Jeremiah Part 49

With despised and rejected, the sick, the forsworn, Shalt thou walk, Zedekiah, debased and forlorn, Consorting with lepers, with halt and with lame, Among outcasts the poorest. Thus thy pride G.o.d shall tame.

With beggars shall harbor; a beggar thyself, Wearing sackcloth and ashes, shalt pa.s.s through the land.

Those who know thee--once splendent in power and in pelf, King erstwhile in Zion--uplifting the hand, Shall curse thee, Zedekiah.

ZEDEKIAH

[Utterly crushed by the adjuration, has collapsed, groaning, on to the couch. Now he slowly rises, and contemplates JEREMIAH blankly] What a power is entrusted to thee, Jeremiah. Thou hast broken the strength of my limbs. The very marrow is frozen in my bones. Terrible are thy words, Jeremiah.

JEREMIAH

[He has awakened from his trance, and the fire in his eyes is quenched]

Poor are my words, Zedekiah. Weakness is all my strength. I know, but cannot act!

ZEDEKIAH

Why didst thou not come to me sooner?

JEREMIAH

I was ever at hand, but thou couldst not find me.

ZEDEKIAH

Thou hast filled my heart with dread, yet I bear thee no grudge. There must be no quarrel betwixt us twain who stand in the shadow of death.

Get thee back whence thou hast come. Thou shalt not lack food, for I will share my last crust with thee. Let none know of our converse, save G.o.d. [JEREMIAH turns to go] Stay, Jeremiah. Must the fate be, which thou hast foretold? Jerusalem, my Jerusalem. Canst thou not avert it?

JEREMIAH

[Gloomily] Naught can I do to avert it. I can only prophesy. Woe upon the impotent.

ZEDEKIAH

[After a pause] Jeremiah, I did not want war. I was forced to declare war, but I loved peace. And I love thee because of thy love for peace.

Not with a light heart did I take up arms, but before I lived there was war under G.o.d's heaven, and there will be war after I am dead. I have suffered greatly, as thou canst testify when the time comes. Be thou near me when thy words are fulfilled.

JEREMIAH

I will be near thee, Zedekiah, my brother. [Slowly he averts his face from the king and moves towards the doorway]

ZEDEKIAH

Jeremiah! [JEREMIAH turns] Thou hast cursed me, Jeremiah. Bless me now, ere we part.

JEREMIAH

[After a moment's hesitation, strides back and holds his hands over the king] The Lord bless thee, and keep thee in all thy ways. May the light of his countenance shine upon thee, and may he give thee peace.

ZEDEKIAH

[As in a dream] May he give us peace.

THE SUPREME AFFLICTION

SCENE SEVEN

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. ISAIAH L, 6.

SCENE SEVEN

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]

CONFUSED AND ANGRY VOICES

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.