HOLOFERNES (aside to Bagoas, excitedly).  There is not such a woman from one end of the earth to the other, both for beauty of face and wisdom of words.

BAGOAS.  It may well be so, Prince.  But I have not seen the whole earth.

HOLOFERNES (to Judith).  Thou hast done well to come to me, that strength may be in my hands and destruction upon them that lightly regard Nebuchadnezzar, the one god.  Thou art ravishing in countenance, and if thou do as thou hast spoken, thou shalt dwell in my house which is over against the house of King Nebuchadnezzar, and thou shalt be renowned through the east and through the west.  Bagoas, prepare meat and wine for her.

BAGOAS (making as if to give an order).  To hear is to obey.

JUDITH.  I will not eat of my lord’s meat, nor drink of his wine, lest there be offence; I have brought provision by my waiting-woman.

BAGOAS.  But if thy provision fail?

JUDITH (significantly).  My provision will not fail before the Lord works by my hand the things which He has determined.

Bagoas claps his hands.  Enter an attendant.

BAGOAS.  Fetch Haggith, the waiting-woman of the lady Judith!  Quickly! (Exit attendant.  To Holofernes.) Prince, shall the Hebrew woman eat and drink of her provision in my lord’s tent?

HOLOFERNES.  She shall eat and drink in my tent, and she shall not leave it.

BAGOAS.  Then it is right that my lord remains not.  And moreover the Council humbly waits for my lord. (Exit Holofernes, L.)

BAGOAS (to Judith, as he follows Holofernes).  Did I not say that you and I shall rule them that rule Assyria? (Exit L.)

Enter Haggith, back, with provisions.

HAGGITH (excited, looking round to see if they are alone).  Mistress! 
Is it possible?

JUDITH.  What has taken thee?

HAGGITH.  Is this the tent of the monster?

JUDITH.  Hush!

HAGGITH (whispering).  It is greater and more magnificent than the temple at Bethulia. (Looking into a corner.) But unclean.  Have they no besoms?...  Ah! (Looking up at the roof.) The bigness of it makes me small like a child before it can walk.  I could not live comfortably in such a great windy place.  No!  I prefer our own house to all this royalty.

JUDITH.  Give me food, Haggith.  Where hast thou been? (She sits.)

HAGGITH.  Mistress, I have been with the man Ingur! (Arranging Judith’s costume, and then setting out the food and wine.) In obedience to your command.  At Bethulia, being busied all my days with the ordering of your possessions, I had no time for traffic with men; neither desire.  And I deemed them terrible and masterful creatures.  And when you commanded me to go forth into the camps and delude and entangle with wiles whatever Assyrian I should meet, I was afraid.  For it was in my heart that I could not accomplish this thing.  Yet I have done it prettily.  And it is easier to me far than sweeping with a besom.  Either all men are simpletons and besotted with self-conceit, or Ingur exceeds greatly in folly.  I have been given to him for his slave, but he is mine and knows it not. (She sits.)