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TWO PLAYS OF ISRAEL 
 
TWO PLAYS OF ISRAEL 
 
 DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 MARY MAGDALEN 
 BY 
 FLORENCE WILKINSON &vnXA^4 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 McCLURE, PHILLIPS |- CO. 
 
 MCMIV 
 
LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
 Two Copies Received 
 JUN 3 1904 
 Copyright Entry 
 
 CLASS^ XXo. No. 
 
 coPYe 
 
 V343T2 
 
 Copyright, 1904, ^V 
 FLORENCE WILKINSON 
 
 PubUshed, May, 1904, N 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
SYNOPSIS OF SCENES 
 
 ACT ONE 
 
 Scene : The Well of Bethlehem. 
 
 ACT TWO 
 
 Scene I : The Garden at Gibeah. 
 Scene II : Witch of Endor's House. 
 
 ACT THREE 
 Scene : Room in Saul's Palace. 
 
 ACT FOUR 
 
 Scene I : The Tabernacle. 
 Scene II : Cave of AduUam. 
 
 ACT FIVE 
 
 Scene : The Walls of Gath. 
 
PERSONS ; 
 
 I 
 DAVID 
 
 SAUL I 
 
 AHINOAM i 
 JONATHAN 
 
 MERAB \ 
 
 MICHAL ! 
 
 JESSE I 
 
 DAVID'S MOTHER j 
 
 ELIAB J I 
 
 ABINADAB t Brothers of David | 
 
 SHAMMAH ; j 
 SAMUEL 
 
 ADRIEL I 
 
 PHALTIEL 1 
 
 DOEG \ 
 
 BITHIAH ] 
 
 AMASA -) 1 
 
 ASAHElI Nephews of David j 
 
 AGAG King of Amaiek \ 
 
 HURAI ! 
 
 ELEAZER I 
 
 ACHISH King of Gath 
 
 WITCH OF ENDOR 
 
 ASSHUR A priest ! 
 
 EGLAH A Philistine woman 
 
 Youths, Maidens, Courtiers, Servants, Heralds, 
 Priests, Levites, Philistines, Israelites. 
 
ACT I 
 
 Scene I : A sweep of hill-side in the country, 
 David's well, stone-coped, is in the shade of a great 
 oak-tree. In the distance are the receding blue 
 ranges. The white-roofed village of Bethlehem 
 with its surrounding walls is glimpsed in a fold of 
 the hills. A wooded path, l, with one practical 
 exit hack-stage. Two exits right. 1 e r lead- 
 ing up the mountain and continued on the scene to 
 give the effect of great distance. 2 e r past a 
 palm-tree to Bethlehem. 
 
 A triumphal procession enters from l. 
 
 FIRST HERALD 
 
 coming from l alone 
 Prepare ye the way ! 
 
 He blows on a silver trumpet. 
 
 SECOND HERALD 
 
 blowing on his trumpet 
 Prepare ye the way ! 
 
 [5] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 FIRST YOUTH 
 He hath smitten the enemies of Jehovah. 
 
 SECOND YOUTH 
 He hath laid low them that put us to scorn. 
 
 PROCESSION OF YOUTHS chanting 
 He hath scattered them, 
 Like grass of the field they are withered, 
 Like flowers they are brought to nought. 
 
 HERALDS 
 Prepare ye the way ! 
 
 Shouting heard in distance. Two snow-white 
 oxen, garlanded, form part of the procession that 
 now enters from l. Do eg leads them. Soldiers 
 as from the field of battle. Shouting and huzzas. 
 
 YOUTHS chanting 
 
 He hath brought the enemy to nought. 
 He hath put him in subjection. 
 Lo, even to the gates of Gibeah doth he come nigh. 
 And he who troubled Israel weareth the yoke. 
 
 ALL 
 
 Huzza, huzza ! 
 
 HERALDS 
 
 Prepare ye the way ! 
 
 [6] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 SOLDIERS 
 Saul, Saul ! 
 
 Enter soldiers bearing glittering' burdens, spoil from 
 the conquered. Agag the captive king comes last, 
 bound in chains and alone, a sullen, wolfish man. 
 As he appears, all utter cries of derision. The 
 procession is now at rest, massed up-stage. 
 
 AGAG standing alone 
 
 Ye dogs of Isi'ael ! 
 
 A soldier silences him with threatening gesture. 
 Two young lads, clad in white, bearing banners 
 with device of Benjamin, run lightly across the 
 foreground. Applause. The people fall back, 
 farming a hollow square. 
 
 AD KIEL a courtly exquisite 
 Behold, our king ! 
 
 DOEG 
 
 A red-bearded, crafty man 
 The c-conqueror. 
 
 PEOPLE 
 
 Saul, Saul, all hail ! 
 
 Enter l Saul and Jonathan. Saul is a kingly 
 Hgure of great stature, with unfathomable mela/n- 
 
 [7] 
 
 r 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM ! 
 
 choly in his look. Jonathan a frank, simple 
 youth. 
 
 DOEG ! 
 
 The p- prince beloved ! \ 
 
 PEOPLE i 
 
 \ 
 
 Saul and Jonathan ! Jonathan and Saul ! All \ 
 
 hail ! \ 
 
 \ 
 
 AGAG \ 
 
 Howling hyenas : 
 
 People utter menacing cries, start forward. ; 
 
 SAUL raising his hand j 
 
 Peace, leave him alone ! Has he not suffered i 
 enough ? i 
 
 Enter l Ahinoam, Saul's wife, Merab and\ 
 MiCHAL his daughters, and Bithiah their Ethio- \ 
 pian serving-maid. Greetings pass between them \ 
 and Saul and Jonathan. They stand in a group \ 
 c down-stage. Jonathan and Mtchal linked arm j 
 in arm. Adriel hy Merab his wife, and Saul and \ 
 Ahinoam together. \ 
 
 SAUL I 
 
 Here shall we rest and wait for the prophet 
 
 Samuel. 
 People utter cries of dissatisfaction. \ 
 
 [ 8 ] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 AHINOAM 
 A proud woman of scornful mien, with lip habit- 
 ually curled. 
 Why do the people murmur ? 
 
 VOICES 
 A sacrifice, a sacrifice ! 
 
 AHINOAM to Saul 
 
 You shall be our high priest. 
 
 SAUL 
 Jehovah forbid ! Far be it from me to stand in 
 the prophet^s place. 
 
 AHINOAM to Jonathan 
 
 Beseech your father that he make the sacrifice. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 It is forbidden him, mother. 
 
 MICHAL 
 She is a wild timid dark-eyed creature, half gazelle, 
 half leopard in her couchant intensity. 
 It is for Samuel the prophet. 
 
 AHINOAM 
 Victory is ours. It is also ours to celebrate. 
 The people show signs of uneasiness, swaying hack- 
 ward and forward and murmuring among them- 
 selves. 
 
 [9] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 VOICE ^ 
 
 •J 
 
 Saul is afraid. ' 
 
 AHINOAM 
 
 scqffingly to Saul j 
 
 It may be the gray-beard prophet is asleep, for \ 
 
 he is old and weary. j 
 
 A GAG I 
 
 taking advantage of the confusion j 
 Starved jackals ! 
 
 AHINOAM I 
 
 Or mayhap he hath stumbled, for his feet are in- j 
 
 firm. j 
 
 MERAB I 
 She is Michal''s older sister^ with a wealth of ruddy 
 
 beauty and a placid abundance of good-will, \ 
 
 The flowers are withering. j 
 
 ADRIEL j 
 
 Soon the sun will set. ■ 
 
 j 
 
 AHINOAM to Saul ; 
 
 My lord, the people murmm*. j 
 
 DOEG j 
 
 My lord, shall we order an altar built up .? i 
 
 [ 10 ] i 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 SAUL 
 Is it not enough that I have brought them cattle 
 and sheep and also Agag, the King of the 
 Amalekites ? What will they beside ? 
 
 PEOPLE 
 An altar, an altar ! 
 
 AHINOAM 
 Saul, take courage, for you are king and con- 
 queror. Build up an altar and sacrifice. 
 The people Jling up their arms in approval. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 Wait but a little while. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 Father, you are so great and the victory is so 
 great, cannot they have patience ? 
 
 JONATHAN 
 My father, you are forbidden to sacrifice. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 And who is he that should lay commandment upon 
 me ? Build ye then an altar ! 
 
 DOEG 
 repeating the command to the soldiers 
 Build ye an altar. 
 
 [11] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 Soldiers run hither and thither heaping stones. 
 The two young men stand behind with banners. 
 Youths heap flowers. 
 
 MICHAL to her father 
 
 Father, my father, I fear that this is a wrong and 
 Jehovah will not forget. 
 
 SAUL to MiCHAL 
 
 Take your hand from off my robe. Let the burnt 
 offering be placed upon the altar. 
 
 DOEG 
 So be it, my lord. 
 
 Smoke arises from the altar as Saul stands beside 
 it. 
 
 VOICE 
 And is Saul also among the prophets ? 
 
 CRIES 
 Huzza, huzza! The day of the Lord ! 
 
 PEOPLE chanting 
 
 He hath laid them low, laid them low. 
 Agag he hath brought captive. 
 The pride of Amalek perishes. 
 Sudden silence. The faces of all turned to the l, 
 to a footpath from the hills. A solitary figure^ 
 white-bearded^ clad in a long white mantle^ appears, 
 
 [12] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MICHAL 
 The Prophet Samuel ! 
 
 SAUL 
 Blessed be thou of Jehovah ! 
 
 SAMUEL 
 Saul, woe unto thee ! 
 
 He knocks down the altar of stones with his staff 
 ajid tramples on the flowers. Shudder of horror 
 from the people. Saul utters an exclamation^ tot- 
 ters, leans heavily on Doeg. Ahinoam runs to 
 him on the other side, hut he spurns her. Michal 
 utters a faint cry and seizes Jonathan's hand. 
 
 MICHAt. 
 Alas, my brother ! 
 
 SAMUEL 
 Saul, you have broken the commandment of Je- 
 hovah. 
 
 SAUL 
 Nay, I have performed His commandment. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 Was not His commandment, Bring not a spoil 
 of the conquered peoples, but destroy them 
 utterly and sacrifice not till the prophet 
 come ? 
 
 [13] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 SAUL 
 I have obeyed. I have gone the way which Je- 
 hovah sent me. I have taken captive Agag 
 and I have destroyed his people utterly. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 
 What means then this lowing of the cattle which 
 I hear and the smoke which ascends ? 
 
 SAUL 
 The people took of the spoil to sacrifice unto Je- 
 hovah by the well of Bethlehem. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt offerings 
 as in obedience ? 
 
 SAUL 
 Because thou camest not within the hours ap- 
 pointed and because of the victory, I forced 
 myself therefore, and offered the burnt 
 offering. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 Foolishly have ye done. 
 The people groan and prostrate themselves, 
 
 AGAG 
 
 Lick ye the dust before the gray-beard. 
 
 [14] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 SAMUEL 
 
 You have sinned because you have forsaken Je- 
 hovah and lo, his punishment will descend 
 upon you. 
 
 The people wail. 
 
 SAUL 
 Nay, nay, not on them, not on my people. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 Let it fall on me, the seed of Saul. 
 
 MICHAL 
 And on me, his daughter ! 
 
 SAUL 
 No, not on them, not on my children beloved. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 Choose, then, on you and your house or on these 
 
 people. 
 A long pause, while Saul thinks. 
 
 SAUL 
 I have chosen. 
 
 The people wail. 
 
 PEOPLE 
 Woe unto us, woe, woe ! 
 
 [15] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM I 
 
 I 
 
 SAUL \ 
 
 It is I alone that have sinned. Let the curse fall i 
 on me alone. 
 
 SAMUEL I 
 
 Let the people go. Let them depart, each man ; 
 to his house. : 
 
 The people scatter in various directions, r and l, 
 the two young men with banners lowered. Agag 
 remains in the centre with his hands hound. \ 
 
 AGAG ' 
 
 Like foxes, each one to his hole. ; 
 
 J)o^G pricTcs him with his spear and so drives him out. \ 
 
 ' i 
 
 ADRIEL to MeRAB ! 
 
 I 
 
 Come, let us depart to our home. \ 
 
 MERAB pouting \ 
 
 The day has been spoiled. ' 
 
 Exeunt Merab and Adriel. : 
 
 SAUL to Ahinoam. ; 
 
 Woman, go with your daughter. 
 Exit Ahinoam, heckoning to Bithiah, r. \ 
 
 MICHAL I 
 
 kneeling hy Samuel i 
 
 Deal gently with him, I pray ! ^ 
 
 She hisses her father'' s hand and goes out with \ 
 
 Jonathan. j 
 
 [16] \ 
 
 I 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 JONATHAN as he departs 
 
 Father, we will wait for you by the terebinth-tre^. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 
 Saul, when you were little in your own sight, you 
 
 were made king over Israel, and Jehovah 
 
 would have established your kingdom upon 
 
 Israel forever, but now it shall not continue. 
 
 SAUL 
 I pray you, pardon, pardon. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 Jehovah hath sought him a man after his own 
 heart who shall rule in your place. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 The punishment is greater than I can bear. Nay, 
 nay, it must not be so. My seed shall pos- 
 sess the kingdom after me. Leave me, man 
 of iron. He turns from Samuel. Nay, 
 leave me not. 
 
 He clings to Samuel's mantle, which is torn in his 
 
 hands. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 
 Even thus hath Jehovah rent the kingdom of 
 Israel from you this day and given it to an- 
 other. 
 
 [17] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM ' 
 
 The sky is darkened and there is lightning and ; 
 thunder as Samuel departs the way he came, j 
 '^A.\]i. falls down^face hetiveen his knees, moaning. ] 
 
 SAUL musing ■ 
 
 The kingdom is rent from me and is given unto ' 
 my neighbor, one greater than I, Jehovah { 
 does not he, neither will He repent. ■ 
 
 Laughter is heard from e l. Am as a and Asahel, 
 yowng lads of fifteen, nephews of David, run, \ 
 laughing breathlessly, over stones and bowlders. \ 
 They carry between them a basket of fruits and j 
 cakes. They look behind them. i 
 
 AMASA \ 
 
 Look there ! ; 
 
 ASAHEL 
 There he comes. 
 
 AMASA 
 
 Down, stoop down ! : 
 
 ASAHEL I 
 
 Quick, he will see us. j 
 They crouch behind the ruined altar of stones, j 
 Som£ of the stones roll under their feet. They j 
 
 laugh. :; 
 
 AMASA ' ' I 
 
 Hush! ^ii 
 
 [18 ] ' 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 David's voice 
 
 from the l, singing 
 The mountains were glad, 
 Yea, the httle hills rejoiced 
 At His coming. 
 AsAHEL lifts his head and Amasa pulls him down. 
 
 SAUL still unheeding 
 
 I am brought down to the grave. 
 Enter David, 1 e r, carrying his harp twined 
 with red anemones. He is a slight but stalwart 
 lad of twenty, with a poefs brow and a hearing of 
 distinction. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Awake up, my glory ; 
 Awake, psaltery and harp ! 
 I myself will awake early. 
 Hearing a noise behind the altar he stops. 
 But a few minutes ago and the lads were with 
 me and now I see them nowhere. I saw them 
 flying through the rocks ahead and then they 
 vanished. 
 Amasa and Asahel spring up, holding over 
 David's head a wreath of wild olives they have 
 taken from the basket. 
 
 [19] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 A crown ! 
 
 Saul, attracted by this word, looks suddenly 
 
 round. The hoys drop the wreath in confusion. 
 
 SAUL 
 What there ? 
 
 All three are covered with confusion, David picks 
 up the wreath and toys with it. The two hoys fal- 
 ter backward toward 2 e r, while Saul's eyes are 
 fixed on David. 
 
 SAUL 
 Cannot you speak ? 
 
 DAVID 
 My lord ? 
 
 SAUL 
 What do you here and with that crown ? 
 
 DAVID 
 
 The play of children. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 taking it from David''s hand 
 The play of children is not with crowns. 
 He cuts it in two with his sword and hurls it down. 
 The two hoys stand amazed at his violence. 
 To David. 
 Your name ? 
 
 [20] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 David of Bethlehem, son of Jesse. 
 Exeunt the boys. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 And these ? 
 
 DAVID 
 
 They will answer for themselves. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 They have answered as do the wild antelopes 
 when man calls them. They flee. Am I 
 then so terrible ? 
 
 DAVID 
 You terrify me not. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 You do not fear ? 
 
 grasping him hy the arm, 
 
 DAVID 
 My lord, I know not what is fear. I have 
 watched the lone night on the mountain and 
 bearded the lion when he roared after his 
 prey. Why then should I fear mortal man 
 to whom I have done no harm ? 
 [21] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Innocent ! You know not fear, nor remorse that 
 gnaws at the heart, nor shame that burns 
 the soul. Do you know me ? 
 
 DAVID 
 I think that you are one of the great, but your 
 name is unknown to me. I am but a shep- 
 herd lad, feeding my father's flock among 
 the hills of Bethlehem. 
 
 SAUL 
 And this harp ? 
 
 DAVID 
 I love to awake music among the hills. I watch 
 the stars over Bethlehem and the moon 
 when she arises behind the cedars. I sing 
 them on my harp. It makes also the melody 
 of falling waters and of the rain-storms 
 among the hills. ' 
 
 SAUL 
 Happy one ! Your errand here ? 
 
 DAVID 
 My brothers are great ones and are returning 
 from afar. Have you not heard the fame of 
 Eliab the potter and of Abinadab, the king's 
 standard-bearer? 
 
 [22] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 SAUL 
 
 The king ? 
 
 DAVID 
 Yes, my lord. And I was sent with my nephews 
 to meet them and bring them refreshment. 
 
 SAUL 
 What do your brothers say of the king ? 
 
 DAVID 
 That he is noble and brave. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 A godly man ? 
 
 DAVID 
 Like one of the prophets. 
 
 SAUL 
 Are they pleased with his kingship ? 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Yes, my lord. 
 
 SAUL 
 They would protect him to the death ? 
 
 DAVID 
 To the death and I, too, my lord. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Are you fain to serve the king ? 
 
 [23] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 I would serve him with my hfe. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 So you long for the tumult of life ? 
 
 DAVID 
 If I might serve Saul my king. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Swear to me your loyalty to your king. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 clasping Saul's hand 
 I swear. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 What have you here in this basket ? 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Fruit, my lord, and cakes for my three brothers. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Spread out that we may eat. 
 
 David unpacks the contents of the basket. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Have you been at Gibeah and seen the king ? 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Yes, I have seen him. What, raisins ? 
 
 [24] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 A lordly man to look upon ? 
 
 SAUL 
 
 And cakes of barley, also ? He is dark, yes, and 
 tall. 
 
 DAVID 
 Royal in manner ? 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Abrupt, they say, and of an evil temper. Milk 
 in a bottle ! 
 
 DAVID 
 It is his kingly wrath at follies and the things that 
 are wrong. 
 
 SAUL 
 Fall to eating, boy. 
 
 DAVID 
 I cannot eat. My heart is bursting. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 At what ? 
 
 DAVID 
 At the thought that you have seen the king. 
 Have you sat at meat with him ? 
 
 SAUL 
 Even as I do now with you. Eat, eat ! 
 
 [25] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 
 rising and going to the well 
 No, no, I am not hungry. Will you not have 
 
 water from the well of Bethlehem ? 
 He draws water and offers a cup to Saul, who 
 drinks. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Did you hear SauFs army as it went through the 
 hills to Gibeah ? 
 
 DAVID 
 Nought but huzzas and the trampling of feet like 
 the noise of many waters, but I was afar 
 among the caves, looking for my sheep. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Did you hear no other sound ? 
 
 DAVID 
 Jehovah thundered among His mountains and the 
 lightning was upon the waters like a sword. 
 
 SAUL gloomily 
 
 When the curse fell upon me ! 
 
 DAVID 
 
 My lord ? 
 
 [26] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 SAUL 
 Sing me one of your songs. I am troubled. 
 David takes his harp while Saul rests himself 
 against the oak-tree, shading his eyes with a fold of 
 his robe. 
 
 DAVID singing 
 
 The Lord my shepherd is, 
 
 I shall not want. 
 In the green pastures shall I lie 
 
 And walk beside still waters. 
 
 The Lord my soul restores ; 
 
 He leadeth me 
 In paths of righteousness 
 
 For His name''s sake. 
 
 Enter from 2 e r, unnoticed, Jonathan and 
 
 MiCHAL. 
 
 Yea, though I walk in night. 
 
 In death's dark valley, 
 Yet will I fear no evil, 
 
 For Thou art with me. 
 
 Mich A L, as if fascinated, has been approaching 
 David. At the conclusion of this last strophe 
 he sees her and rises, surprised. She puts her 
 
 [27] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 finger on her Up to signify silence and he sings 
 
 again. 
 
 Yet I will fear no evil. 
 
 For Thou art with me. 
 
 As David sings, Michal continues to approach, 
 
 her finger still upheld in warning. 
 
 My cup runs over. 
 
 Goodness and mercy follow me — 
 
 David stops singing hut plays. Michal takes up 
 the music, unconsciously. 
 
 MICHAL singing 
 
 And in the king's house thou shalt dwell 
 All thy life's days. 
 
 At the new voice Saul turns and sees them side by 
 side. His rohe which he has been holding before his 
 eyes drops from his uplifted hand. David and 
 Michal smile, looking first at Saul, then at each 
 other. 
 
 SAUL 
 Is this a dream ? 
 Enter quietly from 2 e r, Doeg. 
 
 to Doeg 
 
 Is this a dream ? 
 
 DOEG 
 My lord .? 
 
 [28] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 SAUL 
 Do you see yon two ? 
 
 DOEG 
 A shepherd lad and 
 
 SAUL 
 Peace ! (to DavidJ Sing again ! 
 
 DOEG 
 My lord king, the shepherd lad hath bewitched 
 you. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 prostrating himself 
 The king ! My lord Saul ! 
 
 SAUL 
 Why have you come, all of you, to trouble my 
 
 joy? 
 
 DOEG 
 
 Your people wait for you, sire, at Gibeah. 
 
 DAVID to Jonathan 
 
 The king ! I knew not. And you are the 
 prince Jonathan. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 Yes, he is the king, my father, and you have 
 brought him peace. 
 
 [29] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID to MiCHAL I 
 
 And you are SauPs daughter ! The king^s 
 daughter ! ; 
 
 MICHAL 
 Only Michal. 
 
 DAVID enraptured j 
 
 Michal, Michal. 
 
 t: 
 
 DOEG i 
 
 My lord, the army waits before the gates of i 
 
 Gibeah. i 
 
 i 
 SAUL I 
 
 Come, come, I have delayed too long. 
 
 I 
 MICHAL I 
 
 lingering to David ' 
 
 Shall I not also know your name ? 
 
 DAVID I 
 
 I am David of Bethlehem. I 
 
 I 
 MICHAL I 
 
 You shall be known as David, the sweet singer. ilij 
 
 I 
 SAUL 
 
 My lad, remember that Saul the king is your 
 
 friend. 
 
 [30] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 JONATHAN 
 And Jonathan also, until my life's end. 
 They clasp hands. Exeunt S e r, Jonathan and 
 
 MiCHAL. 
 
 DOEG 
 
 as he goes out with Saul 
 All this for a herd-boy, a smooth-faced tender 
 of sheep ! 
 
 DAVID 
 How beautiful is the king's daughter! She is 
 like morning upon the hills. 
 
 He rearranges the fragments in his basket. 
 
 Supper with a king and song with a, king's daugh- 
 ter, with Michal ! Talcing his harp. Happy 
 harp ! She has sung to the sound of your 
 strings. I wish also that she had eaten from 
 this loaf. 
 
 He holds the loaf in both hands longingly. Enter 
 Michal from e. David drops the loaf with a 
 start. 
 
 MICHAL shyly 
 
 I have lost my — ring. I twirled it thus between 
 my fingers and it — fell. 
 [31] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 JONATHAN 
 
 appearing a^ ^ e r 
 Do you find it, Michal ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 JONATHAN 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Not yet. 
 
 I will help you. 
 
 No, no. 
 
 I will help her. | 
 
 MICHAL pointing l 
 
 Jonathan, please look for it there, beneath the 
 terebinth-tree. I 
 
 JONATHAN going out l ; 
 
 Over here ? ; 
 
 MICHAL j 
 
 Further off, still further. Yes. j 
 
 David loohs for the ring while Michal looks for \ 
 
 it also, glancing shyly up at him from time to j 
 time, 
 
 DAVID 
 I am sorry. I do not find it. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 Why, here it is, slipped within this plaiting of | 
 my robe. 
 
 [32] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Where ? 
 
 He goes to her and they stand very close, looking 
 
 at the ring. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Now I suppose I must go. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Would you not like a — drink of water ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 Yes, I think so. Indeed, I am very thirsty. 
 
 DAVID drawing water 
 
 I will draw you some. 
 
 MICHAL watching 
 
 How well you do that, how wondei-ful I 
 
 DAVID 
 
 It is not difficult. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Let me. 
 
 David hands her the rope to let down into the 
 well, 
 
 MICHAL 
 as she lets the vessel drop too suddenly 
 Alack, what have I done ? 
 Both laugh. 
 
 [33] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 Here is enough. 
 He pours water into a hoivl and hands it to her. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 after she has drunk 
 And you ? 
 
