Thou spurnedst thy people, so thee too I reject; No merciless G.o.d shall compel my respect!

For why is it seemly that reverence be paid To a G.o.d who gives scorn when his children seek aid?

He only is G.o.d who turns sorrow aside, Almighty but he who can solace provide!

And of men him alone may we prophet proclaim Whose spirit with measureless love is aflame, Whose words and whose deeds teach all men to know That his soul with compa.s.sion is ever aglow.

Now to me my purpose in life is plain, For the plaints that a.s.sail thine ears all in vain Wring my heart with the pa.s.sion of infinite pain.

Come cries from the city thine anger hath burned, Come cries from the people thy hatred hath spurned, Come cries from the widows, made widows by thee, Come cries from the mothers, made childless by thee, From the king, now blind, as by thee ordained, From thine altar, by thine own self profaned; From the earth, from the air, the message is sent; As I hearken, with anguish my bowels are rent; Appeals from the living, appeals from the dead; As I hearken, perforce I must turn my head From thee, who art cold and unfeeling as stone, From thee, who art deaf when thy children make moan, To my brothers, my sisters, who are bone of my bone And flesh of my flesh, those whom sorrows invest, Those whom torments afflict. With them, none but them, Can my spirit find peace or my heart be at rest.

In reverence I bow before them, none but them; For them, tenderest love; for thee, G.o.d, naught but hate!

THE ELDER

He hath cursed G.o.d. Strike him down.

VOICES

He raves.--He is mad.--He dreams.--'Tis dangerous to listen to him.--Silence the madman!

JEREMIAH

[Suddenly kneels and apostrophizes the others]

My brothers, my brothers, forgive me, forgive The vain pride of a man now unfitted to live!

For G.o.d, none but he, with dreams dazzled my eyes.

With words he confused me, with signs led astray, Until, to an evil self-will giving way, I believed myself prophet, all-knowing, all-wise!

I believed myself great with the greatness of G.o.d, When, invoking his name, your dooms I shrilled.

When with his curses my mouth was filled!

But lo, I abjure him, this pitiless G.o.d!

Though toward you I proved myself arrogant, vain, I beseech you, my brothers, show mercy again.

Though my curses rained down on you many a day, Repulse me not now--for he led me astray.

There is naught but forgiveness my spirit to heal; At your feet now abased, craving pardon, I kneel.

[All draw away from him in horror. He moves after them, without rising from his knees]

My brothers, my brothers, look kindly on me!

Well a.s.sured is my heart that we brothers be, And I the least worthy, the youngest of all!

Lo, I curse you no longer, but breathe benediction, Lo, I yearn to share with you the bread of affliction!

Let it please you, my brothers, whate'er may befall, That I love you, that thanks to the love I bear, No more word of mine, I swear it, I swear, Shall add by one grain to your load of care.

In atonement for wrongdoing ask what you will.

The meanest of services glad to fulfil, As the slave of your slaves I demand only this, That the dust from your shoes I may thankfully kiss.

My brothers in darkness, my brothers in grief, From my humble repentance withhold not belief.

My brothers, my brothers, your pardon were bliss.

THE ELDER

Death to the man who touches him! G.o.d hath judged him.

VOICES

Accursed of G.o.d, away.--Forth from among us.--Poison us no longer with thy presence.--Away liar, away!

JEREMIAH

[When they thrust him from them, cries plaintively] Driven out like a leper! [He falls p.r.o.ne]

[There is a peremptory knocking, at the door]

VOICES

The heralds!--The Chaldeans!--They knock like masters.--It is not one of our own people. [The knocking becomes more imperative] What impatience!--We must not anger him.--Do not unbar the door, for they are all robbers, the Chaldeans.--We must open to him, or he will grow angry.

THE ELDER

I will open the door. In the midst of life we are in death.

[He cautiously begins to open the great door, but as soon as the bar is down one of the leaves is violently pushed open and BARUCH rushes in.

THE ELDER rebars the door]

BARUCH

[His face working with anxiety] Brothers, is Jeremiah here?

THE ELDER

Name him not! Speak not to him.

BARUCH

[Looking around] Jeremiah, Jeremiah!

JEREMIAH

[Slowly rising, stares at BARUCH as if he were a stranger] Who still seeks me? Who now would tempt me?

BARUCH

Master mine, do you not know me? Do you not recognize my voice?

JEREMIAH

I will look no more and listen no more. Away, you who still breathe the breath of life! Let me lie and rot!

BARUCH

Jeremiah, beloved master, I implore you to collect yourself. The enemy is hunting for you.

JEREMIAH

Who still seeks me in this world?

BARUCH