[To NAHUM] Coward and traitor!

IMRE

[Wearily] When will you cease quarreling? The king's words are true. It would be folly to wait till the last hour. Let us seek parley while we can still show a bold front.

ABIMELECH

It is too late. The dead lying before the walls will cry reproach on us.

PASHUR

It is too late. The war has heaped up such mountains of hatred.

ZEDEKIAH

Nay, it is not too late. [He pauses for a moment] An envoy has already pa.s.sed between Nebuchadnezzar and me.

[The councilors spring excitedly to their feet]

NAHUM

Thou hast received an envoy from Nebuchadnezzar? Blessed be the hour.

HANANIAH

Traitor! Thou holdest parley with the enemy!

ABIMELECH

No treaty without our consent! Thou hast forgotten.

PASHUR

Thou hast held parley, King, without consulting us? Why then are we summoned in council?

ZEDEKIAH

Peace, peace. Can ye not wait till I have finished? Ye snap at my first word like a pack of hungry hounds. [A pause. He continues more quietly]

A messenger has come from Nebuchadnezzar. I have not yet heard the message. Is this to hold parley? Is this treachery? Answer!

[All are silent for a while]

PASHUR

I crave thy pardon, King. It is hard to weigh one's words when so much hangs in the balance.

ZEDEKIAH

It is for you to decide; for you to hear the envoy, or to send him away unheard.

NAHUM

Our position is desperate. We must hear him.

IMRE

We can listen to his message, and be cautious about accepting it.

ABIMELECH

We can hear him, and can settle afterwards whether we will let him return. He may be sent only to spy out the land.

ZEDEKIAH

What say ye, Pashur and Hananiah?

PASHUR

Let us hear him.

[HANANIAH is silent and averts his face]

ZEDEKIAH

Since no one opposes, we will hear the message. [Going to the doorway he calls out] Joab, fetch the envoy. [ZEDEKIAH returns to the table] Let each ask what questions he will. But our answers must show one mind.

[BARUCH is ushered in by JOAB. The latter pa.s.ses out again, replacing the curtain. BARUCH bows before the king]

Dost thou bring a message to Israel from King Nebuchadnezzar?

BARUCH

He has sent me with a message to thee, O King.

ZEDEKIAH

These are my councilors. Who speaks to me speaks to them also, for they and I, Israel and Israel's king, are at one by G.o.d's will. [Turning to the others] Question him.

HANANIAH

[Scornfully] What grace does the king of the heathen vouchsafe ...

ABIMELECH

[Interrupting] Let us consider practical matters first! What is your name?

BARUCH

Baruch, son of Zebulon, of the house of Naphtali.