David. A jackal? (Listens.) No, the signal! Word at last!(ToMichal). He who is near may prove to thee less kind.
David. A jackal? (Listens.) No, the signal! Word at last!(ToMichal). He who is near may prove to thee less kind.
(She goes. He leaps up the cliff.)
(She goes. He leaps up the cliff.)
Abishai? Abiathar?... It is!But staggering and wounded? breathless? torn?The priest with bloody ephod, too, and wild?
Abishai? Abiathar?... It is!But staggering and wounded? breathless? torn?The priest with bloody ephod, too, and wild?
(Watching, then springing to meet them as they reel in.)
(Watching, then springing to meet them as they reel in.)
Abishai, what is it that you bring?Abiathar, up! answer!Abiathar.Water!David.Up!
Abishai, what is it that you bring?Abiathar, up! answer!
Abiathar.Water!
David.Up!
(He brings the water-skin. They drain it fiercely.)
(He brings the water-skin. They drain it fiercely.)
What is it now so fevered from you stares,And breathing, too, abhorrence? Gasp it out.Abiathar.I stifle—in a universe—he still—Has breath in.David.Saul?Abiathar.Ill scathe him! ScorpionsOf terror and remorse sting in his soul!David.If you have tidings, not in words so wild.Abiathar.Then ask, and hate shall calm me.David.Ask?Abiathar.On, on!Seek if he lives!David.Who?Abiathar.Seek if prophecyFounts yet in Judah!David.Samuel...?Abiathar.Is dead!Dead—and of tidings more calamitous.
What is it now so fevered from you stares,And breathing, too, abhorrence? Gasp it out.
Abiathar.I stifle—in a universe—he still—Has breath in.
David.Saul?
Abiathar.Ill scathe him! ScorpionsOf terror and remorse sting in his soul!
David.If you have tidings, not in words so wild.
Abiathar.Then ask, and hate shall calm me.
David.Ask?
Abiathar.On, on!Seek if he lives!
David.Who?
Abiathar.Seek if prophecyFounts yet in Judah!
David.Samuel...?
Abiathar.Is dead!Dead—and of tidings more calamitous.
(A pause.)
(A pause.)
David(hoarsely). Tell on. I hear.Abiathar.Saul gloating to believeThe priests who gathered sacredly at Nob,Plotted assisting you, hath had them——David.No...!Abiathar.Slain at the hands of Doeg—murdered, all!David.But he—your father?Abiathar.Was among them; fell.
David(hoarsely). Tell on. I hear.
Abiathar.Saul gloating to believeThe priests who gathered sacredly at Nob,Plotted assisting you, hath had them——
David.No...!
Abiathar.Slain at the hands of Doeg—murdered, all!
David.But he—your father?
Abiathar.Was among them; fell.
(He stands motionless.)
(He stands motionless.)
David(gently). Abiathar, my friend!... Appeaseless Saul!Abiathar.Hear all, hear all! Thy father, too, and mother,Even thy kindred, out of IsraelAre driven into Moab; and this king,Delirious still for blood as a desert pard,With Merab, whelp of him, and many armed,Is near us now—a-quiver at EngeddiFor your destruction:
David(gently). Abiathar, my friend!... Appeaseless Saul!
Abiathar.Hear all, hear all! Thy father, too, and mother,Even thy kindred, out of IsraelAre driven into Moab; and this king,Delirious still for blood as a desert pard,With Merab, whelp of him, and many armed,Is near us now—a-quiver at EngeddiFor your destruction:
(Davidstruggles for control.)
(Davidstruggles for control.)
And yet you will not strike.David(low). No, but of Michal, tell me good at once,Lest unendurable this lot, I may——Mounting o'er every oath into revenge.Abiathar.Ha—Michal!David.She withholds her father's wrath?Abiathar.She's well.David.Not if you say no more.Abiathar.I knowNothing of her.David.Your look belies.Abiathar.Perhaps:As did her love.David.That is for me.Abiathar.Well, what?A woman who betrays?David.Speak, not evade;And judge her when earth has no mystery.Abiathar.Then from your craving put her—wide; she isUnworthy any tremor of your veins.David.Dawn-lilies under dew are then unworthy,And nesting doves are horrible to heaven.I will not so believe. Your reason?Abiathar.SaulHas given her—and she will wed him, aye—To Phalti, a new lord.David.Untrue of her!Abiathar.Cry. Yet you will believe it.David.Not untilThe parable of verdant spring is hushedEver of bloom, to prove it. Never tillHermon is swung into the sea! untilThe last void of the everlasting sky—
And yet you will not strike.
