{"collection":"myth-cosmogony","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_48143/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_48143","id":"gutenberg_48143","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/48143","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore","Category: Plays/Films/Dramas","Category: Religion/Spirituality","David, King of Israel -- Drama","Tragedies (Drama)"],"text":"Note: Images of the original pages are available through\n Kentuckiana Digital Library. See\n http://kdl.kyvl.org/catalog/xt7bvq2s5156_3?\n\n\n\n\n\nDAVID;\n\nA Tragedy\n\nby\n\nCALE YOUNG RICE\n\n\n * * * * * *\n\nBY THE SAME AUTHOR\n\n_Charles Di Tocca_\n\n * * * * * *\n\n\nDAVID;\n\nA Tragedy\n\nby\n\nCALE YOUNG RICE\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n[Illustration]\n\nNew York\nMcClure, Phillips & Co.\nMCMIV\n\nTwo hundred and fifty copies of this book have been\nprinted at the McClure Press, of which\nthis is No. __________\n\nCopyright, 1904, by\nMcClure, Phillips & Co.\n\nPublished May, 1904. N.\n\n\n\n\n AFFECTIONATELY\n TO MY BROTHER\n LACY L. RICE\n\n\n\n\nCHARACTERS\n\n\n SAUL King of Israel.\n\n JONATHAN Heir to the throne.\n\n ISHUI His brother.\n\n SAMUEL The Prophet of Israel.\n\n ABNER Captain of the Host of Israel.\n\n DOEG An Edomite; Chief Servant of Saul,\n and suitor for Michal.\n\n ADRIEL A lord of Meholah, suitor for Merab.\n\n DAVID A Shepherd, secretly anointed King.\n\n ABISHAI A follower of David.\n\n ABIATHAR A Priest and follower of David.\n\n A PHILISTINE SPY\n\n AHINOAM The Queen.\n\n MERAB }\n MICHAL } Daughters of Saul and Ahinoam.\n\n MIRIAM A blind Prophetess, and later the\n \u201cWitch of Endor.\u201d\n\n JUDITH }\n LEAH } Timbrel-players of the King.\n ZILLA }\n\n ADAH Handmaiden to Merab.\n\n A Chorus of Women. A Band of Prophets. Followers of David.\n Soldiers of Saul. People of the Court, etc.\n\n\n\n\nDAVID\n\n\n\n\nACT I\n\n\n _SCENE: A Hall of Judgment in the palace of Saul at Gibeah. The\n walls, pillars and ceiling are of cedar richly carven with images\n of serpents, pomegranates and cherubim in gold. The floors are of\n bright marble; the throne of ivory, hung with a lion\u2019s skin whose\n head is its footstool. On the right and left, doors, draped with\n finely woven curtains of purple and white, lead to other portions\n of the palace. Seats toward the front. Lamps burn low._\n\n _The Hall, supported on pillars, is open along the back, where\n a Porch, surrounding the Court of the palace, crosses. Through\n the Porch, on the environing hills, glow the camp-fires of the\n Philistines, the enemies of Israel._\n\n _JUDITH, LEAH and ZILLA are reclining restively on the floor of\n the Hall._\n\nJUDITH\n\n [_Springing to her feet impatiently._]\n\n O for a feast! pomegranate wine and song!\n\nLEAH\n\n Oh! oh!\n\nZILLA\n\n A feast indeed! the men in camp!\n When was a laugh or any leaping here?\n Never; and none to charm with timbreling!\n\n [_She goes to the porch._]\n\nLEAH\n\n What shall we do?\n\nJUDITH\n\n I\u2019ll dance.\n\nZILLA\n\n Until you\u2019re dead.\n\nJUDITH\n\n Or till a youth wed Zilla for her beauty?\n I\u2019ll not soil mine with sullen fear all day\n Because these Philistines press round. As well\n Be wenches gathering grapes or wool! Come, Leah.\n\n [_She prepares to dance._]\n\nLEAH\n\n No, Judith, I\u2019ll put henna on my nails,\n And mend my anklet.\n\n [_She sits down._]\n\nZILLA\n\n [_At the curtains._] Oh! oh, oh!\n\nJUDITH\n\n Now hear her!\n Who, who, now? who, who is it? dog, fox, devil?\n\nZILLA\n\n All!\n\nJUDITH\n\n Then \u2019tis Ishui! [_Bounding to curtains._] Yes, Ishui!\n And fury in him, sallow, sour fury!\n A jackal were his mate! Come, come, we\u2019ll plague him.\n\nZILLA\n\n And too--with David whom he hates!\n\nJUDITH\n\n Aie, David!\n A joy to rouse men up to jealousy!\n\nLEAH\n\n Why hates he David, Zilla?\n\nZILLA\n\n Stupid Leah!\n\nJUDITH\n\n Hush, hush, be meet and ready now; he\u2019s near.\n Look as for silly visions and for dreams!\n\n [_They pose themselves. Ishui enters--sees them. Judith sighs._]\n\nISHUI\n\n Now timbrel-gaud, why gaping here!\n\nJUDITH\n\n O! \u2019tis\n Prince Ishui!\n\nZILLA\n\n Prince Ishui! Then he\n Will tell us! he will tell us!\n\nLEAH\n\n Yes!\n\nJUDITH\n\n Of David!\n O is he come! when, where, quick, quick, and will\n He pluck us ecstasies out of his harp,\n Winning until we\u2019re wanton for him, mad,\n And sigh and laugh and weep to the moon!\n\nISHUI\n\n Low thing!\n\n Chaff of the king!\n\nJUDITH\n\n The king! I had not thought!\n David a king! how beauteous would he be!\n\nISHUI\n\n David?\n\nJUDITH\n\n Turban of sapphire! robe of gold!\n\nISHUI\n\n A king? o\u2019er Israel?\n\nJUDITH\n\n Who, who can tell!\n Have you not heard? Yesterday in the camp\n Among war-old but fearful men he offered\n Kingly to meet Goliath--great Goliath!\n\nISHUI\n\n What do you say? to meet Goliath?\n\nJUDITH\n\n [_Laughing in his face._] Aie!\n\n [_He thrusts her from him. She goes dancing with Zilla and\n Leah._]\n\nADRIEL\n\n [_Who has entered._] Ishui, in a rage?\n\nISHUI\n\n Should I not be!\n\nADRIEL\n\n Not would you be yourself.\n\nISHUI\n\n Not? [_Deftly_.] You say well.\n I should not, no. Pardon, then, Adriel.\n\nADRIEL\n\n What was the offence?\n\nISHUI\n\n Turn from it.--I have not\n Bidden you here for vapours; yet they had\n Substance as well for you!\n\nADRIEL\n\n For me?\n\nISHUI\n\n Who likes\n Laughter against him!\n\nADRIEL\n\n I was laughed at?\n\nISHUI\n\n Why,\n It is this shepherd!\n\nADRIEL\n\n David?\n\nISHUI\n\n With his harp!\n Flinging enchantment on the palace air\n Till he impassions to him all who breathe.\n\nADRIEL\n\n What sting from that? He\u2019s lovable and brave.\n\nISHUI\n\n Lovable? _Lovable?_\n\nADRIEL\n\n I do not see.\n\nISHUI\n\n This then: you\u2019ve hither come with gifts and gold,\n Dream-bringing amethyst and weft of Ind,\n To wed my sister, Merab?\n\nADRIEL\n\n It is so.\n\nISHUI\n\n And you\u2019ve the king\u2019s consent; but she denies?\n\nADRIEL\n\n As every wind, you know it.\n\nISHUI\n\n Still denies!\n And you, lost in the maze of her, fare on\n Blindly and find no reason for it!\n\nADRIEL\n\n How?\n What reason can be? women are not clear;\n And least unto themselves.\n\nISHUI\n\n Or to their fools.\n\n [_He goes to curtains and draws out Adah._]\n\n Your mistress, Merab, girl, whom does she love?\n Unclench your hands.\n\nADAH\n\n I hate her.\n\nISHUI\n\n Insolent!\n Answer; I am not milky Jonathan.\n Answer; and for the rest--You hear?\n\nADAH\n\n She loves--\n The shepherd David!\n\nADRIEL\n\n Who, girl?\n\nADAH\n\n I care not!\n She is unkind; I wilt not spy for her\n On Michal, and I\u2019ll tell her secrets all!\n And David does not love her--and she raves.\n\nISHUI\n\n Off to your sleep; now off--\n\n [_Makes to strikes her._]\n\nADRIEL\n\n Ishui, no.\n\n [ADAH _goes_.]\n\nISHUI\n\n And see you now how \u2018lovable\u2019 he is!\n I tell you that he stands athwart us all!\n The heart of Merab swung a censer to him,\n My seat at table with the king usurped!\n Mildew and mocking to the harp of Doeg,\n As it were any slave\u2019s; the while we all\n Are lepered with suspicion.\n\nADRIEL\n\n Of the king?\n\nISHUI\n\n Ah! and of Jonathan and Michal.\n\nADRIEL\n\n Hush.\n\n [_Enter_ MICHAL _passing with_ MIRIAM.]\n\n Michal, delay. Whom lead you?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Miriam,\n A prophetess.\n\nADRIEL\n\n How of the king to-night?\n\nMICHAL\n\n He\u2019s not at rest; dreads Samuel\u2019s prophecy\n The throne shall pass from him, and darkens more\n Against this boundless Philistine Goliath\n Who dares at Israel daily on the hills,\n As we were dogs!\n\nADRIEL\n\n Is David with him?\n\nMICHAL\n\n No;\n But he is sent for--and will ease him--Ah!\n He\u2019s wonderful to heal the king with his harp!\n A waft, a sunny leap of melody,\n And swift the hovering mad shadow\u2019s gone--\n As magic!\n\nISHUI\n\n Michal.\u2026 Curst!\n\nMICHAL\n\n What anger\u2019s this?\n\nISHUI\n\n Disdaining Doeg and his plea to dust,\n His waiting and the winning-o\u2019er of Edom,\n You are enamoured of this David too?\n\nMICHAL\n\n I think my brother Ishui hath a fever.\n\n [_She goes--calmly, with Miriam._]\n\nISHUI\n\n Now are you kindled--are you quivering,\n Or must this shepherd put upon us more?\n\nADRIEL\n\n But has he not dealt honorably?\n\nISHUI\n\n No.\n\nADRIEL\n\n Why do you urge it?\n\nISHUI\n\n Why have senses. He\n With Samuel the prophet fast enshrouds\n Some secret, and has Samuel not told\n The kingdom from my father shall be rent\n And fall unto another?\n\nADRIEL\n\n You are certain?\n\nISHUI\n\n As granite.\n\n [_Voices are heard in altercation._]\n\n Yonder!\n\nADRIEL\n\n The king?\n\nISHUI\n\n And Samuel\n With prophecy or some refusal tears him!\n\n [_They step aside._ SAUL _followed by_ SAMUEL _strides\n in and mounts the throne_.]\n\nSAUL\n\n You threat, and ever thunder threatening!\n Pour seething prophesy into my veins,\n Till a simoon of madness in me moves.\n Am I not king, the king? chosen and sealed?\n Who\u2019ve been anathema and have been bane\n Unto the foes of Israel, and filled\n The earth with death of them?\n And do you still forbid that I bear gold\n And bribe away this Philistine array\n Folded about us, fettering with flame?\n\nSAMUEL\n\n Yes,--yes! While there is air, and awe of Heaven\n Do I forbid! A champion must rise\n To level this Goliath. Thus may we\n Loose on them pest of panic and of fear.\n\nSAUL\n\n Are forty days not dead? A champion!\n None will arise--\u2019tis vain. And I\u2019ll not wait\n On miracle.\n\nSAMUEL\n\n Offer thy daughter then,\n Michal, thy fairest, to whoever shall.\n\nSAUL\n\n Demand and drain for more! without an end.\n Ever vexation! No; I will not.\n\nSAMUEL\n\n Then,\n Out of Jehovah and a vast foreseen\n I tell thee again, thou perilous proud king,\n The sceptre shall slip from thee to another!\n\n [_He moves to go._]\n\nSAUL\n\n The sceptre.\u2026\n\nSAMUEL\n\n To another!\n\nSAUL\n\n From me! No!\n You rouse afar the billowing of ill.\n I grant--go not!--I grovel to your will,\n Fear it and fawn as to omnipotence,\n\n [_Snatching at_ SAMUEL\u2019S _mantle_.]\n\n And vow to all its divination--all!\n\nSAMUEL\n\n Then, Saul of Israel, the hour is near,\n When shall arise one, and Goliath fall!\n\n [SAMUEL _goes slowly out_, SAUL _sinks back_.]\n\nISHUI\n\n Oh,--subtle!\n\nSAUL\n\n Thus he sways me.\n\nISHUI\n\n Subtle!--subtle!\n And yet I must not speak; come, Adriel,\n No use of us here.\n\n [_He makes as if to go._]\n\nSAUL\n\n Use? subtle? Stand!\n\nISHUI\n\n No, father, no.\n\nSAUL\n\n What mean you?\n\nISHUI\n\n Do not ask.\u2026\n Yet how it creeps, and how!\n\nSAUL\n\n Unveil your words.\n\nISHUI\n\n Do you not see it crawl, this serpent scheme?\n Goliath slain--the people mad with praise,\n Then fallen from you--Michal the victor\u2019s wife.\u2026\n\nSAUL\n\n Say on; say on.\n\nISHUI\n\n Or else the champion slain--\n Fear on the people--panic--the kingdom\u2019s ruin!\n\nSAUL\n\n Now do the folds slip from me.\n\nISHUI\n\n And you see?\n Ah then, if one arise? If one arise?\n\nSAUL\n\n Death, death! If he hath touched this prophet--if\n Merely a little moment!--\n\nISHUI\n\n I have seen\n Your David with him.\n\nSAUL\n\n Death! if--Come here: David?\n\nISHUI\n\n In secret.\n\nSAUL\n\n Say you?\n\nISHUI\n\n Yes,\n\nSAUL\n\n The folds slip further;\n To this you lead me--hatred against David!