The Crowd

[Again rushing in the direction of the voice] A messenger? Where is he? He brings further news of the victory.

Jeremiah

[Trembling with fear] The messenger! The messenger!

A Voice

He runs hitherward from the gate, and he reels like a drunken man from weariness.

Voices

Where is he?—Here he comes. [Messenger enters. The crowd surrounds him as he tries to hasten to the palace and sinks to the ground exhausted] Hail you who bring tidings of victory.—Hail.—Tell us your news.

The Messenger

[So breathless he can hardly speak, tries to rise and make his way forward] Room, room, let me go to the king.