  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. IsaiahL, 6. 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] 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! 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. 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? 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. 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. 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! 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. 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 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] 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. 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 [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. [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. [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. 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? 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. 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. 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 The Crowd He raves.—Strike him down.—He is mad.—He rains curses on us.—Silence the traitor! Jeremiah 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! [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. [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] 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] |
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