\n To this with supple envy\u2019s easy glide!\n\nISHUI\n\n I have but told--\n\nSAUL\n\n You have but builded lies,\n As ever you are building and forever.\n I\u2019ll hear no more against him--Abner--No.\n\n [_To_ ABNER, _who enters_.]\n\n David, and with his harp.\n\nABNER\n\n My lord--\n\nSAUL\n\n Not come?\n He is not come? And never! but delays.\n\nABNER\n\n Time\u2019s yet to pass.\n\nSAUL\n\n There is not--Am I king?\n\n [_A harp is heard._]\n\n See you, \u2019tis he! \u2019Tis David, and he sings!\n\nDAVID [_Bravely, within._]\n\n Smiter of hosts,\n Terrible Saul!\n Vile on the hills shall he laugh who boasts\n None is among\n Great Israel\u2019s all\n Fearless for Saul, king Saul!\n\n [_Entering with people of the palace._]\n\n Aye, is there none\n Galled of the sting,\n Will at the soul of Goliath run?\n Wring it and up\n To his false gods fling?\u2026\n None for the king, the king?\n\n [_He drops to his knee, amid praise, before the throne._]\n\nSAUL [_Darkening_]\n\n Forego this praise and stand\n Away from him; \u2019tis overmuch.\n [_To_ DAVID] Why have\n You dallied and delayed?\n\nDAVID\n\n My lord, delayed?\n\nSAUL\n\n Do not smile wonder, mocking!\n\nDAVID\n\n Why, my lord,\n I do not mock. Only the birds have wings.\n Yet on the vales behind me I have left\n Haste and a swirling wonderment of air,\n And in the torrent\u2019s troubled vein amaze,\n So swift I hurried hither at your urgence\n Out of the fields and folding the far sheep!\n\nSAUL\n\n You have not; you have dallied.\n\n [_He motions. All go but_ DAVID, _whom he\n comes down toward, indeterminately_.]\n\n You have dallied.\n\nDAVID\n\n Deep in the king I see a darkness foam\n And sheeted passion, as a lightning gust.\n Shall I not play to him?\n\nSAUL\n\n You shall not, no.\n\n [_Slowly draws a dagger._]\n\n I\u2019ll not be lulled.\n\nDAVID\n\n Is it a tiger gleam,\n Terrible fury stealing from the heart\n And crouching cold within the eye of Saul?\n\nSAUL\n\n I\u2019ll not endure. They say that you--\n\nDAVID\n\n They say?\n What is this ravage in you. Does the truth\n So limpid overflow in palaces?\n Never an enemy to venom it?\n Am I not David, faithful, and thy friend?\n\nSAUL\n\n I\u2019ll slay you, and regretless.\n\nDAVID [_Unmoving_]\n\n Slay, my lord?\n\nSAUL\n\n Do you not fear? and brave me to my breast!\n\nDAVID\n\n Have I done wrong that I should fear the king?\n Reed as I am, could he not breathe and break?\n And I should be oblivion at a word!\n But under the terror of his might have I\n Not seen his heart beat justice and beat love?\n See, even now\u2026!\n\nSAUL\n\n I will not listen to them!\n\nDAVID\n\n To whom, my lord, and what?\n\nSAUL\n\n Ever they say,\n \u201cThis David,\u201d and \u201cthis David!\u201d\n\nDAVID\n\n Ah, my harp!\n\nSAUL\n\n But think you, David, I shall lose the kingdom?\n\nDAVID [_Starting_]\n\n My lord\u2026!\n\nSAUL\n\n Pain in your eyes? you think it? Deem\n I cannot overleap this destiny?\n\nDAVID\n\n To that let us not verge; it has but ill.\n Deeper the future gulf is for our fears.\n Forget it. Forget the brink may ever gape,\n And wield the throne so well that God himself\n _Must_ not unking you, more than he would cry\n The morning star from Heaven! Then, I swear it,\n None else will!\n\nSAUL\n\n Swear?\n\nDAVID\n\n Nay, nay!\n\nSAUL\n\n You swear?\n\nDAVID\n\n But words,\n Foolishly from the heart; a shepherd speech!\n Give them no mood; but see, see yonder fires\n Camping upon the peace of Israel,\n As we were carrion beneath the sun!\n Let us conceive annihilation on them,\n Hurricane rush and deluging and ruin.\n\nSAUL\n\n Ah, but the prophecy! the prophecy!\n It eats in me the food of rest and ease.\n And David, nearer: Samuel in my stead\n Another hath anointed.\n\nDAVID\n\n Saul, not this!\n This should not fall to me, my lord; no more!\n You cannot understand; it pains beyond\n All duty and enduring!\n\nSAUL\n\n Pains beyond\u2026?\n Who is he? know you of him? do you? know you?\n You sup the confidence of Samuel?\n I\u2019ll search from Nile to Nineveh--\n\nDAVID\n\n My lord!\n\nSAUL\n\n Mountain and desert, wilderness and sea,\n Under and over, search--and find.\n\nDAVID\n\n Peace, peace!\n\n [_Enter_ MICHAL _joyously_.]\n\nMICHAL\n\n O father, father! David! Listen!--Why,\n All here is dark and quivering as pain,\n And a foreboding binds me ere I breathe!\n David, you have not been as sun to him!\n\nDAVID\n\n But Michal will be now.\n\nSAUL\n\n Child, well, what then?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Father, a secret! Oh, and it will make\n Dawn and delight in you!\n\nSAUL\n\n Perhaps; then, well?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Oh, I have heard\u2026!\n\nSAUL\n\n Have heard?--Why do you pale?\n\n [_She stands unaccountably moved._]\n\n Now are you Baal-bit?\n\nDAVID\n\n Michal!\n\nMICHAL [_In terror._]\n\n David!\u2026 the dread.\n What does it mean? I cannot speak! It shrinks\n Shivering down upon my heart in awe!\n\nDAVID\n\n So piteous are you? suddenly so numb?\n And you are faint? let it rush from your lips!\n Can any moving in the world so bring\n Terror upon you! Speak, what is it?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Ah!\n I know not; danger rising and its wing\n Sudden against my lips!\n\nDAVID\n\n To warn?\n\nMICHAL\n\n It shall not!\n There--now again flows joy; I think it flows.\n\nSAUL\n\n Then--you have heard\u2026?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Yes, father, yes! Have you\n Not much desired discovery of whom\n Samuel hath anointed?\n\nSAUL\n\n Well?\n\nMICHAL\n\n I\u2019ve found\n\n [DAVID _blenches_.]\n\n Almost have found! A prophetess to-day\n Hath told me that he is a--\n\n [_She stops in realizing horror._]\n\nSAUL\n\n Now you cease?\n Sudden and senseless!\n\nMICHAL\n\n David?--No!\n\nSAUL\n\n God! God!\n Have I not bidden swiftly! Ever then\n Vexation! I could--No. Will she not speak!\n\nMICHAL\n\n I cannot.\n\nSAUL\n\n Cannot! Are you flesh of me!\n\nDAVID\n\n My lord, not anger! Hear me \u2026\n\nSAUL\n\n Cannot?\n\nDAVID\n\n Hear!\n Her lips could never seal upon a wrong.\n Sudden divinity is on them, silence\n Sent for the benison of Israel,\n Else were it shattered by her love to you!\n Believe! in all the riven realm of duty\n There\u2019s no obedience from thee she would hold.\n If it seem other--\n\n [_Enter_ ABNER _hurriedly_.]\n\nABNER\n\n Pardon, O king. At once!\n\nSAUL\n\n I will not. Do you come with vexing too?\n\nABNER\n\n The Philistines--some fury is afoot.\n A spy within our gates--and scorns to speak.\n\nSAUL\n\n Conspiracy of silence!\u2026 Back to him.\n\n [ABNER _goes_.]\n\n [_To_ DAVID _and_ MICHAL.] But you--I\u2019ll not forget.\n I\u2019ll not forget.\n\n [SAUL _goes_.]\n\nDAVID\n\n Forget! anointing! peril! what are they all!\n Michal?--for me you have done this, for me?\n\n [_She stands immovable._]\n\n I am swung with joy, as palms of Abila!\n\n [_Goes to her._]\n\n A princess, you, and the veins of you live warm\n With sympathy and love unto your father,\n Yet you have shielded me?\n\nMICHAL\n\n You are the anointed?\n\nDAVID\n\n I am--oh do not flint your loveliness!--\n I am the anointed, but all innocent\n In will or hope of any envious wrong\n As lily blowing of blasphemy! as dew\n Upon it is of enmity!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Anointed!\n You whom the king uplifted from the fields!\n\nDAVID\n\n And who am ever faithful to him!\n\nMICHAL\n\n You,\n Whom Jonathan loves more than women love!\n\nDAVID\n\n Yet reaches not my love to Jonathan!\n\nMICHAL\n\n You--you!\n\nDAVID\n\n But, hear me!\n\nMICHAL\n\n You, of all!\n\nDAVID\n\n O Hear!\n Of my anointing Jonathan is \u2019ware,\n Knows it is holy, helpless, innocent\n As dawn or a drift of dreaming in the night!\n Knows it unsought--out of the skies--supernal--\n From the inspir\u00e8d cruse of Samuel!\n For Israel it dripped upon me, and\n For Israel must drip until I die!\n Or till high Gath and Askalon are blown\n Dust on the wind, and all Philistia\n Lie peopleless and still under the stars!--\n Goliath, then, a laughter evermore!\u2026\n Still, still you shrink! do you not see, not feel?\n\nMICHAL\n\n So have you breathed yourself about my heart,\n Even as moon-lit incense, spirit flame\n Burning away all barrier!\n\nDAVID\n\n But see!\n\nMICHAL\n\n And all the world has streamed a rapture in,\n Till even now my lids from anger falter\n And the dew falls!\n\nDAVID\n\n Restrain! O do not weep!\n Upon my heart each tear were as a sea\n Flooding it from all duty but the course\n Of thy delight!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Poor, that I should have tears!\n Fury were better, tempest! O weak eyes,\n When \u2019tis my father, and with Samuel\n You creep to steal his kingdom!\n\nDAVID\n\n Michal!\u2026 God!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Yes, steal it!\n\nDAVID\n\n Cruel! fell accusal! Yes,\n Utterly false and full of wounding!\n [_Struggling, then with control._] Yet,\n Forgive that even when thy arrows drive\n Deeper than all the skill of time can draw,\n I spare thee not the furrowed face of pain.\u2026\n Delirious wings of hope that fluttered up,\n At last to fall!\n\n [_Moves to go._]\n\nMICHAL\n\n David!\n\nDAVID\n\n Farewell!\n\nMICHAL\n\n \u2026 You must not!\n\nDAVID\n\n Peace to you--peace and joy!\n\nMICHAL\n\n You must not go!\n\n [_He turns. She sways, then reaches out her\n arms. As irresistibly they move toward each\n other_, DOEG _and_ MERAB _appear through\n the curtains_. MICHAL _utters a low cry_.\n _They vanish._]\n\nMICHAL\n\n [_In numb affright_] Merab and Doeg!\n\nDAVID\n\n Yet what matter, now!\n Were it the driven night-unshrouded dead!\n Under the firmament is but one need,\n That you will understand!\n\nMICHAL\n\n But Merab! ah,\n She\u2019s cunning, cold and cruel, and she loves thee;\n Hath told her love to Ahinoam the queen!\n And Doeg hates thee--since for me he\u2019s mad!\n\nDAVID\n\n Be it, his hate, as wild, as wide as winds\n That gather up the desert for their blast,\n Be it as Sheol deep, stronger than stars\n That fling fate on us, and I care not, care not,\n If I am trusted and to Michal truth!\n Hear, hear me! for the kingdom, tho \u2019t may come,\n I yearn not, but for you!\n\nMICHAL\n\n No, no!\n\nDAVID\n\n For you!\n Since I a shepherd o\u2019er a wild of hills\n First beheld you the daughter of the king\n Amid his servants, leaning, still with noon,\n Beautiful under a tamarisk, until\n All beauty else is dead--\n\nMICHAL\n\n Ah cease!\n\nDAVID\n\n Since then,\n I have been wonder ecstasy and dream!\n The molded light and fragrant miracle,\n Body of you and soul, lifted me till\n When you departed--\n\nMICHAL\n\n No, you rend me!\n\nDAVID\n\n I\n Fell thro\u2019 infinity of void!\n\nMICHAL\n\n No more!\n\nDAVID\n\n Then came the prophet Samuel with anointing!\n My hope sprung as the sun!\n\nMICHAL\n\n I must not hear!\n\nDAVID\n\n Then was I called to play before the king.\n Here in this hall where cherubim shine out,\n Where the night silence--\n\nMICHAL\n\n David!\n\nDAVID\n\n Strung me tense,\n I waited, shepherd-timid, and you came,\n You for the king to try my skill! you, you!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Leave me, ah leave! I yield!\n\nDAVID\n\n And often since\n Have we not swayed and swept thro\u2019 happy hours,\n Far from the birth unto the bourne of bliss?\n\nMICHAL\n\n And I--\n\nDAVID\n\n To-night you did not to the king\n Reveal my helpless chrism, give me to peril.