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]
THE CROWD
[Scattering in horror] Murder.--They have killed him.--Murder.--Who is
it?--Jeremiah.--They have killed him.--Woe.--Why use force?--Why kill
the prophets?--Justice has been dealt on the liar.--To the king, to the
king!
[BARUCH stands thunderstruck with lowered sword]
HANANIAH
[Shouts exultantly] May such be the fate of all faint-hearts, all slaves
of Chaldea, all hirelings of Ashur! To the palace, to the king. Save
Israel, deliver Jerusalem.
ABIMELECH
Death to traitors! Vengeance on Ashur!
PASHUR
God has struck him down.
HANANIAH
God's thunderbolt has fallen on the liar.
THE CROWD
[After its brief pause of consternation, begins to flow into the porch
of pillars of the palace] To the king.--Let Israel rule the
nations.--War.--War against Ashur.--Down with the traitors.--To the
king.--God is on our side.--Down with Ashur.--Freedom.--Freedom.
[Rejoicing they stream into the palace]
[JEREMIAH still lies in a swoon at the base of the steps, none heeding
him. The crowd passes over him in a flood, leaving him like jetsam among
the stones. BARUCH, who, in his bewilderment, was swept along by the
mob, has struggled back from among them. Slowly, as if driven by an
inner force, he comes down to the swooning man, bends over him, feels
his brow, and listens for his breath]
BARUCH
Jeremiah, speak, Jeremiah, if you are still alive. [He raises JEREMIAH
into a sitting posture]
JEREMIAH
[His eyes still closed, not yet himself, speaks hesitatingly] The fiery
cloud has fallen. Fire is raging through the town. Woe is me!
BARUCH
Keep still a moment, that I may wipe the blood from your eyes.
JEREMIAH
Away! Your face was full of hatred towards me. Your eyes flashed
fiercely. Was it not you who struck me down?
BARUCH
I indeed it was who drew sword upon you in anger, but the blade turned
in my hand so that I struck you with the flat only. I rejoice thereat,
for I drew upon an unarmed man. I will pay blood-money. Let me staunch
your wound.
JEREMIAH
Let the blood flow. Would that mine alone were to flow in Jerusalem.
[Half rising] What has become of the crowd? The marketplace is empty.
Have they gone to the palace, gone to force war upon the king? Where are
they?
BARUCH
Compose yourself ...
JEREMIAH
They have gone. It is too late. Curse upon you for that you felled me to
the ground. More, far more, than me have you slain. Not my blood alone
has been shed, but the blood of all Israel. Through you, Zion has been
broken and destroyed. You have killed the watchman, and they are raging
in the holy places of the Lord. Let me rise. Avaunt, murderer of Israel!
BARUCH
What do you wish to do?
JEREMIAH
[In febrile excitement] Help me, help me to my feet. You struck me down,
so now you must help me. Perhaps there is still time. [Distant shouts
are heard from the palace] Their jubilation means death; their joy means
destruction. Too late! Too late! For Jerusalem's sake I must give
warning. Your aid! I must go to him. The hour calls. [He struggles to
his feet]
BARUCH
[Confused] Whither away? You are still too weak to do anything.
JEREMIAH
Let me testify against Hananiah, against Pashur; against those who would
lure to war; against the people. I must cry the words of peace ...
BARUCH
Will you make the attempt once again, alone against them all? Great,
indeed, is the force that drives you. Steadfastly did you face my sword,
you whom I had despised as a coward, whom I had proclaimed a faint-heart
before the people. But in the strength of your will you are ready to
defy death, proving yourself a mighty man of valor.
JEREMIAH
If you reverence me, then help me. Help me to cry aloud. Help me to save
Zion from destruction.
BARUCH
[Supporting him] I will help you, Jeremiah, against my will, for you
have in you a power which compels me. I had believed you a weakling, and
therefore did I oppose you as one who shunned action and favored the
easy path of peace.
