For the last time! Let us pass in to the king. [He endeavors to push Jeremiah aside]

Jeremiah

[Resists and shouts at the top of his voice] No step will I yield to folly! Peace! God’s peace be upon Israel.

[Baruch cuts him down, and Jeremiah falls bleeding to the foot of the steps]

The Crowd

[Scattering in horror] Murder.—They have killed him.—Murder.—Who is it?—Jeremiah.—They have killed him.—Woe.—Why use force?—Why kill the prophets?—Justice has been dealt on the liar.—To the king, to the king!

[Baruch stands thunderstruck with lowered sword]

Hananiah

[Shouts exultantly] May such be the fate of all faint-hearts, all slaves of Chaldea, all hirelings of Ashur! To the palace, to the king. Save Israel, deliver Jerusalem.

Abimelech