Jeremiah Part 27

JEREMIAH

The king? [He looks round horror-stricken upon the deserted wall] Lost, lost the sacred hour. My hasty tongue has ruined all.

BARUCH

Try once again and you will overcome him. Already he was yielding.

JEREMIAH

Too late, too late. Why did G.o.d choose a weakling? Why did he put words of gall into my mouth?

BARUCH

Do not torment yourself, master. Your sufferings confuse your mind.

JEREMIAH

Think you so? But I have failed. To whom have I brought joy? I am a horror to the upright and a grievous affliction to my mother. No wife bears my child in her womb, nor does any one living believe in my words.

BARUCH

I believe you. I will not forsake you. You are great. I cleave to you for your very sorrow.

JEREMIAH

Praise me not. My soul burns with shame. What have I done that shall profit Jerusalem? Have I softened the king's heart; have I led the erring people into the right path; have I found an envoy of peace? How, when I myself have faltered, shall I show the way for an envoy?

BARUCH

You seek an envoy from Nebuchadnezzar to our king?

JEREMIAH

Will Nebuchadnezzar be readier to parley than Zedekiah? Kings are like boys, each waiting for the other to begin.

BARUCH

[Ardently] Jeremiah, your words bear fruit in my soul.

JEREMIAH

What mean you?

BARUCH

This deed is for me. Well know I that the road leads through the valley of the shadow, even as yours. But I will walk it for the sake of Jerusalem. Master, farewell.

JEREMIAH

Whither will you go?

BARUCH

Farewell, master. Your blessing should I succeed. Spare me your curse should I fail. For Jerusalem! [He begins to climb down the wall]

JEREMIAH

But Baruch, whither are you going?

BARUCH

By your road. Farewell. [He disappears over the parapet]

JEREMIAH

[Leaning forward] Whither, Baruch, whither? Stay, they will seize you.

Already the spies of Chaldea block every road. Baruch, stand by me in this hour. Baruch, Baruch!

FIRST SENTRY

[Running in] Who calls there in the night? What is afoot?

JEREMIAH

[Standing up] I call, I call; but no one heeds me.

FIRST SENTRY

Still you, is it? What are you doing here? I thought I saw a shadow pa.s.s down the wall. Are you alone?

JEREMIAH

I am alone! I am alone!

[Slowly, with heavy steps, JEREMIAH pa.s.ses towards the town. The sentry stares after him until he is swallowed up in the gloom. Then the soldier resumes his march to and fro in the moonlight. Nothing is heard save his footsteps on the flagstones, until from a distance the challenge: "_Samson guard us_", "_Samson guard us_", begins to pa.s.s once more round the walls]

THE PROPHET'S ORDEAL

SCENE FIVE

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief.

ISAIAH LIII, 10.