ACT I
_SCENE: A Hall of Judgment in the palace of Saul at Gibeah. The walls, pillars and ceiling are of cedar richly carven with images of serpents, pomegranates and cherubim in gold. The floors are of bright marble; the throne of ivory, hung with a lion’s skin whose head is its footstool. On the right and left, doors, draped with finely woven curtains of purple and white, lead to other portions of the palace. Seats toward the front. Lamps burn low._
_The Hall, supported on pillars, is open along the back, where a Porch, surrounding the Court of the palace, crosses. Through the Porch, on the environing hills, glow the camp-fires of the Philistines, the enemies of Israel._
_JUDITH, LEAH and ZILLA are reclining restively on the floor of the Hall._
JUDITH
[_Springing to her feet impatiently._]
O for a feast! pomegranate wine and song!
LEAH
Oh! oh!
ZILLA
A feast indeed! the men in camp! When was a laugh or any leaping here? Never; and none to charm with timbreling!
[_She goes to the porch._]
LEAH
What shall we do?
JUDITH
I’ll dance.
ZILLA
Until you’re dead.
JUDITH
Or till a youth wed Zilla for her beauty? I’ll not soil mine with sullen fear all day Because these Philistines press round. As well Be wenches gathering grapes or wool! Come, Leah.
[_She prepares to dance._]
LEAH
No, Judith, I’ll put henna on my nails, And mend my anklet.
[_She sits down._]
ZILLA
[_At the curtains._] Oh! oh, oh!
JUDITH
Now hear her! Who, who, now? who, who is it? dog, fox, devil?
ZILLA
All!
JUDITH
Then ’tis Ishui! [_Bounding to curtains._] Yes, Ishui! And fury in him, sallow, sour fury! A jackal were his mate! Come, come, we’ll plague him.
ZILLA
And too--with David whom he hates!
JUDITH
Aie, David! A joy to rouse men up to jealousy!
LEAH
Why hates he David, Zilla?
ZILLA
Stupid Leah!
JUDITH
Hush, hush, be meet and ready now; he’s near. Look as for silly visions and for dreams!
[_They pose themselves. Ishui enters--sees them. Judith sighs._]
ISHUI
Now timbrel-gaud, why gaping here!
JUDITH
O! ’tis Prince Ishui!
ZILLA
Prince Ishui! Then he Will tell us! he will tell us!
LEAH
Yes!
JUDITH
Of David! O is he come! when, where, quick, quick, and will He pluck us ecstasies out of his harp, Winning until we’re wanton for him, mad, And sigh and laugh and weep to the moon!
ISHUI
Low thing!
Chaff of the king!
JUDITH
The king! I had not thought! David a king! how beauteous would he be!
ISHUI
David?
JUDITH
Turban of sapphire! robe of gold!
ISHUI
A king? o’er Israel?
JUDITH
Who, who can tell! Have you not heard? Yesterday in the camp Among war-old but fearful men he offered Kingly to meet Goliath--great Goliath!
ISHUI
What do you say? to meet Goliath?
JUDITH
[_Laughing in his face._] Aie!
[_He thrusts her from him. She goes dancing with Zilla and Leah._]
ADRIEL
[_Who has entered._] Ishui, in a rage?
ISHUI
Should I not be!
ADRIEL
Not would you be yourself.
ISHUI
Not? [_Deftly_.] You say well. I should not, no. Pardon, then, Adriel.
ADRIEL
What was the offence?
ISHUI
Turn from it.--I have not Bidden you here for vapours; yet they had Substance as well for you!
ADRIEL
For me?
ISHUI
Who likes Laughter against him!
ADRIEL
I was laughed at?
ISHUI
Why, It is this shepherd!
ADRIEL
David?
ISHUI
With his harp! Flinging enchantment on the palace air Till he impassions to him all who breathe.
ADRIEL
What sting from that? He’s lovable and brave.
ISHUI
Lovable? _Lovable?_
ADRIEL
I do not see.
ISHUI
This then: you’ve hither come with gifts and gold, Dream-bringing amethyst and weft of Ind, To wed my sister, Merab?
