WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR
_NOVELS_
A MAN FROM THE NORTH
ANNA OF THE FIVE TOWNS
LEONORA
A GREAT MAN
SACRED AND PROFANE LOVE
WHOM GOD HATH JOINED
BURIED ALIVE
THE OLD WIVES' TALE
THE GLIMPSE
THE ROLL CALL
HELEN WITH THE HIGH HAND
CLAYHANGER
HILDA LESSWAYS
THE CARD
THE REGENT
THE PRICE OF LOVE
THESE TWAIN
THE LION'S SHARE
THE PRETTY LADY
_FANTASIES_
THE GRAND BABYLON HOTEL
THE GATES OF WRATH
THERESA OF WATLING STREET
THE LOOT OF CITIES
HUGO
THE GHOST
THE CITY OF PLEASURE
_SHORT STORIES_
TALES OF THE FIVE TOWNS
THE GRIM SMILE OF THE FIVE TOWNS
THE MATADOR OF THE FIVE TOWNS
_BELLES-LETTRES_
JOURNALISM FOR WOMEN
FAME AND FICTION
HOW TO BECOME AN AUTHOR
THE TRUTH ABOUT AN AUTHOR
MENTAL EFFICIENCY
HOW TO LIVE ON TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY
THE HUMAN MACHINE
LITERARY TASTE
FRIENDSHIP AND HAPPINESS
THOSE UNITED STATES
PARIS NIGHTS
MARRIED LIFE
LIBERTY
OVER THERE: WAR SCENES
THE AUTHORS CRAFT
BOOKS AND PERSONS
SELF AND SELF-MANAGEMENT
_DRAMA_
POLITE FARCES
CUPID AND COMMONSENSE
WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS
THE HONEYMOON
THE TITLE
THE GREAT ADVENTURE
MILESTONES (In Collaboration with Edward Knoblock)
_In Collaboration with Eden Phillpotts_
THE SINEWS OF WAR: A ROMANCE
THE STATUE: A ROMANCE
*JUDITH*
A PLAY IN THREE ACTS
_Founded on the apocryphal book of "Judith"_
BY
ARNOLD BENNETT
LONDON
1919
_First published April 30, 1919_
NOTE
This play was presented for the first time at the Devonshire Park
Theatre, Eastbourne, on Monday, April 7th, 1919, with the following
cast:
Judith LILLAH MCCARTHY
Haggith ESMÉ HUBBARD
Rahel MADGE MURRAY
Ozias CAMPBELL GULLAN
Holofernes CLAUDE KING
Bagoas ERNEST THESIGER
Achior GEOFFREY DOUGLAS
Chabris E.H. PATERSON
Charmis FEWLASS LLEWELLYN
Ingur FREDERICK VOLPE
Messenger FELIX AYLMER
Soldier CLIFFORD MOLLISON
Attendant EDWIN OXLEE
The play was produced by WILFRED EATON
CHARACTERS
_Hebrews_
JUDITH
HAGGITH, her waiting-woman
RAHEL
OZIAS, Governor of Bethulia
CHABRIS, an elder
CHARMIS, an elder
A SOLDIER
A MESSENGER
_Assyrians_
HOLOFERNES, General of the Assyrian armies
BAGOAS, his chief eunuch
ACHIOR, a captain
INGUR, a soldier
AN ATTENDANT ON BAGOAS
ACT I
_A street in the city of Bethulia_.
ACT II
SCENE I. _The valley near the Assyrian camp. Time, morning; two days later_.
SCENE II. _The tent of Holofernes. Time, later, the same morning_.
SCENE III. _The same. Time, the same night_.
ACT III
SCENE I. _Same as Act I. Time, later, the same night._
SCENE II. _The same. Time, the next day_.
ACT I
_A street in the city of Bethulia in Judea. Bethulia is in the hill
country, overlooking the great plain of Jezreel to the south-west. Back,
the gates of the city, hiding the view of the plain. Right, Judith's
house, with a tent on the roof. Left, houses. The street turns abruptly,
back left, along the wall of the city. Left centre, a built-up
vantage-point, from which the plain can be seen over the gates_.
TIME: _Fifth century B.C.
Towards evening_.
Ozias _is standing alone in the street, drinking from a leathern bottle.
Enter_ Chabris, _back left_.
OZIAS _(quickly, but with perfect calmness, hiding the bottle in his
garments_). Old man! It is years since I saw you. How came you past the
guard, old man?
CHABRIS. Old? Old? I am not yet a hundred. Who are you?
OZIAS. Ozias.
CHABRIS. Ah! So this is Ozias, the son of Ezbon. Before your father
could walk I have nursed him on my knee; and he was filled like the full
moon--with naughtiness.
OZIAS. What has brought you at last out of your house? Are you come to
prophesy once more?
CHABRIS. I have given up prophesying.
OZIAS. A profession full of risks.
CHABRIS. I pass my endless days in meditation and solitude.
OZIAS. That sounds much safer. How comely is the wisdom of old men!
CHABRIS. And what do you do, sprig?
OZIAS. Has none told you?
CHABRIS. I see nobody but my daughter's granddaughter, and her I forbid
to speak to me, because being a woman she has the tongue of a woman, and
a woman's tongue is unfavourable to meditation. How should I be told?
OZIAS. I am the governor of this great city of Bethulia.
CHABRIS. You are responsible for this city?
OZIAS. I am.
CHABRIS. Now I understand my misfortune. And the truth was in me when I
said to your mother as she lay dying: Better it is to die without
children than to have them that are ungodly.
OZIAS. Oh! How comely a thing is the judgment of grey hairs!
CHABRIS. You ask me what has brought me at last out of my house. I will
tell you. Thirst! Thirst has brought me out of my house. Every morning
and every evening my great-grandchild serves me with pulse and water.
For five days she has furnished less and less water, and this day--not a
drop! Can one eat pulse without water to drink? Half an hour ago I went
to her to reason with her, and she lay on her bed cracked, and raved
that she herself had not drunk for three days and that there was no
water left in all Bethulia. So I came at last out of my house into the
streets of this city famous for its cool fountains which never fail. And
lo! I meet the governor of this city, and he is Ozias! Ozias! Seven days
do men mourn for him that is dead, but for an ungodly man all the days
of his life! Why is there no water in Bethulia, sprig?
OZIAS. Old man, meditation is good and solitude is good, but think not
because you sit staring all day at your own belly that the sun and stars
have ceased to revolve round the earth and the kings of this world to
make war. Is it possible that you do not know what has happened?
CHABRIS. I only know that I cannot eat pulse without water to drink.
OZIAS. Bethulia is besieged.
CHABRIS. Who is besieging Bethulia?
OZIAS. Holofernes.
CHABRIS. I have never heard his name. Who is he?
OZIAS. Never heard the name of the chief captain of Nebuchadnezzar? Have
you heard the name of Nebuchadnezzar, by chance?
CHABRIS. I seem to remember it.
OZIAS. Come up here. (_They go up the steps to the vantage-point_.)
Look! A hundred and twenty thousand foot-soldiers. Twelve thousand
archers on horseback. Oxen and sheep for their provisions. Twenty
thousand asses for their carriages. Camels without number. Infinite
victuals; and very much gold and silver. The like was never seen before.
