Jeremiah Part 26

[Springing impetuously to his feet] Accurst, then, be the oil with which thou wast anointed. Zion has been entrusted to thy hands, and by thy hands is Zion destroyed. Mayst thou be forgotten by G.o.d's mercy, even as thou hast forgotten Jerusalem. A curse be upon thee, murderer of Zion.

ABIMELECH

Throw him from the wall!

VOICES

He has slandered the king.--Throw him from the wall.

[The members of the king's train close in on JEREMIAH]

ZEDEKIAH

[Who has yielded ground as if attacked by an unseen enemy, recovering himself] Desist! Harm him not. Think ye that the curse of a fool can affright me, or an impudent word unman me? [A pause] Nevertheless, the rumor is true, and this man's speech is full of danger. Like a ram do his words batter at men's hearts. No longer must such a liar speak freely to the people, endeavoring to spread dismay among our warriors.

ABIMELECH

He should be put to death. Unworthy to live is the man who has lost faith in G.o.d.

VOICES

Stone the hireling.--He would sell the town to the Chaldeans.--He prays for our defeat.--Slay him.

ZEDEKIAH

Shall I kill the man who slandered me, that it may be said he filled me with fear? Jeremiah, I value thy words lightly as air; but once more, for thine own sake, I ask thee the question. Does thy heart faithfully a.s.sure thee that death hangs over Zion and over all within her walls?

Speak freely.

JEREMIAH

Death is over Jerusalem. Death's hand is upon us all. Naught but surrender can save us.

ZEDEKIAH

Away then, and surrender. Save thine own life.

[JEREMIAH stares at him in bewilderment]

No man shall sap our powers while he eats our bread. If thou fearest for Zion, flee from Zion. I give thee thy life. Climb down the wall; seek out Nebuchadnezzar; take shelter in his camp. If thy word be fulfilled, puff out thy cheeks and laugh at thy brethren who died for Jerusalem.

ABIMELECH

Too gentle, O king, in thy dealings with this slanderer.

[JEREMIAH struggles for speech]

ZEDEKIAH

Away, renegade, away! Seek out Nebuchadnezzar, whose victory thou foretellest. Kiss his feet. I stay in the midst of my people and in the home of my fathers, for my faith shall remain steadfast till my last breath. False are this man's words! Jerusalem endureth for ever!

THE OTHERS

[Shouting] Jerusalem endureth for ever.--G.o.d's house shall never pa.s.s away.

ZEDEKIAH

Haste, haste to Ashur. I give thee free permission. Leave us to our deaths; and for thy part, crawl to safety.

JEREMIAH

[Controlling himself] I will not forsake Jerusalem.

ZEDEKIAH

Didst thou not even now a.s.sure us that death was hanging over Zion?

Flee, that thou at least save thyself alive.

JEREMIAH

Not for my own life am I filled with sorrow. It is for the life of thousands upon thousands that my heart is heavy. I will not flee. If Zion's walls fall, I will fall with them.

ZEDEKIAH

I have warned thee, Jeremiah, as thou warnedst me. Henceforth thy life is in thine own charge. [To the others] Let none molest him while he keeps due measure. But should he again seek to spread terror, seize and bind him, and he shall pay for it with his life. [To JEREMIAH] Guard thyself, place a seal on thy lips, lest thy life atone for speech. May G.o.d spare us, as I have spared thee to-day.

JEREMIAH

[Motionless, his voice unsteady] Not myself would I guard, but Jerusalem.

ZEDEKIAH

[Returning to the outer edge of the wall] Still they come! Still they come! The noise of their chariot wheels and the trampling of their chargers are like the growling of a storm. Terrible indeed is the king of the north. Dreadful will it be to encounter him. G.o.d save Jerusalem!

[Breathes deeply] G.o.d save Jerusalem.

[ZEDEKIAH turns away, and slowly resumes the round, plunged in thought.

He is followed by ABIMELECH and the other members of the train. The two sentries move after them out of sight]

BARUCH

[Rus.h.i.+ng forward from the shadow] Quick, quick! Hasten after him. The spirit of G.o.d is upon you. Hasten that you may compel him.

JEREMIAH

[Awakening as from a trance] Compel whom?

BARUCH

The king. Let your words be like flame. Save Jerusalem.