Jeremiah Part 31

The curse, for which I have cursed myself a thousand times? Idle breath was it, and the wind has blown it away.

JEREMIAH

Nay, Mother, the curse stands, and all the streets are filled with it.

It rebounds from the wall of every house, attacks me from all men's mouths. No longer am I your son, no longer living flesh, but the mock of the world, an outcast from my people, hated by the righteous, forgotten by G.o.d, loathed by myself. To myself leave me. Let me remain in the darkness, most accurst of all men.

THE MOTHER

My child, were you indeed the rejected of all men, banned by the priests, outlawed by the people; had G.o.d himself thrust you away from the light of his countenance; still were you my son, blood of my blood for evermore. I will love you for their hatred, and bless you for their curse. If they have spit upon you, come that I may kiss you; if they have cast you out, come that I may take you in; home, come home to my heart. Sweet to me is the bitterness of your lips, sweet the salt of your tears; blessed is all that you do; if only you return to my mother's heart.

JEREMIAH

[Falling to his knees with a groan] Mother, spirit of eternal kindness.

Mother, you give me back my lost world.

[The mother folds him in her arms, and clasps him without speaking for a time. Tremblingly she strokes his head and his body again and again. At length, as she looks at him, a strange glow of happiness lights up her face, and she speaks to him in a plaintive chant]

THE MOTHER

Child of my heart, whom the world thrusts aloof, Had you but stayed with me, ne'er left my roof!

Home now returning, find peace in my arms, They hold you once more, son, safe from all harms.

Tranquilly cradled, unscathed shall you bide, Keeping the house, no more ranging wide.

Tenderly stroking your brow and your hair, I will set your heart free from all sorrow and care, And the curse which I spoke on that ill-omened day, Lo, with my hands I have brushed it away!

JEREMIAH

[Awestruck] Oh Mother, how thin your hands have become; Oh Mother, how wan your cheeks have become.

Your heart is scarce beating; your lips are so pale.

How can I help you? Can nothing avail?

THE MOTHER

My days have been lonely, my nights have been dreary.

When you did not return, I grew heart-sick and weary.

Your absence was killing me. Now you are back, Your coming suffices. Naught more do I lack.

JEREMIAH

Through the streets did I wander, my heart turned to stone.

Your forgiveness now craving, I fain would atone.

THE MOTHER

Nightly I dreamed your dreams, As I lay in the empty house, Alone and forsaken.

By day they lurked in the shadows; But as night fell, Stealing forth from dark corners, Like toads, bats, and owls, They crawled and flittered round my temples, Filling my soul with horror.

Rending and gnawing, Devouring sleep, Like vampires did they sap my strength, So that the dawning of day Found me hag-ridden, Shattered and broken.

Jeremiah, I adjure you, Leave me not again.

Jeremiah, I implore you, Stay with me, stay with me, For the time is short.

JEREMIAH

Mother, what mean you?

THE MOTHER

Seek not to deceive me.

Think you I know not That death draws near?

Even as on a dial The shadow rises Stage by stage up the wall While the sun sinks in the west, So, with every breath I draw, Does darkness rise within me.

Woe is me that, still living and aware, I feel the grip of death's cold hand.

JEREMIAH

Nay, Mother, G.o.d's purpose with us is plain.

How can you think he will part us anew?

No more am I froward. Your child once again, I am sent back by him for a fresh life with you.

Were it otherwise, say to me why should I be Unclouded by visions, from dreaming set free?

THE MOTHER

Do you dream no longer?

JEREMIAH

My sleep is dreamless; my slumber is mute.

The night-time faces trouble me no more.

My dreams have become daylight realities.

Revealed in full horror, they stalk 'neath the sun.

I dream no longer, now the world's awake.

THE MOTHER

[Ecstatically, for she has heeded only the first part of JEREMIAH'S speech]

Your dreaming is over?

Then joy comes again.

Indeed, I was certain That G.o.d in his mercy Would scatter the darkness That clouded your brain.

Recall but my words When we parted in pain: Ne'er shall an enemy circle our wall, David's city be taken, Jerusalem fall.

Though foes from the ends of the earth should rage, The towering battlements ever shall stand.

Firm Israel's heart, and mighty her hand, Eternal the days of Jerusalem.

JEREMIAH

[Rises from his knees. He stares blankly as he mutters in amaze] Ne'er shall ... an enemy ... circle ... our wall?

THE MOTHER

What sudden fear a.s.sails your soul?

What thought steals color from your cheek?