Already have they pitched their tents, so that a white forest now stands in the valley.
Alas, they are settling down for the siege.
They must have come with the speed of the wind. Yesterday they were still at Bethel, and to-day they have already encircled Zion.
Terrible is the might of Ashur. God help us all.
Look at the glow in the north, like a pillar rising heavenward.
'Tis a pillar of fire that rises heavenward. Samaria has fallen.
Alas!--It is not possible.--Samaria is a strong fortress, within a triple wall.--Nay, it is certainly Samaria.
Look there to the east, another pillar of fire. That must be Gilgal.
They are ravaging the countryside like a hurricane. Fierce is the wrath of Ashur.
Never should we have entered into a struggle with such as they.
Who began it?--Not we.--Not I.--It was the king.--It was the priests.--We wanted to live at peace with them.
Yes, it was Egypt.--It was Pharaoh.--A curse upon Pharaoh.--The Egyptians have sold us to the enemy, have abandoned us to our misery.--Where are the fifty thousand bowmen they promised? We are alone.--All is lost.
Woe, Jerusalem, Jerusalem. Thou art given over to thine enemies, and those who hate thee are showing their teeth.
[Fiercely interrupting] Away with you! Why are you loitering on the walls? Home to your wives, and to bed. We stand guard for you.
There is nothing to see. You have been clamoring for Ashur, and now Ashur has come. Leave it to us men-at-arms to chase them home again. For yourselves, go sleep, or pray if you cannot sleep.
Naught to tell. There has been too much talking already; the time has come for blows. Away, away!
[The two sentries roughly clear the loiterers from the wall. The crowd disappears in the darkness down the steps leading from the wall into the shadow. When all have gone, quiet reigns. In the white moonlight the sentries stand like figures of brass]
They give way to despair at the first gleam of an enemy's spear. They must not be allowed to talk like that.
One who is afraid and cannot master his fear must perforce speak. It is of no use, and yet it gives relief.
Sleep is not man's servant. Vainly do we summon sleep to a couch of sorrow. To-night many hold vigil and look forth into the moonlight.