BAGOAS.  Surely!  Surely!  It is my pleasure to content you. (Aside, to attendant, anxiously.) This dried fish by her damnable beauty will reach great power, and if I speak not softly to her now she will undo me in that day.

FIRST ATTENDANT.  Yea, mightiness.

JUDITH.  I humbly thank your mightiness.

BAGOAS.  But it is necessary that you should relate to me your little affair.  For no woman speaks to the illustrious Prince until she has spoken to me.

JUDITH.  It cannot be so.

BAGOAS (persuasively).  In my ear, privily.  Approach.

JUDITH.  It cannot be so.

BAGOAS.  What mean you—­it cannot be so?

JUDITH.  I will utter my errand to the illustrious Prince Holofernes alone.

BAGOAS (losing his self-control; angrily).  What?  Thou queasy chit!  Thou minx!  Thou jade!  Baggage!  Mopsy!  Shamelesss wench!  Thou wilt not obey Bagoas, chief eunuch in the camps of the Assyrians!  I will make thee the slave of my slave and the plaything of scullions. (Stops. Judith smiles.  Haggith subsides alarmed at her feet.) Thou shalt be abandoned to the sutlers and the ass-drivers, and thus thou shalt learn who is Bagoas and what is his power! (Stops again. Judith still smiles.) The strumpets of the kitchens shall scorn thee!  I—­I——­

JUDITH (smiling sweetly).  Mightiness!  Mightiness!  I am your bondwoman, but it is appointed by heaven that I shall speak with the illustrious Prince Holofernes himself.

BAGOAS (controlling himself, smiling).  Well, if it is appointed by heaven, so shall it be.  Forget my words.  They had no evil intent, for I was trying you, as my duty is. (Aside to attendant.) The sweetness of her glance dissolves my backbone.

FIRST ATTENDANT.  Yea, mightinesss.

BAGOAS (to Judith).  Follow me, lady. (Aside to attendant.) Thinkest thou the Prince will come this way? (Pointing.)

FIRST ATTENDANT.  Yea, mightiness.

BAGOAS.  Or that?

FIRST ATTENDANT.  Yea, mightiness.

BAGOAS.  If the Prince so much as sees her before the city is taken, never will the city be taken, and we shall all be her captives.

FIRST ATTENDANT.  Yea, mightiness.

BAGOAS (beating the attendant).  I will lead her by the path to the cave, for the Prince will surely not come that way. (To Judith.) Follow me, lady.

(Bagoas moves R.  Judith hesitates a moment as Haggith picks up her sack.  Enter R. the heralds of Holofernes, followed by Holofernes.)

BAGOAS (to himself).  Holofernes! (To his attendants.) Hide her, rascals, or Assyria is undone. (The attendants range themselves between Judith and Holofernes.)

(Bagoas receives Holofernes with a prostration and high ceremony.)