JUDITH.  To Holofernes.

OZIAS.  Do not go!

JUDITH.  But why shall I not go?

OZIAS.  The perils of the heathen will surround you, and harm will surely befall you, for Holofernes will work lamentable evil upon you.  And I cannot suffer it.

JUDITH (smiling).  Did not Ozias say that Holofernes was a great warrior and had compassion in his greatness?

OZIAS (insistent).  I cannot suffer it, for if any shame come upon you
I will not live.

JUDITH.  God will not see his handmaid shamed.  Moreover I regard not myself in this thing, but the welfare of the people of Israel.

OZIAS (kneeling).  Judith, I entreat you!  For you are the light of my eyes, and without you the world is not.

JUDITH (softly).  I know it.  Think you that in these years I have not seen the depths of your heart, Ozias?  Think you that I was blind in my tent?  Think you that I watched not upon you?  You were comely in my sight.  But this day you have revealed your pride.  For you seek not God, but the vanity of the earth, and you would make all Israel the instrument of your glory, denying the Lord.  And I am sad.

OZIAS.  Forgive me, Rose of Sharon.

JUDITH (softly).  Who am I, to forgive my brother?  Peace be upon you! (She turns towards her house.)

OZIAS (rising,).  Stay!

JUDITH.  I go to prepare myself for that which I have to do. (Exit into the house.)

(A soldier shows himself, back.)

OZIAS.  Friend!

FIRST SOLDIER (approaching and saluting).  Lord!  Your command!

OZIAS.  Send to me the officer of the watch.

FIRST SOLDIER.  Lord, the honourable lieutenant lies sick.

(Haggith appears at the door of the house.)

OZIAS.  Thirst has overcome him?

FIRST SOLDIER (bowing).  He raves on the bed, lord, and his tongue is like the tongue of a dog.

OZIAS.  Who then commands the watch by the watchfires this night?

FIRST SOLDIER.  I, lord.  The watchfires wait the torch.

OZIAS.  Will you, too, faint, and will your tongue be like the tongue of a dog?

FIRST SOLDIER (grimly), Not mine, lord.

OZIAS.  DO the people complain?

FIRST SOLDIER.  Lord, they whine and snivel mightily.

Enter Haggith with a small sack.

OZIAS.  Is the secret way shut?

FIRST SOLDIER.  Shut and barred, lord.

OZIAS.  It must be opened....  Stand!  I will see to it.

FIRST SOLDIER.  AS my lord wills.

OZIAS.  Has the watch aught to drink?

FIRST SOLDIER.  My lord knows that no drop is left in the gourds.

(Ozias waves him away, and he retires.)

OZIAS (to Haggith, who is busy with the sack).  Woman, has the lady
Judith perchance dreamed a dream?