ADRIEL
It is so.
ISHUI
And you’ve the king’s consent; but she denies?
ADRIEL
As every wind, you know it.
ISHUI
Still denies! And you, lost in the maze of her, fare on Blindly and find no reason for it!
ADRIEL
How? What reason can be? women are not clear; And least unto themselves.
ISHUI
Or to their fools.
[_He goes to curtains and draws out Adah._]
Your mistress, Merab, girl, whom does she love? Unclench your hands.
ADAH
I hate her.
ISHUI
Insolent! Answer; I am not milky Jonathan. Answer; and for the rest--You hear?
ADAH
She loves-- The shepherd David!
ADRIEL
Who, girl?
ADAH
I care not! She is unkind; I wilt not spy for her On Michal, and I’ll tell her secrets all! And David does not love her--and she raves.
ISHUI
Off to your sleep; now off--
[_Makes to strikes her._]
ADRIEL
Ishui, no.
[ADAH _goes_.]
ISHUI
And see you now how ‘lovable’ he is! I tell you that he stands athwart us all! The heart of Merab swung a censer to him, My seat at table with the king usurped! Mildew and mocking to the harp of Doeg, As it were any slave’s; the while we all Are lepered with suspicion.
ADRIEL
Of the king?
ISHUI
Ah! and of Jonathan and Michal.
ADRIEL
Hush.
[_Enter_ MICHAL _passing with_ MIRIAM.]
Michal, delay. Whom lead you?
MICHAL
Miriam, A prophetess.
ADRIEL
How of the king to-night?
MICHAL
He’s not at rest; dreads Samuel’s prophecy The throne shall pass from him, and darkens more Against this boundless Philistine Goliath Who dares at Israel daily on the hills, As we were dogs!
ADRIEL
Is David with him?
MICHAL
No; But he is sent for--and will ease him--Ah! He’s wonderful to heal the king with his harp! A waft, a sunny leap of melody, And swift the hovering mad shadow’s gone-- As magic!
ISHUI
Michal.… Curst!
MICHAL
What anger’s this?
ISHUI
Disdaining Doeg and his plea to dust, His waiting and the winning-o’er of Edom, You are enamoured of this David too?
MICHAL
I think my brother Ishui hath a fever.
[_She goes--calmly, with Miriam._]
ISHUI
Now are you kindled--are you quivering, Or must this shepherd put upon us more?
ADRIEL
But has he not dealt honorably?
ISHUI
No.
ADRIEL
Why do you urge it?
ISHUI
Why have senses. He With Samuel the prophet fast enshrouds Some secret, and has Samuel not told The kingdom from my father shall be rent And fall unto another?
ADRIEL
You are certain?
ISHUI
As granite.
[_Voices are heard in altercation._]
Yonder!
ADRIEL
The king?
ISHUI
And Samuel With prophecy or some refusal tears him!
[_They step aside._ SAUL _followed by_ SAMUEL _strides in and mounts the throne_.]
SAUL
You threat, and ever thunder threatening! Pour seething prophesy into my veins, Till a simoon of madness in me moves. Am I not king, the king? chosen and sealed? Who’ve been anathema and have been bane Unto the foes of Israel, and filled The earth with death of them? And do you still forbid that I bear gold And bribe away this Philistine array Folded about us, fettering with flame?
SAMUEL
Yes,--yes! While there is air, and awe of Heaven Do I forbid! A champion must rise To level this Goliath. Thus may we Loose on them pest of panic and of fear.
SAUL
Are forty days not dead? A champion! None will arise--’tis vain. And I’ll not wait On miracle.
SAMUEL
Offer thy daughter then, Michal, thy fairest, to whoever shall.
SAUL
Demand and drain for more! without an end. Ever vexation! No; I will not.
SAMUEL
Then, Out of Jehovah and a vast foreseen I tell thee again, thou perilous proud king, The sceptre shall slip from thee to another!
[_He moves to go._]
SAUL
The sceptre.…
SAMUEL
To another!
