Saul.Woman, I cannot—dare not—look upon it.Utter thy sight.
Saul.Woman, I cannot—dare not—look upon it.Utter thy sight.
(The Spirit ofSamuelbegins to take shape through the phantoms.)
(The Spirit ofSamuelbegins to take shape through the phantoms.)
Miriam.I see ... ascendingForms as of gods in swaying ghostliness,Dim apparitions of a dismal might,And now is one within a mantle clad,Who looketh——Saul.Samuel!Miriam.Who looketh withOmniscience in his mien, and there is chillAnd cling about him of eternity!His eyes impale me!Saul.Spirit, give me word!
Miriam.I see ... ascendingForms as of gods in swaying ghostliness,Dim apparitions of a dismal might,And now is one within a mantle clad,Who looketh——
Saul.Samuel!
Miriam.Who looketh withOmniscience in his mien, and there is chillAnd cling about him of eternity!His eyes impale me!
Saul.Spirit, give me word!
(He falls heavily to the ground.)
(He falls heavily to the ground.)
Samuel(as afar). O evil king! and wretched king! why hastThou brought me from the quietness and rest?Saul.The battle on the morrow——Samuel.Evil thou artFor underneath this night thou hast conspiredDeath to thy daughter Michal—if at dawnThe battle shall be lost—lest she may fallInto the hands of David——David(in horror). O!Ishui.Whose cry?Samuel.I tell thee, Saul, thy sceptre shrivels fast.The battle shall be lost—it shall be lost.
Samuel(as afar). O evil king! and wretched king! why hastThou brought me from the quietness and rest?
Saul.The battle on the morrow——
Samuel.Evil thou artFor underneath this night thou hast conspiredDeath to thy daughter Michal—if at dawnThe battle shall be lost—lest she may fallInto the hands of David——
David(in horror). O!
Ishui.Whose cry?
Samuel.I tell thee, Saul, thy sceptre shrivels fast.The battle shall be lost—it shall be lost.
(The Spirit ofSamueldisappears. A wail of wind.)
(The Spirit ofSamueldisappears. A wail of wind.)
Adriel.Ishui, true? Is Michal to be slain?Ishui.This is no hour for fools and questioning.Saul(struggling up). The battle, Ishui, at once commandIt shall begin! To Jonathan and say it.
Adriel.Ishui, true? Is Michal to be slain?
Ishui.This is no hour for fools and questioning.
Saul(struggling up). The battle, Ishui, at once commandIt shall begin! To Jonathan and say it.
(Ishuigoes.)
(Ishuigoes.)
No prophecy shall sink me and no shade.I am the king, and Israel, my own.
No prophecy shall sink me and no shade.I am the king, and Israel, my own.
(Frenzied he goes. A silence.)
(Frenzied he goes. A silence.)
David(breaking forth). Michal to die and Israel to fall!Prophet of prophets, Samuel, return!Out of the Shadow and the Sleep, return,Compassionate, and tell me where she isThat I may save. Again appear and sayThat Israel to-morrow may not fall—Not fall on ruin!Adriel.David? is it thou?David.Meholah's Adriel, your conscience asks.Adriel.You were concealed?David.And I have heard. Cry thenOut unto Saul! Betray me, cry you out!Adriel.Betray?David.Is the word honey? Is it balm?Adriel.David, I've wronged you—David.Haply!Adriel.Jealously.And ask now no forgiveness—not untilMichal is won from peril!David.Do you knowMore of her? still?Adriel.Saul——David.Saul——?Adriel.Has given DoegPower of this.... And to some spot of EndorHere he has brought her.David.God!Adriel.And now himself,David, himself cannot be far away.David.Ahaste, and bring him then by force or guile,In any way, that we may from him winWhere she is prisoned.
David(breaking forth). Michal to die and Israel to fall!Prophet of prophets, Samuel, return!Out of the Shadow and the Sleep, return,Compassionate, and tell me where she isThat I may save. Again appear and sayThat Israel to-morrow may not fall—Not fall on ruin!
Adriel.David? is it thou?
