Jeremiah Part 16

ONE OF THE CROWD

[Laughing] Look! There he comes! Jeremiah.

OTHERS

[Giving vent to their high spirits] Hail to the revealer!--Lo, the prophet draws nigh.--Let us welcome the destroyer of Jerusalem.--Behold the mob orator.--Come and join us.

[Some of the crowd form a circle round JEREMIAH and BARUCH, bowing before them in mock veneration.]

ONE OF THE CROWD

[With a profound reverence] Hail anointed of the Lord!

THE OTHERS

Hail Elijah!--Hail revealer.--Hail mighty man of valor! Hail Jeremiah, the prophet!

JEREMIAH

[Standing his ground, gloomily] What would ye of me?

BARUCH

Hold no converse with them. Mockery is on their lips, and derision in their glance.

ONE OF THE CROWD

Deign to bestow upon us wisdom and revelation.

ANOTHER

We would fain ask you whether our daughters shall keep their virginity.

A THIRD

Prithee be patient, and allow the walls of Jerusalem to remain standing yet awhile.

JEREMIAH

[With conviction] What would ye of me? This is no time for jesting, when blood flows and war hangs over Israel.

THE FIRST SPEAKER

The war is finished, and we can make merry once more.

THE SECOND SPEAKER

What has become of your king from the north? Tell us, revealer, where does he tarry?

JEREMIAH

What has confused your senses? Are you all mad? Can the war already be over when it is hardly begun?

BARUCH

Hold no speech with them. He makes himself a mock who speaks with mockers.

FIRST SPEAKER

Jeremiah knows nothing about it yet! The prophet knows nothing.

SECOND SPEAKER

He does not know what happened yesterday, and yet he would tell us what will happen to-morrow.

JEREMIAH

What is it that I do not yet know? What makes you so joyful? It must be something of ill omen.

FIRST SPEAKER

He says it is something of ill omen. It is that, in very truth, for your wishes.

SECOND SPEAKER

Your king is slain and welters in his blood.

JEREMIAH

Nebuchadnezzar is slain? Ashur is vanquished?

FIRST SPEAKER

Even so, all-knower. Hananiah's word has been fulfilled.

SECOND SPEAKER

Rend your raiment and clip your beard. Israel is victorious.

THIRD SPEAKER

Bury yourself, prophet. Cut out your tongue. Nebuchadnezzar is dead, but Zion endureth for ever.

JEREMIAH

[Greatly moved] Nebuchadnezzar dead? Is it true, it is certain? Tell me, and do not jest in matters of such moment.

FIRST SPEAKER