HOLOFERNES (full of emotion).  I will kiss thy lips, and thou art mine, O fragrance!

JUDITH.  Kiss my lips.

(Holofernes kisses her, and then in an excess of feeling stumbles backward.)

(A half-veiled Assyrian woman appears at the opening R., and watches.  Bagoas, in the porch of the tent, turns and sees her, and dashes at her with a weapon.  Both disappear through the opening, R.)

JUDITH (moving with stealth towards the hidden knife, comfortingly).  O mighty child, where is thy strength, and where is thy terribleness?  Rest thee a moment on the couch, and thy soul’s captive will tend thee.

(Holofernes drops on the couch, and Judith caresses him.)

HOLOFERNES (murmuring).  My great joy has overthrown me.

(Judith, seizing the knife and leaning over Holofernes, kills him while she is still caressing.)

JUDITH (as she uses the knife; murmuring).  Thou that wouldst go against the pleasure of the Most High!  Thou that wouldst defile Judea!  Thou that hast dishonoured with thy kiss the widow of Manasses!  Thou that hast compelled me to guile and deceit and much lying so that I might perform the will of God!  The grave shall be thy house!

Enter Haggith, L.

JUDITH (turning to Haggith, firmly and impressively).  I have done that which I had to do, and the power of Assyria is fallen. (Pointing.) Take the head by the beard, and put it in thy sack, and let us depart.

CURTAIN.

ACT III

SCENE I

SCENE:  Same as Act I.

TIME:  A few hours later than Act II, Scene III, the same night.  The sole light is that of torches, and watchfires (off).

The gatemen are at the gates.

There is a knocking on the outside of the gates.

Enter First Soldier, running.

FIRST SOLDIER (to a gateman, who is climbing up in order to look over the top of the gates).  Look not over, booby.  Thy fool’s face might meet the point of an Assyrian spear. (The gateman slips down quickly.)

(Renewed knocking.)

FIRST SOLDIER (shouting).  None can enter the city till sunrise.  And not then if I like not the aspect of his phiz.

HAGGITH (off).  It is Haggith, servant of the lady Judith.  Open the gates quickly, for I am become a woman of much consequence.

FIRST SOLDIER.  Haggith?  It is the voice of Haggith; yet it may also be devils. (To another soldier who has entered.) Run!  Rouse the lord Ozias. (Exit soldier.)

HAGGITH.  I have water with me.  Many gourds!  Fresh water!  Cool water!

(The gatemen begin to work the gate-chains.)