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[To NAHUM] Coward and traitor!
IMRE
[Wearily] When will you cease quarreling? The king's words are true. It would be folly to wait till the last hour. Let us seek parley while we can still show a bold front.
ABIMELECH
It is too late. The dead lying before the walls will cry reproach on us.
PASHUR
It is too late. The war has heaped up such mountains of hatred.
ZEDEKIAH
Nay, it is not too late. [He pauses for a moment] An envoy has already pa.s.sed between Nebuchadnezzar and me.
[The councilors spring excitedly to their feet]
NAHUM
Thou hast received an envoy from Nebuchadnezzar? Blessed be the hour.
HANANIAH
Traitor! Thou holdest parley with the enemy!
ABIMELECH
No treaty without our consent! Thou hast forgotten.
PASHUR
Thou hast held parley, King, without consulting us? Why then are we summoned in council?
ZEDEKIAH
Peace, peace. Can ye not wait till I have finished? Ye snap at my first word like a pack of hungry hounds. [A pause. He continues more quietly]
A messenger has come from Nebuchadnezzar. I have not yet heard the message. Is this to hold parley? Is this treachery? Answer!
[All are silent for a while]
PASHUR
I crave thy pardon, King. It is hard to weigh one's words when so much hangs in the balance.
ZEDEKIAH
It is for you to decide; for you to hear the envoy, or to send him away unheard.
NAHUM
Our position is desperate. We must hear him.
IMRE
We can listen to his message, and be cautious about accepting it.
ABIMELECH
We can hear him, and can settle afterwards whether we will let him return. He may be sent only to spy out the land.
ZEDEKIAH
What say ye, Pashur and Hananiah?
PASHUR
Let us hear him.
[HANANIAH is silent and averts his face]
ZEDEKIAH
Since no one opposes, we will hear the message. [Going to the doorway he calls out] Joab, fetch the envoy. [ZEDEKIAH returns to the table] Let each ask what questions he will. But our answers must show one mind.
[BARUCH is ushered in by JOAB. The latter pa.s.ses out again, replacing the curtain. BARUCH bows before the king]
Dost thou bring a message to Israel from King Nebuchadnezzar?
BARUCH
He has sent me with a message to thee, O King.
ZEDEKIAH
These are my councilors. Who speaks to me speaks to them also, for they and I, Israel and Israel's king, are at one by G.o.d's will. [Turning to the others] Question him.
HANANIAH
[Scornfully] What grace does the king of the heathen vouchsafe ...
ABIMELECH
[Interrupting] Let us consider practical matters first! What is your name?
BARUCH
Baruch, son of Zebulon, of the house of Naphtali.
