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.
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.
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.
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]
[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!
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!
[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]
[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?
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.
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.
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.
[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
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.
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?
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 accursèd.—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?
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?
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.
[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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Do you scorn the messenger of doom? But the avenger is at hand, who shall purge you of your accursèd pride; drawn is the sword which shall hew away your presumption; the bearer of evil tidings is afoot; he is running, he is running; his swift footsteps lead towards Jerusalem. Already he is at hand, the messenger of fear, the messenger of terror; his words will fall on you like the blows of a hammer; even now he is entering the gate.
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.
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.
[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.—Accursèd be Pharaoh.—What will happen to us now?—Alas for Israel.—My wife.—My children.—I warned you what would happen.—So did I.
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.
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.
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
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.