David.Meholah's Adriel, your conscience asks.
Adriel.You were concealed?
David.And I have heard. Cry thenOut unto Saul! Betray me, cry you out!
Adriel.Betray?
David.Is the word honey? Is it balm?
Adriel.David, I've wronged you—
David.Haply!
Adriel.Jealously.And ask now no forgiveness—not untilMichal is won from peril!
David.Do you knowMore of her? still?
Adriel.Saul——
David.Saul——?
Adriel.Has given DoegPower of this.... And to some spot of EndorHere he has brought her.
David.God!
Adriel.And now himself,David, himself cannot be far away.
David.Ahaste, and bring him then by force or guile,In any way, that we may from him winWhere she is prisoned.
(Adrielgoes.)
(Adrielgoes.)
The quiveringQuicksands of destiny beneath her stir.Is heaven a mocking shield that ever keepsGod from our prayers?Miriam.David, contain thy heart.
The quiveringQuicksands of destiny beneath her stir.Is heaven a mocking shield that ever keepsGod from our prayers?
Miriam.David, contain thy heart.
(A faint uproar begins afar; and dawn.)
(A faint uproar begins afar; and dawn.)
David.The battle! on the wind. Abiathar,Speed out upon the mountain-side and cullAll that befalls.
David.The battle! on the wind. Abiathar,Speed out upon the mountain-side and cullAll that befalls.
(Adahopens the gate. The priest goes.)
(Adahopens the gate. The priest goes.)
Adah(springing back). Oh!David.Child, why do you quail?Adah.My mistress, Merab!David.Girl?Adah.I saw her—she—Is coming hither! Do not let her—she—I fear—I fear her!David.Hither coming?Adah.She!
Adah(springing back). Oh!
David.Child, why do you quail?
Adah.My mistress, Merab!
David.Girl?
Adah.I saw her—she—Is coming hither! Do not let her—she—I fear—I fear her!
David.Hither coming?
Adah.She!
(The gate is thrown open fiercely.)
(The gate is thrown open fiercely.)
Merab(entering). Woman and witch, did Adriel, my husband,
Merab(entering). Woman and witch, did Adriel, my husband,
(SeesDavid.)
(SeesDavid.)
Come to you with the king?David.Unnatural,Unkind, most cruel sister!Merab(shrinks). You are here?David.Once me you would have poisoned, but the coilWithin your bosom I beheld. And nowMichal your sister is the victim.Merab.I—Know not your meaning.David.The battle burning yonder,If it adversely veers, the king has plannedMichal is not to live lest she may hapUnto my arms.Merab.That Michal shall be slain?
Come to you with the king?
David.Unnatural,Unkind, most cruel sister!
Merab(shrinks). You are here?
David.Once me you would have poisoned, but the coilWithin your bosom I beheld. And nowMichal your sister is the victim.
Merab.I—Know not your meaning.
David.The battle burning yonder,If it adversely veers, the king has plannedMichal is not to live lest she may hapUnto my arms.
Merab.That Michal shall be slain?
(The tumult again.)
(The tumult again.)
David.Almighty, smite, and save to Thee thy people!And save Thy altars unto Israel!
David.Almighty, smite, and save to Thee thy people!And save Thy altars unto Israel!
(He bows his head. A stir comes at the gate.)
(He bows his head. A stir comes at the gate.)
Merab.David, 'tis Adriel!Adriel.Ope! open, you!David.At last the word.Merab.Girl, Adah, draw the bar.
Merab.David, 'tis Adriel!
Adriel.Ope! open, you!
David.At last the word.
Merab.Girl, Adah, draw the bar.
(Davidthrows a cloak to his face, asAdahobeys.Adrielenters, andDoeg,who pauses in quick alarm, asDavidgoes between him and the gate.)
(Davidthrows a cloak to his face, asAdahobeys.Adrielenters, andDoeg,who pauses in quick alarm, asDavidgoes between him and the gate.)
Doeg.What place is this? Why do you bar that gate?Merab, 'tis you? Why do you gaze, rigid?And this is the blind witch, Miriam?David.It is.
