A mighty battle, such as there has never been before within the memory of man, Egypt against Nebuchadnezzar.

VOICES

May the heavens crush him, the accursed.--Egypt is all-powerful.--Our army is there too.--They will know how to deal with him, the man of pride.

A VOICE

G.o.d will break him, for G.o.d is on our side.

ANOTHER VOICE

The Egyptians are strong, and Nebuchadnezzar will not be able to withstand them.

A THIRD VOICE

Nebuchadnezzar is likewise strong. They say ...

A FOURTH VOICE

[Interrupting] Let them say, the faint-hearts. Who cares what they say?

THIRD VOICE

They say that his warriors are like a swarm of locusts.

ANOTHER VOICE

Warriors! His men are no warriors! Small in stature are they like boys, and unhandy with their swords. My sister's husband has seen many of them. Among the women they are men, but they are not men in battle.

[Laughter]

VOICES

Pharaoh will destroy them.--He will sweep them like chaff from the threshing-floor.--Long live Pharaoh!

OTHERS

[Hearing the shouts and coming to join the group] What is he saying about Pharaoh?

A VOICE

Pharaoh is fighting a great battle against Nebuchadnezzar.

OTHER VOICES

He will conquer.--He will set us free.--Long live Pharaoh.--Pharaoh for ever.--They shall grave him a tablet of fine gold.--Long live Pharaoh, the conqueror of Ashur.

NEWCOMERS

[Eager to know what is afoot] What is it? What has happened?

ONE OF THE RECENT COMERS

Pharaoh has defeated Nebuchadnezzar.

VOICES

Hail Pharaoh-Necho!--Is it true? I must go home and tell my wife.--Hail Pharaoh-Necho!

A VOICE

But we have no certain news yet.

OTHER VOICES

What do you mean by saying the news is not certain?--Can you doubt it?--I have always known that G.o.d would strengthen our arms.--Victory is ever on G.o.d's side.--None can stand against us.

ONE OF THE GROUP

[Hastening away, shouting as he goes] The victory is ours. Pharaoh has defeated Nebuchadnezzar.

[Hearing these words, idlers in the square flock to join the group on the steps]

VOICES

They are talking of a victory.--Is it true that Pharaoh has vanquished Nebuchadnezzar?--Quite true.--No one really knows yet.--It is absolutely certain.--Who says so?--Everyone says so.--The king's scribe says so.

A MAN

[Detaching himself from the crowd, runs away shouting] Victory! Victory at last. Hail Pharaoh. I must get home with the news. Victory over Ashur.

THE CROWD

[Swelling in numbers, growing more enthusiastic as it is enheartened by its own clamor] It was G.o.d's will that we should begin this war.--Hail Zedekiah!--Now we must conquer all the others.--Israel shall rule the nations.--A sacrifice on the altar.--Give praise unto G.o.d, for that he has cast down our enemies.--They shall be our bondsmen.--My heart has thirsted for this hour.

A VOICE

A messenger is coming from the gate of the city.

THE CROWD

[Making a rush in the direction of the last voice] A messenger.--A messenger.--Who said so?--He comes from beyond the walls.--What news does he bring? Where is he?

[A messenger, drenched with sweat and gasping for breath, struggles through the crowd]

VOICES

Tell us the news.--Pharaoh is victorious.--What has happened to Nebuchadnezzar?--How many have been slain?

THE MESSENGER