My Lord?
Zedekiah
Go forth, taking with thee thy brother Nehemiah. Open the pit and bring hither the man ye will find there. None must know that he enters and leaves the palace.
[Joab and Nehemiah pass out. The king soliloquizes in low tones]
At every cross road, behind my back, always too late and always compelling me to listen. Why did I appeal only to God, who vouchsafes me no answer? Why did I not hearken to those who say that he declares his will through their mouths? But wherefore do they speak with conflicting voices? How could I discern the false from the true? Dread is this God who will not break silence, and whose messengers cannot be certainly known.
[Jeremiah enters accompanied by the two lads. At a sign from Zedekiah, Joab unveils the lamp. Then he and Nehemiah withdraw. Jeremiah is pale and emaciated. His dark eyes flash from a white and bony face, looking almost as if set in a skull. He regards the king with a questioning calm. After a momentary embarrassment the king speaks]
Zedekiah
I sent for thee, Jeremiah, to ask why thou dost disturb my rest. Why singest thou in the night when others sleep?
He may not sleep who watches over the people. The Lord hath appointed me to watch and to give warning.