do I speak, save the thought that is in your hearts?  There is no cowardice in you.  You are not sheep, nor rabbits, nor beetles, nor lice.  You are valiant men, and women lion-hearted.  Without you I am naught, and if I defy Holofernes, my fortitude is yours and my resolve springs from you.  Charmis has invoked the holy name of the God of Israel.  Let Israel not forget its God, for never has the Most High forsaken Israel.  Brethren, be of good courage.  Let us yet endure five days.  Five short days.  And if these days pass and the God of Israel turn not his mercy towards us, then will I do according to the word of Charmis.  Such is my oath to you.  And so it shall be.

Haggith enters from the house of Judith.

HAGGITH.  My lord Ozias!

OZIAS (quickly descending the steps).  What say you?

HAGGITH.  My mistress, the lady Judith, will speak with you.  She comes.

RAHEL (half rising).  Water!

OZIAS (excited.) The lady Judith comes out of her house after three years.

VOICES IN THE GROUP (excited and impressed.) Judith is coming, after three years!  Judith!  The widow!

OZIAS (sternly to the group).  Get hence, everyone to his own charge.  Soldiers!  Clear the street! (Two soldiers advance, running to obey.) The men to the walls and towers.  The women and children to their houses. (To Rahel, who has risen, indicating Chabris.) Take the aged fool away, girl. (Ruthlessly and contemptuously.) Get home, all of you.  Rabble!  Insects!  Lice!

(The street is cleared, not without difficulty, and Ozias is left alone with Haggith.)

After a pause, Judith enters slowly, in widow’s apparel and sackcloth.

(Exit Haggith into the house.)

JUDITH.  Greetings, Lord Ozias.

OZIAS.  Lady, greetings. (They salute.)

JUDITH.  Where are the people?

OZIAS.  I invited them to go away.

JUDITH.  Why?

OZIAS.  Your waiting-woman said that you would speak with me.

JUDITH.  But what I have to say I would have said before them.

OZIAS.  Forgive your servant.

JUDITH.  No!  It is I, the woman, who should ask to be absolved.

OZIAS.  I beseech you——­

JUDITH (simply).  Perhaps you dismissed the people because it is not meet for them to see all the workings of the mind which has authority over them.

OZIAS (warmly responsive).  Ah!  Lady!  In your wisdom and your understanding you have comprehended what it is to be the governor of a besieged city.  You, alone!

JUDITH.  This is a day memorable beyond all the days of Bethulia.

OZIAS.  It is a day memorable beyond all the days of Bethulia—­because Judith, the widow of Manasses, has issued from her house and from her secrecy, and because after long years she has lightened the city with her countenance.