Sudden and senseless!Michal.David!—No!Saul.God! God!Have I not bidden swiftly! Ever thenVexation? 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, silenceSent for the benison of Israel,Else were it shattered by her love to you!Believe, in all the riven realm of dutyThere's no obedience from thee she would hold.If it seem other——
Sudden and senseless!
Michal.David!—No!
Saul.God! God!Have I not bidden swiftly! Ever thenVexation? 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, silenceSent for the benison of Israel,Else were it shattered by her love to you!Believe, in all the riven realm of dutyThere's no obedience from thee she would hold.If it seem other——
(EnterAbnerhurriedly.)
(EnterAbnerhurriedly.)
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.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.
(Abnergoes.)
(Abnergoes.)
(ToDavidandMichal.) But you—I'll not forget.I'll not forget.
(ToDavidandMichal.) But you—I'll not forget.I'll not forget.
(Goes trembling, his look bent backward still upon them.)
(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?
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.)
(She stands immovable.)
I'm swung with joy as palms of Abila!
I'm swung with joy as palms of Abila!
(Goes to her.)
(Goes to her.)
A princess, you! and warm within your veinsLive 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 innocentIn will or hope of any envious wrong,As lily blowing of blasphemy! as dewUpon 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, innocentAs 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, andFor Israel must drip until I die!Or till high Gath and Askalon are blownDust on the wind, and all PhilistiaLie 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 flameBurning away all barrier!David.But see!Michal.And all the world has streamed a rapture in,Till even now my lids from anger falterAnd the dew falls!David.Restrain! O do not weep!Upon my heart each tear were as a seaFlooding it from all duty but the courseOf thy delight!Michal.Poor, that I should have tears!Fury were better, tempest! O weak eyes,When 'tis my father, and with SamuelYou 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 sinkDeeper 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!
A princess, you! and warm within your veinsLive 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 innocentIn will or hope of any envious wrong,As lily blowing of blasphemy! as dewUpon 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, innocentAs 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, andFor Israel must drip until I die!Or till high Gath and Askalon are blownDust on the wind, and all PhilistiaLie 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 flameBurning away all barrier!
David.But see!
Michal.And all the world has streamed a rapture in,Till even now my lids from anger falterAnd the dew falls!
David.Restrain! O do not weep!Upon my heart each tear were as a seaFlooding it from all duty but the courseOf thy delight!
Michal.Poor, that I should have tears!Fury were better, tempest! O weak eyes,When 'tis my father, and with SamuelYou 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 sinkDeeper 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.)
(Moves to go.)
Michal.David!David.Farewell!Michal.... You must not!David.Peace to you, peace and joy!Michal.You must not 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 togetherDoegandMerabappear, but vanish from the curtains asMichalutters dismay.)
(He turns. She sways and reaches to him her arms. As they move togetherDoegandMerabappear, but vanish from the curtains asMichalutters 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 windsThat gather up the desert for their blast,Be it as Sheol deep, stronger than starsThat 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 hillsFirst beheld you the daughter of the kingAmid his servants, leaning, still with noon,Beautiful under a tamarisk, untilAll beauty else is dead——Michal.Ah, cease!David.Since thenI have been wonder, ecstasy and dream!The moulded light and fragrant miracle,Body of you and soul, lifted me tillWhen you departed——Michal.No, you rend me!David.IFell 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 sinceHave 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 kingReveal 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 prophetessMiriam 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 tideNever 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, sayYou never will be king though IsraelKingless 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 firesLapping the night with bloody tongue—look out!
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 windsThat gather up the desert for their blast,Be it as Sheol deep, stronger than starsThat 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 hillsFirst beheld you the daughter of the kingAmid his servants, leaning, still with noon,Beautiful under a tamarisk, untilAll beauty else is dead——
Michal.Ah, cease!
David.Since thenI have been wonder, ecstasy and dream!The moulded light and fragrant miracle,Body of you and soul, lifted me tillWhen you departed——
Michal.No, you rend me!
David.IFell 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 sinceHave 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 kingReveal 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 prophetessMiriam 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 tideNever 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, sayYou never will be king though IsraelKingless 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 firesLapping the night with bloody tongue—look out!
(A commotion is heard within.)
(A commotion is heard within.)
