Jeremiah Part 65

The great square in front of the temple, as in the first scene, save that now everywhere signs of the sack are visible.

In the square we see a medley of hand-carts laden with household goods, of packhorses and other beasts of burden, and of wagons. Men and women, preparing for the exodus, are busied among these. New groups continually flock into the square from the surrounding streets, and the noise of conversation grows ever louder. The women and children, together with the men too old for work, sit apart on the steps. Chaldean warriors, fully armed, stride masterfully through the crowd, making way for themselves with their spears.

The moon s.h.i.+nes fitfully. Gradually the dawn reddens in the east.

VOICES

This is our meeting place.--How many of us are here?--Keep together, sons of Reuben.--How dark it is.--This is the best place, so that we can lead the way.

OTHER VOICES

Don't push.--This is our place.--Our mules have been standing here since evening.--The place is ours.--The sons of Reuben always want to be first.

AN ELDER

Do not quarrel, children. Let Reuben lead the way, for such is the law.

VOICES

There is no longer any law.--The scriptures are burned.--Who are you to order us about?--It is the priests' commandment.--There are no priests left; they have all been put to the sword.--Hananiah escaped the slaughter.--Nay, they made an end of him too.--We are leaderless.--Who shall give us the law?--Who will make the sacrifices for us in Babylon?--Who will interpret the scriptures?--All of the race of Aaron have been slain.--Woe unto us that are orphaned.--Had we but the ark and the roll of the law.--The roll of the law has been burned.--Nay, the word of G.o.d cannot be burned.--I tell you I saw it perish in the flames.--Alas, is the law burned?--Impossible, how can G.o.d's word be burned?--Has not his house been burned; has not his altar been overthrown?--Did he not deliver over his holy city to destruction?--Yea, yea, he has made us the slaves of our enemies. He has broken the covenant.--Blaspheme not.--I fear him no longer.--We are leaderless; would that Moses could lead us as of old; would that there were still a judge among the people.--What has become of the king, him whom they blinded?--He has always been blind.--To him we owe these disasters.--Alas for the fate of Israel, the destruction of Jerusalem!

[A disorderly rout, laughing loudly, issues from the palace. The newcomers are the princes of Chaldea, with slaves bearing torches. The princes are drunk. In the midst of the brawling crowd we see the figure of a man whom the princes are buffeting and pus.h.i.+ng one to another, so that he totters, and is continually in danger of falling]

THE CHALDEAN PRINCES

Are you ready for a fresh attack on Nebuchadnezzar?--On, stormer of Babylon.--Pillar of Israel, take heed lest you fall.--He cannot dance like King David.--He cannot play the psaltery.--Enough of him, let us go back to our wine.--I would rather amuse myself with his wives.--Let him drink darkness while we drink wine.--Come away!

[Laughing and shouting, the princes return into the palace, leaving the man of whom they have been making sport swaying unsteadily as he stands at the top of the steps. The moon has pierced the clouds, and his shadow stretches across the stone flooring behind him. This gives him the appearance of a gigantic wraith. The crowd beneath is filled with astonishment and alarm]

WHISPERING VOICES

Who is it?--Why have they cast him out from their board?--Why does he not speak?--Look how he raises his hands imploringly to heaven.--Who is he?--Don't go near him.--Yes, I will see who it is.

[Some of the bolder spirits have mounted the steps]

A VOICE

[With a cry of recognition] Zedekiah!

THE CROWD

The king.--The blinded king.--G.o.d's judgment.--Zedekiah.

ZEDEKIAH

[Falteringly] Who calls me?

VOICES

No one calls thee.--For thee there are naught but curses, and G.o.d's judgments.--Where are thy Egyptian friends?--Where is Zion?

OTHER VOICES

Be silent!--He is the anointed of the Lord, blinded by our enemies.--Reverence the king.--Have pity on his sufferings.

THE FIRST VOICES

Nay, he shall not sit among us.--Where are my children?--Give me back my children.--A curse on the man who has murdered Israel.--He is to blame for all.--Why should he live when better men have died?

ZEDEKIAH

[To one who has taken his hand, to lead him] Who are these who rail against me? Are my foes those of mine own household?

THE GUIDE

Lord, they are thy companions in misfortune.

VOICES

Do not bring him down here, for his lot and ours shall not be mingled.--Let him sit apart.--G.o.d has punished him.--A curse lies upon him.--No longer shall he be king.--Of what use is a blind king?

ZEDEKIAH

[Wellnigh weeping in his helplessness] Lead me forth. They have put out my eyes, and now they will take my crown. Hide me from my enemies.

A WOMAN

Rest here, Lord King. Lie down and rest.

[A couch is extemporized for ZEDEKIAH at the foot of the steps. The inquisitive gather round]

THE ELDER

Keep away, keep away. Reverence the Lord's anointed. G.o.d has appointed him our leader.

VOICES

How can a blind man lead us?--He cannot reign in Jerusalem, for Zion has fallen.--We are all slaves, and slaves need no leader.--Nay, we need a deliverer.--Were but Moses here to help us at this hour.--How can a man so afflicted give us help and consolation?--No one can help us.--See, the dawn comes. Let us make ready for the journey.--Alas the day!--As wanderers and exiles, we go leaderless into a far country. [Loud chanting is heard in the distance] Hark, the trumpet.--Alas the trumpet sounds.--The first signal for departure.--No, no, that is not a trumpet.--Cannot you hear singing, with cymbals and drums?--Our enemies are rejoicing.--O shame! O torment!

[The chanting draws nearer and nearer, until individual voices and the clas.h.i.+ng of the cymbals can be clearly distinguished. At length a group of persons is seen advancing, and thronging exultantly round a tall figure]

A VOICE

Look! They are of our own people.

VOICES