CHABRIS (_stepping down_.) Why has Nebuchadnezzar set about this thing?
What harm has Bethulia done to him?
OZIAS. Much harm. Nebuchadnezzar has decided to be God. He has decreed
that all nations and tribes shall call upon him as God. And he has
conquered the whole earth, excepting only Judea; and Bethulia is the
gate into Judea, and Bethulia has not listened to his decree, and I am
the governor of Bethulia. So Nebuchadnezzar the great king is very angry
and Holofernes is the tool of his wrath.
CHABRIS (_going up the steps again and gazing_.) How many did you say?
OZIAS. A hundred and twenty thousand foot and twelve thousand horse.
CHABRIS. At any rate this will be the last war.
OZIAS. Why?
CHABRIS. Why! Because plainly war cannot continue on such a scale. Or if
it does, mankind is destroyed. Nebuchadnezzar has rendered war
ridiculous.
OZIAS _(laughs; then half to himself, sarcastically)._ What is heavier
than lead, and what is the name thereof, but an aged fool?
CHABRIS (_descending again, self-centred_). It remains that I cannot eat
pulse without water to drink. (_To_ Ozias.) And surely Bethulia has more
wells than any other city of Judea.
OZIAS. The wells are at the foot of the hills, and Holofernes has
seized them all.
CHABRIS. That is not fighting.
OZIAS. It is war.
CHABRIS. No, no! In my time soldiers fought fairly.
OZIAS. And killed each other. Why should Holofernes sacrifice thousands
of lives to take the heights when he can reach the same result by
letting his men sit still and watch?
CHABRIS. I say this is not war. Once I travelled many days to Nineveh.
It is a city of extravagance, and when I beheld its mad, new-fangled
ways, I knew that the last day was nigh. I was right. Three thousand and
five hundred years since Jehovah created Adam, and Eve from his rib ...
Too long! Too long! And what is pulse without water? I must have water.
OZIAS. It is thirty-four days since Holofernes took the wells. If you
have received water up to yesterday your great-grandchild must indeed
have thirsted that you might drink. I have distributed water by measure,
but now the cisterns are empty, and women and young men fall down in the
streets, and there is no water in Bethulia. We are all in like case, the
high and the lowly.
CHABRIS. Then give me your bottle.
OZIAS. What bottle?
CHABRIS. I saw you put it from your lips as I came.
OZIAS. It behoves you to understand, old man, that my solemn duty as
governor is to maintain my own strength, for if I fell the city would
fall. Without me to inspire them the populace would yield in a moment.
What is the populace? Poltroons, animals, sheep, rabbits, insects, lice!
CHABRIS. Give me the bottle.
OZIAS. It is as empty as the cisterns.
CHABRIS. Give it to me, or I will cry through the streets that you are
concealing water. (Ozias _gives him the bottle_. Chabris _drinks_. Ozias
_snatches the bottle away and conceals it_.) Ah!
(_A figure is glimpsed in the tent on the roof of_ Judith's _house_.
Ozias _starts_.)
CHABRIS. What is that up yonder?
OZIAS. Nothing.
CHABRIS. Whose house is this?
OZIAS. It is the house of Judith, the daughter of Merari.
CHABRIS. Ah! Merari, the son of Ox, the son of Oziel--Oziel and I were
little playful boys together--the son of Elcia, the son of Raphaim, the
son of Eliab, the son of Nathanael, the son of----
OZIAS. Old man, your memory is terrible. Have pity!
CHABRIS. The draught has revived me. So Merari married and had a
daughter. What manner of woman is she?
OZIAS. She is the widow of Manasses, who died of the heat in the barley
harvest. And she is childless. And she is very rich; for Manasses left
her gold and silver and menservants and maid-servants and cattle and
lands. And she has remained a widow in her house three years and four
months, and never has she come forth. And there is none to give her an
ill word, for she fears the Lord greatly.
CHABRIS. Yes. But what _manner_ of woman is she?
OZIAS. She is beautiful to behold.
CHABRIS (_to himself_). Oh! _That_ manner of woman!
OZIAS. And she has fasted all the days of her widowhood, except the eves
of the Sabbaths and the Sabbaths, and the eves of the new moons and the
new moons, and the feasts and solemn days of the House of Israel.
CHABRIS. You are most deeply versed in her life. Is she exceeding
beautiful?
OZIAS. She is exceeding beautiful.
CHABRIS. Then it was she who _peeped_ (_with a peculiar emphasis on the
word_) from the tent a moment since.
OZIAS. Old man, you have eyes.
CHABRIS. It is the draught of water.
OZIAS. She is said to take the air in her tent daily at this hour.
CHABRIS (_accusingly_). And that is why you are here, Ozias.
OZIAS. No! I come here to reflect upon my plans for the saving of the
city, and because of this vantage-point, to view the army of the
Assyrians.
CHABRIS. This vantage-point is new since my day. You have built it
here, not to see the Assyrians, but to see Judith. And that is why you
have set a guard to keep the street empty.
OZIAS. And if it be so, what then? Old man, you are so old that to
confess in your ear is sweet, like murmuring secrets into the grave. If
I do come to this place to watch for the marvellous vision of Judith,
what then?
CHABRIS. What then? And the populace of Bethulia dying of thirst?
OZIAS. The populace!... Mice! Rats! Beetles! (_He makes the motion of
crushing with his foot_.)
CHABRIS. Yet the city is doomed. You can have no hope.
OZIAS. No hope? Am I then a dead body? Am I a rotting corpse? True, the
city will be taken, and when the city is taken I may be killed. But in
your meditations, old man, has it not occurred to you that death must be
highly interesting? Or I may be seized for a slave. But either I should
cease speedily to be a slave, or I should become the most powerful slave
in Babylon. (_Reflectively_.) We might be enslaved together.
CHABRIS. Who?
OZIAS. Judith and I. The history of the world is full of miracles.
Meanwhile, I live, and the strong savour of life inflames my nostrils;
and the ever-increasing magnificence and terror of war is like wine in
my mouth. I shake with delight at the vastness and the mystery of the
future.... And there is woman!
CHABRIS. I feel I can eat my pulse now.
OZIAS. There is still woman.
_A fracas is heard, back. Enter_ Rahel, _running, followed by two
soldiers and a mixed group of Bethulians, including_ Charmis, _an
elder_.
RAHEL (_to_ Chabris, _like a termagant_). Why did you go forth alone,
grandad, frightening me when I looked and could not find you? At your
age! Come back with me this moment.
CHABRIS. Ay! There is still woman!
OZIAS (_angrily, to_ first soldier). Did I not give an order to bar the
street?
FIRST SOLDIER. My lord, some of these are elders of high authority, and
would pass. As for the girl----
RAHEL (_to_ Chabris). This moment! (_She faints and falls_.)
CHABRIS (_indifferently, as_ Charmis _moves towards_ Rahel). Let her
lie. She will come to of herself--or not, as God wills.
OZIAS (_to the soldiers, with cold fierceness_). Get back to your
places. (_Exeunt soldiers_.)
CHARMIS (_looking at_ Ozias _and indicating_ Rahel). She is the
fourteenth I have seen faint from thirst in the streets this day.
OZIAS (_soothingly_). Alas! And you or I may be the next. We are all in
like case. But what is to be done?
