  The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence. The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him. Jeremiah, XXVIII, 8 and 9. The great square of Jerusalem. Thence a broad long flight of steps leads to the porch of pillars of the fortress of Zion; on the right is the king’s palace and in the center the adjoining temple. On the other side the great square is bounded by houses and streets which seem low and mean in contrast with the towering structures facing them. The walls of the entrances to the palace are lined with cedar, carved with figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, all overlaid with gold; there are lavers in the foreground with running water. In the background are seen the brazen gates of the temple. In front of the palace, in the streets and on the stairway, the people of Jerusalem move to and fro confusedly; a motley mass of men, women, and children, swayed by strong excitement, and in eager expectation. Many voices rise from the crowd, usually in animated dispute, but uniting at times to a single cry. When the scene opens, all have pressed towards the streets and are restlessly expectant. Voices The sentinel has already given the signal from the tower.—No, not yet.—But I heard the trumpet.—So did I.—So did I.—They must be close at hand.—From which side are they coming?—Shall we see them? They are coming from Moria Gate.—They must pass this way as they go to the palace.—Don’t block up the whole street.—We want to get a sight of them.—Stand back.—Room, room for the Egyptians. A Voice But is it certain that they are coming? Another Voice I myself spoke to the messenger who brought the tidings. Voices He spoke with the messenger.—Tell us all about it.—How many are there?—Do they bring gifts?—Who is their leader?—Speak up, Issachar! [A group forms round Issachar] Issachar I can only tell you what the messenger, my father-in-law, told me. Pharaoh is sending the finest warriors of Egypt. With them are many slaves bearing gifts. Nothing like these gifts has come to Zion since the days of Solomon. Voices Long live Pharaoh!—Glory to his reign!—Hail Egypt! No alliance with Egypt! Their wars are not ours! Issachar But our need is the same as theirs. They do not want to be the slaves of the Chaldeans. Voices Nor we, nor we.—Down with Ashur.—Let us break the yoke.—Let us be on our guard. Baruch [A young man, in great excitement] We spend our days in chains. Month after month, when the moon is new, our messengers go forth to Babylon bearing tribute of golden shekels. How long shall we suffer it? Zebulon [Baruch’s father] Silence. It is not for you to speak. A light yoke is the yoke of Chaldea. Voices But we want no yoke at all.—The day of freedom has dawned.—Down with Ashur!—Let us form an alliance with the Egyptians. Zebulon Never did good come out of Mizraim. We must feel our way cautiously, patient and ever mistrustful. We must renew the furniture of the temple.—No longer shall Baal enjoy our holy things.—Down with the robbers of the temple!—Now is the appointed hour. Other Voices [From farther up the street] They are coming! They are coming! Voices [From all sides] Here they are.—Make room.—Come higher up.—Come back here.—I can see them already. You can see them from here. [The people swarm up the steps and form a lane through which the Egyptian embassy can pass to the palace. At first nothing can be seen of the newcomers but the spear points showing above the noisy throng] Voices How finely they march.—Who is the leader?—Araxes is their leader.—Look at the gifts.—Look at the carrying chairs.—One of them is curtained.—That must be Pharaoh’s daughter.—Hail Araxes!—Hail Egypt!—Those are heavy chests; there must be gold in them!—We shall have to pay for it with our blood!—How short their swords are.—Ours are better.—Look at their proud gait.—They must be mighty warriors.—Long live Pharaoh-Necho.—Hail Egypt!—God punish Ashur.—Hail Araxes!—Blessings on Pharaoh!—Blessings on the alliance! Baruch [Speaking from the steps] May the king fulfil your wishes! May he cement the alliance! [The Egyptians have mounted the steps to the palace, and have entered the porch of pillars. The people throng at their heels. Other sections of the crowd disappear into the streets. On the steps there now remain only isolated groups of the older men, while the soldiers and the women hasten after the Egyptians, eager to see what they are bearing, and vanishing after the train in the entry to the palace] Baruch [Who has been looking on in ecstasy] I must go with them. Zebulon Stay where you are. Baruch I want to see for myself how Israel rises against the oppressors. My soul is consumed with desire to behold great deeds, and now the hour is at hand. Zebulon Stay where you are. The time is God’s choice, not ours. The king will decide. Listen to the shouts of joy! Let me go with them, father. Zebulon You will have many other opportunities. The people always flock to hear loud talkers, and crowd ever to witness showy sights. Another Why do you deny him the pleasure? Is not the day come for which we have been longing? Friends have been raised up for Israel. Zebulon Never was Mizraim the