Impossible.--They are rejoicing.--How could any son of Israel exult on this day of sorrow?--They must be drunken with wine.--a.s.suredly they are our brothers of Israel.--Who is it in their midst?--Look at that frenzied woman clashing the cymbals!

[The approaching singers, JEREMIAH in the center, advance in the pale light of dawn. Some of them are in truth ecstatic and unsteady in their movements, as if drunken; but others are of sober mien]

CHANTING VOICES

Hosanna!--A prophecy.--Jerusalem endureth for ever!--Blessed our return home.--Blessed be the consoler, and blessed the comfort he brings.--Hosanna!--Jerusalem endureth for ever!

VOICES FROM THE CROWD

[In excitement] They are mad.--What has happened?--Hark how they shout Hosanna!--Who is the prophet?--What is his message?--Let him deliver it to us also.--Who shall bring us consolation?

A VOICE

Look, is it not Jeremiah whom they surround?

VOICES

Yes.--No.--His face was lowering, but this man's face is radiant.--Nay, it is he.--How changed he is.--A curse upon him who breathed curses.--How can sweetness come from the bitter?

BARUCH

Hearken to the message of comfort, brothers. Feed your souls with the word of G.o.d, with the bread of life!

VOICES

How can comfort be brought by this man accurst?--His words are like scorpions.--His message will choke us.--We have had enough of the prophets, for they have misled us one and all.--No, no, Jeremiah gave us true warning.--I tell you he will rub salt into our wounds.--Away, away, man without bowels of compa.s.sion!

BARUCH

I beseech you to hear his message. He has uplifted our hearts, and will uplift yours likewise, brothers in G.o.d.

THE WOUNDED MAN

I testify for him, I testify for him! Fevered by my wounds I lay unable to move. His words have restored my strength. Lo, on me he hath wrought a miracle.

VOICES

Who is this?--Listen to what he says.--He tells of a miracle, and a miracle is what we need.--I need comfort.--Naught but Zion's valleys will comfort me.--What comfort can he give?--Can he raise the dead; can he rebuild the temple?--Let us hear his message.

THE WOMAN

Balaam! Balaam! Balaam! Hail, for that you who came to curse Israel have blessed us thrice.

BARUCH

Master, look upon their discord. Make their hearts one, their spirits fruitful. Lift them from their mourning, lift their souls to G.o.d.

JEREMIAH

[Leaving his companions and going to the top of the steps] Brothers, in the darkness I feel you to be near me, and know that your souls are filled with darkness. But why do you despair? Why do you lament?

VOICES

Hearken to the blasphemer.--I warned you against him.--He mocks us.--He asks why we lament!--He rubs salt into our wounds.--Are we to rejoice on the day of our exodus?--Are we to forget the dead?--He laughs at our tears.--Silence, let us hear him.--Let us hear his message.

JEREMIAH

Hearken, brothers, give ear unto my words. Is all lost, that you should lament? There still remains the precious gift of life.

A VOICE

What a life!

JEREMIAH

And I say unto you, who has life, has G.o.d also. Leave it to the dead to complain of those who have led them to the tomb. We, who survive, should continue to hope. Lament not, despair not, while breath remains; neither opening your mouths in revolt, nor closing your ears to words of consolation.

VOICES

Words, only words, which avail nothing.--If you would lift up our hearts, lift up the walls of Jerusalem.--Rebuild the fortress of Zion.--Alas, he cannot see our distress, he cannot recognize our suffering.

JEREMIAH

Brothers, I read your suffering like an open book, and the scroll of your pain lies unrolled before me. Natheless, brothers, I see a meaning in this pain and suffering; I see G.o.d therein. The hour is sent to us for trial. Let us meet the test.

VOICES

Why should G.o.d try us?--Why should he visit us, his chosen people, with affliction?--Why should he make our burden so heavy?

JEREMIAH

G.o.d sends us this trial that we may know him to be G.o.d. To those of other nations, few signs are given and little recognition is vouchsafed.

They fancy themselves able to see the face of the Eternal in images of wood and stone. Our G.o.d, the G.o.d of our fathers, is a hidden G.o.d; and not until we are bathed in sorrow are we enabled to discern him. He chooses those only whom he has tried, and to none but the suffering does he give his love. Let us therefore rejoice at our trials, brothers, and let us love the suffering G.o.d sends. He has broken us with affliction, that he may sink the deeper into the freshly ploughed ground of our hearts, and that we may be ready for the scattering of his seed. He has weakened our bodies that he may strengthen our souls. Let us joyfully enter the smelting furnace of his will, that thereby we may be purified.

Follow the example of your forefathers, and thankfully accept the scourgings of the Almighty!

VOICES

Not our will but his.--A blessing on our trials.--I must learn to stifle my complaints.--True, our forefathers likewise were in bondage.

JEREMIAH

Brothers, if we believe that we shall arise, already we have arisen.

What should we be without faith? Not to us, as to other nations, has a country been given to which we may cling; a home, where we may tarry; rest, that our hearts may wax fat! Not for peace have we been the chosen among the nations. Wandering is our habitation, trouble our heritage, G.o.d our home. Do not for that reason covet your neighbor's goods; do not for that reason complain. Leave to others their happiness and their pride; leave to others an abiding place. For yourselves, people of suffering, gladly accept trial. Have faith, chosen of G.o.d, seeing that sorrow is your heritage. Because it is your eternal heritage, therefore are you chosen.

VOICES

True is the word.--Sorrow is our heritage.--I will shoulder my burden.--I have faith in G.o.d's mercy. He will lead us now, as he led us out of Egypt.--G.o.d will deliver us, as he delivered our fathers.

JEREMIAH