VOICES

Yes, let us see for ourselves.--I don't believe it.--Open the storehouses.--Let us see for ourselves.

NAHUM

I swear to you ...

THE STRIDENT VOICE

When we see we will believe. We have been cheated too long.

VOICES

They are all cheats, the priests, the king, all.--Give up the keys.--How they lied when they prophesied victory. [The voices become more menacing] Where are the Egyptians?--Zedekiah promised that the Egyptians would help us.--Where are the signs and wonders?--Bread, bread, bread.--Give up the keys.

[The mob surges up the steps once more, surrounding NAHUM and endeavoring to s.n.a.t.c.h the keys]

NAHUM

Help, help!

ABIMELECH

[Beating them back, aided by his men] Down, down!

A VOICE

Oh, I am wounded. See, I bleed!

ABIMELECH

For the last time. To your homes! Clear the marketplace, or I shall use my sword.

THE STRIDENT VOICE

The marketplace and the city belong to us.

[A messenger appears at the back of the crowd]

MESSENGER

Abimelech! Where is Abimelech?

ABIMELECH

Here.

THE CROWD

There he is, the wretch, the murderer!

MESSENGER

Help, Abimelech. They have broken in at Moria Gate.

[Cries of terror arise from the crowd]

ABIMELECH

[Cutting a path through them with his sword] Make way, make way.

[He strides off. DOORKEEPER, NAHUM, and the soldiers withdraw through the wicket]

[The crowd becomes chaotic. Previously it had been animated by a definite will. Now its units form a confused medley of horror-stricken persons, giving vent to hardly intelligible cries of terror and distress]

VOICES

They have broken in at Moria Gate.--All is lost.--My wife.--My children.--G.o.d help us.--To the temple.--Elijah, Elijah!--Where shall we hide?--What will become of us?

A VOICE

To the walls! Man the walls!

A MAN

[Rushing in] We are betrayed! The king has fled! We are lost!

VOICES

We are betrayed.--We are lost.--Where is the king?--Where are the priests?--Where is Hananiah?--Revenge, revenge.--Death is upon us.--The Chaldeans.

THE STRIDENT VOICE

Curses upon the king!

VOICES

[Fiercely] Curses upon the king!

THE STRIDENT VOICE

A curse on the priests! A curse on the prophets! They lied to us one and all.

VOICES

Yes, curse them every one!

THE STRIDENT VOICE