\n Say but the reason!\n\nMICHAL\n\n David!\n\nDAVID\n\n Speak, O speak!\n\nMICHAL\n\n And shall I, shall I? how this prophetess\n Miriam hath foretold--\n\nDAVID\n\n Some wonder? speak!\n\nMICHAL [_Springing up the throne._] Hath told I shall be queen of Israel!\n\nDAVID\n\n Michal, the queen? the queen! We two are then\n Yoked of eternity unto this end!\n\nMICHAL [_Shrinking down._] No, no! horror in me moans out against it!\n Wed me with destiny against my father?\n Dethrone my mother? Ah!\n\nDAVID\n\n Not that--no wrong!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Then swear conspiracy upon its tide\n Never shall lift you!\n\nDAVID\n\n Deeper than soul or sea,\n Deep as divinity is deep, I swear.\n If it shall come, the kingdom--\n\nMICHAL\n\n \u201cIf!\u201d not \u201cif.\u201d\n Surrender this anointing! Spurn it, say\n You never will be king though Israel\n Kingless go mad for it!\n\nDAVID\n\n I cannot.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Guile!\n\nDAVID\n\n I cannot--and I must not. It is holy!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Then must I hate you--scorn you--\n\nDAVID\n\n Michal!\nMICHAL\n\n And will.\n But to reign over Israel you care,\n Not for the peace of it!\n\nDAVID\n\n Thus all is vain;\n A seething on the lips, I\u2019ll say no more \u2026\n Care but to reign and not for Israel\u2019s calm?\n I who am wounded with her every wound?\u2026\n Look out upon yon Philistine bold fires\n Lapping the night with bloody tongue--look out!\n\n [_A commotion is heard within._]\n\n As God has swung the world and hung forever\n The infinite in awe, to-morrow night\n Not one of them shall burn!\n\nMICHAL\n\n You pall me!\n\nDAVID\n\n None!\n\nMICHAL\n\n What is this strength! It seizes on me! No,\n I\u2019ll not believe, no, no, more than I would\n From a boy\u2019s breath or the mere sling you wear\n A multitude should flee! And you shall learn\n A daughter to a father may be true\n Tho paleness be her doom until she die!\n\n [_She turns to go. Enter_ JONATHAN _eagerly_.]\n\nJONATHAN\n\n David!\n\nDAVID\n\n My friend--my Jonathan! \u2019Tis you?\n\n [_They embrace._ MICHAL _goes_.]\n\nJONATHAN\n\n Great heart, I\u2019ve heard how yesterday before\n The soldiers you.\u2026 But Michal gone? No word?\n\nDAVID\n\n The anointing.\n\nJONATHAN\n\n Ah, she knows?\n\nDAVID\n\n All.\n\nJONATHAN\n\n And disdains\n Believing? tell me.\n\nDAVID\n\n No, not now--not now.\n Let me forget it in a leap of deeds.\n\n [_The commotion sounds again._]\n\n And all this murmur misty of distress,\n What is it? sprung of the Philistines? new terror?\n This sounding giant flings again his foam?\n Jonathan, I am flame that will not wait,\n What is it? I must strike.\n\nJONATHAN\n\n David.\u2026\n\nDAVID\n\n Tell me,\n And do not bring dissuasion more, or pause.\n\nJONATHAN\n\n The king comes here.\nDAVID\n\n Now?\n\nJONATHAN\n\n With a spy who keeps\n Fiercely to silence.\n\nDAVID\n\n Then is peril up!\n Jonathan--!\n\nJONATHAN\n\n David, you must cool from this.\n Determination surges you o\u2019erfar.\n I will not see you rush on perishing,\n Not though it be the aid of Israel.\n\nDAVID\n\n I must.\u2026 I will not let them ever throng,\n Staining the hills, and starving us from peace.\n Rather the last ray living in me, rather\n Death and the desecration of the worm.\n Bid me not back with love, nor plea; I must!\n\nJONATHAN\n\n But think--\n\nDAVID\n\n I must.\n\nJONATHAN\n\n \u2019Twere futile.\n\nDAVID\n\n Hear; the king!\n\nJONATHAN\n\n The madness of it!\n\nDAVID\n\n No, and see; they come.\n\nJONATHAN\n\n Strangely my father is unstrung.\n\nDAVID\n\n They come.\n\n [_Enter_ SAUL _with_ SAMUEL; _Soldiers with the\n spy_; AHINOAM _with_ ABNER; _and all the\n court in suppressed dread_.]\n\nSAUL\n\n [_To_ SAMUEL] He will not speak, but scorns me, and his lips\n Bitterly curve and grapple. But he shall\n Learn there is torture to it! Set him forth.\n\n [_The spy is thrust forward._]\n\n Tighten his bonds up till he moan.\n\n [_It is done._]\n\n Aye, gasp,\n Accursed Philistine! Now wilt thou tell\n The plan and passion of thy people \u2019gainst us?\n\nSPY\n\n Baal!\n\nSAUL\n\n Tighten the torture more.\u2026 Now will you?\n\nSPY [_In agony._]\n\n Yea!\n\nSAUL\n\n On, then, reveal.\n\nSPY\n\n New forces have arrived.\n Numberless; more than peaks of Arabah.\n\n [_General movement of uneasiness._]\n\n Unless before to-morrow\u2019s moon one\u2019s sent\n To overthrow Goliath--Gods! the pain!\n\nSAUL\n\n Well?--Well?\n\nSPY\n\n Then Gibeah attacked, and all\n Even to sucking babes be put to sword!\n\n [_A movement of horror._]\n\nAHINOAM\n\n All Gibeah!\n\nA WOMAN\n\n My little ones? No, no!\n\n [_She rushes frantically out._]\n\nSAMUEL\n\n Then, Saul of Gibeah, one thing and one\n Alone is to be done. A champion,\n To break this beetling giant down to death!\n\nSAUL\n\n There is none.\n\nSAMUEL\n\n Is none! Call! I order it.\n\nSAUL\n\n Then who will dare against him!\n\n [_A silence._]\n\n See you now.\n\nSAMUEL\n\n You, Abner, will not?\n\nABNER\n\n It were death and vain.\n\nSAMUEL\n\n Doeg, chief servant of the king?\n\nDOEG\n\n Why me?\n Had I a mother out of Israel?\n I am an alien, an Edomite.\n\nDAVID\n\n My lord, this is no more endurable!\n Futile and death? Alien? Edomite?\n Has not this Philistine before the gates\n With insult and illimitable breath\n Vaunting of vanity and smiting laughter\n Boasted and braved and threatened up to Baal?\n And now unless one slay him, Israel\n From babe to age must bleed and be no more!\n I am a shepherd, have but seized the lion\n And throttled the bleating kid out of his throat;\n Little it then beseems that I thrust in\n Where battle captains pale and falter off;\n But this is past all carp of rank or station.\n One must go out--Goliath must have end.\n\nDOEG\n\n Ah, ah! and _you_ will!\n\nISHUI\n\n _You?_\n\nJONATHAN\n\n No, David!\n\nSAUL\n\n _You?_\n\nDAVID\n\n Sudden you hound about me ravenous?\n Have I thrown doom not daring to your feet,\n Ruler of Israel, that you rise wild,\n Livid above me as an avalanche?\n\nDOEG\n\n A plot! it is a plot! He will be slain--\n From you, my lord, dominion then will fall!\n Or should it not \u2026\n\nSAMUEL\n\n Liar; it is no plot.\n But courage sprung seraphic out of night,\n Beautiful and a bravery from God!\n\nMICHAL [_Behind the throng._]\n\n Open, and let me enter! Open!\n\n [_She enters._]\n\n Father,\n It is not false? but now, the uttermost?\n To-morrow, if Goliath still exult,\n There\u2019s peril of desolation, bloody ruin?\n\nSAMUEL\n\n I answer for him.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Then to your will,\n Father, unto will of yesterday\n I bend me now with sacrificial joy.\n Unto Goliath\u2019s slayer is the hand\n Of Michal, the king\u2019s daughter!\n\nDAVID [_Joyously_]\n\n Michal! Michal!\n\nDOEG\n\n See, see, my lord! Do you not understand?\n\nISHUI\n\n It is another coiling of their plot!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Coiling of plot? What mean you?\n\nMERAB\n\n Ah? You know\n Not it is David offers against Goliath?\n\nMICHAL\n\n David? [_Shrinking_] David?\n\n [_A low tumult is heard without.\n Enter a Captain hurriedly._]\n\nCAPTAIN\n\n O King, bid me to speak!\n\nSAUL\n\n Then speak!\n\nCAPTAIN\n\n Fear is upon the host. There will\n Be mutiny unless, Goliath slain,\n Courage spring up anew.\n\nDAVID\n\n My lord, then, choose!\n Ere longer waiting fester to disaster.\n\nSAMUEL\n\n Yea, king of Gibeah, and bid him go,\n And Michal for his meed! or evermore\n Evil be on you and the sear of shame--\n And haunting memory beyond the tomb!\n\nSAUL\n\n Then let him--let him. And upon the field\n Of Ephes-Dammin. But I am not blind!\n\n [_To_ ABNER]\n\n Let him, to morrow! Go, prepare the host.\n Yet--I am king, remember! I am king!\n\n [SAUL _goes_; _there is a murmur of relief_. _All\n except_ MICHAL _follow, with various expressions\n of joy or hate toward_ DAVID.]\n\nDAVID\n\n Michal!\n\n [_She looks at him; struggles against tears, and\n turning, goes._ DAVID _stands gazing sadly\n after her_. _Then a trumpet sounds, and soldiers\n shouting exultantly without, throng to\n the porch._]\n\nDAVID [_Thrilled; his hand on his sling_]\n\n For Israel! For Israel!\n\n [_He goes, toward the soldiers._]\n\n [_CURTAIN._]\n\n\n\n\nACT II\n\n\n _SCENE: The royal tent of Saul pitched on one hill of the\n battle-field of Ephes-Dammin. The tent is of black embroidered\n with various warlike designs. To one side on a dais are the\n chairs of SAUL and AHINOAM; also DAVID\u2019S harp. On the other side,\n toward the front, is a table with wine and wine cups. The tent\n wall is lifted along the back, revealing on the opposite hill,\n across a deep narrow valley, the routed camp of the Philistines:\n before it in gleaming brazen armor lies GOLIATH slain. Other\n hills beyond, and the sky above. By the wine table, her back to\n the battle-field, sits MERAB in cold anger. AHINOAM and several\n women look out in ecstasy toward DAVID, SAUL, JONATHAN and the\n army, returning victorious and shouting._\n\nFIRST WOMAN\n\n See, see, at last!\n\nSECOND WOMAN\n\n They come!\n\nTHIRD WOMAN\n\n An avalanche.\n Over the brook and bright amid hosannas!\n\nSECOND WOMAN\n\n And now amid the rushes!\n\nFIRST WOMAN\n\n And the servants!\n Goliath\u2019s head high-borne upon a charger!\n The rocks that cry reverberant and vast!\n The people and the palms!\n\nTHIRD WOMAN\n\n Yea all the branches\n Torn from the trees! The waving of them--O!\n\nSECOND WOMAN\n\n And David, see! triumphant, calm, between\n The king and Jonathan!\u2026 His glory\n All the wild generations of the wind\n Ever shall utter! Hear them--\n\n [_The tumult ascends afar_]\n\n David! David!\n A sea of shouting!--\n O queen!\n\nAHINOAM\n\n You yearn for it?\n Then go and lave you in this tide of joy.\n\n [_The women go rapturously._ AHINOAM _turns_.]\n\nMERAB\n\n Mother!\n\nAHINOAM\n\n My daughter?\n\nMERAB\n\n Well?\n\nAHINOAM\n\n They all are gone.\n\nMERAB\n\n And Michal, where?\n\nAHINOAM\n\n I do not know, my child.\n\nMERAB\n\n Why did my father pledge her to him! you\n Not hindering!\n\nAHINOAM\n\n She is your sister. You\n Are pledged to Adriel.\n\nMERAB\n\n And as a slave!\n And if I do not love him there is--riches!\n If he is Sodom-bitter to me--riches!\n\nAHINOAM\n\n But for the kingdom.\n\nMERAB\n\n For my torture! What\n Kingdom is to a woman as her love!\n\nAHINOAM\n\n And David still enthralls you?\n\nMERAB\n\n Though he never\n Sought me with any murmur or desire!\n Though he is Michal\u2019s for Goliath\u2019s death!\n Michal\u2019s to-day, unless--\n\nAHINOAM\n\n Merab, a care!\n Too near in you were ever love and hate.\n\n [_The tumult nears._ AHINOAM _goes to look out._]\n\n [DOEG _enters to_ MERAB.]\n\nDOEG [_low_]\n\n News, Merab!\n\nMERAB\n\n Well--?\n\nDOEG\n\n A triumph o\u2019er him, yet!\n The king is worn, as a leopard pent, between\n Wonder of David and quick jealousy\n Because of praise this whelming of Goliath\n Wakes in the people.\n\nMERAB\n\n Then? the triumph?\n\nDOEG\n This.\n\n [_The tumult, nearer._]\n\n I\u2019ve skilfully disposed the women\n To coldly sing of Saul, but of our David\n With lavish of ecstasy as to a king.\n\n [_He watches her._]\n\nMERAB\n\n Then _I_ will praise him.\n\nDOEG\n\n David? you?\n\nMERAB\n\n As he\n Was never--and shall never be again,--\n\nDOEG\n\n But--\n\nMERAB\n\n Give me the phial.\n\nDOEG\n The poison?