Judith, a play in three acts | Page 9

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.