They are ravaging the countryside like a hurricane. Fierce is the wrath of Ashur.
Another Voice
Never should we have entered into a struggle with such as they.
Voices
Who began it?—Not we.—Not I.—It was the king.—It was the priests.—We wanted to live at peace with them.
A Voice
Egypt lured us on, and then betrayed us.
Voices
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.
Another Voice