 David takes it, turns it to the same place where 
 she had sipped, then, smiling at her, drinks. He 
 holds the cup in his hand till after Michal's de- 
 parture. 
 
 Jonathan's voice 
 
 Michal, Michal ! 
 
 MICHAL 
 I must go. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 And I shall see you no more ! 
 
 MICHAL 
 Shall see me no more ! 
 
 Jonathan's voice nearer 
 
 Michal ! 
 
 MICHAL 
 I come, I come. 
 Jonathan appears at l 
 Farewell, David. 
 
 [34] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 JONATHAN 
 Farewell, David, and we shall surely meet again. 
 
 DAVID 
 God be with you ! 
 
 Exeunt 2 e r, Jonathan and Michal. David 
 looks at the cup, which he still holds in his hands. 
 Cup of my joy which the lips of the princess have 
 touched. 
 
 He dashes the cup to the ground. 
 Her lips shall be the last that have touched your 
 brim. 
 
 Singing. 
 
 The king shall joy in my strength, 
 
 How greatly shall he rejoice ! 
 
 Thou hast given me my heart's desire, 
 
 The request of my lips thou hast not withholden. 
 
 Enter e l, Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah — David's 
 three brothers. Eliab, a great hulk of humanity^ 
 huge-voiced and shaggy -maned. Abinadab, a 
 loose-limbed, stalking scout., with long-Jingered ac- 
 tive hands. Shammah., a square-built son of the 
 soil, with a wide mouth open to easy mirth. He is 
 incongruously decked in gauds. 
 
 [35] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID singing 
 
 On my head thou settest a crown of pure gold, 
 And makest me blest forever. 
 
 ELIAB vociferously 
 
 Dreamer, awake ! 
 
 ABINADAB 
 Prater of gold crowns. 
 
 DAVID springing up 
 
 My brothers ! 
 
 ELIAB 
 
 Well may you cry ! Is it thus that you watch 
 for your brothers ? 
 
 ABINADAB 
 
 as David greets him affectionately 
 I had rather your cakes than your embraces. 
 
 SHAMMAH 
 Spread your mantle on the herbage, David, so 
 that I soil not my fine trappings. 
 
 ELIAB 
 
 Are we not brave brothers for you ? The Amal- 
 
 ekites fled before us like chaff" before the 
 wind. 
 
 [36] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 He seizes David with rough jocularity to over- 
 throw him in illustration of his meaning, but 
 David withstands him. 
 
 Even so they toppled ! 
 
 ABINADAB 
 Even so they withstood you ! 
 
 ELIAB 
 
 drinking a bottle of milk 
 Even so they vanished! 
 
 ABINADAB 
 Your fingers are fitter for the potter's wheel than 
 for the use of weapons, EHab. 
 
 SHAMMAH 
 You have not provided for a babe, David. Is 
 this meat for the appetite of a soldier ? 
 
 DAVID 
 My lord the king hath supped with me. There- 
 fore I have not more for you. 
 
 SHAMMAH 
 Star-gazer! You have been no nearer the king 
 than you are to wearing this robe of mine. 
 Care! Soil it not with your foot, herd-boy! 
 [37] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 ABINADAB 
 I shrewdly surmise that you yourself are the king 
 with your dream-crown of pure gold upon 
 your head that have emptied this basket 
 before our coming. 
 
 ELIAB 
 
 as they all rise to go 
 
 Stay here then, little brother, and sing by the 
 water-courses. We go to follow the real 
 king. Some time I will send for you and 
 perhaps you may be my armor-bearer. 
 
 SHAMMAH 
 In time you may be like unto us. Come, 
 brothers. 
 
 As they start on their way 1 e r they are met by 
 Jesse, his wife and a servant, coming from Bethle- 
 hem. 
 
 JESSE 
 
 as they greet each other 
 
 My sons, a solemn message has brought me hither. 
 The prophet Samuel has sent for you to meet 
 you in these hills apart. 
 [38] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 SHAM M AH to David 
 
 What are you waiting for, olive-branch ? Run to 
 your caves and thistles. 
 
 DAVID^S MOTHER 
 Farewell, beloved. 
 
 DAVID 
 Farewell, mother. Farewell all. I am off to my 
 sheep-tower. 
 
 Exit David e l 
 
 JESSE 
 The elders come. 
 
 Enter one by one three patriarchs^ pacing in studied 
 solemnity. Greetings are exchanged. 
 
 FIRST ELDER 
 I much misdoubt me some calamity overhangs. 
 
 SECOND ELDER 
 The Philistines, perhaps, have stolen the Urim 
 and Thummim. 
 
 THIRD ELDER 
 It is well that we are called. Samuel hath re- 
 spect to our wisdom. 
 [39] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 JESSE 
 Who can say ? But lo, he comes ! 
 Enter Samuel e l and a servant, bearing a cruse 
 of oil. All rise and bow low. 
 
 JESSE 
 Welcome, thou man of God. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 Jehovah be with you. 
 
 ALL 
 
 And with you. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 Are your sons all here ? 
 
 JESSE 
 They are all here. 
 
 DAVID^S MOTHER 
 There remains yet the youngest and he keeps the 
 sheep. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 Send and fetch him, for we will wait till he come 
 
 hither. 
 Servant is despatched, e l 
 
 FIRST ELDER 
 What would he with his cruse of oil ? 
 
 [40] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 SECOND ELDER 
 Shall a new prophet be set over us ? 
 
 THIRD ELDER 
 Or a new king ? 
 
 SAMUEL 
 Let your sons pass before me. 
 
 ELIAB 
 Lo, I am the eldest. 
 
 ABINADAB 
 I am before you as Saul's standard-bearer. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 In time of peace I am come to sacrifice unto Je- 
 hovah and to anoint His elect unto His 
 chosen office. 
 
 JESSE 
 A prophet, a priest.'' Not a new king over Is- 
 rael ? 
 
 SAMUEL 
 Jehovah will disclose His will when the time is 
 
 ripe. Let them stand before me. 
 The three sons stand before Samuel in turny each 
 with characteristic expression and attitude. Be- 
 fore eachy after earnestly looking, Samuel hows his 
 
 [41] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 head in disappointment. The elders earnestly 
 copy each gesture of the prophet Samuel. 
 
 . SAMUEL 
 Has your youngest son not yet come ? 
 
 ELIAB 
 The stripling, the smooth-faced! 
 
 ABINADAB 
 Out of the mouths of babes and suckHngs ! 
 
 SHAMMAH 
 With the sheep-skin on his shoulder and the flute 
 
 to his mouth ! 
 David enters e l, running^ his harp^ twined with 
 anemones, in his hand. 
 
 DAVID^S MOTHER 
 Beloved ! 
 
 DAVID saluting 
 
 I have come fleet-foot from the sheep-folds. My 
 mother! My father! 
 
 SAMUEL 
 
 Samuel, speaking apart with David's mother, 
 
 David is set apart for the kingship, but Jehovah 
 
 reveals it not to him nor to Israel till the 
 
 time be come. David, my son, hither! 
 
 [42] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 David approaches Samuel and bows before him 
 as the prophet anoints his head with oil. 
 He is now the anointed of Jehovah. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 My cup runs over! Leave us together alone, I 
 pray you. 
 
 Exeunt by r all but Samuel, David, and his 
 
 mother. 
 
 SAMUEL to David's mother 
 
 You are his mother. Stay by us. To David. 
 The voice of Jehovah speaketh through me 
 unto you. Hearken. You shall deliver the 
 land, you, David, from the hand of the Phil- 
 istines and from the hand of all the heathen. 
 The vision of the Lord be upon you. 
 
 The spirit of God descends upon David. After 
 
 a period of silence he speaks, but as if to himself 
 
 alone. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Lo, I see a house made desolate. 
 
 A voice of weeping and a voice of lamentation, 
 
 A strong man bowed down. 
 
 SAMUEL to himself 
 
 The Vision of the House of Saul ! 
 
 [43] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID wrapt in his vision 
 A lion is come up from his thicket. 
 He is gone forth from his place to make the land 
 desolate. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 A Vision of the Strife between Saul and David. 
 
 DAVID 
 I go down to the potter's house and, behold, he 
 
 worketh a work on the wheels; 
 The vessel he maketh of clay is marred in the 
 
 hands of the potter. 
 He breaketh it on the floor that it falleth into bits. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 A Vision of the Sin of Saul. 
 
 DAVID 
 He maketh again another vessel as seemeth good 
 
 to the potter; 
 Oh, people of Israel, cannot I do with you as this 
 
 potter ? 
 Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are 
 
 ye in my hand. 
 Even a full wind comes now unto me, 
 I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, 
 
 O my soul, 
 
 [44] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 The sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. 
 The priests shall be astonished and the prophets 
 
 shall wonder. 
 Behold, he cometh up as clouds and his chariots 
 
 are as a whirlwind. 
 His horses are swifter than eagles. 
 Salvation cometh from the hills and from the 
 
 multitude of mountains. 
 
 SAMUEL 
 A Vision of the Victory of David. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 with a relapse to infinite sadness 
 
 Oh, that thou hadst hearkened to His command- 
 ments ! 
 
 Then had thy peace been as a river and thy right- 
 eousness as the waves of the sea. 
 
 Thou art carried into a far country: 
 
 Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter. 
 
 Take the mill-stones and grind meal. 
 
 Sit thee silent and get thee into darkness, 
 
 For thou shalt no more be called the Lady of 
 Kingdoms ! 
 
 David slowly awakens from his trance. 
 
 [45] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 SAMUEL 
 A Vision of the Long Captivity. As in a glass he 
 sees the future darkly. 
 
 DAVID^S MOTHER 
 Beloved, what have you seen ? 
 Did you see the vision of yourself ? Did you see 
 the victor's face ? 
 
 DAVID 
 Myself I saw not, nor any man whose face I know. 
 But kings and princes saw I and they bowed 
 before a shepherd-lad. 
 Amasa and Asahel enter hurriedly from 2 e r. 
 They salute. 
 
 ASAHEL 
 Huzza, huzza! A messenger from the king. 
 
 Enter 1 e r the three brothers. 
 
 AMASA 
 Good news ! A messenger from the king ! 
 
 SHAMMAH 
 The king will appoint me his body-guard. 
 
 ELIAB 
 I to be Captain over a hundred. 
 
 Enter 2 e r, Doeg, bowing ironically to all. 
 [46] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DOEG 
 
 Is there here a son of Jesse ? The three brothers 
 
 push forward. By the name of David ? 
 
 DAVID 
 It is I. 
 
 DOEG 
 Who keeps the sheep ? 
 
 DAVID 
 It is I. 
 
 DOEG 
 The king summons you to his palace at Gibeah. 
 
 DAVID^S MOTHER 
 Beloved, already your future dawns brightly. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 I know not. If it be greatness to serve my king, 
 to win the friendship of the king's son, of the 
 king's daughter, then am I called to great- 
 ness. I ask no more. 
 
 He waves his hand in exultant farewell. 
 
 To the king — the king. 
 
 Curtain 
 
 [47] 
 
ACT II 
 
 Scene I : The Summer Garden at Gibeah : A 
 Syrian garden^ springtime, with blush of almond- 
 trees on hill-slopes and one hurst of bloom above 
 a rustic seat, c. A path leads away through roses 
 and lilies, 1 e r. 2 e r conducts to the camp of 
 Philistia. On the l is shown the facade of Saul's 
 palace, low, delicate in color, with elaborately scidp- 
 tured windows and doors. 1 e l leads to Gibeah, 
 behind the palace. A door^ 2 e l, enters the 
 palace. 
 
 On the seat are gay patterns in embroidery, thrown 
 down in the merry melee of Saul's idle courtiers. 
 Seated on the sward are a group of Tnerrymakers, 
 Merab, Adriel, and others, men and maidens, six 
 or eight. Two black serving-maids with fans, fol- 
 low their mistresses, fanning them. Eleazer, an 
 old gardener, gnarled of figure, hindly and winter- 
 apple of face, putters in the garden, upstage. 
 The curtain rises on a whirl of chatter. 
 
 [48] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 MERAB 
 Listen, have ye all heard the news ? 
 
 ALL 
 
 What, what ? 
 
 MERAB 
 We have a new darling amongst us. 
 
 ALL 
 
 Who? 
 
 MERAB 
 
 King Saul has caught on the hills a shepherd lad, 
 a wild herdsboy. 
 
 ADRIEL 
 Who knows nothing but to feed sheep. 
 
 MERAB 
 And to sing ! Oh, ye should hear him warble. 
 She laughs. 
 
 ADRIEL 
 Have you heard him ? 
 
 MERAB laughing 
 
 At his window in the early morning. " A psalm 
 to my black ewe ! " "Ditty to the crook- 
 horned ram ! '' 
 All laugh. 
 
 [49] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 ADRIEL 
 It was the fancy of Saul to send for him and lo ! 
 Saul has not yet given him audience. Such 
 is the black humor of the king. 
 
 MERAB clapping her hands 
 I have it, I have it ! 
 
 ALL 
 Who, what ? 
 
 ELEAZER 
 
 drawing near, with a crooked, stooping gait 
 
 Have you caught a hornet. Princess Merab ? 
 
 They do have slender waists, the hornets, 
 
 but a sting at t'other end, terrific. There 
 
 be drawbacks to everything. 
 
 All laugh. 
 
 MERAB 
 
 Not a hornet, but an idea has stung me. 
 
 ELEAZER moving away 
 
 They do be troublesome as hornets some years 
 and a deal harder to kill. 
 
 MERAB 
 Let us hold mock court here and summon this 
 David, this shepherd man. 
 [50] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 A MAIDEN 
 Is that his name, David, David ? 
 
 A MAN 
 'Tis a curious name, an odd conceit, to title a 
 
 man so, David, David ! 
 All repeat the name drolly. 
 
 ALL 
 
 David ! David ! 
 
 ADRIEL rising" 
 
 We shall have rare sport with this unlettered 
 
 clo^vn. 
 All rise and huddle around Merab and Adriel. 
 
 MERAB 
 
 Bithiah shall be queen. 
 
 They seat the black maid on the rustic bench and 
 
 crown her with leaves. 
 
 ADRIEL 
 Lu, she k.black but comelyr 
 
 MERAB 
 
 Who shall be our king ? 
 
 VOICES 
 1,1! 
 
 [51] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 ADMEL 
 Let us fetch Hurai, the chief cook. He is of a 
 
 lordly stomach. 
 A young man goes off^ running, 1 e l. 
 
 ADRIEL 
 There shall be footmen at the steps of the throne. 
 Hither, Eleazer, to us ! 
 
 ALL 
 
 Eleazer ! Good, good ! 
 
 Eleazer throws aside a weed he has just up- 
 rooted. 
 
 ELEAZER 
 I cannot come to ye. I am busy with these other 
 weeds. 
 
 MERAB 
 to a young man, cajolingly 
 Serve us as a footman for the nonce ! 
 
 ADRIEL to a maiden 
 
 You, also, shall attend the throne. 
 The maiden and young man, amid laughter, are 
 seated on cushions helow the bench. 
 
 MERAB 
 Now let one go for David and we shall watch his 
 manner of behavior. 
 
 [52] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 Young man goes off i^unning, 2 e l. First 
 young man returns 1 e l, with Hurai, a fat and 
 pompous person ivho resents their fun at his ex- 
 pense, 
 
 ADRIEL 
 
 Let us have his apron off. 
 
 MERAB 
 No, no. What does David know of the attire of 
 
 palace servants ? It will be to him as a 
 
 robe of state. We will put your mantle on 
 
 Hurai above the cook's apron. 
 Adriel's gorgeous robe is put on Hurai and he 
 is seated on the bench beside Bithiah, to the daze- 
 ment and discomfort of them both. General chat- 
 ter. 
 
 ADRIEL 
 Silence. David comes. I will be spokesman. 
 Enter, 2 e l, David a7id the young man. 
 David, the time being ripe, the king sends for 
 
 you. 
 He points to Hurai and Bithiah. 
 Our gracious queen also will greet you. Do them 
 
 obeisance. 
 As David calmly meets their eyes their tittering 
 mirth changes to admiration at his bearing. 
 
 [53] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MAIDEN 
 Indeed, he is no unlettered clown. 
 
 MERAB 
 
 Will you not kneel before our queen ? 
 David kneels before Merab. All laugh, 
 
 DAVID 
 O Queen of Merrymakers, I salute you. 
 He kisses her hand. 
 But the king I see not. 
 Eleazer appears around the garden path. 
 David perceives him, goes to him and hows. 
 King of the garden, good son of our old father 
 Adam, you are the finest gentleman of us all. 
 There is a laugh at Adriel"'s expense and applause 
 for David. E7iter, from the palace, 2 e l, 
 MiCHAL. She pauses, surveying the group curi- 
 ously. 
 
 MERAB 
 Well spoken, David. You have found a king 
 among us, but who is your queen, queen of 
 your heart ? 
 David looks about, sees Michal. She comes for- 
 ward, her eyes upon him. 
 
 [54] 
 
ACTTWOrSCENEONE j 
 
 ADRIEL I 
 Among the hills, perhaps, you have a lass ? 
 
 DAVID ) 
 
 slowly and significantly j 
 
 Among the hills I had a lass. I was a prince i 
 
 there. j 
 
 ALL surprised \ 
 
 A prince ? i 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Free as the wind, who roameth wherever he list- ; 
 
 eth. Free to wander, to sing, to love, prince \ 
 
 of hill and dale. In the palace of King Saul, i 
 
 I am his harp-player. A harp-player may ; 
 
 not look upon a king's daughter. I have no j 
 
 lass here. f 
 MiCHAL sighs deeply and moves away among the 
 
 trees, c. Abui^i. follows her. I 
 
 ADRIEL 1 
 
 Wherefore that deep sigh, little maiden ? i 
 
 MICHAL i 
 A sigh ? I do not know wherefore I sighed. 
 
 Of all the courtiers David alone observes the ap~ \ 
 proach o/*King Saul. 
 
 [55] i 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 The King, the King ! 
 
 Saul and Jonathan enter, wrapt in deep con- 
 verse, and come suddenly upon the careless confu- 
 sion of the garden-idlers. 
 
 SAUL 
 Humiliation upon humiliation, disgrace upon dis- 
 grace ! And now comes a challenge from 
 Goliath, giant son of Anakim. And not 
 one of our people stands forth to answer. 
 He frowns upon the merry group. 
 What here ? 
 
 BiTHiAH and Hurai, apprehensive, tumble down 
 from the improvised throne. Their action attracts 
 the attention of the others, who then shrink away 
 from Saul, in habitual fear of his black look. 
 
 SAUL 
 Out! Dawdlers! While Israel perishes, ye 
 
 wanton the time. Begone ! 
 All scatter r and l but David, Jonathan, Michal, 
 and Merab. 
 Who is yon lad ? 
 
 DAVID 
 My lord, I am David, son of Jesse. 
 
 [ 66 ] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 Merab languidly goes to the bench and picks up 
 her embroidery, 
 
 SAUL blankly 
 
 David, son of Jesse. 
 
 DAVID 
 My lord, I played the harp for you by the well 
 
 of Bethlehem. 
 
 SAUL 
 The harp-player ! I remember. The shepherd lad 
 
 with his brave and simple heart. I remember. 
 His face lightens. 
 
 You are loyal yet, in this mob of seekers ? Come 
 with me, lad, to my chamber. 
 David follows Saul. Michal stands musingly^ 
 toying with a white rose which she has taken from 
 her hair. She is between David and the door of 
 the palace. As David approaches, she moves 
 slightly, but as if accidentally, to stand between him 
 and the door. He bows and would pass, awaiting. 
 She drops the rose, looking at him and then down 
 to her fallen rose. He glances at the rose and then 
 at her. Meanwhile, Saul and Jonathan have dis- 
 appeared, 2 E L. 
 
 DAVID gravely 
 
 Princess, your father awaits me. 
 
 [57] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL 
 David, I have dropped a rose. 
 David pichs up the Jlower and hands it to her. 
 She does not take it, but looks at it, while he stead- 
 ily offers it. She receives it, speaking. 
 Have you forgotten ? Though my father forgets, 
 his daughter remembers ! 
 
 DAVID 
 
 What do you remember ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 I remember your kindness to — my father. And 
 you? 
 
 DAVID 
 I have forgotten nothing. But also I remember 
 that you — are a king's daughter and I — a 
 harp-player at the king's footstool. 
 Exit David, 2 e. l. Michal stands doubtfully, 
 the rose in her hand, then, with a passionate gesture 
 of disappointment, throws it to the ground. 
 
 MERAB 
 
 Are you angry with the rose ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 It does not please me. 
 
 [58] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 MERAE 
 Come sit by me and let us finish our patterns. 
 MiCHAL goes to her, the?/ sit side hy side on the 
 bench. Michal takes from Merab mechanically 
 the various articles of their handicraft. 
 
 MICHAL intensely 
 
 Merab, how should the love of a man be won ? 
 
 MERAB surprised 
 
 How should I know, child ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 You are wedded to Adriel and you should know. 
 
 MERAB 
 It was he won my love, not I his. But still, me- 
 thinks I can discourse to you of the win- 
 ning of man's love. Let him stand on the 
 Threshold of Trembling. Give him first to 
 drink the Cup of Surrender and then the Cup 
 of Fear. He must never be sated. So may 
 man's love be kept. 
 
 MICHAL 
 That is the keeping of man's love. But the get- 
 ting ? 
 
 [69] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MERAB 
 Ah, ask me not in riddles. This I know. When 
 the huntsman has bagged one bird, then 
 must he go hunting again. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 Go hunting again ! 
 
 MERAB 
 
 Listen, sister. A woman's nature is to be shy 
 and wild. The wild bird does not flutter 
 her wings in the hunter's very face. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Merab, have I done that? Have I fluttered my 
 wings in his very face ? 
 
 MERAB 
 
 with peals of amusement 
 Your wings ? In his very face ? Whose face ? 
 
 MICHAL in rosy shame 
 
 Hush ! Oh, hush ! 
 
 MERAB 
 
 suddenly calming herself to read michal's face 
 I know, I know. It is David, the shepherd, the 
 harp-player from the hills. Oh, you little 
 [60] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 foolish one. You that have sworn to love 
 only a man of war, a son of many battles. 
 Merab rises, laughing, and goes toward l. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 I swear that he could swing a sword with any of 
 your swaggering courtiers. 
 
 MERAB laughing 
 
 Not he, with those musical fingers. Tweedle-dee- 
 
 dee. 
 Exit Merab, 2 e l. 
 
 MiCHAL hows her head on the hack of the hench 
 and is seen to he weeping. Enter hy garden-path, 
 1 e R, Eleazer. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 I love him and — he must not know it, for — if he 
 knows it, he will go hunting again. But I 
 have told him already by the look of my 
 eyes. It was too soon, too soon. 
 
 ELEAZER comfortingly 
 
 ELEAZER 
 Have you seen my almond-trees, Lady Michal ? 
 They are burst out into bloom this morn- 
 ing, most glorious. 
 
 [61] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MIC HAL to herself 
 
 It was too soon, too soon. 
 
 ELEAZER 
 
 Yes, lady. When the almond-trees blossom too 
 soon, there 'uU be a flood of rain, come fruit- 
 time. There's no good thing but there's a 
 drawback. There's a drawback to every- 
 thing. 
 
 Enter, 2 e l, David. Eleazer beckons to him 
 
 with a kindly tivinkle. 
 
 She is heavy-hearted these days, master, terrible 
 heavy-hearted, sir. 
 
 Eleazer hobbles up stage, his back to them. 
 
 David looks at Michal, whose face is turned from 
 
 him. He sees also the rose on the ground, picks it 
 
 up stealthily, kisses it and puts it in his bosom. 
 
 Michal suddenly raises her head and sees the 
 
 stealthy motion of his hand. 
 
 MICHAL sharply 
 
 What are you doing ? 
 
 DAVID 
 I am putting away a memory. 
 
 MICHAL bitterly 
 
 A token from some hill-girl. 
 
 [ 62 ] • 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Mayhap this is true. 
 
 Ahinoam opens the door of the palace and calls. 
 
 AHINOAM 
 Daughter ! 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 Yes, mother, I am working the pattern. 
 She hastily takes up her embroidery, 
 
 AHINOAM 
 Do not stay too long in the garden. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I am waiting to — speak to — someone. 
 Exit Ahinoam, 2 e l. 
 
 DAVID 
 Did you wish to — speak with someone else, Lady 
 Michal ? 
 
 MICHAL hesitating 
 
 Yes, I wished, I wish 
 
 Eleazer comes in sight down the path. 
 I wish to speak with Eleazer. 
 
 ELEAZER 
 
 rubbing his chin humorously 
 Don''t waste sweet words on the likes of me, Lady 
 Michal. 
 
 [63] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 would-be haughtily 
 I wished to ask you, Eleazer — to say, it looks like 
 clear weather to-morrow. 
 
 ELEAZER 
 
 with great enthusiasm 
 
 It do so, Lady Michal, and that puts me in mind 
 of my herbs for Hurai. Walking away^ r. 
 There is never a drawback to leaving two 
 lovers alone. 
 
 Exit Eleazer, 1 e r. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 May I sit beside you for a moment, Michal ? 
 
 Michal moves to make room for him on the bench, 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 As you please. 
 