As God has swung the world and hung for everThe infinite in awe, to-morrow nightNot 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 wouldFrom a boy's breath or the mere sling you wearA multitude should flee! And you shall learnA daughter to a father may be trueTho' paleness be her doom until she die!
As God has swung the world and hung for everThe infinite in awe, to-morrow nightNot 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 wouldFrom a boy's breath or the mere sling you wearA multitude should flee! And you shall learnA daughter to a father may be trueTho' paleness be her doom until she die!
(She turns to go. EnterJonathaneagerly.)
(She turns to go. EnterJonathaneagerly.)
Jonathan.David!David.My friend—my Jonathan! 'Tis you?
Jonathan.David!
David.My friend—my Jonathan! 'Tis you?
(They embrace.Michalgoes.)
(They embrace.Michalgoes.)
Jonathan.Great heart, I've heard how yesterday beforeThe soldiers you.... But Michal's gone! No word?David.The anointing.Jonathan.Ah, she knows?David.All.Jonathan.And disdainsBelieving? tell me.David.No, not now—not now.Let me forget it in a leap of deeds.
Jonathan.Great heart, I've heard how yesterday beforeThe soldiers you.... But Michal's gone! No word?
David.The anointing.
Jonathan.Ah, she knows?
David.All.
Jonathan.And disdainsBelieving? tell me.
David.No, not now—not now.Let me forget it in a leap of deeds.
(The commotion sounds again.)
(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 keepsFiercely 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, ratherDeath 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.
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 keepsFiercely 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, ratherDeath 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.
(EnterSaul,withSamuel;soldiers with the spy,AhinoamwithAbner;and all the court in suppressed dread.)
(EnterSaul,withSamuel;soldiers with the spy,AhinoamwithAbner;and all the court in suppressed dread.)
Saul(toSamuel). He will not speak, but scorns me, and his lipsBitterly curve and grapple. But he shallLearn there is torture to it! Set him forth.
Saul(toSamuel). He will not speak, but scorns me, and his lipsBitterly curve and grapple. But he shallLearn there is torture to it! Set him forth.
(The spy is thrust forward.)
(The spy is thrust forward.)
Tighten his bonds up till he moan.
Tighten his bonds up till he moan.
(It is done.)
(It is done.)
Aye, gasp,Accursed Philistine! Now wilt thou tellThe 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.
Aye, gasp,Accursed Philistine! Now wilt thou tellThe 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.)
(General movement of uneasiness.)
Unless before to-morrow's moon one's sentTo overthrow Goliath ... Gods! the pain!Saul.Well? Well?Spy.Then Gibeah attacked, and all,Even to sucking babes, they'll put to sword!
Unless before to-morrow's moon one's sentTo 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.)
(A movement of horror.)
Ahinoam.All Gibeah!A Woman.My little ones! No, no!
Ahinoam.All Gibeah!
A Woman.My little ones! No, no!
(She rushes frantically out.)
(She rushes frantically out.)
Samuel.Then, Saul of Gibeah, one thing and oneAlone 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!
Samuel.Then, Saul of Gibeah, one thing and oneAlone 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.)
(Steps forth.)
Futile and death? Alien? Edomite?Has not this Philistine before the gates,With insult and illimitable breathVaunting of vanity and smiting laughter,Boasted and braved and threatened up to Baal?And now unless one slay him, IsraelFrom babe to age must bleed and be no more!I am a shepherd, have but seized the lionAnd throttled the bleating kid out of his throat;Little it then beseems that I thrust inWhere 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! andyouwill!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!
Futile and death? Alien? Edomite?Has not this Philistine before the gates,With insult and illimitable breathVaunting of vanity and smiting laughter,Boasted and braved and threatened up to Baal?And now unless one slay him, IsraelFrom babe to age must bleed and be no more!I am a shepherd, have but seized the lionAnd throttled the bleating kid out of his throat;Little it then beseems that I thrust inWhere 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! andyouwill!
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.)
(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 yesterdayI bend me now with sacrificial joy.Unto Goliath's slayer is the handOf 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 knowNot it is David offers against Goliath?Michal.David? (Shrinking.) David?
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 yesterdayI bend me now with sacrificial joy.Unto Goliath's slayer is the handOf 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 knowNot it is David offers against Goliath?
Michal.David? (Shrinking.) David?