\n\nMERAB\n Come; At once!\n\nDOEG\n\n What will you do?\n\nMERAB\n\n At once with it!\n\n [_He hands it to her. She dips the point of her dagger\n in it._]\n\nDOEG\n To stab him\n\nMERAB\n\n As any fool? Wait.--And the rest now, quick.\n This timbrel-player, Judith?\n\nDOEG\n\n She is ready\n And ravishing!\n\nMERAB\n\n Well, well; then--?\n\nDOEG\n We will send her\n Sudden, as Michal is alone with David,\n To seize him with insinuative kisses,\n And arms that wind as they were wonted to him.\n Michal once jealous--and already I\n Have sowed suspicions--\n\nMERAB\n\n Will--? yes--?\nDOEG\n\n On him burst [_laughs_]\n And as a fury.\n\nMERAB\n\n May it be their rending!\n\n [_The tumult, near._]\n\n Come, we must see.\n\n [_They go to look out. Shouts of \u201cDavid!\u201d\n \u201cDavid!\u201d arise, and a band of timbrel-players,\n dancing and singing, followed by a band\n of priests bearing the ark with its cherubim of\n gold, pass the tent opening._ DAVID, SAUL,\n JONATHAN, ISHUI _and the Court then enter\n amid acclamations; before them servants, bearing\n the head of Goliath on a charger under\n a napkin_. SAUL _darkly mounts the throne\n with_ AHINOAM, _to waving of palms and to\n praise_.]\n\nA WOMAN [_breaking from the throng_.]\n\n Our little ones are saved! hosannah! joy!\n\n [_She kisses_ DAVID\u2019S _hand_.]\n\nJONATHAN\n\n Woman, thy tongue should know an angel-word,\n Or seraph-syllables new-sung to God!\n Earth has not any rapture well for this!\n David, my brother!\n\nDAVID\n\n Jonathan, my friend!\n While life has any love, know mine for you.\n\nJONATHAN\n\n Then am I friended as no man was ever!\n And though my soul were morning wide it were\n Helpless to hold my wonder and delight!\n O people, look upon him!\n\n THE PEOPLE\n\n David! David!\n\nJONATHAN\n\n Never before in Israel rose beauty\n Up to this glory!\n\nDAVID\n\n Jonathan, nay--\n\nJONATHAN\n\n Never!\n\n [_Loosing his robe and girdle._]\n\n Therefore I pour him splendor passionate.\n In gold and purple, this my own, I clothe him.\n David, my brother!\n\nSAUL [_Angered._]\n\n Brother!\n\nAHINOAM\n\n Saul?\n\nSAUL\n\n Thou fool!\n\nJONATHAN\n\n Father?\n\nAHINOAM\n\n My lord?\n\nSAUL\n\n Thou full-of-lauding fool!\n Of breath and ravishment unceasing!\n\nAHINOAM\n\n Saul!\n\nSAUL\n\n Is it not praise enough, has he not reached\n The skies on it!\n\nDAVID\n\n O king, my lord--\n\nSAUL\n\n Had Saul\n Ever so rich a rapture from his son?\n Ever this worshipping of utterance?\n\nDAVID\n\n My lord, my lord, this should not fret you.\n\nDOEG [_Derisively._]\n\n Nay!\n\nDAVID\n\n \u2019Tis only that the soul of Jonathan,\n Brimmed by the Philistines with bitterness,\n Sudden is joy and overfloweth--\n\nDOEG\n\n Fast--\n\nDAVID\n\n Upon his friend, thy servant, David.\n\nDOEG\n\n Aie!\n\n [_He turns away laughing._]\n\nSAUL\n\n Why do you laugh?\n\nDOEG\n\n \u201cThy servant David!\u201d\n\nSAUL\n\n Why!\n\nA WOMAN [_Without._]\n\n King Saul has slain his thousands!\n\nDOEG\n\n \u201cWhy,\u201d my lord?\n\nTHE WOMAN\n\n But David his ten thousands!\n\nDOEG\n\n Do you hear?\n King Saul has slain his thousands, David ten!\n Thy servant is he? servant?\n\nDAVID [_To_ SAUL.]\n\n Shall thy sceptre\n Be wielded by this venom-word, as is\n A weed under the wind?\n\nSAUL\n\n \u2019Tis overmuch!\n I\u2019ll burst all bond of priest or prophecy.\n Nor cringe to threatening and fondle fear.\n\n [_He seizes a javelin._]\n\n I\u2019ll smite where\u2019er I will.\n\nDAVID\n\n No!\n\nJONATHAN\n\n Father!\n\nDAVID\n\n Shall\n A rapid palsy now come on thy hand,\n Awful and sceptre-ruined lord of men?\n An impotence, a shriveling to fear,\n Avenging ere thou shed offenceless blood?\n\n [SAUL\u2019S _hand drops_.]\n\n Is this thy love, the love of Saul the king?\n Who once was kindlier than kindest are.\n For but a woman\u2019s wantonness of word\n And idle air, my life?\n\nAHINOAM\n\n Saul, Saul--!\n\nJONATHAN\n\n The shame!\n\nDAVID\n\n Some enemy--does Doeg curve his lip?--\n Hath put into her mouth this stratagem\n Of fevered false-impassioned overpraise.\n\n [SAUL, _silent, rises slowly and goes, entreated of_\n JONATHAN. _Many follow in doubt, whispering._]\n\nDOEG [_To_ DAVID.]\n\n This is not all, boy out of Bethlehem.\n Goliath\u2019s dead--\n\nDAVID\n\n But not all villainy?\n\n [DOEG _goes, flushing,--and all follow, except_\n MICHAL, _and_ MERAB, _who moves cunningly\n forward as if incensed_.]\n\nMERAB\n\n I burn for it!\n\nDAVID\n\n For what, and suddenly?\n\nMERAB\n\n My father so ungenerously wroth!\n And wrought away from recompense so right;\n Can you forgive him?\n\nDAVID\n\n Merab?\u2026\n\nMERAB\n\n Is it strange\n That even _I_ now ask it?\n\nDAVID\n\n Merab\u2019s self?\n\nMERAB\n\n Herself and not to-day your friend; but now\n Conquered to exaltation and aglow\n To wreathe you for this might to Israel,\n Beautiful, unbelievable and bright!\n Noble the dawn of it within your dream,\n Noble the lightning of it in your arm,\n And noble in your veins the fearless flow\n And dare of blood!--so noble that I ask\n As a remembrance and bequest forever,\n In priceless covenant of peace between us,\n A drop of it--\n\n [_She draws her dagger and offers it to him._]\n\n Upon this sacred blade.\n\nDAVID\n\n Such kindness, in all honor?\n\nMERAB\n\n Poor requital\n To one whose greatness humbles me from hate.\n\nDAVID\n\n Then of my veins whatever drop you will,\n Were it the very dwelling of my soul.\n\n [_He takes the dagger and makes as if to prick\n himself._]\n\n Ah, but you do not mock me?\n\nMERAB\n\n Rather upon\n Its edge one vein of you--than priceless nard.\n\nDAVID\n\n And perfume out of India jewel poured?\n\n [_He searches her eyes._]\n\n Or than--I may believe?--a miracle\n Of dew, were you a traveller and lost\n Upon the illimitable desert\u2019s thirst?\n Or than--\n\n [_He draws his own dagger, pricks his wrist with\n it, and hands it to her._]\n\n than this?\n\nMERAB\n\n Shepherd!\n Treachery, then?\n Under a sham of tribute, poison?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Poison?\n\nDAVID\n\n And I of vanity should prick it in?\n I a mere shepherd innocent of wile!\n A singer music-maudled and no more.\n\n [_As she goes, stung with chagrin._]\n\n The daughter of king Saul has yet to learn.\n\n [_From looking after her, he turns toward_ MICHAL,\n _and, sighing, slowly approaches her_.]\n\n The vaunting of this victory is done.\n We are alone at last.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Yes.\n\nDAVID\n\n That is all?\n For Israel I\u2019ve wrought to-day, for you\n Who were about me, in me, as a mist\n Of armed mighty angels triumphing.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Yes? It was well.\n\nDAVID\n\n To you no more? to you\n Whom not a slave can serve unhonored?\n\nMICHAL [_Struggling._]\n\n Nothing.\n\nDAVID\n\n Empty of glow then seems it, impotent,\n A shrivelled hallowing.\u2026\n Ashes of ecstasy that burned in vain.\n\nMICHAL\n\n No, no! I--\n\nDAVID\n\n Michal?\n\nMICHAL\n\n No, divine it was!\n And had I cried my praise the ground had broke\n To Eden under me with blossoming.\n Where was so wonderful a deed as this,\n So fair a springing of salvation up!\n Glory above star-soaring could I seize,\n Auras of dawn and loveliness unfading,\n To crown you with and crown!\n\nDAVID\n\n O lips!\n\nMICHAL\n\n With but\n A sling, a shepherd\u2019s sling, you sped the brook,\n Drew from its bed a stone, and up the hill\n Where the great Philistine contemning cried,\n Mounted and flung it deep upon his brain!\n\nDAVID\n\n This is the victory and not his death!\n Tell, tell thy joy with kisses on my lips!\n Thy mouth! thy arms! thy breast!\n\nMICHAL\n\n No no!\n\nDAVID\n\n Thy soul!\n Too much of waiting and of severance!\n Of dread and distance and the deep of doubt.\n Now must I fold you, falter all my love\n And triumph on your senses till they burn\n Beautiful to eternity with bliss.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Loose, loose me!\n\nDAVID\n\n Nay, again! immortal kisses!\n\nMICHAL\n\n A frenzy, \u2019tis a frenzy! From me! see!\n This irremediable victory\n Over Goliath severs us the more.\n\n [_The tumult breaks again, afar._]\n\n Hear how the people lift you limitless!\n Almost, to-day, and in my father\u2019s room\n They would that you were king.\n\nDAVID\n\n But ere to-morrow\n Dim shall I be, and ere the harvest bend\n Less than a gleam in their forgotten peril!\n\nMICHAL\n\n O were it, were it! But all silently\n Jehovah fast is beckoning the realm\n Into thy hands.\n\nDAVID\n\n Then futile to resist\n The gliding on of firm divinity.\n And yet whatever may be shall be done.\n\nMICHAL\n\n All, all?\n\nDAVID\n\n That for thee reverently may.\n\nMICHAL\n\n The anointing, then--\n\nDAVID\n\n Of that!\u2026 not that!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Yet grant\n It may be told my father; that I may\n Say to him all the secret!\n\nDAVID\n\n And provoke\n Murder in him, insatiable though\n I fled upon the wilderness and famine?\n\nMICHAL\n\n He would not!\n\nDAVID\n\n Nay.\n\nMICHAL\n\n I\u2019ll plead with him.\n\nDAVID\n\n In vain!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Then [_coldly_] it is as I thought.\n\nDAVID\n\n You are distraught.\n\nMICHAL\n\n This stroke to-day [_pointing to_ GOLIATH\u2019S _head_]\n no love of me had in it.\n\nDAVID\n\n A love, a passion fervid thro\u2019 me as\n The tread and tremble of immortal song\n Along the infinite.\n\nMICHAL\n\n You use me!\n\nDAVID\n\n Use?\n\nMICHAL\n\n A step to rise and riot in ambition!\n\nDAVID\n\n So bitter are you, blind?\n\nMICHAL\n\n It was a trick!\n You snared me to you.\n\nDAVID\n\n Michal!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Cunningly\n With Samuel netted fears about my father\n Till I am paltrily unto you pledged.\n\nDAVID\n\n Enough.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Too much.\n\nDAVID\n\n No more; the pledge I fling\n Out of my heart, as \u2019twere enchantment dead.\n And free you; but, no more.\n\n [_He moves from her._]\n\nMICHAL\n\n As if it were\n Enchantment dead. Ah, then \u2019tis true--there is\n Another--is another!\n\nDAVID\n\n Now what fever?\n A gentleness clad once your every grace.\n\nMICHAL\n\n There is some other that you lure and love.\n\nDAVID\n\n It is not Michal speaking; so I wait.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Then--\n\n [JUDITH _glides suddenly in with a low laugh and\n kneels before_ DAVID. MICHAL _stands amazed_.]\n\nJUDITH [_As if with amorous admiration._]\n\n Brave, it was brave, my love! beauteous! brave!\n\nDAVID\n\n Woman?\n\nJUDITH\n\n The Philistine, a brazen tower,\n A bastion of strength fell to the earth!\n\nDAVID\n\n Woman, who are you?\n\n [_She clasps and kisses him._]\n\n Take away your flesh.\n [_Free_] Take it away, the heat and myrrh of it.\n\nJUDITH\n\n So cold?\n\nDAVID\n\n Away.\n\nJUDITH\n\n And \u2019tis no longer fair?\n [_Wantonly_] Oh! Ah! I understand! the princess?--\n\nDAVID\n\n Go.\n\n [JUDITH _obeys, laughing and shaking her timbrel_.]\n\nMICHAL\n\n A dancer then, a very timbrel player!\n\nDAVID\n\n Until this hour I never looked upon her.\n It is chicanery of chance or craft.\n You who are noble, though in doubt adrift,\n Be noble now!\n\nMICHAL\n\n And loving? O, I will--\n Now that I know what should be done. Be sure.\n\nDAVID\n\n You mean, that Saul?--you would not, no!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Rest sure.