SAUL
From me! No! You rouse afar the billowing of ill. I grant--go not!--I grovel to your will, Fear it and fawn as to omnipotence,
[_Snatching at_ SAMUEL’S _mantle_.]
And vow to all its divination--all!
SAMUEL
Then, Saul of Israel, the hour is near, When shall arise one, and Goliath fall!
[SAMUEL _goes slowly out_, SAUL _sinks back_.]
ISHUI
Oh,--subtle!
SAUL
Thus he sways me.
ISHUI
Subtle!--subtle! And yet I must not speak; come, Adriel, No use of us here.
[_He makes as if to go._]
SAUL
Use? subtle? Stand!
ISHUI
No, father, no.
SAUL
What mean you?
ISHUI
Do not ask.… Yet how it creeps, and how!
SAUL
Unveil your words.
ISHUI
Do you not see it crawl, this serpent scheme? Goliath slain--the people mad with praise, Then fallen from you--Michal the victor’s wife.…
SAUL
Say on; say on.
ISHUI
Or else the champion slain-- Fear on the people--panic--the kingdom’s ruin!
SAUL
Now do the folds slip from me.
ISHUI
And you see? Ah then, if one arise? If one arise?
SAUL
Death, death! If he hath touched this prophet--if Merely a little moment!--
ISHUI
I have seen Your David with him.
SAUL
Death! if--Come here: David?
ISHUI
In secret.
SAUL
Say you?
ISHUI
Yes,
SAUL
The folds slip further; To this you lead me--hatred against David! To this with supple envy’s easy glide!
ISHUI
I have but told--
SAUL
You have but builded lies, As ever you are building and forever. I’ll hear no more against him--Abner--No.
[_To_ ABNER, _who enters_.]
David, and with his harp.
ABNER
My lord--
SAUL
Not come? He is not come? And never! but delays.
ABNER
Time’s yet to pass.
SAUL
There is not--Am I king?
[_A harp is heard._]
See you, ’tis he! ’Tis David, and he sings!
DAVID [_Bravely, within._]
Smiter of hosts, Terrible Saul! Vile on the hills shall he laugh who boasts None is among Great Israel’s all Fearless for Saul, king Saul!
[_Entering with people of the palace._]
Aye, is there none Galled of the sting, Will at the soul of Goliath run? Wring it and up To his false gods fling?… None for the king, the king?
[_He drops to his knee, amid praise, before the throne._]
SAUL [_Darkening_]
Forego this praise and stand Away from him; ’tis overmuch. [_To_ DAVID] Why have You dallied and delayed?
DAVID
My lord, delayed?
SAUL
Do not smile wonder, mocking!
DAVID
Why, my lord, I do not mock. Only the birds have wings. Yet on the vales behind me I have left Haste and a swirling wonderment of air, And in the torrent’s troubled vein amaze, So swift I hurried hither at your urgence Out of the fields and folding the far sheep!
SAUL
You have not; you have dallied.
[_He motions. All go but_ DAVID, _whom he comes down toward, indeterminately_.]
You have dallied.
DAVID
Deep in the king I see a darkness foam And sheeted passion, as a lightning gust. Shall I not play to him?
SAUL
You shall not, no.
[_Slowly draws a dagger._]
I’ll not be lulled.
DAVID
Is it a tiger gleam, Terrible fury stealing from the heart And crouching cold within the eye of Saul?
SAUL
I’ll not endure. They say that you--
DAVID
They say? What is this ravage in you. Does the truth So limpid overflow in palaces? Never an enemy to venom it? Am I not David, faithful, and thy friend?
SAUL
I’ll slay you, and regretless.
DAVID [_Unmoving_]
Slay, my lord?
SAUL
Do you not fear? and brave me to my breast!
DAVID
Have I done wrong that I should fear the king? Reed as I am, could he not breathe and break? And I should be oblivion at a word! But under the terror of his might have I Not seen his heart beat justice and beat love? See, even now…!
SAUL
I will not listen to them!
DAVID
To whom, my lord, and what?