(_Confused feeble exclamations from the group of citizens:_ 'We want to
know. We are come for that. There is but one thing to be done.')
OZIAS (_still soothingly_). Who among you will be the spokesman?
CHARMIS. We are all spokesmen.
OZIAS. Even the children?
CHARMIS. Even the children. In our extremity we are all spokesmen.
OZIAS. But not all at once. Will you begin, honourable Charmis? You know
that I am the servant of the citizens.
CHARMIS (_nervously oratorical_). Lord Ozias, may the God of Israel
judge between us and you, for you have done us a great injury. (_Looks
round for approval. The group approves._)
OZIAS. An injury? I? Have I not said that I am the servant of the
citizens?
CHARMIS (_more confidently_). And I say again that you have done us a
great injury, in that you have not asked peace of the Assyrians. For we
have no helper, and the God of Israel has sold us into the hands of the
Assyrians. We are thrown down before them with thirst and with great
destruction. Therefore now we demand--(_looks round_)--I say we demand
that you call the Assyrians, and deliver the whole city for a spoil to
the people of Holofernes and to all his army. For it is better for us to
be made a spoil than to die of thirst. We will be the slaves of
Holofernes, so that our souls may live and so that we may not see the
death of our infants before our eyes, nor our wives nor our children
die. (_A mother in the group convulsively seizes her child. Pause_.
Ozias _walks about_.) We take to witness against you the heaven and the
earth and our God and the God of our fathers, which punishes us
according to our sins and the sins of our fathers; and we demand of you
that you deliver up the city to Holofernes and his host. (_A silence_.)
(Ozias _ascends solemnly to the vantage-point._)
OZIAS (_dominating the assembly_). Friends, it would seem that Charmis
has made an end. His words are excellent and full of pity. Who follows
him? Who will speak next? My ear waits. (_A silence_.) Ah! Then give
heed. The words of Charmis are full of pity, but I also have pity. Do
not I too cherish our women, and our maidens and our young children? And
because I pity I would not yield to the monster Holofernes. Yes, the
monster! This is not war that he wages. Once our enemy strove fairly
with the warriors of Israel. Now he makes our women and children to die
of thirst. The magnificence of war is gone from the earth, and
Holofernes by the excess of his hosts has rendered war ridiculous.
(Chabris _raises his hands_.) The peoples of the earth will perceive
that henceforward the institution of war cannot continue, and after this
there will be no more war. But meanwhile, if I go crouching to the feet
of Holofernes, what will happen and what will come to pass? Surely it
will come to pass that the monster who has sat down to watch us die of
thirst will slay our little children and our old men, and dishonour our
women, and ravish our innocent virgins; for the enslaving of the
conquered will not content his anger nor satisfy the lust of his great
hosts. Shall these things be? I say they shall not be. But what am I,
save the servant of the citizens of Bethulia? And what do I speak, save
the thought that is in your hearts? There is no cowardice in you. You
are not sheep, nor rabbits, nor beetles, nor lice. You are valiant men,
and women lion-hearted. Without you I am naught, and if I defy
Holofernes, my fortitude is yours and my resolve springs from you.
Charmis has invoked the holy name of the God of Israel. Let Israel not
forget its God, for never has the Most High forsaken Israel. Brethren,
be of good courage. Let us yet endure five days. Five short days. And if
these days pass and the God of Israel turn not his mercy towards us,
then will I do according to the word of Charmis. Such is my oath to you.
And so it shall be.
Haggith _enters from the house of_ Judith.
HAGGITH. My lord Ozias!
OZIAS (_quickly descending the steps_). What say you?
HAGGITH. My mistress, the lady Judith, will speak with you. She comes.
RAHEL (_half rising_). Water!
OZIAS (_excited_.) The lady Judith comes out of her house after three
years.
VOICES IN THE GROUP (_excited and impressed_.) Judith is coming, after
three years! Judith! The widow!
OZIAS (_sternly to the group_). Get hence, everyone to his own charge.
Soldiers! Clear the street! (Two soldiers _advance, running to obey_.)
The men to the walls and towers. The women and children to their houses.
(_To_ Rahel, _who has risen, indicating_ Chabris.) Take the aged fool
away, girl. (_Ruthlessly and contemptuously_.) Get home, all of you.
Rabble! Insects! Lice!
(_The street is cleared, not without difficulty, and_ Ozias _is left
alone with_ Haggith.)
_After a pause_, Judith _enters slowly, in widow's apparel and
sackcloth_.
(_Exit_ Haggith _into the house_.)
JUDITH. Greetings, Lord Ozias.
OZIAS. Lady, greetings. (_They salute_.)
JUDITH. Where are the people?
OZIAS. I invited them to go away.
JUDITH. Why?
OZIAS. Your waiting-woman said that you would speak with me.
JUDITH. But what I have to say I would have said before them.
OZIAS. Forgive your servant.
JUDITH. No! It is I, the woman, who should ask to be absolved.
OZIAS. I beseech you----
JUDITH (_simply_). Perhaps you dismissed the people because it is not
meet for them to see all the workings of the mind which has authority
over them.
OZIAS (_warmly responsive_). Ah! Lady! In your wisdom and your
understanding you have comprehended what it is to be the governor of a
besieged city. You, alone!
JUDITH. This is a day memorable beyond all the days of Bethulia.
OZIAS. It is a day memorable beyond all the days of Bethulia--because
Judith, the widow of Manasses, has issued from her house and from her
secrecy, and because after long years she has lightened the city with
her countenance.
JUDITH (_smiling_). We hold converse with words, but the shadow of
destruction is over us, and our hearts are darkened, and we hide our
hearts in speech. Ozias, governor of Bethulia, show me your heart.
OZIAS. I dare not.
JUDITH. Dare! I am not afraid.
OZIAS. YOU are more beautiful than aforetime--were it possible.
JUDITH (_accepting the compliment_). And if I am?
OZIAS. That is what is in my heart! Behold my heart, and the depths of
my heart. Look deep, and deeper, and still you will see naught therein
but the beauty and the subtlety of Judith.
JUDITH. It is no common man that with the parched tongue of thirst can
talk thus while unspeakable calamity assails the city.
OZIAS. It is Ozias.
JUDITH (_gently_). I came not to meet Ozias, but the governor of
Bethulia. From my tent I hearkened to the words which he spoke to the
people, and the Lord said to me: Go down to him, thou, a woman. And I am
here.
OZIAS. The Lord reigns! That which I said to the people did not please
the ear of Judith?
JUDITH. No.
OZIAS. I spoke to the people according to their understanding. Have you
not said it is not meet for the people to know the thoughts of the
ruler? Hearken again? And I will speak now to the wise woman. I
flattered the people with vain praise of their courage, when they have
no courage. I affrighted the people with a prophecy of terror, when
there is no terror--for Holofernes is a great warrior, and has
compassion in his greatness, for he is a Babylonian. I gave them hope of
succour when succour is none--for, with a hundred and twenty thousand
footmen and twelve thousand horse against us (_with dry humour_) to
count upon the mercy of the Lord is presumption.
JUDITH (_moves aside and returns. Sweetly_). Why then did you speak thus
to the people? And to what end did you deceive them? I beseech you yet
again to show me your heart, for it is right that I should know.