\n\n [_A hand is seen at the tent._ AHINOAM _enters_.]\n\nAHINOAM\n\n David, the king--But what is this?\n\n [MICHAL _goes_.]\n\nDAVID\n\n O queen--\n It is but life.\n\nAHINOAM\n\n Nay.\n\nDAVID\n\n Life that ever strings\n Our hearts, so pitifully prone for it,\n To ecstasy--then snaps.\n\nAHINOAM\n\n I love thee, David.\n\nDAVID\n\n Then gracious be, and question here no more.\n Where words are futile for an utterance.\n But of the king--the king?\n\nAHINOAM\n\n He\u2019s driven still.\n And hither comes, and soon, and must be calmed.\n Thy harp take, winds of beauty from it bring,\n And consolation--as of valley-eves\n When there is ebb of sorrow and of toil,\n O could you heal him and forever heal.\n\nDAVID\n\n Then would I be--!\n\n [_He breaks off with a gesture of great desire,\n takes the harp and seats himself._]\n\nAHINOAM\n\n At once, for he will come.\n\n [DAVID _begins; a strain of wild sadness_. SAUL _enters and\n with him_ DOEG, ISHUI, JONATHAN--_others_. _He pauses, his hand\n to his brow, and goes slowly, enspelled of_ DAVID\u2019s _playing,\n up the dais_.]\n\nAHINOAM\n\n My lord, shall David sing--to ease us?\n\nSAUL\n\n Let him.\n\nDAVID\n\n [_With high sorrow._]\n\n O heart of woe,\n Heart of unrest and broken as a reed!\n\n [_Plays._]\n\n O heart whose flow\n Is anguish and all the bitterness of need!\n\n [_Plays._]\n\n O heart as a roe,\n Heart as a hind upon the mountain fleeing\n The arrow-wounds of being,\n Be still, O heart, and rest and do not bleed!\n\n [_Plays longer with bowed head._]\n\n O days of life,\n Days that are driven swift and wild from the womb!\n\n [_Plays._]\n\n O days so rife--\n Days that are torn of trouble, trod of doom!\n\n [_Plays._]\n\n [MICHAL _enters_.]\n\n O days of strife,\n Days of desire on deserts spread unending,\n The burning blue o\u2019erbending,\n O days, our peace, our victory is the tomb!\n\n [_He plays to a close that dies in anguished silence._]\n\nSAUL [_Rising in tears_]\n\n David!\n\nDAVID\n\n My lord?\n\nSAUL\n\n Thy breathing! beauteous!\n Stilling to sorrow! O my friend, my son!\n\nDAVID\n\n To me is this? I dream it not? The king\n Again is kind and soft his spirit moves?\n\nSAUL\n\n To you!\n\nDAVID\n\n How shelter o\u2019er me then will spring\n And safety covering!\n\nSAUL\n\n It ever shall.\n Loveliest have you been among my days,\n And singing weary madness from my brain.\n\n [DAVID _starts toward him_.]\n\n How I have wronged thee!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Wronged him? [_In fury._]\n\nDAVID\n\n Michal!\n\nSAUL\n\n Girl?\n\nMICHAL\n\n You have not wronged him!\n\nDAVID\n\n Michal!\n\nMICHAL\n\n No, but he\n Is jeopardy and fate about you! drive\n Him from you utterly and now away!\n\n [_Murmurs of astonishment._]\n\nSAUL\n\n What mean you?\n\nISHUI\n\n Speak.\n\nSAUL\n\n What mean you?\n\nMICHAL\n\n This!\n\nDAVID\n\n No word!\n\nMICHAL\n\n I\u2019ll not be kept--\n\nDAVID\n\n But shall be; for to tell\n Would rend silence forever from you--pale\n Your flesh with haunting of it evermore!\n All, all your being would become a hiss.\n A memory of syllables that sear,\n A living iteration of remorse.\n I--I myself will save your lips the words\n Of this betrayal leaping from your heart.\n\n [_Nobly, before Saul._]\n\n You seek, my lord, you seek whom Samuel\n Anointed.\n\nSAUL\n\n Yes.\n\nDAVID\n\n Then know that it is I.\n\nSAUL\n\n \u2019Tis--?\n\nDAVID\n\n I.\n\nSAUL\n\n You!\n\nDAVID\n\n I. And guiltless I, no other.\n I, though I sought it not and suffer, though\n I would it had not come and fast am sworn\n Never against you to lift up--\n\nMERAB\n\n Hear, hear!\n Now he will cozen!\n\nDOEG\n\n He, \u201cthy servant!\u201d\n\nISHUI\n\n Hear!\n\nA VOICE [_Without._]\n\n A thousand Saul hath slain! But David ten!\n\nSAUL [_Choking._]\n\n Omnipotence shall not withhold me more.\n\n [_He lifts a javelin._]\n\nDAVID\n\n Murderous king afoam with murder-heat!\n\n [_He avoids from side to side._]\n\n Monarch of misery--of might--of rage\n So fell that lightning were not dread enough\n Were it thy bolt! To-day you will destroy me?\n\n [GOLIATH\u2019S _head overturned, rolls on the floor_.]\n\n Upon this day will slay me innocent?\n\nSAUL\n\n Die, die!\n\nJONATHAN\n\n No, father, hold!\n\n [SAUL _flings the javelin_.]\n\nMICHAL [_Reeling._]\n\n What have I done?\n\nJONATHAN\n\n David, unhurt? Away, the wilderness.\n\n [_Thrusts a sword on him._]\n\nSAUL\n\n He shall not! no.\n\n [_Seizes another javelin._]\n\nDAVID [_Aflame._]\n\n Then, king of Israel, strike!\n Strike me to darkness and the waiting worm!\n Into the Pit and to the hopeless gloom.\n But, after, be your every breathing blood,\n Remorse and riving bitterness and fear,\n Be guilt and all the hideous choke of horror!\n\n [SAUL _trembling at the curse lets the javelin fall from his\n hand_. DAVID _breaking through_ DOEG _and_ ISHUI _escapes by\n the door_. MICHAL _sinks to her knees, her face buried in her\n hands_.]\n\n [_CURTAIN._]\n\n\n\n\nACT III.\n\n\n _SCENE: A savage mountain-cliff in the wilderness of Engeddi. On\n either side gray crags rise rugged, sinking away precipitously\n across the back. Cut into each is a cave. The height is reached\n by clefts from all sides._\n\n _Between the crags to the East is the far blue of the Dead Sea;\n and still beyond, bathed in the waning afternoon, stretch the\n purple shores of Moab. During the act the scene grows crimson\n with sunset and a thunder-cloud rises over the sea._\n\n _Lying on a pallet of skins near the cliff\u2019s verge, DAVID tosses\n feverishly. Three of his followers and a lad, who serves him,\n are gathered toward the front, ragged, hungry, and hunted, in\n altercation over a barley-cake._\n\nDAVID\n\n Water! the fever fills me, and I thirst.\n Water!\n\nFIRST FOLLOWER\n\n Listen.\n\nSECOND FOLLOWER\n\n He calls.\n\nDAVID\n\n Water! I thirst.\n\nTHE LAD\n\n Yes, yes, my lord. [_Takes up a water-skin._] Ah, empty, not a quaff!\n They\u2019ve drunk it all from him! My lord, none\u2019s left.\n I\u2019ll run and in the valley brim it soon.\n\n [_He goes._ DAVID _sinks back_.]\n\nSECOND FOLLOWER [_To_ FIRST.] _You_ drank it then.\n\nFIRST FOLLOWER\n\n And should I thirst, not he?\n Give me the bread.\n\nSECOND FOLLOWER\n\n If it would strangle you.\n\nFIRST FOLLOWER\n\n I\u2019ll have it.\n\nSECOND FOLLOWER\n\n Or betray him? spitingly?\n It is the last. Already you have eat.\n And we are here within a wilderness.\n\nFIRST FOLLOWER\n\n Be it, but I\u2019ll not starve.\n\nTHIRD FOLLOWER\n\n He utters right.\n Why should we but to follow a mere shepherd\n Famish and o\u2019er a hundred desert hills?\n The prophecy portending him the throne--\n Folly, not fate! though it is Samuel\u2019s.\n I\u2019ll trust in it no more.\n\nFIRST FOLLOWER\n\n Nor I.\n\nTHIRD FOLLOWER\n\n And Saul\n Has driven us from waste to waste--pressed us\n Even unto the Philistines for shelter,\n And now unto this crag. And is not David\u2019s\n Thought but of Michal, not of smiting him\n And, with a host, of leaping to the kingdom?\n\n [DAVID _stirs to rise_.]\n\nFIRST FOLLOWER\n\n He moves; peace!\n\nTHIRD FOLLOWER\n\n Let him.\n\nSECOND FOLLOWER\n\n Peace.\n\nTHIRD FOLLOWER\n\n And fawning too?\n\nDAVID [Sufferingly] Men--men, we must have news.\n Perpetual,\n Implacable they stare unto each other.\n This rock and stony sky.\n [_Rises and comes down to them._] We must have news.\n\n [_They are silent._]\n\n Longer is death. \u2019Tis overmany days\n Of sighing and remembered verdancy;\n Nor any dew or upward odor comes.\n Who will go now and bring us word of Saul?\n\nTHIRD FOLLOWER\n\n Have not Abishai, Abiathar,\n And others gone?\n\nDAVID\n\n Bravely.\n\nTHIRD FOLLOWER\n\n And none returned!\n\nDAVID\n\n Not one of all.\n\nTHIRD FOLLOWER\n\n Well, then, we are not swine,\n And life\u2019s but once.\n\nDAVID\n\n So----?\n\nTHIRD FOLLOWER\n\n We will follow you\n No longer hungered and rewarded never,\n But perilously ever.\n\nDAVID\n\n It is well.\n\n [_He looses a bracelet from his arm._]\n\n This was a gift from Saul. In it is ease.\n\n [_Gives it to_ THIRD FOLLOWER, _who goes_.]\n\n This ring was Jonathan\u2019s. The jewel tells\n Still of the sunny haven of his heart.\n Upon my hand he pressed it--the day we leapt\n Deeper than friends into each other\u2019s love.\n\n [_Gives it to_ FIRST FOLLOWER, _who goes_.]\n\n This chain----\n\nSECOND FOLLOWER\n\n I want it not.\n\nDAVID\n\n You have not thought;\n \u2019Tis riches--such as Sidon marts and Tyre\n Would covet.\n\nSECOND FOLLOWER\n\n I care not.\n\nDAVID\n\n None else is left.\n\nSECOND FOLLOWER\n\n No matter.\n\nDAVID\n\n Then----?\n\nSECOND FOLLOWER\n\n There was of Gibeah\n A woman--dear to me. Her face at night\n Weeping among my dreams.\u2026\n The prophecy\n Is unfulfilled, and vain!\n\nDAVID\n\n And you would go?\n\nSECOND FOLLOWER\n\n The suffering--this cliff.\n\nDAVID\n\n I understand,\n [_Motions._] So, without any blame, and to content.\n\n [_The_ SECOND FOLLOWER _falters, then goes_.]\n\n [_Quietly._] A desolation left, of rock and air,\n Of barren sea and bitterness as vast.\n Thou hast bereft me, Saul! thou hast bereft!\n\n [_He moves up the cliff, gazes sadly away, then kneels by a\n stone, as to pray._]\n\n My flesh cries for oblivion--to sink\n Unwaking away into the Night \u2026 where is\n No tears, but only tides of sleep.\u2026\n No, crieth\n Not for Oblivion and Night, but for\n Rage and revenge! Saul! Saul!\u2026 My spirit, peace.\n As pants the heart for the water-brook, so I!\n\n [_He bows his head._ MICHAL _in rags that disguise,\n enters with the_ LAD, _unseen_.]\n\n Her lips it was that hurled me unto this!\n Yet, yet not violence on him and blood!\n I must revenge\u2019s call within me quell,\n Though righteously it quivers and aflame.\n\n [_He goes slowly into the cave, Right._]\n\nMICHAL\n\n This is the place, then, this?\n\nLAD\n\n Yes, princess.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Here\n\n So long in want and sickness he hath hid?\n Under the livid day and lonelier night!\n\nLAD\n\n I brought him water, often.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Little lad!\n But he has heard no word from me--not how\n My father, Saul, frantic of my repentance,\n Had unto Phalti, a new lord, betrothed me?\n How then I fled to win unto these wilds?\n\nLAD\n\n He heard not anything--only the tales\n I told of Moab, my own land.\n\n [DAVID _plays within_.]\n\n But oh!\n It is his harp.\n\nMICHAL\n\n And strains that weep o\u2019er me!\u2026\n I\u2019ll speak to him \u2026 and yet must be unknown!\n A leper? as a leper could I\u2026?\n\nLAD\n\n Why\n Must he not know you?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Ask me not, lad, now;\n But go a little.\n\nLAD\n\n Yes.\n\n [_He sets down the water-skin and goes._]\n\nMICHAL [_Delaying, then in a loud voice._] Unclean! Unclean!\n\n [_Conceals her face in her hair._]\n\nDAVID\n\n Who crieth here?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Unclean!\n\nDAVID [_Appearing._] Who cries unclean?\n Poor leper in these wilds, who art thou?\n\nMICHAL\n\n One\n Outcast and faint, forlorn!\n\nDAVID\n\n Then you have come\n To one more bitter outcast than yourself,\n One who has less than this lone void to give,\n This sterile solitude and sun, this scene\n Of leaden desolation that makes mad.\n Who has no ease but cave or shading rock,\n Or the still moon, or stars that glide the night.\n One over whom----\n\nMICHAL\n\n Yet, pity!