinks the terms are easy. + +PASHUR + +Too easy for me to trust them. + +ZEDEKIAH + +But the sign! What sign does Nebuchadnezzar demand? + +BARUCH + +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 ..." + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Drawing himself up] A yoke? + +BARUCH + +"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." + +ZEDEKIAH + +Never shall the man wear a crown whose neck has borne a yoke. Never! [He +rises to his feet] + +ABIMELECH + +I could not endure it! [He also rises] + +[The others remain seated and silent. After a long pause, NAHUM speaks +meditatively] + +NAHUM + +From the gates of the temple to the wall? + +PASHUR + +It is barely an hundred paces. + +IMRE + +No more than seventy, I think. No more than seventy. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Turning fiercely upon them] 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! + +PASHUR + +Thou hast sworn, O King, that each of us should speak freely the words +which came to his mouth. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Thou dost well to remind me. Pardon my anger. Speak freely. + +NAHUM + +I beseech thee to accept the terms, not for our sake alone but for that +of our children. + +IMRE + +For the sake of our country. + +PASHUR + +For temple and altar. + +HANANIAH + +For God, who commands it. + +[ABIMELECH is silent, hiding his face] + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Paces up and down, as the struggle rages within him. At length he steps +up to the table, and speaks in solemn tones] I will do what ye demand, +breaking my pride like a potter's vessel, bowing my neck beneath the +yoke. + +[All move to speak, but he imposes silence, and continues] + +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 that the people may look up to him. Swear that ye will invest him +with crown and with ring. + +PASHUR + +[Greatly moved] I swear it, O King. + +IMRE, HANANIAH, NAHUM + +We swear it. + +ABIMELECH + +As a king hast thou acted. Praised be thy name. + +NAHUM + +Eternal honor to King Zedekiah. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +ALL + +[Fervently] Jerusalem endureth for ever. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[To BARUCH] 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 him thy mercy." +Hasten, that soon I may stand before the door of my house, saying to my +people the precious word, "Peace". + +BARUCH + +[Disquieted, speaks in subdued tones] I hear, Lord King. But there is +yet one other thing I have to tell thee, one more demand from the king +of Ashur. + +ABIMELECH + +[Angrily] Yet more? Does not this shame suffice him? + +BARUCH + +A trifle he termed it. It looms large in my mind. + +ZEDEKIAH + +What does his pride still crave? + +BARUCH + +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 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. + +PASHUR + +Never! Never! + +HANANIAH + +The fire of the Lord consume him for the sacrilegious thought. + +PASHUR + +Better that the temple should crumble to dust, than that the tabernacle +should be desecrated. + +IMRE + +[In consternation] He would look upon the holy of holies! Terrible is +the request. + +PASHUR + +Unbounded is the insolence of the heathen ruler! Dismiss his messenger, +Lord King. Send back the envoy. + +HANANIAH + +Send back the envoy. Never must such a thing be. + +NAHUM + +Be not too hasty, O King. In our hands lies the welfare of the nation. + +ABIMELECH + +A thousand deaths were better than this shame. + +PASHUR + +I will face death with you, will perish in the midst of your warriors. + +HANANIAH + +[Savagely] Dismiss the envoy. Rather death than this sacrilege. + +IMRE + +Ye talk lightly of dying. Bethink ye that your pride means seventy +thousand deaths. + +PASHUR + +Would you profane God's holy of holies? + +IMRE + +Life is part of God's holiness. God himself is life. + +HANANIAH + +It would be an everlasting disgrace could the heathen look on the face +of Jehovah. + +NAHUM + +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! + +HANANIAH + +Nay, dismiss the envoy. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +IMRE + +I am the oldest among you. My word is, let us comply with +Nebuchadnezzar's demands. + +HANANIAH + +Let us refuse. God will help us. Let us refuse. + +PASHUR + +I will not chaffer with God's majesty. Never will I consent to such +impiety. + +NAHUM + +Let God's city stand for ever. Accept the terms. + +ZEDEKIAH + +What sayest thou, Abimelech? + +ABIMELECH + +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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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? + +PASHUR + +God will give thee light. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +NAHUM + +Thou hast our love, O King. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. [He rises to his +feet and all rise with him] 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. + +PASHUR + +God give thee light. I shall not close my eyes in sleep until thou hast +chosen. I will hold vigil before the altar. + +HANANIAH + +Remember God. + +NAHUM + +Remember the city. + +IMRE + +Remember the children, remember the women. + +ABIMELECH + +I abide by thy choice in life or in death. + +[All depart, leaving BARUCH and the king] + +BARUCH + +[Quietly] Shall I, too, take my leave, King Zedekiah? + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Collecting his thoughts] What sayest thou? Nay, thou must remain. + +[BARUCH stands by the doorway while ZEDEKIAH 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 BARUCH] + +ZEDEKIAH + +Nebuchadnezzar demands an answer to-day? + +BARUCH + +Yea, Lord; for to-morrow the moon is full. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Paces the floor again. Then abruptly] Thou sawest him face to face. Did +he ask thee anything concerning me? + +BARUCH + +His chief counselor and his scribe were present. The former asked me +about you, but Nebuchadnezzar bade him be silent. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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? + +BARUCH + +Nothing, Lord King. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. [Drawing himself up] Take this +message to Nebuchadnezzar. Say unto him ... + +BARUCH + +[In alarm] Decide not in anger, King Zedekiah. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Rigid with astonishment] How darest thou interrupt me? + +BARUCH + +[Kneels] 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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Wrathfully] "Open the gates, open thy heart". I have heard those words +before. They have been put into thy mouth. One stands behind thee +speaking against me with thy voice. + +BARUCH + +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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Thou, a boy, a child? While we were holding counsel, thou soughtest out +the king of kings to seek peace and ensure it? + +BARUCH + +This did I, O King, in the urgency of my heart's wishes. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Regards him fixedly for a time. Then, speaking sharply] Not thine own +deed, this, nor thy thought. + +BARUCH + +I went at no man's orders. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Thou speakest falsely. No boy could conceive such a deed for himself. + +BARUCH + +I swear to thee that I did it unadvised. He knew naught of it, neither +commanded it nor approved. + +ZEDEKIAH + +He? Who is he of whose orders thou speakest? + +BARUCH + +[Evasively] My teacher, my master. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Who is thy master, who? I would know who issues commands to the boys of +this city. + +BARUCH + +God's servant and prophet is my master. Men call him Jeremiah. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Furiously] 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? + +BARUCH + +Thou art mistaken. Jeremiah hath more love for thee than for any other +in this town. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +[BARUCH raising both hands imploringly, is about to speak. ZEDEKIAH +continues] + +Not a word. If thou failest to carry my message, I will have Jeremiah's +head. + +[Again BARUCH endeavors to speak] + +A single word, and Jeremiah's life is forfeit. Away, I command thee, +away! + +[BARUCH stands for a moment, and then, veiling his face, passes out. +ZEDEKIAH draws himself up threateningly when BARUCH 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] + +ZEDEKIAH + +It is finished. No longer the torture of indecision. + +[He paces to and fro once more. Then he stamps twice. JOAB enters] + +JOAB + +The king calls? + +ZEDEKIAH + +Wine, bring me wine. I need sleep, deep and dreamless sleep. + +[JOAB brings a pitcher and fills a silver goblet. ZEDEKIAH empties it at +a draught. Then he listens, and his face is again clouded] + +Who is walking outside there? I hear footsteps. Does the spy still +tarry? + +JOAB + +He has gone forth, Lord. You hear the sentry, my brother Nehemiah. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Tell him to tread softly when he is on guard outside my bedchamber at +night. I need sleep just as much as other men. + +JOAB + +I will see to it, Lord. [He draws aside the curtains of the bed and +veils the lamp. Now the only light in the room comes from the pale +moonbeams] Shall I read from the scriptures, Lord King, as heretofore? + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +[JOAB helps him to remove his outer garment. ZEDEKIAH flings himself on +the couch] + +JOAB + +God guard thy slumbers, O King. + +[JOAB calls NEHEMIAH. 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] + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Springing up with a wild cry] Why do ye whisper together? Did I not +command ye to silence? + +JOAB + +[Alarmed] We said nothing, Lord King. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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? + +JOAB + +No one, Lord King. Nor anywhere throughout the palace. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +[JOAB fills the goblet once more. ZEDEKIAH drains it and flings it away. +With a groan he lies down again. All is still save for the murmur of the +fountain. ZEDEKIAH, 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] + +ZEDEKIAH + +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? + +JOAB + +I hear nothing, Lord. + +NEHEMIAH + +No sound has reached me. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Glares at the two lads. Crouching he listens for a moment, and breaks +forth again] 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? + +JOAB + +[Listens intently for a moment, and then shudders] 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. + +NEHEMIAH + +Perchance it is but the wind moaning through a cranny. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +[JOAB hastens out. ZEDEKIAH 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] + +God be praised, the voice is stilled. + +[JOAB reenters with troubled mien] + +Who was talking? + +JOAB + +[Trembling] 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 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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +What were the words? + +JOAB + +[Shuddering] I dare not repeat them. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Tell me the words, I command thee. + +JOAB + +It was blasphemy that rose from the pit. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Repeat the words, if you fear my anger. + +JOAB + +[Complies. His voice rises in a psalm] + + I have forsaken mine house, + I have cast off mine heritage; + I have given the dearly beloved of my soul + Into the hand of her enemies. + My tears run down like a river day and night, + For grievous is the affliction + Of the daughter of my people. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[With a loud cry] Jeremiah! Always Jeremiah. + +JOAB + +[Continuing to chant as if inspired] + + He hath given up into the hand of the enemy + The walls of her palaces; + They have made a noise in the house of the Lord, + As in the day of a solemn feast. + He hath ... + +ZEDEKIAH + +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? + +JOAB + +Lord, if he be thine enemy, say the word ... [He makes a movement with +his spear] + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Startled out of his anger, looks at the lad wonderingly. Then, with +awakening pride] 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? [He paces the room] Joab! + +JOAB + +My Lord? + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +[JOAB and NEHEMIAH pass out. The king soliloquizes in low tones] + +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. + +[JEREMIAH enters accompanied by the two lads. At a sign from ZEDEKIAH, +JOAB unveils the lamp. Then he and NEHEMIAH withdraw. JEREMIAH 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] + +ZEDEKIAH + +I sent for thee, Jeremiah, to ask why thou dost disturb my rest. Why +singest thou in the night when others sleep? + +JEREMIAH + +He may not sleep who watches over the people. The Lord hath appointed me +to watch and to give warning. + +ZEDEKIAH + +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? + +JEREMIAH + +God helping me, I will. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Know, then, what none other knows save my innermost counselors. An envoy +has come from Nebuchadnezzar, seeking to end the war between our +nations. + +JEREMIAH + +[Exultantly] God be praised! Open the gates, open thy heart to +humbleness. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Rejoice not too soon. Hard are the terms and measureless is the +arrogancy of the king of Ashur. + +JEREMIAH + +Arrogant hast thou been towards him, therefore must thou accept +arrogancy in return. Put compulsion on thy heart, so thou save Jerusalem +from destruction. + +ZEDEKIAH + +He asks my honor. + +JEREMIAH + +Sacrifice thine honor for the city. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Is not honor my office; is not pride my crown? + +JEREMIAH + +If they be truly thine, cast them from thee. Peace is better than honor; +suffering is better than death. + +ZEDEKIAH + +He would bow my neck beneath a yoke. + +JEREMIAH + +Blessed is he who suffers for all; who suffers that all may live. Bow +thy neck, and save the city. + +ZEDEKIAH + +I should bring shame on all the kings whose throne is my heritage; I +should disgrace the mantle of my forefathers. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Not me alone will Nebuchadnezzar abase, but God also. + +JEREMIAH + +God smiles at those who would abase him. Open the gates, open thy heart +to humbleness. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Nebuchadnezzar would enter the holy of holies which none may approach. + +JEREMIAH + +God will avert it, should it be his will; thou canst not avert it. Open +the gates, open thy heart to humbleness. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Angrily] Thy wisdom is stubbornness; thy counsel, insolence. With deaf +ears dost thou hearken, and thine answer is hard as flint. + +JEREMIAH + +Am I to laud thy blindness, to approve whate'er thou sayest? Feigning to +ask counsel, thou wouldst have 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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Why railest thou thus, when thou hast not yet heard my purpose? + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Jeremiah! + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Unsteadily] How canst thou know this? + +JEREMIAH + +Thy lips betray thee. Thou quailest before my wrath like a guilty man. +Fain wouldst thou tempt me 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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Hesitates, greatly moved. Then he speaks in low tones] 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. + +JEREMIAH + +Recall it! Save the city. + +ZEDEKIAH + +He is on his way to Nebuchadnezzar. + +JEREMIAH + +Send for him! Bring him back! + +ZEDEKIAH + +Too late. The advice comes too late. + +JEREMIAH + +Hasten after him. Pursue him with runners and riders. + +ZEDEKIAH + +It is too late. By now my message must have reached the king of Ashur. + +JEREMIAH + +[Hides his face, lamenting] Woe, woe unto Jerusalem, woe unto Jerusalem! + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Drawing near him in alarm] What ails thee Jeremiah? + +[JEREMIAH 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] + +JEREMIAH + + How art thou fallen from heaven, + Jerusalem, sun of the morning! + Thou hast said in thine heart, + I will ascend into heaven, + I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. + Alas, thou art fallen from glory, + Art sunken in darkness and night. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Calls to him loudly, hoping to awaken him from the trance] Jeremiah! + +JEREMIAH + + What star was brighter than thine, + Thou city of Jacob, + Thou fortress of David, + Thou tabernacle of Solomon, + God's treasure and his holy house? + Who could herald thy ways, who could signal thy praise? + All happy the psalteries, the cymbals grew light, + With sounding thy triumphs from morning till night. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Thou ravest, Jeremiah; awake, awake! + +JEREMIAH + + [Unheeding] How still art thou now, my beloved. + Thy brightness, say, where hath it gone? + The voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride + No longer are heard among thy houses. + The market hath become desolate. + Quenched are the voice of joy, + The voice of gladness, + The sound of flute playing, + And the song of the maidens. + A slayer hath fallen upon thee, + An avenger from the north. + Waste places are thy streets, + Nettles grow in thy pleasant places, + Thorns and brambles in the palace of thy kings. + Alas, thy walls are laid low, + All thy towers are broken down; + Shamefully overthrown + Is the everlasting heart of thy sanctuary. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Accursed one, thou liest! High and hale stand the walls of Jerusalem. + +JEREMIAH + + [With growing frenzy] Every head hath been shorn, + Every beard hath been clipt. + The mothers, wearing sackcloth, + Tear the flesh from their cheeks, + Wailing: + "Where are my sons, where are my daughters?" + Woe is me! + The dead bodies of the sons + Lie like dung in the streets + Where they have perished by the sword; + The daughters have been strangled with their own hair, + And the women with child have been ripped up. + The jackals of the wilderness are gorged, + The ravens weary with feasting. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Be silent, be silent! Thou liest! + +JEREMIAH + + What availeth it to seek safety in thorny thickets, + To flee from death into the burning fissures of the rock? + They hunt thee with horses, with companies of spearmen, + Track thee down, and with sticks beat the coverts for their game, + Drive thee forth from the crannies with firebrands and smoke, + Pursue thee, and seize thee, and slay. + They ravish the women, they slaughter the elders, + Just men are made slaves of their lowliest bondsmen, + Made servants of servants the daughters of kings. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Hold thy peace, liar, lest my wrath smite thee! + +JEREMIAH + + [Lamenting] Jerusalem, virgin and daughter of Judah, + The heathen make mock of thy pitiful plight. + Woe is me that I must look on thine affliction. + All thine enemies have opened their mouths against thee, + Laughing, and hissing, and gnashing their teeth, + Saying: + "We have swallowed her up! + "Is this the city that men call + "The perfection of beauty, + "The joy of the whole earth? + "Verily we have laid her low. + "Certainly this is the day we looked for, + "We have found it, + "We have seen it." + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Beside himself with rage, clenching his fists] Be silent, liar, I will +listen no longer. + +JEREMIAH + + Jerusalem, holy city of the Lord, + Cradle of the nations, treasure of the world! + Who will extol thee, who now will search thee out? + A legend of the ages hast thou become, + A fable and a proverb among the peoples. + Ah, I see ... + +ZEDEKIAH + +Raving madman, naught more shalt thou see. + +JEREMIAH + + I see thy suffering, I witness thy death, + I see ... + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Grappling with him, bursts out in a fury] Naught more shalt thou see! I +will have thee blinded. + +JEREMIAH + +[Stares around, as if suddenly and dreadfully awakened. Then laughing +loudly, he chants with renewed frenzy] + + Me? + Blind me? Nay, ruthless one, + Not such is the purpose of God. + Know well that one shall be blinded + Ere these days draw to a close. + 'Tis one with eyes that see not, + With ears that will not hear. + Yet hearken now, King Zedekiah! + +[ZEDEKIAH releases JEREMIAH, and regards him with amazement and terror. +JEREMIAH raises his hands in denunciation, and continues] + + Thee + Shall they seize, + The servants of Ashur, + Seize thee in God's temple which thou hast destroyed. + They tear thee away from the horns of the altar, + To which thy hands cleave in the vain hope of help. + Naught availeth thy sword, for they break it in sunder, + Then bind thine arms straitly with fetters of brass, + Haling thee forth and the stairway adown; + Like a beast for the sacrifice scourging thee on; + To him will they bring thee whose hand thou rejectedst; + To him will they bring thee whose yoke thou hast broken, + To him who thy fiery doom will have spoken. + +[ZEDEKIAH has retreated several steps, and makes gestures as if to avert +the threatened fate] + + To thy knees as they force thee with curses and blows, + In the air-blast the furnace roars fiercely and glows. + Now the iron is heated, gleaming red, flashing white. + In thine eyeballs they plunge it, the scorching steel. + Thy flesh smokes and hisses, thy senses reel. + God's daylight has vanished in infinite night. + +[ZEDEKIAH screams, and claps his hands to his eyes as if blinded] + + But ere thy sight, in a fiery mist + Of blood and tears, is forever gone, + Thy sons, by the sharp sword fiercely kissed, + Shall be slain in thy presence, one by one, + As the headsman's blade flashes through flesh and through bone. + Bootless thy struggles; the slaves hold thee fast! + The first falls, the second, the third and last! + They are sped, and thy weeping and wailing are vain. + Their blood drenches the ground, while thou, in thy pain, + Ere the burning steel seareth the sight from thine eyes, + Seest how Israel's race and kingship dies. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Groping his way across the room like a blind man, staggers to the +couch. Now he puts up his hands beseechingly] Mercy! Have mercy! + +JEREMIAH + + By thy cries all in vain will the darkness be riven, + As thou liftest thy hands to the unseen heaven, + God's mercy imploring! God no mercy will show + To the king whose false pride Zion's temple laid low. + He casteth thee down among worms which are blind, + Which crawl on their bellies, each after his kind. + With despised and rejected, the sick, the forsworn, + Shalt thou walk, Zedekiah, debased and forlorn, + Consorting with lepers, with halt and with lame, + Among outcasts the poorest. Thus thy pride God shall tame. + With beggars shall harbor; a beggar thyself, + Wearing sackcloth and ashes, shalt pass through the land. + Those who know thee--once splendent in power and in pelf, + King erstwhile in Zion--uplifting the hand, + Shall curse thee, Zedekiah. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Utterly crushed by the adjuration, has collapsed, groaning, on to the +couch. Now he slowly rises, and contemplates JEREMIAH blankly] 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. + +JEREMIAH + +[He has awakened from his trance, and the fire in his eyes is quenched] +Poor are my words, Zedekiah. Weakness is all my strength. I know, but +cannot act! + +ZEDEKIAH + +Why didst thou not come to me sooner? + +JEREMIAH + +I was ever at hand, but thou couldst not find me. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Thou hast filled my heart with dread, yet I bear thee no grudge. There +must be no quarrel betwixt us twain 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. [JEREMIAH turns to go] Stay, Jeremiah. Must the fate be, which thou +hast foretold? Jerusalem, my Jerusalem. Canst thou not avert it? + +JEREMIAH + +[Gloomily] Naught can I do to avert it. I can only prophesy. Woe upon +the impotent. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[After a pause] 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. + +JEREMIAH + +I will be near thee, Zedekiah, my brother. [Slowly he averts his face +from the king and moves towards the doorway] + +ZEDEKIAH + +Jeremiah! [JEREMIAH turns] Thou hast cursed me, Jeremiah. Bless me now, +ere we part. + +JEREMIAH + +[After a moment's hesitation, strides back and holds his hands over the +king] 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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[As in a dream] May he give us peace. + + + + +THE SUPREME AFFLICTION + + + + +SCENE SEVEN + +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. ISAIAH L, 6. + + + + +SCENE SEVEN + +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. + + +THE DOORKEEPER + +[Appearing through a wicket which he closes behind him] Are you still +there? I have told you already that no more bread will be given out +to-day. + +A WOMAN + +But I am hungry. + +A SECOND WOMAN + +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. +[She lifts the child to show him] + +A THIRD WOMAN + +Look at mine too. [She also shows her child] + +CONFUSED AND ANGRY VOICES + +I am hungry.--Give me bread.--We are hungry.--Bread.--Bread. + +ANOTHER VOICE + +Let us have the keys. + +VOICES + +Yes.--Give us the keys.--Open the storehouses. + +THE DOORKEEPER + +[Pushing back the foremost among the mob] Away with you! The king's +orders are that everyone shall have a loaf at daybreak. Then the +storehouses are to be closed. + +A VOICE + +I got no loaf. + +OTHER VOICES + +Nor I, nor I. + +A WOMAN + +You could hardly see mine; and I have a child at the breast. Justice! + +A SECOND + +Mine was full of sand and gravel. + +A THIRD + +They are not the same loaves we used to get. We are being cheated. +Justice! + +THE DOORKEEPER + +Nahum treats you all alike. He is perfectly fair. + +A VOICE + +Where is he? + +OTHER VOICES + +Where is he? We want to see him.--Let him show himself.--We will talk to +him.--He is a thief.--Where is he? + +ANOTHER VOICE + +[Shouting stridently] He sits at home and fattens up his own household. +They bake cake for themselves. + +A SECOND VOICE + +Yes, the rich have hoarded all they need. + +VOICES + +While we go hungry.--Bread for the poor.--Bread, bread. + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +The king has golden dishes filled with dainties. In the palace they +would rather throw their leavings to the dogs than feed our children. + +A VOICE + +I don't believe that. + +OTHER VOICES + +Yes.--Yes.--I have seen them do it.--My sister says they do.--Where is +Nahum?--Give us bread. + +[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] + +ABIMELECH + +[Hastening from the palace, attended by a number of soldiers] Away with +you. Push them back. Down the steps. Clear the entrance to the palace. + +[The soldiers use the hafts of their spears freely, and the mob yields +ground, panicstricken] + +VOICES + +He struck me.--They are killing us.--Where is my child?--Help.--Help! + +[The crowd forms again at the foot of the steps, and faces ABIMELECH +angrily] + +ABIMELECH + +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? + +VOICES + +Bread.--We are hungry.--Bread.--Our children have nothing to eat. + +ABIMELECH + +Everyone has had his loaf. + +VOICES + +Not I.--They left me out.--Not enough. + +ABIMELECH + +The town is besieged. You must make the most of what you have. We are at +war. + +VOICES + +There is not enough bread.--We are hungry. + +ABIMELECH + +Well, be hungry! We are shedding our blood for you. The city must be our +first care. [Trying to hearten them up he exclaims] Jerusalem for ever! + +A VOICE + +[Half-heartedly] Jerusalem for ever! + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +Who or what is Jerusalem? Has Jerusalem a stomach? Has Jerusalem blood? +The stones and the walls are not Jerusalem. We are Jerusalem. + +VOICES + +Yes, we are Jerusalem.--Give us life.--Give us food.--Feed our +children.--What is Jerusalem to me? I want bread. + +ABIMELECH + +[Stamping fiercely] Be silent, all. Back to your homes. Why do you +loiter in the marketplace? Do you not know that we are at war? + +A WOMAN + +Why are we at war? + +VOICES + +Yes, why?--Why are we at war?--Let us make peace.--Peace.--Peace.--Bread. + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +Was it not well with us under Nebuchadnezzar? Was not his yoke light? +Were not our days pleasant? + +VOICES + +Yea, yea.--Peace with Nebuchadnezzar.--End the war.--Down with the +war.--A curse on him who began the war. + +A WOMAN + +It was Zedekiah's doing. He wanted war to help his friends the +Egyptians. + +VOICES + +Yes, he has betrayed us.--While we suffer, he lies at ease among his +wives. + +ABIMELECH + +Who dares to slander the Lord's anointed? He is ever in the forefront of +the battle. + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +It is false. + +ABIMELECH + +Who says it is false? Let him stand forth and face my sword. Who says +it? [The crowd is silent] Beware of slanderers! Now then, off home with +you. Let those who can fight, man the walls. + +VOICES + +[From the back] Nahum, Nahum! Here he comes. [The crowd surges round +NAHUM] Nahum, good Nahum.--Give us bread.--Bread.--Bread.--You will +treat us fairly.--Help us.--Good Nahum. + +NAHUM + +[Elbowing his way through the press] Let me pass! + +THE CROWD + +[Follows him up the steps] Nahum! Nahum! + +ABIMELECH + +Back! Stand back. + +[The soldiers raise their spears, and the crowd shrinks away to the foot +of the steps] + +NAHUM + +What would ye? + +A VOICE + +Open the storehouses. + +NAHUM + +The storehouses are empty. Each of you has a loaf every day. That must +suffice. + +VOICES + +I have had no loaf.--Nor I.--Open the storehouses. + +NAHUM + +I tell you they are empty. + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +Let us see for ourselves. + +VOICES + +Yes, let us see for ourselves.--I don't believe it.--Open the +storehouses.--Let us see for ourselves. + +NAHUM + +I swear to you ... + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +When we see we will believe. We have been cheated too long. + +VOICES + +They are all cheats, the priests, the king, all.--Give up the keys.--How +they lied when they prophesied victory. [The voices become more +menacing] 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. + +[The mob surges up the steps once more, surrounding NAHUM and +endeavoring to snatch the keys] + +NAHUM + +Help, help! + +ABIMELECH + +[Beating them back, aided by his men] Down, down! + +A VOICE + +Oh, I am wounded. See, I bleed! + +ABIMELECH + +For the last time. To your homes! Clear the marketplace, or I shall use +my sword. + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +The marketplace and the city belong to us. + +[A messenger appears at the back of the crowd] + +MESSENGER + +Abimelech! Where is Abimelech? + +ABIMELECH + +Here. + +THE CROWD + +There he is, the wretch, the murderer! + +MESSENGER + +Help, Abimelech. They have broken in at Moria Gate. + +[Cries of terror arise from the crowd] + +ABIMELECH + +[Cutting a path through them with his sword] Make way, make way. + +[He strides off. DOORKEEPER, NAHUM, and the soldiers withdraw through +the wicket] + +[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] + +VOICES + +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? + +A VOICE + +To the walls! Man the walls! + +A MAN + +[Rushing in] We are betrayed! The king has fled! We are lost! + +VOICES + +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. + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +Curses upon the king! + +VOICES + +[Fiercely] Curses upon the king! + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +A curse on the priests! A curse on the prophets! They lied to us one and +all. + +VOICES + +Yes, curse them every one! + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +They persecuted those who warned us, those who counseled peace. + +A VOICE + +They persecuted Jeremiah. + +A SECOND VOICE + +Yes, Jeremiah told us what would happen. + +VOICES + +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? + +A VOICE + +They have prisoned him in the pit, here in the palace. + +[Cries of fury arise from the crowd] + +VOICES + +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 the false prophets.--God spoke through Jeremiah.--Bring +an axe to force the door.--Jeremiah shall be king.--Where is our +saviour? + +[For a time nothing can be heard but the cry, _Jeremiah, Jeremiah_, and +the noise made by the beating of axes and staves upon the door. Suddenly +the door is opened and the doorkeeper appears] + +DOORKEEPER + +What would ye? + +THE CROWD + +Let us pass.--Jeremiah, Jeremiah! + +[The DOORKEEPER is thrust aside] + +DOORKEEPER + +Help, help! + +[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] + +VOICES + +[From within] The dogs have lowered him into the pit.--They were afraid +of him. + +VOICES + +[From the steps] He is a holy man.--He is the chosen of the +Lord.--Jeremiah will save us all. + +A WOMAN + +[Frenzied with excitement] 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. + +ANOTHER WOMAN + +Could I but look upon his blessed face once more. It will shed light +over Jerusalem. + +[Cries come from within] + +VOICES + +They have found him.--He is saved.--We are saved.--God will help +us.