David(low). No, but of Michal, tell me good at once,Lest unendurable this lot, I may——Mounting o'er every oath into revenge.
Abiathar.Ha—Michal!
David.She withholds her father's wrath?
Abiathar.She's well.
David.Not if you say no more.
Abiathar.I knowNothing of her.
David.Your look belies.
Abiathar.Perhaps:As did her love.
David.That is for me.
Abiathar.Well, what?A woman who betrays?
David.Speak, not evade;And judge her when earth has no mystery.
Abiathar.Then from your craving put her—wide; she isUnworthy any tremor of your veins.
David.Dawn-lilies under dew are then unworthy,And nesting doves are horrible to heaven.I will not so believe. Your reason?
Abiathar.SaulHas given her—and she will wed him, aye—To Phalti, a new lord.
David.Untrue of her!
Abiathar.Cry. Yet you will believe it.
David.Not untilThe parable of verdant spring is hushedEver of bloom, to prove it. Never tillHermon is swung into the sea! untilThe last void of the everlasting sky—
(Looking up, falters, breaks off, and is strangely moved.)
(Looking up, falters, breaks off, and is strangely moved.)
Abiathar.Now what alarm?Abishai.What stare you on?Abiathar.He's mad?
Abiathar.Now what alarm?
Abishai.What stare you on?
Abiathar.He's mad?
(Then, suddenly seeing.)
(Then, suddenly seeing.)
No, no!... an eaglet!...David.Pierct!Abishai.Pierct?David.Falling here ...And beating against death unbuoyantly.
No, no!... an eaglet!...
David.Pierct!
Abishai.Pierct?
David.Falling here ...And beating against death unbuoyantly.
(The bird drops at their feet.)
(The bird drops at their feet.)
A destiny, a fate in this is hidden!
A destiny, a fate in this is hidden!
(Bends to it.)
(Bends to it.)
Abiathar.And—why?David.The arrow!—His! (Starts back.) His and no other's!Quick, no delay. Efface all trace of us.
Abiathar.And—why?
David.The arrow!—His! (Starts back.) His and no other's!Quick, no delay. Efface all trace of us.
(Takes water-skin.)
(Takes water-skin.)
Abiathar.Be clear, clearer.David.We are discovered—nearOn us is death. Open the secret chamberWithin the cave, for from the bow of SaulIs yonder bleeding—from no other.Abiathar.Saul's?But how; was any here?David.To-day, to-day.A leper wandering.Abiathar.We are betrayed.
Abiathar.Be clear, clearer.
David.We are discovered—nearOn us is death. Open the secret chamberWithin the cave, for from the bow of SaulIs yonder bleeding—from no other.
Abiathar.Saul's?But how; was any here?
David.To-day, to-day.A leper wandering.
Abiathar.We are betrayed.
(Abishaihastes to cave, right,DavidandAbiatharlisten. Noise of approach is heard.)
(Abishaihastes to cave, right,DavidandAbiatharlisten. Noise of approach is heard.)
David.They near.Abiathar.And many.David.King of Israel!Inexorable!Abiathar.O, rebuke him, do!David.Almost I am beyond this tolerance.Abiathar.In truth. Therefore it is you rise and shakeOut of his power the sceptre!David.Tempt me not!Mercy and memory almost are dead,And craving birth in me is fateful ire.
David.They near.
Abiathar.And many.
David.King of Israel!Inexorable!
Abiathar.O, rebuke him, do!
David.Almost I am beyond this tolerance.
Abiathar.In truth. Therefore it is you rise and shakeOut of his power the sceptre!
David.Tempt me not!Mercy and memory almost are dead,And craving birth in me is fateful ire.
(They follow into the cave: but hardly have done so when, at a shout, pour inSauland his men, bloodthirstily, from all sides,DoegandAbnerleading.)
(They follow into the cave: but hardly have done so when, at a shout, pour inSauland his men, bloodthirstily, from all sides,DoegandAbnerleading.)
Saul.On, to him! search the caves! in, in, and bringHim to my sword and Michal with him.
