Jeremiah Part 13

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.--G.o.d 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 mult.i.tude, 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, G.o.d'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