Jeremiah - LightNovelsOnl.com
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VOICES
Yes, let us see for ourselves.--I don't believe it.--Open the storehouses.--Let us see for ourselves.
NAHUM
I swear to you ...
THE STRIDENT VOICE
When we see we will believe. We have been cheated too long.
VOICES
They are all cheats, the priests, the king, all.--Give up the keys.--How they lied when they prophesied victory. [The voices become more menacing] Where are the Egyptians?--Zedekiah promised that the Egyptians would help us.--Where are the signs and wonders?--Bread, bread, bread.--Give up the keys.
[The mob surges up the steps once more, surrounding NAHUM and endeavoring to s.n.a.t.c.h the keys]
NAHUM
Help, help!
ABIMELECH
[Beating them back, aided by his men] Down, down!
A VOICE
Oh, I am wounded. See, I bleed!
ABIMELECH
For the last time. To your homes! Clear the marketplace, or I shall use my sword.
THE STRIDENT VOICE
The marketplace and the city belong to us.
[A messenger appears at the back of the crowd]
MESSENGER
Abimelech! Where is Abimelech?
ABIMELECH
Here.
THE CROWD
There he is, the wretch, the murderer!
MESSENGER
Help, Abimelech. They have broken in at Moria Gate.
[Cries of terror arise from the crowd]
ABIMELECH
[Cutting a path through them with his sword] Make way, make way.
[He strides off. DOORKEEPER, NAHUM, and the soldiers withdraw through the wicket]
[The crowd becomes chaotic. Previously it had been animated by a definite will. Now its units form a confused medley of horror-stricken persons, giving vent to hardly intelligible cries of terror and distress]
VOICES
They have broken in at Moria Gate.--All is lost.--My wife.--My children.--G.o.d help us.--To the temple.--Elijah, Elijah!--Where shall we hide?--What will become of us?
A VOICE
To the walls! Man the walls!
A MAN
[Rus.h.i.+ng in] We are betrayed! The king has fled! We are lost!
VOICES
We are betrayed.--We are lost.--Where is the king?--Where are the priests?--Where is Hananiah?--Revenge, revenge.--Death is upon us.--The Chaldeans.
THE STRIDENT VOICE
Curses upon the king!
VOICES
[Fiercely] Curses upon the king!
THE STRIDENT VOICE
A curse on the priests! A curse on the prophets! They lied to us one and all.
VOICES
Yes, curse them every one!
THE STRIDENT VOICE