OZIAS. I saw the vastness of the future as in a vision. If the God of
Israel perchance is merciful, and the city is saved at the eleventh
hour, then it will be said in Jerusalem that there is none like Ozias of
Bethulia for steadfastness, for he alone by his ardour revived the
fainting populace and held firm the city; and great will be my
recompense.... But that is a dream. Always I have faced the substance of
things, and the substance is that Nebuchadnezzar has decreed to rule
over the whole earth, and from the east to the west there is no living
man that shall not bow down before Nebuchadnezzar. Bethulia will fall.
I, the governor, shall be taken captive and shown to Nebuchadnezzar, and
in that day Holofernes shall say to Nebuchadnezzar: Lo! Here is Ozias
the Israelite who resisted thy mighty armies for thirty-four days and
yet five days more. Use him if it seem good to thee. And I shall be
lifted up to be a satrap of Nebuchadnezzar, and I shall partake of the
bright glory of Nebuchadnezzar. And--(_hesitates_.)
JUDITH (_subtly and sweetly_). And?
OZIAS (_in an outburst_). What am I without you, O Judith? Before
Manasses loved you, did I not love you? For three years have I not
watched over you in all honour and respect, and troubled you not with my
importunity until this day, which is the day of days? What am I without
you, and what shall be my dominion and my satrap's throne if you do not
sit in majesty by my side, O Rose of Sharon and matchless among women?
Judith (_as before_). My lord, you are like a rushing river.
OZIAS. You have seen my heart.
JUDITH. I have seen it.
OZIAS. And what say you?
_There is the sudden sound of a disturbance. Enter, from back, soldiers,
holding_ Achior, _and a group of excited citizens_. Haggith _appears at
the house-door._
OZIAS (_fiercely_). What! Are my commands no more than the wind in the
corn, and is there to be naught but tumult within the walls of this
city?
VOICES IN THE GROUP. An Assyrian! An Assyrian!
FIRST SOLDIER. Lord Ozias! We saw this man lying bound at the foot of
the hill, and we descended and loosed him and brought him privily into
Bethulia by the secret way. And now we present him to my lord.
OZIAS Fools! Then no longer is the secret way secret.
VOICES. Slay him! Stone him! Whip the dog!
JUDITH (_nobly scornful, to the crowd_). Oh! Brave! Oh! Men of courage
and high valour!
OZIAS (_to_ Achior). Who are you?
ACHIOR. Achior.
OZIAS. Your condition?
ACHIOR (_with calm, genial candour_). Captain of all the Ammonites in
the army of Holofernes.
JUDITH. Let them loose him, Lord Ozias. His eyes are not the eyes of
treachery.
OZIAS (_to the soldiers_). Loose him. (_To_ Achior.) And how come you
here? Speak the truth--and fear.
ACHIOR. My mouth shall say truth, but I will not fear.
OZIAS. My hand is terrible.
ACHIOR. Thus it happened. When the children of Israel had shut up the
passages of the hill country and had fortified all the tops of the high
hills, Holofernes was very angry. And he called the captains of Ammon
and said to them: Tell me now, ye sons of Chanaan, who these Israelites
are that dwell in the hill country, and wherein is their power and
strength, and why they have determined not to come and meet me, more
than all the inhabitants of the west? And I, Achior, answered the
question of Holofernes.
OZIAS. And what answer gave you?
ACHIOR. I said to Holofernes: This people is descended of the Chaldeans.
But they left the way of their ancestors and would not follow the gods
of their fathers; and they worshipped the God of heaven. So they were
cast out from the face of the gods of Chaldea, and they fled into
Mesopotamia. And they came to Chanaan. But when a famine covered all the
land of Chanaan they went down into Egypt, and the king of Egypt brought
them low with labouring in brick and made them slaves. Then they cried
to their God, and he smote all the land of Egypt with plagues.... And
God dried the Red Sea for them.
VOICES. It is true. It is true!
ACHIOR. And they came to Chanaan, and drove before them the inhabitants
of that land, and they dwelt in that country many days. And while they
sinned not before their God they prospered, because the God that hates
iniquity was with them.
VOICES. It is true.
ACHIOR. But when they departed from the way which their God appointed,
then they were destroyed in many battles very sore, and were led
captives into a land that was not theirs, and the temple of their God
was cast to the ground.
VOICES. Gentile dog! Shall we not render him to pieces?
JUDITH. There is but one truth, brethren, whether it please or whether
it displease.
OZIAS (_to_ Achior). Make an end.
ACHIOR. And I said to Holofernes: But now this people are returned to
their God, and have possessed Jerusalem, and are seated in the hill
country. (_With more emphasis_.) And I said further to Holofernes: Now
therefore, my lord and governor, if there be any error in this people,
let us go up and we shall overcome them. But if there be no iniquity in
their nation, let my lord now pass by, lest their Lord defend them and
we become a reproach before all the world.
JUDITH. It was well said.
OZIAS. Lady, it was well said--if the slave said it. (_To_ Achior.) I
demanded of you: How came you _here_?
ACHIOR. Thus. When I had finished speaking to Holofernes, all they that
were about my lord and governor rose up in wrath and cried: Kill him.
And the face of Holofernes darkened, and he said: And who art thou,
Achior, that thou hast prophesied among us to-day that we should not
make war with the people of Israel because of their God? And who is God
but Nebuchadnezzar? Nebuchadnezzar by my hand will destroy the
Israelites, and their God shall not deliver them. Their mountains shall
be drunken with their blood and their fields shall be filled with their
dead bodies. (_The_ citizens _show alarm_.) And thou, Achior, shalt be
delivered up to the Israelites in Bethulia, and when thou seest me again
thou shalt fall among the slain.... And he commanded his servants, and
they took me, and carried me secretly to the foot of the hill of
Bethulia. And here am I!
OZIAS (_after a pause, positively_). It is a wicked device for our
undoing.
JUDITH. How so?
OZIAS. Plainly this fellow lies, and he has come subtly with a tale to
spy out our strength. Presently he will seek to escape from us again to
the Assyrians.
VOICES. Spy! Stone him! Rend him!
ACHIOR (_to_ Ozias). To Holofernes, my lord and governor, I spoke truth;
and to you also I speak truth. Never has my mouth lied, nor my tongue
uttered deceit. If death is ordained for my recompense, so be it.
JUDITH (_to_ Ozias). He is a fair youth, and has spoken truly and feared
not.
OZIAS (_with meaning_). Lady, he is a fair youth, and fearless. But by
what sign know you that he has spoken truly?
JUDITH. By the glance of his eyes I know.
OZIAS. It is a sign that suffices not. Shall it be said that Ozias was
deceived, and shall Ozias imperil his renown, by reason of the glance of
a youth when he looks at a woman--even you?... And if he lies not, then
he is a fool and his folly was great.
ACHIOR. I spoke the truth to Holofernes.
OZIAS (_fiercely_). But to speak truth did not content you. Having
answered Holofernes, you must needs offer counsel to your lord and
governor! Who were you to offer counsel to the greatest of all the
captains of the earth? The protection of the mighty conqueror covered
you, and lo! in your folly did you estrange yourself from him. Fool!