(A low tumult is heard without. Enter a Captain hurriedly.)
(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 willBe 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 evermoreEvil be on you and the sear of shame—And haunting memory beyond the tomb!Saul.Then let him—let him. And upon the fieldOf Ephes-Dammin. But I am not blind!
Captain.O King, bid me to speak!
Saul.Then speak!
Captain.Fear is upon the host. There willBe 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 evermoreEvil be on you and the sear of shame—And haunting memory beyond the tomb!
Saul.Then let him—let him. And upon the fieldOf Ephes-Dammin. But I am not blind!
(ToAbner.)
(ToAbner.)
Let him, to-morrow! Go prepare the host.Yet—I am king, remember! I am king!
Let him, to-morrow! Go prepare the host.Yet—I am king, remember! I am king!
(Saulgoes; murmurs of relief ... All follow, butMichal,pastDavidwith joy or hate.)
(Saulgoes; murmurs of relief ... All follow, butMichal,pastDavidwith joy or hate.)
David.Michal!
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.)
(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!
David(thrilled, his hand on his sling). For Israel! For Israel!
(Goes toward them.)
(Goes toward them.)
Curtain.
Scene.—The royal tent ofSaulpitched on one hill of the battlefield of Ephes-Dammin. The tent is of black embroidered with various warlike designs. To one side on a daïs are the chairs ofSaulandAhinoam;alsoDavid'sharp. On the other side, toward the front, is a table with weapons. The tent wall is lifted along the back, revealing on the opposite hill, across a deep narrow valley, the routed camp of the Philistines; before it in gleaming brazen armour liesGoliathslain. Other hills beyond, and the sky above. By the small table, her back to the battlefield, sitsMerabin cold anger.Ahinoamand several women look out in ecstasy towardDavid,Saul,Jonathan,and the army, returning victorious, and shouting.
Scene.—The royal tent ofSaulpitched on one hill of the battlefield of Ephes-Dammin. The tent is of black embroidered with various warlike designs. To one side on a daïs are the chairs ofSaulandAhinoam;alsoDavid'sharp. On the other side, toward the front, is a table with weapons. The tent wall is lifted along the back, revealing on the opposite hill, across a deep narrow valley, the routed camp of the Philistines; before it in gleaming brazen armour liesGoliathslain. Other hills beyond, and the sky above. By the small table, her back to the battlefield, sitsMerabin cold anger.Ahinoamand several women look out in ecstasy towardDavid,Saul,Jonathan,and the army, returning victorious, and shouting.
First Woman.See, see, at last!Second Woman.They come!Third Woman.An avalanche!Over the brook and bright amid hosannas!Second Woman.And now amid the rushes!First Woman.And the servants!Goliath's head high-borne upon a charger!The rocks that cry reverberant and vast!The people and the palms!Third woman.Yea, all the branchesTorn from the trees! The waving of them—O!Second Woman.And David, see! triumphant, calm, betweenThe king and Jonathan!... His gloryAll the wild generations of the windEver shall utter! Hear them—(The tumult ascends afar.) "David! David!"O queen! a sea of shouting!Ahinoam.Which you crave?Then go and lave you in this tide of joy.
First Woman.See, see, at last!
Second Woman.They come!
Third Woman.An avalanche!Over the brook and bright amid hosannas!
Second Woman.And now amid the rushes!
First Woman.And the servants!Goliath's head high-borne upon a charger!The rocks that cry reverberant and vast!The people and the palms!
Third woman.Yea, all the branchesTorn from the trees! The waving of them—O!
Second Woman.And David, see! triumphant, calm, betweenThe king and Jonathan!... His gloryAll the wild generations of the windEver shall utter! Hear them—(The tumult ascends afar.) "David! David!"O queen! a sea of shouting!
Ahinoam.Which you crave?Then go and lave you in this tide of joy.
(The women go rapturously.Ahinoamturns.)
(The women go rapturously.Ahinoamturns.)
Merab.Mother!Ahinoam.My daughter?Merab.Well?Ahinoam.They all are gone.Merab.And Michal, where?Ahinoam.I do not know, my child.Merab.Why did my father pledge her to him? youNot hindering?Ahinoam.She is your sister. YouAre pledged to Adriel.Merab.And as a slave!And if I do not love him there is—riches!If he is Sodom-bitter to me—riches!Ahinoam.But for the kingdom.Merab.For my torture! WhatKingdom is to a woman as her love?Ahinoam.And David still enthralls you?Merab.Though he neverSought me with any murmur or desire!Though he is Michal's for Goliath's death!Michal's to-day, unless——Ahinoam.Merab, a care!Too near in you were ever love and hate.