 David, to her disappointment^ seats himself on the 
 
 grass, 
 
 DAVID 
 It is as you please, Michal. I fear I do not 
 please you. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Do you wish to please me ? 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Lady Michal 
 
 [64] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 MICHAL 
 Do not call me so. I am a girl, younger than 
 you. 
 
 DAVID 
 You seem a child, but I must remember that you 
 are a king's daughter. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I would that you might forget. 
 
 DAVID deeply 
 
 Ah, Michal, I would that I might forget ! 
 A pause of embarrassment between them. 
 Let us speak of other things, Michal. How do 
 the days fare with you ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 I must study and I must read. This morning the 
 rabbi read with me. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 What was the lesson ? 
 
 An undercurrent of tenderness runs through their 
 
 talk. 
 
 MICHAL 
 It was of — suddenly diffident — I have forgotten 
 the theme. 
 
 [65] 
 
■i 
 
 DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID \ 
 
 made eager by her shyness. \ 
 
 You have not forgotten so soon ? Of our first i 
 
 fether ? \ 
 
 MICHAL ! 
 
 No. ] 
 
 DAVID \ 
 
 Of Pharaoh and the Red Sea ? ! 
 
 MICHAL \ 
 
 Ah, more interesting than that. I mean — it was 
 
 of a man and a — woman. \ 
 
 \ 
 
 DAVID \ 
 
 Who loved each other ? i 
 
 i 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 Of Rachel and how her lover served for her. ' 
 
 DAVID \ 
 
 He served for her seven years and it seemed but a \ 
 day because of the love he bare her. That 
 
 is how a man may love. \ 
 
 MICHAL musingly \ 
 
 Seven years she waited for him. That was a \ 
 
 woman''s love. ] 
 
 [66] \ 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 Michal, would you wait for a lover so many 
 years ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 Ah, I should not wish to — wait so long. 
 
 DAVID 
 Woman's love is like the wind. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 Nay, think of the love between Ruth and Naomi. 
 
 DAVID quoting 
 
 For zvhither thou goest I will go and whither thou 
 lodgest I will lodge 
 
 MICHAL 
 Thy people shall he my people, and thy God my 
 God. 
 
 DAVID 
 They were two women, Michal, who loved one an- 
 other so. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Nay, but the love of woman to man is deeper yet. 
 
 DAVID leaning to her 
 
 Say you so, Michal ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 My heart says so. 
 
 [67] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID impassioned 
 
 I would serve seven years, ay, twice seven years, 
 to win the woman I love. And you, Michal, 
 would you give me hope ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 No, no. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 No hope ? 
 
 He rises and Michal also. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I should not ask you to serve for — me seven years, 
 
 David. 
 
 DAVID turning away 
 
 I have soared too high. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I had rather be happy — now! 
 David looks hack at her, reads her face. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 You ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 Yes, David. 
 
 DAVID 
 Michal! 
 
 He is about to take her to his arms, when a noise 
 and stir of people comes from the r. 
 
 [68] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 MICHAL 
 Listen, David. 
 Saul and Ahinoam enter, 2 e l. 
 
 SAUL 
 What tumult is this ? 
 
 DAVID going to l to look 
 My lord, the people swarm to our gates. 
 Enter, r and l, a hurly-hurly of people, preceded 
 from the r by Saph, a tall Philistine of insolent de- 
 meanor, with a body-guard of two. There are 
 townspeople and laboring folk from their daily oc- 
 cupation. Eliab with his roughly moidded vessel 
 on his head, a weaver with his balls of ivool, a Tnil- 
 ler, his clothes dusty with meal. From the palace 
 come Merab, Phaltiel, an apish-looking man of 
 ignoble bearing, Doeg, crafty and sullen, Jona- 
 than and others. 
 
 SAUL to Saph 
 
 What is your message ? 
 
 SAPH 
 
 in loud and insolent tones 
 
 A message from Philistia, defiance from Philistia 
 
 and from Goliath, her champion. Who of ye 
 
 will meet him in battle ? Ye children of the 
 
 [69] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 jackals, striped barley-eaters, slaves of the 
 
 hill -god Yahweh! 
 As Saph speaks the people edge away from him ab- 
 jectly , hut David pushes forward in indignation. 
 
 SAUL 
 Who speaks to offer himself as champion for his 
 people ? 
 
 SAPH 
 By the wooden feet of Dagon, ye are silent. Al- 
 mighty is Dagon, god of Philistia, and great is 
 Goliath, their champion. 
 Exit, 2 E R, Saph. 
 
 SAUL 
 Ye that clamor so in times of peace, in peril your 
 tongues are still. 
 
 DOEG 
 after conferring with Phaltiel 
 If it please my lord, the king, to offer largess 
 
 SAUL 
 To the victor any reward, even the hand of the 
 king's daughter. 
 Michal's and David's looks, as by a common 
 thought, are drawn together. Doeg pushes Phal- 
 tiel forward. He elbows back with a bleating 
 laugh. 
 
 [70] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 
 My lord, your servant will go and fight with this 
 Philistine. 
 
 After the first stupefied silence, a ripple of con- 
 temptuous laughter runs round the place. 
 
 More ringingly defiant. 
 
 My lord, your servant will go and fight this Philis- 
 tine. 
 
 The laughter is hushed at the look in David's face 
 
 as he surveys the people. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Here, indeed, among all the craven host of Israel, 
 is a heart undaunted. David, you shall in- 
 deed go, but how shall you prevail, a young 
 man, unused to the weight of armor .^ 
 DAVID 
 
 My lord, I have contended with the lion in his 
 wilderness and my hand did not fail. 
 Neither shall I fail in this endeavor. 
 
 Looking upward as if in prayer. 
 
 My times are in Thy hand ! 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Ask what reward you will, David, my son, and ye, 
 my people, be surety unto him that the re- 
 ward is not denied. 
 
 [71] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 PEOPLE 
 David, David! 
 
 DAVID 
 The hand of Michal, the king's daughter! 
 A murmur of surprise. Doeg pushes Phaltiel 
 forward. 
 
 PHALTIEL 
 O king, remember me. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Who speaks ? 
 
 PHALTIEL 
 
 with a bleating laugh 
 Phaltiel, prince of Laish. 
 
 DAVID 
 Will you then go out against Goliath, O Phaltiel, 
 
 prince of Laish. 
 With a bleat y Phaltiel sinks back into the crowd. 
 
 SAUL 
 This reward you shall have, David, the hand of 
 
 Michal, my daughter. 
 David kneels to kiss Saul's handy rises again. 
 To the people. 
 
 All ye depart hence, and we shall presently send 
 forth our champion. 
 
 [72] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 Exeunt, r and l, all but David, Jonathan, and 
 
 MiCHAL. 
 
 David, in our arms you shall be clad and go forth 
 like the sun for splendor. 
 
 DAVID stretching himself 
 In truth, my lord, I am unused to armor. It 
 
 would become me ill. 
 He stoops to select a stone from the path. 
 I beg of you this stone from the garden of the 
 
 princess. So, with my sling, I shall be a 
 
 man of war in your service. 
 He turns to Jonathan and they start to go, 2 e r. 
 
 SAUL 
 You would go thus unarmed ? 
 
 DAVID 
 My feet burn for the road. 
 Farewell, farewell, Michal. 
 Exeunt, 2 e r, David and Jonathan. 
 
 SAUL 
 A fiery youth. Jehovah speed him. Come, 
 
 daughter. 
 Exit Saul, 2 e l. Michal stands alone in the c of 
 the garden. 
 
 [73] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL 
 He has gone and Jonathan with him. He has 
 
 gone and I am alone. 
 David runs in alone, from r. He speaks breath- 
 lessly, passionately. 
 
 DAVID 
 I could not leave you thus, beloved, heart's de- 
 sire. 
 DoEG appears, 1 e l, black and sinister, peeping 
 around the bole of a tree. As David and Michal 
 embrace, Doeg speaks. David takes the rose from 
 his bosom, kisses it. 
 
 DAVID 
 It is your rose I wear in my bosom. It is for you 
 I fight, for you, you, you ! 
 
 DOEG aside 
 
 She will be giving her roses to a new lover soon, 
 
 when David is food for the dogs . Grr-grr-grr ! 
 
 DAVID 
 Fare you well, God be with you. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 Ah, wait, wait! My heart bursts within me. 
 How will you go without sword or shield, how 
 [74] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 will you slay Goliath, the giant of the Philis- 
 tines ? 
 David handles his sling for action, aiming at Doeg 
 hy the hole of the tree. He shoots from his sling 
 and almost instantaneously comes a cry of pain 
 from Doeg. With his hand to his ear, Doeg dis- 
 appears, 1 E L. MiCHAL has turned to look. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 still in the vigorous attitude of a slinger 
 Even as my stone stung the ear of yon eaves- 
 dropper, so will the pebble pierce the heart of 
 Goliath. 
 
 Curtain. 
 
 The curtain rises and discovers Michal alone in 
 the garden. The light is dim as at twilight and 
 grows gradually dimmer. Michal prays: 
 
 MICHAL 
 O Thou, grant me to know the end! Send me 
 a vision, a dream ! 
 
 Dark Change 
 
 As it gradually lightens, the field of Ephes-Dammim 
 is disclosed where the combat is to take place. The 
 
 [75] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 gorge of the brook runs through the c. On either 
 side are the opposing armies, the Israelites in 
 glitter of armor, their arms upflung as in joyous 
 acclaim. The Philistines with heads drooped 
 and faces turned for retreat. The central figure 
 in their midst is David, on a knoll above the 
 fallen body of Goliath. The drawn sword is in 
 his hand, but his face is uplifted to heaven in 
 thanksgiving. 
 
 Curtain 
 
 end of scene i 
 
 [76] 
 
ACT II 
 
 Scene II: The Witch of Endor's Hut on 
 THE ROAD TO GiBEAH. A low and sordid room^ 
 scantily furnished. Night and a storm. A fire 
 blazing, l c. A kettle on the hearth. Hooks in 
 the wall to one side of the fire. Dried herbs hung 
 from the ceiling. Human and animal skulls 
 grinning on the walls. A low table, c, with a 
 candle lighted. Behind it a bench with large feet in 
 the similitude of spiders. A stool by the fireplace. 
 Shuttered window, c. Down-stage, r, a small door 
 opens to an inner chamber. 
 
 Discovered, the Witch of Endor, an old gaunt 
 woman, wicked of eye and sharp-lipped, bending 
 over the fireplace. She thrusts her chin forward 
 when she speaks, has a thin, rasping voice that, 
 when she is moved, rings deep and thrilling. The 
 storm howls. 
 
 WITCH 
 
 poking the fire with a stick 
 How the fire sputters ! Burn, burn, burn ! 
 
 [77] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 A pause. 
 
 'Tis the black wind outside that brings the fire 
 disease. It frets. Ooo-oh, oo-oh! Sputter, 
 sputter, sputter! Ah, an ill night for man 
 to be abroad, but he will come to-night. I 
 shall hold him like a rat in a trap. Nibble, 
 nibble ! Is the bait toothsome, O Saul ? 
 
 She goes to the window y opens the shutter and peers 
 
 out. 
 
 How it howls, as if all the wolves of Lebanon were 
 forth. Ooo-oh, oo-oh! 
 
 She listens sharply. A knock comes at the door. 
 
 The window or the door ? 
 
 Knock is repeated. 
 
 Knock, then, to your heart's content. There are 
 
 only two who enter t^is eve, the slain and 
 the slayer. Ha-ha. 
 Knock and voice. 
 
 DAVID 
 I pray you, open the door. 
 
 WITCH 
 A pleasant voice, by my body. 
 
 DAVID 
 Good neighbor! 
 
 [78] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 
 
 WITCH 
 What d'ye want ? 
 
 DAVID 
 Shelter from the storm. 
 
 WITCH 
 Who are you, in the name of Beelzebub ? 
 
 DAVID 
 A pilgrim and a stranger. 
 
 WITCH 
 What do you this hour of the night ? 
 
 DAVID 
 I am eager on the road to — my dear. 
 
 WITCH 
 He runs after a girl. He will do nobody harm. 
 
 She unbolts the door and opens it. 
 
 In with you, then, in Beelzebub's name. 
 
 Enter David wety stormheaten^ weary. 
 
 DAVID 
 I thank you, good dame and neighbor. 
 
 WITCH 
 Men do not call me good dame, nor am I your 
 neighbor. 
 
 ['i'9] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 He is my neighbor who is my friend. 
 
 WITCH 
 You are over-zealous to name me friend when I 
 kept you standing in the weather. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 throwing off his wet cloak 
 Lo, I am within. You give me roof and shelter. 
 You are my friend and I yours. 
 
 WITCH 
 By the idols of Egypt, I like you full well. Draw 
 
 up here to my fire. 
 She hangs up the cloak on the nails hy the fire. 
 Tell me your story — an you tell me not true, you 
 
 shall fare ill, for I read the souls of men. 
 David seats himself on the stool hy the fire. The 
 Witch behind him watches, her fingers at the knife 
 which is half concealed in her bosom. 
 
 DAVID 
 It is hospitable to give ear to the traveller's tale, 
 in so far as he pleases to speak, but further 
 to force him, that is no hospitality. 
 
 WITCH 
 I like you better. Speak on. 
 
 [80] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 
 
 DAVID 
 I come from the camp at Ephes-Dammim 
 
 WITCH 
 Ha, you are deserter, a hater of Saul ! 
 
 DAVID 
 Nay, I am not deserter, for I fought not with 
 the army at Ephes-Dammim. Yet at Ephes- 
 Dammim I fought and am now flying thence, 
 hurriedly at night, to Gibeah. 
 
 WITCH 
 You speak like a wise man, in riddles. Say, 
 what of the giant Goliath and of the Boaster, 
 one David, who swore to slay him ? 
 
 DAVID 
 It is because of that David I am here to-night. 
 
 WITCH 
 You are of us, I see, a hater of the mad king and 
 his upstart herdling. You shall have a hand 
 in the enterprise this night. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 his hand upon his sword 
 I am ready for the enterprise. 
 The Witch moves about the room apprehensively y 
 
 [81] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 casting suspicious glances at David. She fancies 
 a sound at the door and listens. 
 Do you await another traveller ? 
 
 WITCH 
 It is of him I would tell you. Ay, one of the 
 mighty. 
 
 DAVID 
 Strange houses he visits and strange hours he 
 
 takes ! 
 The Witch springs at his throat with her knife but 
 David, watchful, stays her. 
 
 WITCH 
 Not stranger than you, spy, spy! 
 David turns the knife in her hand till she screams 
 with pain and drops it. 
 
 DAVID 
 It is not the good and innocent who have dread of 
 
 spies. 
 He holds her by the wrists while she cowers before 
 him. 
 
 WITCH 
 Ah, my lord, my lord, have pity on me and help 
 me. I feared you as I fear all men. For 
 whatever befalls I am dead this night. 
 [82] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 
 
 DAVID 
 Speak me the truth ! 
 
 WITCH 
 I am sought this night by a great prince, one of 
 the mighty, that I may predict for him the 
 future, and he would find me alone. Also this 
 night my son Doeg comes to me. If they 
 two meet, the mighty one will slay my son 
 and me also, for that I have betrayed him, 
 for he would not have it known that he 
 traffics with me. Yet if I deny Doeg my 
 son, Doeg my son will return to slay me, for 
 he is a man of wrath. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 What is my part ? 
 
 WITCH 
 
 Keep you the door against my son. Defend it 
 with your sword, that he enter not. After- 
 ward, you shall have of the gold that I get, 
 a goodly portion. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 What of that mighty prince when he beholds me ? 
 Will he not think you have betrayed him into 
 my hands ? 
 
 [83] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 WITCH 
 You are a youth and Doeg a bearded man, known 
 to all Benjamin. I will clothe you as my ser- 
 vant and you can feign sleep upon this bench. 
 Do you understand ? 
 
 DAVID seizing her 
 
 The prince that visits the — Witch of Endor — 
 She cowers 
 
 is Saul, King of Israel, seeking traffic with a 
 familiar spirit. Doeg comes to slay him and 
 you are his accomplice. I, feigning sleep upon 
 that bench, will be murdered, and conven- 
 iently thrust aside. I understand. 
 
 WITCH trembling 
 
 Oh, lord, lord, who are you ? 
 
 DAVID 
 I am that boaster, one David. 
 
 WITCH 
 You have spoken the truth, but not wholly the 
 truth. Ah, loose me, loose! Behold that 
 knife upon the floor. I cannot harm you. 
 I am in your hands. 
 David looses her. Picks up the knife and jmts it 
 in his girdle. 
 
 [84] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 
 
 DAVID 
 The truth! 
 
 WITCH 
 It is indeed Saul who comes, and Doeg who would 
 slay him. But I would save my lord the 
 king, if I could, yet what am I worth, an old 
 woman and feeble ? 
 A double knock at the door. 
 
 WITCH 
 I come, my lord. 
 
 She hurries about the room, fetching for David 
 from a chest an old cloak. 
 Yes, lord, I open. To David. See nothing with 
 
 your eyes, hear nothing with your ears. 
 David stretches himself on the bench y feigning 
 sleep. The Witch opens the door^ bowing deeply. 
 My lord, enter the house of your humble servant. 
 Enter Saul and Michal, Saul cloaked, his face 
 shrouded. Michal's face veiled. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Were you not ready ? 
 
 He sees David, who seems in profound sleep, his 
 
 face hidden in the folds of his mantle. 
 
 Who is yonder? 
 
 [85] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 WITCH 
 Only my servant, lord, a brutish lad and asleep. 
 Awake, he knows nothing. Asleep, a stone! 
 She kicks David's foot. He does not move, 
 breathes heavily. 
 Witness, lord. 
 MiCHAL lays a hand on her father* s arm. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Father, grant me a word with this woman. 
 At the sound of Michal's voice, David starts, half 
 raises his head, then lets it fall again. Saul and 
 MiCHAL both look at him. 
 
 WITCH 
 He dreams of the plough and the ploughshare. 
 He has been in the field all day. What do 
 you wish, lady ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 I wish the interpretation of a dream. I dreamed 
 of a field of battle and one lay slain and one 
 stood above with a drawn sword. 
 
 WITCH 
 
 Saw you the face of the slayer or of the slain ? 
 
 [86] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 
 
 MICHAL 
 The face of the slayer was as the face of an angel, 
 but the slain I could not see. 
 
 WITCH in her deep voice 
 One is thy lover who hath slain 
 
 Yet not with stroke of sword ; 
 He is a servant, yet one day 
 
 He shall be king and lord. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I understand not the interpretation. The dream 
 was a good dream ? 
 
 WITCH 
 Ay, a good dream for them as find it good, but a 
 bad dream for some others. 
 
 SAUL 
 Beldame, let us to our business. 
 
 WITCH 
 What do you wish, my lord ? 
 
 SAUL 
 Show me him who shall rule after me. 
 
 [87] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 WITCH in her deep voice 
 The past is plain before mine eyes, 
 
 Old deaths and dooms long overpast ; 
 In present knowledge I am wise. 
 
 But ah ! the future is sealed fast. 
 
 My lord, I will call from the grave one who is 
 wiser than I. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 You will call one from the dead ? 
 
 The Witch opens the door, r. Bluish flames 
 
 stream out. 
 
 WITCH 
 Come. 
 Saul reluctantly follows her. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Ah, I fear, I fear ! 
 
 The door closes behind them. Michal sits on the 
 stool by the fl,re, facing down stage, her back to 
 David. His head rests on the table, away from 
 her. She looks curiously about the room, sees the 
 cloak hung up to dry. Then turns her head to 
 look at David. At the self -same moment he has 
 turned to look at her. Both instantly resume their 
 former positions. Michal hums uneasily and 
 
 [88] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 
 
 moves her stool against the wall so as to have a 
 rest for her head. After a few minutes and more 
 cautiously, the stolen glance is repeated, to their 
 mutual embarrassment. 
 
 MICHAL angry 
 
 I will not have it. Ill-mannered servant of an old 
 
 sorceress! Peeper and pryer! 
 David's head is again on the table as if in deep 
 sleep. 
 
 Go to sleep, then. It is the hour for sleep. 
 He breathes heavily. 
 Clown! Have you nothing to do but sleep and 
 
 snore in a lady's presence ? 
 David's hand falls to his side. Michal ob- 
 serves it. 
 That hand is not the hand of a clown. It minds 
 
 me of David's hand, David's fingers on his 
 
 harp. 
 Singing softly to herself, she falls asleep. After a 
 few minutes David rises softly, goes to her, stands 
 above her lovingly, is startled when she stirs, looks 
 at the door where Saul and the Witch have dis- 
 appeared. He takes his cloak and places it around 
 her shoulders. As he is doing so there falls from 
 the pocket his sling. The rattle of this on the 
 
 [89] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 f^oor awakens her. She sits up to find him kneel- 
 ing at her feet. 
 
 DAVID gently 
 
 Michal, speak not, do not stir ! It is I, David. 
 
 MICHAL 
 You, David, here, a servant to the Witch of En- 
 dor! 
 
 DAVID 
 This night only. I was on the road to Gibeah, to 
 you. The storm and the driving rain over- 
 took me. My beast was spent. 
 
 MICHAL 
 And GoUath, the combat ? 
 David picks up the sling. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 It was victory, with this ! But hush ! We are in 
 
 an evil place. It is not the house for you. 
 
 MICHAL 
 It was my father's wish. 
 
 DAVID 
 Alas for your father that he has communion with 
 soothsayers and diviners! He is entrapped. 
 [90] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 
 
 MIC HAL 
 What, what? No, no. 
 
 DAVID 
 His enemies He in wait for him. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Let us warn him, let us fly! 
 
 DAVID 
 It is impossible. But fear not. I will serve you 
 
 to the end. 
 At a sound from the door, r, David quickly rolls 
 over on the floor, feigning sleep. Michal closes 
 her eyes. The Witch enters, r, sees them both 
 asleep. Chuckles. 
 
 WITCH 
 Both feigning or both real ? 
 She shrugs her shoulders. 
 A witch's servant and a king's daughter! A 
 
 pretty pair! 
 She goes to the window, peers out into the night, re- 
 turns, c. Shakes her fist at David's sleeping form. 
 I could knife you now, but your time will come 
 
 soon enough. 
 Exit Witch, r. David springs up and feels of 
 his sword. A loud knock at the door. 
 
 [91] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID to MiCHAL 
 
 Veil yourself. Sit quiet. 
 Imitating the Witch's voice. 
 Who goes there ? 
 
 DOEG 
 I, Doeg. 
 
 DAVID stUl feigning 
 
 Wait a little. 
 
 DOEG 
 Witch- woman, hast repented our compact? 
 Open to us. 
 
 DAVID 
 To us, you say! 
 
 DOEG 
 Open or I tear down your house. 
 
 DAVID in his own voice 
 Stand back in the king's name. 
 The door is battered down. David makes ready, 
 holding his sword. Michal stands shrinking 
 against the wall. Doeg and two m^en burst into 
 the room. 
 
 DOEG 
 
 surveying the situation 
 Three birds at a stone. The black hawk and the 
 white pigeon 
 
 [92] 
 
ACTTWOiSCENETWO i 
 
 ! 
 
 He surveys David contemptuously. j 
 
 and the upstart jackdaw. Fall to, my men. 1 
 
 The first man that would pass David to get to I 
 MiCHAL is felled at a blow. There follows a much 
 
 severer struggle between David and the two. i 
 
 David has one by the throat when a cry from \ 
 MiCHAL warns him of Doeg's attack in the rear. 
 
 He turns in time to save himself. Doeg at last is j 
 
 struck down. He falls heavily. The Witch j 
 
 opens the door and bluish flames stream out as be- \ 
 
 fore. She sees the three prostrate figures^ David \ 
 
 triumphant in the c, breathing hard, his forehead \ 
 
 damp with sweat. She goes to Doeg, who lies \ 
 
 prostrate. i 
 
 WITCH bitterly \ 
 
 Bravely have ye fought. A stout fighter, son of I 
 
 mine ! i 
 
 Doeg turns on his elbow, groans. David goes to J 
 
 him, plants his heel on his breast, points his sword \ 
 
 at him. ] 
 
 I 
 
 DOEG 
 
 Mercy! | 
 
 WITCH 
 
 He is an evil one, but my only one. Spare him, ^ 
 
 lord ! i 
 
 [93] I 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 It is not my business to slaughter cattle. Let him 
 lie. 
 
 WITCH grovelling 
 
 Most gracious prince ! 
 
 DAVID 
 Silence. Bring hither the king. 
 The Witch hesitates. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 My father, my father! No harm has befallen 
 him? 
 
 WITCH 
 He waketh from deep trance. His feet fail him. 
 David ofens the door, r. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Saul, King of Israel, come forth. 
 MiCHAL comes forward tremblingly, 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 1 fear, I fear she has bewitched him. 
 
 WITCH 
 Nay, he is the anointed of Israel. I durst not 
 touch a hair of his head or I should be ac- 
 cursed. 
 
 [94] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 
 
 Saul comes to the door, r, his hands to his eyes, as 
 if blinded by a dazzling light. The bluish flames seen 
 within gradually die down No one speaks. They 
 watch Saul. Michal behind David with hands 
 outstretched. David in c looking compassion- 
 ately at Saul. The Witch crouches at David's 
 feet. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 in a strange voice as of one in a trance 
 
 And the prophet spake, declaring unto me: "He 
 
 whom thine eyes first fall upon, he it is and 
 
 his seed shall sit upon the throne after thee. 
 
