A VOICE

They have broken down Moria Gate.

A SECOND VOICE

Our men have been defeated.

A THIRD VOICE

[Despairingly] Save Jerusalem, or we perish.

THE CROWD

[Taking up the cry] Save Jerusalem, or we perish.

[JEREMIAH stands motionless, hiding his face in his hands]

THE WOMAN

We would take vengeance on your enemies; we would tear the faces of those who have reviled you. Have pity on us, you who are our saviour and our hope.

A VOICE

Who shall save us unless it be you?

THE STRIDENT VOICE

The priests have betrayed us. The king has sold us to the enemy.

JEREMIAH

[Indignantly] It is false! Why slander ye the king?

VOICES

Zedekiah has forsaken us.--Where is he?--Why does he not come to our help?--He has fled.

JEREMIAH

[Vehemently] It is not true.

VOICES

It is true.--They led us into this war.--They have sacrificed us.--We wanted peace.--Let us have peace.

JEREMIAH

Tardily comes your longing for peace. Why do ye put your transgressions on the king's shoulders? Ye clamored for war.

THE CROWD

No, not I.--No, not I.--It was the king.--Not I.--Not one of us.

JEREMIAH

Ye all wanted war, all, all! Your hearts are fickle, and ye sway in the wind like reeds. The very ones who now shout for peace, I have heard howling for war. Those who raise their voices against the king, hounded him on to the fray. Woe unto you, O people! Ye speak with two voices, and drive before every breeze. Ye have fornicated with war, and shall now bear the fruit of war. Ye have played with the sword, and shall now taste its edge.

VOICES

Alas, he spurns us.--Jeremiah, be merciful to us in our distress.--Aid us in our wretchedness.

JEREMIAH

No man can help you. Help cometh from G.o.d alone.

THE STRIDENT VOICE

G.o.d has forsaken us.

THE CROWD

Yea, G.o.d has forsaken us.--Where is he?--Where is the covenant?

FUGITIVES

[Rush past shouting] The enemy is within the gates. Abimelech is slain.

THE CROWD

[Shrieks with terror, and then appeals once more to JEREMIAH] Hearken, hearken!--We are lost!--Show a miracle, a miracle.

JEREMIAH

[Despairingly] What would ye that I should do? Am I to stretch forth my bare hands against the enemy?

THE CROWD

[Ecstatically] Yea, yea; that do, and save us.

JEREMIAH

Think ye then that I can drive back those whom G.o.d sendeth against you?

THE CROWD

Yea, yea.--You can.--You must.--You can do what you will.

JEREMIAH