friend of Israel. Baruch Our shame is theirs, and Israel’s need is Egypt’s. Zebulon Naught have we in common with any other folk on earth. Our strength lies in isolation. The Other But they will fight for us. They will fight for themselves. Each nation fights for itself alone. Baruch Are we still to be slaves? Shall Zedekiah be a king of slaves, and Zion remain in bondage to Chaldea? Were but Zedekiah a true king! Zebulon Silence, I command you. It befits not a boy to lay down the law for kings. Baruch It is true that I am young; but who is Jerusalem, if it be not her young men? It was not the cautious elders who built Jerusalem. David, young David, established her towers, and made her great among the nations. Zebulon Hold your peace. You have no right to speak in the marketplace. Baruch Shall only the cautious elders speak, none but the aged give counsel, that Israel may grow old before her time and God’s word decay in our hearts? The moment is ours, and it is for us to take revenge. You have abased yourselves, and we will lift ourselves up; you have faltered, but we will bring fruition; you had peace, and we want war. What do you know of war? We, the fathers, have known war. In books war is great, but in reality war is a destroyer, a ravisher of life. Baruch I fear not war. Let us have done with slavery! A Voice Zedekiah hath sworn an oath of peace. Voices The oath matters nothing.—Let him break his oath.—No oath need be kept with the heathen. Other Voices [Exultant, coming from the street] Abimelech!—Hail Abimelech!—Abimelech, our leader! [Groups crowd round Abimelech, the general, and acclaim him] Voices Abimelech!—Is it true that Egypt offers an alliance? Draw your sword.—Up, march against Ashur.—Gather Israel’s forces.—We are ready.—We are ready. Abimelech [Speaks to the crowd from the top of the steps] Make ready, people of Jerusalem, for the hour of freedom is at hand. Pharaoh-Necho has offered us the help of his armies. He wishes us to join him in breaking the might of Ashur, and we shall do it, people of Jerusalem. The Crowd On against Ashur.—War with Chaldea.—Hail Abimelech! A Warrior We shall drive them before us like sheep. They have grown soft in the houses of the women, and their king has never worn harness. A Voice That is false. The Warrior Who says it is false? The Voice I say so. I have been in Babylon and I have seen Nebuchadnezzar. He is a mighty man of valor, and his soldiers have no equals. Voices Wretch, you praise our foes.—He is sold to the enemy.—His wife is a Chaldean.—She has gone a-whoring with all the men of Babylon.—Traitor! [Approaching the speaker] Do you mean to say that we cannot beat them? The Voice I say that the Chaldeans are mighty men. The Warrior [Pressing closer] Look upon my fist, and say once more that they are better than the men of Israel. Voices Say it again.—Tear him to pieces.—Traitor.—Traitor. The Speaker [Encircled by a threatening mob, loses courage] I did not say that. All I meant to say was that they are many in number. Abimelech Always have our foes been many, and always have we laid them low. Voices Who can stand against us?—We have overthrown all our enemies.—None can withstand us.—Death to him who despises our power. [Messengers hasten from the palace] [Thronging round them] Whither so fast?—What news do you bear?—Whom do you seek?—What’s afoot? A Messenger The king has summoned the council. Voices War.—He decides for war.—War. Abimelech Whom has he summoned? The Messenger Imre, the oldest burgher; Nahum, the steward. To you also the summons goes forth. Abimelech Waverers and wiseacres are to be my fellow councilors; men who weigh their words overmuch and shrink from deeds. But I have my sword with me, and I will cast it from me if I may not draw it against Ashur. Yours is the hour, people of Jerusalem; I fight in your behalf. The Crowd Hail Abimelech.—Hail Abimelech, hail soldier of God.—Hail! [Abimelech hastens into the palace] Follow him, follow him! The king shall hear our voices. Let us thunder our will beneath the windows of his palace. Zebulon I shall disown you if you do not hold your peace. The king has summoned a council, and there must be no clamor to disturb its deliberations. Baruch He shall not deliberate. Let him decide! Let him decide for war! We are all for war. Voices Yes, all of us.—All of us.—Shout that the king may hear us. A Voice Nay, I am not for war, I am not for war. Voices Silence.—Traitor.—Another spy.—Who are you?—Down with him.—Who are you? The Speaker I am a peasant, and in peace only will my land bear fruit. War comes trampling across my fields. No war for me, I am against it. [Savagely] Shame upon you! May you rot amid your fields and be choked with your fruits! Cursed be he whose courage is measured by his gains, and cursed be he who values his own pitiful life more than the welfare of his country! Israel is our land for tillage. We will manure it with our blood. Are we not happy, brothers, to die for the one God? The Peasant Die, then, and let me live. I love the land. This, too, is God’s, and he has given it to me for my own. Baruch Nothing is given to us for our own. We hold everything in trust from the living God, and must restore everything when the call comes. Now has the call sounded; let us hearken to it gladly. The signs are fulfilled. Where are they who should reveal his words? Where are they who disclose his spirit, who can spur on the slothful and make the deaf hear? Where are the priests, and where the prophets? Why are their voices silent at this hour in Jerusalem? Voices Yes.