Merab.Mother!
Ahinoam.My daughter?
Merab.Well?
Ahinoam.They all are gone.
Merab.And Michal, where?
Ahinoam.I do not know, my child.
Merab.Why did my father pledge her to him? youNot hindering?
Ahinoam.She is your sister. YouAre pledged to Adriel.
Merab.And as a slave!And if I do not love him there is—riches!If he is Sodom-bitter to me—riches!
Ahinoam.But for the kingdom.
Merab.For my torture! WhatKingdom is to a woman as her love?
Ahinoam.And David still enthralls you?
Merab.Though he neverSought me with any murmur or desire!Though he is Michal's for Goliath's death!Michal's to-day, unless——
Ahinoam.Merab, a care!Too near in you were ever love and hate.
(The tumult nears.Ahinoamgoes to look out.Doegenters toMerab.)
(The tumult nears.Ahinoamgoes to look out.Doegenters toMerab.)
Doeg(low). News, Merab!Merab.Well?Doeg.A triumph o'er him, yet!The king is worn, as a leper pent, betweenWonder of David and quick jealousyBecause of praise this whelming of GoliathWakes in the people.Merab.Then? the triumph?Doeg.This.
Doeg(low). News, Merab!
Merab.Well?
Doeg.A triumph o'er him, yet!The king is worn, as a leper pent, betweenWonder of David and quick jealousyBecause of praise this whelming of GoliathWakes in the people.
Merab.Then? the triumph?
Doeg.This.
(The tumult, nearer.)
(The tumult, nearer.)
I've skilfully disposed the womenTo coldly sing of Saul, but of our David
I've skilfully disposed the womenTo coldly sing of Saul, but of our David
(Watches her.)
(Watches her.)
With lavish of ecstasy as to a king.Merab(springing up). Then I will praise him!Doeg.David? you?Merab.As heWas never—and shall never be again.
With lavish of ecstasy as to a king.
Merab(springing up). Then I will praise him!
Doeg.David? you?
Merab.As heWas never—and shall never be again.
(Takes a dagger.)
(Takes a dagger.)
Doeg.But——Merab.Give me the phial.Doeg.The poison?Merab.Come—at once!Doeg.What will you do?Merab(seizes phial). At once with it.
Doeg.But——
Merab.Give me the phial.
Doeg.The poison?
Merab.Come—at once!
Doeg.What will you do?
Merab(seizes phial). At once with it.
(Dips dagger in.)
(Dips dagger in.)
Doeg.You'll stab him?Merab.As any fool? Wait. And the rest now, quick.This timbrel-player, Judith?Doeg.She is readyAnd ravishing!Merab.Well, well; then—?Doeg.We will send herSudden, as Michal is alone with David,To seize him with insinuative kisses,And arms that wind as they were wonted to him.Michal once jealous—and already IHave sowed suspicions——
Doeg.You'll stab him?
Merab.As any fool? Wait. And the rest now, quick.This timbrel-player, Judith?
Doeg.She is readyAnd ravishing!
Merab.Well, well; then—?
Doeg.We will send herSudden, as Michal is alone with David,To seize him with insinuative kisses,And arms that wind as they were wonted to him.Michal once jealous—and already IHave sowed suspicions——
(Laughs.)
(Laughs.)
Merab.May it be their rending.
Merab.May it be their rending.
(The tumult near.)
(The tumult near.)
But come, come, we must see; and show no frown.
But come, come, we must see; and show no frown.
(They go to look out. Shouts of "David! David!" arise, and timbrelers, dancing and singing, pass the tent opening; then priests with the Ark and its cherubim of gold.David,Saul,Jonathan,Ishui,and the court then enter amid acclamations. Before them the head of Goliath is borne on a charger, under a napkin.Sauldarkly mounts the throne withAhinoam,to waving of palms and praise.)