--Jeremiah! Jeremiah! + +[Reappearing from within, the rest of the crowd brings JEREMIAH +triumphantly to the top of the steps. He stands with his hand shielding +his eyes from the light] + +VOICES + +[Ecstatically] Holy One!--Master!--Samuel.--Elijah.--Prophet.--Save us, +Jeremiah.--King.--Anointed of the Lord.--Israel hear his +words.--Jeremiah. + +THE FRENZIED WOMAN + +[Throwing herself at his feet] 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. + +JEREMIAH + +[Slowly withdraws his hand from his eyes. His gaze is serious and even +gloomy, as he contemplates the agitated and expectant throng] 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? + +THE CROWD + +Save us, Jeremiah, anointed of the Lord.--Save the city.--Be our +king.--Show a miracle. + +JEREMIAH + +Your words are dark to me. What is your will? + +THE CROWD + +[All speaking at once] Moria.--The fortress of Zion.--Save Jerusalem.--A +miracle.--We are lost.--You are our shepherd.--Save us.--Save Jerusalem. + +JEREMIAH + +Speak one at a time. + +THE WOMAN + +[Again throwing herself at his feet] 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. + +A VOICE + +They have broken down Moria Gate. + +A SECOND VOICE + +Our men have been defeated. + +A THIRD VOICE + +[Despairingly] Save Jerusalem, or we perish. + +THE CROWD + +[Taking up the cry] Save Jerusalem, or we perish. + +[JEREMIAH stands motionless, hiding his face in his hands] + +THE WOMAN + +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. + +A VOICE + +Who shall save us unless it be you? + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +The priests have betrayed us. The king has sold us to the enemy. + +JEREMIAH + +[Indignantly] It is false! Why slander ye the king? + +VOICES + +Zedekiah has forsaken us.--Where is he?--Why does he not come to our +help?--He has fled. + +JEREMIAH + +[Vehemently] It is not true. + +VOICES + +It is true.--They led us into this war.--They have sacrificed us.--We +wanted peace.--Let us have peace. + +JEREMIAH + +Tardily comes your longing for peace. Why do ye put your transgressions +on the king's shoulders? Ye clamored for war. + +THE CROWD + +No, not I.--No, not I.--It was the king.--Not I.--Not one of us. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +VOICES + +Alas, he spurns us.--Jeremiah, be merciful to us in our distress.--Aid +us in our wretchedness. + +JEREMIAH + +No man can help you. Help cometh from God alone. + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +God has forsaken us. + +THE CROWD + +Yea, God has forsaken us.--Where is he?--Where is the covenant? + +FUGITIVES + +[Rush past shouting] The enemy is within the gates. Abimelech is slain. + +THE CROWD + +[Shrieks with terror, and then appeals once more to JEREMIAH] Hearken, +hearken!--We are lost!--Show a miracle, a miracle. + +JEREMIAH + +[Despairingly] What would ye that I should do? Am I to stretch forth my +bare hands against the enemy? + +THE CROWD + +[Ecstatically] Yea, yea; that do, and save us. + +JEREMIAH + +Think ye then that I can drive back those whom God sendeth against you? + +THE CROWD + +Yea, yea.--You can.--You must.--You can do what you will. + +JEREMIAH + +Naught can I do. Naught against the will of God. + +THE CROWD + +You can save Jerusalem.--Show a miracle. + +JEREMIAH + +[Fiercely] 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. + +VOICES + +Alas, he spurns us.--He forsakes us. + +JEREMIAH + +[In growing excitement] 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. +[Cries of horror from the crowd] Let thy temple fall, so it be thy will, +I submit. [The crowd bursts into furious exclamations] 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. + +THE CROWD + +He raves.--Strike him down.--He is mad.--He rains curses on us.--Silence +the traitor! + +JEREMIAH + + [In a trance] Whatsoever thou doest, Lord, I submit. + Whatsoever thou sendest, I glorify thy name. + Rain down on me terrors uncounted, + Thine anger I welcome, I seek not to hide. + Break my heart! Burst the gates! Raze the walls! + With fire consume thine own altar, + To defend which now myriads fall! + Rejecting thy people, the chosen, + Turn thy face from me too in thy wrath! + From the depth of my sorrow I cling to thee; + Though thou slay me, I trust thee in death. + +THE CROWD + +[Shouting fiercely] Traitor.--He is cursing us.--He prays for our death. +Stone him.--Stone him! + +JEREMIAH + +[More frenzied than ever, as he daunts the menacing and turbulent mob +with the fire of his enthusiasm] + + Not my will, Lord, but thine be done! + Thou hast led me into darkness; + I have known many afflictions; + Lord, I will bear all patiently. + Pour out the vials of thine anger, + Break my bones, close mine eyes, + Fill up the measure of my sufferings, + Pressed down and running over, + Still am I thy faithful servant, + For art not thou the Most High? + The more thou visitest me with wormwood and gall, + The more will I testify to thine abounding love. + Let me double the martyrdom thou wouldst impose, + Let me kiss the rod that striketh the blows, + Let me thank the hand that bruiseth my flesh, + Let me praise the brand that seareth my flesh, + Let me bless the death wrought by foes without pity, + Let me bless the destruction befallen thy city, + Let me bless bitterness, slavery, shame, + Let me bless the enemy, bless in thy name. + Lord to thy wishes I humbly bow! + To accept all thy sendings I fervently vow! + Lord, hear my words; Lord, prove me now! + +THE CROWD + +[Cutting him short] Traitor.--Stone him.--He blesses our foes.--He prays +for our enemies.--Stone the blasphemer, stone him. + +THE STRIDENT VOICE + +[Dominating the rest] Crucify him! Crucify him! + +THE CROWD + +[Echoing the cry and rushing up the steps] Crucify him! Nail the +blasphemer to the cross.--Stone the traitor.--Crucify him! + +JEREMIAH + +[In ecstasy, stretching out his arms as if on the cross] + + Let God's will be done. Come hither, draw near, + Nail my limbs to the cross, pierce my side with the spear, + Spit upon me, and scourge and revile me, + Break my bones, and debase and defile me, + Thus shall I be, for one and for all, + A trespass offering made for Israel! + Seize me, then, seize; + Let my sacrifice please + Jehovah, his anger yet stem; + And save, even now, save Jerusalem. + +[The crowd surges round him. Some grasp his limbs, while others strive +on his behalf and endeavor to free him] + +VOICES + +Crucify him!--Stone him!--He blasphemes.--A curse upon Jeremiah!--Crucify +him. + +OTHER VOICES + +Let be.--The spirit of God is upon him.--He is beside himself.--Harm him +not. + +JEREMIAH + +[Amid the tumult he continues to stretch out his arms as if on the +cross] + + But why do ye tarry? Thrice-blessed day! + The price of martyrdom fain would I pay. + For suffering I am athirst. + Let me die the death accurst. + Who hangs on the cross in mortal pain, + The world's eternal welfare shall gain, + Saviour and intercessor, he, + With arms outstretched on the cruel tree. + His lips, trembling with anguish till death bring release, + Shall speak the redeeming message of peace; + His sighs to melody shall give birth, + His torment, to love everlasting on earth. + His death shall bring life; his sorrows, forgiveness. + Though his flesh know corruption, his body decay, + Yet his soul, winging heavenward, + Beareth all our sins Godward, + The glorious messenger, he, of man's new day! + Ah, were I but that herald of deliverance! + My spirit is on fire! Lo, I pray: + Crucify me, oh, crucify me! + +[With wild cries they seize him, and begin to carry him away, buffeting +him as they go] + +VOICES + +Crucify him!--Let him taste the death he yearns for.--He is our +enemy.--Crucify him.--Stone him! + +[At this moment a number of fugitives rush into the marketplace in wild +disorder, throwing away their weapons as they run] + +FUGITIVES + +The walls are down.--The enemy is in the city. The Chaldeans have gained +the day.--Israel is lost. + +MORE FUGITIVES + +Abimelech is slain.--All is lost.--Jerusalem is fallen. + +YET MORE FUGITIVES + +[In full flight] They are hard on our heels.--To the temple.--All is +lost.--Israel! Israel.--Alas for Jerusalem. + +[The crowd joins the fugitives, uttering shrieks of terror. JEREMIAH is +forgotten. The whole city seems to ring with cries of despair and the +noise of vain attempts at flight] + + + + +THE CONVERSION + + + + +SCENE EIGHT + +My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end. JOB XXXIV, 36. + + + + +SCENE EIGHT + +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 JEREMIAH, 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. + + +THE ELDER + + [Reading] Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, + Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; + Thou that dwellest between the cherubims, + Shine forth! Stir up thy strength! + +THE OTHERS + +[Murmuring in unison] Shine forth! Stir up thy strength! + +THE ELDER + + [Reading] Give ear, O Shepherd, come and save us. + Cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. + How long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? + Thou feedest them with the bread of tears, + And givest them tears to drink in great measure. + O God of hosts, + Cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. + +THE OTHERS + + Cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. + +THE ELDER + + [Reading] O remember not against us former iniquities; + Let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: + For we are brought very low. + We are consumed by thine anger, + And by thy wrath we are troubled. + Remember not against us our former iniquities. + Remember thy covenant, remember thy name. + Appear, Shepherd, lead thy flock home; + Shine forth! Stir up thy strength! + +THE OTHERS + +Shine forth! Stir up thy strength! + +OTHER VOICES + +[Joining in fervently] Cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. + +THE WOUNDED MAN + +[Who has hitherto been moaning, now bursts into a loud cry] Oh, oh, I am +burning. Water! Water! + +THE WOMAN + +[Trying to soothe him] Be quiet, there's a good man. For God's sake, be +quiet, or they will hear us. + +THE ELDER + +Be silent! Control yourself, or you will destroy us all. + +ANOTHER + +They will slay us if they find us. + +THE WOUNDED MAN + +Let them kill me. I cannot bear it. My wound is on fire. Water! Water! + +A MAN + +We must silence him. His cries will betray our hiding place. + +THE WOMAN + +Touch him not. He is my brother. I bore him hither from the walls. [She +kneels beside him] Dear, I implore you to stifle your cries. I will +fetch you some water. Take my kerchief and muffle your mouth in it. + +[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] + +A VOICE + +Go on reading, Pinchas. God's word consoles us. + +ANOTHER VOICE + +Go on reading about the promise. + +OTHER VOICES + +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. + +[THE ELDER takes up the roll once more, and is about to resume his +reading, when there comes a knocking. All start] + +A WOMAN + +[Alarmed] Someone knocks! + +THE OTHERS + +They are there!