Alas, they draw near, the heralds of disaster.
The Crowd
[To Zephaniah] What is it?—What has happened?—What meaneth this summons?
Zephaniah
’Tis Nebuchadnezzar’s message to the remnant of the people.
Voices
Must we go forth to hear the message?—Dare we leave our shelter?—What shall we do, Zephaniah?
Zephaniah
No need for haste. Evil tidings ever come too soon.