Saul.On, to him! search the caves! in, in, and bringHim to my sword and Michal with him.
(Pacing.)
(Pacing.)
TheyShall couch upon eternity and dust.(Weakly.) I am the king and Israel is mine....I'll sleep upon their grave, I'll sleep upon it,And hear the worm...!
TheyShall couch upon eternity and dust.(Weakly.) I am the king and Israel is mine....I'll sleep upon their grave, I'll sleep upon it,And hear the worm...!
(To a soldier re-entering from one cave.)
(To a soldier re-entering from one cave.)
Where is he? Bring him.Soldier.O king—Saul.You've slain him and you tremble! Say it.Soldier.No.Saul.Then hither with him; hither!Soldier.He's not here.Saul.A treachery! You cunningly contriveTo aid him, so....
Where is he? Bring him.
Soldier.O king—
Saul.You've slain him and you tremble! Say it.
Soldier.No.
Saul.Then hither with him; hither!
Soldier.He's not here.
Saul.A treachery! You cunningly contriveTo aid him, so....
(To a soldier from the other cave.)
(To a soldier from the other cave.)
Bring me his head.Soldier(fearfully). My lord,He is not there....Saul.I tell you it is lies—Because you deem that he shall be the king,And treasure up reward and amnesty.
Bring me his head.
Soldier(fearfully). My lord,He is not there....
Saul.I tell you it is lies—Because you deem that he shall be the king,And treasure up reward and amnesty.
(Rushes wildly to caves in turn, then out among them.)
(Rushes wildly to caves in turn, then out among them.)
From me ill-fruited ineffectual herd!Away from me, he's fled and none of youIs servant and will find and for me seize him!From me—I'll sleep—I'll rest—and then—
From me ill-fruited ineffectual herd!Away from me, he's fled and none of youIs servant and will find and for me seize him!From me—I'll sleep—I'll rest—and then—
(As they cringe, going.)
(As they cringe, going.)
I'll sleep.
I'll sleep.
(AbnerandDoegremain.Saulenters cave, left.)
(AbnerandDoegremain.Saulenters cave, left.)
Abner(toDoeg,significantly). The Evil Spirit.Doeg.Yes; upon him swiftIt came as never before—as drunkenness.Abner.Then—safe to leave him?Doeg.Will he brook denial?Abner.And Merab, too, will soon be here.Doeg.Well, come.Abner.I'll go and look upon him.
Abner(toDoeg,significantly). The Evil Spirit.
Doeg.Yes; upon him swiftIt came as never before—as drunkenness.
Abner.Then—safe to leave him?
Doeg.Will he brook denial?
Abner.And Merab, too, will soon be here.
Doeg.Well, come.
Abner.I'll go and look upon him.
(Goes.)
(Goes.)
(Returning.) Already he sleeps.So we may seek us water; (then suddenly) no, abide!
(Returning.) Already he sleeps.So we may seek us water; (then suddenly) no, abide!
(Is held byMichalentering.)
(Is held byMichalentering.)
Woman, who are you, who?Michal(quaking). Unclean! away!Doeg.Unclean? a leper? in this place? Are thereNo stones to stone you? Hence! And had I notA brother such as thou——Michal.Pity! Unclean!
Woman, who are you, who?
Michal(quaking). Unclean! away!
Doeg.Unclean? a leper? in this place? Are thereNo stones to stone you? Hence! And had I notA brother such as thou——
Michal.Pity! Unclean!
(She quickly goes, then they. A space; then she returns, trembling and fearful.)
(She quickly goes, then they. A space; then she returns, trembling and fearful.)
I'll call him! I will save him! David! David!—I his discomfiture and ruin!—David!
I'll call him! I will save him! David! David!—I his discomfiture and ruin!—David!
(Searches.)
(Searches.)
Hear, David! hear me! David!
Hear, David! hear me! David!
(SeesSaul.)
(SeesSaul.)
The king! My father!I cannot—am not—whither shall I, whither...?
The king! My father!I cannot—am not—whither shall I, whither...?
(Flees, as a scuffling is heard andDavid'svoice.)
(Flees, as a scuffling is heard andDavid'svoice.)
David.Loose me, I say. 'Twas Michal, and she called!
David.Loose me, I say. 'Twas Michal, and she called!
