Jeremiah Part 68

Have no fear, have no fear, that the Lord will forsake us!

Mistrust him not, brothers, in days that are dark!

For when he debases us, when he afflicts us, The suffering he sends is but sign of his love.

Then bow ye, my brothers, bend necks to the yoke, Accept gladly the lot by Jehovah decreed.

Know, that sorrow but proves us, that trial uplifts us, That affliction, though sore, brings us nearer to G.o.d.

Each pang that we feel is a step toward his kingdom, Since the vanquished on earth are in heaven beloved.

Up brothers, march onward, march onward to G.o.d.

VOICES

[Ecstatically] Yea, now let us begin our wanderings.--Lead us forth.--We shall suffer, even as our fathers suffered.--Exodus and never-ending return.--Hasten, hasten, sunrise is at hand.--Let us march steadfastly into slavery.--Now as ever, G.o.d will deliver us.--We will all go, not one will stay behind.

ZEDEKIAH

Alas, alas! Who will lead me? Leave me not behind! Who will carry me?

JEREMIAH

Who calls?

VOICES

Let him stay where he is.--He is chaff for the winnowing fan.--He is rejected of G.o.d. [To JEREMIAH] Lead us, prophet.--You shall be our master.--Leave the outcast.

JEREMIAH

No one is an outcast! Whoever calls for help must be heard, for all our sakes.

VOICES

Not he.--He is the cause of our troubles.--He is the rejected of G.o.d.--He is one accurst!

JEREMIAH

I, too, was rejected of G.o.d, and G.o.d has heard my prayer; I, likewise, was a man accurst, and G.o.d has blessed me. Who was it, crying in his distress? Let me bring him comfort, even as I was comforted.

VOICES

'Tis the man lying on the steps.--G.o.d's wrath has smitten his pride.

JEREMIAH

Why lies he alone there? Wherefore does he not join us?

VOICES

Look, his stars are darkened.--No longer can he find his way, for he is blind.--They have put out his eyes.

JEREMIAH

[Drawing near the rec.u.mbent figure with profound emotion] Zedekiah! Lord King!

ZEDEKIAH

Is it thou, Jeremiah?

JEREMIAH

It is I, Lord King. I am thy faithful servant, Jeremiah. [He kneels beside the king]

ZEDEKIAH

Scorn me not! Drive me not from thee, as I drave thee from me! Thy words have burned me to ashes, man of might. Now leave me not alone in the hour of mine anguish. Be with me, as you swore before G.o.d when last we met.

JEREMIAH

I am with thee, King Zedekiah.

ZEDEKIAH

[Groping for him] Where art thou? I cannot find thee.

JEREMIAH

I am at thy feet, thy servant and thy slave.

ZEDEKIAH

[Trembling] Mock me not before the people, nor bow thyself in reverence to one abased. The oil wherewith I was anointed hath turned to blood upon my brow. My crown is dust.

JEREMIAH

Thou hast become the king of sorrows, and never wert thou more kingly.

Zedekiah, I stood upright before thee when I faced thee in thy strength, but I bow myself before thee now that G.o.d hath brought thee low.

Anointed by suffering, lead us forth! Thou who now seest G.o.d only, who no longer seest the world, guide thy people. [He rises and faces the mult.i.tude]

Behold, behold, Children of sorrow, children of G.o.d, The Lord hath hearkened to your cry, He hath sent you a leader!

One crowned with suffering, One scorned of men!

Who is more fitted than he To reign over those that are blessed by defeat?

G.o.d hath closed Zedekiah's eyes on earth That he may better see the glories of heaven.

Brothers, has any son of the house of David Been so fitted as he to be king of the sorrowful?

ZEDEKIAH

Whither would you take me? What will become of me?

JEREMIAH

Lift him up, Him who has been abased, Pay him all honor!