HAGGITH (drily).  I am the ass.

Enter Judith, magnificently dressed.

(The soldier retires, back.)

JUDITH.  Is all prepared?

HAGGITH.  All is prepared, mistress.

Enter Ozias, L.

OZIAS (ecstatic at the sight of Judith’s splendour).  O, loveliness!  O, lily of the field!  Who shall withstand you, and who shall say you nay?

JUDITH (smiling).  I am ready to depart.

OZIAS.  The secret way is opened.  I will lead you to it.

JUDITH (gently).  The secret way?  I will take no secret way.

OZIAS.  But hear me, lady.  The peril from the archers far off—­

JUDITH.  What did I say to you, lord Ozias?  I said:  You shall stand this night in the gate of the city, and I will go forth.  My desire is that you command the gatemen to open the gates, so that I and my waiting-woman may pass out before all men, and in the sight of the Lord. (She bends to examine Haggith’s baggage.)

OZIAS (moved.  Calling to the soldiers).  Ho!  Let the gates of the city be opened, that the lady Judith may go forth.

FIRST SOLDIER.  Yea, lord. (Calling to others, off.) Gatemen!

(The gatemen man the gate-chains, and citizens rush in with cries:  ’What shall happen to us?  The lady Judith leaves the city?  At night-fall?  What is it?’)

OZIAS (fiercely, to the crowd).  Get hence!  Dogs!

JUDITH (softly).  Let them stay, Lord Ozias, for that which I do, I do not in secret, neither shall it be hidden.

OZIAS (to the crowd).  Make a way clear to the gates.

JUDITH.  Before I go, I will look into the valley whither I descend. (She mounts to the vantage-point).

VOICES.  Water!  Water!  Or we die!

JUDITH (from the vantage-point).  Brethren, bewail not!  Remember what things the Lord did to Abraham, and how he tried Isaac, and what happened to Jacob in Mesopotamia.  For the Lord has not tried us in the fire as he did them, neither has he taken vengeance upon us.  But the Lord scourges them that come near to him, to admonish them. (She kneels.  Following her example, everybody kneels.) O Lord God of my father Simeon, the Assyrians are multiplied in their power; they trust in shield, and spear, and bow, and sling; and know not that thou art the Lord which breakest battles; the Lord is thy name.  Behold their pride, and send thy wrath upon their heads; give into my hand, which am a widow, the power that I have conceived.  For thy power standeth not in multitude, nor thy might in strong men.  Smite the Assyrians by the deceit of my lips; break down their stateliness by the hand of a woman.  And make my speech and deceit to be their wound and stripe, who have purposed cruel things against thy covenant and against the top of Zion.  And make every nation and tribe to acknowledge that thou art the God of all power, and that there is none other that protecteth the people of Israel but thou. (She rises.  The crowd murmurs: ‘Amen.’ All rise. Judith comes down from the vantage-point.  Silence.)