Jeremiah Part 55

Naught can I do. Naught against the will of G.o.d.

THE CROWD

You can save Jerusalem.--Show a miracle.

JEREMIAH

[Fiercely] Were it in my power to work against G.o.d's will, verily I would not do so. Tempt me not. I am on G.o.d's side, not on yours.

Whatever he decrees, I bow myself before him.

VOICES

Alas, he spurns us.--He forsakes us.

JEREMIAH

[In growing excitement] To him, whose purposes are fixed, do I cling, spurning you, fickle ones. Not your will be done, but his. Whatever thy will, Lord, I submit. Let Jerusalem perish, so it be thy will, I submit.

[Cries of horror from the crowd] Let thy temple fall, so it be thy will, I submit. [The crowd bursts into furious exclamations] Let the towers crash, let thy people be scattered like dust and its very name vanish from the earth, let my body be given over to shame and my soul to torment, so it be thy will, I submit, Lord, I submit.

THE CROWD

He raves.--Strike him down.--He is mad.--He rains curses on us.--Silence the traitor!

JEREMIAH

[In a trance] Whatsoever thou doest, Lord, I submit.

Whatsoever thou sendest, I glorify thy name.

Rain down on me terrors uncounted, Thine anger I welcome, I seek not to hide.

Break my heart! Burst the gates! Raze the walls!

With fire consume thine own altar, To defend which now myriads fall!

Rejecting thy people, the chosen, Turn thy face from me too in thy wrath!

From the depth of my sorrow I cling to thee; Though thou slay me, I trust thee in death.

THE CROWD

[Shouting fiercely] Traitor.--He is cursing us.--He prays for our death.

Stone him.--Stone him!

JEREMIAH

[More frenzied than ever, as he daunts the menacing and turbulent mob with the fire of his enthusiasm]

Not my will, Lord, but thine be done!

Thou hast led me into darkness; I have known many afflictions; Lord, I will bear all patiently.

Pour out the vials of thine anger, Break my bones, close mine eyes, Fill up the measure of my sufferings, Pressed down and running over, Still am I thy faithful servant, For art not thou the Most High?

The more thou visitest me with wormwood and gall, The more will I testify to thine abounding love.

Let me double the martyrdom thou wouldst impose, Let me kiss the rod that striketh the blows, Let me thank the hand that bruiseth my flesh, Let me praise the brand that seareth my flesh, Let me bless the death wrought by foes without pity, Let me bless the destruction befallen thy city, Let me bless bitterness, slavery, shame, Let me bless the enemy, bless in thy name.

Lord to thy wishes I humbly bow!

To accept all thy sendings I fervently vow!

Lord, hear my words; Lord, prove me now!

THE CROWD

[Cutting him short] Traitor.--Stone him.--He blesses our foes.--He prays for our enemies.--Stone the blasphemer, stone him.

THE STRIDENT VOICE

[Dominating the rest] Crucify him! Crucify him!

THE CROWD

[Echoing the cry and rus.h.i.+ng up the steps] Crucify him! Nail the blasphemer to the cross.--Stone the traitor.--Crucify him!

JEREMIAH

[In ecstasy, stretching out his arms as if on the cross]

Let G.o.d's will be done. Come hither, draw near, Nail my limbs to the cross, pierce my side with the spear, Spit upon me, and scourge and revile me, Break my bones, and debase and defile me, Thus shall I be, for one and for all, A trespa.s.s offering made for Israel!

Seize me, then, seize; Let my sacrifice please Jehovah, his anger yet stem; And save, even now, save Jerusalem.

[The crowd surges round him. Some grasp his limbs, while others strive on his behalf and endeavor to free him]

VOICES

Crucify him!--Stone him!--He blasphemes.--A curse upon Jeremiah!--Crucify him.

OTHER VOICES

Let be.--The spirit of G.o.d is upon him.--He is beside himself.--Harm him not.

JEREMIAH

[Amid the tumult he continues to stretch out his arms as if on the cross]

But why do ye tarry? Thrice-blessed day!

The price of martyrdom fain would I pay.

For suffering I am athirst.

Let me die the death accurst.

Who hangs on the cross in mortal pain, The world's eternal welfare shall gain, Saviour and intercessor, he, With arms outstretched on the cruel tree.

His lips, trembling with anguish till death bring release, Shall speak the redeeming message of peace; His sighs to melody shall give birth, His torment, to love everlasting on earth.

His death shall bring life; his sorrows, forgiveness.

Though his flesh know corruption, his body decay, Yet his soul, winging heavenward, Beareth all our sins G.o.dward, The glorious messenger, he, of man's new day!

Ah, were I but that herald of deliverance!

My spirit is on fire! Lo, I pray: Crucify me, oh, crucify me!

[With wild cries they seize him, and begin to carry him away, buffeting him as they go]

VOICES