ZEDEKIAH

[Startled out of his anger, looks at the lad wonderingly. Then, with awakening pride] Thou wouldst ... Nay, I fear him not. I fear no man.

Nor am I certain if he be my enemy. I was foolish, perhaps, to flee from him. Who can tell? [He paces the room] Joab!

JOAB

My Lord?

ZEDEKIAH

Go forth, taking with thee thy brother Nehemiah. Open the pit and bring hither the man ye will find there. None must know that he enters and leaves the palace.

[JOAB and NEHEMIAH pa.s.s out. The king soliloquizes in low tones]

At every cross road, behind my back, always too late and always compelling me to listen. Why did I appeal only to G.o.d, who vouchsafes me no answer? Why did I not hearken to those who say that he declares his will through their mouths? But wherefore do they speak with conflicting voices? How could I discern the false from the true? Dread is this G.o.d who will not break silence, and whose messengers cannot be certainly known.

[JEREMIAH enters accompanied by the two lads. At a sign from ZEDEKIAH, JOAB unveils the lamp. Then he and NEHEMIAH withdraw. JEREMIAH is pale and emaciated. His dark eyes flash from a white and bony face, looking almost as if set in a skull. He regards the king with a questioning calm. After a momentary embarra.s.sment the king speaks]

ZEDEKIAH

I sent for thee, Jeremiah, to ask why thou dost disturb my rest. Why singest thou in the night when others sleep?

JEREMIAH

He may not sleep who watches over the people. The Lord hath appointed me to watch and to give warning.

ZEDEKIAH

Jeremiah, I have summoned thee to hold counsel with me. No man knoweth that to this end I have drawn thee from the pit where thou hast been prisoned. Wilt thou advise me truly?

JEREMIAH

G.o.d helping me, I will.

ZEDEKIAH

Know, then, what none other knows save my innermost counselors. An envoy has come from Nebuchadnezzar, seeking to end the war between our nations.

JEREMIAH

[Exultantly] G.o.d be praised! Open the gates, open thy heart to humbleness.

ZEDEKIAH

Rejoice not too soon. Hard are the terms and measureless is the arrogancy of the king of Ashur.

JEREMIAH

Arrogant hast thou been towards him, therefore must thou accept arrogancy in return. Put compulsion on thy heart, so thou save Jerusalem from destruction.

ZEDEKIAH

He asks my honor.

JEREMIAH

Sacrifice thine honor for the city.

ZEDEKIAH

Is not honor my office; is not pride my crown?

JEREMIAH

If they be truly thine, cast them from thee. Peace is better than honor; suffering is better than death.

ZEDEKIAH

He would bow my neck beneath a yoke.

JEREMIAH

Blessed is he who suffers for all; who suffers that all may live. Bow thy neck, and save the city.

ZEDEKIAH

I should bring shame on all the kings whose throne is my heritage; I should disgrace the mantle of my forefathers.

JEREMIAH

Think no longer of those who have been. They are dead, and worms have eaten them. Think of the city and of those who now live therein.

ZEDEKIAH

Not me alone will Nebuchadnezzar abase, but G.o.d also.

JEREMIAH

G.o.d smiles at those who would abase him. Open the gates, open thy heart to humbleness.

ZEDEKIAH

Nebuchadnezzar would enter the holy of holies which none may approach.

JEREMIAH

G.o.d will avert it, should it be his will; thou canst not avert it. Open the gates, open thy heart to humbleness.

ZEDEKIAH