—The prophets.—Where are the priests? Baruch To the temple! Nothing must be done without God’s word! Let the men of God decide. Yes, where are our shepherds? In them is the truth.—Hananiah—Pashur—where are they? Open the temple.—Open the gates.—Hananiah.—Pashur. [Some of the crowd race up the steps and knock upon the brazen gates. The gates open and Hananiah appears. He is received with fierce acclamations] Baruch Hananiah, messenger of God, the people thirst for your speech. Let your words pour forth to kindle our hearts, to make fruitful our wrath, and to direct our aim. The fate of Jerusalem is in your hands. The Crowd Pour forth God’s word over us.—Reveal the promise.—Say, shall we fight?—Let us know God’s will.—Teach the people, messenger of the Lord, teach the king.—Give utterance to the promise.—Look upon our weakness.—Awaken our courage. Hananiah [Standing before the threshold of the temple, speaks with strong emotion] Blessed your questions, blessed your voices, blessed are you, people of Jerusalem, who at length hearken to the cry. For sleep had fallen upon you, Jerusalem; you had been passive in the chains of slavery. The nations have been marching over you as over a drunken man; they have been spitting upon your garments; they have mocked your nakedness. But a call has summoned the sleepers; a The Crowd [Breaking into fanatical cries] Listen to him!—We are awakened!—It is true that we have been sleeping.—Tell us, master, is it time?—Say, has the hour struck? Hananiah How long will you refrain from deeds, now that God hath awakened you? How long will you remain passive, now that the Lord hath summoned you? God is athirst, for his pitchers are empty; God is anhungered, for his altars are broken; God is cold, for the hangings of the temple have been stolen; God suffers, for the priests of Baal and the servants of Ashtaroth heap scorn upon him! Cast off the yoke, break your chains, raise hosannas, unsheathe your swords. God has awakened you; fight for the Lord! Baruch Let hosannas sound! Up, Israel; up Jerusalem, and break the yoke! The Crowd Let us break the yoke.—Down with Ashur.—To arms against Nebuchadnezzar.—Unfurl the flag.—Tell us, is it time to start?—War against Ashur.—Say, shall the victory be ours? Hananiah The voice of the Lord burns within me. The words Jeremiah [Calling wildly from amid the crowd] Heed him not! Heed him not! Heed him not! [A tumult ensues, and the crowd draws apart, disclosing Jeremiah in the midst. He tries to make his way up the steps to the place from which Hananiah is speaking] Voices Who is that speaking?—What is he saying?—Who is he? Jeremiah Do not heed him. Pay no heed to him who speaks through the lips only; reject the lure of his words. Do not listen to the hypocrites who would lead you into slippery places. Do not fall into the snare of the fowlers. Do not listen to the decoy calling to war. Pashur [The high priest, wearing full vestments, has appeared on the threshold of the temple] Who speaks in the crowd? Who speaks against the Lord? Let him show himself in the open. Jeremiah [Coming forward] Dismay speaks; concern for Jerusalem cries aloud; the mouth of terror is opened. I speak for Israel, and for the life of Israel. Voices Who is he?—I know him not.—He is not one of the prophets.—I know him not.—Who is he? A Voice It is Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, of the priests in Anathoth. Voices Who is Jeremiah?—Who is he?—What do the people of Anathoth want in Jerusalem?—He is the son of Hilkiah.—Who is he?—What does he want? Pashur [To Jeremiah, who is mounting the steps] Away from the steps of the temple! The messengers of the Lord, the men of God and the prophets, may alone tread the holy threshold. To none but us is it given to reveal God’s will. Jeremiah Who dares declare that to him only has the Lord Baruch Away with dreamers and interpreters of dreams. The hour needs waking men. Hananiah Dreams come to all. Beasts stir in their sleep, and the dreams of slaves are full of visions. Who has anointed you, that you should speak before the temple? Voices No.—Let him speak.—We want to hear him.—He is out of his mind.—Let him reveal his dreams.—The marketplace is free to all.—God’s house is free. Speak, Jeremiah. Pashur Not from the threshold of the temple. Hananiah I am the prophet of God, and there is no other prophet in Israel to-day. You shall hear my words, Baruch He is a coward, shun his terrors. Voices Let him speak.—We want to hear what he has to say.—No, let Hananiah speak.—Perhaps Jeremiah is sent by the Lord.—Why should not we hear him.—Speak, Jeremiah.—What has he dreamed?—Revelation often comes in dreams.—Let him speak, Hananiah.—We can compare their words.