Doeg.What place is this? Why do you bar that gate?Merab, 'tis you? Why do you gaze, rigid?And this is the blind witch, Miriam?
David.It is.
(He throws off the cloak.)
(He throws off the cloak.)
Doeg.Lured? I am snared? a trap?David.Where have you Michal?Doeg(drawing). No closer!David.If she is an atom harmed——!Where is she?Doeg.I was the servant of the king,I but obey him.David.And thy horrible heart.Then speak, or unto frenzy I am driven.Doeg.I'll drive you there with——
Doeg.Lured? I am snared? a trap?
David.Where have you Michal?
Doeg(drawing). No closer!
David.If she is an atom harmed——!Where is she?
Doeg.I was the servant of the king,I but obey him.
David.And thy horrible heart.Then speak, or unto frenzy I am driven.
Doeg.I'll drive you there with——
(Breaks off with low laugh.)
(Breaks off with low laugh.)
David.Tell it!Doeg.Unto yourSoft sympathy—and passion? (Laughs.) She is dead.David(immovable, then repressed).If it is so, the lightning, that is wrathWithin the veins of God, should sink its fangInto thy bosom and sear out thy heart.If it is so, this momentary calm,This silence pouring overfull the world,Would rush and in thee cry until thy bonesBroken of guilt are crumbled in thy groans.Dead, she is dead?Miriam.No, David, my lord, he lies!
David.Tell it!
Doeg.Unto yourSoft sympathy—and passion? (Laughs.) She is dead.
David(immovable, then repressed).If it is so, the lightning, that is wrathWithin the veins of God, should sink its fangInto thy bosom and sear out thy heart.If it is so, this momentary calm,This silence pouring overfull the world,Would rush and in thee cry until thy bonesBroken of guilt are crumbled in thy groans.Dead, she is dead?
Miriam.No, David, my lord, he lies!
(Strangely, as in a trance.)
(Strangely, as in a trance.)
To wound you, lies!David.Not dead?Miriam.I see her eyes!
To wound you, lies!
David.Not dead?
Miriam.I see her eyes!
(All listen amazed.)
(All listen amazed.)
I see her in a vision. She is near——Is in a cave—is bound—and is alone.I will go to her—quickly bring her.Doeg.Not
I see her in a vision. She is near——Is in a cave—is bound—and is alone.I will go to her—quickly bring her.
Doeg.Not
(Lunges at her.)
(Lunges at her.)
If this shall reach you.David.Ah, to pierce a woman!
If this shall reach you.
David.Ah, to pierce a woman!
(Miriamfinds her way out.)
(Miriamfinds her way out.)
You've plotted, have been false and bloody, foul,And as a pestilence of midnight marshHave oozed corruption into all around you.The kingdom thro' you is in brokenness,Within its arteries you flow, poison,Incentive of irruption and unrest,Of treachery and disaffection's sore,Till even the stars that light it seem as taresSown hostile o'er the nightly vale of heaven.
You've plotted, have been false and bloody, foul,And as a pestilence of midnight marshHave oozed corruption into all around you.The kingdom thro' you is in brokenness,Within its arteries you flow, poison,Incentive of irruption and unrest,Of treachery and disaffection's sore,Till even the stars that light it seem as taresSown hostile o'er the nightly vale of heaven.
(Draws firmly. Coldly, skilfully approaches for attack.)
(Draws firmly. Coldly, skilfully approaches for attack.)
Doeg(retreating). No farther!David.Unto the end! unto the end!
Doeg(retreating). No farther!
David.Unto the end! unto the end!
(He rushes in; they engage;Doegis wounded.)
(He rushes in; they engage;Doegis wounded.)
Your villainy is done.
Your villainy is done.
(Quickly forces him under. The gate then opens andAbiatharhurries in.)
(Quickly forces him under. The gate then opens andAbiatharhurries in.)
Abiathar.David, the battle——!
Abiathar.David, the battle——!
(SeesDoegand stops, pale.)
(SeesDoegand stops, pale.)
