  Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people, wood, and it shall devour them. JeremiahV, 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 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 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 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. 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. |
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