SAUL
Ever they say, “This David,” and “this David!”
DAVID
Ah, my harp!
SAUL
But think you, David, I shall lose the kingdom?
DAVID [_Starting_]
My lord…!
SAUL
Pain in your eyes? you think it? Deem I cannot overleap this destiny?
DAVID
To that let us not verge; it has but ill. Deeper the future gulf is for our fears. Forget it. Forget the brink may ever gape, And wield the throne so well that God himself _Must_ not unking you, more than he would cry The morning star from Heaven! Then, I swear it, None else will!
SAUL
Swear?
DAVID
Nay, nay!
SAUL
You swear?
DAVID
But words, Foolishly from the heart; a shepherd speech! Give them no mood; but see, see yonder fires Camping upon the peace of Israel, As we were carrion beneath the sun! Let us conceive annihilation on them, Hurricane rush and deluging and ruin.
SAUL
Ah, but the prophecy! the prophecy! It eats in me the food of rest and ease. And David, nearer: Samuel in my stead Another hath anointed.
DAVID
Saul, not this! This should not fall to me, my lord; no more! You cannot understand; it pains beyond All duty and enduring!
SAUL
Pains beyond…? Who is he? know you of him? do you? know you? You sup the confidence of Samuel? I’ll search from Nile to Nineveh--
DAVID
My lord!
SAUL
Mountain and desert, wilderness and sea, Under and over, search--and find.
DAVID
Peace, peace!
[_Enter_ MICHAL _joyously_.]
MICHAL
O father, father! David! Listen!--Why, All here is dark and quivering as pain, And a foreboding binds me ere I breathe! David, you have not been as sun to him!
DAVID
But Michal will be now.
SAUL
Child, well, what then?
MICHAL
Father, a secret! Oh, and it will make Dawn and delight in you!
SAUL
Perhaps; then, well?
MICHAL
Oh, I have heard…!
SAUL
Have heard?--Why do you pale?
[_She stands unaccountably moved._]
Now are you Baal-bit?
DAVID
Michal!
MICHAL [_In terror._]
David!… the dread. What does it mean? I cannot speak! It shrinks Shivering down upon my heart in awe!
DAVID
So piteous are you? suddenly so numb? And you are faint? let it rush from your lips! Can any moving in the world so bring Terror upon you! Speak, what is it?
MICHAL
Ah! I know not; danger rising and its wing Sudden against my lips!
DAVID
To warn?
MICHAL
It shall not! There--now again flows joy; I think it flows.
SAUL
Then--you have heard…?
MICHAL
Yes, father, yes! Have you Not much desired discovery of whom Samuel hath anointed?
SAUL
Well?
MICHAL
I’ve found
[DAVID _blenches_.]
Almost have found! A prophetess to-day Hath told me that he is a--
[_She stops in realizing horror._]
SAUL
Now you cease? Sudden and senseless!
MICHAL
David?--No!
SAUL
God! God! Have I not bidden swiftly! Ever then Vexation! I could--No. Will she not speak!
MICHAL
I cannot.
SAUL
Cannot! Are you flesh of me!
DAVID
My lord, not anger! Hear me …
SAUL
Cannot?
DAVID
Hear! Her lips could never seal upon a wrong. Sudden divinity is on them, silence Sent for the benison of Israel, Else were it shattered by her love to you! Believe! in all the riven realm of duty There’s no obedience from thee she would hold. If it seem other--
[_Enter_ ABNER _hurriedly_.]
ABNER
Pardon, O king. At once!
SAUL
I will not. Do you come with vexing too?
ABNER
The Philistines--some fury is afoot. A spy within our gates--and scorns to speak.
SAUL
Conspiracy of silence!… Back to him.
[ABNER _goes_.]
[_To_ DAVID _and_ MICHAL.] But you--I’ll not forget. I’ll not forget.
[SAUL _goes_.]
DAVID
Forget! anointing! peril! what are they all! Michal?--for me you have done this, for me?
[_She stands immovable._]
I am swung with joy, as palms of Abila!