ACHIOR. I said to Holofernes, my lord and governor, that which I was
appointed to say--that, no more and no less.
OZIAS. And who appointed you to say that which you said?
JUDITH. If there be a God in Israel, and if the Lord has not abandoned
us, may not this youth be the messenger of the Most High to bring us
comfort, and for a warning to the vainglory of Holofernes?
OZIAS (_with irony_). All is possible to the Lord. Yet may his purposes
be hidden from us. (_To the soldiers_.) Until the Lord vouchsafe new
wisdom to me, his servant, bind fetters about the feet of Achior, and
take him to the house of bondage, and set a guard over him, for a spy is
not more dangerous than a fool.
CHARMIS (_springing forward_). It shall be done, Ozias.
(_The soldiers begin to put chains on_ Achior.)
JUDITH (_quietly_). Shame him not with fetters, lord Ozias.
OZIAS (_after a pause, to the soldiers_). Unbind him! (_The soldiers
obey_.) Take him off! Speedily! Away! All! Let none remain! Hasten, I
say!
(_Exeunt back, all except_ Ozias _and_ Judith. _As he goes_ Achior
_kisses Judith's robe_.)
JUDITH (_to_ Achior, _as he does so_). Truth-teller!
(_At a sign from_ Judith, Haggith _re-enters the house_.)
OZIAS. Your face is turned from me, because of the youth. Yet you came
out to see the governor of the city, and the governor could do no other
than I have done.
JUDITH (_looking at him_). Ozias, you have shown me your heart.
OZIAS. Yea!
JUDITH. And in the moment when the youth came you asked of me my
counsel.
OZIAS. Yea!
JUDITH. Hear me now, for the words you have spoken before the people
this day are not right.
OZIAS. What words?
JUDITH. This promise that you have uttered to deliver the city to our
enemies, unless within five days the Lord turn to help. Who are you that
seek to stand instead of God among the children of men?
OZIAS. Stand instead of God!
JUDITH. Who are you that have tempted God this day? For you cannot find
the depth of the heart of man,--how then shall you search out God or
comprehend his purpose? Brother, provoke not the Lord our God to anger.
For if he will not help us within these five days, he has power to
defend us when he will, even every day. Do not bind the counsels of God.
For God is not as man that he may be threatened, neither as the son of
man that he should be wavering. Therefore let us wait for salvation from
him, and he will hear our voice,--if it please him. Moreover, this city
is the key and the gateway to all Judea. If it be obstinate in
resistance, Judea is not defiled, but if it be taken the whole land
shall lie waste and God will require the profanation of it at our mouth.
OZIAS. All that you have spoken is truth, and there is none to gainsay
your words. From the beginning of your days we have known your wisdom,
and your understanding is manifest.... (_With significance_.) But we are
thirsty.
JUDITH. If we are thirsty, let us give thanks to the Lord our God, who
tries us, even as he did our fathers.
OZIAS. The people in the extremity of their thirst compelled me to an
oath, which I will not break.
JUDITH. Say you the people, Ozias? As for them, you hold them lightly,
and they are as naught in your eyes. So much you have avowed.
OZIAS (_in a new tone_). It is true. This day I hold the people lightly.
But when the great madness and desperation of thirst comes at last upon
them, who shall hold them? In that day they will seize the things
forbidden, and they will drink the wine sanctified and reserved for the
priests that serve the Lord. And to avert from me the wrath of Joachim,
the high priest of Jerusalem, I have sent already a messenger to
Jerusalem to bring a licence that this matter may be lawful.
JUDITH (_shocked_). Nay!
OZIAS. I say it will be so.
JUDITH. It shall not be so.
OZIAS. Then pray you to the Most High for the city, even for all of us,
and the Lord will send rain for our cisterns and we shall faint no more.
Pray, for you are a godly woman, and the God of Israel shall listen.
JUDITH (_with supreme impressiveness_). Hear me again, Ozias. This night
I will do a thing which shall go throughout all the generations to the
children of Israel. You shall stand this night in the gate of the city,
and I will go forth from the city with my waiting-woman; and within the
days that you have promised to deliver the city to our enemies the Lord
will visit Israel by my hand.
OZIAS. On what errand will you go?
JUDITH. Enquire not of my act, for I will not declare it until the
things are finished that I do. But this I declare, that the Lord has
inclined himself to me, and now he has sent Achior for a sign.
OZIAS. You go to Holofernes!
JUDITH. To Holofernes.
OZIAS. Do not go!
JUDITH. But why shall I not go?
OZIAS. The perils of the heathen will surround you, and harm will surely
befall you, for Holofernes will work lamentable evil upon you. And I
cannot suffer it.
JUDITH (_smiling_). Did not Ozias say that Holofernes was a great
warrior and had compassion in his greatness?
OZIAS (_insistent_). I cannot suffer it, for if any shame come upon you
I will not live.
JUDITH. God will not see his handmaid shamed. Moreover I regard not
myself in this thing, but the welfare of the people of Israel.
OZIAS (_kneeling_). Judith, I entreat you! For you are the light of my
eyes, and without you the world is not.
JUDITH (_softly_). I know it. Think you that in these years I have not
seen the depths of your heart, Ozias? Think you that I was blind in my
tent? Think you that I watched not upon you? You were comely in my
sight. But this day you have revealed your pride. For you seek not God,
but the vanity of the earth, and you would make all Israel the
instrument of your glory, denying the Lord. And I am sad.
OZIAS. Forgive me, Rose of Sharon.
JUDITH (_softly_). Who am I, to forgive my brother? Peace be upon you!
(_She turns towards her house_.)
OZIAS (_rising,_). Stay!
JUDITH. I go to prepare myself for that which I have to do. (_Exit into
the house_.)
(_A soldier shows himself, back._)
OZIAS. Friend!
FIRST SOLDIER (_approaching and saluting_). Lord! Your command!
OZIAS. Send to me the officer of the watch.
FIRST SOLDIER. Lord, the honourable lieutenant lies sick.
(Haggith _appears at the door of the house_.)
OZIAS. Thirst has overcome him?
FIRST SOLDIER (_bowing_). He raves on the bed, lord, and his tongue is
like the tongue of a dog.
OZIAS. Who then commands the watch by the watchfires this night?
FIRST SOLDIER. I, lord. The watchfires wait the torch.
OZIAS. Will you, too, faint, and will your tongue be like the tongue of
a dog?
FIRST SOLDIER (_grimly_), Not mine, lord.
OZIAS. DO the people complain?
FIRST SOLDIER. Lord, they whine and snivel mightily.
_Enter_ Haggith _with a small sack._
OZIAS. Is the secret way shut?
FIRST SOLDIER. Shut and barred, lord.
OZIAS. It must be opened.... Stand! I will see to it.
FIRST SOLDIER. AS my lord wills.
OZIAS. Has the watch aught to drink?
FIRST SOLDIER. My lord knows that no drop is left in the gourds.
(Ozias _waves him away, and he retires_.)
OZIAS (_to_ Haggith, _who is busy with the sack_). Woman, has the lady
Judith perchance dreamed a dream?
HAGGITH (_enigmatically_). My mistress has dreamed no dream. Why does
the lord Ozias ask?
