JEREMIAH

[Still shuddering] Ne'er shall ... an enemy ... circle ... our wall?

THE MOTHER

Jeremiah, What has befallen you?

What has frightened you?

What has taken you aback?

And you, Ahab and Jochebed, Why are you making signs to him?

Jeremiah, I conjure you, Tell me what is amiss.

JEREMIAH

There is nothing wrong, Mother, nothing at all.

I was but mazed for a moment, Startled out of myself by your words.

THE MOTHER

Nay, nay, it is false.

Your faces, of a sudden, grew dark and careworn; Now you all turn away, exchange glances, and whisper.

Awesome, indeed, must be the secret you hide.

It chills me like death; Like G.o.d's wrath it affrights me.

JEREMIAH

[Stammering] Nothing, Mother, we are hiding nothing.

THE MOTHER

Why seek to deceive me? Why hoodwink my eyes?

Not yet am I dead, nor in coffin enclosed.

Life's breath in my lungs, Life's pulse at my heart, I can hear, I can speak; Why then hide ye the truth?

JEREMIAH

Mother, you are distraught with fever. Your temples are burning, your hands are cold.

THE MOTHER

Why are doors and windows curtained so close?

Why is all so dark and still?

You stifle me in wrappings, Bury me in cushions, Me, who am yet alive.

Tell me, tell me why.

JEREMIAH

Mother, calm yourself. Take my hands. I am here beside you.

THE MOTHER

I live, I live; I say to you that I live.

No longer shall you deceive me.

Fearful is my awakening.

Too well do I know the truth, That my dreams were not dreams but realities.

Again and again did I hear The rolling of the chariots, The trampling of the chargers, The clashing of the weapons, The singing of the hosannas.

m.u.f.fled were the sounds, As they reached me in this darkened room; And I fancied all was a dream.

Yet now I am awake, Horribly awake.

Death has forced open my lids.

I know Why you have shut away light and sound.

Disaster a.s.sails the city, has entered the gates.

We are besieged, we are lost.

Woe is me, there is war in Israel!

JEREMIAH

Mother, Mother!

THE MOTHER

Jeremiah, speak!

Tell me, Is he come, He whose advent you foretold, The king of kings from the north?

JEREMIAH

Mother, you are dreaming.

JOCHEBED

[Whispering] Lie to her! For her life's sake, lie to her!

THE MOTHER

[In delirium] Alas, hear the trumpets Sounding the onslaught!

He comes in his panoply, The king from the north.

War is upon us.

They swarm to attack.

The ramparts are crumbling, The gates broken down.

The city is lost, The temple destroyed.

I am crushed in the ruins, I burn in my bed.

Save me, oh save me, Jeremiah, save me, Carry me forth!

JEREMIAH

[Kneels beside her] Mother, an evil fancy Enthrals your mind.

Mother, hearken.

THE MOTHER

I hold your hands.