David.Fetter him.Abiathar.Only fetter? (His dagger out) the murdererOf priestly sanctity and of my father?David.Abiathar! You know obedience?
David.Fetter him.
Abiathar.Only fetter? (His dagger out) the murdererOf priestly sanctity and of my father?
David.Abiathar! You know obedience?
(Doegis sullenly bound and led aside. Then a panic is heard afar, and dim laments.David,who has sunk to a seat, springs anxiously up.)
(Doegis sullenly bound and led aside. Then a panic is heard afar, and dim laments.David,who has sunk to a seat, springs anxiously up.)
Listen! that cry!A voice.Woe! woe!David.What is its wail?The Voice.The battle's lost!David.Abiathar—?The Voice.Saul flees!David.Abiathar, is lost?Abiathar.I fear it.David.Then (pointing toDoeg)Off with his armour for me, I will goForth and may backward, backward bend defeat.Duty to Saul is over.Adriel.You must not.A fruitless intrepidity it were.Abiathar.Remember your anointing!Abishai.The prophesy!And Michal! (The gate opens.) Michal who lives! wholives! who lives!
Listen! that cry!
A voice.Woe! woe!
David.What is its wail?
The Voice.The battle's lost!
David.Abiathar—?
The Voice.Saul flees!
David.Abiathar, is lost?
Abiathar.I fear it.
David.Then (pointing toDoeg)Off with his armour for me, I will goForth and may backward, backward bend defeat.Duty to Saul is over.
Adriel.You must not.A fruitless intrepidity it were.
Abiathar.Remember your anointing!
Abishai.The prophesy!And Michal! (The gate opens.) Michal who lives! wholives! who lives!
(Davidhas turned and sees her enter withMiriam.)
(Davidhas turned and sees her enter withMiriam.)
Hosanna!...Adriel.Ever!...Miriam.David——Michal(pleading, to him). It is I.Miriam.The cords were cruel, hungrily sank inHer wrists and ankles.Michal.David! look on me.David.My words must be alone with her—alone.Adriel.Come, all of you—the battle.
Hosanna!...
Adriel.Ever!...
Miriam.David——
Michal(pleading, to him). It is I.
Miriam.The cords were cruel, hungrily sank inHer wrists and ankles.
Michal.David! look on me.
David.My words must be alone with her—alone.
Adriel.Come, all of you—the battle.
(They go out the gate.)
(They go out the gate.)
Michal.My lord!... my lord!
Michal.My lord!... my lord!
(He is silent.)
(He is silent.)
I ask not anything but to be heard—Though once I would not hear. Has all of lifeNo glow for me?David.Betrayers should have none.Michal.I was a woman—the entanglementOf duty amid love we have no skillTo loosen, but with passion.David.You too lateRemember it is so.Michal.NobilityAll unbelievable it seemed that youCould innocently wait on time to tideYou to the kingdom. Then forgive, I plead.David.But in the wilderness, your perfidy!Michal.Doubt of it welleth thro' your voice. No, no,To save you strove I——!David.Michal?Michal.Not to betray!From Saul, my father, penitent I fled,Seeking you in Engeddi's wild.David.And Phalti?Michal.'Twas wedding him I loathed.David.Say true!Michal.This knifeUnfailingly into my breast had sunkAnd spared me, had not flight.David.This—this can be?
I ask not anything but to be heard—Though once I would not hear. Has all of lifeNo glow for me?
David.Betrayers should have none.
Michal.I was a woman—the entanglementOf duty amid love we have no skillTo loosen, but with passion.
David.You too lateRemember it is so.
Michal.NobilityAll unbelievable it seemed that youCould innocently wait on time to tideYou to the kingdom. Then forgive, I plead.
David.But in the wilderness, your perfidy!
Michal.Doubt of it welleth thro' your voice. No, no,To save you strove I——!
David.Michal?
Michal.Not to betray!From Saul, my father, penitent I fled,Seeking you in Engeddi's wild.
David.And Phalti?
Michal.'Twas wedding him I loathed.
David.Say true!
Michal.This knifeUnfailingly into my breast had sunkAnd spared me, had not flight.