OZIAS. It seemed to me--(_stops_)
HAGGITH. Dreams lift up fools. (_Exit into the house_.) (_Exit Ozias,
L_.)
(_The soldier strolls forward. Twilight begins to fall_.)
(_Enter_ Haggith _from the house with more baggage_.)
HAGGITH (_to the soldier; curtly; not looking at him_). So thou hast no
water?
FIRST SOLDIER (_with genial freedom_). Yea, Haggith, we have still a
little.
HAGGITH. Then thou has lied to the governor?
FIRST SOLDIER. _Him_? (_With a jerk of the shoulder_!) _He_ knows! In
truth now, thinkest thou he would expect us soldiers to keep guard
without water? _He_ knows! But he is a great lord, and in seemliness he
asks for a lie, and that which he asks is given to him--in seemliness.
HAGGITH. But the officer raving as thou hast said with thirst?
FIRST SOLDIER. Ah! It is the business of a worshipful officer to scorn
deceit and to suffer.
HAGGITH. And all the people?
FIRST SOLDIER. The people are the people. But we soldiers are
soldiers--and must drink, or we cannot guard. (_Yawns_.) Eh! I could lie
down and snore for seven years, but I am appointed to watch all night.
HAGGITH (_suddenly caressing_). Sweet warrior! Would I could rest thee!
FIRST SOLDIER (_startled by the change in her demeanour_). Haggith! Thou
art marvellously and desirably changed.
HAGGITH. I am practising to thy profit for that which lies before me and
my mistress.
FIRST SOLDIER. What meanest thou?
HAGGITH. Chut! If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee--it will
not burst thee.
FIRST SOLDIER. Lord! turn away from me vain hopes and concupiscence.
HAGGITH. And so thou sleepest not this night!... Neither do I sleep.
FIRST SOLDIER. What?
HAGGITH. I go with my mistress upon a journey.
FIRST SOLDIER. What journey? There can be no journey for thee, unless
thou leave the city and wend to the Assyrians.
HAGGITH (_curt again_). Nevertheless we go upon a journey.
FIRST SOLDIER. It is madness.
HAGGITH. It may be.
FIRST SOLDIER. Who can tell the heart of a master? Not I! When dost thou
depart?
HAGGITH. My mistress is attiring.
FIRST SOLDIER. Thou dost not attire her?
HAGGITH. I! I, who have charge over all that is hers! Wilt thou tell me,
then, what is the task of her tiring-women? Idle sluts!
FIRST SOLDIER. And this is thy baggage?
HAGGITH (_matter-of-fact_). A cruse of oil, a bag of parched corn, fine
bread, three lumps of figs--and a bottle of wine--yea, the last!
FIRST SOLDIER (_drawing in his lips_). Ah! But thou wilt need an ass for
this cargo.
HAGGITH (_drily_). I am the ass.
_Enter_ Judith, _magnificently dressed_.
(_The_ soldier _retires, back_.)
JUDITH. Is all prepared?
HAGGITH. All is prepared, mistress.
_Enter_ Ozias, _L_.
OZIAS (_ecstatic at the sight of_ Judith's _splendour_). O, loveliness!
O, lily of the field! Who shall withstand you, and who shall say you
nay?
JUDITH (_smiling_). I am ready to depart.
OZIAS. The secret way is opened. I will lead you to it.
JUDITH (_gently_). The secret way? I will take no secret way.
OZIAS. But hear me, lady. The peril from the archers far off--
JUDITH. What did I say to you, lord Ozias? I said: You shall stand this
night in the gate of the city, and I will go forth. My desire is that
you command the gatemen to open the gates, so that I and my
waiting-woman may pass out before all men, and in the sight of the Lord.
(_She bends to examine_ Haggith's _baggage_.)
OZIAS (_moved. Calling to the_ soldiers). Ho! Let the gates of the city
be opened, that the lady Judith may go forth.
FIRST SOLDIER. Yea, lord. (_Calling to others, off._) Gatemen!
(_The gatemen man the gate-chains, and citizens rush in with cries_:
'What shall happen to us? The lady Judith leaves the city? At
night-fall? What is it?')
OZIAS (_fiercely, to the crowd_). Get hence! Dogs!
JUDITH (_softly_). Let them stay, Lord Ozias, for that which I do, I do
not in secret, neither shall it be hidden.
OZIAS (_to the crowd_). Make a way clear to the gates.
JUDITH. Before I go, I will look into the valley whither I descend.
(_She mounts to the vantage-point_).
VOICES. Water! Water! Or we die!
JUDITH (_from the vantage-point_). Brethren, bewail not! Remember what
things the Lord did to Abraham, and how he tried Isaac, and what
happened to Jacob in Mesopotamia. For the Lord has not tried us in the
fire as he did them, neither has he taken vengeance upon us. But the
Lord scourges them that come near to him, to admonish them. (_She
kneels. Following her example, everybody kneels_.) O Lord God of my
father Simeon, the Assyrians are multiplied in their power; they trust
in shield, and spear, and bow, and sling; and know not that thou art the
Lord which breakest battles; the Lord is thy name. Behold their pride,
and send thy wrath upon their heads; give into my hand, which am a
widow, the power that I have conceived. For thy power standeth not in
multitude, nor thy might in strong men. Smite the Assyrians by the
deceit of my lips; break down their stateliness by the hand of a woman.
And make my speech and deceit to be their wound and stripe, who have
purposed cruel things against thy covenant and against the top of Zion.
And make every nation and tribe to acknowledge that thou art the God of
all power, and that there is none other that protecteth the people of
Israel but thou. (_She rises. The crowd murmurs:_ 'Amen.' _All rise._
Judith _comes down from the vantage-point. Silence_.)
OZIAS (_moved_). Open the gates.
JUDITH (_to_ Haggith). Nothing is forgotten?
HAGGITH. Nothing.
(Judith _moves a step towards the gates._)
OZIAS. The soul of my soul goes with you into the valley.
JUDITH (_to_ Haggith, _solemnly_). And the knife?
(Haggith _gives a gesture. At the same moment a woman comes from the
house with a knife, which she hands to_ Haggith, _who hands it to_
Judith, _who takes it ceremoniously, and hides it in her dress. The
gates are now opened, and the distant plain under the setting sun is
seen covered with the tents of the Assyrian army_.)
(Judith _goes slowly through the gates, followed by_ Haggith _carrying
the baggage_.)
VOICES (_as_ Judith _passes_). Water! Water!
OZIAS (_with deep emotion_). Close the gates. Light the watchfires.
(_The gates begin slowly to close. The glow of the watchfires is seen_.)
CURTAIN.
ACT II
SCENE I
_The valley of Jezreel. The city of Bethulia on the hill in the
distance_.
Haggith _with her baggage enters to_ Ingur _and his men_.
TIME: _The next morning but one_.
INGUR. What art thou?
HAGGITH (_prudishly and coldly_). If it please thee, I am a woman.
INGUR. No. Thou art a hedgehog.
HAGGITH (_suddenly cajoling_). I ask pardon. When I saw thy great
handsomeness I grew afraid, and my tongue was stiffened. In my country
there is no man so handsome as thou art.
INGUR. Ah! (_Much mollified_.) And what then is thy country?
HAGGITH. I am a woman of the Hebrews, and I have come from Bethulia.