(Appears, withheld byAbiathar.)
(Appears, withheld byAbiathar.)
(Breaking free.) I say that it was she!Abiathar.Foolhardy, noReturn into the cave, and ere too late!
(Breaking free.) I say that it was she!
Abiathar.Foolhardy, noReturn into the cave, and ere too late!
(Merab,veiled, enters behind them.)
(Merab,veiled, enters behind them.)
David.'Twas Michal and no other.Abiathar.You are duped.David(searching). The breathing of archangels could not soHave swung the burden from me as her ... Ha!
David.'Twas Michal and no other.
Abiathar.You are duped.
David(searching). The breathing of archangels could not soHave swung the burden from me as her ... Ha!
(SeesMerab;slowly recoils.)
(SeesMerab;slowly recoils.)
Merab.It is not Michal.David.No—it is not Michal.
Merab.It is not Michal.
David.No—it is not Michal.
(Motions the priest aside.)
(Motions the priest aside.)
Merab.Yet it is one who——David.Need not lift her veil,Or longer stay. The path she came is open.Merab.I'm here—and here will speak! I've hither stolen,Yearning—I say it—yearning—and I will.David.These words I do not know.Merab.Because you will not.More all-devouring than a Moloch isThis love within me——David.Love and you are twain,As sun and Sheol.Merab.False. I am becomeFor want of you as famine-wind, a waveIn the mid-tempest, with no rest, no shore.David.I do not hear the unashamed wordsOf one who has but recently another,Adriel, wedded.Merab.You refuse me, then?David.I beg you but to cease.Merab.Goaded, chagrined?No, but this will I do. The Philistines,For long at rioting within their walls,Gather again and break toward Gilboa....David.Merab of Saul!Merab.To-morrow must my fatherReturn from hunting you and arm for battle.But—many would that you were king.David.Were...?Merab.King!David.I do not understand your eyes.Merab.I willFor love of you arouse rebellion up,Murmur about the host your heaven-call,And lift you to the kingdom.David.To the —— Stay!Your words again.Merab.The kingdom.David.Awful God!Merab.What is your mien? you will not?David.Twice the words—Full from her lips—and to betray her father.
Merab.Yet it is one who——
David.Need not lift her veil,Or longer stay. The path she came is open.
Merab.I'm here—and here will speak! I've hither stolen,Yearning—I say it—yearning—and I will.
David.These words I do not know.
Merab.Because you will not.More all-devouring than a Moloch isThis love within me——
David.Love and you are twain,As sun and Sheol.
Merab.False. I am becomeFor want of you as famine-wind, a waveIn the mid-tempest, with no rest, no shore.
David.I do not hear the unashamed wordsOf one who has but recently another,Adriel, wedded.
Merab.You refuse me, then?
David.I beg you but to cease.
Merab.Goaded, chagrined?No, but this will I do. The Philistines,For long at rioting within their walls,Gather again and break toward Gilboa....
David.Merab of Saul!
Merab.To-morrow must my fatherReturn from hunting you and arm for battle.But—many would that you were king.
David.Were...?
Merab.King!
David.I do not understand your eyes.
Merab.I willFor love of you arouse rebellion up,Murmur about the host your heaven-call,And lift you to the kingdom.
David.To the —— Stay!Your words again.
Merab.The kingdom.
David.Awful God!
Merab.What is your mien? you will not?
David.Twice the words—Full from her lips—and to betray her father.
(AbiathardiscoversSaul.)
(AbiathardiscoversSaul.)
Merab.You will not? answer!David.Odious utterly!As yonder sea of death and bitter salt!As foam-girt Joppa of idolatry,As Memphian fane of all abhorrencies!
Merab.You will not? answer!
David.Odious utterly!As yonder sea of death and bitter salt!As foam-girt Joppa of idolatry,As Memphian fane of all abhorrencies!
(A pause.)
(A pause.)
Morning would move with horror of it, noonA livid sepulchre of shame span o'er,And night shrink to remember day had been!Merab.You scorn—you scorn me?David.Jonathan! your sister!Merab.Then Saul shall rend you dead. And Jonathan!...
Morning would move with horror of it, noonA livid sepulchre of shame span o'er,And night shrink to remember day had been!
Merab.You scorn—you scorn me?
David.Jonathan! your sister!