 He whom thine eyes first fall upon ' ' 
 
 Saul drops the mantle from before his eyes, passes 
 his hand across, stands face to face with David. 
 David drops to his knees. 
 
 DAVID 
 My lord king. 
 
 SAUL 
 Who and what art thou ? 
 
 DAVID 
 Knowest thou not me ? I am David, son of Jesse. 
 
 SAUL 
 He whom thine eyes first fall upon, he it is and his 
 seed shall rule after thee. 
 [95] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL pleadingly 
 
 David, whom thou hast called the sweet singer of 
 Israel. 
 
 DAVID 
 My lord king! 
 
 SAUL 
 David ! And it is thou shalt sit upon my throne ? 
 With fearful outburst of passion. 
 Usurper, supplanter, viper that I have nourished 
 
 in my bosom. 
 He takes the dagger from his girdle and makes as 
 if to stab David. Michal interposes herself, 
 staying him momentarily. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 Nay, father, my father, you are mad. David 
 hath fought for us this night, for you and for 
 me. Behold these that would have slain you. 
 
 Saul looks about him at the dead, at David who 
 
 still kneels, at the Witch who supports on her lap 
 
 the head of her son. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 You have done this for me ? 
 
 DAVID 
 For the king and the king's daughter. 
 
 [96] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Rise up, my son. The gibbering prophet has hed 
 to me, and this evil one. Yet have I also 
 sinned, seeking knowledge from spirits that 
 peep and mutter. 
 
 A noise of troops heard coming. Shouts and 
 
 huzzahs. David opens the shutters. 
 
 DAVID 
 It is the army of Israel marching from Ephes- 
 
 Dammim. For lo, it is already morning. 
 MiCHAL opens the door and the light streams in. 
 The noise grows louder. 
 
 SAUL to MiCHAL 
 
 Yet do I fear him, because of the prophecy. 
 
 MICHAL 
 He is my betrothed 
 
 SHOUTS 
 
 Goliath slain. Great is David our champion. 
 
 David, David! 
 Saul goes to the door. The procession halts. 
 Saul, Saul! Mighty is Saul. The PhiUstines 
 
 have fallen. 
 
 [97] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 SAUL 
 Hearken, my people. 
 
 The People enter the hut. They fall hachy leav- 
 ing Saul and David in the c. 
 This is David, the Champion of Israel, who hath 
 slain Goliath, son of the Rephaim. 
 
 PEOPLE 
 Huzzah : 
 
 SAUL 
 
 craftily, looking at David with narrow eyes of ha- 
 tred and fear. 
 
 But to win the hand of Michal the princess he is 
 not content to stop with a little, but is zeal- 
 ous for larger victory. Is it not so, my son 
 David .? 
 Satjl turns to David, a grim smile on his face. 
 
 DAVID 
 I will accomplish to the uttermost for her sake, 
 my lord. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Behold, my father, he has done already — enough ! 
 Saul does not heed her. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 For her sake then, and for mine whom he loves so 
 well, he will sally into the country of the 
 [98] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE TWO 
 
 Philistines, utterly to abolish our ancient foe. 
 He will take of them twenty towns, their 
 captains and their young men, and their ban- 
 ners will he bring back to Saul, his king. 
 
 Again he smiles grimly at David. 
 
 Is it not so, my son David ? 
 
 DAVID 
 It is as you will, lord king. 
 
 SAUL 
 It is my will, and Michal's also. 
 He takes her arm sternly. She bows her head in 
 assent, 
 
 DAVID 
 So be it, O Saul ! 
 
 His enthusiasm rises. 
 
 I will conquer your foe and they shall be even as 
 
 these are, dead at your feet, O king. 
 He seizes a banner from a standard-bearer and 
 raises it aloft. 
 Against the Philistines! The banner of David! 
 
 Who with me ? 
 
 SHOUTS 
 
 I, I. 
 
 David moves to the door, the people following. 
 He waves the banner aloft. 
 
 [99] 
 
 LofC. 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL weeping 
 
 He is a dead man already. You have murdered 
 my David. Oh, father, my father! 
 
 DAVID 
 Nay, I return ! In the service of the king and the 
 king's daughter ! 
 
 Curtain 
 
 end of scene h 
 
 [100] 
 
ACT III 
 
 Scene I: Room in Saul's Palace. A richly 
 decorated room on the ground floor, curtainsy hang- 
 ings of Tyrian jmrple and silk, cushions on the 
 floor, swinging lamps, fretted work, sconces with 
 candles, a chair of state, r c, with sculptured legs 
 in the likeness of kneeling lions, an ottoman, l c, 
 a harp hung on wall, l. Low stairs, 1 e r; 2 e r 
 lead to upper galleried rooms in the palace, l e 
 conducts to street, c, hack-stage is a broad-latticed 
 window, opening to the floor. The upper half of 
 the shutters is open, showing the sky of night. 
 Lower half closed, but not so high that a man may 
 not enter from the street by overleaping it. Below 
 the window is a divan. It is night. The candles 
 and lamps are lighted. A circle of sewing -women 
 and tailors squat on the floor, busily occupied with 
 their work. Heaps of gauzy rainbow-colored ma- 
 terial about them. Men cut out, with the aid of 
 rule. Women embroider and sew. They work in 
 silence wearily. One after another, several fall 
 
 [101] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 asleep, sinking doivnward on the floor. They are 
 prodded with a ride by him who seems chief tailor. 
 Enter, 2 e r, Jonathan and Michal. The sleep- 
 ers spring up, resume their work. Michal 
 walks impetuously to them with a motion of the 
 hands to dismiss and scatter. 
 
 MICHAL 
 What do ye here this hour of the night ? Get up. 
 
 Begone ! 
 The Workers arise, looking puzzled. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 Sister, Saul has bidden them work the night 
 through, to prepare bridal garments against 
 the bridal. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 with intense indignation 
 My bridal garments! My bridal! There shall 
 
 be no bridal. Get up! Begone! 
 The Workers scatter, some up the stairs, 1 e r, 
 the men by 2 e u. Michal sweeps up the stuffs, 
 throws them aside against the divan, c, kicks them 
 together contemptuously. 
 
 Hateful garments! My bridal with Phaltiel? 
 She imitates Phaltiel's bleating laugh. 
 
 [ 102 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 JONATHAN 
 It is late. You are not well. You should rest and 
 
 sleep. 
 MiCHAL sits on the divan, kicking up the stuffs 
 constantly with her feet. 
 I cannot sleep, I cannot sleep. I cannot rest, for 
 
 thinking of David who does not return. 
 She jumps up, tosses the stuffs aside with her foot. 
 I cannot rest the soles of my feet upon them. 
 
 They hurt me like irons. Oh, David, David, 
 
 why did you not return ? 
 
 JONATHAN 
 David may yet return. 
 
 MICHAL 
 He has been slain among those savage Philistines. 
 
 Ah, me! 
 Jonathan puts an arm around her, leads her 
 away, 1 e r. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 Rest a little, Michal. Perhaps the morning will 
 bring better things. 
 
 MICHAL 
 There is no rest for me. 
 
 Exit Michal, 1 e r. 
 [103] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 JONATHAN 
 I would I could help her, but there is no help in 
 me. Phaltiel will come betimes in the morn- 
 ing with the betrothal ring. Saul is zealous 
 for the betrothal. If David returns, it will 
 be too late, too late. 
 A tap at the shuttered window, c. 
 Who is that? 
 
 He goes to window, answers a voice, great surprise. 
 You, you ! 
 
 Enter, l e, a servant to extinguish the lights. Jon- 
 athan turns. 
 
 In a very low voice to the person outside. 
 Hush! Wait! 
 To the Servant. 
 
 Leave that lamp and the candle in that sconce. 
 The Servant extinguishes all but the two and 
 exit, L. 
 
 Yes, all is well. No one is about. Saul ? He 
 sleeps. She is in her chamber. Yes, enter, 
 enter quickly. Ah! 
 As Jonathan pushes open the shutter, David 
 springs into the room. He is wrapped about in a 
 traveller's cloak so that his face is scarcely dis- 
 cernible. 
 
 [104] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID boyishly 
 
 You would not have known me. Confess ! 
 Embracing him. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 To me you are as my own brother. 
 David returns to window and reaches out after 
 something. 
 What have you there ? 
 
 DAVID 
 
 bringing a pack into the room 
 My passport, the byword. Stuffs for this " brid- 
 al. " It was the only way the keepers of the 
 gates would admit me. Tell me, Jonathan, 
 of this bridal. The tale is not a true one ? 
 
 JONATHAN 
 
 closing entirely the shutters 
 Of that, later. Your tidings .? Your men .? Is 
 the tale true ? We have heard of death, dis- 
 aster ? 
 
 DAVID joyously 
 
 My men are without the gates. Oh, Jonathan, 
 
 my brother, victory has been ours. I have 
 
 taken the banners of twenty cities. Michal 
 
 is mine. 
 
 [105] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 JONATHAN 
 David, my brother, I am yours to the end, but 
 Michal 
 
 DAVID 
 Speak quickly ! 
 
 JONATHAN 
 Is promised to another. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 after a moment of deep agitation 
 By her wish ? 
 
 JONATHAN 
 She has cried for you day and night. 
 
 DAVID 
 I must see her. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 It is late. In the morning 
 
 DAVID 
 Now ! In the morning there will be other matters. 
 It is for this I have come. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 I will call her. 
 He starts to r. 
 
 [ 106 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 Wait. Let us swear an oath together that what- 
 ever come between us twain, our souls shall 
 be knit together. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 Ah, David, your voice pierces me with foretaste 
 of trouble. 
 
 DAVID 
 Through dark and despair, by fire and by sword, 
 shall I win to mine own. But between us, 
 Jonathan 
 
 JONATHAN 
 
 clasping David's hand 
 I swear! 
 
 DAVID 
 Jehovah do so to me and more also if I keep it not. 
 Not only while yet I live will I show you kind- 
 ness but I will not cut off my kindness from 
 your house forever and ever. 
 After a solemn pause. 
 
 Now for Michal. Tell her not it is I, but — a 
 merchant from Tyre. 
 
 JONATHAN a^ 2 E R 
 
 She will not come. 
 
 [ 107 ] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 With a message from David. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 She will come. 
 
 Exit Jonathan, 1 e r. David sees his harp on 
 the wall and takes it down^ strumming it softly. 
 He sings to himself, his face upturned to the stair- 
 way. 
 
 DAVID 
 Behold, thou art fair, my love. 
 Behold, thou art fair. 
 As the rose of Sharon 
 Or the lily of the valleys. 
 
 Or the flower among thorns, 
 So is my love among women. 
 Awake unto me, my sister, my love, my undefiled, 
 It is the voice of thy beloved that calleth, saying : 
 Awake unto me! 
 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister. 
 My bride, awake, awake! 
 
 During the song, Michal has softly opened the 
 curtains at the head of the low flight of stairs and 
 comes softly down. She is in rose-colored draper- 
 ieSy her black hair falling in plaits and twisted 
 
 [ 108 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 with ribbons. She pauses when she sees David 
 and is dazed, rubbing her eyes to clear the films of 
 sleep. She advances doivn the stairs very slowly. 
 As the harp-music dies away she speaks. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I dream! Glorious vision of my head. O 
 
 dream, O spirit! 
 David retreats, walking backward, till he has 
 reached the wall, l, and hung his harp. Then 
 with a sudden dramatic change of attitude and 
 gait, he approaches her briskly, speaking in the 
 eager tone of a seller. 
 
 DAVID 
 Lady, I am the merchant of stuffs from Tyre. I 
 
 have 
 
 MiCHAL is mystified, thinks she has dreamed. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Where is that other ? 
 
 DAVID 
 What other, lady ? There is only I. My servant 
 
 waits in the antechamber. 
 He points to l. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I had a dream. It is gone. Your message ? 
 
 [ 109 ] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 Princess, I have stuffs 
 
 MICHAL imperiously 
 
 Now is not the hour for buying and selHng. Your 
 message. 
 
 DAVID 
 Your patience, princess, but I must obey the will 
 of him that sent me. Such marvellous excel- 
 lent stuffs, in color like the rainbow, in tex- 
 ture like the morning mist 
 
 MICHAL 
 Ah, peace, peace. They interest me not. 
 
 DAVID 
 Thin as spider webs, yet strong as the cords that 
 bound Samson. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Open them quickly that we may have done with 
 
 this talk. 
 MiCHAL seats herself wearily on the ottoman. Da- 
 vid, to her surprise f seats himself at her side on the 
 cushions. 
 
 DAVID 
 still in the inspired tone of an eccentric merchant 
 I have sold to the princes of Tyre and Sidon, to 
 
 [110] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 Pharaoh's daughter and to the Queen of 
 
 Sheba 
 
 MICHAL 
 Enough ! 
 
 She has scarcely looked at David. This fact, with 
 the dimness of the light, his different attire, masked 
 voice and the change in him that months of cam- 
 paign have wrought, keep her from recognizing 
 him, 
 
 DAVID 
 But for you alone have I kept one stuff, and sold 
 
 it to none other. 
 MiCHAL begins to show interest. 
 I have myself woven it for the young bride on her 
 
 betrothal. 
 MiCHAii rises in great anger. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Out, I will have none of bride-stuffs and betrothal 
 
 veils. 
 David goes to his pack which is below the win- 
 dow, c. 
 
 DAVID 
 It is the wish of him who sent me. 
 While David's back is turned, Michal takes the 
 cushions on which he has been sitting and tosses 
 
 [111] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 them into the jar corner of the room. Laughing , 
 
 David returns. 
 
 Forgive the laughter, but the joy I am about to 
 
 spread before your eyes 
 
 MiCHAL takes the candle from its sconce. 
 
 MICHAL mocking 
 
 We need a brighter hght to see this stufiF, this 
 
 morning mist, this rainbow web 
 
 David has returned from the window empty-hand- 
 ed. He takes the candle from her and places it on 
 the table. 
 
 DAVID 
 Your pardon, princess, but there needs no light — 
 Something in David's tone and manner arrests 
 Michal's attention and she stands stilly as if fas- 
 cinated. 
 
 for the fabric itself sheds radiance round 
 about it. It is woven in heaven for the 
 young and the pure. They that wear it 
 wisely may wear it always. They will walk 
 as angels and no harm may come near them, 
 neither will they ever be troubled. 
 
 MICHAL eagerly 
 
 Is it to be bought for gold ? 
 
 [ 112 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 Gold, nay, much gold, will not buy it, for it is 
 without price. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I should like it well. 
 
 DAVID 
 'it would become you well. 
 
 MICHAL 
 By what name do you call it ? 
 
 DAVID 
 Some do but call it the fabric of a dream. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Ah, show it me ! 
 
 David stretches out his arms as if he were dis- 
 playing folds of a garment between them. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Do you not see it ? Do you not know it ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 more and more wonderingly 
 By what token shall I know it ? 
 David takes from his bosom the withered white 
 rose of Act II. 
 
 [113] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 By this! 
 
 MICHAL 
 The rose, the white rose ! My David. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 taking her to his breast 
 This is the fabric of heaven that folds us, love, 
 love, love. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Ah, David, but this cannot last. To-morrow 
 
 DAVID 
 
 What? 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 My betrothal. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 It shall be with David. 
 
 MICHAL 
 My father will not suffer you, when you come de- 
 feated, forlorn. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 And you ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 Whither thou goest I will go 
 And where thou lodgest there will I lodge. 
 Come, let us depart this night together. 
 
 [114] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Nay. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 You will not fly with me ? Ah, but you must not 
 
 be found here. It will be morning soon. 
 
 DAVID 
 I will come for you at daybreak. Your father 
 shall give you into my hands. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 in doubt and grief, denying 
 My father — shall give me — to you, to you — as 
 you are ! 
 
 DAVID 
 As I am, in these rags, he shall call me son. 
 He goes to window, c. 
 
 MICHAL 
 It must be soon, soon ! 
 
 DAVID 
 
 At daybreak. 
 MiCHAL listens at r. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Hark, Saul is stirring. The servants are about. 
 You must go. 
 
 [115] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 I will go and return. Fear not. 
 Exit David, c. A servant enters y l, extinguishes 
 the lights. Michal keeps him jrom the window. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Does the day promise fair? 
 
 SERVANT 
 There bodes a storm, princess. 
 
 MICHAL 
 But the sunset was clear. 
 
 SERVANT going to c window 
 The sun rises red. Look out, princess ! 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 leaning with her hack to the shutters 
 I do not wish to look. It is enough. 
 Servant looks surprised. Exit l. Michal flings 
 open the shutters and looks out. She croons to 
 herself longingly. 
 O thou sun, stand still in the heavens till David, 
 
 my David return. Stand still, have pity on 
 
 me till David, my David return. 
 As she leans thus from the lattice, Saul and 
 Ahinoam enter y 2 e r, deep in conversation. 
 
 [116] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 SAUL 
 What is love ? Pff ! A cobweb glistering in the 
 dew. Pinch it between your fingers. Gone. 
 
 AHINOAM 
 But Michal's heart will be a fire shut up. 
 
 SAUL 
 The fire will pass. I doubt not that ere this 
 
 David has become food for beasts of the 
 
 field. 
 MiCHAL flings herself from the divan and stands 
 stormily before them. They had not before seen her. 
 
 MICHAL 
 It is a lie. He lives. 
 
 Exit MiCHAL, 2 E R. 
 
 SAUL sternly 
 
 Michal ! 
 Enter, l, servant. 
 
 SERVANT 
 My lord, Phaltiel seeks audience. 
 
 SAUL 
 Bring him hither. 
 
 Exity L, servant and enter almost immediately 
 
 [117] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 Phaltiel. He is richly dressed, sleeky more re- 
 pulsive than ever. 
 
 SAUL 
 Your petition. 
 
 PHALTIEL 
 My lord, these months have I waited and now I 
 beg you, delay no longer. Give me this 
 day Michal for my betrothed. 
 
 SAUL to the servant 
 
 Request the princess Michal to come hither. 
 Exit servant, 2 e b. 
 
 PHALTIEL 
 Behold, how my bones are wasted with the travail 
 of my desire! 
 
 SAUL 
 
 not heeding Phaltiel, to Ahinoam 
 She is stubborn-hearted and delays to come. I 
 will subdue her to my will. 
 
 AHINOAM 
 Deal gently with the damsel. 
 Enter, r, Michal. At sight of Phaltiel she 
 stands. 
 
 [118] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 SAUL 
 Hither. What do you fear? 
 To Phaltiel, grimly. 
 Take her by the hand. Lead your lady. 
 MiCHAL futs her hands behind her and advances. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I will come alone. 
 
 SAUL 
 You are chastened in mien. Has the night 
 taught you understanding ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 Yes, father. 
 
 SAUL 
 And good cheer? 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 Yes, father. 
 
 SAUL 
 How honey-sweet her lips. Art ready for the be- 
 trothal ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 Yes, father. 
 
 SAUL much ^pleased 
 
 Give your hand to Phaltiel's charge and he will 
 put on the betrothal ring. 
 [119] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 Phaltiel -flourishes the ring from his bosom. 
 MiCHAL withdraws. 
 
 MICHAL 
 But not with him. I am in truth ready for the 
 betrothal, but not with him. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 With whom, prithee? 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 With David. 
 
 Saul laughs long and bitterly. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Where is he, then, this David of yours ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 He will come. 
 
 SAUL 
 Will come, will come ! It is a tale grown old. 
 
 MICHAL 
 He will come at sunrise. 
 
 AHINOAM 
 
 Do you know, daughter ? 
 
 [120] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MICHAL 
 I know. 
 Phaltiel goes to window. 
 
 PHALTIEL 
 My lord, the sun is red above the horizon. I can 
 
 no longer wait. 
 MiCHAL seizes a sand-glass from the table. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Till the sands fall through, till the sands fall 
 through. 
 
 AHINOAM 
 Grant the child her wish. 
 
 SAUL. 
 So be it. 
 
 PHALTIEL 
 Oh, my lord king 
 
 SAUL 
 I have said. 
 
 MiCHAL standsy c, watching the hour-glass in her 
 hands. All watch her. 
 
 PHALTIEL 
 
 Whence comes this lover ? From the heaven ? 
 
 [ 121 ] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL 
 Yes, heaven will send him. 
 Pause. 
 
 PHALTIEL 
 The sands are nigh spent. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Mother, I beg you, watch at the lattice. 
 Ahinoam goes to the window to watch. Pause. 
 
 PHALTIEL 
 The sands are through. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Nay, nay. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 The glass is empty. 
 
 MiCHAL, in wild despair, dashes the hour-glass 
 upon the floor. Phaltiel takes her hands. Ahin- 
 oam and Saul stand beside them. Jonathan 
 rushes in, l. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 He comes, he comes. 
 
 PHALTIEL 
 Too late. 
 
 [ 122 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MICHAL 
 'Tis not too late. 
 
 David, all breathless, still in his rags and tatter s, 
 rushes in, l. 
 
 DAVID 
 I, David ! I come to claim the bride. 
 Phaltiel rises to the supreme moment of his life. 
 
 PHALTIEL 
 My bride. 
 
 David, on his way to Michal, thrusts Phaltiel 
 
 aside so violently that he staggers against the wall. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Mine. 
 
 Saul sternly steps between him and Michal. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Insolent, who are you to step between the king 
 and the man the king has chosen ? 
 
 DAVID 
 Your promise, O king. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 My promise! 
 
 DAVID 
 Need I remind Saul of his promise, first before 
 the field of Ephes-Dammim, where I slew the 
 
 [123] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 giant Goliath, and second on that night when 
 I went forth from the — house of sorcery to 
 take the PhiUstine towns ? 
 
 SAUL 
 Where are those PhiHstine towns you boasted to 
 lay low ? 
 
 DAVID 
 In the dust, my lord. 
 
 Phaltiel is creeping as far as possible from Da- 
 vid to L. 
 
 SAUL 
 You come alone in rags with this pirate's story. 
 
 DAVID 
 Alone, in rags, but the cities are laid low. 
 
 AHINOAM to Saul 
 
 My lord, let him offer proof. 
 
 DAVID 
 The word of David. 
 
 SAUL to Jonathan 
 
 Summon the guard. 
 Exeunt, l, Jonathan and Phaltiel. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Believe him, my father. 
 
 [ 134 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 SAUL tauntingly 
 
 A brave bridegroom, forsooth, in your purple and 
 fine linen. Only one thing lacks, the chain 
 of fine gold, about his neck, for a bridegroom 
 meet. 
 
 Enter, l, the armed guard, two men and Jonathan. 
 
 To the men. 
 
 Take him and bind him. 
 
 DAVID 
 My friends, I ask ye all to witness how Saul has 
 forsworn his oath. I am come victor, and 
 this is my reward, a prison and a chain. 
 
 SAUL 
 Take him and chain him. He is mad. 
 As the men approach, David turns fiercely and has 
 almost overthrown them, 
 
 SAUL to David 
 
 David, you that I brought from the sheepcotes, I 
 your king, command. 
 David gives over his resistance and folds his arms^ 
 
 DAVID 
 I obey my king. 
 
 [ 125] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 SAUL 
 Lay down your weapon. 
 
 David lays his sword on the floor. It so hap- 
 fens that it lies between him and Michal. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Ah, David, that drawn sword Ues between you and 
 me. 
 
 SAUL to the men 
 
 Take him and bind him. 
 
 The soldiers^ wholly on David's side, sullenly 
 hesitate to obey. 
 Laggards, do your work. Ye refuse ^ 
 
 MICHAL 
 Father, behold how David, whom you hate, is 
 
 more loyal than they. 
 A steady tramp, tramp, of approaching men is 
 heard from this time till David's followers appear. 
 
 DAVID 
 Nay, princess Michal, they, too, are loyal to their 
 king. 
 
 What? 
 
 SAUL cingry 
 
 [ 126 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 They appeal from Saul the tyrant to Saul the king. 
 Cries outside the window. 
 
 PEOPLE 
 David, David! 
 
 AHINOAM to Saul 
 
 My lord, do you hear the people ? 
 
 PEOPLE 
 Open to us, David, David ! 
 
 The cries continue from this point till the doors are 
 open. 
 
 SAUL 
 What is this? 
 
 JONATHAN 
 They are the followers of David, acclaiming the 
 victory. 
 
 AHINOAM 
 They will break down the walls if they see not 
 David. 
 
 SAUL 
 Open to them. 
 
 The soldiers open the door l and the window c. 
 The people crowd in. Eliab is spokesman for the 
 people. 
 
 [127] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 ELIAB 
 Where is David that I may give these banners to 
 
 his hand ? 
 David and Eliab meet and David receives a sheaf 
 of tattered banners. 
 
 DAVID 
 My lord, I went out, as you bade me, for the re- 
 ward of Michal's hand, as I desired, and I 
 smote the twenty cities, I and these my brave 
 followers and we laid them low. 
 
 PEOPLE 
 Huzza. 
 
 David lays a banner at Saul's feet. 
 
 DAVID 
 The banner of Ashdod. 
 
 PEOPLE 
 Huzza. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 with a second banner 
 The banner of Ekron. 
 
 PEOPLE 
 Huzza. 
 
 DAVID 
 The banner of Gaza. 
 
 [128] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 PEOPLE 
 Huzza. 
 
 David lays the sheaf of banners at Saul's feet. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 And the banners of all these cities laid at your feet, 
 O my king. 
 
 PEOPLE 
 Huzza. 
 
