Jeremiah Part 18

[So breathless he can hardly speak, tries to rise and make his way forward] Room, room, let me go to the king.

VOICES

Just a word.--How did Nebuchadnezzar die?

THE MESSENGER

Are you all struck with madness? Why this jubilation in Jerusalem? To arms! To arms! Let me pa.s.s to the king.

VOICES

What has happened?--Is Nebuchadnezzar still alive?--Pharaoh has beaten him.--Why this call to arms?

THE MESSENGER

He draws near with all his forces. Nebuchadnezzar is close at hand.

Hardly could I outrun his riders. To arms, to arms! Sentinels to the walls.

VOICES

What does the man say?--Who has been beaten?--Where is Pharaoh?--You don't know what you are talking about.--Get him some water.--Nebuchadnezzar alive?--It is impossible.--What has become of the Egyptians?

THE MESSENGER

Water! I am worn out. The Egyptians have been routed. Necho has made peace, and must pay tribute to Ashur. Nebuchadnezzar is coming; his riders are at my heels. I must to the king.

[Some of the crowd help the MESSENGER to the palace]

VOICES

[From the back] What did he say?--Are the Chaldeans beaten?--Why does not the man tell us what has happened?

[Anxiety gradually spreads through the crowd, and the tumult of rejoicing is stilled. In their stupefaction all are mute for a while, and then terrified voices break the silence]

THE CROWD

Impossible!--It cannot be true.--The man is a liar.--He was drunk.--Nay, he was only staggering from fatigue.--He said the hors.e.m.e.n were hard at his heels.--The whole story is false.--The messenger had not the mien of a liar.--It cannot be true.--G.o.d would never allow such a thing to happen.

A VOICE

[Loudly] Pharaoh has betrayed us.

OTHER VOICES

[Quickly and angrily taking up the cry] Pharaoh has betrayed us.--A curse upon Pharaoh.--Egypt has sworn a peace.--A curse upon Mizraim.--The Egyptians are traitors.

A VOICE

I have always said that we should never form an alliance with Egypt.

VOICES

So did I.--So did I.--We all said so.--Accursed be Pharaoh.--What will happen to us now?--Alas for Israel.--My wife.--My children.--I warned you what would happen.--So did I.

A MAN

[Rus.h.i.+ng in] To arms! To arms! Close the gates, Nebuchadnezzar and his hordes are at hand. The advance guard has already reached Hebron.

VOICES

Hebron did he say?--To arms!--Nay, peace, peace! Let us march out against him.--All is lost.--From the very first I told you what would happen.

ONE OF THE CROWD

[Pointing to JEREMIAH who leans brokenly against a pillar, his face hidden] Look, there is the man.

VOICES

What?--Who?--What do you mean?

THE SAME MAN

It is his doing. He summoned them. He announced the coming of the messenger. His curse has fallen upon us.

VOICES

Who?--Jeremiah!--Who is it?--It is Jeremiah, he has cursed us.--It is indeed his doing.--He prayed for Nebuchadnezzar's victory.--He is sold to the enemy.--Tear him to pieces.--Touch him not; he foretold what would happen; he is a true prophet.--He has been bribed.--See how he stands there brooding.

THE SAME MAN

He hides his face lest we should see his laughter. But he makes merry too soon. Zion still stands; Jerusalem shall endure for ever.

[A herald comes hastily from the palace]

VOICES

A herald.--A messenger from the king.--Silence.

[The crowd gathers round the steps to hear the herald's announcement]

THE HERALD

A message from the king! The enemy is about to attack Jerusalem. The Chaldeans are at the gates. Let every man able to bear arms make ready to fight; women must fas.h.i.+on arrows. All that are sick and weakly must leave the city. Let every man store what food he may in his house lest hunger overcome us. For our walls can withstand attack; Baal can do naught against Jehovah, nor can Ashur prevail against Zion.

THE CROWD

True, true.--We will make ready.--G.o.d is on our side.--To arms!