Merab.Then Saul shall rend you dead. And Jonathan!...
(She laughs shrilly.)
(She laughs shrilly.)
Perchance you had not heard that JonathanKnows to the Philistines you fled—and loathes you!David.I have not heard.Merab.Nor have not, ah? how MichalIs given to the embraces of another?
Perchance you had not heard that JonathanKnows to the Philistines you fled—and loathes you!
David.I have not heard.
Merab.Nor have not, ah? how MichalIs given to the embraces of another?
(Davidshrinks.)
(Davidshrinks.)
You desperately breathe and pale at last?
You desperately breathe and pale at last?
(She laughs more bitterly.)
(She laughs more bitterly.)
To me for aid, to me you yet shall come.
To me for aid, to me you yet shall come.
(She goes.Davidlifts his hand to his brow in pain. ThenAbiatharabruptly descends fromSaul'scave to him.)
(She goes.Davidlifts his hand to his brow in pain. ThenAbiatharabruptly descends fromSaul'scave to him.)
Abiathar.David——David.Leave me.Abiathar.Not till you know—and strike!David.I tell you, go.Abiathar.I tell you 'tis the king.David.Who breaks forbearance—yes.Abiathar.Who lieth yonder.And sleeping lieth—for a thrust to end.David(his sword quickly out—struggling).Then shall there be an ending—of these woundsThat wring me—of this wailUnder the deeps of me against his wrongs.Saul, Saul!... Michal!... Oh, never-ceasing ill!
Abiathar.David——
David.Leave me.
Abiathar.Not till you know—and strike!
David.I tell you, go.
Abiathar.I tell you 'tis the king.
David.Who breaks forbearance—yes.
Abiathar.Who lieth yonder.And sleeping lieth—for a thrust to end.
David(his sword quickly out—struggling).Then shall there be an ending—of these woundsThat wring me—of this wailUnder the deeps of me against his wrongs.Saul, Saul!... Michal!... Oh, never-ceasing ill!
(Flings down the sword in anguish.)
(Flings down the sword in anguish.)
Abiathar.You will not come?David.The sun is set.Abiathar.Has SaulHunted you to this desert's verge?David.Enough!Abiathar.Has he pursued you, all his hate unleashed?Are Samuel—the priests, not slain? my father?The kingdom is not in decay, and falls?You are not prophesy's anointed one?Seize up the sword and strike—or I myself!David.Or—you yourself?...
Abiathar.You will not come?
David.The sun is set.
Abiathar.Has SaulHunted you to this desert's verge?
David.Enough!
Abiathar.Has he pursued you, all his hate unleashed?Are Samuel—the priests, not slain? my father?The kingdom is not in decay, and falls?You are not prophesy's anointed one?Seize up the sword and strike—or I myself!
David.Or—you yourself?...
(Puts them aside, takes sword, and goes toSaul'scave.)
(Puts them aside, takes sword, and goes toSaul'scave.)
Abishai.What will he do?... listen
Abishai.What will he do?... listen
Michalenters unseen.
Michalenters unseen.
Abiathar.If Saul cries out——Abishai.Be ready.Michal(to them). What is this?
Abiathar.If Saul cries out——
Abishai.Be ready.
Michal(to them). What is this?
(Davidre-enters—haggard and worn—from the cave, a piece ofSaul'scloak and the sword still in his hand....The pause is tense with emotion.)
(Davidre-enters—haggard and worn—from the cave, a piece ofSaul'scloak and the sword still in his hand....The pause is tense with emotion.)
Michal(at last, with a cry, as David clenches).Ah, you have slain—have slain him! Wretch! thou wretch!And sleeping as he was!David.And it was you...?
Michal(at last, with a cry, as David clenches).Ah, you have slain—have slain him! Wretch! thou wretch!And sleeping as he was!
David.And it was you...?
(Rage takes him.)
(Rage takes him.)
In lying rags?Michal.Have struck him in his sleep!And merciless! And now will kill me, too?David.The leper, you! The faithless leper, you,
In lying rags?
Michal.Have struck him in his sleep!And merciless! And now will kill me, too?
David.The leper, you! The faithless leper, you,
(Grows frenzied.)
(Grows frenzied.)