 DAVID 
 I ask my reward. 
 
 PEOPLE 
 The reward, the reward. 
 
 ELIAB 
 Robe him and crown him, O Saul ! 
 
 PEOPLE 
 The robe, the chain! 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Oh David, oh ye people 
 
 PEOPLE 
 interrupting in their enthusiasm 
 The robe, the crown ! 
 
 AHINOAM 
 The people demand it. 
 
 [129] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 leading David to Saul 
 My father! 
 
 ELIAB 
 David and Michal! 
 
 SAUL to Jonathan 
 
 Put upon him your mantle and your robe. 
 Jonathan clothes David in his scarlet robe. The 
 people applaud. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I will put upon his neck the chain of gold. 
 She takes from her neck the golden chain she wears. 
 David kneels before her and she puts the chain 
 upon him. 
 
 PEOPLE 
 David and Michal. The bridegroom and the 
 bride. 
 
 MICHAL 
 He is the prince beloved, for he is your son, is he 
 not, father? 
 
 SAUL 
 My people, he is in truth the prince beloved, a 
 captain over my peoples. Leave us to- 
 gether. 
 
 [130] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 He motions to the people to go out. All exeunt, l 
 and c, except David and Michal. David kneels 
 before Saul. 
 Kneel not to me. I am he that should kneel to 
 
 ask your forgiveness, my son David. 
 David rises. 
 And now your harp, your voice in song, a sign of 
 
 peace. 
 Michal brings the harp to David. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Too long it has been silent. 
 David sits on ottoman, l c. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 What song shall I sing, O Saul ? 
 Michal stands by him. 
 
 SAUL 
 A song of peace, for I am weary of war. 
 To Michal. 
 
 Come to your father, my child. 
 Michal goes to her father, sits on a cushion by his 
 knee, his hand on her head. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 What song, beloved ? 
 
 [131] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAI. 
 Of your childhood days in those dear hills. 
 David, strumming lightly on his harp^ sings. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 singing the song of Act I 
 The Lord my shepherd is, 
 
 I shall not want. 
 In the green pastures shall I lie. 
 
 He leads nie by still waters. 
 
 A triumphal song is heard, faint in the distance, 
 but approaching the palace. 
 
 The Lord my soul restores. 
 
 He leadeth me 
 In paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 
 
 For His name's sake. 
 
 SAUL 
 How sweet your voice to me, my son David ! 
 
 The triumphal procession comes nearer and the 
 words of the women are audible. 
 
 WOMEN 
 O clap your hands, all ye daughters, 
 
 Shout and greatly rejoice- 
 
 [ 132 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 Saul listens to their voices^ disturbed. Michal 
 leans forward to David, anxious. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Play on, sweet singer. 
 
 SAUL muttering 
 
 In praise of David. 
 
 DAVID singing 
 
 Yea, though I walk in night, 
 
 Through death's dark valley 
 
 The procession comes in sight. Women robed in 
 ivhite, carrying torches, file slowly past the 
 window. 
 
 WOMEN 
 O clap your hands, all ye daughters. 
 
 Shout and greatly rejoice. 
 Saul, Saul his thousands hath he slain, 
 But David his ten thousands. 
 
 Saul's face darkens. His hand steals to the hilt of 
 his javelin. 
 
 SAUL 
 David, David! Even the women chant his 
 praise. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 Sing on, sing on ! 
 
 [133] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 Yea, though I walk in night, 
 
 Through death's dark valley. 
 
 WOMEN 
 
 in a sudden burst of song 
 Saul, Saul his thousands hath he slain, 
 But David his ten thousands. 
 
 DAVID singing 
 
 No evil will I fear 
 
 SAUL 
 Curse you, curse you, curse you. Traitor! 
 With his words, he hurls his javelin across the 
 room at David. Michal, with a cry, flings her 
 weight on his arm, causing the javelin to swerve. 
 It strikes the wall behind David. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Flee, flee for your life. The madness is on him. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 arisen to his feet, in an attitude of horror 
 Saul, my king. 
 
 Curtain 
 
 end of act iii 
 [134] 
 
ACT IV 
 
 Scene I : The Tabernacle : The gorgeous pag- 
 eantry of the Tabernacle arrayed for the bridal of 
 MicHAL at the Feast of Trumpets. Hangings of 
 purple y blue, and gold. The altar with the golden 
 candlesticks and cherubim. Priests and Levites in 
 their rich robes grouped around the altar. Two 
 exitSy the great central door and smaller door, l. 
 Enter, c, two priests, blowing on silver trumpets. 
 They are followed by musicians, with tabret, harp, 
 and psaltery. After their evolutions, comes a pro- 
 cession of maidens with cymbals, dancing a slow 
 religious dance. These are arrayed on l, in front 
 of the musicians. Opposite are the priests and 
 Levites. Then, to the sotind of music from the 
 trumpeters, come the courtiers led by Merab and 
 Adriel. These take their places, r c. 
 Enter alone, c, Phaltiel, in bridal splendor. A 
 low hiss runs through the group of young men and 
 maidens. Phaltiel glances sullenly. 
 
 [135] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 All look expectantly to c, whence comes the sound of 
 low wailing, Michal's voice. Enter Jonathan 
 and Queen Ahinoam, followed after a moment 
 by Saul, leading Michal. Michal is in white, 
 her long hair in braids bound with gold, and a 
 gold girdle round her waist. She is ashen pale 
 and is dragged rather than led. They slowly ad- 
 vance to the altar. When she lifts her head and 
 sees the array of priests and Phaltiel waiting 
 for her by the altar, she moans. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Ah, no, no! 
 
 SAUL to the musicians 
 
 Strike up. 
 
 The musicians play. 
 
 Phaltiel, stand forward. 
 
 As Phaltiel advances Michal retreats. 
 
 Oh all ye peoples, tribes of Israel, my children 
 hereunto assembled, these are the nuptials of 
 the princess Michal with Phaltiel, prince of 
 Laish. Where is the high priest of the tribe 
 of Benjamin? Let him join their hands 
 and put on the solemn ring of the covenant. 
 
 A pause, but no high priest steps forth. 
 
 [ 136 ] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 
 
 JONATHAN 
 My lord king, the high priest was stricken down 
 
 as he set forth for the tabernacle. 
 A groan from all. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 What boots it? 
 
 To a priest. 
 
 Ashur, take your place in his stead. 
 
 AsHUR, in his stately robes, steps to c from the body 
 
 of priests. He is reluctant. The music sounds 
 
 again as Ashur leads together Michal and 
 
 Phaltiel. Ashur takes from Phaltiel the ring 
 
 and holds it on high. 
 
 Behold the solemn ring of the covenant ! Is there 
 
 any man to deny this covenant ? 
 A commotion at the door, c. The people shudder 
 away as, on horseback at full gallop, enters David, 
 his spear flashing from r to l. Eliab and Abina- 
 DAB follow and stand guard on each side of the 
 great central door, 
 
 DAVID 
 I deny! I deny! I deny the righteousness of 
 
 the covenant. 
 He reaches the spot where the royal group stand, 
 leans from the saddle, smites down Ashur. 
 
 [137] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 Thus have I cut in two both ring and priest and — 
 
 lifting Michal to the saddle beside him, amid the 
 
 frozen stares of the congregation. 
 
 Thus does the master take his own ! 
 
 Sharply wheeling, he gallops up-stage to door. 
 
 SAUL choking in wrath 
 
 Traitor and outlaw ! Has no man a weapon ? 
 
 DAVID at door 
 
 The weapon is mine. By sword and by fire have 
 
 I sworn to have and to hold mine own. 
 Samuel, a venerable figure, appears suddenly at l 
 and holds up his hand, 
 
 SAMUEL 
 David, halt. By sword and by fire, but not in 
 
 the name of the Most High. In the name of 
 
 the Most High, I command thee lay down 
 
 thy burden. 
 A pause. David stands reluctant, his eyes fixed 
 on Samuel. 
 Forbear to desecrate His holy Temple. In the 
 
 name of thine own high calling, forbear ! 
 David gives over Michal to his two men-at-arms 
 by the door. Her insensate form shows that she is 
 unconscious. They carry her within, where two 
 
 [138] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 
 
 maidens tend her. David alights and stands 
 
 with bared head and weapon lowered. 
 
 Get thee hence to the wilderness away from the 
 
 wrath of Saul, to do penance and to wash 
 
 away thy sin. 
 
 DAVID smiting his breast 
 
 In the name of mine own anointing I do obey, 
 
 that Jehovah who is the respecter of oaths 
 
 may also respect the oath that lies 'twixt me 
 
 and her. 
 
 He points to Michal. 
 
 Curtain 
 
 end of scene i 
 
 [139] 
 
i 
 
 ACT IV 
 
 Scene II: The Cave of Adullam: A wild and 
 rugged country y with a gray, tossing shy. Clifjs 
 and rocks piled up as far as the eye can see. r is 
 the entrance to the cave. Other exits, l and c, he- 
 hind jags of rocks and boulders. Stones in front 
 used as seats. 
 
 Discovered are David and a wild group of his fol- 
 lowers, ten or twelve. Among them the three 
 mighties, his brothers, Eliab, Abinadab, and 
 Shammah, and Amasa and Asahel, archers, with 
 their bows and arrows. 
 The curtain goes up on a great clamor. 
 
 Down with 
 
 Saul. 
 
 ELIAB 
 
 Death to the madman. 
 
 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Silence. 
 
 
 [140] 
 
 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 
 
 SHAMMAH 
 Down with the mad king. 
 
 DAVID 
 Silence. 
 
 More angry cries. 
 
 Silence. Obey your leader ! 
 
 They are silent. 
 
 I say unto you, honor the king. 
 
 ELIAB 
 David, the prophecy has gone out that you are to 
 be king of Israel and to this end Samuel 
 anointed you. 
 
 DAVID 
 Because of this prophecy, shall we take up arms 
 against the king.? Even because of the 
 prophecy, a thousand times no! 
 
 ALL 
 
 A cause, a cause! 
 
 DAVID 
 There shall be a cause for you. Are there out- 
 laws among you, driven forth from house 
 and home? 
 
 CRIES 
 Yes, yes. 
 
 [141] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 Outlaw am I. Debtors are there, your faces 
 ground by the pitiless tax-gatherer ? 
 
 CRIES 
 
 Yes, yes. 
 
 DAVID 
 Debtor am I. Malcontents are there, your hope 
 
 as a spider's web? Haggards of the rock, 
 
 criers for justice ? 
 
 CRIES 
 
 Yes, yes. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 All that and more am I. Yet with a great hope 
 possessed that out of confusion will peace 
 arise, from the wine of violence and the 
 bread of tears, peace that floweth like a river. 
 Let us then stand shoulder to shoulder, you 
 for me, I for you ! 
 
 ALL 
 
 For David, for David. 
 
 DAVID 
 Robbers and oppressors we shall not be. What 
 shall bind us together, love or hate, hate or 
 love? 
 
 [ 142 ] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 
 
 ELIAB 
 liOvers of David, lovers of David! 
 
 DAVID 
 To your stations, as I have appointed. Remem- 
 ber the password if any seeks admittance. 
 " What come you for to seek ? " " The Lion 
 of Judah. " 
 
 ALL as they go out 
 
 The hon of Judah. 
 The three mighties and David remain. 
 
 ELIAB 
 Who knows the watchword outside of our cave } 
 
 DAVID 
 Only they that are my friends. 
 
 ABINADAB 
 And they are easily numbered. Not of the palace, 
 I will swear. 
 
 DAVID 
 One there is in the palace my friend. That one 
 knows the password. None other. 
 
 SHAMMAH 
 Trust none, I say. 
 
 Cries of the men outside among the cliffs are heard. 
 
 [143] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 CRIES 
 What come you for to seek ? 
 
 VOICE 
 The Lion of Judah. 
 
 CRIES 
 Let him pass. 
 
 All look questioningly to the clijfs, c. Enter Mi- 
 
 CHAL, disguised as a shepherd. 
 
 DAVID stepping forward 
 
 If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, my 
 
 heart shall be knit unto you, but if ye come to 
 
 betray me — 
 At this word Michal starts. 
 
 to mine enemies, the God of our fathers look 
 
 thereon and rebuke it. 
 
 MICHAL. 
 Yours am I, David, and on your side. 
 At the sound of her voice David looks at her closely 
 and moves a step nearer. 
 
 ABINADAB laughingly 
 
 A grasshopper in sandals, forsooth ! 
 
 SHAMMAH 
 What seek you refuge from, the assault of a 
 mighty blue-fly? 
 
 [ 144 ] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Depart to your stations. When I have need of 
 
 you I will blow one blast upon my bugle. 
 
 ELIAB 
 We shall obey your call. 
 Exeunt, c, the tliree mighties. 
 
 DAVID 'passionately 
 
 Michal, Michal, why have you come ? Has Saul 
 relented ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 No, no. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Child, child, did you not fear? These savage 
 cliffs, these outlawed men! 
 
 MICHAL 
 I had the password. 
 
 DAVID 
 What brings you ? At your peril have you come, 
 like a bird that hastes to the snare and knows 
 it not. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I came to you. 
 
 [ 145 ] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID enfolding her 
 
 Nest thee, then, my bird. Ah, but thy Hps are 
 sweeter than wine. 
 
 MiCHAL withdraws from David and looks up into 
 his face with a deep question. 
 
 MICHAL 
 David, have I not proved my love, that I would 
 leave all and follow you ? 
 
 DAVID 
 
 I ask no proof. I believe you always, as you me. 
 
 MiCHAL shakes her head slowly. 
 
 Doubt not the future. It is in His hands. Soon 
 you must go, I know too well. Let us dream, 
 dream, here at the parting of the ways. 
 
 MiCHAL springs from him in indignation. 
 
 MICHAl. 
 David, I have risked all for you, and you ? You 
 count me least of your ambitions. 
 
 DAVID in wonder 
 
 Have I not — have I not ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 Talk not of battles and violence with sword. That 
 is man's pastime. Many men, for love of a 
 t 146 ] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 
 
 woman, have overcome cities. There is some- 
 thing between your heart and mine, David. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Between us twain, Michal ? 
 
 MICHAJL 
 A king's crown. 
 
 DAVID 
 Would to God, Michal, I were a shepherd lad 
 
 again. 
 He presses his head as if there were a weight upon 
 it. 
 The crown, the crown, is upon my forehead a 
 
 crown of thorns. 
 He paces to and fro, heedless of Michal. 
 The burden is greater than I can bear. Take the 
 
 burden of this crown from me, O my God. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Cast it under foot and grind it to fragments. 
 A pause. David turns to her. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Speak again. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I bring this message from Saul my father. Re- 
 nounce your hope of the kingdom, he will re- 
 
 [ I'i*^ ] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 ceive you as his son, and — David — I shall be 
 yours. 
 David opens his arms to her. 
 
 DAVID 
 I swear it. Ah, nay, nay ! It is denied me by the 
 
 oath of mine anointing. 
 He goes with bowed head from her. 
 
 MICHAL following him 
 
 Is your love then so little ? 
 
 DAVID to himself 
 
 Verily, my feet are too weak to tread this path. 
 As a blind man I stagger and fall. 
 
 MICHAL 
 This is the measure of the stature of your love. 
 
 DAVID 
 Who has determined this to be the measure ? Who 
 has poisoned your mind against me ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 My father has — counselled me. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Listen, Michal. There is a law mightier even 
 than this law of love. By this law in the be- 
 [ 148 ] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 
 
 ginning of things were our lives ordained, all 
 our times appointed. Not often is it vouch- 
 safed to any man to see what the future has in 
 store. That which is to be is not of my do- 
 ing nor of Saul's nor any man's undoing. It 
 is the law of God, who setteth the stars in 
 their places and the ocean that he overstep 
 not his barrier. Do you understand ? 
 
 MICHAJL awed 
 
 I understand. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 But believe not that glory maketh any man to re- 
 joice. Even of the dust have I eaten, for be- 
 tween thee and me does this crown come. 
 
 MICHAJL kneeling 
 
 Forgive me, my lover. 
 
 DAVID 
 I have naught to forgive. 
 
 MICHAL 
 There is something you do not know. I came 
 here — my father was aware — he will fol- 
 low — Ah, David, I was so sure you would 
 renounce the ambition — I did not under- 
 stand ! 
 
 [149] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 What is your meaning ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 My father wrought so upon me. Ah, my lord ! 
 
 DAVID 
 
 What have you done ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 I have betrayed you, you will say. But not will- 
 ingly. 
 The clashing of arms and cries of fighters are 
 heard. The noise waxes louder throughout the 
 next few speeches. 
 
 DAVID 
 You have betrayed me ! Ah, my brave followers ! 
 He makes as if to join them outside, running to l, 
 but MiCHAL clings to him. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Leave me not alone, leave me not! 
 David takes her to the cave opening^ r. 
 
 DAVID 
 Hide there. It will be safe. 
 
 [150] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 
 
 MICHAL 
 No, I shall stay in the open and with you. 
 A scattered remnant of David's followers, bravely 
 keeping the cliffs, are pushed backward by their 
 assaulters and so enter, c and l, backward, still 
 fighting. Saul's men follow, their panoply of 
 armor in contrast with the tatters of David's men. 
 A sharp struggle, then all fall in death except 
 two of Saul's followers and one of David's, the 
 youth AsAHEL. AsAHEL rushcs to David, his 
 bow in his hand, his sheaf of arrows at his belt, the 
 two in pursuit. 
 
 ASAHEL 
 I am struck to the heart. 
 
 He falls dead. David seizes As ah el's bow and 
 arrows and shoots at the pursuers. They fall and 
 Saul enters, c, towering in his rage, his spear in 
 his hand. 
 
 SAUL 
 Vengeance is mine, at last, at last. 
 David steps forward fearlessly. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 My lord king. 
 
 SAUL poising his spear 
 
 Trouble not yourself with lord, lord. 
 
 [ 151 ] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAA'^ID baring his breast 
 
 Death shall be welcome, for Michal has become 
 
 my betrayer. 
 Michal throws herself on her father's breast 
 
 MICHAL 
 Not him, father, not him. 
 
 SAUL 
 You have played your part. Stand back. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Spare him, father, for my sake. 
 
 SAUL 
 I will not deal with him as his deeds deserve. I 
 
 will summon my men and they shall take him 
 
 captive. 
 Saul blows two blasts on his bugle. A pause. 
 There is no response. He blows again. Again a 
 pause. 
 
 DAVID 
 Oh my lord king, the dead do not waken, neither 
 
 are the slain swift of foot. 
 
 SAUL 
 Slain for me! 
 
 David blows once. A long pause. 
 Nay, the dead do not waken! 
 
 [152] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 
 
 David blows again. Enter running, blood-stained 
 and torny the two mighties, Eliab and Shammah. 
 
 ELIAB 
 My lord David! 
 
 DAVID 
 Where are your brethren ? 
 
 ELIAB 
 Out of your body-guard, the ten that guarded 
 the chffs, we only remain. The king's men 
 have fallen, every one. 
 David bows his head. Saul throws his spear on 
 the ground. 
 
 SAUL 
 Rejoice over me, for I am in your hands. 
 
 DAVID 
 Far be it from me to rejoice over these that have 
 fallen in my name. Lo, they have fought in 
 jeopardy of their lives. 
 
 SAUL 
 Hasten to raise your weapon against me. 
 
 DAVID 
 I shall not put forth my hand against the Lord's 
 anointed. After whom is the King of Is- 
 [153] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 rael come out? My heart is unto you as it 
 was of old. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Beseech him, father, that the past may be for- 
 gotten and that we may be at peace together. 
 
 SAUL 
 Give me here your solemn covenant to forswear 
 the vain hope of the kingship, and lo, you 
 shall have Michal to wife and peace and 
 plenty all your days. But the crown to me 
 and my house forever. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Swear to this covenant, David, for my sake. 
 
 SAUL 
 
 Why are you reluctant, my son David ? 
 
 DAVID 
 
 You ask me to forswear the word of the Most 
 High. 
 
 MICHAL 
 As you love me, David. A king's crown or your 
 heart's desire. 
 
 [ 154 ] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 
 
 DAVID 
 Other Hands than mine have placed the crown 
 before me and other Hands must take it from 
 my head. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Father, plead with him, beseech him, for a 
 crown is but a little thing compared to the 
 love of a life. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Nay, Michal, but man is not stronger than God 
 to contend with Him. Oh my lord king, I 
 must await the word of the anointing. To 
 forswear the word I am unable. 
 
 SAUL in a rage 
 
 I will smite you, hip and thigh. You and your 
 followers I will put to the edge of the 
 sword. You shall be harried and laid waste 
 and forgotten utterly. Michal, swear unto 
 me never again to look upon the face of this 
 traitor David. Swear! 
 He forces her to her knees before him. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I swear. 
 
 Saul raises her to her feet and they go off to c. 
 
 [ 155] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 
 I charge you, O Michal, to remember my love. 
 Many waters will not quench love neither 
 will the floods drown it. Nay, if a man 
 would give all the substance of his house for 
 love it would utterly be contemned. 
 
 To Eliab and Shammah. 
 
 See that the king and the king's daughter go safe- 
 ly forth. 
 
 ELIAB 
 We obey. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Sound me salute from the various stations that I 
 may know they have safely passed. 
 
 To Saul and Michal. 
 
 Peace be with you. 
 
 Exeunt, c, Saul, Michal, and the mighties. 
 
 David stands in a listening attitude. Three salutes 
 
 sound, more and more distant, David's head 
 
 droops upon his breast. He sees the fallen figure 
 
 of AsAHEL and lifts the still hand. 
 
 In vain shall your mother await you at her win- 
 dow — she shall cry at her lattice — When 
 Cometh he, my son, my first-born ? 
 [156] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 
 
 He raises his arms to an attitude of prayer. 
 Acquaintance and friend puttest Thou from me, 
 My beloved removest Thou far from my sight. 
 
 Curtain 
 
 Second Curtain 
 
 Tableau — Night, the sky strewn with faint stars 
 and a camp-fire lighting weirdly the foreground of 
 boulders where David's followers lie asleep. In 
 the far distance, other fires, beacon-lights on the 
 hills. David still standing in the attitude of sor- 
 row, arms upraised to heaven. 
 
 END OF ACT IV 
 
 [157] 
 
ACT V 
 
 Scene I: An Open Square in the City of 
 Gath : Evening. A paved city square with ex- 
 terior of low stone buildings on r and l. Seen in 
 the distance a broad plain and the blue Mediter- 
 ranean, flecked with foam. Small grated windows 
 in the houses are lighted, giving sign of watchers 
 within. The back of the stage is the city wall 
 flanked on the n by a watch-tower. Steps lead 
 from the square to the top of the wall. 1 e l leads 
 to the outer country. 2 e l, a door in the house of 
 Achish, king of Gath. r e leads to other parts 
 of the city and wall. On the r is a merchanfs 
 deserted booth. Wares are carelessly heaped up in 
 the fashion of Eastern bazaars of to-day. In front 
 is a stone bench for the buyers. On a table of the 
 booth, an oriental lantern, lighted. 
 Discovered, Hurai, in warlike dress, and a 
 Philistine asleep in the shadow of the steps, c. 
 Pacing back and forth on the wall, Eliab. On 
 the bench, r, Amasa. 
 
 [158] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 
 
 AMASA 
 In the morning the battle again, clanking of sword 
 and glittering of spear. 
 
 ELIAB 
 And may the battle be for us, for David and the 
 men of Gath. 
 
 AMASA 
 
 How many be the Israelites that lie outside ? 
 
 ELIAB 
 They are as the locusts for number. 
 Enter, r, David, absorbed, reading from a parch- 
 ment scroll. 
 
 DAVID 
 "To David, son of Jesse, armor -bearer of King 
 Saul, greeting!" For so was I in the former 
 time. "I, Michal, salute thee, in remem- 
 brance of those days at Gibeah and of that 
 harp of thine, with lilies garlanded. Lay 
 down, O David, thy sword. Take up 
 again thy harp and lift thy voice in song. 
 Forget the bitterness of thy heart and think 
 upon them that showed thee kindness. Saul 
 will relent toward thee if thou wilt go to 
 him as once thou wast, not captain of out- 
 [159] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 lawed and desperate men," for so am I, 
 Amasa, "but the sweet singer of Israel, the 
 greatly beloved of the king. " For so was I 
 in the former time. *' Return, O David, to thy 
 people. I, Michal, beseech thee. " 
 
 AMASA 
 This came to you to-day ? 
 
 DAVID 
 Not to-day. Many days ago. And this has been 
 
 the answer, alas, war, war, war. 
 A wailing from the house of Achish. Hurai and 
 the Philistine stir uneasily in their sleep. 
 
 AMASA 
 List, David, to the voice of weeping. 
 
 DAVID 
 Who are they? 
 
 ELIAB 
 
 They are the captive women, women of Israel 
 
 DAVID 
 My countrywomen! 
 
 ELIAB 
 This night captured at the hands of one of the 
 Philistine lords. 
 
 [160] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 
 as the weeping sounds again 
 
 Captive, my countrywomen! Their souls are 
 
 sorrowful and they will not sleep. Bid them 
 
 hither. Eliab, bid hither the captive women 
 
 that I may speak comfortably to them. 
 
 ELIAB 
 I go to bring them. 
 Exity 2 E L, Eliab. 
 
