BAGOAS.  So be it, highness.  Nevertheless, the Prince has promised to his captains a mighty feast, and the word of Holofernes is a rock that cannot be shaken.

HOLOFERNES.  Oh!  What a calamity is love!  And there is no slave so trodden down as him that is the slave of desire....  Bah!  I will eat and drink quickly with the captains, and the woman shall await me here.

Enter Judith, back.  On seeing Holofernes she prostrates herself.

HOLOFERNES.  Arise, sorceress. (Judith rises.  To Bagoas.) Go fetch leopard skins for her repose.

BAGOAS.  I will send for the skins on the instant, highness.

HOLOFERNES.  Thou wilt go thyself to fetch them, elephant.  And come not back without the finest skins in my wardrobe.  See to it.

(Exit Bagoas, back.)

HOLOFERNES.  Come closer. (Judith obeys.) Look into my eyes. (Judith obeys.) Sorceress, thou knowest thy power.

JUDITH.  I have no power, save that which is given to me from on high.

HOLOFERNES.  Thou wast praying to thy god?

JUDITH.  Yea, highness.

HOLOFERNES.  Didst thou demand of him that he should tell thee if the Israelites in Bethulia had committed their sin, and if the time of my triumph was at hand?

JUDITH.  No, lord.  I prayed for the forgiveness of the transgressions of thy handmaid.

HOLOFERNES.  Why didst thou not demand of him what I ask thee?

JUDITH.  Who am I to hasten the God of Israel?  In the night time, and in the darkness, when all men sleep,—­then it is that my God condescends towards me, and my ear hears his secret purposes.

HOLOFERNES (low).  This night?

JUDITH.  Who can search out heaven?

HOLOFERNES.  This night?

JUDITH.  It may be.

HOLOFERNES.  And thou wilt come to me in the night and tell me thy message?

JUDITH.  I will come to thee in the night, great prince.

HOLOFERNES.  And thou wilt eat and drink with me in my triumph?

JUDITH (after a pause).  If it pleases my lord.

HOLOFERNES.  Thou wilt eat of my meat and drink of my wine, which I will give thee?

JUDITH (after a pause).  If my lord is alone and there is none with him.  For it is not right that any should see me.

HOLOFERNES.  I will be alone.  But Bagoas shall stand at the door of the tent.

JUDITH.  As my lord wills.

HOLOFERNES (ecstatic, moving a little towards her; she responds). 
Fairest among women!  Can it be!...  The way of God is wondrous.

(A half-veiled Assyrian woman appears through the hangings R., and watches.)

JUDITH (solemnly and significantly).  There are yet hid greater things than this, and thou hast yet seen but a few of his works.

HOLOFERNES (sinking back on the couch, mysteriously afraid).  Sorceress!