JEREMIAH
The easy path of peace! Do you fancy that peace is not action, that
peace is not the action of all actions? Day by day you must wrest it
from the mouths of liars and from the hearts of men. You must stand
alone against the multitude; for clamor is always on the side of the
many, and the liar has ever the first word. The meek must be strong;
those who desire peace are continually at war.
BARUCH
But you will not go alone?
JEREMIAH
I must go, I must go. I must make my words good. Empty is the speech of
him who will not stand by it with his life. Let me publish my visions;
let me proclaim my warning before the king.
BARUCH
I would fain go with you, would fain do what you are doing, for it is
borne in on me that you are beginning a great work.
JEREMIAH
You would walk with me? But did you not resist me with your will and
with your sword?
BARUCH
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.
JEREMIAH
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.
JEREMIAH
Forward, let us meet them. Lend me the strength of your arm, for I am
still weak.
BARUCH
The king is among them. He carries a naked sword. They are making for
the temple.
JEREMIAH
Help me forward. There is still time.
BARUCH
The clamor echoes through the marketplace. Hananiah is dancing before
them even as David danced before the ark. The war-makers have triumphed.
It is too late. Give way before them. Hide yourself. It is too late.
JEREMIAH
It is never too late. Let me forth to encounter them.
BARUCH
What would you do? Let me go instead, for I am young and strong.
JEREMIAH
I would brandish the word against them like a sword. I would turn the
king's heart. Let me go to him.
[Shouting and singing, the crowd streams out of the palace, down the
steps, and then up again towards the temple. All are in a frenzy,
shouting for war and for victory]
HANANIAH
[Drunken with excitement, leading the way to the temple] Open the gates.
Throw the gates wide. The king will swear before the altar the oath of
alliance against Ashur!
VOICES
Hail to the alliance!--Day of promise!--Slavery is overthrown!--Down
with Ashur!--Hail Zedekiah!--Victory, victory!--Israel shall rule the
nations.--God is on our side.
[KING ZEDEKIAH, followed by the Egyptian envoys, has come out of the
palace. He bears a drawn sword. His expression is grave. Amid the
exultant crowd he seems oppressed with thought. Scarcely heeding the
tumult and the acclamations, he makes for the temple with slow strides.
Suddenly, above the clamor of the multitude, rises the voice of
JEREMIAH]
JEREMIAH
Zedekiah, Zedekiah, sheathe thy sword.
[Disorder in the crowd; the cries are stilled. The king, standing on the
steps of the temple, looks round for the speaker]
JEREMIAH
[Shouting yet more loudly] Sheathe thy sword, Zedekiah! Thus wilt thou
save Jerusalem. Give peace to Israel, God's peace.
THE CROWD
[Vociferating wildly] War! War upon Ashur!--Who is the speaker?--He is
sold to the enemy.--Down with all traitors.--Israel shall rule the
nations.--War, war!
[The voice of JEREMIAH is drowned amid the general uproar. He is thrust
aside, and BARUCH has difficulty in protecting him. With redoubled
energy the crowd continues to shout in an ecstasy around the king.
ZEDEKIAH stands awhile, still trying to find the one who had called on
him to sheathe the sword. For a moment, indeed, he lowers his weapon,
and seems to be looking round for help. But, amid fanatical cries of the
populace, the gates are opened. After a moment's further hesitation,
ZEDEKIAH raises his sword once more, and with earnest mien mounts the
last steps and disappears into the temple]
RUMORS
SCENE THREE
Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth
fire, and this people, wood, and it shall devour them. JEREMIAH V, 14.
SCENE THREE
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?
THE SECOND MAN
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 accursed.--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?
THIRD VOICE
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?
ONE OF THE RECENT COMERS
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.
A MAN
[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?
THE MESSENGER
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?
VOICES
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.
VOICES
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.
A VOICE
Hananiah was a true prophet. Wise were we to heed his words, and not to
hearken to those who declared that the temple would fall ...
ANOTHER VOICE
Who said that Ashur would lay Zion low ...
A THIRD VOICE
Who said that our maids would be ravished by the Chaldeans ...
FIRST VOICE
To the temple, to the temple. Let us give thanks there to God, and to
Hananiah, his prophet!