--They have tracked us. + +A MAN + +It is not on the outer door, but from the secret entrance, which is +known to our own folk alone. Open! + +THE WOMEN + +No! No, there are traitors among us. Let be! + +THE ELDER + +Silence! [He cautiously approaches a door hidden among buttresses] Who +is there? + +VOICE + +[From without] Zephaniah! + +THE ELDER + +It is Zephaniah, my son-in-law, whom we sent forth for news. + +[He draws back the bolt, and a man enters, helmeted and garbed like a +Chaldean. All rush towards him, JEREMIAH alone remaining motionless] + +VOICES + +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? + +THE ELDER + +Be silent all. Let Zephaniah speak, for he has seen the daylight and the +city. + +ZEPHANIAH + +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. + +ALL + +Alas, alas, for Jerusalem. + +ZEPHANIAH + +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. + +THE ELDER + +[Rending his garments] I can live no longer! Could I but tear my bowels +as I tear my raiment. + +VOICES + +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 ... + +ZEPHANIAH + +For many do you ask, and I can give but one answer for them all. Of the +nobles of Judah, not one now looketh on the light of day. + +VOICES + +All slain? All?--Impossible!--Abodassar?--Jehoiachin?--Hedassar?--Imre? +--Nahum? + +ZEPHANIAH + +Ask me no more. Their troubles are over, and they are with God. + +VOICES + +Nahum too?--The king's sons?--My brother-in-law Absalom? + +ZEPHANIAH + +None are left alive. Those who fell not at the wall were slain +afterwards by Nebuchadnezzar's officers. Zedekiah alone remains. + +VOICES + +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? + +ZEPHANIAH + +Honor the king! Reverence his sufferings. + +VOICES + +What has happened to him?--Is he a prisoner? + +ZEPHANIAH + +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. + +VOICES + +And then? + +ZEPHANIAH + +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 ... + +JEREMIAH + +[Suddenly roused from his impassivity and speaking in horror-stricken +tones] Blinded, you say? Blinded? + +ZEPHANIAH + +Who is this? + +VOICES + +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. + +ZEPHANIAH + +Who is it that spake, saying "Blinded?" I am sure I know the voice. + +VOICES + +Ask not his name.--He is one accurst.--He is rejected of God. + +A WOMAN + +He is the curse of God, sent for our burning torment. He is the scourge +of God.--Jeremiah, Jeremiah! + +ZEPHANIAH + +[With a wild outcry, stretching forth his hands as if to thrust away +something horrible] Jeremiah! + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +ZEPHANIAH + +I tremble before you, man of doom.--He foresaw everything. He alone. +That other called on his name. + +THE ELDER + +Who called on his name? + +ZEPHANIAH + +[Utterly crushed] 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. 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." + +[All shudder] + +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. + +[They shrink away from JEREMIAH, as from a dangerous beast] + +JEREMIAH + +[Struggling with emotion] 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. + +ZEPHANIAH + +What is he talking about? + +A WOMAN + +Madness hath seized him. + +ANOTHER WOMAN + +He raves. + +A MAN + +Nay, he foretold these happenings. A sage is he, and a prophet. + +JEREMIAH + +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. [A +pause] No longer will I speak his words. I will hold my peace. [A pause] +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. + +VOICES + +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. + +[JEREMIAH sinks to the ground broken] + +Look, look, the hand of the Lord hath fallen upon him.--Go not near him +whom God hath banned. + +[They draw farther away from JEREMIAH and huddle together. JEREMIAH 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] + +ZEPHANIAH + +Alas, they draw near, the heralds of disaster. + +THE CROWD + +[To ZEPHANIAH] What is it?--What has happened?--What meaneth this +summons? + +ZEPHANIAH + +'Tis Nebuchadnezzar's message to the remnant of the people. + +VOICES + +Must we go forth to hear the message?--Dare we leave our shelter?--What +shall we do, Zephaniah? + +ZEPHANIAH + +No need for haste. Evil tidings ever come too soon. + +VOICES + +What is to happen?--What is our doom? + +ZEPHANIAH + +It is the will of Nebuchadnezzar that our city be utterly destroyed. + +[There is a wail of horror. The trumpet is heard once more, nearer] + +Those who survive must go as slaves to Babylon. + +VOICES + +We are to leave Zion? + +THE ELDER + +I will not go. Here will I remain. + +ZEPHANIAH + +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. + +THE ELDER + +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. + +A WOMAN + +My brother, my nephew, and my husband have all been slain. Tombs are my +heritage, and this heritage will I keep. + +A MAN + +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. + +VOICES + +[In the enthusiasm of despair] Let us stay.--Let us choose +death.--Better death than slavery.--Never will we go into exile.--Better +to die. + +THE WOUNDED MAN + +[Half rising] 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! + +HIS SISTER + +Be calm. I will carry you. + +THE WOUNDED MAN + +[Deliriously] Yes ... Let us go. Let us leave these mad folk, who want +to die. Why should we seek death? + +THE ELDER + +His body is parched with fever. He knows not what he says. + +THE WOUNDED MAN + +[Fiercely] 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. + +A YOUNG WOMAN + +True, true! I too want to live. My life lies before me. As yet I have +seen nothing, felt nothing. Young and vigorous are my limbs. Death is +cold, life is warm. I will not stay. I will go with you, anywhere, +anywhere. + +ANOTHER WOMAN + +Shameless one, are you willing to be the concubine of an enemy? + +THE YOUNG WOMAN + +Anything, if I can but live. + +THE WOUNDED MAN + +Life, at any cost of suffering. + +A MAN + +[Wildly] No life without God! No life without Jerusalem! + +VOICES + +Death were better.--Death were better.--Let us not accept +slavery.--Death is a fearful thing. + +[Again the trumpet sounds, now close at hand] + +A VOICE + +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. + +THE ELDER + +I hold thee fast, city of Zion. Weak though my hands, still do I cling +to thee. My life hast thou 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. + +ZEPHANIAH + +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. + +THE WOUNDED MAN + +[Raising himself] 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! + +THE ELDER + +Shame upon you, weaklings! Would you live without God? + +VOICES + +God will be with us wherever we go.--God speaks to 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. + +THE ELDER + +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. + +VOICES + +[In conflict] 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. + +JEREMIAH + +[Suddenly springing to his feet, with an awesome outburst] 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. + +THE ELDER + +[His jaw has dropped in amazement and horror. At length he raises his +hands tremblingly towards heaven, with the invocation] Blasphemy! +Blasphemy! Strike him down with thy lightnings. + +JEREMIAH + +[More fiercely] 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! + +THE ELDER + +Heed him not! A backslider is he, and an outcast. Heed him not, ye +servants of the Almighty. + +JEREMIAH + +[Still more fiercely] 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 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! + +VOICES + +He raves.--He blasphemes.--Away with him.--He is beside himself. + +JEREMIAH + +[In an ecstasy, speaks over their heads into the void] + + Dumb and sinister Being, I witness against thee! + Be thou silent no longer, witness thou against me! + Say, + Have I ever, I charge thee, proved backward or loath? + Have I ever, I charge thee, been false to my oath? + Dumb and sinister Being, thy silence now break. + Ope thy mouth, and against me thy parable take. + Thou hast sought me by day and by night and hast found me, + With dreams to amaze, and with fears to confound me. + With fire my soul thou hast filled. As a brand + Spreading flame, spreading flame far and wide through the land, + Hast thou driven me on. 'Twas thy will not mine, + Made me stand as a foe 'gainst this people of thine. + I was the hand their throats fiercely clamping, + I was the hoof, their peace roughly down stamping, + I was the saw, their limbs ever rending, + I was the goad, bringing torment unending, + I was the terror, the vision of fright, + I was the nightmare that rode them by night. + In their bones I the fire, in their flesh I the thorn, + The mockery, likewise, that laughed them to scorn; + For relentless, unfeeling, as any dumb beast, + Made mad by thy will, I obeyed thy behest. + Of the love of my brothers though still I was fain, + Made mad by thy will, I but cursed them again. + Thus quelling compassion, constrained to do ill, + I spurred myself onward thy word to fulfil. + +VOICES + +He is seized with the frenzy of fever.--He raves.--To whom is he +speaking?--He is out of his wits. + +JEREMIAH + + But I renounce my allegiance! + Resuming my freedom, no longer a thrall, + I nor heed thy commandments nor answer thy call! + Where 'twas shrined in my heart I thy image discrown, + And from out thy high heaven I hurl thee adown! + Thou spurnedst thy people, so thee too I reject; + No merciless God shall compel my respect! + For why is it seemly that reverence be paid + To a god who gives scorn when his children seek aid? + He only is God who turns sorrow aside, + Almighty but he who can solace provide! + And of men him alone may we prophet proclaim + Whose spirit with measureless love is aflame, + Whose words and whose deeds teach all men to know + That his soul with compassion is ever aglow. + Now to me my purpose in life is plain, + For the plaints that assail thine ears all in vain + Wring my heart with the passion of infinite pain. + Come cries from the city thine anger hath burned, + Come cries from the people thy hatred hath spurned, + Come cries from the widows, made widows by thee, + Come cries from the mothers, made childless by thee, + From the king, now blind, as by thee ordained, + From thine altar, by thine own self profaned; + From the earth, from the air, the message is sent; + As I hearken, with anguish my bowels are rent; + Appeals from the living, appeals from the dead; + As I hearken, perforce I must turn my head + From thee, who art cold and unfeeling as stone, + From thee, who art deaf when thy children make moan, + To my brothers, my sisters, who are bone of my bone + And flesh of my flesh, those whom sorrows invest, + Those whom torments afflict. With them, none but them, + Can my spirit find peace or my heart be at rest. + In reverence I bow before them, none but them; + For them, tenderest love; for thee, God, naught but hate! + +THE ELDER + +He hath cursed God. Strike him down. + +VOICES + +He raves.--He is mad.--He dreams.--'Tis dangerous to listen to +him.