[_Goes to her._]
A princess, you, and the veins of you live warm With sympathy and love unto your father, Yet you have shielded me?
MICHAL
You are the anointed?
DAVID
I am--oh do not flint your loveliness!-- I am the anointed, but all innocent In will or hope of any envious wrong As lily blowing of blasphemy! as dew Upon it is of enmity!
MICHAL
Anointed! You whom the king uplifted from the fields!
DAVID
And who am ever faithful to him!
MICHAL
You, Whom Jonathan loves more than women love!
DAVID
Yet reaches not my love to Jonathan!
MICHAL
You--you!
DAVID
But, hear me!
MICHAL
You, of all!
DAVID
O Hear! Of my anointing Jonathan is ’ware, Knows it is holy, helpless, innocent As dawn or a drift of dreaming in the night! Knows it unsought--out of the skies--supernal-- From the inspirèd cruse of Samuel! For Israel it dripped upon me, and For Israel must drip until I die! Or till high Gath and Askalon are blown Dust on the wind, and all Philistia Lie peopleless and still under the stars!-- Goliath, then, a laughter evermore!… Still, still you shrink! do you not see, not feel?
MICHAL
So have you breathed yourself about my heart, Even as moon-lit incense, spirit flame Burning away all barrier!
DAVID
But see!
MICHAL
And all the world has streamed a rapture in, Till even now my lids from anger falter And the dew falls!
DAVID
Restrain! O do not weep! Upon my heart each tear were as a sea Flooding it from all duty but the course Of thy delight!
MICHAL
Poor, that I should have tears! Fury were better, tempest! O weak eyes, When ’tis my father, and with Samuel You creep to steal his kingdom!
DAVID
Michal!… God!
MICHAL
Yes, steal it!
DAVID
Cruel! fell accusal! Yes, Utterly false and full of wounding! [_Struggling, then with control._] Yet, Forgive that even when thy arrows drive Deeper than all the skill of time can draw, I spare thee not the furrowed face of pain.… Delirious wings of hope that fluttered up, At last to fall!
[_Moves to go._]
MICHAL
David!
DAVID
Farewell!
MICHAL
… You must not!
DAVID
Peace to you--peace and joy!
MICHAL
You must not go!
[_He turns. She sways, then reaches out her arms. As irresistibly they move toward each other_, DOEG _and_ MERAB _appear through the curtains_. MICHAL _utters a low cry_. _They vanish._]
MICHAL
[_In numb affright_] Merab and Doeg!
DAVID
Yet what matter, now! Were it the driven night-unshrouded dead! Under the firmament is but one need, That you will understand!
MICHAL
But Merab! ah, She’s cunning, cold and cruel, and she loves thee; Hath told her love to Ahinoam the queen! And Doeg hates thee--since for me he’s mad!
DAVID
Be it, his hate, as wild, as wide as winds That gather up the desert for their blast, Be it as Sheol deep, stronger than stars That fling fate on us, and I care not, care not, If I am trusted and to Michal truth! Hear, hear me! for the kingdom, tho ’t may come, I yearn not, but for you!
MICHAL
No, no!
DAVID
For you! Since I a shepherd o’er a wild of hills First beheld you the daughter of the king Amid his servants, leaning, still with noon, Beautiful under a tamarisk, until All beauty else is dead--
MICHAL
Ah cease!
DAVID
Since then, I have been wonder ecstasy and dream! The molded light and fragrant miracle, Body of you and soul, lifted me till When you departed--
MICHAL
No, you rend me!
DAVID
I Fell thro’ infinity of void!
MICHAL
No more!
DAVID
Then came the prophet Samuel with anointing! My hope sprung as the sun!
MICHAL
I must not hear!
DAVID
Then was I called to play before the king. Here in this hall where cherubim shine out, Where the night silence--
MICHAL
David!
DAVID
Strung me tense, I waited, shepherd-timid, and you came, You for the king to try my skill! you, you!
MICHAL
Leave me, ah leave! I yield!
DAVID
And often since Have we not swayed and swept thro’ happy hours, Far from the birth unto the bourne of bliss?