(They go to look out. Shouts of "David! David!" arise, and timbrelers, dancing and singing, pass the tent opening; then priests with the Ark and its cherubim of gold.David,Saul,Jonathan,Ishui,and the court then enter amid acclamations. Before them the head of Goliath is borne on a charger, under a napkin.Sauldarkly mounts the throne withAhinoam,to waving of palms and praise.)
A Woman(breaking from the throng). Our little ones are saved! Hosannah! joy!
A Woman(breaking from the throng). Our little ones are saved! Hosannah! joy!
(She kissesDavid'shand.)
(She kissesDavid'shand.)
Jonathan.Woman, thy tongue should know an angel-word,Or seraph syllables new-sung to God!Earth has not any rapture well for this!David, my brother!David.Jonathan, my friend!While life has any love, know mine for you.Jonathan.Then am I friended as no man was ever!And though my soul were morning wide it wereHelpless to hold my wonder and delight!O people, look upon him!People.David! David!Jonathan.Never before in Israel rose beautyUp to this glory!David.Jonathan, nay——Jonathan.Never!
Jonathan.Woman, thy tongue should know an angel-word,Or seraph syllables new-sung to God!Earth has not any rapture well for this!David, my brother!
David.Jonathan, my friend!While life has any love, know mine for you.
Jonathan.Then am I friended as no man was ever!And though my soul were morning wide it wereHelpless to hold my wonder and delight!O people, look upon him!
People.David! David!
Jonathan.Never before in Israel rose beautyUp to this glory!
David.Jonathan, nay——
Jonathan.Never!
(Looses his robe and girdle.)
(Looses his robe and girdle.)
Therefore I pour him splendour passionate.In gold and purple, this my own, I clothe him.David, my brother!Saul(livid). Brother!Ahinoam.Saul?Saul.Thou fool!Jonathan.Father?Ahinoam.My lord?Saul.Thou full-of-lauding fool!Of breath and ravishment unceasing!Ahinoam.Saul!Saul.Is it not praise enough, has he not reachedThe skies on it?David.O king, my lord——Saul.Had SaulEver so rich a rapture from his son?Ever this worshipping of utterance?David.My lord, my lord, this should not fret you.Doeg(derisively). Nay!David.'Tis only that the soul of Jonathan,Brimmed by the Philistines with bitterness,Sudden is joy and overfloweth——Doeg.Fast——David.Upon his friend, thy servant, David.Doeg.Aie!
Therefore I pour him splendour passionate.In gold and purple, this my own, I clothe him.David, my brother!
Saul(livid). Brother!
Ahinoam.Saul?
Saul.Thou fool!
Jonathan.Father?
Ahinoam.My lord?
Saul.Thou full-of-lauding fool!Of breath and ravishment unceasing!
Ahinoam.Saul!
Saul.Is it not praise enough, has he not reachedThe skies on it?
David.O king, my lord——
Saul.Had SaulEver so rich a rapture from his son?Ever this worshipping of utterance?
David.My lord, my lord, this should not fret you.
Doeg(derisively). Nay!
David.'Tis only that the soul of Jonathan,Brimmed by the Philistines with bitterness,Sudden is joy and overfloweth——
Doeg.Fast——
David.Upon his friend, thy servant, David.
Doeg.Aie!
(He turns away laughing.)
(He turns away laughing.)
Saul.Why do you laugh?Doeg."Thy servant David!"Saul.Why!A Woman(without). King Saul has slain his thousands!Doeg.Why, my lord?Woman.But David his ten thousands!Doeg.Do you hear?King Saul has slain his thousands, David ten!Thy servant, is he? servant?David.Yea, O king!...Therefore be wielded by no venom-word,As a weed under the wind!Saul.'Tis overmuch!I'll burst all bond of priest or prophesy.Nor cringe to threatening and fondle fear.
Saul.Why do you laugh?
Doeg."Thy servant David!"
Saul.Why!
A Woman(without). King Saul has slain his thousands!
Doeg.Why, my lord?
Woman.But David his ten thousands!
Doeg.Do you hear?King Saul has slain his thousands, David ten!Thy servant, is he? servant?
David.Yea, O king!...Therefore be wielded by no venom-word,As a weed under the wind!
Saul.'Tis overmuch!I'll burst all bond of priest or prophesy.Nor cringe to threatening and fondle fear.
(He seizes a javelin.)
(He seizes a javelin.)