\n\nDAVID\n\n The pale hours\n Flow dead into eternity.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Ah, yet\u2026!\n\nDAVID\n\n My cloak, then, for thy tattered limbs. Or, no--\n This chain of Ophir for thy every need.\n Once was it dear, but should be so no more.\n [_Flinging it to her._] Have it, and with it vanish memory\n Out of my breast----\n\nMICHAL\n\n No, no.\n\nDAVID\n\n And from me fall\n Link upon link her loveliness that bound.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Oh, do not!\n\nDAVID\n\n Woman\u2026?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Nothing. A chain like this\n I once beheld wind undulantly bright\n O\u2019er Michal, the king\u2019s daughter.\n\nDAVID\n\n Woman, the king\u2019s?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Pity!\n\nDAVID\n\n Who are you?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Stay! Unclean!\n\nDAVID\n\n A spy?\n A spy of Saul and hypocrite have crept\n Hither to learn\u2026?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Have heed--unclean!\n\nDAVID\n\n How then\n Wandering come you here?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Unclean! Unclean!\n\nDAVID\n\n My brain is overfull of fever, mad.\n Almost and I had touched thy peril, held\n Thy hideous contagion.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Wrong!\n\nDAVID\n\n Then who\n Art thou to know and speak of her, of Michal?\n\nMICHAL\n\n One who has served the king.\n\nDAVID\n\n And you have seen\n Michal, you have beheld her?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Once, when she\n In face was fairer and in heart than now\n They say she is.\n\nDAVID\n\n And heard her speak?\n\nMICHAL\n\n A night\n Under the leaves of Gibeah--when she\n Sang with another--David.\n\nDAVID\n\n Say no more.\n\nMICHAL\n\n And from afar, under the moon, blew faint\n The treading of the wine-presses with song.\n David she loved, but anger-torn betrayed,\n Unworthy of him.\n\nDAVID\n\n Speak of her no more,\n Nor of her cruelty, unless to pray\n He she has ruined may forget her.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Yet\n If deep she should repent----?\n\nDAVID\n\n Leper, no more.\n\n [_A moment; then a jackal\u2019s cry shrills to them._ DAVID\n _starts_.]\n\n The signal. [_He listens._] Thrice repeated? Word at last?\n [_To_ MICHAL.] He who is near may prove to thee less kind.\n\n [_She goes. He springs to look down the cliff._]\n\n Abishai? Abiathar? It is!\n But staggering and wounded? breathless? torn?\n\n [_He watches, then turns to meet them. They enter_--ABIATHAR\n _with bloody ephod and broken breastplate_--_and\n sink in panting exhaustion_.]\n\n Abishai, what is it that you bring?\n Abiathar, up! answer!\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Water!\n\nDAVID\n\n Up!\n\n [_He brings the water-skin. They drain it fiercely._]\n\n What is it now so fevered from you stares\n And breathing too abhorrence? Gasp it out.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n I stifle--in a universe--he still--\n Has breath in.\n\nDAVID\n\n Saul?\n\nABIATHAR\n\n I\u2019ll scathe him! Scorpions\n Of terror and remorse sting in his soul!\n\nDAVID\n\n If you have tidings, not in words so wild.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Then ask and hate shall calm me.\n\nDAVID\n\n Ask?\n\nABIATHAR\n\n On, on!\n Seek if he lives!\n\nDAVID\n\n Who?\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Seek if prophecy\n Founts yet in Judah!\n\nDAVID\n\n Samuel\u2026?\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Is dead!\u2026\n Dead--and of tidings more calamitous.\n\n [_A pause._]\n\nDAVID [_Hoarsely._]\n\n Tell on. I hear.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Saul gloating to believe\n The priests, assembled sacredly at Nob,\n Plotted assisting you, hath had them----\n\nDAVID\n\n No\u2026!\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Slain at the hands of Doeg--murdered, all!\n\nDAVID\n\n But he--your father?\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Was among them; fell.\n\n [_He stands motionless._]\n\nDAVID [_Gently._]\n\n Abiathar, my friend!\u2026 Appeaseless Saul!\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Hear all, hear all! Thy father, too, and mother,\n Even thy kindred, out of Israel\n Are driven into Moab; and this king,\n Delirious still for blood as desert pard,\n With Merab, whelp of him, and many armed,\n Is near us now--aquiver at Engeddi\n For your destruction:\n\n [DAVID _struggles for control_.]\n\n And yet you will not strike.\n\nDAVID\n\n [_Low._] No, but of Michal, tell me good at once,\n Lest unendurable this lot, I may--\n and mount o\u2019er every oath into revenge.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Ha--Michal!\n\nDAVID\n\n She withholds her father\u2019s wrath?\n\nABIATHAR\n\n She\u2019s well.\n\nDAVID\n\n Not if you say no more.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n I know\n Nothing of her.\n\nDAVID\n\n Your look belies.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Perhaps:\n As did her love.\n\nDAVID\n\n That is for me.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Well, what?\n A woman who betrays?\n\nDAVID\n\n Speak, not evade;\n And judge her when earth has no mystery.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Then from your craving put her--wide; she is\n Unworthy any tremor of your veins.\n\nDAVID\n\n Dawn-lilies under dew are then unworthy,\n And nesting doves are horrible to heaven.\n I will not so believe. Your reason\u2026!\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Saul\n Has given her--and she will wed him, aye--\n To Phalti, a new lord.\n\nDAVID\n\n Untrue of her!\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Cry. Yet you will believe it.\n\nDAVID\n\n Not until\n The verdant parable of spring is hushed\n Ever of bloom, to prove it. Never till\n Hermon is swung into the sea! until\n The last void of the everlasting sky----\n\n [_Looking up he falters, breaks off, and is strangely\n moved at something beheld._]\n\nABIATHAR\n\n What, what alarm?\n\nABISHAI\n\n What stare you on?\n\nABIATHAR\n\n He\u2019s mad?\n\n [DAVID _points_. _They look up._]\n\nABIATHAR\n\n An eaglet!\u2026\n\nABISHAI\n\n Eaglet?\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Pierct!\n\nABISHAI\n\n Pierct?\u2026\n\nDAVID\n\n Falling here.\n And beating against death unbuoyantly.\n\n [_The bird, an arrow through it, drops in throes at their\n feet._]\n\n A destiny, a fate in this is hidden!\n\n [_He bends over it, then quickly back._]\n\nABIATHAR\n\n A destiny, how, how?\n\nDAVID\n\n The arrow!--His!\n His, and no other\u2019s. Quick, then, no delay.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Be clear, clearer.\n\nDAVID\n\n We are discovered--near\n On us is death. Open the secret chamber\n Within the cave, for from the bow of Saul\n Is yonder bleeding--from no other.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Saul\u2019s?\n But how, was any here?\n\nDAVID\n\n To-day, to-day.\n A leper wandering.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n We are betrayed.\n\n [ABISHAI _with the water-skin hastens into the cave, Right_.\n DAVID _and_ ABIATHAR _stand listening_. _Noise of\n approach is heard._]\n\nDAVID\n\n They near.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n And many.\n\nDAVID\n\n King of Israel!\n Inexorable!\n\nABIATHAR\n\n O, rebuke him, do!\n\nDAVID\n\n Almost I am beyond this tolerance.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n In truth. Therefore it is you rise and shake\n Out of his power the sceptre!\n\nDAVID\n\n Tempt me not!\n Mercy and memory almost are dead,\n And craving birth in me is fateful ire.\n\n [_They follow into the cave. Hardly have they done so when\n at a shout_, SAUL, _bloodthirsty, with_ DOEG, ABNER,\n ISHUI, _and soldiers, pour in from all sides, with drawn\n weapons_.]\n\nSAUL\n\n On, to him! search the caves! In, in, and bring\n Him to my sword, and Michal with him.\n [_Pacing terrible the while._] They\n Shall couch upon eternity and dust.\n [_Weakly._] I am the king, and Israel is mine.\u2026\n I\u2019ll sleep upon their grave--I\u2019ll sleep upon it,\n And hear the worm\u2026!\n [_To a_ SOLDIER _re-entering from one cave_.] Where is he? Bring him.\n\nSOLDIER\n\n O King----\n\nSAUL\n\n You\u2019ve slain him and you tremble! Say it.\n\nSOLDIER\n\n No.\n\nSAUL\n\n Then hither with him; hither!\n\nSOLDIER\n\n He\u2019s not here.\n\nSAUL\n\n A treachery! You cunningly contrive\n To aid him, so.\u2026\n\n [_To a_ SOLDIER _re-entering fearfully from the other cave_.]\n\n Bring me his head.\n\nSOLDIER\n\n My lord,\n He is not there.\n\nSAUL\n\n I tell you it is lies--\n Because you deem that he shall be the king\n And treasure up reward and amnesty.\n\n [_Into one cave, then another he rushes, then out among them\n furious._]\n\n From me, ill-fruited ineffectual herd!\n Away from me, he\u2019s fled and none of you\n Is servant and will find and for me seize him!\n From me--I\u2019ll sleep--I\u2019ll rest--and then--\n\n [_All begin to crowd out, overawed, but_ DOEG and ABNER.]\n\n I\u2019ll sleep.\n\n [_Slowly he moves into the cave, Left, and lies down._]\n\nABNER\n\n [_To_ DOEG, significantly.] The evil spirit.\n\nDOEG\n\n Yes; is on him swift\n As never before, and as a drunkenness.\n\nABNER\n\n Then, safe to leave him?\n\nDOEG\n\n Will he brook denial?\n\nABNER\n\n And Merab, too, will soon be here.\n\nDOEG\n\n Well, come.\n\nABNER\n\n I\u2019ll go and look upon him.\n\n [_Goes to_ SAUL\u2019S _cave and returns_.]\n\n Already he sleeps.\n\n [_Turning they encounter_ MICHAL _entering, still disguised_.\n _She quails._]\n\n Woman, who are you, who?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Unclean! away!\n\nDOEG\n\n Unclean? a leper? in this place? Are there\n No stones to stone you? Hence! And had I not\n A brother such as thou----\n\nMICHAL\n\n Pity! Unclean!\n\n [_She goes quickly; then they. A space. Then she returns\n trembling, fearful._]\n\n I\u2019ll call him! I will save him!--David! David!--\n I his discomfiture and ruin!--David!\n David! hear me! David!\n\n [_Searching, she approaches the cave where_ SAUL _lies, but\n recoils terrified_.]\n\n The king! my father!\n I cannot--am not--whither shall I, whither?\n\n [_Confused she flees, as scuffling is heard, and_ ABISHAI _and_\n ABIATHAR, _struggling with_ DAVID, _appear_.]\n\nDAVID\n\n Loose me, I say. \u2019Twas Michal and she called.\n [_Breaking free._] I say that it was she!\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Foolhardy, no.\n Return into the cave, and ere too late!\n\n [MERAB, _veiled, enters behind them_.]\n\nDAVID\n\n \u2019Twas Michal and no other.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n You are duped.\n\nDAVID\n\n The breathing of archangels could not so\n Have swung the burden from me as her call.\n\n [_Searching, he faces--and beholds_ MERAB. _His look\n grows to coldness._]\n\nMERAB\n\n It is not Michal.\n\nDAVID\n\n No--it is not Michal.\n\n [_He motions_ ABIATHAR _and_ ABISHAI _aside_.]\n\nMERAB\n\n Yet it is one who----\n\nDAVID\n\n Need not lift her veil\n Or longer stay. The path she came is open.\n\nMERAB\n\n I\u2019m here--and here will speak! I\u2019ve hither stolen,\n Yearning--I say it--yearning--and I will.\n\nDAVID\n\n These words I do not know.\n\nMERAB\n\n Because you will not.\n More all-devouring than a Moloch is\n This love within me----\n\nDAVID\n\n Love and you are twain,\n As sun and Sheol.