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!
JEREMIAH
[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 soon as the bar is
down one of the leaves is violently pushed open and BARUCH rushes in.
THE ELDER rebars the door]
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.
JEREMIAH
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.
BARUCH
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]
THE CHIEF OFFICER
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 that which
is to come. Second to none shalt thou be, but shalt come and go in the
palace even as thou wilt.
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."
THE CHIEF OFFICER
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 ere
the trees they planted have rotted. Who is Nebuchadnezzar under the
stars, that I should fear him? Is he not a worm, even as other men? Does
not death dog his footsteps, and corruption await his body? Shall he
escape the finger of time? Think you that he, more than another, can
keep that which he now hath, or that he can find an issue from the doom
which awaits all the sons of men? Return, therefore, to your master,
bearing from me this message: "Woe to the destroyer, for he shall be
destroyed! Woe to the robber, for he shall be robbed. He who has drunk
his fill of blood, shall be drowned in blood; he who has battened on the
flesh of the nations, shall himself soon become food for worms! Hearken!
A wind is rising against Babylon, and a tempest is about to break over
Nineveh! Numbered are the days of Ashur. Drawn is the sword, and it
hangs over thee, thy people, and thy realm. Thou art greedy for news of
that which is to come. Learn, O Nebuchadnezzar, that Ashur is ripe for
destruction; the measure of thine iniquity is full."
[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!
JEREMIAH
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 his blessing
upon the seed of Abraham? He has chastised us for our sins, but will now
have pity on us. What his left hand has taken from us, his right hand
will restore a thousandfold. For know, brothers, that sooner shall
mountains fall and rivers flow upwards, sooner shall the stars be
darkened, than that God shall forget his covenant, shall abandon Israel,
shall turn away his face from Zion.
[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:
Arise, Jerusalem,
Arise, city of affliction.
Fear no longer,
For I have compassion upon thee.
I have been wroth with thee,
For a moment I have forsaken thee,
But not for ever doth mine anger endure.
Therefore, since thou hast been forsaken,
Hast been for a day the rejected of God,
Now shall thy glories be restored unto thee,
And now shalt thou be exalted for all eternity.
I will deck thee with my love,
And girdle thee with peace,
Will show thee the light of my countenance,
And bestow my blessing upon thee.
Arise, Jerusalem,
Arise,
For I have delivered thee.
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 west, the happy pilgrims come. Their footsteps hasten across the
hills of Gilead, eagerly do they make their way over Bashan and Carmel,
that they may see the city of our love, the city of our suffering, the
holy fortress of Zion. And Jerusalem rejoices to welcome her children,
returned in countless numbers from the prison-houses of exile. Where the
flowers were withered, new buds are springing; where darkness had
loomed, there shines fresh light; those who have been dumb, find voice.
Jerusalem has risen from the tomb. The hills nod to her as of old; the
shadows of the mountains lie athwart her plains; as dew gleams in the
meadows, so peace shines in the city, the peace of the Lord, the peace
of Israel, the peace of Jerusalem!
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.
A WOMAN
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 I say? Why do you all look at me yearningly?
Why do you crowd round me? You looked at me with horror in your faces,
but now ... What has happened to me, and what has happened to you?
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 miracle has there doubtless been, but it has been
wrought on me, not by me. I cursed God, and he has blessed me; I fled
from him, and he has found me. None can escape his love, nor can anyone
overcome his power. He has vanquished me, my brothers; and nothing is
sweeter than to be vanquished by God.
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.
JEREMIAH
[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!
THE EVERLASTING ROAD
SCENE NINE
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then
shall ye call upon me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek
me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I
will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your
captivity. JEREMIAH XXIX, 11-14.
SCENE NINE
The great square in front of the temple, as in the first scene, save
that now everywhere signs of the sack are visible.
In the square we see a medley of hand-carts laden with household goods,
of packhorses and other beasts of burden, and of wagons. Men and women,
preparing for the exodus, are busied among these. New groups continually
flock into the square from the surrounding streets, and the noise of
conversation grows ever louder. The women and children, together with
the men too old for work, sit apart on the steps. Chaldean warriors,
fully armed, stride masterfully through the crowd, making way for
themselves with their spears.
The moon shines fitfully. Gradually the dawn reddens in the east.
VOICES
This is our meeting place.--How many of us are here?--Keep together,
sons of Reuben.--How dark it is.--This is the best place, so that we can
lead the way.
OTHER VOICES
Don't push.--This is our place.--Our mules have been standing here since
evening.--The place is ours.--The sons of Reuben always want to be
first.
AN ELDER
Do not quarrel, children. Let Reuben lead the way, for such is the law.
VOICES