  My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end. JobXXXIV, 36. 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! [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. [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. 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! 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. 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 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? 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. 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. [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. 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] 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. 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. [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 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 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 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. [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 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! [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 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. 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. 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] 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 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.” 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 [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! 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 [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: 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 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. 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 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 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. [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! |
|