VOICES
No, let us wait here, for the king will come soon.--Who said so?--Kings
always appear in public after a victory.--The king will go to the
temple.--The king must be the first to offer a sacrifice.--All right,
let us stay here.--Let us send for drums and cymbals to celebrate the
victory.--We will dance like David before the ark.--God is once more
showing his love for Jerusalem.--Fetch the dancers.--Summon the
women.--Call the trumpeters and the lute-players.--Let us make merry and
give praise to the king of kings.
[The crowd sways to and fro joyfully, in movements like those of a
troubled sea. Groups form, dissolve, and reform. The general mood is one
of expectation and impatience. JEREMIAH and BARUCH enter from a side
street, and endeavor to make their way through the press]
ONE OF THE CROWD
[Laughing] Look! There he comes! Jeremiah.
OTHERS
[Giving vent to their high spirits] Hail to the revealer!--Lo, the
prophet draws nigh.--Let us welcome the destroyer of Jerusalem.--Behold
the mob orator.--Come and join us.
[Some of the crowd form a circle round JEREMIAH and BARUCH, bowing
before them in mock veneration.]
ONE OF THE CROWD
[With a profound reverence] Hail anointed of the Lord!
THE OTHERS
Hail Elijah!--Hail revealer.--Hail mighty man of valor! Hail Jeremiah,
the prophet!
JEREMIAH
[Standing his ground, gloomily] What would ye of me?
BARUCH
Hold no converse with them. Mockery is on their lips, and derision in
their glance.
ONE OF THE CROWD
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.
FIRST SPEAKER
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.
THIRD SPEAKER
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.
SECOND SPEAKER
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.
BARUCH
Speak not with them. Folly alone holds converse with fools.
SECOND SPEAKER
Stop your ears as you may, I will cry aloud in my joy: "The victory is
ours, the victory is ours!"
JEREMIAH
[Addressing one of them] Where have you conquered? Whom have you
defeated, that you should strut in the marketplace? There is no blood on
your sword. [To another] Show the scar of the wound you received at the
battle front! You have all been about your business in the city, have
all lain in safety beside your wives at night. What have you and such as
you to do with the victory of the Egyptians, with the deeds of foreign
fighters? Bow your knees humbly, for the victory is not your work.
VOICES
Egypt's victory is Israel's victory.--We are Israel.--His very rage
shows that the victory is ours.
JEREMIAH
But it is not yours, nor yours, nor yours, you who now swell with pride,
battening on the deeds of others. The soldiers have won the victory, not
you! Meekly went they forth, to deal death and to suffer it; their backs
were bent beneath the weight of their weapons; the shadow of death fell
across their path, and all but the strongest fainted by the way. Where
they ploughed with naked limbs, you would fain harvest pride. Abandoned
wretches, you crave to quench your thirst with their blood. Alas that
they have conquered for you and your hateful arrogance!
VOICES
Alas that they have conquered, did you hear him? Let us rend our
garments, for that we have conquered. Let us strew ashes on our heads,
for that Nebuchadnezzar is slain.
JEREMIAH
[His wrath blazing up] Verily, O people, to be among you is to dwell
among scorpions; but I say unto you that your laughter shall wither more
quickly than the blossoms of the vine. God has been gracious to you.
Again has he saved Jerusalem; yet not for your laughter, but for the
sake of those who are humble in spirit. You will not acknowledge him in
his gentleness, men of evil. So be it; ere long shall you acknowledge
him in his wrath. Like a curtain shall he rend your laughter asunder,
and in your terror your eyes shall become fixed like stones. Your joy
then must you put behind you, Jerusalem, for the hour of retribution is
at hand, and terrible is the doom that awaits you.
VOICES
The walls shall crumble.--The virgins shall weep.--We have heard it all
before.--Zion shall perish.--Jeremiah, Jeremiah, you alone are wise
among fools.--To him our rejoicing is bitter as gall.--Do you hear the
cracking of the walls?
JEREMIAH
Do you scorn the messenger of doom? But the avenger is at hand, who
shall purge you of your accursed 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.