[Jeremiah does not heed the king. Sobs shake his frame. Soon, however, he draws himself up once more. Now his gaze is fixed on the distance. He speaks as in a dream, raising his hands, like one inspired]

Jeremiah

How art thou fallen from heaven,

Jerusalem, sun of the morning!

Thou hast said in thine heart,

I will ascend into heaven,

I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.

Alas, thou art fallen from glory,

Art sunken in darkness and night.

Zedekiah