Who drove me a prey upon this wilderness!Upon the blot of it and death and sear!The silence and relentless burning swoon!You are the leper, who have broken trothAnd shut the cry of justice from your breast!Who've stifled me with desolation's woe,Who've followed still and still have me betrayed!Michal.Betrayed? No, loose me!David.Slain thy father? slain?
Who drove me a prey upon this wilderness!Upon the blot of it and death and sear!The silence and relentless burning swoon!You are the leper, who have broken trothAnd shut the cry of justice from your breast!Who've stifled me with desolation's woe,Who've followed still and still have me betrayed!
Michal.Betrayed? No, loose me!
David.Slain thy father? slain?
(Flinging the piece ofSaul'scloak at her feet.)
(Flinging the piece ofSaul'scloak at her feet.)
See how I might—see, see you, yonder he lies,A king who quits the kingdom, though a cloudOf Philistines is foaming toward Gilboa;Jeoparded leaves it, undefended, forPursuit of me and pitiless harrying!A king who murders priests ...Michal.Priests?David.Stifles GodWith penitence that He has shaped the world!Have slain? have slain him! I have slain him! Ah!Ah, that I had thy falseness and could slay him!Michal.David...!David.Nevermore near me! never withThat quivering and tenderness of lure.Those eyes that hold infinity of fate,That breathing cassia-sweet, but sorcery!Michal.Oh ...David.Never thy presence pouring beauty, swift,And seething in the brain as frantic wine!I'll be no more enspelled of thee—Never!I will not hear thee and be wound by wordsInto thy wile as wide as Ashtoreth's,Back into hope, eternity of pain!
See how I might—see, see you, yonder he lies,A king who quits the kingdom, though a cloudOf Philistines is foaming toward Gilboa;Jeoparded leaves it, undefended, forPursuit of me and pitiless harrying!A king who murders priests ...
Michal.Priests?
David.Stifles GodWith penitence that He has shaped the world!Have slain? have slain him! I have slain him! Ah!Ah, that I had thy falseness and could slay him!
Michal.David...!
David.Nevermore near me! never withThat quivering and tenderness of lure.Those eyes that hold infinity of fate,That breathing cassia-sweet, but sorcery!
Michal.Oh ...
David.Never thy presence pouring beauty, swift,And seething in the brain as frantic wine!I'll be no more enspelled of thee—Never!I will not hear thee and be wound by wordsInto thy wile as wide as Ashtoreth's,Back into hope, eternity of pain!
(He goes in agony—the priest andAbishaiafter.Michalstands gazing tearless before her asSaul,awakened, comes slowly from the mouth of the cave down toward her.)
(He goes in agony—the priest andAbishaiafter.Michalstands gazing tearless before her asSaul,awakened, comes slowly from the mouth of the cave down toward her.)
Curtain.
Scene:The house ofMiriam,the "Witch of Endor," by Mount Gilboa—whereSaulis encamped against the Philistines. It is of one story, built rectangularly about an inner court, which is dimly lighted. Under the gallery which ranges around the court are doors leading to the sleeping and other apartments; before one of these a lattice. On the left is the gate opening to the street. At the back to one side, the teraphim, or image of divination; on the other side a stairway mounts to the roof. Above is the night and vague lightning amid a moan of wind. During the act comes dawn. Forward on a divan sitsMiriamalone, in blind restlessness.
Scene:The house ofMiriam,the "Witch of Endor," by Mount Gilboa—whereSaulis encamped against the Philistines. It is of one story, built rectangularly about an inner court, which is dimly lighted. Under the gallery which ranges around the court are doors leading to the sleeping and other apartments; before one of these a lattice. On the left is the gate opening to the street. At the back to one side, the teraphim, or image of divination; on the other side a stairway mounts to the roof. Above is the night and vague lightning amid a moan of wind. During the act comes dawn. Forward on a divan sitsMiriamalone, in blind restlessness.
Miriam.Adah!... The child is sunken in a sleep.Yet would I have her near me in this night,And hear again the boding of her tale.Unto the blind the vision and the aweOf the invisible sway ever in,The shadow of nativities that leadUpon fatality.Girl! Adah! girl!
Miriam.Adah!... The child is sunken in a sleep.Yet would I have her near me in this night,And hear again the boding of her tale.Unto the blind the vision and the aweOf the invisible sway ever in,The shadow of nativities that leadUpon fatality.Girl! Adah! girl!