David.This—this can be?
(A great joy dawning in him.)
(A great joy dawning in him.)
Beyond all hope it is, even as day'sWide empery outspans our littleness.A tithing of thy loveliness were beautyEnough for earth. Yet it is mine, is mine?Michal.David—for ever!
Beyond all hope it is, even as day'sWide empery outspans our littleness.A tithing of thy loveliness were beautyEnough for earth. Yet it is mine, is mine?
Michal.David—for ever!
(She starts toward his arms. But cries and confusion of cries beat back their joy. Then the gate is flung open andAdrielenters, shaken. He looks from one to the other.)
(She starts toward his arms. But cries and confusion of cries beat back their joy. Then the gate is flung open andAdrielenters, shaken. He looks from one to the other.)
David(at last). Adriel! Adriel!What have you?Adriel.Saul—is slain!Michal.My father?Adriel.Slain!And Jonathan——David.No!Adriel.Fell beside him down ...The fray was fast—Israel fled—the foeFierce after Saul, whom Jonathan defended.Michal.My father!David.And my brother Jonathan!If I believe it will not miracleAlone bring joy again unto my pain?
David(at last). Adriel! Adriel!What have you?
Adriel.Saul—is slain!
Michal.My father?
Adriel.Slain!And Jonathan——
David.No!
Adriel.Fell beside him down ...The fray was fast—Israel fled—the foeFierce after Saul, whom Jonathan defended.
Michal.My father!
David.And my brother Jonathan!If I believe it will not miracleAlone bring joy again unto my pain?
(The wailing again, and deeper groans.)
(The wailing again, and deeper groans.)
O Israel, the Infinite has touchedThy glory and it changes to a shroud!Thy splendour is as vintage overspilt,For Saul upon the mountains low is lying,And Jonathan beside him, beautifulBeyond the mar of battle and of death.Yea, kingly Jonathan! And I would giveThe beating of my life into his veins.Willing for it would I be drouth and die!...
O Israel, the Infinite has touchedThy glory and it changes to a shroud!Thy splendour is as vintage overspilt,For Saul upon the mountains low is lying,And Jonathan beside him, beautifulBeyond the mar of battle and of death.Yea, kingly Jonathan! And I would giveThe beating of my life into his veins.Willing for it would I be drouth and die!...
(As the wails re-arise.)
(As the wails re-arise.)
Peaks, mountains of Gilboa! let no moreDew be upon you, and as sackcloth letClouds cover you, and ashes be your soil,Until I bring upon PhilistiaAnd Gath and Askalon extinguishing,And sorrow—and immensity of tears!
Peaks, mountains of Gilboa! let no moreDew be upon you, and as sackcloth letClouds cover you, and ashes be your soil,Until I bring upon PhilistiaAnd Gath and Askalon extinguishing,And sorrow—and immensity of tears!
(Michalgoes to him. He folds her in his arms.)
(Michalgoes to him. He folds her in his arms.)
But we must calm the flowing of this grief.Though yet we cannot mind us to remember,Love will as sandal-breath and trickling balmO'erheal us in the unbegotten years,Too headlong must not be our agony.Hush now thy woundedness, my Michal, now.See, o'er the East the lifted wings of Dawn.
But we must calm the flowing of this grief.Though yet we cannot mind us to remember,Love will as sandal-breath and trickling balmO'erheal us in the unbegotten years,Too headlong must not be our agony.Hush now thy woundedness, my Michal, now.See, o'er the East the lifted wings of Dawn.
(They climb the stair to the house-top. As they look away toward the battle's rout the clouds part, and over them breaks the full brightness of the sun....)
(They climb the stair to the house-top. As they look away toward the battle's rout the clouds part, and over them breaks the full brightness of the sun....)
THE END.
The Gresham Press,
UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED.
WOKING AND LONDON.
Transcriber's Notes:Simple typographical and spelling errors were corrected. Considerable latitude was provided the dialogue and poetry.
Transcriber's Notes:
Simple typographical and spelling errors were corrected. Considerable latitude was provided the dialogue and poetry.