 DAVID 
 My soul yearns for the daughters of my people. 
 They reproach me in their hearts, even as 
 does Michal, Saul's daughter. 
 
 AMASA 
 Has Michal not sworn belief in you ? Yes, and 
 Jonathan also, the king's son. He was to 
 you as a brother. 
 
 DAVID 
 How may I believe that their heart is toward me 
 as of old, when I am thus in the stronghold of 
 their enemies ? Ay, even in the Cave of Adul- 
 1am Michal turned from me with reproaches. 
 He takes from his breast the parchment. 
 
 [161] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 "I, Michal, salute thee, in remembrance of 
 those days at Gibeah and of that harp of 
 thine, with hhes garlanded. " Enter, 2 e l, 
 Eliab, with captive women. Addressing the 
 women. Fear not for yourselves at all, nei- 
 ther be troubled. This shall be for you all a 
 place of safety and a refuge in time of war. 
 The women bow and turn to pass out. Peace 
 be with you. David scans them carefully as 
 they pass him. Exeunt, 2 e l, the women. 
 Eliab, were all the captive women here ? 
 
 ELIAB 
 
 There remains yet one. 
 
 DAVID 
 She would not come ? 
 
 ELIAB 
 
 She scorned me utterly and set me at nought. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Bring her hither. 
 
 ELIAB 
 She has the bearing of one who commands. I 
 failed before her. 
 
 [ 162 ] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 Send her to me. Amasa, you are more honey- 
 mouthed, go to her, but command her not. 
 Entreat her courteously. 
 
 AMASA 
 I go. 
 
 DAVID 
 Give her a — token. He thinks. A token from 
 me. He takes from his neck the chain. This 
 chain. 
 
 AMASA 
 
 hesitating to accept it 
 It is Michal's. 
 
 DAVID 
 It is mine. 
 
 AMASA 
 The chain that Michal put around your neck on 
 that day of your gladness. 
 
 DAVID 
 That day of my sadness. Take it. 
 
 AMASA as he goes to l 
 
 The chain he has worn so long 
 
 Exit Amasa 2 e l. 
 
 [163] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 I will not wear it again till Michal herself puts 
 it upon me. 
 
 ELIAB to the sleeping men 
 Arouse you, arouse you! They begin to awake. 
 Up, it is already the third watch. They 
 awake. 
 
 HURAI 
 Is it morning ? 
 
 ELIAB 
 It is your watch upon the western wall. They rise. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 It will soon be morning. Yet it seems the night 
 
 has lingered for a cycle. 
 Exeunt Hueai and the Philistine. 
 Speak to me further of this captive woman. She 
 
 is long in coming. 
 
 ELIAB 
 
 Ay, she takes her time. She is proud as a king's 
 daughter. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 You heard her voice, sorrowful like the wind 
 among the cedars. 
 
 [ 164 ] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 
 
 And full of music like the music of falling waters ? 
 Answer me! Nay, answer me not, you mav not 
 
 read the music of her voice. 
 How walked she, light-foot as the bird that 
 
 brushes the grasses 
 And they bend but break not under her feet ? 
 Or sat she in quietness with bowed forehead, 
 Like the mourners in their places ? 
 
 ELIAB 
 Surely, in so short a time I could not see so much. 
 Enter, 2 e l, Michal, veiled, and holding in her 
 hands the gold chain. 
 
 DAVID 
 Lady, I thank you for your coming. Eliab, 
 
 guard the eastern defences. 
 ExiU 1 E L, Eliab. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Your will with me ? 
 
 DAVID 
 Michal! 
 
 MICHAL 
 Nay, come no nearer and call me not by name. I 
 am a captive woman and you my jailer. 
 [165] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 As Jehovah lives, my God and yours, my heart is 
 toward you even as it was of old. Lift up 
 your veil, I pray you, that we may see eacli 
 other face to face. 
 
 MICHAL Utterly 
 
 You would have me stand before you unveiled, 
 the more to grace your triumph. 
 
 DAVID 
 It is no triumph, but a day of desolation, a night 
 
 of weeping. 
 MiCHAL lijts her veil. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 Speak and let me go in peace. 
 
 DAVID 
 Believe in me. This is all my prayer. If it were 
 an enemy that reproached me, then could I 
 bear it. But it is you, a woman mine equal, 
 mine acquaintance, and my beloved. 
 
 MICHAL 
 My eyes bear witness against you that have seen 
 you command the gates of Gath. Even by 
 this chain also are you false, sending forth 
 men to spill their blood that gave it you. 
 [ 166 ] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID 
 The gift was yours. 
 
 MICHAL 
 And their blood is in my veins. 
 
 DAVID 
 I am here as a shelter from tempestuous days and 
 the arrows of the envious. Believe it, Michal. 
 
 MICHAL 
 So I would fain believe. But the days came when 
 I durst not believe. I was in derision daily. 
 I cried out, because you were made a re- 
 proach to me. Then I said, *' I will not make 
 mention of him nor speak any more his 
 name. " But your name was in my heart as 
 a burning fire shut up. 
 
 DAVID 
 Then the message by the hand of the scribe. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 hiding her face in shame 
 A woman's heart fights for its life and will not be 
 slain. On my knees did my heart cry out to 
 you for mercy and you — gave me none. 
 [167] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 
 "putting his hand to his breast 
 Mercy was in your hand to give, not mine. You 
 the home-keeping, I the hunted. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Oh, it was shame to me, shame, that I should send 
 to you, beg you, and you — heed not ! 
 
 DAVID 
 Here within my breast your message has rested, 
 under the chain your hands put about my 
 neck. You remember? 
 
 MICHAL 
 I remember. 
 
 DAVID 
 You will put it once again about my neck. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Never! 
 
 DAVID 
 It shall be in token of perfect understanding. But 
 here on my breast has your message lain, on 
 my heart. I need not to open the scroll. 
 Listen, Michal. 
 He repeats slowly. 
 
 [168] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 
 
 "To David, son of Jesse, armor-bearer of King 
 
 Saul, greeting! 
 I, Michal, salute thee, in remembrance of those 
 
 days at Gibeah and of that harp of tliine with 
 
 lilies garlanded. 
 Lay down, O David, thy sword. Take up again 
 
 thy harp and lift thy voice in song. Forget 
 
 the bitterness of thine heart and think upon 
 
 them that showed thee kindness. 
 Saul will relent toward thee if thou wilt go to him 
 
 as once thou wast, not captain of outlawed 
 
 and desperate men " 
 
 MICHAL 
 For so are you. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 " — but the sweet singer of Israel, the greatly be- 
 loved of the king. Return, O David, 
 to thy people. I " 
 
 MICHAL 
 I, Michal, beseech thee ! Those were my words. 
 Those are still my words. 
 
 DAVID 
 Would I could prove to you my love, even in wan- 
 dering and in exile. This night, perhaps, 
 [ 169 ] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 the trial may come. And for you or any of 
 your house I would spend my life-blood. 
 And then — you would put the chain about 
 my neck, in token of perfect understanding. 
 The sound of a trumpet is heard. 
 
 MICHAL 
 I am afeard. 
 
 DAVID 
 It is for the gathering together of the people. Stay, 
 
 Michal. Fear not. 
 Enter, l and r, Achish, king of Gath, Saph, 
 Eliab, and others, David's followers and the Phil- 
 istines. 
 
 ACHISH 
 We will make him king over his people. 
 
 ALL 
 
 Ay, ay. 
 
 ACHISH 
 David, we have taken counsel together and I, 
 king of Gath, have come to lay the matter 
 before you. 
 
 DAVID 
 Speak on. 
 
 [170] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 
 
 ACHISH 
 You know how our men have fallen for you upon 
 the field. To-morrow, we wish you to lead 
 cut your followers to battle, you who till now 
 have kept the defences. Lead them forth 
 and then haply from Saul's army your coun- 
 trymen will flock to your standard, those who 
 loved you of old. We of Gath will stand 
 by you and at the day's end the crown of Is- 
 rael shall be upon your head. Michal lis- 
 tens earnestly. Saul and the house of Saul 
 shall be beneath your feet and Philistia and 
 Israel friends forever. 
 
 SAPH AND PHILISTINES 
 Forever ! 
 
 DAVID 
 It needs but one word to make firm this com- 
 pact — the word of David. 
 
 
 ACHISH 
 
 Your word, O David! 
 
 
 SAPH 
 
 Your word ? 
 
 
 
 ELIAB 
 
 Give the word, 
 
 Yes. 
 
 
 [171] 
 
• DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 ABINADAB 
 Consent. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 You ask me to gather round my standard my fol- 
 lowers and yours, and the followers of Saul 
 who may defect from his ranks in battle — 
 the craven and disloyal — and against the 
 people of my tribe and of his to make war. 
 
 ACHISH AND SAPH 
 War, war ! 
 
 DAVID 
 The reward — shall be the crown of Israel ? 
 
 ACHISH 
 The crown of Israel ! 
 
 DAVID 
 
 And the price ? 
 
 ACHISH 
 The life of Jonathan and Saul. 
 
 SAPH 
 Their life. 
 
 ACHISH 
 And the word of David ? 
 
 [172] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MICHAL 
 listening more and more intently 
 The word of David ? 
 
 DAVID 
 The word of David is, in the name of his people, 
 No! 
 
 ACHISH 
 What? 
 
 SAPH 
 He refuses? 
 
 ELIAB 
 
 There was ever a streak of madness in David. 
 
 SAPH 
 
 Madness! More evil than madness, I swear to 
 
 you! Treason to Achish and to Gath! 
 
 PHILISTINES 
 
 suddenly veering to hostility 
 Traitor! 
 
 SAPH 
 Think not, Achish, that he is loyal to his perse- 
 cutor, the mad king. How would this be 
 possible ? 
 
 PHILISTINES 
 
 No, no 
 
 [ 173 ] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 SAPH 
 If he will not fight with us, he is against us. Let 
 us put him to the test. 
 
 PHILISTINES 
 Down with David. 
 
 ELIAB 
 Insolent dogs! 
 
 A scuffle between the followers of David and the 
 Philistines. 
 
 DAVID to his men 
 
 Forbear ! Let us have peace. 
 
 ACHISH to Philistines 
 
 Bide your time. 
 
 SAPH 
 Put him to the test! 
 
 ACHISH 
 Men of Gath, he has come to us irom his people, 
 hunted like a wild beast on the hills. He has 
 been to me a friend and a lover. Even as an 
 angel has his countenance been to me. 
 
 SAPH 
 Why; then, will he not fight with us and over- 
 throw the madman who drove him hither ? 
 [174] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 
 
 PHILISTINES led hij Saph 
 
 Treason ! 
 They move angrily toward David. 
 
 MICHAL to David 
 
 Answer them. They will slay you. 
 
 DAVID 
 Achish and ye men of Gath, listen to me. You 
 say you do not believe in me nor in the pledge 
 of fealty I have taken to your king ? You say 
 that in my heart I harbor treason, that I 
 will turn against you in secret and betray 
 your cause .'' 
 
 SAPH 
 That and more do we say. 
 
 DAVID 
 Well and good. If then I should lead forth my 
 following against Israel, how quickly, O 
 Philistines, I might join my forces with my 
 countrymen and on the field of battle betray 
 your cause, to benefit my own with the king 
 of Israel ! 
 
 ACHISH to Philistines 
 
 You hear.^ 
 
 They nod, following David intently. 
 
 [ 175 ] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 DAVID 
 In the crisis of battle easily might the balance be 
 turned and you would be crushed by the over- 
 weight of Israel. 
 
 PHILISTINES 
 
 Ay, ay. 
 
 ACHISH 
 He speaks wisdom. 
 
 DAVID 
 This, were I disloyal to Gath, might be my way 
 to Saul's favor. If you believe me traitor, 
 fear to send me forth. 
 
 ACHISH 
 You hear ? 
 
 PHILISTINES satisfied 
 
 Ay, ay. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Go forth as you will and leave me warden of the 
 walls and defender of your gates. This do I 
 with all good will. 
 
 SAPH 
 What proof of his loyalty to us .^ 
 
 [ 1^6 ] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MICHAL stepping forward 
 
 Achish, king of Gath, and you his men, hear 
 
 me, though I am but a captive and a woman. 
 
 ACHISH 
 Speak, Michal, daughter of Saul. 
 
 MICHAL 
 This night has David given proof of his loyalty to 
 Gath. 
 
 ACHISH 
 Your meaning ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 His loyalty this night to Saul. Cheers of Philis- 
 tines and Israelites. For he who is loyal to 
 the friend that has disowned him, will he not 
 even more be loyal to the friend that stands 
 by? 
 
 Enter^ 1 e l, Amasa. 
 
 AMASA 
 I bring tidings. 
 
 ACHISH 
 Speak quickly. 
 
 AMASA 
 
 A messenger from Saul under cover of a flag of 
 
 truce. 
 
 [177] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 ACHISH 
 A truce ! From Saul ! 
 
 EnteTy 1 E L, Jonathan and two soldiers carrying 
 the flag. Jonathan does not look at David. Da- 
 vid leans toward Jonathan, his face and attitude 
 eloquent of love and anguish. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 
 King Saul to the king of Gath, salutation! Oh 
 Achish, as you know full well, the half of 
 your valiant host perished to-day in the field 
 of battle and are become food for the raven. 
 The king of the Bene-Israel is encamped be- 
 fore your gates. O Achish, upon one condi- 
 tion will Saul withdraw his army. Give into 
 our hands to do with as is fit, that desperate 
 rebel you harbor, David of Bethlehem. 
 
 At Jonathan's words, David stifles a cry. 
 
 ACHISH 
 Haply without condition from Saul shall Gath 
 escape. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 Gath is doomed. Behold from the walls how 
 she is circled about. 
 
 [ 1^8 ] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 
 
 ACPIISH 
 David we will not return to you. 
 
 ALL 
 
 No, no. 
 
 DAVID 
 looking earnestly to Jonathan 
 Speak to me, Jonathan, my brother. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 
 disregarding David 
 
 You hold Saul's daughter, Miehal. Return to me 
 
 Michal, and Saul will relinquish the battle. 
 
 ACHISH 
 By what sign shall Saul know on the instant that 
 Michal is released ? 
 
 JONATHAN taking a lantern 
 This light waved twice shall be for a sign of peace. 
 We will strike our tents. We will sheathe our 
 swords. 
 
 DAVID 
 fronting Jonathan so that 'perforce their eyes meet 
 And for a sign of war ? 
 
 JONATHAN to AcHlSH 
 
 The light, waved once from the wall, shall be a 
 sign of fire. A sign of refusal. 
 [179] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL 
 A sign of fire, a sign of refusal ! 
 
 DAVID 
 
 holding his arms wide to Jonathan 
 War ! But not between us, not between us, Jona- 
 than, my brother. 
 Jonathan refuses r espouse , turning to Achish. 
 
 JONATHAN 
 Your answer? 
 
 ACHISH 
 Michal we release. 
 
 MICHAL clinging to David 
 David, speak for me. 
 
 DAVID 
 Michal will abide with the city of Gath and with 
 David her captain. 
 
 JONATHAN struck to the heart 
 My sister ! 
 
 MICHAL 
 I will never return to — that bridal. 
 Jonathan wheels to leave. David intercepts him, 
 
 [ 180 ] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE ONE 
 
 DAVID with intense emotion 
 Jonathan, my brother — before we part! 
 He holds out his arms pleadingly. 
 By our oath of friendship sworn at my home-com- 
 ing. Jonathan ! 
 
 JONATHAN 
 That oath — 
 
 DAVID 
 
 in the words of Act III 
 Jehovah do so to me and more also if I keep it not. 
 Not only while yet I live will I show you kind- 
 ness, but I will not cut off my kindness from 
 your house forever and ever. 
 Jonathan is slowly won to David. They em- 
 brace in parting. Jonathan and his soldiers go 
 out. David and Michal are silent, deeply moved. 
 
 ACHISH 
 The light, the sign ! 
 
 David takes the lantern and mounts the steps to the 
 wall. 
 
 MICHAl. 
 The single lamp, swung once. 
 She raises her arm. 
 In the name of David! 
 
 [181] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 David waves the lantern once and lets it fall with a 
 crash into the square below, 
 
 DAVID 
 In the name of Michal! 
 
 DARK CHANGE 
 END OF SCENE I 
 
 [182] 
 
ACT V 
 
 Scene II: City Square at Dawn. Bead body 
 of Saph under the shadow of the wall. Eliab, 
 Abinadab, and Shammah enter, r, running. 
 AcHiSH, coming from l, meets them. 
 
 ACHISH 
 Back to the eastern tower, ye dogs, cravens! 
 They huddle together, chattering in terror. 
 Back, ye feeble-hearted! Abinadab cotyi- 
 mences speaking, but is inarticulate through 
 fright. Has craven fear cut the tongues 
 from your heads ? 
 
 ELIAB 
 Oh, Achish, the eastern tower is doomed. We 
 will not go back. 
 
 ACHISH 
 Will not ! Ha, what is this you say ? 
 
 ABINADAB 
 Since David fell, struck by the accursed arrow, a 
 spell is on the tower. The men who stand 
 [183] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 there are picked off like fruit from the tree. 
 We cannot go back. 
 
 ACHISH 
 Cannot! A lie! Back, dogs! 
 
 SHAMMAH 
 Every arrow of the enemy brings down its prey. 
 Since David fell there is no heart in us. We 
 dare not ! 
 
 ACHISH 
 The truth at last. Dare not ! Is there not a man 
 here to guard the eastern tower .^ Where is 
 Saph, the fearless, the invincible ? 
 
 ELIAB pointing 
 
 There he lies, Saph, fearless in death, invincible 
 in death. 
 
 ACHISH 
 Slain! Saph, son of the Anakim! Take away 
 the body of the dead, lest it strike cowards of 
 us all. They remove the body, exeunt by l. 
 Saph, son of Goliath, mighty one, thou who 
 wast a bulwark in battle, hast been over- 
 thrown by a very little thing. David, too, 
 the high-hearted, the songful, how art thou 
 [ 184 ] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 
 
 silenced before this same arrow's prick, this 
 small snake, winged and hissing. The three 
 brothers return^ l. Enter from house, Michal. 
 
 MICHAL 
 He cries for water. 
 
 ACHISH 
 Who? 
 
 MICHAL 
 David. 
 
 ACHISH 
 David! He lives! 
 
 MICHAL 
 He is Jehovah's anointed. He cannot die till 
 that he come unto his own. But he begs for 
 water from the well without the gate. 
 
 ELIAB 
 The well without the eastern tower ! 
 
 MICHAL 
 The well of Gath below the eastern tower. 
 
 SHAMMAH 
 It is under the fiercest assault of the enemy. 
 
 [185] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 ACHISH 
 By the moon of Astarte, is he mad ? Does he not 
 know that the battle rages and that it is 
 death to venture below that wall, open to the 
 arrows of Saul's bowmen ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 He is wild with fever. How can he know ? He 
 is not himself and like a child he begs for wa- 
 ter from the well without the gate. His blood 
 is on fire. 
 
 ELIAB 
 I will go for the water. 
 
 ACHISH 
 You! 
 
 ABINADAB AND SHAMMAH 
 And I! 
 
 ACHISH 
 You that feared the eastern tower like the fires of 
 Moloch! 
 
 SHAMMAH 
 We fear not now. 
 
 MICHAL 
 God be with you! 
 Exeunt^ r, the three. 
 
 [186] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 
 
 ACHISH 
 They were with fear palsied when I but spoke the 
 name of that eastern tower. They were root- 
 ed to the ground with fear. 
 
 MICHAL simply 
 
 But this is for David. 
 
 ACHISH 
 
 The very name has power. He mounts the steps 
 to the wall and sounds of battle come from be- 
 low. Courage! We shall yet win the day, 
 though it be a costly one. Courage! 
 
 Exit AcHiSH, L, by wall. Enter from house, 
 Amasa and a Philistine, carrying David. 
 
 AMASA 
 
 Let him breathe the open air. 
 
 MICHAL running to him 
 
 A pillow, a pillow for his head ! 
 They bring her silks and stuffs from the booth. 
 She kneels by him. 
 David, my lover! Will he not speak? 
 
 AMASA 
 My captain! No, he cannot speak! 
 
 [187] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL 
 Ah, but he breathes, he Hves, Amasa. He will 
 
 live. He will live to be king over my people. 
 
 Will he not live ? 
 The two young men, deeply moved, turn away, 
 walking to r. 
 David, look at me, hear me. I am Michal. 
 
 AMASA 
 He cannot hear. 
 
 MICHAL 
 This is the chain I have put upon you. Take it 
 within your hand. It is a token of perfect 
 understanding. David raises a hand grop- 
 ingly. She puts the chain between his fingers. 
 He hears. He understands. He looks at me 
 with the seeing eye. She buries her face upon 
 his breast in tender joy, 
 
 DAVID faintly 
 
 The flames creep over me. They consume me 
 utterly. Water, water! 
 
 AMASA 
 
 He thirsts. What shall we bring him to drink ? 
 
 [188] 
 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 
 
 DAVID 
 From the well of Gath, cold as snow-water from 
 Hermon, pure as the waters of Bethlehem. 
 Water, water! 
 
 MICHAL 
 They have gone to bring you water from the well. 
 David relapses to unconsciousness. 
 
 AMASA 
 Who have gone? 
 
 MICHAL 
 His brothers. 
 
 AMASA 
 From the well of Gath ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 The well below the eastern tower. 
 
 AMASA 
 It was in jeopardy of their lives. 
 
 MICHAL 
 But it was for David. 
 
 AMASA 
 We will go to hasten them, to help them. 
 
 [189] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL 
 Farewell. 
 Exeunt, r, Amasa and the Philistine. 
 
 DAVID delirious 
 
 I will call them and they will hear me. I will sing. 
 My harp! He gropes blindly, raising him- 
 self. It is the dim and black night. I can- 
 not find my harp. But they will hear my 
 voice and they will know me. They will 
 come into the fold. He sings. 
 
 The Lord my shepherd is, 
 
 I shall not want. 
 In the green pastures shall I lie 
 
 And walk beside still waters. 
 The Lord my soul restores, 
 
 He leadeth me 
 In paths of righteousness 
 
 For His name's sake. 
 
 He sinks back exhausted. The noise of battle is 
 heard. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician 
 here, to heal the wound of my beloved, for 
 his wound is grievous ? 
 [ 190 ] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 
 
 DAVID 
 Jehovah thunders on Lebanon. The brooks of 
 
 Kedron war among their water-courses. My 
 
 sheep are lost on the mountains and they 
 
 will not find their resting-place. 
 Fragmentary memories of his life come to him, the 
 happiness of his return from war to Gibeah, the 
 song before Saul, the javelin-throwing, the parting 
 in the Cave of Adullam. 
 
 There is another song, but I have forgotten it. 
 He sings hesitatingly. 
 God is our refuge and strength, 
 A very present help in trouble ; 
 
 Therefore I will not fear 
 
 He cries out as if in great terror. 
 
 I am wounded, struck to the heart! O my lord 
 
 king! 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 in an agony of sympathy 
 Fear not, David my captain. My right hand is 
 
 under your head and my left hand supports 
 
 you. David, it is I. 
 
 DAVID delirious 
 
 This day shall you choose between a king's crown 
 and Michal. I charge you, O Michal, to re- 
 [191] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 member my love. Many — waters — cannot 
 — quench — love, neither can the — floods — 
 drown — it. She has forgotten. 
 
 MICHAL 
 David, my lover, I remember and I understand. 
 
 DAVID 
 She is far from me. Her thoughts are not my 
 thoughts nor are her ways my ways. 
 
 MICHAL pleadingly 
 
 I have not forgotten. I remember and under- 
 stand. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Many waters cannot quench love. But — she — 
 
 has — forgotten. 
 He sings, falling asleep. 
 There is a river the streams whereof shall make 
 
 glad the City of God, 
 
 The dwelling place 
 
 MiCHAL, rising gently, looks at him. 
 
 MICHAL 
 He sleeps. The Lord gives his beloved sleep. 
 Enter, 2 e l, Eglah and six Philistine women, in 
 yellow and garlanded. They bear burning censers 
 
 [192] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 
 
 for the worship) of Astarte and a golden image of 
 the goddess. They swing their censers and com- 
 mence chanting. 
 
 WOMEN 
 Glory ! Glory ! 
 
 MICHAL 
 stepping forward with a finger to her lips 
 Peace, peace, I entreat you. He sleeps. 
 
 EGLAH 
 What is that to us ? 
 
 WOMEN 
 Astarte, hear us! 
 
 MICHAL 
 Peace ! Is your heart a stone ? If you must sing 
 and chant, sing lowly for he sleeps and sleep 
 is life. 
 
 WOMEN very softly 
 
 Hear us, hear us. Queen of Heaven, 
 Astarte, hear our prayer. 
 Glory, glory, great is Astarte! 
 MiCHAL directs them with arm outstretched like a 
 choral leader. 
 
 [193] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL 
 Softly, softly! The women, still chanting softly^ 
 go within, l. Queen of Heaven! She hath 
 been cut out of the forest with an axe and 
 gilded with fine gold in the furnace. 
 Enter, r, the three brothers with a water-skin of 
 water. Michal meets them in silence. One of 
 them brings her a goblet from the booth. Water is 
 poured into it and Michal goes to David. Am as a 
 appears from l on the wall. 
 
