My soldiers must not have their food cut down. No man can fight on an empty stomach.
We must all share and share alike, the soldiers as well as the others. Jerusalem is at stake.
My men must have their strength kept up. Let the useless mouths go hungry, the windbags and the prattlers.
You talk folly. What would it avail to pinch ourselves unduly, seeing that there are an hundred thousand within the walls. There is food to last us three weeks. If we slaughter the beasts reserved for the temple, we can hold out a fortnight more.
Let us keep the peace among ourselves. Ye rail against one another like enemies. Let us stand united against Nebuchadnezzar and likewise against our own people. Neither he nor they must know aught of our need.
None can know it. Daily I set my seal on the doors of the storehouses. Neither the people nor Nebuchadnezzar can be aware of our distress.
God be praised. Nebuchadnezzar would show us no mercy if he knew.
[After a pause] I have called you in council, elders of the people. Wars are not ended by the sword alone. I have summoned you to ask whether I should send an envoy to Nebuchadnezzar, praying him that there should be peace between our nations.
No peace with the blasphemers of the Almighty!
I think it would be dangerous for us to begin. Should we open the parley, he would seek to make slaves of us.
I hold other views. Though as yet he knows nothing of our desperate plight, it can remain hidden for a few days only. We must turn these days to account.
True are thy words, O King. We must seek mercy of Nebuchadnezzar before he triumphs over us with the sword.
[Bitterly] Sue for mercy! Death were better!
[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.
It is too late. The dead lying before the walls will cry reproach on us.
It is too late. The war has heaped up such mountains of hatred.
Nay, it is not too late. [He pauses for a moment] An envoy has already passed between Nebuchadnezzar and me.
[The councilors spring excitedly to their feet]
Thou hast received an envoy from Nebuchadnezzar? Blessed be the hour.
Traitor! Thou holdest parley with the enemy!