\n\nMERAB\n\n False. I am become\n For want of you as famine-wind, a wave\n In the mid-tempest, with no rest, no shore.\n\nDAVID\n\n I do not hear the unashamed words\n Of one who has but recently another,\n Adriel, wedded.\n\nMERAB\n\n You refuse me then?\n\nDAVID\n\n I beg you but to cease.\n\nMERAB\n\n Goaded, chagrined?\n No, but this will I do. The Philistines,\n For long at rioting within their walls,\n Gather again and break toward Gilboa.\u2026\n\nDAVID\n\n This is not true.\n\nMERAB\n\n To-morrow must my father\n From hunting you return and arm for battle.\n But--many would that you were king.\n\nDAVID\n\n Were?\u2026\n\nMERAB\n\n King!\n\nDAVID\n\n I do not understand your eyes.\n\nMERAB\n\n I will\n For love of you arouse rebellion up,\n Murmur about the host your heaven-call,\n And lift you to the kingdom.\n\nDAVID\n\n To the--stay!\n Your words again.\n\nMERAB\n\n The kingdom.\n\nDAVID\n\n Awful God!\n\nMERAB\n\n What is your mien? you will not?\n\nDAVID\n\n Twice the words--\n Full from her lips--and to betray her father.\n\n [ABIATHAR _discovers_ SAUL.]\n\nMERAB\n\n You will not? answer!\n\nDAVID\n\n Odious utterly!\n As yonder sea of death and bitter salt,\n As foam-girt Joppa of idolatry,\n As Memphian fane of all abhorrencies!\n Morning would move with horror of it, noon\n A livid sepulchre of shame span o\u2019er,\n And night shrink to remember day had been!\n\nMERAB\n\n You scorn--you scorn me?\n\nDAVID\n\n Jonathan! your sister!\n\nMERAB\n\n Then Saul shall rend you dead. And Jonathan!\u2026\n\n [_She laughs shrilly._]\n\n Perchance you have not heard that Jonathan\n Knows to the Philistines you fled--and loathes you!\n\nDAVID\n\n I have not heard.\n\nMERAB\n\n Nor have not, ah? how Michal\n Is given to the embraces of another?\n\n [DAVID _shrinks_.]\n\n You desperately breathe and pale at last?\n\n [_She laughs more bitterly._]\n\n To me for aid, to me, you yet shall come.\n\n [_She goes._ DAVID _slowly lifts his hand to his brow in\n heavy pain_. ABIATHAR--_and soon_ ABISHAI--_abruptly\n descends from the cave to him_.]\n\nABIATHAR\n\n David----\n\nDAVID\n\n Leave me.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Not till you know--and strike!\n\nDAVID\n\n I tell you go.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n I tell you \u2019tis the king.\n\nDAVID\n\n Who breaks forbearance--yes.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Who lieth yonder,\n And sleeping lieth--for a thrust to end.\n\nDAVID\n\n [_His sword quickly out, struggling._]\n\n This throb and wounds that wring me! and this wail\n Under the deeps of me against his wrongs,\n Awakening remembrance that with burst\n And burn of pain.\u2026 O, never-ceasing ill!\n\n [_Flings the sword down, anguished._]\n\nABIATHAR\n\n You will not come?\n\nDAVID\n\n The sun is set.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Has Saul\n Hunted you to this desert\u2019s verge----?\n\nDAVID\n\n Enough!\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Has he pursued you, all his hate unleashed?\n Is Samuel not slain? the priests? my father?\n The kingdom is not in decay, and falls?\n You are not prophecy\u2019s anointed one?\n Seize up the sword and strike--or I myself!\n\nDAVID\n\n Or \u2026 you yourself\u2026?\n\n [_Silently he puts them aside, takes up the sword, and slowly\n goes into_ SAUL\u2019S _cave_.]\n\nABISHAI\n\n What will he do? Listen!\n\n [MICHAL _enters unseen_.]\n\nABIATHAR\n\n If Saul cries out.\u2026\n\nABISHAI\n\n Be ready.\u2026\n\nMICHAL\n\n [_To them._] What is this!\n\n [DAVID, _haggard, with drawn sword and a piece of_ SAUL\u2019S\n _cloak in his hand, re-enters from the cave_. _He sees_\n MICHAL, _pauses, and gazes upon her, as she on him,\n with rising emotion_.]\n\nMICHAL [_Inarticulate. Then._]\n\n Ah, you have slain--\n Have slain him! Wretch! thou wretch!\n And sleeping as he was!\n\nDAVID\n\n Then it was you?\n In lying rags?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Have struck him in his sleep!\n And merciless!--And now will kill me, too?\n\nDAVID\n\n In faithless rags? You are the leper? Who\n\n [_Growing frenzied._]\n\n Drove me a prey unto this wilderness!\n Upon the blot of it and death and sear!\n The silence, burning, and relentless swoon!\n You are the leper, who have broken troth\n And shut the cry of justice from your breast!\n Who\u2019ve stifled me with desolation\u2019s woe,\n Who\u2019ve followed still and still have me betrayed!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Betrayed? No, loose me!\n\nDAVID\n\n Slain thy father? slain?\n\n [_Flinging the piece of_ SAUL\u2019S _cloak at her feet_.]\n\n See how I might--see, see you, yonder he lies\n A king who quits the kingdom, though a cloud\n Of Philistines is foaming toward Gilboa;\n Jeoparded leaves it, undefended, for\n Pursuit of me and pitiless harrying!\n A king who murders priests.\u2026\n\nMICHAL\n\n Priests?\n\nDAVID\n\n Stifles God\n With penitence that he has shaped the world!\n Have slain? have slain him! I have slain him! Ah!\n Ah, that I had thy falseness and could slay him!\n\nMICHAL\n\n David!\u2026\n\nDAVID\n\n Nevermore near me! never with\n That quivering and tenderness of lure.\n Those eyes that hold infinity of fate,\n That breathing cassia-sweet, but sorcery!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Oh.\u2026\n\nDAVID\n\n Never thy presence pouring beauty, swift,\n And seething in the brain as frantic wine!\n I\u2019ll be no more enspelled of thee--never!\n I will not hear thee and be wound by words\n Into thy wile as wide as Ashtoreth\u2019s,\n Back into hope, eternity of pain!\n\n [_In agony he goes_, ABIATHAR _and_ ABISHAI _after_.\n MICHAL _stands gazing fearlessly before her, as_ SAUL,\n _awakened, slowly comes from the mouth of the cave down\n toward her_.]\n\n [_CURTAIN._]\n\n\n\n\nACT IV.\n\n\n _SCENE: The House of MIRIAM, the \u201cWitch of Endor,\u201d by Mount\n Gilboa--where Saul is encamped against the Philistines. It is of\n one story, built rectangularly about an inner court, which is\n dimly lighted._\n\n _Under the gallery which ranges around the court are doors\n leading to the sleeping and other apartments; before one of\n these, a lattice. On the left is the gate opening to the street.\n In the back to one side, the teraphim, or image of divination; on\n the other side a stairway mounts to the roof. Above is the night,\n and vague lightning amid a moan of wind. During the act comes\n dawn._\n\n _Forward on a divan sits MIRIAM alone, in blind restlessness._\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Adah!\n The child is sunken in a sleep.\n Yet would I have her near me in this night,\n And hear again the boding of her tale.\n Unto the blind the vision and the awe\n Of the invisible sway ever in,\n The shadow of nativities that lead\n Upon fatality.\n Girl! Adah! girl!\n\n [_The wind passes._ ADAH _enters from a chamber, rubbing\n her eyes_.]\n\n Thou art awake?\n\nADAH\n\n I slumbered.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Stand you where\n Fathoming I may feel within you. Now,\n Again--you\u2019ve hither fled your mistress Merab,\n In fear of her?\n\nADAH\n\n Yes.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n At Engeddi Michal\n By Saul was apprehended? Merab now\n Plotteth against her--she and Doeg?\n\nADAH\n\n Still.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n And \u2019twas in Merab\u2019s tent you heard, the king\n Despairing of to-morrow\u2019s battle, comes\n Hither to-night to bid me lift the spirit\n Of Samuel out of the dead and learn\n The issue?\n\nADAH\n\n Doeg said it.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n And--you hear?--\n Many within the army urge for David,\n Would cry him king, if Saul were slain?\n\nADAH\n\n O many.\n\n [_A knock at the gate. They start up fearful._]\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Who seeks blind Miriam of Endor\u2019s roof,\n Under the night and unextinguished storm?\n Come you a friend?\n\nDAVID [_Without._]\n A friend.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n As knows my soul!\n\n [_Breathless she opens the gate._ DAVID _and_ ABIATHAR\n _enter cloaked_.]\n\n Thy voice again!--this blindness of my eyes--\n If it be David, speak.\n\nDAVID\n\n Yes, Miriam.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n David of Jesse, Israel\u2019s desire!\n Let me behold thee [_Her hands go over him._] with my fingers\u2019 sight,\n And gather in them touch of thee again!\n Thy voice is as dream-dulcimers that stir\n Quivering myrrh of memory and joy--\n But, aie! why are you here? You have been _there_?\n\nDAVID\n\n Yes--in the camp of Saul.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n In spite of death!\n Do you not know----?\n\nDAVID\n\n I know--that Saul would rather\n O\u2019ertrample me than a multitude of foes.\n That it is told him I who shun his ire--\n Though death were easier, if dutiful--\n Am come up with the Philistines to win\n The kingdom. That he would slay me though I fought\n For Israel!--But, Michal!----\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Aie----\n\nDAVID\n\n What brews?\n She was not in the camp.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Men all are mad!\n And you who should be never.\n\nDAVID\n\n She is in\n Some peril.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n You, in more! And must from here\n Swiftly away, for Saul is----\n\nDAVID\n\n I must see her.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Unholy!\n\nDAVID\n\n Yet unholier were flight.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n You are the anointed!\n [_A heavy knock at the gate._] Ah, calamity!\n You would not heed--\u2019tis Saul!\n\nDAVID\n\n Here?\n\nMIRIAM\n\n He is come\n That I shall call up Samuel.\n\nDAVID\n\n You, you--\n The awful dead?\n\nSAUL\n\n [_Calls._] Woman of Endor!\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Hide!\n The lattice yonder!\n\nSAUL\n\n Woman of Endor! woman!\n\n [DAVID _and_ ABIATHAR _conceal themselves behind the lattice_.\n _The knocking, hastier._]\n\n Woman of Endor! Woman of Endor! Woman!\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Who crieth at my gate?\n\nSAUL\n\n Unbar and learn.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n To danger?\n\nSAUL\n\n None.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n To thieves?\n\nSAUL\n\n To rueing if\n You tarry!\n\n [_She opens the gate._ ADAH _cowers down_. SAUL, ISHUI,\n _and_ ADRIEL _enter_.]\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Whom seek you?\n\nSAUL\n\n Witch of Endor, you,\n Who of the fate-revealing dead divine.\n Out of the Pit you call them!\n\nMIRIAM\n\n What is this?\n\nSAUL\n\n I say that you can lift them!\n\nMIRIAM\n\n You are come\n With snaring! knowing well that Saul the king\n Is woe and bitterness to all who move\n With incantation.\n\nSAUL\n\n He is not.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Depart!\n\nSAUL\n\n I must have up out of the Awfulness\n Him I would question.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Perilous!\n\nSAUL\n\n Prepare\n Before thy teraphim. No harm, I swear,\n Shall come of it. Bid Samuel appear.\n The battle! its event!\n\nMIRIAM\n\n [_With a cry._] I know thee now!\n Saul! thou art Saul! the Terror!\n\nSAUL\n\n Call him up.\n Ready is it, the battle--but I am\n Forsaken of all prophecy and dream,\n Of voices and of priest and oracle,\n To augur it.