MICHAL
And I--
DAVID
To-night you did not to the king Reveal my helpless chrism, give me to peril. Say but the reason!
MICHAL
David!
DAVID
Speak, O speak!
MICHAL
And shall I, shall I? how this prophetess Miriam hath foretold--
DAVID
Some wonder? speak!
MICHAL [_Springing up the throne._] Hath told I shall be queen of Israel!
DAVID
Michal, the queen? the queen! We two are then Yoked of eternity unto this end!
MICHAL [_Shrinking down._] No, no! horror in me moans out against it! Wed me with destiny against my father? Dethrone my mother? Ah!
DAVID
Not that--no wrong!
MICHAL
Then swear conspiracy upon its tide Never shall lift you!
DAVID
Deeper than soul or sea, Deep as divinity is deep, I swear. If it shall come, the kingdom--
MICHAL
“If!” not “if.” Surrender this anointing! Spurn it, say You never will be king though Israel Kingless go mad for it!
DAVID
I cannot.
MICHAL
Guile!
DAVID
I cannot--and I must not. It is holy!
MICHAL
Then must I hate you--scorn you--
DAVID
Michal! MICHAL
And will. But to reign over Israel you care, Not for the peace of it!
DAVID
Thus all is vain; A seething on the lips, I’ll say no more … Care but to reign and not for Israel’s calm? I who am wounded with her every wound?… Look out upon yon Philistine bold fires Lapping the night with bloody tongue--look out!
[_A commotion is heard within._]
As God has swung the world and hung forever The infinite in awe, to-morrow night Not one of them shall burn!
MICHAL
You pall me!
DAVID
None!
MICHAL
What is this strength! It seizes on me! No, I’ll not believe, no, no, more than I would From a boy’s breath or the mere sling you wear A multitude should flee! And you shall learn A daughter to a father may be true Tho paleness be her doom until she die!
[_She turns to go. Enter_ JONATHAN _eagerly_.]
JONATHAN
David!
DAVID
My friend--my Jonathan! ’Tis you?
[_They embrace._ MICHAL _goes_.]
JONATHAN
Great heart, I’ve heard how yesterday before The soldiers you.… But Michal gone? No word?
DAVID
The anointing.
JONATHAN
Ah, she knows?
DAVID
All.
JONATHAN
And disdains Believing? tell me.
DAVID
No, not now--not now. Let me forget it in a leap of deeds.
[_The commotion sounds again._]
And all this murmur misty of distress, What is it? sprung of the Philistines? new terror? This sounding giant flings again his foam? Jonathan, I am flame that will not wait, What is it? I must strike.
JONATHAN
David.…
DAVID
Tell me, And do not bring dissuasion more, or pause.
JONATHAN
The king comes here. DAVID
Now?
JONATHAN
With a spy who keeps Fiercely to silence.
DAVID
Then is peril up! Jonathan--!
JONATHAN
David, you must cool from this. Determination surges you o’erfar. I will not see you rush on perishing, Not though it be the aid of Israel.
DAVID
I must.… I will not let them ever throng, Staining the hills, and starving us from peace. Rather the last ray living in me, rather Death and the desecration of the worm. Bid me not back with love, nor plea; I must!
JONATHAN
But think--
DAVID
I must.
JONATHAN
’Twere futile.
DAVID
Hear; the king!
JONATHAN
The madness of it!
DAVID
No, and see; they come.
JONATHAN
Strangely my father is unstrung.
DAVID
They come.
[_Enter_ SAUL _with_ SAMUEL; _Soldiers with the spy_; AHINOAM _with_ ABNER; _and all the court in suppressed dread_.]
SAUL
[_To_ SAMUEL] He will not speak, but scorns me, and his lips Bitterly curve and grapple. But he shall Learn there is torture to it! Set him forth.
[_The spy is thrust forward._]
Tighten his bonds up till he moan.
[_It is done._]
Aye, gasp, Accursed Philistine! Now wilt thou tell The plan and passion of thy people ’gainst us?
SPY
Baal!
