[Detaching himself from the crowd, runs away shouting] Victory! Victory at last. Hail Pharaoh. I must get home with the news. Victory over Ashur.
The Crowd
[Swelling in numbers, growing more enthusiastic as it is enheartened by its own clamor] It was God’s will that we should begin this war.—Hail Zedekiah!—Now we must conquer all the others.—Israel shall rule the nations.—A sacrifice on the altar.—Give praise unto God, for that he has cast down our enemies.—They shall be our bondsmen.—My heart has thirsted for this hour.
A Voice
A messenger is coming from the gate of the city.
The Crowd
[Making a rush in the direction of the last voice] A messenger.—A messenger.—Who said so?—He comes from beyond the walls.—What news does he bring? Where is he?
[A messenger, drenched with sweat and gasping for breath, struggles through the crowd]
Voices
Tell us the news.—Pharaoh is victorious.—What has happened to Nebuchadnezzar?—How many have been slain?