--Silence the madman! + +JEREMIAH + +[Suddenly kneels and apostrophizes the others] + + My brothers, my brothers, forgive me, forgive + The vain pride of a man now unfitted to live! + For God, none but he, with dreams dazzled my eyes. + With words he confused me, with signs led astray, + Until, to an evil self-will giving way, + I believed myself prophet, all-knowing, all-wise! + I believed myself great with the greatness of God, + When, invoking his name, your dooms I shrilled. + When with his curses my mouth was filled! + But lo, I abjure him, this pitiless God! + Though toward you I proved myself arrogant, vain, + I beseech you, my brothers, show mercy again. + Though my curses rained down on you many a day, + Repulse me not now--for he led me astray. + There is naught but forgiveness my spirit to heal; + At your feet now abased, craving pardon, I kneel. + +[All draw away from him in horror. He moves after them, without rising +from his knees] + + My brothers, my brothers, look kindly on me! + Well assured is my heart that we brothers be, + And I the least worthy, the youngest of all! + Lo, I curse you no longer, but breathe benediction, + Lo, I yearn to share with you the bread of affliction! + Let it please you, my brothers, whate'er may befall, + That I love you, that thanks to the love I bear, + No more word of mine, I swear it, I swear, + Shall add by one grain to your load of care. + In atonement for wrongdoing ask what you will. + The meanest of services glad to fulfil, + As the slave of your slaves I demand only this, + That the dust from your shoes I may thankfully kiss. + My brothers in darkness, my brothers in grief, + From my humble repentance withhold not belief. + My brothers, my brothers, your pardon were bliss. + +THE ELDER + +Death to the man who touches him! God hath judged him. + +VOICES + +Accursed of God, away.--Forth from among us.--Poison us no longer with +thy presence.--Away liar, away! + +JEREMIAH + +[When they thrust him from them, cries plaintively] Driven out like a +leper! [He falls prone] + +[There is a peremptory knocking, at the door] + +VOICES + +The heralds!--The Chaldeans!--They knock like masters.--It is not one of +our own people. [The knocking becomes more imperative] 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. + +THE ELDER + +I will open the door. In the midst of life we are in death. + +[He cautiously begins to open the great door, but as soon as the bar is +down one of the leaves is violently pushed open and BARUCH rushes in. +THE ELDER rebars the door] + +BARUCH + +[His face working with anxiety] Brothers, is Jeremiah here? + +THE ELDER + +Name him not! Speak not to him. + +BARUCH + +[Looking around] Jeremiah, Jeremiah! + +JEREMIAH + +[Slowly rising, stares at BARUCH as if he were a stranger] Who still +seeks me? Who now would tempt me? + +BARUCH + +Master mine, do you not know me? Do you not recognize my voice? + +JEREMIAH + +I will look no more and listen no more. Away, you who still breathe the +breath of life! Let me lie and rot! + +BARUCH + +Jeremiah, beloved master, I implore you to collect yourself. The enemy +is hunting for you. + +JEREMIAH + +Who still seeks me in this world? + +BARUCH + +You have been betrayed; they know your hiding-place. Nebuchadnezzar has +sent officers in search of you. + +JEREMIAH + +Let them come! Blessed be the slayers! Blessed be death! + +BARUCH + +Jeremiah, if you love me, seek refuge in flight. I cannot bear that your +life should be forfeited. + +JEREMIAH + +No more love have I for anyone. + +BARUCH + +[Embracing him] Nay, master, my blood rather than yours. I will die with +you. + +[Violent blows are struck on the door] + +THE CROWD + +[Scattering into the darkest corners] Alas, alas.--The Chaldeans.--Our +hour has come.--Jeremiah has brought disaster upon us.--Let us deliver +him up. + +BARUCH + +Too late! They are already here. + +JEREMIAH + +Open to them, Baruch. [BARUCH hesitates. JEREMIAH standing erect speaks +slowly and clearly, almost exultantly] 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. [BARUCH moves to the door +where he again hesitates. The door is once more shaken by violent blows +from without. JEREMIAH repeats masterfully] Open, Baruch, I command you. + +[BARUCH 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. +JEREMIAH stands alone, confronting them] + +THE CHIEF OFFICER + +[Advancing to the front] Is the man named Jeremiah among you, the son of +Hilkiah of Anathoth? + +JEREMIAH + +I am he whom you seek. Fulfil your orders. + +[THE CHIEF OFFICER prostrates himself before JEREMIAH, touching the +ground three times with his forehead. The two other officers do the +same. JEREMIAH, startled, draws back a pace. THE CHIEF OFFICER rises to +his knees] + +THE CHIEF OFFICER + +Hail to the interpreter of signs! Honor and glory to the revealer of +events, to the seer of that which is hidden. [Having again abased +himself three times, he stands erect; his companions follow his example. +JEREMIAH, recovering composure, regards him gloomily] 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. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +THE CHIEF OFFICER + +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 that which +is to come. Second to none shalt thou be, but shalt come and go in the +palace even as thou wilt. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +THE CHIEF OFFICER + +The message I brought thee was a king's message, and to kings obedience +is due. + +JEREMIAH + +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." + +THE CHIEF OFFICER + +Bethink thee, 'tis the king of kings who summons thee to enjoy the light +of his countenance. + +JEREMIAH + +I refuse to go! I refuse! + +THE CHIEF OFFICER + +Never before hath any man refused to comply with the wishes of +Nebuchadnezzar. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +THE CHIEF OFFICER + +Rash and presumptuous art thou, to speak thus lightly of the king my +master. Curb thy tongue, and have a care for thy life. + +JEREMIAH + +[Fiercely] 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 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." + +[The officers shrink before these fiery words, and make gestures as if +to avert the threatened doom] + +THE ELDER + +[Suddenly stands forth from a dark corner, and cries enthusiastically] +Hear him, O Lord, hear him! Fulfil the promise of his words. + +VOICES + +[Imploringly] Hear him, Lord God of Sabaoth! + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +THE ELDER + +[Ecstatically] So let it be, Lord, so let it be! + +THE OTHER REFUGEES + +[They have collected round THE ELDER, and have caught fire from his +enthusiasm] 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. + +[The officers, panic-stricken, make for the door] + +JEREMIAH + +[In a frenzy of joy] 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 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. + +[The officers have vanished during this speech] + +THE ELDER AND THE OTHERS + +[Thronging round JEREMIAH] Blessings upon your words.--Blessings upon +your head.--God will be mindful of Jerusalem.--O glorious prophecy! + +JEREMIAH + +[Ignoring them in his growing exaltation] 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: + + Arise, Jerusalem, + Arise, city of affliction. + Fear no longer, + For I have compassion upon thee. + I have been wroth with thee, + For a moment I have forsaken thee, + But not for ever doth mine anger endure. + Therefore, since thou hast been forsaken, + Hast been for a day the rejected of God, + Now shall thy glories be restored unto thee, + And now shalt thou be exalted for all eternity. + I will deck thee with my love, + And girdle thee with peace, + Will show thee the light of my countenance, + And bestow my blessing upon thee. + Arise, Jerusalem, + Arise, + For I have delivered thee. + +THE ELDER + +A blessing upon your words. + +THE OTHERS + +Hear him, God.--Fulfil his words.--Deliver Jerusalem. + +JEREMIAH + +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 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! + +THE OTHERS + +Fulfil the prophecy, O God.--Bring peace to Israel.--Let Jerusalem +arise. + +JEREMIAH + + When the glad day comes, and in Zion we meet, + We, who so long have been captives and slaves, + Who have dwelt with the stranger in gloomy abodes, + Joyfully reassembling, + We shall pray: + Blessed be thy name, Lord God of Sabaoth! + Great and wonderful have been thy mercies! + By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, + Breaking the bitter bread of slavery; + We mingled the wine in our pitchers with tears; + For our souls were sick with longing for home, + And our servitude was a daily death. + Then we called unto thee, compassionate one, and called not in vain, + For thou didst break our bonds. + With the dew of thy goodness, with the waters of life, + Didst thou quench the fever of our thirsty souls. + Us the dispersed, us the vanquished, + Didst thou raise from the dust and lead home to Zion. + Look on us, O mountains; look on us, O fields! + We have returned, we have risen as from the dead! + Let the sound of our streamlets murmur in our prayers; + Let the gardens welcome us with their flowers; + Let the roses of Sharon greet us with their perfume, + The forests of Carmel and Lebanon with their shade. + And thou, holy city, the beloved, ne'er forgotten, + The vision of our days, and the dream of our nights, + The bride of our love and the mother of us all, + Let thy cymbals sound, thy flutes breathe notes of gladness; + Arouse thee and give utterance to thy rejoicing, + For we have returned to thee, Jerusalem! + +THE OTHERS + +[Pressing near him in their delight, throwing themselves at his feet, +embracing his knees] Returned!--Risen as from the dead.--Glorious +prophecy.--Jerusalem.--Jerusalem. + +BARUCH + +[On his knees] My master, my teacher, how sweet are your words, how +blissful is your message. + +THE ELDER + +Blessed be he who brings comfort in time of affliction. + +A WOMAN + +His eyes glow like stars and light up the vault. + +ANOTHER WOMAN + +God's spirit has descended on him. + +THE WOUNDED MAN + +His words have heartened me. I live, I live again. Oh that I, too, might +one day return to Jerusalem. + +ZEPHANIAH + +Your words have brought me new courage, Jeremiah. + +JEREMIAH + +[Paying no heed, but gradually awakening from his trance and looking +round with alarm] 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. + +THE ELDER + +They fled before the lightnings of your glance. + +ANOTHER + +Your anger smote them like a sword. + +JEREMIAH + +[Still confused] What did I say? My mind is dark, and yet I seem to +recall something. What did 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? + +THE ELDER + +Man of God, man into whose heart the fire of God has passed, this light +streams from you. Mightily have you prophesied to us. + +A MAN + +You have freed my soul from its anguish. + +A WOMAN + +You have feasted my heart on manna. + +THE WOUNDED MAN + +Look at me. I can get up. I can walk. The pain has gone. Your words have +called me back from death. + +VOICES + +A miracle.--A miracle like those of Elijah.--Raising from the dead.--Let +us bow before God's messenger.--A miracle.--A miracle. + +JEREMIAH + +[Gently] Nay, brothers, shame me not by your praises. I have no part in +what has befallen. 