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n A doom in this!\n\nSAUL\n\n He must\n Hold comfort, and the torrent of despair\n Within me stay and hush.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Then must it be.\n\n [_Turning towards the teraphim amid wind and pallid lightning,\n and prostrating herself before it._]\n\n Prophet of Israel, who art beyond\n The troubling and the terrifying grave,\n Th\u2019 immeasurable moan and melancholy\n Of ways that win to Sheol--Rise! Arise!\n\n [_She waits. Only the gust. Then springing up and\n stretching wide her arms with wild, blind eyes._]\n\n Prophet of Israel, arise! Not in\n The name of Baal, Amon, Ashtoreth,\n Dagon or all the deities that dream\n In trembling temples of Idolatry,\n But of Jehovah! of Jehovah! rise!\n\n [_An elemental cry is heard. Then vast wavering forms\n rise out of the earth, in continuous stream._ MIRIAM,\n _with a long curdling shriek, sinks moaning to her knees_.]\n\nSAUL\n\n Woman, I cannot--dare not--look upon it.\n Utter thy sight.\n\n [_The spirit of_ SAMUEL _begins to take shape through the\n phantoms_.]\n\nMIRIAM\n\n I saw ascending\n Forms as of gods in swaying ghostliness,\n Dim apparitions of a dismal might,\n And now is one within a mantle clad,\n Who looketh----\n\nSAUL\n\n Samuel!\n\nMIRIAM\n\n Who looketh with\n Omniscience in his mien, and all the chill\n And cling about him of eternity.\n His eyes impale me!\n\nSAUL\n\n Spirit, give me word!\n\n [_He falls heavily to the ground._]\n\nSAMUEL\n\n [_As afar._] O evil king! and wretched king! why hast\n Thou brought me from the quietness and rest.\n\nSAUL\n\n The battle on the morrow----!\n\nSAMUEL\n\n Evil thou art\n For underneath this night thou hast conspired\n Death to thy daughter Michal--if at dawn\n The battle shall be lost--lest she may fall\n Into the hands of David----\n\nDAVID [_In horror._]\n O!\n\nISHUI\n\n Whose cry?\n\nSAMUEL\n\n I tell thee, Saul, thy sceptre shrivels fast.\n The battle shall be lost--it shall be lost.\n\n [_The spirit of_ SAMUEL _disappears_. _A wail of wind._]\n\nADRIEL\n\n Ishui, true? Is Michal to be slain?\n\nISHUI\n\n This is no hour for fools and questioning.\n\nSAUL\n\n [_Struggling up._] The battle, Ishui, at once command\n It shall begin! To Jonathan and say it.\n\n [ISHUI _goes_.]\n\n No prophecy shall sink me and no shade.\n I am the king, and Israel, my own.\n\n [_Frenzied he goes. A silence._]\n\nDAVID\n\n [_Breaking forth._] Michal to die and Israel to fall!\n Prophet of prophets, Samuel, return!\n\n [ADRIEL _goes_.]\n\n The quivering\n Quicksands of destiny beneath her stir.\n Is heaven a mocking shield which ever keeps\n God from our prayers?\n\nMIRIAM\n\n David, contain thy heart.\n\n [_A faint uproar begins afar; and dawn._]\n\nDAVID\n\n The battle! on the wind. Abiathar,\n Speed out upon the mountain-side and cull\n All that befalls.\n\n [ADAH _opens the gate_. ABIATHAR _goes_.]\n\nADAH\n\n [_Springing back._] Oh!\n\nDAVID\n\n Child, why do you quail?\n\nADAH\n\n My mistress, Merab!\n\nDAVID\n\n Girl?\n\nADAH\n\n I saw her--she\n Is coming hither! Do not let her--she\n I fear--I fear her!\n\nDAVID\n\n Hither coming?\n\n [MERAB _throws open the gate and enters_.]\n\nADAH\n\n Oh!\n\nMERAB\n\n Woman and witch, did Adriel, my husband,\n Come to you with the king?\n\n [_She sees_ DAVID _and shrinks_.]\n\nDAVID\n\n Unnatural,\n Unkind, most cruel sister!\n\nMERAB\n\n You are here?\n\nDAVID\n\n Once me you would have poisoned, but the coil\n Within your bosom I beheld. And now\n Michal your sister is the victim.\n\nMERAB\n\n I--\n Know not your meaning.\n\nDAVID\n\n The battle burning yonder,\n If it adversely veers, the king has planned\n Michal is not to live, lest she may hap\n Unto my arms.\n\nMERAB\n\n That Michal shall be slain?\n\n [_The tumult again._]\n\nDAVID\n\n Almighty, smite, and save to thee thy people!\n And save thy altars unto Israel.\n\n [_He bows his head. A stir comes at the gate._]\n\nMERAB\n\n David, \u2019tis Adriel!\n\nADRIEL\n\n Ope! open you!\n\nDAVID\n\n At last the word.\n\nMERAB\n\n Girl, Adah, draw the bar.\n\n [DAVID _throws a cloak over his face_. ADAH _obeys_.\n ADRIEL _enters, and_ DOEG, _who pauses in quick alarm,\n as_ DAVID _goes between him and the gate_.]\n\nDOEG\n\n What place is this? Why do you bar that gate?\n Merab, \u2019tis you? Why do you gaze, rigid?\n And this is the blind witch, Miriam?\n\nDAVID\n\n It is.\n\n [_He throws off his cloak._]\n\nDOEG\n\n Lured? I am snared? a trap?\n\nDAVID\n\n Where have you Michal?\n\nDOEG\n\n [_Drawing._] No closer!\n\nDAVID\n\n If she is an atom harmed----!\n Where is she?\n\nDOEG\n\n I was the servant of the king,\n I but obeyed him.\n\nDAVID\n\n And thy horrible heart.\n Then speak, or unto frenzy I am driven.\n\nDOEG\n\n I\u2019ll drive you there with----\n\n [_Breaks off with low laugh._]\n\nDAVID\n\n Tell it!\n\nDOEG\n\n Unto your\n Soft sympathy--and passion? [_Laughs._] She is dead.\n\nDAVID\n\n [_Immovable, then repressed._]\n\n If it is so, the lightning, that is wrath\n Within the veins of God, should sink its fang\n Into thy bosom and sear out thy heart.\n If it is so, this momentary calm,\n This silence pouring overfull the world,\n Would rush and in thee cry until thy bones\n Broken of guilt are crumbled in thy groans.\n Dead, she is dead?\n\nMIRIAM\n\n No, David, my lord, he lies!\n\n [_Strangely, as in a trance._]\n\n To wound you, lies!\n\nDAVID\n\n Not dead?\n\nMIRIAM\n\n I see her eyes!\n\n [_All listen amazed._]\n\n I see her in a vision. She is near--\n Is in a cave--is bound--and is alone.\n I will go to her--quickly bring her.\n\nDOEG\n\n Not\n\n [_Lunges at her._]\n\n If this shall reach you.\n\nDAVID\n\n Ah, to pierce a woman!\n\n [MIRIAM _finds her way out_.]\n\n You\u2019ve plotted, false have been and bloody, foul,\n And as a pestilence of midnight marsh\n Have oozed corruption into all around you.\n The kingdom thro\u2019 you is in brokenness,\n Within its arteries you flow, poison,\n Incentive of irruption and unrest,\n Of treachery and disaffection\u2019s sore,\n Till even the stars of truest ray seem tares\n Sown hostile o\u2019er the nightly vale of heaven.\n\n [_Drawing firmly, he coldly, skilfully approaches for attack._]\n\nDOEG\n\n [_Retreating._] No further!\n\nDAVID\n\n Unto the end!\n\n [_He rushes in, they engage._ DOEG _is wounded, recovers,\n defends furiously, then is disarmed and forced under_.]\n\n Thy villainy is done.\n\n [_The gate opens and_ ABIATHAR _hurries in_.]\n\nABIATHAR\n\n David, the battle----\n\n [_He sees_ DOEG _and stops_.]\n\nDAVID\n\n Fetter him.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Only fetter? [_His dagger out._] The murderer\n Of priestly sanctity and of my father?\n\nDAVID\n\n Abiathar! You know obedience?\n\n [ABIATHAR _sullenly sheathes his weapon and binds_ DOEG.\n _A dim panic is heard afar, and a lament without._\n DAVID, _who has sunk to a seat, springs anxiously up_.]\n\n Listen! that cry!\n\nTHE VOICE\n\n Woe! woe!\n\nDAVID\n\n What is its wail?\n\nTHE VOICE\n\n The battle\u2019s lost!\n\nDAVID\n\n Abiathar----?\n\nTHE VOICE\n\n Saul flees!\n\nDAVID\n\n Abiathar, is lost?\n\nABIATHAR\n\n I fear it.\n\nDAVID\n\n Then [_Pointing to_ DOEG.]\n Off with his armor for me, I will go\n Forth and perchance may backward bend defeat.\n Duty to Saul is over.\n\nADRIEL\n\n You must not.\n A fruitless intrepidity it were.\n\nABIATHAR\n\n Remember your anointing!\n\nADRIEL\n\n The prophesy!\n\n [MIRIAM _enters leading_ MICHAL. _A moment\u2019s suspense._]\n\nMERAB\n\n See!\n\nADRIEL\n\n See!\n\nMERAB\n\n She liveth!\n\nMIRIAM\n\n David----\n\nMICHAL [_Pleading to him._]\n\n It is I.\n\nMIRIAM\n\n The cords were cruel, hungrily sank in\n Her wrists and ankles.\n\nMICHAL\n\n David, look on me.\n\nDAVID\n\n My words must be alone with her--alone.\n\nADRIEL\n\n Come, all of you--the battle.\n\n [_They go out the gate._ DAVID _stands speechless_.]\n\nMICHAL\n\n David--my lord!\n I ask not anything but to be heard--\n Though once I would not hear. Has all of life\n No glow for me!\n\nDAVID\n\n Betrayers should have none.\n\nMICHAL\n\n I was a woman--the entanglement\n Of duty amid love we have no skill\n To loosen, but with passion.\n\nDAVID\n\n You too late\n Remember it is so.\n\nMICHAL\n\n Nobility\n All unbelievable it seemed that you\n Could innocently watt on time to tide\n You to the kingdom. Then forgive, I plead.\n\nDAVID\n\n But in the wilderness, your perfidy!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Doubt of it welleth thro\u2019 your voice. No, no,\n To save you strove I----!\n\nDAVID\n\n Michal?\n\nMICHAL\n\n Not to betray!\n From Saul, my father, penitent I fled,\n Seeking you in Engeddi\u2019s wild.\n\nDAVID\n\n And Phalti?\n\nMICHAL\n\n \u2019Twas wedding him I loathed.\n\nDAVID\n\n Say true!\n\nMICHAL\n\n This knife\n Unfailingly into my breast had spared\n Me from him, had not flight.\n\nDAVID\n\n This--this can be?\n\n [_A great joy dawning in him._]\n\n Beyond all hope is it, even as day\u2019s\n Wide empery outspans our littleness.\n\n [_Goes toward her._]\n\n A tithing of thy loveliness were beauty\n Enough for earth. Yet it is mine, is mine?\n\nMICHAL\n\n David--forever! long as odorous\n Cooling o\u2019er Lebanon shall blow, long as\n The swinging sapphire of the sea shall flash\n Up to the sun: until the soul no more\n Is soul, but vapor!\n\nDAVID\n\n Michal!\n\nMICHAL\n\n Evermore!\n\n [_She sinks into his arms, and there is a pause. But a sudden\n confusion of cries is heard and they start apart. The gate is\n flung back and_ ADRIEL _enters, shaken with awe. He looks from\n one to the other, silent_.]\n\nDAVID [_At last._]\n Adriel!\n What have you!\n\nADRIEL\n\n Saul \u2026 is slain!\n\nMICHAL\n\n My father?\n\nADRIEL\n\n Slain!\n And Jonathan----\n\nDAVID\n\n No!\n\nADRIEL\n\n Fell beside him down.\n The fray was fast--Israel fled--the foe\n Fierce after Saul, whom Jonathan defended.\n\nMICHAL\n\n My father!\n\nDAVID\n\n And my brother Jonathan!\n If I believe it will not miracle\n Alone bring joy again unto my pain?\n\n [_The wailing again without, and deeper groans._]\n\n O Israel, the Infinite has touched\n Thy glory and it changes to a shroud!\n Thy splendor is as vintage overspilt.\n For Saul upon the mountains low is lying,\n And Jonathan beside him, beautiful\n Beyond the mar of battle, and of death.\n\n [_He bows his head in tears._]\n\n O kingly Jonathan, would I might give\n The beating of my life into your veins--\n Willing for it would I be drouth and die.\n How are the mighty fallen and the fair!\n\n [_With lifted arm, deeply moved._]\n\n Peaks, mountains of Gilboa, let no more\n Dew be upon you, and as sackcloth let\n Clouds cover you, and ashes be your soil,\n Until I bring upon Philistia\n And Gath and Askalon extinguishing,\n And sorrow--and immensity of tears!\n\n [MICHAL _goes to him and takes his hand. He folds her in\n his arms._]\n\n But we must calm the flowing of this grief.\n Though yet we cannot mind us to remember\n Love will as sandal-breath and trickling balm\n O\u2019erheal us in the unbegotten years,\n Too headlong must not be our agony.\n Hush now thy woundedness, my Michal, now.\n See, o\u2019er the East the lifted wings of dawn.\n\n [_Slowly they climb the stair to the house-top. At they look\n away toward the battle\u2019s rout the clouds part, and the\n full brightness of the sun breaks over them._]\n\n [_CURTAIN._]","title":"David: A Tragedy","tradition":"myth-cosmogony","translated_text":null,"word_count":13548}