(The wind passes.Adahenters from a chamber, rubbing her eyes.)
(The wind passes.Adahenters from a chamber, rubbing her eyes.)
Thou art awake?Adah.I slumbered.Miriam.Stand you whereFathoming I may feel within you. Now,Again—you've hither fled your mistress Merab,In fear of her?Adah.Yes.Miriam.At Engeddi MichalBy Saul was apprehended? Merab nowPlotteth against her—she and Doeg?Adah.Still.Miriam.And 'twas in Merab's tent you heard, the kingDespairing of to-morrow's battle, comesHither to-night to bid me lift the spiritOf Samuel out of the dead and learnThe issue?Adah.Doeg said it.Miriam.And—you hear?——Many within the army urge for David,Would cry him king, if Saul were slain?Adah.O many.
Thou art awake?
Adah.I slumbered.
Miriam.Stand you whereFathoming I may feel within you. Now,Again—you've hither fled your mistress Merab,In fear of her?
Adah.Yes.
Miriam.At Engeddi MichalBy Saul was apprehended? Merab nowPlotteth against her—she and Doeg?
Adah.Still.
Miriam.And 'twas in Merab's tent you heard, the kingDespairing of to-morrow's battle, comesHither to-night to bid me lift the spiritOf Samuel out of the dead and learnThe issue?
Adah.Doeg said it.
Miriam.And—you hear?——Many within the army urge for David,Would cry him king, if Saul were slain?
Adah.O many.
(A knock at the gate. They start up fearful.)
(A knock at the gate. They start up fearful.)
Miriam.Who seeks blind Miriam of Endor's roof,Under the night and unextinguished storm?Come you a friend?David(without). A friend.Miriam.As knows my soul!
Miriam.Who seeks blind Miriam of Endor's roof,Under the night and unextinguished storm?Come you a friend?
David(without). A friend.
Miriam.As knows my soul!
(Throws open the gate.Davidenters andAbiatharcloaked.)
(Throws open the gate.Davidenters andAbiatharcloaked.)
Thy voice again!—this blindness of my eyes—If it be David, speak.David.Yes, Miriam.Miriam.David of Jesse, Israel's desire!Let me behold thee (her hands go over him) with my fingers' sight,And gather in them touch of thee again!Thy voice is as dream-dulcimers that stirQuivering myrrh of memory and joy.But, aie! why are you here? You have beenthere?David.Yes—in the camp of Saul.Miriam.In spite of Death!Do you not know——David.I know—that Saul would ratherO'er-tramble me than a multitude of foes.That it is told him I who shun his ire—Though death were easier, if dutiful—Am come up with the Philistines to winThe kingdom. That he would slay me though I foughtFor Israel!—But, Michal!—Miriam.Aie——David.What brews?She was not in the camp.Miriam.Men all are mad!And you who should be never.David.She is inSome peril.Miriam.You, in more! And must from hereSwiftly away, for Saul is——David.I must see her.Miriam.Unholy!David.Yet unholier were flight.Miriam.You are the anointed!
Thy voice again!—this blindness of my eyes—If it be David, speak.
David.Yes, Miriam.
Miriam.David of Jesse, Israel's desire!Let me behold thee (her hands go over him) with my fingers' sight,And gather in them touch of thee again!Thy voice is as dream-dulcimers that stirQuivering myrrh of memory and joy.But, aie! why are you here? You have beenthere?
David.Yes—in the camp of Saul.
Miriam.In spite of Death!Do you not know——
David.I know—that Saul would ratherO'er-tramble me than a multitude of foes.That it is told him I who shun his ire—Though death were easier, if dutiful—Am come up with the Philistines to winThe kingdom. That he would slay me though I foughtFor Israel!—But, Michal!—
Miriam.Aie——
David.What brews?She was not in the camp.
Miriam.Men all are mad!And you who should be never.
David.She is inSome peril.
Miriam.You, in more! And must from hereSwiftly away, for Saul is——
David.I must see her.
Miriam.Unholy!
David.Yet unholier were flight.
Miriam.You are the anointed!
(A heavy knock at the gate.)
(A heavy knock at the gate.)
Ah, calamity!You would not heed—'tis Saul!David.Here?Miriam.He is comeThat I shall call up Samuel.David.You, you—The awful dead?Saul(calls). Woman of Endor!Miriam.Hide!The lattice yonder!Saul.Woman of Endor! woman!
