Part 2, Scene 5 Summary

The court of the King of Babylon resembles a New Orleans nightclub. Flashy young men and women dance to music from a jazz orchestra. The dancers stop when a bugle sounds. The Master of Ceremonies enters to announce the arrival of the night's guest of honor, the King of Babylon and his party of five girls. The King wears evening clothes of the era, an imitation ermine cloak and a diamond tiara. Everyone rises as the king enters and sits at his table with his entourage. The king, expecting the High Priest, asks the Master of Ceremonies if any Hebrews are present.

The king and his girls dance wildly until the patriarchal, ragged Hebrew Prophet enters. The Prophet says, "Stop," and everyone does. The king does not understand this. The Master of Ceremonies tells the king that the Prophet said he...