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. + +THE ELDER + +[Ecstatically] Jeremiah, Jeremiah, may God do by all of us even as he +has done by you. + +JEREMIAH + +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! [He kneels] + + I thank thee, O Lord, for thy gentleness toward me, + When I, froward and fierce, did thy service abjure. + For that thou whom I cursed didst with blessings reward me, + My heart will be grateful while life doth endure. + In life I will praise thee, in death I will praise. + With the bread of thy word thou dost nourish my days. + Let me bless thee for filling my soul with thy breath, + With that spirit of love which is stronger than death. + Let me bless thee for this, that harshly thou dravest + Me forth from thy face; that sorrow thou gavest + To me and to others. Nay, sorrow I bless, + For when men keep aloof, lo, the touch of distress + Makes them know they are kin. But the sorrows God sendeth + Are the firstfruits of storm, which in sunshine oft endeth. + I bless thee then, God, on life's journey the guide, + Whom all seek to escape, but from whom none can hide, + For the lowliest ever thy grace can best win, + And the sinner thy love, yea, because of his sin! + Blessed the man who can lose self in God! + Blessed the man who is chosen of God! + Blessed the heaven, in music ensphered, + Blessed the world, as thy mirror endeared! + Blest the stars which shine peacefully, far above strife, + Blest the quiet of death--blest the turmoil of life! + +BARUCH + +[Throwing himself on his knees before JEREMIAH] 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. + +THE ELDER + +Yea, strengthen the knees of the tottering. Console the afflicted! + +VOICES + +Go forth to our brothers.--To them, as to us, bring solace.--Give them +the message.--The promise. + +JEREMIAH + +[Rising] 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. [He strides out through the door] + +THE OTHERS + +[Surrounding him, some leading the way, while all the voices mingle in +exaltation] Jerusalem.--Jerusalem the undying.--Prophesy!--On, God's +master-builder.--Jerusalem endureth for ever! + + + + +THE EVERLASTING ROAD + + + + +SCENE NINE + +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. JEREMIAH XXIX, 11-14. + + + + +SCENE NINE + +The great square in front of the temple, as in the first scene, save +that now everywhere signs of the sack are visible. + +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. + +The moon shines fitfully. Gradually the dawn reddens in the east. + + +VOICES + +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. + +OTHER VOICES + +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. + +AN ELDER + +Do not quarrel, children. Let Reuben lead the way, for such is the law. + +VOICES + +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! + +[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 one to another, so +that he totters, and is continually in danger of falling] + +THE CHALDEAN PRINCES + +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! + +[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] + +WHISPERING VOICES + +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. + +[Some of the bolder spirits have mounted the steps] + +A VOICE + +[With a cry of recognition] Zedekiah! + +THE CROWD + +The king.--The blinded king.--God's judgment.--Zedekiah. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Falteringly] Who calls me? + +VOICES + +No one calls thee.--For thee there are naught but curses, and God's +judgments.--Where are thy Egyptian friends?--Where is Zion? + +OTHER VOICES + +Be silent!--He is the anointed of the Lord, blinded by our +enemies.--Reverence the king.--Have pity on his sufferings. + +THE FIRST VOICES + +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? + +ZEDEKIAH + +[To one who has taken his hand, to lead him] Who are these who rail +against me? Are my foes those of mine own household? + +THE GUIDE + +Lord, they are thy companions in misfortune. + +VOICES + +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? + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Wellnigh weeping in his helplessness] Lead me forth. They have put out +my eyes, and now they will take my crown. Hide me from my enemies. + +A WOMAN + +Rest here, Lord King. Lie down and rest. + +[A couch is extemporized for ZEDEKIAH at the foot of the steps. The +inquisitive gather round] + +THE ELDER + +Keep away, keep away. Reverence the Lord's anointed. God has appointed +him our leader. + +VOICES + +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. [Loud +chanting is heard in the distance] 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! + +[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] + +A VOICE + +Look! They are of our own people. + +VOICES + +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! + +[The approaching singers, JEREMIAH 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] + +CHANTING VOICES + +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! + +VOICES FROM THE CROWD + +[In excitement] 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? + +A VOICE + +Look, is it not Jeremiah whom they surround? + +VOICES + +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? + +BARUCH + +Hearken to the message of comfort, brothers. Feed your souls with the +word of God, with the bread of life! + +VOICES + +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! + +BARUCH + +I beseech you to hear his message. He has uplifted our hearts, and will +uplift yours likewise, brothers in God. + +THE WOUNDED MAN + +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. + +VOICES + +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. + +THE WOMAN + +Balaam! Balaam! Balaam! Hail, for that you who came to curse Israel have +blessed us thrice. + +BARUCH + +Master, look upon their discord. Make their hearts one, their spirits +fruitful. Lift them from their mourning, lift their souls to God. + +JEREMIAH + +[Leaving his companions and going to the top of the steps] 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? + +VOICES + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +Hearken, brothers, give ear unto my words. Is all lost, that you should +lament? There still remains the precious gift of life. + +A VOICE + +What a life! + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +VOICES + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +Brothers, I read your suffering like an open book, and the scroll of +your pain lies unrolled before me. 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. + +VOICES + +Why should God try us?--Why should he visit us, his chosen people, with +affliction?--Why should he make our burden so heavy? + +JEREMIAH + +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! + +VOICES + +Not our will but his.--A blessing on our trials.--I must learn to stifle +my complaints.--True, our forefathers likewise were in bondage. + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +VOICES + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +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 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! + +[A wave of enthusiasm answers his words. The confused medley of voices +gradually gives place to rhythmical choruses] + +VOICES + + Bondmen of Mizraim + Were our fathers, + Bridled and bitted + Were our fathers, + Israel's children. + Taskmasters cruel + Hasted our fathers, + Beat them with rods, + Scourged them with cords, + Afflicted our fathers + With manifold tasks. + +HIGHER VOICES + + Ere long the darkness which encompassed us + Was pierced by Jehovah's compassionate gaze. + To save his people before it had perished, + God raised up a deliverer, + One of the house of Levi. + Moses came to our aid, + A man mighty of tongue, + A man mighty of hand. + He led us forth from the land of Egypt. + He freed us from the house of bondage. + +EXULTANT VOICES + + Those who had numbered but seventy + When they entered the land of Egypt, + Went out from it numbering countless thousands, + Driving before them flocks and herds, + And bearing with them great possessions. + Before their faces went the pillar of cloud, + Before them went the pillar of fire, + And the angel of God went before the camp of Israel. + Such was the first exodus, + Such the beginning of happiness, + When God was bringing our fathers to the land of promise. + +JEREMIAH + + But new tribulations awaited us, + Fresh trials; + Forbear not to recall the days of bitterness, + Forget not those days! + +VOICES + + Pursuing us, + Came the army of Pharaoh, + Horses and chariots, + And a multitude of horsemen. + With vengeful clamor + Did they follow after. + The sea barred our passage; + Death pressed at our heels. + +HIGHER VOICES + + Thereupon the Lord sent the strong east wind, + Dividing the waters that the sea might be dry land. + The waters were a wall unto us, + On our right hand, and on our left. + Thus went we into the midst of the sea + Upon the dry ground. + +EXULTANT VOICES + + With the clashing of arms and the roaring of chariot wheels, + Our foes, thirsty for blood, followed after, + On the dry ground between the walls of the sea. + They shouted in their wrath as they thought to smite us. + But Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, + And the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen, + And all the hosts of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; + Thus did the Lord overthrow the Egyptians in the midst of the sea! + +DEEP VOICES + + Thus did the Lord deliver us out of danger, + And lead us forth from the land of bondage. + Thus wonderful was the beginning + Of our happy and unhappy wanderings! + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +VOICES + + Parched were our throats, + Blistered our lips, + Athirst were we + And anhungered, + In that waterless and barren region. + +EXULTANT VOICES + + Then Moses lifted up his hand, + And with his rod smote the rock twice. + Lo, the stone was riven in sunder, + The water gushed forth abundantly, + The congregation drank and their cattle, + And the wanderers laved their toilworn feet. + +HIGHER VOICES + + When we were weary, the Lord gave us rest. + He sent cool breezes + To temper the burning heats of noontide. + Bitter springs did he sweeten for our sake. + The wind brought fat quails from the sea. + When our entrails were gnawed with hunger, + Lo, after the morning dews had risen, + There lay on the face of the wilderness + Manna, small and round, the bread of heaven. + +JEREMIAH + + Albeit, never was it granted us to live in safety. + Continually did the Lord chastise us with his holy hand. + Ever and again did he renew the tribulations of his people. + +VOICES + + The nations stood + Against us in arms; + Greed and envy + Closed the roads + Of our pilgrimage; + Cities shut their gates; + Spears gleamed, + Strewing our path with death. + +HIGHER VOICES + + Then God forged us new weapons, + Making our hearts like sharp swords, + Giving us strength against thousands, + Victory over tens of thousands. + +EXULTANT VOICES + + Trumpets blew, walls fell down; + Moab was overthrown, and Amalek. + With the sword we carved ways + Through the anger of the peoples and the times, + Until our hearts stood the test, + Until we reached the land of promise, + Canaan, where after labor we could rest. + Here was a home for the wanderers, + Now could we ungird our loins, + Doff our shoes, lay aside our staves. + These staves put forth green shoots, + Israel blossomed, and Zion arose. + +ALL THE VOICES + + Again and again have we been yoked to the plough, + Necks bowed; again and again enslaved: + But never has he failed to break our yoke, + To free us from captivity and exile: + From all our afflictions, all our privations, + Never has he failed to deliver us, + To summon us home at last, + To grant us a renewed flowering. + +JEREMIAH + + Have no fear, have no fear, that the Lord will forsake us! + Mistrust him not, brothers, in days that are dark! + For when he debases us, when he afflicts us, + The suffering he sends is but sign of his love. + Then bow ye, my brothers, bend necks to the yoke, + Accept gladly the lot by Jehovah decreed. + Know, that sorrow but proves us, that trial uplifts us, + That affliction, though sore, brings us nearer to God. + Each pang that we feel is a step toward his kingdom, + Since the vanquished on earth are in heaven beloved. + Up brothers, march onward, march onward to God. + +VOICES + +[Ecstatically] 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. + +ZEDEKIAH + +Alas, alas! Who will lead me? Leave me not behind! Who will carry me? + +JEREMIAH + +Who calls? + +VOICES + +Let him stay where he is.