FIRST SOLDIER.  What do ye, dogs?  Stop, and await the order of the lord
Ozias.

GATEMEN (continuing to work the chains).  Water!  Water!

FIRST SOLDIER.  Pull, then, dogs.  If there is water and it is wet I will taste it.  But if there is not water, I will slay the first soul that enters. (As the gates begin to open a little.) Hold!  No wider!

Enter Haggith with two gourds.

(The gourds are snatched from her, and the men, including the First Soldier, drink.)

FIRST SOLDIER (as he drinks).  Yea, it is indeed Haggith.  Where is thy mistress, and whence comest thou, my beloved water-carrier, for thou art my beloved? (Haggith slaps his face.)

Enter Ozias, L.

OZIAS (furious).  Why are the gates opened?  What is this?

FIRST SOLDIER.  Haggith, lord, with water that is stronger than wine. (Handing a gourd to Ozias to soothe him.)

OZIAS.  Where is thy mistress, wench? (Drinks.)

HAGGITH (stiffly).  I am the forerunner of my mistress, who has sent me, and before many hours are passed the lady Judith will come also. (She goes to the gates and beckons.)

OZIAS.  What art thou doing?

Enter Ingur, bearing a sack.

VOICES.  An Assyrian!  An Assyrian! (Men spring at Ingur.)

HAGGITH.  Let him alone; he is my bondman and I have tamed him.

OZIAS.  Shut the gates, for I will enquire into this matter.

HAGGITH.  There are yet ten other Assyrians outside the gates, carrying gourds for me.

OZIAS.  Ten other Assyrians!  It is a trick!

HAGGITH (proudly).  By my command they are chained by their necks, neck to neck.  Fetch in the gourds, men, and give the people to drink.

(The gourds are brought in amid cries and excitement.  They are taken off, L.)

OZIAS.  Shut the gates, I say.

FIRST SOLDIER.  And the ten Assyrians, great lord?

OZIAS.  Let them await my enquiry where they stand.

FIRST SOLDIER.  Lord Ozias, if they flee?

HAGGITH.  Hold thy mouth, gaby!  Wouldst thou flee with thy neck chained to nine necks?  Moreover, where will they flee?  For the camps of the Assyrians are broken, and in their terrible confusion the Assyrians fall one upon another.

(The gatemen talk among themselves and stare at the Assyrians outside, who cannot be seen by those within the city.  The gates remain open a little.)

OZIAS (impatiently).  What is thy tale, Haggith?

HAGGITH.  My mistress has slain Holofernes in his tent in the night, and the power of Assyria is undone.

OZIAS (astounded).  Slain Holofernes!  Thou art mad in thy raving.

HAGGITH (to Ingur).  Open the mouth of the sack, and let my lord behold the head of Holofernes and see that I am mad. (To soldier.) A torch, that the Lord Ozias may discover the manner of my raving.