 AMASA 
 The army of the enemy flee. They turn them like 
 
 locusts before the fiery whirlwind. 
 David arouses. 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 holding the goblet to him 
 Water from the well of Gath. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 taking the goblet wonderingly 
 Water! 
 
 MICHAL 
 You prayed most earnestly for water from the well 
 without the gate. 
 
 [ 194 ] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 
 
 DAVID 
 A darkness has been upon my lids, but now it 
 is day! Water from the well! 
 
 MICHAL 
 Your brothers brought it to you. Drink! 
 David looks long at his three brothers standing 
 near. 
 
 ELIAB 
 
 Drink! 
 
 DAVID 
 
 pouring out the water slowly 
 Far be it from me that I should drink this cup! 
 Let it be as an offering to heaven in memory 
 of this day and in gratitude for the day's mer- 
 cies. Is it not the blood of these men that 
 went in jeopardy of their lives ? Lo, my 
 thirst is quenched. He rises. Watchman, 
 what of the night ? 
 
 AMASA 
 The night is over and past. The day dawns. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 How goes the battle ? 
 
 [195] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL by his side 
 
 Have a care for your wound. 
 
 DAVID 
 I am healed and strong. 
 
 AMASA 
 Behold a herald comes running. He comes 
 apace. He is near. 
 
 DAVID 
 Are there tidings in his mouth ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 What does he say ? 
 
 A silence while Amasa listens. 
 
 AMASA 
 The general of the host of Israel has fallen. Abner 
 has fallen. 
 
 DAVID 
 Tremble not, Michal. Jehovah will be merciful. 
 
 AMASA 
 Lo, another. He runs apace. He draws near. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 Another has fallen, one of the mighty. Ask him, 
 Amasa, is Saul the king, safe, and Jonathan, 
 his son? 
 
 [ 196 ] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 What says the second messenger? Speak. 
 
 AMASA 
 
 Tidings, my lord David. For you are avenged 
 this day of all that rose up against you to do 
 vou hurt. 
 
 DAVID 
 They have not fallen in battle, Saul my king, and 
 Jonathan, his son ? 
 
 MICHAL 
 Speak ! 
 
 AMASA 
 The enemies of my lord David and all that rise up 
 against you to do you hurt be as they are this 
 day! 
 David in silence hows his head. Michal cries 
 out. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Alas, my father, my brother! 
 
 DAVID 
 Jonathan, my friend, my brother, would God I 
 
 had died for you, my brother, my friend ! 
 Enter, l and r, Achish and Philistines, David's 
 
 [197] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 followers and lastly Doeg, carrying Saul's crown 
 and bracelet. 
 
 ACHISH 
 David, king of Israel, we salute you! 
 
 ALL 
 
 David, David, king! 
 
 Enter, from the house, the Hebrew women. 
 
 HEBREW WOMEN 
 David of Bethlehem ! All hail ! 
 
 MICHAL 
 Alas, my father, my brother! 
 
 DOEG 
 David, king of Israel, I salute you ! 
 
 DAVID in stern anger 
 
 You also! 
 
 DOEG 
 My lord, when I learned the words of the prophet 
 concerning you, I repented me of my blind- 
 ness. Will it please you to pardon mine 
 offences and accept at my hand these tokens 
 of your sovereignty? 
 Doeg advances with the crown. 
 
 [ 198 ] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 
 
 DAVID 
 
 with repellent hand outstretched 
 
 How know you that Saul and Jonathan are dead ? 
 
 How went the matter ? I pray you, tell me ! 
 
 DOEG 
 As I happened by chance upon a certain spot in 
 yonder plain, Saul leaned upon his spear 
 and lo, the chariots and horsemen followed 
 hard upon him. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Alas, my father! 
 
 DOEG 
 He saw me and called unto me and I said : " Here 
 am I. " He said unto me : " Stand, I pray 
 you, upon me, and slay me, for anguish is 
 come upon me. " So I stood upon him and 
 slew him. 
 
 MICHAL, 
 You! 
 
 DOEG 
 Because I was sure that he could not live after he 
 was fallen in battle. And I took the crown 
 
 and the bracelet that he wore on his arm 
 
 [199] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 MICHAL 
 
 approaching Doeg with im.petuous scorn 
 You! Give them here. You are not worthy 
 
 even to hold them. 
 She takes them from Doeg. 
 
 DAVID 
 
 who has been listening with stony self-restraint 
 How were you not afraid to stretch forth your 
 hand to destroy the Lord's anointed.? He 
 smites Doeg down. Solemnly. Carry him 
 forth from this place. Doeg's body is taken 
 up. His blood be upon his head, for his 
 mouth has testified against him, saying, "I 
 have slain the Lord's anointed. " 
 Exeunt men with Doeg's body. 
 
 MICHAL 
 approaching David with the crown 
 Your crown, O David, King of Israel ! 
 David regards Michal in silence and unseeingly 
 while all watch him in reverent awe. A vision- 
 ary expression comes to his face and he lifts his 
 arms in poetic exaltation of grief. 
 
 DAVID 
 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places ; 
 How are the mighty fallen! 
 
 [ 200 ] 
 
ACT FIVE: SCENE TWO 
 
 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the 
 
 battle! 
 Tell it not in Gath; publish it not in the streets of 
 
 Askelon. 
 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, 
 Neither let there be rain upon you, nor fields of 
 
 offerings : 
 For there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast 
 
 away. 
 The shield of Saul. 
 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the 
 
 mighty. 
 The bow of Jonathan turned not back. 
 And the sword of Saul returned not empty. 
 
 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in 
 
 their lives. 
 And in their death they were not divided : 
 They were swifter than eagles. 
 They were stronger than lions. 
 
 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, 
 Who clothed you in scarlet with other delights, 
 Who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel. 
 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the 
 battle! 
 
 [201] 
 
DAVID OF BETHLEHEM 
 
 Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. 
 
 1 am grieved for you, my brother Jonathan ! 
 Very pleasant hast thou been unto me, 
 Thy love to me was wonderful. 
 
 How are the mighty fallen. 
 
 And the weapons of war perished ! 
 
 The first rays of the rising sun illumine David's 
 
 face. MiCHAL holds the crown before him. 
 
 MICHAL 
 Your crown, O David, King of Israel ! 
 
 ALL 
 All hail, David, King! 
 David raises his hand in a gesture of silence. 
 
 DAVID after a pause 
 
 Michal, my queen ! 
 
 He takes the crown and holds it above the bowed 
 head of Michal. 
 
 Curtain 
 
 END OF PLAT 
 
 [202] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
SYNOPSIS OF SCENES 
 
 ACT ONE 
 
 Scene : The House of Mary. 
 "The Desire of the Eyes." 
 
 ACT TWO 
 
 Scene : The Pool of Bethesda. (Same Evening.) 
 
 '♦ The Vexing of the Waters." 
 
 ACT THREE 
 Scene : The House of Mary. (Next Evening.) 
 
 "If any man will come after Me let him deny himself and take 
 up his cross and follow Me." 
 
 ACT FOUR 
 
 (Two months elapse.) 
 
 Scene I : The House of the Wool-dyer. 
 
 Scene H : The Porch of the Temple. 
 
 "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved much." 
 
PERSONS 
 
 MARY MAGDALEN DEBORAH 
 
 ZILLAH CLEO 
 
 AZUBAH SHUBAB 
 
 PHILIP THE TETRARCH BARUCH 
 
 ELON SIMEON 
 
 ITHOMAR JUDE 
 
 RACHEL DATHAN 
 JOANNA 
 
 Servants, Soldiers, Men and Women. 
 
ACT I 
 
 Scene: A luxurious a'partment in Mary's house. 
 Musicians in a small balcony with Syrian instru- 
 ments, harp, cymbal, tambourine. 2 exits l, 
 respectively to the supper room and other rooms and 
 to Mary's chamber, r e to the street. Wide lat- 
 ticed window, c. Small table set with wine and 
 fruits. Draped alcove between columns toward 
 which attention is directed. 
 Time — Afternoon. 
 
 Discovered — Philip, the tetrarch, a pale pee- 
 vish man, proud of his station and descent. Elon, 
 a degenerate Jew, his sycophant creature, conspicu- 
 ous for two teeth like tusks, beady eyes and a yellow 
 scarf. ZiLLAH, friend of Mary, a morose beauty. 
 AzuBAH, friend of Mary, a tender girl of childish 
 mien. Others, women of doubtful gayety and 
 men of arrogant bearing. All tend toward the cur- 
 tained alcove, Philip and Azubah leading. 
 
 PHILIP turning to Azubah 
 Where is this marble wonder of a woman ? 
 
 [207] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 ELON 
 
 crowding to the alcove 
 Was he a lover, too, the long-limbed Greek 
 Who sculptured her? 
 
 ZILLAH 
 
 with a veiled sneer 
 A friend platonic he, 
 Set to the tune of poem and cyclic dance. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 
 holding aside the curtain 
 Is it not exquisite as breath of spring ? 
 That step like wind among the river grasses, 
 That brow like morning on the top of Hermon ! 
 Philip, entranced, cannot speak. 
 
 ELON 
 A woman, you waste praises on a woman. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 Because I am a woman I praise Mary. 
 
 PHILIP confusedly 
 
 The marble bosom and the lips of snow, 
 This is not our sweet Syrian Aphrodite, 
 The glowing-limbed, wild-tressed Bacchanal. 
 
 [ 208 ] 
 
ACTONEiSCENEONE 
 
 ELON ; 
 
 Fresh as the Paphian from her bath of foam ! J 
 
 PHILIP angrily 
 
 Elon, I have not bid you whine for me, 
 You lap-eared puppy of a puHng people ! I 
 
 AZUBAH smilingly : 
 
 Nay, be at peace! ' 
 
 PHILIP as to a child ! 
 
 Slip of a Jewish girl. 
 
 Would you fain try your strength with Philip i 
 
 tetrarch j 
 
 Of wide-spread Auranitis, Itursea, 1 
 Of Batansea and of Trachinitis ? 
 Enter Mary, l c, followed by Shubab, a half-nude 
 
 Ethiopian lad^ clad in garlands and fantastic dra- \ 
 
 peries. All turn expectantly to her. Some lingering i 
 
 sounds of the snarl from Philip. I 
 
 MARY with breezy scorn j 
 
 How blithesomely you pass the time together. 
 Like jealous courtiers when the king is gone! \ 
 
 PHILIP I 
 
 leading her to a chair } 
 
 The empress gone ! 
 
 [ 209 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 
 mimicking them in turn 
 Brave Elon black as thunders 
 Little Azubah plucking at proud Rome, 
 A dove before a hawk — Shubab, fill up ! 
 Shubab pours wine and passes it. 
 Friends, let us eat and drink and all make merry, 
 For on the morrow — what man knows the morrow ? 
 
 ELON in his shallow voice 
 To-morrow we shall live and still make merry. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 
 with wistful prevision of trouble 
 Who knows the fruit to-morrow's tree puts forth ? 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 reclining by Mary, as the wine is passed him 
 I need no wine to flame along my blood, 
 Mary, when you are nigh. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Give me the beaker. 
 Silence from all. 
 I drink to — those I love. 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 To Philip, then! 
 [ SIO ] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MARY looking far off 
 
 I drink this cup to one who shines afar. 
 She drinks. 
 Exclamations of wonder from all. 
 
 PHILIP 
 He is no lover if he comes not to you. 
 Mary, leaning her elbow on the cushions^ seems 
 lost in thought. 
 
 ELON to ZiLLAH 
 
 I wonder who he is. 
 
 ZILLAH 
 
 I know the man; 
 'Tis Ithomar, the son of Ithrael. 
 
 MARY 
 So! Out upon you, voluble blabbing girl, 
 With your "I know, I know," that nothing know. 
 Your eyes have never looked on Ithomar. 
 
 AZXJBAH peacemaker again 
 
 When I was in my mother's house a child 
 
 She hesitates. 
 
 ELON eagerly 
 
 Go on. 
 All listen. 
 
 [211] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 AZUBAH 
 This Ithomar was neighbor to us, 
 The prettiest lad through all the country-side. 
 
 MARY 
 
 with assumed carelessness 
 They say his beauty is transcendent still. 
 Like one of those fair fabled gods the Greek 
 Has sung me of upon his barbarous lyre. 
 Again she goes into rapt thought. 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 to depreciate Ithomar 
 I have heard he calls himself a patriot. 
 This Jewish fellow, in your Sanhedrin, 
 And crassly fools your scribes and Pharisees 
 With foolish dreams of civic independence. 
 
 ELON 
 like a gossiping old woman. All gather round him 
 to listen 
 
 He has ranged through land and sea, this Itho- 
 mar; 
 He has a vase of alabaster, carved 
 With cunning workmanship of flower and leaf 
 And human countenances interwrought. 
 
 [ 212 ] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 ZILLAH 
 They say he keeps it in a secret shrine 
 And worships it in place of love or wine. 
 Mary rises, goes to the group, interrupting impe- 
 riously. 
 
 MARY 
 This vase of alabaster shall be ours. 
 Hark ye, 'twill be the ransom of my favor. 
 Poised like a trophy on that pedestal. 
 
 ALL 
 The statue then? 
 
 MARY 
 What care I for the statue, 
 When I have won the mystic, worshipful. 
 Strange, alabaster vase of Ithomar, 
 Symbol and pledge of utter vanquishment 
 Before the banners of resplendent love. 
 Listen, my friends, I bid you to a feast. 
 When three more suns have risen and wheeled 
 
 and ^et, 
 I bid you to the triumph of the vase. 
 
 ZILLAH to Elon 
 
 Her heart is fixed on snaring Ithomar; 
 
 She hath asked him many a time 
 
 [213] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 
 What babble you ? 
 
 ZILLAH 
 I spoke 
 
 MARY 
 If babble may be speech — you spoke, 
 And this is what under your breath you spoke, 
 (I do not fear to cry it out aloud) 
 That I have bidden to me Ithomar. 
 I drink again to Ithomar — our guest — 
 To Ithomar, philosopher and — man. 
 She drinks and with her all but Philip 
 
 PHILIP sneeringly 
 
 'Tis well ; but not philosopher and lover. 
 For he who loves does not philosophize. 
 
 ZILLAH to Elon 
 
 He never looks on women ; he will not come. 
 
 MARY 
 What babble you again ? He will not come ? 
 He never looks on women ? Still, forsooth. 
 To women he may be blind and not to me. 
 I am not one in many, in the mob 
 
 [ 214 ] 
 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 PHILIP 
 One out of many, one supremely set; 
 Drinking. 
 To Mary, burning goddess of the east ! 
 
 MARY 
 I have learned that Bacchic dance you pictured 
 
 me. 
 That mad lonians dance beneath the moon 
 To their Astarte-goddess. 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 Aphrodite ? 
 
 MARY 
 It matters not. The sculptor was my master. 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 The long-limbed fellow! 
 
 ALL 
 
 Dance, show us the dance! 
 
 MARY 
 
 She frees herself of scarfs and draperies. To the 
 musicians: 
 
 The music should breathe tenderly at first 
 As that faint little fluttering breeze of dawn 
 
 [ 215 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 That wakes the birds and shakes the ohve buds ; 
 Afterward, hke slow swelHng of the storm 
 When white with anger gleams the horizon edge. 
 Till all the world keeps furious carnival 
 And witch winds ride atop the tossing hills. 
 She dances, slowly at first, then more madly with 
 the crescendo of music. During the second move- 
 ment comes a knock at the door. She stops ab- 
 ruptly. 
 Who knocks ? 
 
 ZILLAH 
 Perhaps your Ithomar, philosopher. 
 A knock. All lean expectantly to the door 
 
 MARY 
 
 Who knocks ? Go, Shubab, to the door. 
 Shubab opens the door. Enter Deborah, an 
 aged woman with cavernous eyes, her figure and 
 voice shaken hy palsy. 
 
 There is a start of surprise and a movement hack- 
 ward from her. 
 
 DEBORAH 
 
 in hollow shaken tones 
 Servant of Ithomar the patriot. 
 Unwilling to the House of Shame I come. 
 
 [216] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 She sees her daughter Azubah, and her voice 
 breaks. Azubah shrinks farthest of all from her. 
 Azubah ! 
 
 AZUBAH 
 
 shrinking to Mary's side 
 Mother! 
 To Mary. 
 Save me, save me from her. 
 
 MARY 
 That parchment piece, written upon by horror! 
 She hath often cursed me when I walked abroad; 
 How may this ancient and misshapen tree, 
 Azubah, put forth such a flower as thou 
 And serve that son of beauty, Ithomar ? 
 
 DEBORAH 
 I bear a message for him. 
 
 MARY running to her 
 
 Happy woman! 
 Good dame, you are an angel messenger; 
 Dear crone, will he come hither to my house ? 
 
 DEBORAH drawing away 
 
 Nay, touch me not, accursed loveliness ! 
 The word I bear is for, not from my master; 
 One told me he had passed within your gate. 
 
 [217] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 Then out upon you, out, gray spectre-thing, 
 You gaunt and shaken evil-omening thing. 
 
 DEBORAH her voice rising 
 Yea, verily, I will out with full content 
 When I have called the curse of heaven upon you. 
 Harlot, your fingers are the touch of death, 
 Harlot, your feet the highway unto hell. 
 What if I was the old misshapen tree, 
 I bore one flower, now I am desolate ; 
 You have reft me of my sole, my cherished flower, 
 You have sown its petals in the miry streets 
 Where men may trample it. Azubah child. 
 My child ! Nay, never any more at all 
 My child that was, but lost irreparably! 
 
 AZUBAH 
 I am afraid! 
 
 As Deborah raises her trembling finger in cursing 
 
 Mary draws Azubah to her. 
 
 MARY 
 Not her ! Ah, curse not her ! 
 
 DEBORAH 
 Both you and her and her and you again. 
 Cursed thou shalt be when thou comest in 
 
 [218] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 And when thou goest out, accursed be; 
 In hunger and in thirst, in nakedness, 
 In want of all things shalt thou eat the dust, 
 A proverb and a byword and a sign : 
 With madness, blindness, violent vexation. 
 With burning and astonishment of heart, 
 The sword of vengeance of Jehovah smite thee ! 
 Exit Deborah. Azubah faints in Mary's arms. 
 
 MARY 
 Look, the poor soul, she faints within my arms. 
 The men lay her on a couch. She opens her eyes 
 and raises herself. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 The room went reeling. Pardon ye my weakness. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Now let us drown the horror of that voice, 
 Obliterate the vision of that presence. 
 Musicians, play; harp, cymbal, tambourine. 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 Pouring wine as the music begins and people move 
 about. All drink and laugh hysterically. 
 You, too, are pale beyond your wont. Drink this ; 
 It is Falernian, rich with Italy. 
 
 [ 219 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 Maky takes the goblet. \ 
 
 Do you not taste the purple of Campagna ? j 
 Mary sifs and dashes the goblet down so that it 
 
 breaks. \ 
 
 MARY I 
 
 I taste — a voice of blighting and of vengeance; \ 
 
 I taste — of trembling and of desolation. ■ 
 
 Why do you stand and stare like images ; 
 
 Of stony-eyed Egyptians on their tombs ? \ 
 
 Dance and forget! ; 
 
 AzuBAH rouses herself to join in the dance with ! 
 
 Elon. i 
 All dance 
 
 MARY stopping , 
 I heard a sound, a knock. 
 
 All stop. I 
 
 Shubab, the door. ■ 
 He goes to the door. 
 
 No living soul is there ? j 
 
 It was the blood that knocked against my heart. j 
 They dance again. She keeps looking at the 
 
 statue. ; 
 
 PHILIP i 
 What see you there between the marble columns ? 
 
 [ 220 ] ; 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MARY 
 
 pointing to the statue 
 It follows me with that still moonlight smile, 
 Like one who hugs a terrible calm knowledge. 
 She goes to the statue impulsively as if to cast it 
 down. Philip and Elon restrain her. 
 I will grind the graven image into powder; 
 Who says It is my image ? It is death, 
 Blind death, the pitiful and pitiless. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 I have seen her once before in mood like this. 
 There, Zillah, let us draw the Tyrian curtain. 
 They draw the curtain, concealing the statue in its 
 niche. 
 
 MARY 
 
 to Philip, her mood swiftly changing 
 What splendid height, O Philip, son of Herod, 
 Like some tall savage sentinel, elect 
 To guard all night a dead king's towering tomb. 
 She measures her height with his. 
 Where do I come against this noble bulwark ? 
 
 PHILIP embracing her 
 
 Unto my heart. 
 
 [ 221 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 
 'Twas gallantly conceived; 
 
 A gallant lie, as praise is wont to be. 
 
 Taking Azubah's liand and drawing her to Philip. 
 
 Little Azubah stands beneath your arm, 
 
 A Syrian dove within the eagle's wing — 
 
 A knock. 
 
 Now will your gallant lie become half truth — 
 
 Azubah looks fondly upon Philip. The knock is 
 
 repeated. Calmly: 
 
 Shubab, some message. 
 
 To Philip: 
 
 Do not frown upon her! 
 
 PHILIP with self-conceit 
 
 I swear she loves me better for the frown. 
 Shubab ushers Ithomar into the room. Itho- 
 MAR is a man of singular beauty, with an air of 
 deep thought and aloofness. He is followed by 
 his servant, who removes Ithomar's sandals and 
 hands them to Shubab. Exit, with low obeisance, 
 servant. 
 
 SHUBAB 
 'Tis Ithomar, the son of Ithrael ! 
 
 MARY 
 My welcome to you, son of Ithrael ! 
 
 [222] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 ITHOMAE 
 Is this the house of Mary? 
 
 MARY 
 
 Even so; 
 I am that Mary called of Magdala. 
 Have you not seen me on the streets abroad, 
 For far and wide I am known in Cesarea ? 
 Behold these gems that glitter on my arms, 
 And on my brow, thick clustered like a crown. 
 There is no other woman save a queen 
 Who shines like me. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 
 I walk with downcast eyes, 
 My mistress is pure-lipped Philosophy. 
 
 MARY laughing 
 
 The pity of it ! These my guests do greet you : 
 The noble Philip, tetrarch, governor. 
 Azubah, Zillah, Elon, all your slaves. 
 All salute him. 
 
 ITHOMAR bowing 
 
 You do me honor. 
 
 Mary seats herself and motions him to sit beside 
 her. He sits at the other end of the divan. The 
 guests move away in merry groups. 
 
 [223] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 
 What, so far from me ? 
 I am not to be feared. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 
 I fear all women. 
 
 MARY 
 But I am not as other women are. 
 She laughs. 
 
 O you philosophers, who search for truth 
 As women sweep the dust up from the floor, 
 Gathering into one vessel tags and frays 
 Of earth's diverse material, saying : " Dust ! " 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 It is a woman's quaint comparison. 
 Philosophers and sweepers with their brooms ! 
 
 MARY 
 So do you sweep a hundred women up 
 Into the potter's vessel of some preconceived 
 Shape in your mind, pronouncing, " This is Wom- 
 an!" 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Nay, I have never known a hundred women. 
 
 [ 224 ] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MARY 
 If you had said, " I fear not other women, 
 But you I fear, O Mary ! " ... See that girl ! 
 Her head turned sideways Hke a prying sparrow! 
 She wonders at the theme of our discourse, 
 She is the placid ox-like kind of woman. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 I like a silent woman. 
 
 MARY 
 
 You shall have her. 
 Silence between them, while in another part of the 
 room Philip and Elon confidentially converse. 
 
 PHILIP 
 This most objectionable Ithomar, 
 This human mildew on our rosy fruit, 
 Requires the medicine of a pruning knife; 
 They say he is a fiery patriot. 
 Inflames the Sanhedrin to mutiny 
 
 ELON 
 A casual mischance is easier 
 Than cumbersome intrigue of polity; 
 A scuffle, a street affray, removes a man; 
 The blame uncertain 
 
 [225] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 And your point most clear. 
 I send two fellows primed with certain sneers ; 
 At a certain place they meet a certain man — 
 Some fine Rabbinical dispute ensues. 
 Waxing more gross with argument of fists 
 Until a fray is ripe; a passer-by 
 — It might be Elon — claps to bring the guard; 
 A certain most objectionable man 
 Is haled to prison without more ado. 
 
 ELON 
 But Ithomar is much reputed here. 
 
 PHILIP 
 Incendiary patriot! 
 
 ELON 
 It is true. 
 
 PHILIP 
 His friends in friendliness will raise no cry 
 For fear of worse if Caesar is aroused 
 To knowledge of him. Then we understand ? 
 
 MARY rising 
 
 In such a chattering crowd of noisy sparrows 
 There is not peace for thoughts to pass between. 
 Zillah, Azubah, lead our friends to supper. 
 
 [226] , 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 AZUBAH 
 
 Will you not come ? 
 
 MAEY 
 We join you presently. 
 
 ZILLAH with biting raillery 
 Pray you, be merciful to Ithomar; 
 Bread is the best boon to a hungry man. 
 
 PHILIP sneeringly 
 
 But Ithomar is a philosopher. 
 Exeunt ally 1 e l. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Now you shall have your silent, ox-like woman, 
 The big-eyed, sluggish, sleepy-lidded creature. 
 You doubt it ? I could sit for hours, I swear. 
 Upon this cushion with my feet crossed so, 
 My hands like this, folded upon my lap. 
 As dumb-lipped as the golden cherubim. 
 Do you not like it ? 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 
 What.? 
 
 MARY 
 
 The silent woman. 
 [227] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 ITHOMAE 
 You have not shown me yet. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Now I begin. 
 
