(Dawn is breaking and the torches begin to pale.)

Enter Haggith and Ingur from the house.

OZIAS.  Where art thou going?

HAGGITH.  Lord Ozias, I came up from the valley to bring water, and to give tidings.  Now I go down again to the valley with Ingur and his men to seek out my mistress, and to take new raiment to her, and lead her to the city; for since the Israelites are fallen upon the Assyrians, my mistress is no longer in danger.

Enter Achior.

OZIAS.  Slave, who hath dared to loose thee?

ACHIOR.  There was none left to guard, and I came forth.

OZIAS (to a soldier).  Seize this fellow and bind him with fetters.

(The torches are by this time extinguished.)

HAGGITH.  Lord, it cannot be so.  For the lady Judith commanded me to bring Achior also, for her protection, seeing that the youth came from the Assyrians at the bidding of the God of Israel to give comfort to Israel, and for a sign to my mistress.

OZIAS (after a pause).  I also will go with you, for it is right that the governor should do honour to the lady Judith.

HAGGITH.  My mistress commanded me to say to the lord Ozias that he should remain in the city to prepare for her a welcome. (She points to the gates and Achior gladly moves forward.  She takes Ingur by the ear.) Bestir thy legs, booby!

OZIAS.  The subtlety of women is past knowing.

HAGGITH (at the gates, maliciously).  It may be.  But would the lord Ozias invite the displeasure of my mistress?  It is day.  Let my lord sit in the sun.

CURTAIN.

SCENE II

SCENE:  The same.

Charmis is alone at the open gates.  Glimpses are caught of the people beyond the gates.

TIME:  Afternoon of the same day.

CHABRIS (entering to Charmis, at the gates).  They say there is now much water in Bethulia.

CHARMIS.  Seeing that I have toiled mightily seven hours this day in charge of six score crazy carriers to carry water up from the wells!  Would that Ozias had granted me a whip to sharpen their brains!  And now Ozias hath left me in charge of the gates.

CHABRIS.  Where is Ozias, and what does he do?

CHARMIS.  He stands here beyond the gates to receive Judith and the women who have gone forth to meet her.

CHABRIS.  What is the deed of Judith? (The noise of an approaching procession is heard.  Charmis, ignoring Chabris, goes a little outside the gates to watch. Chabris continues in a louder voice.) The streets of the city are empty.  I say the streets of the city are empty.

CHARMIS.  Dodderer!  The whole city is afoot on the hill-side, and all the Assyrians left alive are fled in panic into the East.