--He is chaff for the winnowing fan.--He is +rejected of God. [To JEREMIAH] Lead us, prophet.--You shall be our +master.--Leave the outcast. + +JEREMIAH + +No one is an outcast! Whoever calls for help must be heard, for all our +sakes. + +VOICES + +Not he.--He is the cause of our troubles.--He is the rejected of +God.--He is one accurst! + +JEREMIAH + +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. + +VOICES + +'Tis the man lying on the steps.--God's wrath has smitten his pride. + +JEREMIAH + +Why lies he alone there? Wherefore does he not join us? + +VOICES + +Look, his stars are darkened.--No longer can he find his way, for he is +blind.--They have put out his eyes. + +JEREMIAH + +[Drawing near the recumbent figure with profound emotion] Zedekiah! Lord +King! + +ZEDEKIAH + +Is it thou, Jeremiah? + +JEREMIAH + +It is I, Lord King. I am thy faithful servant, Jeremiah. [He kneels +beside the king] + +ZEDEKIAH + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +I am with thee, King Zedekiah. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Groping for him] Where art thou? I cannot find thee. + +JEREMIAH + +I am at thy feet, thy servant and thy slave. + +ZEDEKIAH + +[Trembling] 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. + +JEREMIAH + +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 who now seest God only, who +no longer seest the world, guide thy people. [He rises and faces the +multitude] + + Behold, behold, + Children of sorrow, children of God, + The Lord hath hearkened to your cry, + He hath sent you a leader! + One crowned with suffering, + One scorned of men! + Who is more fitted than he + To reign over those that are blessed by defeat? + God hath closed Zedekiah's eyes on earth + That he may better see the glories of heaven. + Brothers, has any son of the house of David + Been so fitted as he to be king of the sorrowful? + +ZEDEKIAH + +Whither would you take me? What will become of me? + +JEREMIAH + + Lift him up, + Him who has been abased, + Pay him all honor! + Harness the horses, + Make ready the litters, + Tenderly lift him, + Israel's guardian, + King over Zion. + +[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] + +VOICES + +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. + +JEREMIAH + +[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] + + Up, ye rejected, + Up, all ye vanquished, + Brisk for the journey! + Wanderers, + Chosen of God and the world, + Lift up your hearts! + +[A surge of activity passes through the crowd. JEREMIAH gazes out over +the city] + + On Jerusalem's pinnacles + Now for the last time + Look through your tears. + Carry with you the image + Of the home you so love. + Drink your fill of the towers, + Drink your fill of the walls, + Drink your fill of Jerusalem. + +VOICES + + Yea, yea, ere we go + Let us drink our fill of Jerusalem. + +JEREMIAH + + Bend down a last time, + Piously caressing + Your native earth. + +[He apostrophizes the earth] + + Earth drenched with blood and tears, + Lo, I touch you + With loving hand. + The memory of this touch + Shall go with me, + Shall be an undying hunger. + +[He addresses the people once more] + + Unceasingly, + Wherever we wander, + Shall we be anhungered, + Shall we be athirst, + For Zion! + +VOICES + + Unceasingly, + Wherever we wander, + Shall we be anhungered, + Shall we be athirst, + For Zion! + +JEREMIAH + + Wanderers, chosen of God, + Filled with your hunger, your thirst, + Having now said your farewells, + Manfully turn to the journey. + Look forward, not backward. + Stay-at-homes + Have home; + Wanderers + Have the world! + God's are the ways + On which ye shall walk. + Made wise through suffering, + Wanderers, chosen of God, + On, through the world! + +THE PEOPLE + +Shall we ever see Jerusalem again? + +JEREMIAH + +He who believes, looks always on Jerusalem. + +THE PEOPLE + +Who shall rebuild the city? + +JEREMIAH + +The ardor of desire, the night of prison, and the suffering which brings +counsel. + +THE PEOPLE + +Will it endure? + +JEREMIAH + +Yea. Stones fall, but that which the soul builds in suffering, endureth +for ever. + +[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] + +[Raising his voice to dominate the tumult] + + Wanderers, sufferers, march in the name + Of your forefather Jacob, who erstwhile with God, + Having wrestled the livelong night, + Strove till dawn for a blessing. + March on in the morning light + By a path like that which your forefathers trod, + When from Mizraim forth by Moses led + Toward the land of promise their way they sped. + Scatter your seeds, scatter your seeds, + In unknown lands, + Through numberless years. + Wander your wanderings, watered with tears. + On, people of God; for, wherever ye roam, + Your road leads through the world to eternity, home. + +[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] + +FIRST CHORUS OF WANDERERS + + In strangers' houses now must we dwell, + Eating bread salted with tears. + By an enemy's hearth, with souls full of dread, + Must we sit upon stools of shame. + The weight of the years will lie heavy upon us + When, captives and bondmen, we must serve men of might. + But from exile escaping, from bondage redeemed, + To Jerusalem homing, to Zion returning, + Our spirits shall ever be free and at rest. + +SECOND CHORUS OF WANDERERS + + Our drink must be drawn from distant waters; + Evil their taste, bitter in the mouth. + We must shelter from the sun beneath strange trees, + Their leaves breathing fear as they rustle in the wind. + But we shall win solace from the starry skies; + Dreams of home will comfort our nights; + Our souls will find continual refreshment + In the thought of Jerusalem. + +THIRD CHORUS OF WANDERERS + + We shall journey by unfamiliar roads; + The wind will carry us afar, through many lands; + Weary shall we be, footsore and weary, + As the nations drive us from home after home. + Nowhere at all will they suffer us to take root, + Perpetual our pilgrimage through the changing world. + Yet happy shall we be, eternally vanquished; + Happy shall we be, chaff blown by the breeze; + Kindred to none, and by none made welcome; + For through the ages our path leads unerringly, + To the goal of our desire, + Jerusalem! + +[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] + +THE CAPTAIN + +The dogs are mutinous. They murmur against their fate. Beat them with +rods if they refuse to go. + +A CHALDEAN + +Look, Captain, they have not waited for an order. There is no sign of +mutiny. + +THE CAPTAIN + +If they complain, strike them on the mouth. + +THE CHALDEAN + +Captain, they are not complaining. + +ANOTHER CHALDEAN + +Watch them marching. They stride along like conquerors. Their eyes flash +with joy. + +THE CHALDEANS + +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? + +FOURTH CHORUS OF WANDERERS + +[Here JEREMIAH inconspicuously joins his tribe] + + Through ages we wander, we march through the nations, + The tale of our sufferings ever renewed; + Aeon after aeon eternally vanquished, + Thralls at the hearths where in passing we rest. + But the cities wither, and the nations + Shoot into darkness like wandering stars. + The oppressors who scourged us with many whips + Have become a hissing and a byword among the generations. + Whereas we march onward, march onward, march onward, + Drawing strength from within, eternity from earth, + And God from pains and tribulations. + +THE CHALDEAN CAPTAIN + +Verily madness has seized them. We are the victors, they the defeated +and the disgraced. Why, then, do they not complain? + +A CHALDEAN + +An invisible force must sustain them. + +ANOTHER CHALDEAN + +True, they believe in the invisible. That is the mystery of their faith. + +THE CAPTAIN + +How is it possible to see the invisible, or to believe in what cannot be +seen? They must have secret arts, like those of our astrologers and +soothsayers. It would be well to learn their mysteries. + +THE CHALDEAN + +These mysteries cannot be taught; the secret lies in faith. What +sustains them, they say, is their faith in the invisible God. + +FIFTH CHORUS OF WANDERERS + + We wander adown the road of suffering, + Through our trials we are purified, + Everlastingly vanquished, and everlastingly overthrown, + For ever enslaved, for ever enfranchised, + Unceasingly broken and unceasingly renewed, + The mock and the sport of all nations on earth. + We wander through the eternities, + A remnant, a remnant, + And yet numberless. + We march onward to God, + To God who is the beginning and the end, + To God who is our home. + +THE CHALDEAN + +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. + +THE CAPTAIN + +Their God? Have we not broken down his altars? Have we not conquered +him? + +THE CHALDEAN + +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. + +[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] + + + + + + [ Transcriber's Note: + + The following is a list of corrections made to the original. + The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one. + + No we, nor we.--Down with Ashur.--Let us break the yoke.--Let us be on + Nor we, nor we.--Down with Ashur.--Let us break the yoke.--Let us be on + + against Ashur,--Say, shall the victory be ours? + against Ashur.--Say, shall the victory be ours? + + We would fain ask you whether our daughters shall keep their virginity + We would fain ask you whether our daughters shall keep their virginity. + + [Suddenly breaking forth into speech] A miracle has happened people of + [Suddenly breaking forth into speech] A miracle has happened, people of + + Jeremiah, who leads the people astray? Jeremiah who cried through the + Jeremiah, who leads the people astray? Jeremiah, who cried through the + + Jerusalem endureth for ever + Jerusalem endureth for ever. + + [ZEKEDIAH turns away, and slowly resumes the round, plunged in thought. + [ZEDEKIAH turns away, and slowly resumes the round, plunged in thought. + + [A female relative, coming from without, cautionsly draws aside the + [A female relative, coming from without, cautiously draws aside the + + [To Nahum] Coward and traitor! + [To NAHUM] Coward and traitor! + + It would be an everlasting disgrace could the heathen on the face + It would be an everlasting disgrace could the heathen look on the face + + of Jehovah." + of Jehovah. + + ] + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Jeremiah, by Stefan Zweig + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JEREMIAH *** + +***** This file should be named 39402.txt or 39402.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. 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