Judith, a play in three acts | Page 7

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!