ACT I

SCENE: _A Hall of Judgment in the palace of_ SAUL _at Gibeah. The walls and pillars of cedar are richly carven--with 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, by the throne, and on the left are doors to other portions of the palace; they are draped with woven curtains of purple and white. In the rear, which is open and supported on pillars, a porch crosses a court. Through the porch, on the environing hills, glow the camp-fires of the Philistines, the enemies of Israel. Lamps in the Hall burn low, and on the floor_ JUDITH, LEAH _and_ ZILLA _are reclining restively._

_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,

(_Sits down._)

And mend my anklet.

_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, souring fury! A jackal were his mate! Come, come, we'll plague him.

_Zilla._ Shall we--with David whom he hates?

_Judith._ Aie, David! The joy of rousing men 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._ ISHUI _entering sees them._ JUDITH _sighs._)

_Ishui._ Now, timbrel-gaud, why gape you 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!

(_Thrust 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 ... tho' 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.

(_Goes to curtain, 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 will 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; be off--

(_Makes to strike her._)

_Adriel._ Ishui, no.

(ADAH _goes_.)

_Ishui_ (_gnashingly_). Then see you now how "lovable" he is? I tell you that he stands athwart us all! The heart of Merab swung as 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 honourably?

_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 one 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 prophecy 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!

(_Goes slowly out by the porch, Saul sinks back._)

_Ishui_ (_after a pause, keenly_). Oh,--subtle!

_Saul._ Thus he sways me.

_Ishui._ Subtle!--subtle! And yet I must not speak; come, Adriel,

(_As if going._)

No use of us is here.

_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 for ever. 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? Forever he delays!

(_Remounts throne._)

_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 swirl, a 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. (_Motions rest out._) You have dallied.

(_Comes down indeterminately._)

And now----

_David._ And now the king with darkness foams, With sheeted passions like to lightning gusts.

(_All have gone._)

Shall I not play to him?

_Saul._ You shall not, no.

(_Slowly draws a dagger._)

I'll not be lulled.

_David._ But show a tiger gleam? Terrible fury stealing from the heart And crouching cold within the eye, O 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._ And numbs you so?--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----

(_Realises._)

_Saul._ Now you cease?

(_She stands horrified._)

Sudden and senseless!

_Michal._ David!--No!

_Saul._ God! God! Have I not bidden swiftly! Ever then Vexation? I could--Ah. 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. A word.

_Saul._ I will not. Do you come with vexing too?

_Abner._ The Philistines--some fury is afoot; A spy's 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.

(_Goes trembling, his look bent backward still upon them._)

_David_ (_casting off gloom, then joyful_). Forget! anointing peril! What are they all? Michal!--for me you have done this, for me?

(_She stands immovable._)

I'm swung with joy as palms of Abila!

(_Goes to her._)

A princess, you! and warm within your veins Live sympathy and all 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 moonlit 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! Yea, Utterly false and full of wounding! (_Struggling, then with control._) Yet, Forgive that even when thy arrows sink 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 and reaches to him her arms. As they move together_ DOEG _and_ MERAB _appear, but vanish from the curtains as_ MICHAL _utters dismay._)

_Michal._ Merab and Doeg!

_David_ (_has sprung to her_). 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._ Then be 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 moulded 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!

_Michel._ And shall I, shall I? how this prophetess Miriam hath foretold----

_David._ Some wonder? speak!

_Michal_ (_springs up the throne, then 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 for ever 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's 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._)

For there is 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._ No thought!

_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 the 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, they'll 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!

(_Steps forth._)

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, yea, 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; yea.

_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 you, 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; murmurs of relief ... All follow, but_ MICHAL, _past_ DAVID _with joy or hate._)

_David._ Michal!

(_She struggles against tears, but, turning, goes. He stands and gazes after her. Then a trumpet sounds and soldiers throng to the porch._)

_David_ (_thrilled, his hand on his sling_). For Israel! For Israel!

(_Goes toward them._)

CURTAIN.