INGUR (_astonished_). A woman of the Hebrews! From Bethulia! (_To his
men_). Stand back from my face. (_The men retire. To_ Haggith.) This is
a rare strange tale.
HAGGITH. Could I lie to _thee_? I have escaped from the city, which is
given over to be consumed. I sought water for my thirst, for in Bethulia
there is no water, and the people faint in the streets.
INGUR. But it is a long journey from Bethulia, and thou art fresh and
delicate as though just risen from thy bed.
HAGGITH (_smiling_). I can hide nothing from thee, mighty wolf. I am,
indeed, but just risen from my bed. The night before last night I set
forth secretly, and came into the valley yesterday at noon, and lay soft
in a cave where three springs bubbled, and drank, and slept until this
morning's sunrise.
INGUR. What is thy name?
HAGGITH. Haggith.
INGUR. Thy name is as strange as thy errand, and as thyself; and surely
thou art a woman of the Hebrews, which is a race of lunatics, as I am
told.
HAGGITH. I have figs fit for a great king. (_Opens her sack and offers
some figs_.)
INGUR _(eating)._ Um! And what else hast thou? Let me touch thee,
Haggith. (_He touches her carefully_). Yes, thou art outlandish, and no
doubt mad, but comely. Comely! Thou hast the likeness and feel of a
woman. Always have I hankered after strange women, and now lo! one falls
ripe into my mouth. (Haggith _shrinks. Reassuringly._) In a way of
speaking! In a way speaking! For thou art not in my mouth. And so thou
earnest to slake thy thirst?
HAGGITH. Yes, my roaring lion.
INGUR. Listen! Thou hast saved thy life with water. But thou art lost.
HAGGITH. Lost?
INGUR. Ay! A woman in the camps of the Assyrians--she is undone. She is
a lamb in a den of terrible tigers. (_Comfortingly_.) No, no! I will
protect thee, but I warn thee that thou art undone. I am honest.
(_Caresses her_.)
HAGGITH (_clumsily returning his caress_). _Thou_ wilt not harm me.
INGUR. I will not tear thee to pieces, but thou shalt come away with me.
(_She timidly strokes him_). Thou hast not the habit of this stroking.
HAGGITH. My mistress commanded me, when I encountered any noble
Assyrian, to use him thus. It is true that I have not the habit.
Nevertheless I do what I can.
INGUR (_startled at the mention of a mistress_). Thy--thy mistress? Ye
are two? Where then is thy mistress? Tell me upon the instant--is she
fairer than thou?
HAGGITH. Seven times more fair.
INGUR. Fetch her!
HAGGITH. My mistress is washing herself in a fountain of water by the
cave. She sent me forward in peace and friendliness to announce her
coming.
INGUR. Fetch her! (_Suddenly perceiving_ Bagoas _in the distance, he
changes his manner_.) Stay! Bagoas is approaching, and he may have seen
thee. His eyes are sharp. Stand off. (Haggith _moves away a little_.)
But when I tell thee, fall down on thy face.
HAGGITH. Is he a great captain?
INGUR. His mightiness is the chief eunuch of the Prince, and there is
none greater than he save only the Prince himself, for Bagoas has charge
over all the women of the Prince's tents.
HAGGITH. Women of the Prince's tents?
INGUR. Ay! Wives! Concubines! Virgins! Beyond counting. Didst thou think
in thy Hebrew pride, that the Prince was a savage and a barbarian?...
Down, damsel! Here is Bagoas. Embrace the earth for thy life's sake.
(Haggith _obeys_.)
_Enter_ Bagoas, _with attendants, L_.
(Ingur _salutes him with extreme deference_.)
BAGOAS. Who art thou?
INGUR. Ingur, mightiness, commanding twenty footmen.
BAGOAS. Begone from my sight. This morning the Prince condescends to
walk through the camp, that all the armies may take joy in his
countenance. It is not meet that he should be seen of any lower than a
lieutenant.
INGUR (_indicating_ Haggith). Mightiness, a woman of the Hebrews escaped
from Bethulia to find water! And by my subtlety I have captured her.
BAGOAS. A woman of the Hebrews! (_Surveying_ Haggith.) Rise, scum, and
let me behold thy deformity. (Haggith _obeys_.)
INGUR. And there is another yet to appear,--her mistress, seven times
fairer.
BAGOAS. Her mistress may be seven times fairer than this eyesore, and
yet ugly. (_To_ Haggith.) Who is thy mistress?
HAGGITH. The lady Judith.
BAGOAS. Judith! A name fit only for a cat! Why is she here? How is she
here? What is her secret and detestable purpose? For there is a trick in
this thing.
HAGGITH. I know not my mistress's purpose.
BAGOAS. Tell me thy mistress's purpose, or I will have thee smothered.
HAGGITH. I know only that if Holofernes----
BAGOAS (_stopping her angrily_). Callest thou the illustrious one by his
name? The most high _Prince_ Holofernes, foul wench.
HAGGITH. The most high Prince Holofernes--if he so wills my mistress
would speak with his highness.
BAGOAS (_laughing heartily_). Speak with the Prince? _Speak_ with the
Prince? Ha-ha! (_All the men laugh_.) What is the state of thy mistress?
HAGGITH. The lady Judith is a widow.
BAGOAS (_still more amused_). Aha! A widow! And the Hebrew hag would
_speak_ with Prince Holofernes! (_The men laugh and jeer_.)
_Enter_ Judith, _R_.
(Haggith _goes quickly to her. All the men stare at_ Judith, _deeply
impressed_.)
HAGGITH (_aside to_ Judith). There are many hussies in the camps,
thousands and thousands, mistress. This lord is the chief eunuch.
BAGOAS (_aside to an attendant_). If this be an example of the Bethulian
women, I shall have a momentous business upon me when their city falls.
FIRST ATTENDANT. Yea, mightiness.
(Judith, _signing to_ Haggith _to stand aside, bows to the ground
before_ Bagoas; _then rises again_.)
BAGOAS (_after a short pause_). You are very beautiful.
JUDITH. There are beautiful women in Judea, but no man of Judea would
look twice at such as I, a shrunken widow, like dried fish.
(_Exit_ Ingur, _excitedly, L_.)
BAGOAS. I have heard how you have escaped out of Bethulia and come
hither in order to find water. (_Blandly_.) Aught else?
JUDITH. My desire also was to have speech privately with the great
conqueror, Holofernes.
BAGOAS. Ah! We are well met, you and I. For I am Bagoas, chief eunuch to
the illustrious Prince. (_Aside to second attendant_.) Run. Fetch the
box of veils. (_Exit_ second attendant, _L_.)
JUDITH (_saluting once more_). I supplicate then, mighty Bagoas, that
you lead me quickly to the illustrious Prince Holofernes.
BAGOAS. Surely! Surely! It is my pleasure to content you. (_Aside, to
attendant, anxiously_.) This dried fish by her damnable beauty will
reach great power, and if I speak not softly to her now she will undo me
in that day.
FIRST ATTENDANT. Yea, mightiness.
JUDITH. I humbly thank your mightiness.
BAGOAS. But it is necessary that you should relate to me your little
affair. For no woman speaks to the illustrious Prince until she has
spoken to me.
JUDITH. It cannot be so.
