In Mendelssohn’s Libretto

 Elijah:

As God the Lord of Israel liveth, before whom I stand: There shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

The People:

Help, Lord! Wilt Thou quite destroy us!

The harvest now is over, the summer days are gone, and yet no power cometh to help us! Will then the Lord be no more God in Zion?

The deeps afford no water! And the rivers are exhausted! The suckling’s tongue now cleaveth for thirst to his mouth! The infant children ask for bread! And there is no one breaketh it to feed them