HAGGITH.  I have figs fit for a great king. (Opens her sack and offers some figs.)

INGUR (eating). Um!  And what else hast thou?  Let me touch thee, Haggith. (He touches her carefully).  Yes, thou art outlandish, and no doubt mad, but comely.  Comely!  Thou hast the likeness and feel of a woman.  Always have I hankered after strange women, and now lo! one falls ripe into my mouth. (Haggith shrinks.  Reassuringly.) In a way of speaking!  In a way speaking!  For thou art not in my mouth.  And so thou earnest to slake thy thirst?

HAGGITH.  Yes, my roaring lion.

INGUR.  Listen!  Thou hast saved thy life with water.  But thou art lost.

HAGGITH.  Lost?

INGUR.  Ay!  A woman in the camps of the Assyrians—­she is undone.  She is a lamb in a den of terrible tigers. (Comfortingly.) No, no!  I will protect thee, but I warn thee that thou art undone.  I am honest. (Caresses her.)

HAGGITH (clumsily returning his caress). Thou wilt not harm me.

INGUR.  I will not tear thee to pieces, but thou shalt come away with me. (She timidly strokes him).  Thou hast not the habit of this stroking.

HAGGITH.  My mistress commanded me, when I encountered any noble Assyrian, to use him thus.  It is true that I have not the habit.  Nevertheless I do what I can.

INGUR (startled at the mention of a mistress).  Thy—­thy mistress?  Ye are two?  Where then is thy mistress?  Tell me upon the instant—­is she fairer than thou?

HAGGITH.  Seven times more fair.

INGUR.  Fetch her!

HAGGITH.  My mistress is washing herself in a fountain of water by the cave.  She sent me forward in peace and friendliness to announce her coming.

INGUR.  Fetch her! (Suddenly perceiving Bagoas in the distance, he changes his manner.) Stay!  Bagoas is approaching, and he may have seen thee.  His eyes are sharp.  Stand off. (Haggith moves away a little.) But when I tell thee, fall down on thy face.

HAGGITH.  Is he a great captain?

INGUR.  His mightiness is the chief eunuch of the Prince, and there is none greater than he save only the Prince himself, for Bagoas has charge over all the women of the Prince’s tents.

HAGGITH.  Women of the Prince’s tents?

INGUR.  Ay!  Wives!  Concubines!  Virgins!  Beyond counting.  Didst thou think in thy Hebrew pride, that the Prince was a savage and a barbarian?...  Down, damsel!  Here is Bagoas.  Embrace the earth for thy life’s sake.  (Haggith obeys.)

Enter Bagoas, with attendants, L.

(Ingur salutes him with extreme deference.)

BAGOAS.  Who art thou?

INGUR.  Ingur, mightiness, commanding twenty footmen.

BAGOAS.  Begone from my sight.  This morning the Prince condescends to walk through the camp, that all the armies may take joy in his countenance.  It is not meet that he should be seen of any lower than a lieutenant.