BAGOAS (_persuasively_). In my ear, privily. Approach.
JUDITH. It cannot be so.
BAGOAS. What mean you--it cannot be so?
JUDITH. I will utter my errand to the illustrious Prince Holofernes
alone.
BAGOAS (_losing his self-control; angrily_). What? Thou queasy chit!
Thou minx! Thou jade! Baggage! Mopsy! Shamelesss wench! Thou wilt not
obey Bagoas, chief eunuch in the camps of the Assyrians! I will make
thee the slave of my slave and the plaything of scullions. (_Stops._
Judith _smiles_. Haggith _subsides alarmed at her feet_.) Thou shalt be
abandoned to the sutlers and the ass-drivers, and thus thou shalt learn
who is Bagoas and what is his power! (_Stops again._ Judith _still
smiles_.) The strumpets of the kitchens shall scorn thee! I--I----
JUDITH (_smiling sweetly_). Mightiness! Mightiness! I am your bondwoman,
but it is appointed by heaven that I shall speak with the illustrious
Prince Holofernes himself.
BAGOAS (_controlling himself, smiling_). Well, if it is appointed by
heaven, so shall it be. Forget my words. They had no evil intent, for I
was trying you, as my duty is. (_Aside to attendant_.) The sweetness of
her glance dissolves my backbone.
FIRST ATTENDANT. Yea, mightinesss.
BAGOAS (_to_ Judith). Follow me, lady. (_Aside to_ attendant.) Thinkest
thou the Prince will come this way? (_Pointing_.)
FIRST ATTENDANT. Yea, mightiness.
BAGOAS. Or that?
FIRST ATTENDANT. Yea, mightiness.
BAGOAS. If the Prince so much as sees her before the city is taken,
never will the city be taken, and we shall all be her captives.
FIRST ATTENDANT. Yea, mightiness.
BAGOAS (_beating the attendant_). I will lead her by the path to the
cave, for the Prince will surely not come that way. (_To_ Judith.)
Follow me, lady.
(Bagoas _moves R_. Judith _hesitates a moment as_ Haggith _picks up her
sack. Enter R. the heralds of Holofernes, followed by_ Holofernes.)
BAGOAS (_to himself_). Holofernes! (_To his attendants_.) Hide her,
rascals, or Assyria is undone. (_The attendants range themselves
between_ Judith _and_ Holofernes.)
(Bagoas _receives_ Holofernes _with a prostration and high ceremony_.)
HOLOFERNES. Where is this woman?
BAGOAS. Woman, Prince?
HOLOFERNES (_impatient_). This Hebrew woman, I say! One Ingur has run
among the tents chattering, and the rumour of her has spread through the
camps like a plague. By Nebuchadnezzar the one god, where is she, for it
has been told to me that her beauty excels the beauty of all the women
of the East and ravishes the eye exceedingly?
BAGOAS. Ah! It is of Judith that the Prince deigns to speak. Lo! I had
caught her and was bringing her to your highness. (_To_ attendants.)
Stand aside, dogs.
(Judith _is revealed to_ Holofernes. _She prostrates herself and then
rises_. Holofernes _gazes at her, entranced_.)
HOLOFERNES. So thou hast escaped out of Bethulia to find water for thy
thirst?
JUDITH. To find water, and to have speech with the most illustrious
Prince.
HOLOFERNES. Woman (_approaching her a step, and then standing still_),
be of good comfort, and fear not in thy heart, for I never hurt any that
was willing to serve Nebuchadnezzar, the god of all the earth. And if
thy people that dwell in the mountains had not held me lightly, I would
not have lifted up my spear against them, but they have done these
things to themselves.
BAGOAS (_aside, to_ Holofernes). Terrible master, she is full of guile
and deceitfulness, and came not at all for water, but for a hidden
purpose against you. Therefore enquire of her closely.
HOLOFERNES (_to_ Bagoas). Chastise thy tongue, ere it overthrow thee,
fiend. There is no guile in that face. (_To_ Judith.) Tell me now thy
message and wherefore in truth thou art come. And tremble not, for thou
shalt live this night.
JUDITH. Great prince, receive the words of your servant and suffer your
handmaid to speak in your presence, and I will declare no lie to my
lord.
HOLOFERNES. Speak.
JUDITH. I will speak to my lord alone.
BAGOAS (_aside to_ Holofernes). It is a device against my lord.
HOLOFERNES (_to_ Judith). Speak now, I command thee.
JUDITH. My message concerns the fate of Bethulia, and of all the
Assyrians, and of my lord. Life and death are in it, for I have communed
with heaven.
HOLOFERNES. Which heaven? Thine or mine?
JUDITH. There is but one God.
HOLOFERNES (_roughly_). And he is Nebuchadnezzar. Speak thy tale.
JUDITH. I will speak to my lord alone.
BAGOAS (_aside to_ Holofernes). It is a device.
HOLOFERNES (_angrily_). Speak out all thy heart, and quickly!
JUDITH. I will speak to my lord in my lord's tent.
HOLOFERNES (_furious_). In my tent! Who art thou who defiest me, and
what is thy licence, heathen slave, to defile the tent of Holofernes?
Bind her. Take her away, and twist the cords about her neck, and
strangle her, and cast her insolence into the lake.
(Judith _is seized and bound in an instant_.)
HOLOFERNES (_in two minds_). Wait!
BAGOAS. She is bound, illustrious prince.
HOLOFERNES. Wait!
BAGOAS (_aside to_ Holofernes). Prince, let not the benevolence of your
heart be your undoing, for in the loveliness of her face is cunning and
great peril. I have lived all my days amid the craftiness of women, and
my lord also knows somewhat of their strange tricks, which bring ruin to
the carnal.
HOLOFERNES (_reflective_). Who would despise these Hebrews that have
among them such women as she? (_Fiercely_). Surely it is not good that
one man among them should be left; for if one were let go he might
deceive the whole earth.
JUDITH (_advancing a step, appealingly_). Will the wise man cast away a
pearl, and will my lord in anger lose his servant for ever?
BAGOAS (_to_ Holofernes). Let her not speak with my lord alone in my
lord's tent.
JUDITH. I would speak with the illustrious prince--and with Bagoas
also. (_She smiles_.)
HOLOFERNES (_with a gesture_). I cannot lose thee. (_To attendants_.)
Unbind her.
BAGOAS (_aside_). May heaven be with us, for the woman is against us!
HOLOFERNES (_to_ Bagoas). Veil her, that her face and form be not seen
as she passes to my tent, for she is mine.
BAGOAS (_calling_). The veils! The veils! Where is the rascal?
_The attendant rushes in panting with the box of veils. He is followed
by_ Ingur.
(Judith _is elaborately veiled in a series of veils by_ Bagoas _and his
attendants_).
HOLOFERNES. Let her follow me.
(_Exeunt, R, with great ceremony_, Holofernes _and his heralds, followed
by_ Judith.)
INGUR (_as they go, stopping_ Bagoas, _who goes last_). Mightiness,
pardon your slave.
BAGOAS. Well?
INGUR (_pointing to_ Haggith). Your slave captured the mistress. Reward
him with this outlandish wench.
BAGOAS (_carelessly_). The fool goeth out to seek his own damnation.
Take her.
CURTAIN.