Jeremiah Part 9

The falling sickness afflicts him, and he in turn afflicts us.

BARUCH

Down with him.

VOICES

No, we want to hear his dreams.--What do they mean?--He is a madman.--He is a fool.--Away with him!

JEREMIAH

But, brothers, when I awakened in the sweat of my body, I mocked myself even as you mock me now. Did not peace brood over the land; were not the walls untouched, so that no breeze stirred athwart them? I went forth from the house full of shame for my own terrors; I sought the marketplace that I might rejoice in its peace. But when I came thither I heard shouts of exultation; and my heart broke within me, for the shouts were clamors for war. Brothers, my soul was bitter as gall, and the words came to my lips against my will. Tell me, is war so precious that you should praise it? Is it so kindly that you should long for it? Does it bring so much good that you should greet it with all the warmth of your heart? I say unto you, people of Jerusalem, that war is a fierce and evil beast, one that devours the flesh of the strong and sucks the marrow of the mighty, crus.h.i.+ng towns in its jaws and trampling the land beneath its hoofs. Those who awaken it, shall not again lay it to sleep; and he who draws the sword, is like to perish by the sword. Woe, therefore, to the contentious man who quarrels when there is no need, for he shall come out upon one way, and flee upon seven. Woe to those who murder peace with the words of their mouth. Beware of all such, O people of Jerusalem.

BARUCH

Beware of cowards, O people of Jerusalem; beware of traitors in the pay of the enemy.

HANANIAH

What promise does he bring? Where is G.o.d's word? He speaks for Babylon and for Baal.

VOICES

No, no.--His words are just.--There is much truth in what he says.--Let him deliver his message.--Dreams.--Where is the promise?--Go on.--We want to hear him too.

JEREMIAH

Why do you awaken the ravening beast with your shouts. Why do you summon the king of the north to your city? Why do you clamor for war, men of Jerusalem? Did you beget your sons for slaughter, and your daughters for shame? Did you build your houses for destruction by fire, and your walls for the battering ram? Bethink thee, Israel; call a halt ere thou runnest into the darkness, Jerusalem. Is thy slavery so hard, are thy sorrows beyond a.s.suagement? Look around. G.o.d's sun s.h.i.+nes over the land; the vines bloom in peace; lovers walk happily together; children play unhindered; the moon s.h.i.+nes gently over the sleep of Jerusalem. Fire and water keep their appointed places, the storehouses are well filled, and G.o.d has his s.p.a.cious mansion. Say, Israel, is it not well with thee within the walls of Zion; art thou not blithe in the valleys of Sharon; art thou not happy by the blue waters of Jordan? Let it suffice thee to live at peace under G.o.d's tranquil gaze. Hold fast to peace, people of Jerusalem.

ZEBULON

His words are just! Hail unto him. His speech is golden.

PASHUR

Like the gold of Chaldea.

VOICES

Yes, he has been bribed.--No, his words are just.--Peace.--We want peace.--He is a traitor.--He is in the pay of Ashur.--Let him speak.--No, Hananiah is right.--Let us listen to Hananiah.

HANANIAH

Away with you, away. Go, talk to Samaria, the land of slaves. Deliver your message to Moab, or to the uncirc.u.mcised, but not to Israel, G.o.d's first-born among the nations.

BARUCH

[Menacingly, to JEREMIAH] Answer me, in face of the people. Is our slavery to endure? Are we still to pay tribute to Chaldea? Answer me, traitor.

VOICES

Yes, yes.--Answer.--Speak.--Are we to go on paying tribute?--Answer.

JEREMIAH

Loudly do I speak my mind before the people. It is better to pay tribute of gold to the enemy than tribute of blood to war. It is better to be wise than powerful; it is better to be the servant of G.o.d than the ruler of men.

HANANIAH

Man of servile obedience, slave of Chaldea, will you deny G.o.d's word which commandeth war against the oppressor; will you deny his holy word?

JEREMIAH

But it is also written: "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."

VOICES

Yes, thus is it written.--He speaks truth.--His words are the words of wisdom.--Nay, he twists the scripture to his own purpose.

HANANIAH

This is written of an unholy war, of dissension among the brethren of Israel. But ours is a holy war, a war of G.o.d waged in the everlasting name of Jerusalem, a war of G.o.d, a war of G.o.d.

JEREMIAH

Couple not G.o.d's name with war. Not G.o.d makes war, but man. No war is holy; no death is holy; life alone is holy.

BARUCH

You lie! Life is given us that we may sacrifice it to G.o.d. I will offer myself upon his altar, I will fall before his foes, I will die for Israel and for Israel's rule upon earth. Never shall Israel be vanquished so long as all her sons share these thoughts.

HANANIAH

Never shall Israel be vanquished while G.o.d's stars s.h.i.+ne in heaven. If we join forces with Egypt, Babylon will fall into our hands within three months.

VOICES

[Exultantly] Within three months.--Hail Hananiah.--Hearken to Hananiah.--Within three months.

HANANIAH

Israel will gain the victory over countless thousands.

BARUCH

He spreads fear as they spread gold before him.

VOICES