Ah, calamity!You would not heed—'tis Saul!
David.Here?
Miriam.He is comeThat I shall call up Samuel.
David.You, you—The awful dead?
Saul(calls). Woman of Endor!
Miriam.Hide!The lattice yonder!
Saul.Woman of Endor! woman!
(DavidandAbiatharwithdraw. The knocking hastier.)
(DavidandAbiatharwithdraw. The knocking hastier.)
Woman of Endor! Woman of Endor! Woman!Miriam.Who crieth at my gate?Saul.Unbar and learn.Miriam.To danger?Saul.None.Miriam.To thieves?Saul.To rueing itYou tarry!
Woman of Endor! Woman of Endor! Woman!
Miriam.Who crieth at my gate?
Saul.Unbar and learn.
Miriam.To danger?
Saul.None.
Miriam.To thieves?
Saul.To rueing itYou tarry!
(She lets him in, withIshuiandAdriel.)
(She lets him in, withIshuiandAdriel.)
Miriam.Whom seek you?Saul.Witch of Endor, you,Who of the fate-revealing dead divine.Out of the Pit you call them!Miriam.What is this?Saul.I say that you can raise them!Miriam.You are comeWith snaring! knowing well that Saul the kingIs woe and bitterness to all who moveWith incantation.Saul.He is not.Miriam.Depart!Saul.I must have up out of the AwfulnessHim I would question.Miriam.Perilous!Saul.PrepareBefore thy teraphim. No harm, I swear,Shall come of it. Bid Samuel appear.The battle! its event!Miriam(with a cry). I know thee now!Saul! thou art Saul! the Terror!Saul.Call him up.Ready is it, the battle—but I amForsaken of all prophesy and dream,Of voices and of priest and oracle,To augur it.Miriam.A doom's in this!Saul.He mustHold comfort, and the torrent of despairWithin me stay and hush.Miriam.Then must it be.
Miriam.Whom seek you?
Saul.Witch of Endor, you,Who of the fate-revealing dead divine.Out of the Pit you call them!
Miriam.What is this?
Saul.I say that you can raise them!
Miriam.You are comeWith snaring! knowing well that Saul the kingIs woe and bitterness to all who moveWith incantation.
Saul.He is not.
Miriam.Depart!
Saul.I must have up out of the AwfulnessHim I would question.
Miriam.Perilous!
Saul.PrepareBefore thy teraphim. No harm, I swear,Shall come of it. Bid Samuel appear.The battle! its event!
Miriam(with a cry). I know thee now!Saul! thou art Saul! the Terror!
Saul.Call him up.Ready is it, the battle—but I amForsaken of all prophesy and dream,Of voices and of priest and oracle,To augur it.
Miriam.A doom's in this!
Saul.He mustHold comfort, and the torrent of despairWithin me stay and hush.
Miriam.Then must it be.
(She turns to the teraphim, amid wind and pallid lightning prostrating herself.)
(She turns to the teraphim, amid wind and pallid lightning prostrating herself.)
Prophet of Israel, who art beyondThe troubling and the terrifying grave,Th' immeasurable moan and melancholyOf ways that win to Sheol—Rise! Arise!
Prophet of Israel, who art beyondThe troubling and the terrifying grave,Th' immeasurable moan and melancholyOf ways that win to Sheol—Rise! Arise!
(She waits ... Only the wind gust. Then springing up, with wide arms, and wild blind eyes.)
(She waits ... Only the wind gust. Then springing up, with wide arms, and wild blind eyes.)
Prophet of Israel, arise! Not inThe name of Baal, Amon, Ashtoreth,Dagon or all the deities that dreamIn trembling temples of Idolatry,But of Jehovah! of Jehovah! rise!
Prophet of Israel, arise! Not inThe name of Baal, Amon, Ashtoreth,Dagon or all the deities that dreamIn trembling temples of Idolatry,But of Jehovah! of Jehovah! rise!
(An elemental cry is heard. Then wavering forms rise, vast, out of the earth, in continuous stream.Miriam,with a curdling shriek, sinks moaning to her knees.)
(An elemental cry is heard. Then wavering forms rise, vast, out of the earth, in continuous stream.Miriam,with a curdling shriek, sinks moaning to her knees.)