Jeremiah Part 30

Hearken, mistress ...

THE MOTHER

Woe is me! Away! May you die as I am dying, abandoned by your children; may you die in the straw like an outcast.

AHAB

Let me say a word ...

THE MOTHER

One word only will I listen to, that he is coming, that he is here.

AHAB

That is what I would fain tell you. He is coming. His footsteps draw nigh.

THE MOTHER

[Rapturously] He is coming, my Jeremiah? Deceive me not, Ahab. Cheat not a dying woman.

JOCHEBED

Ahab has already sent his sons to seek out Jeremiah.

THE MOTHER

He is coming. Is it true? Yes, I hear him. I hear his footfall. I hear him in the house. He knocks at the door, knocks within my heart. Hasten, man, hasten. Why do you tarry to admit him?

AHAB

[Endeavoring to calm her] Mistress, he will be here anon. Early this morning did I send my boys.

THE MOTHER

[In excitement once more] Nay, he will not come. Your lads are slothful, and are idling in the streets. Would they but hasten. The darkness gains on me. If I could but see him ere I sink into it. Run, Ahab, he may be at the door.

AHAB

Have patience, you will do yourself a harm.

THE MOTHER

Why do you not let him in? Can you not hear how he is hammering at the door? I feel it in my temples. Open to him, open.

AHAB

Not yet is he here, but he will come ere long.

JOCHEBED

He will soon be here. Have patience a while.

THE MOTHER

No, no; he is there, but you are keeping him from me. My time is short.

My limbs are cold ...

[JEREMIAH comes quietly into the doorway, and remains standing in doubt, his hands clenched, his head bowed as if he were carrying a heavy burden]

AHAB

Don't throw yourself about so. He will be here anon.

[Catching sight of JEREMIAH, he starts and stops speaking. JOCHEBED likewise preserves an anxious silence. For a few moments no one speaks in the darkened room]

THE MOTHER

[Raising herself with difficulty] Why are you both silent? [She suddenly gives a cry of joy] Has he come? Is my Jeremiah here? Where are you, Jeremiah?

[Hesitatingly, JEREMIAH moves forward a few steps. He, too, is a prey to strong emotion]

THE MOTHER

[Stretching out her arms towards him] You are there, I feel it. Would that I could see you clearly. Why come you not close, that I may touch you?

JEREMIAH

[Not moving, his hands still clenched] I dare not, I dare not. Disaster dogs my footsteps. Curses go before me. Let me stand thus apart, lest my breath harm you, lest it strike terror to your soul.

THE MOTHER

[Feverishly] My child, my arms crave for you. Come close, dear, come close. Are my lips so hateful to you? Is my hand so estranged?

JEREMIAH

I am estranged from myself, and a stranger in this house.

THE MOTHER

Alas, he repels me, will leave me once more. What makes you so cold, so hard-hearted?

JEREMIAH

A word burns between us like the sword of the angel of G.o.d.

THE MOTHER