—Speak, Jeremiah. Jeremiah [From the top of the steps] Brothers in Israel, brothers in Jerusalem, in my dream I heard a storm burst upon the city, and I saw warriors assail our walls. The pillars fell and the battlements were laid low. Fire sat upon the roofs like a red beast devouring our dwellings. No stone was left standing upon another, and the streets were laid waste. I saw the dead lying in heaps upon the ground, so that my heart was turned within me and my mouth was unsealed even in sleep. Pashur Madness is crying from the steps of the temple. Hananiah The falling sickness afflicts him, and he in turn afflicts us. Down with him. Voices No, we want to hear his dreams.—What do they mean?—He is a madman.—He is a fool.—Away with him! Jeremiah But, brothers, when I awakened in the sweat of my body, I mocked myself even as you mock me now. Did not peace brood over the land; were not the walls untouched, so that no breeze stirred athwart them? I went forth from the house full of shame for my own terrors; I sought the marketplace that I might rejoice in its peace. But when I came thither I heard shouts of exultation; and my heart broke within me, for the shouts were clamors for war. Brothers, my soul was bitter as gall, and the words came to my lips against my will. Tell me, is war so precious that you should praise it? Is it so kindly that you should long for it? Does it bring so much good that you should greet it with all the warmth of your heart? I say unto you, people of Jerusalem, that war is a fierce and evil beast, one that devours the flesh of the strong and sucks the marrow of the mighty, crushing towns in its jaws and trampling the land beneath its hoofs. Those who awaken it, shall not again lay it to sleep; and he who draws the sword, is like to perish by the sword. Woe, therefore, to the contentious man who quarrels when there is no need, for he shall come out upon one way, and flee upon seven. Woe to those who murder peace with the words of their mouth. Beware of all such, O people of Jerusalem. Beware of cowards, O people of Jerusalem; beware of traitors in the pay of the enemy. Hananiah What promise does he bring? Where is God’s word? He speaks for Babylon and for Baal. Voices No, no.—His words are just.—There is much truth in what he says.—Let him deliver his message.—Dreams.—Where is the promise?—Go on.—We want to hear him too. Jeremiah Why do you awaken the ravening beast with your shouts. Why do you summon the king of the north to your city? Why do you clamor for war, men of Jerusalem? Did you beget your sons for slaughter, and your daughters for shame? Did you build your houses for destruction by fire, and your walls for the battering ram? Bethink thee, Israel; call a halt ere thou runnest into the darkness, Jerusalem. Is thy slavery so hard, are thy sorrows beyond assuagement? Look around. God’s sun shines over the land; the vines bloom in peace; lovers walk happily together; children play unhindered; the moon shines gently over the sleep of Jerusalem. Fire and water keep their appointed places, the storehouses are well filled, and God has his spacious mansion. Say, Israel, is it not well with thee within the walls of Zion; art thou not blithe in the valleys of Sharon; art thou not happy by the blue Zebulon His words are just! Hail unto him. His speech is golden. Pashur Like the gold of Chaldea. Voices Yes, he has been bribed.—No, his words are just.—Peace.—We want peace.—He is a traitor.—He is in the pay of Ashur.—Let him speak.—No, Hananiah is right.—Let us listen to Hananiah. Hananiah Away with you, away. Go, talk to Samaria, the land of slaves. Deliver your message to Moab, or to the uncircumcised, but not to Israel, God’s first-born among the nations. Baruch [Menacingly, to Jeremiah] Answer me, in face of the people. Is our slavery to endure? Are we still to pay tribute to Chaldea? Answer me, traitor. Voices Yes, yes.—Answer.—Speak.—Are we to go on paying tribute?—Answer. Loudly do I speak my mind before the people. It is better to pay tribute of gold to the enemy than tribute of blood to war. It is better to be wise than powerful; it is better to be the servant of God than the ruler of men. Hananiah Man of servile obedience, slave of Chaldea, will you deny God’s word which commandeth war against the oppressor; will you deny his holy word? Jeremiah But it is also written: “In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” Voices Yes, thus is it written.—He speaks truth.—His words are the words of wisdom.—Nay, he twists the scripture to his own purpose. Hananiah This is written of an unholy war, of dissension among the brethren of Israel. But ours is a holy war, a war of God waged in the everlasting name of Jerusalem, a war of God, a war of God. Jeremiah Couple not God’s name with war. Not God makes war, but man. No war is holy; no death is holy; life alone is holy. 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. [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, 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 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 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 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] |
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