SAUL
Tighten the torture more.… Now will you?
SPY [_In agony._]
Yea!
SAUL
On, then, reveal.
SPY
New forces have arrived. Numberless; more than peaks of Arabah.
[_General movement of uneasiness._]
Unless before to-morrow’s moon one’s sent To overthrow Goliath--Gods! the pain!
SAUL
Well?--Well?
SPY
Then Gibeah attacked, and all Even to sucking babes be put to sword!
[_A movement of horror._]
AHINOAM
All Gibeah!
A WOMAN
My little ones? No, no!
[_She rushes frantically out._]
SAMUEL
Then, Saul of Gibeah, one thing and one Alone is to be done. A champion, To break this beetling giant down to death!
SAUL
There is none.
SAMUEL
Is none! Call! I order it.
SAUL
Then who will dare against him!
[_A silence._]
See you now.
SAMUEL
You, Abner, will not?
ABNER
It were death and vain.
SAMUEL
Doeg, chief servant of the king?
DOEG
Why me? Had I a mother out of Israel? I am an alien, an Edomite.
DAVID
My lord, this is no more endurable! Futile and death? Alien? Edomite? Has not this Philistine before the gates With insult and illimitable breath Vaunting of vanity and smiting laughter Boasted and braved and threatened up to Baal? And now unless one slay him, Israel From babe to age must bleed and be no more! I am a shepherd, have but seized the lion And throttled the bleating kid out of his throat; Little it then beseems that I thrust in Where battle captains pale and falter off; But this is past all carp of rank or station. One must go out--Goliath must have end.
DOEG
Ah, ah! and _you_ will!
ISHUI
_You?_
JONATHAN
No, David!
SAUL
_You?_
DAVID
Sudden you hound about me ravenous? Have I thrown doom not daring to your feet, Ruler of Israel, that you rise wild, Livid above me as an avalanche?
DOEG
A plot! it is a plot! He will be slain-- From you, my lord, dominion then will fall! Or should it not …
SAMUEL
Liar; it is no plot. But courage sprung seraphic out of night, Beautiful and a bravery from God!
MICHAL [_Behind the throng._]
Open, and let me enter! Open!
[_She enters._]
Father, It is not false? but now, the uttermost? To-morrow, if Goliath still exult, There’s peril of desolation, bloody ruin?
SAMUEL
I answer for him.
MICHAL
Then to your will, Father, unto will of yesterday I bend me now with sacrificial joy. Unto Goliath’s slayer is the hand Of Michal, the king’s daughter!
DAVID [_Joyously_]
Michal! Michal!
DOEG
See, see, my lord! Do you not understand?
ISHUI
It is another coiling of their plot!
MICHAL
Coiling of plot? What mean you?
MERAB
Ah? You know Not it is David offers against Goliath?
MICHAL
David? [_Shrinking_] David?
[_A low tumult is heard without. Enter a Captain hurriedly._]
CAPTAIN
O King, bid me to speak!
SAUL
Then speak!
CAPTAIN
Fear is upon the host. There will Be mutiny unless, Goliath slain, Courage spring up anew.
DAVID
My lord, then, choose! Ere longer waiting fester to disaster.
SAMUEL
Yea, king of Gibeah, and bid him go, And Michal for his meed! or evermore Evil be on you and the sear of shame-- And haunting memory beyond the tomb!
SAUL
Then let him--let him. And upon the field Of Ephes-Dammin. But I am not blind!
[_To_ ABNER]
Let him, to morrow! Go, prepare the host. Yet--I am king, remember! I am king!
[SAUL _goes_; _there is a murmur of relief_. _All except_ MICHAL _follow, with various expressions of joy or hate toward_ DAVID.]
DAVID
Michal!
[_She looks at him; struggles against tears, and turning, goes._ DAVID _stands gazing sadly after her_. _Then a trumpet sounds, and soldiers shouting exultantly without, throng to the porch._]
DAVID [_Thrilled; his hand on his sling_]
For Israel! For Israel!
[_He goes, toward the soldiers._]
[_CURTAIN._]