 A minute or two of silence during which Ithomar 
 
 sits looking toward Mary but absorbed in thought. 
 
 Mary crosses and uncrosses her feet. A burst of 
 
 laughter from the other room. Zillah and Elon 
 
 come to the door. 
 
 ZILLAH to Elon 
 
 They sit Hke stones. 
 
 To Mary: 
 
 What, still so far from him ? 
 Exeunt and a burst of laughter following their re- 
 turn to the other room. Ithomar rises and walks 
 to the R E. 
 
 MARY 
 
 rising and following 
 You are not leaving — leaving me — alone ? 
 I have — I have — (my heart crowds fast my utter- 
 ance) 
 I have a thousand themes of converse with you — 
 And yet I liked you, wrapped in silence there, 
 A prophet's robe, invisible, austere. 
 I liked you, Ithomar. . . . What did you say ? 
 
 [ 228 ] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 I did not speak. 
 
 MARY 
 I thought I heard you say 
 You liked me in my marble-smiUng silence. 
 They tell me I am sculptured in such lines 
 As those god-women of the gentile Greeks. 
 I thought I heard you say you liked my speech 
 Even better than my marble-smiling silence. 
 Confess, did not your heart say this ? 
 
 ITHOMAa 
 
 No, Mary. 
 I have no heart for you or — other women. 
 Farewell. 
 
 MARY 
 I will not brook it, Ithomar. 
 You are a lover of the beautiful. 
 Behind that Tyrian stuff there is a block 
 Of marble, sculptured to a certain shape 
 Your eyes would fain behold. 
 He goes to it. 
 
 Patience awhile. 
 You would not be the schoolboy at the feast, 
 Snatching his fig or cake, off like an arrow. 
 Why did you come if you must straightway go ? 
 
 [229] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 I came — to pass away an idle hour; 
 I came — to leave you and philosophize; 
 I come and — go, a sage philosopher. 
 
 MARY 
 You came, you shall not go philosopher. 
 A snatch of voices and laughter from the other room. 
 Hark, here is love and laughter, song and wine. 
 And woman, woman suing at your feet. 
 Are you not moved by woman, Ithomar ? 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Once I was moved by woman, long ago; 
 'Twas long ago. 
 
 MARY 
 You have a carven vase 
 Worshipped, I vow, for some sweet woman's sake. 
 During the speech of Mary's, Ithomar advances 
 to the niche and finally is about to draw the cur- 
 tains when she restrains him. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 What do you mean ? 
 
 MARY 
 
 That alabaster vase 
 Housed in a shrine apart. Bring it to me 
 
 [230] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 And I will give you breathing living beauty. 
 Were not a woman better than a stone ? 
 The vase would crown that statue's pedestal — 
 (Patience awhile and I will draw the veil) 
 And you would set some girl within your shrine. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Smiling^ to draw her on, wondering, half-guessing 
 her meaning. 
 What girl? 
 
 MARY 
 
 Azubah, Zillah, many a woman, 
 Would worship even the ground on which you 
 
 walk 
 For the brief guerdon of your smile or kiss. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 withstanding her allurement 
 I know not how to kiss. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Let me be teacher; 
 Taste of my lips and you will soon forget 
 The barren bosom of philosophy. . . 
 Sudden veer of tone. 
 You madden me with that far gaze of yours. 
 
 [231 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 You look at me as through an open gate, 
 Seeing beyond a vision shut from me. 
 You madden me with that pale cheek of yours. 
 Why have you come to vex my peace of mind ? 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 
 Why have you bid me come ? 
 
 A pause during which several purposes in turn 
 
 are reflected on her face. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Because — I love you. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 You love me ! What a honey-trap you set 
 To snare our rainbow boylets on the wing ; 
 I am no long-billed humming-bird like Elon. 
 Do women such as you know how to love ? 
 
 MARY 
 Oft have I marked you in our Cesarea, 
 With that uplifted solitary mien, 
 Like one of those great prophets of our race. 
 Wild Hosea or flaming Jeremiah. 
 Oft have I marked you, saying in mine heart, 
 " Bow down, O Mary, to your chosen lord. " 
 Master, be merciful unto your own. 
 
 [ 232 ] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Remain one moment in that perfect poise. 
 Now lift your head and look at me — like that. 
 Men speak the truth that you are beautiful. 
 
 MARY 
 If I am beautiful to you, enough. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 
 advancing to the concealed statue 
 You have enchanted me to stay too long ; 
 Before we part, show me your sculptured image, 
 For sculpture pleases my philosophy; 
 Beauty remote and pale and visionary. 
 Conceits of handicraft, dreams of the mind, 
 Images all, people my soul's demesne; 
 I have done long since with sharp reality. 
 Before we part show me your sculptured image, 
 Thus you may live in marble memory. 
 
 MARY with fierce scorn 
 
 May live in marble memory, Ithomar, 
 When I would live and breathe within your 
 
 arms ! 
 Are you a stone in semblance of a man ? 
 
 [233] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 
 bantering gracefully 
 Show me the sculptured image and mayhap 
 Its pictured lovehness may melt the stone. 
 Then seriously: 
 
 I have made a vow which must not be for- 
 sworn; 
 I keep a tryst to-night. 
 
 MARY 
 
 in disbelief, then with many varying emotions 
 
 A tryst you keep! 
 Who is this other woman, you that plead 
 You never look on woman, who is she ? 
 Is she a student of *' philosophy, " 
 Scowling on parchment scrolls and cryptic speech ? 
 Oh, I can fancy her with eyebrows bent 
 And thin lips drawn ; or is she some young girl, 
 A folded bud of virtue with shy lids 
 Drooping upon her baby damask cheek ? 
 Has she deep eyes that melt into your own 
 And arms that cling like this, like this, my lord ? 
 Hush, I will show to you the sculptured image: 
 Behold it and then say, "I keep a tryst, 
 A tryst to-night with Mary Magdalen. " 
 She draws the curtain and shows the statue. Itho- 
 
 [ 234 ] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MAR, regarding it in silence^ seems deeply moved, 
 turns away, 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 
 with strange earnestness 
 I see another woman sculptured here. 
 God of my race, it is beyond behef ! 
 The well-remembered posture of the hand. 
 The blithesome brow, the soft elusive smile — 
 Oh, that lost springtime in the isle of Rhodes ! 
 
 MARY 
 Whose likeness do you see ? 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 
 Sacred her name. 
 
 MARY 
 It is that other woman, I know, I know ! 
 Enter softly and smoothly the servant of Ithomar, 
 a bland and dutiful creature. 
 
 SERVANT 
 My master! 
 Both turn. 
 
 Ithomar, the hour draws nigh. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Where is the appointed place ? 
 
 [2B5] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 SERVANT 
 
 Bethesda's pool. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 I will make haste. 
 
 To Mary: 
 
 Farewell. 
 He turns to go. 
 
 MARY 
 
 You shall not go! 
 One moment stay, my master and my lord ! 
 Exit Ithomar. To the servant: 
 Whom has he gone to meet, your Ithomar ? 
 Mary of Magdala, I, command you speak ! 
 
 SERVANT blandly 
 
 The business of the servant is to serve. 
 My master comes and goes and says his say; 
 I, having eyes, see not, and having ears, 
 Hear not, and having lips, am dumb. 
 The business of the servant is to serve. 
 Exit Servant, r, with elaborate bow. 
 
 MARY 
 
 after a momenfs pause 
 I will after him and wrest the secret from him. 
 Exit Mary, r, and enter Philip and Elon, drunk 
 and excited^ from l. 
 
 [ 236 ] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 PHILIP 
 She's mine, she's mine. 
 
 ELON 
 Nay, I have bought her from you. 
 
 PHILIP 
 You drunken fool, she's mine. 
 
 ELON 
 
 Mary is yours, 
 Worth a whole netful of these lesser minnows. 
 
 PHILIP 
 I'll have them all. 
 
 ELON 
 Azubah shall be mine. 
 
 PHILIP 
 We'll play at dice for her. 
 
 ELON 
 
 approaching^ with Philip, to the table 
 
 So be it, then. 
 They shake the cups. 
 
 PHILIP 
 I first! 
 
 He throws. 
 
 The furies take it. 
 
 [237] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 ELON throwing 
 
 Luck be mine ! 
 The unlucky throw again. A tie. 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 Once more. 
 His throw turns up the highest number. 
 It's Aphrodite! 
 
 ELON 
 after this, his second throw 
 Pssh, I get the dog! 
 
 PHILIP 
 She's mine, by Aphrodite ! 
 AzuBAH appears at l. 
 
 AZUBAH lightly 
 
 Wrangling still? 
 What sly design are you two scheming at ? 
 
 PHILIP 
 Congratulate me. I have won at dice. 
 Exeunt l. Enter, r, Mary. 
 
 MARY 
 His soul's desire ! Beside Bethesda's pool ? 
 His soul's desire, the woman of the statue ! 
 
 [ 238 ] 
 
ACT ONE: SCENE ONE 
 
 The spirit Zaxus hid within the statue ! 
 It was not I, It was a stranger soul; 
 It mocked me with a semblance of myself; 
 Even while I danced It followed, mocking me 
 With that strange moonlight smile I never wore. 
 She approaches the statue y hurling fiercely words 
 at it. 
 
 At last I see my look fade utterly 
 From out your face ; a naked lie you stand, 
 Tricking him with some charm of memory. 
 Luring him from me with that moonlight smile. 
 I hate you, hate you, hate you, other woman! 
 As she enters the alcove she pulls the curtain be- 
 hind her so that she remains unseen while her 
 voice is heard. 
 
 Do you deem that you shall trample out my life, 
 Moveless and wordless marble necromancer ? 
 Lie there and there and there ! Lie in the dust ! 
 The crash of the statue is heard. All rush in from 
 the other room. 
 
 ZILLAH 
 I heard a crash. 
 
 ELON 
 Something has fallen. 
 [239] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 AZUBAH 
 
 Drawing the curtain. ; 
 
 Ah look! i 
 Mary is shown, kneeling, with her head on the \ 
 pedestal, the statue in fragments about her. \ 
 
 PHILIP trying to raise her \ 
 What foul mischance befell the marble statue ? \ 
 Small wonder that she grieves the broken statue. \ 
 
 ZILLAH acridly i 
 
 What ample room for vase of Ithomar ! 
 
 MARY 1 
 
 You speak the truth. i 
 
 To all. j 
 
 Forget not ye of my feast! \ 
 
 ALL 
 
 The feast, the feast, the triumph of the vase. \ 
 
 i 
 MARY I 
 
 Bring me my veil, my cloak, Azubah girl. I 
 
 She goes to the table and pours herself a cup of wine. ' 
 
 Drink to the road ! This night I make a journey, j 
 
 She lifts the cup. 1 
 
 Curtain ' 
 
 ;j 
 
 END OF ACT I ! 
 
 [240] J 
 
ACT II 
 
 Scene : The pool of Bethesda in a bleak and deso- 
 late country without the wall. Stone steps lead 
 down to the water's edge. 
 Late afternoon. 
 
 Discovered — A group of maimed and impotent 
 folk gathered about the pool, waiting for the troub- 
 ling of the waters. Among them are Deborah, 
 the palsied woman; Simeon, a blind man; Ba- 
 RUCH, a humpback; Joanna, a placid middle-aged 
 wom^an; and Rachel, a wistful child. 
 
 SIMEON 
 There's a burning in my eyes, as if a thousand 
 Httle ants were eating them. I half beheve 
 it's ants that trouble them. When the blind- 
 ness first swam over me — it was on the thresh- 
 ing-floor of Naaman the son of 
 
 JOANNA 
 Peace, Simeon, we have heard the story a hundred 
 times. 
 
 [241] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 BARUCH 
 Joanna, you are a comfortable body to stop poor 
 Simeon's mouth. 
 
 JOANNA 
 It is not only folks as looks puny and wears 
 bunches that has the right to claim sickness. 
 I am taken many a time with dizzy spells so 
 that I like to fall on the floor, all a-heap. It's 
 the dyestuffs I am always working in that go 
 to the head of me. 
 
 DEBORAH 
 Little Rachel, you are silent, what is your plaint ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 I have no plaint. I am only waiting for the spirit 
 to come and vex the water, and then we shall 
 all be well. 
 
 SIMEON 
 Who is speaking ? It sounds like a child's voice. 
 Who are you ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 I am Rachel. 
 
 SIMEON 
 Why are you here with us old impotent folk? 
 Come here and let me put my hand upon 
 [ M^ ] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 your head. You are a child. You ought to 
 be running and dancing. 
 
 RACHEL 
 But I am lame, I cannot come to you. I don't 
 know how to run and dance. 
 
 JOANNA 
 
 She is my sister's child. She speaks the truth. 
 
 SIMEON 
 Poor lamb, I am sorry for you. I would give 
 you my sound legs. 
 
 RACHEL 
 I would give you my good eyes and then you 
 could see. It is sad to be blind. 
 
 BARUCH 
 Look, look, there's a ripple in the pool where all 
 was still. 
 
 DEBORAH 
 
 The Spirit! 
 
 All clamber down to the lowest step ready to dip 
 
 their feet. Rachel, forgotten, is left behind. 
 
 RACHEL 
 I am left alone. 
 
 [243] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 BARUCH 
 Be very still. 
 
 DEBORAH 
 Watch! Listen! 
 
 JOANNA 
 It is nothing, Baruch. The Spirit has gone again. 
 All climb back to their original places. 
 
 SIMEON 
 Where is Rachel ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 I am here. I have not stirred. 
 
 JOANNA 
 We all forgot you. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Simeon, how can you see so well to get down to 
 the water's edge when you are blind ? 
 
 SIMEON 
 Child, I have travelled this path for twice your 
 years. 
 
 RACHEL 
 And all that time the Spirit did not come ! Alas ! 
 
 SIMEON 
 Yes, the Spirit came, but on those days when I 
 kept the house. 
 
 [ 2M ] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 BARUCH 
 That's always the way of Hfe. Stay at home and 
 everything happens abroad. Go out, and no 
 good thing comes near you. 
 
 SIMEON 
 I hear some one walking. 
 
 JOANNA 
 There's no one by but us. 
 
 SIMEON 
 I hear some one walking. 
 
 RACHEL 
 I see her, a very beautiful lady. 
 Enter, r, Mary. 
 
 JOANNA 
 Now she will purse her mouth and now she will 
 draw up her fine raiment 
 
 BARUCH 
 And pass on the other side of the street. 
 
 RACHEL 
 She is standing still. 
 
 MARY 
 Is this the pool of Bethesda ? 
 
 [ 245 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 JOANNA 
 It is the pool of Bethesda. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Who are ye ? 
 Silence. 
 
 BARUCH to Joanna 
 
 Answer her. 
 
 JOANNA 
 
 She says : " Who are we ? " 
 
 SIMEON 
 Who are we? 
 
 JOANNA to Mary 
 
 We are what you see with your eyes. 
 
 RACHEL 
 We are poor impotent folk, the halt and withered 
 and blind. 
 
 What do ye here ? 
 Silence. 
 
 Answer her. 
 
 MARY 
 
 BARUCH 
 
 JOANNA 
 
 to Joanna 
 
 She says : " What do we here ? 
 
 [ me ] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 SIMEON 
 What do we here ? 
 
 DEBORAH 
 
 not having looked at Mary 
 Why does she want to know ? 
 
 MARY 
 What do ye here ? 
 
 JOANNA 
 We do what you see with your eyes. 
 
 RACHEL 
 We are waiting for the troubling of the waters, 
 when we shall go down into the pool and be 
 healed of all our sickness. 
 
 JOANNA 
 The Spirit, the Spirit ! 
 All watch intently in attitudes of readiness. 
 
 DEBORAH 
 It came — and went again. There was something 
 troubled it 
 
 SIMEON 
 Who is that strange woman, Joanna .'' • 
 
 JOANNA to Mary 
 
 Yes, who are you ? 
 
 Deborah tu7'ns for the first time to look at Mary. 
 
 [247] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 DEBORAH 
 Who are you with your bracelets and your wim- 
 ples, 
 Your purple and your scarlet and fine linen ? 
 I know you, you embroidered harlotry; 
 'Tis you have vexed the Spirit of the pool. 
 You have vexed him with the perfume of your feet, 
 The delicate odor of your abomination. 
 
 JOANNA 
 Who is she? 
 
 BAKUCH 
 
 Who is she ? 
 
 SIMEON 
 How still she stands ! 
 
 DEBORAH 
 
 She is that Mary, called of Magdala. 
 
 She has driven away salvation from Bethesda. 
 
 BARUCH 
 Leave us alone, O Mary Magdalen. 
 
 JOANNA 
 I pray you, quickly go ! 
 
 SIMEON 
 How still she stands ! 
 
 [ 248 ] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 ALL 
 
 Go, go, accursed woman, Magdalen. 
 
 MARY 
 How dare you, maimed and halt and impotent folk, 
 How dare you vent such insolence on me ? 
 Withered old women, humps of hideous men. 
 Knotted and gnarled and crouched like stumps or 
 
 stones ! 
 I would pity you if you were fit for pity; 
 What right have you to strow the public way. 
 Blotching it with your ragged shreds of bodies ? 
 Here, take the gold I throw you and begone. 
 She scatters gold to them. 
 
 ALL 
 Nay, touch us not ! Keep off, for you are evil. 
 They scatter to go, all hut Rachel 
 
 JOANNA 
 We will not touch her gold, for it is evil. 
 
 SIMEON 
 Lead me away from her, for she is evil. 
 Exeunt all. Rachel "puts out her handsy crying 
 after them. 
 
 MARY 
 Why do you cry here, trembling like a leaf, 
 
 [249] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 With that sheet face of yours and those bright 
 eyes ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 I am afraid because they called you evil. 
 
 MARY 
 Up, then, and run, you little peaked thing ! 
 Run from the evil enchantment of my eyes. 
 She approaches Rachel with vehement gesture, 
 
 RACHEL pleadingly 
 
 Lady, I cannot run. 
 
 MARY 
 You cannot run ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 I can just walk — like this. It hurts me, lady, 
 For I am lame. 
 
 MARY 
 Poor little frightened one! 
 I am sorry, I am very sorry for you ; 
 Will you forgive me ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 Yes, but do not touch me. 
 
 You fear me ? 
 
 MARY 
 [250] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 RACHEL 
 For they said that you were evil. 
 
 MARY 
 
 They shuddered at me, all those halt and blind. 
 Am I abominable in your eyes ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 Lady, I think that you are like an angel. 
 
 MARY 
 Dear Rachel ! But my soul is sick within. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Here let us wait together by the pool 
 And when the Spirit comes we shall be cured. 
 
 MARY 
 Long have you waited by Bethesda's pool ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 I have waited long, but when the cry goes up 
 They all step down before me to the waters 
 In eager haste and Rachel is forgotten. 
 
 MARY lifting her 
 
 I will carry you, dear child, within my arms; 
 You shall not be forgotten any more. 
 What a little weight you are within my arms ! 
 
 [ 251 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 She puts her down. 
 
 It were a blessed pool to cure your body. 
 
 Ah me ! 
 
 RACHEL 
 Why are you sad ? 
 
 MARY 
 I, too, am sick. 
 Would that there were some waters of Bethesda 
 To wash away the anguish of the soul ! 
 
 RACHEL 
 There is a Stranger here in Cesarea 
 Who cures men's souls, I heard Joanna say. 
 He has a face that shineth like a star 
 And little children love to follow Him — 
 You are not listening! 
 
 MARY 
 
 No, I cannot listen 
 To childish babble when my heart is faint. 
 Rachel, do you know one named Ithomar ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 Ithomar, ever smiling with sad eyes ! 
 I know him. 
 
 MARY 
 Have you seen him here this eve '^ 
 [ 252 ] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 RACHEL 
 He will come here beside this quiet pool. 
 
 MARY 
 Soon he will come ? O, foolish heart of mine, 
 Be still ! What woman, Rachel, will he meet ? 
 Surely among these halt and maimed and blind 
 Ithomar does not seek his heart's desire ! 
 Who is the woman of the trysting-place ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 I fear you now with that uplifted hand. 
 
 MARY 
 Child, speak the truth or I will wring it from you. 
 No, no, I do not wish to be so fierce ; 
 Child, lay your little hand against my heart 
 And feel its furious pace ; now answer me ! 
 Who is the person of his pledge to-night ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 I, Rachel, am the person of his pledge. 
 
 MARY 
 With you and with none other.? 
 
 RACHEL 
 
 Yes, with me, 
 For I can tell him what he craves to know. 
 
 [253] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN \ 
 
 - -S 
 
 MARY j 
 
 His heart's desire, the thing he craves to know ! | 
 
 RACHEL 
 
 He craves to know where Jesus bides to-night, | 
 
 The shining Stranger who is Jesus Christ. : 
 Ithomar craves to follow Him to-night. 
 And hear His words, it may be speak with Him; 
 
 This is the news I hold for Ithomar. ' 
 
 MARY i 
 
 The shining Stranger who is Jesus Christ ! 
 
 Verily, I have never heard of Him. | 
 
 i 
 RACHEL 
 
 Mary, do you desire to speak with Him ? ■ 
 
 MARY 
 With whom? 
 
 RACHEL j 
 
 With Jesus Christ, that shining One! | 
 
 i 
 
 MARY j 
 
 Child, chatter not of one unknown to me. j 
 
 Enter Ithomar, l. ' 
 
 Ithomar! \ 
 
 j 
 
 She springs up. i 
 
 By what happy chance we meet ! ] 
 
 [ 254 ] 1 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 If that be chance which seems determination. 
 Rachel, what is the word ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 
 Sir, He will bide 
 At Simeon's house to-night beyond the gate. 
 
 MARY 
 You are cheating me with falseness, you and she. 
 You go to meet some drooping lily girl — 
 Nay, nay, you wear the brow of stainless truth; 
 Linger a while and let me learn from you 
 A little of this great philosophy, 
 I the disciple, sitting at your feet. 
 And you the rabbi, reverend, inspired. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Sir, He will bide at Simeon's house to-night. 
 
 MARY 
 
 And then when dark steals on us from the hills 
 We will walk homeward slowly to my house, 
 Captives of love within his golden leash. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Sir, He will bide beyond the gate to-night. 
 
 [255 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Mary of Magdala, save your golden leash 
 For Philip and the silken slaves of Rome. 
 Waste not your lures on one who loves them not, 
 Who seeks to solve the question of the world.* 
 He begins to go out, r. 
 
 RACHEL 
 I pray you, let me walk and hold your hand 
 Until we reach my house. 
 
 ITHOMAR lifting her 
 
 Is this not better ? 
 Exeunty b, Ithomar and Rachel. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Gone! lured by a limping, lisping child! 
 
 Gone ! led by the crooked finger of a question ! 
 
 Blindfolded by vagaries of a rabbi ^ 
 
 'Tis too fantastic-foolish to be real. 
 
 He makes a secret tryst with some fair woman, 
 
 And shall I wait while he beyond the walls 
 
 Toys with the tresses of that drooping girl .? 
 
 Yes, I will wait, with vengeance fierce and sudden, 
 
 To quench that dreamy smile upon his face 
 
 And smother his last speech upon my lips 
 
 With the mortal, cruel kiss of expiation. 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 Enter, l, Dathan and Jude, two skulking and 
 low-browed fellows. 
 
 DATHAN 
 Here's the appointed spot. 
 
 JUDE 
 The man's not here. 
 
 DATHAN 
 There's a woman yonder. 
 
 JUDE 
 
 What of the woman ? We are late in getting to 
 
 our business and shall miss our reward. 
 
 DATHAN 
 Good woman, what do you know of one Ithomar ? 
 
 MARY turning 
 
 I know little of him and that little not good. 
 
 JUDE 
 She is the mettle for us. She will give us the 
 scent. 
 
 DATHAN 
 
 Yet it is wise to speak dissembling. Woman, we 
 are friends to Ithomar and heard he passed 
 this way. 
 
 [ 257 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 You have scarcely the looks of gentle philosophers, 
 friends to Ithomar. You are more like 
 money-lenders or scurvy scribes. 
 
 DATHAN 
 So please you, we have business with him. 
 
 MARY 
 There is a stealthy flavor to your word " business " 
 that smacks ill for Ithomar. The business 
 that prospers best when lights are out and 
 good wives abed. If your business is of that 
 sort, may you prosper is my wish. He will 
 get no more than his deserts, I swear to it. 
 
 JUDE 
 
 Where is he, then ? 
 
 MARY 
 He went thither, to the house of Simeon beyond 
 the gate. 
 
 DATHAN to JuDE 
 
 One of these jilted creatures she, and he, a 
 woman-hater ! 
 
 JUDE to Mary 
 
 You had best betake yourself hence. 
 Exeunt the men. 
 
 [258] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 MARY 
 
 They skulk like dogs upon a carrion-track. 
 
 It seems that Ithomar has an enemy 
 
 And these the creatures sent to pay his debt. 
 
 I half regret to share their hounding him; 
 
 Rather with my own hands to pay my debt, 
 
 Wipe the score clean with one stroke of the sponge, 
 
 Laughing aloud, " Quits ! I have done with you. " 
 
 Enter, attended by offlcerSy Philip, the tetrarch, 
 
 from R. 
 
 Philip, O hear me ! 
 
 PHILIP to an officer 
 
 Pray, who is this woman ? 
 
 MARY 
 Philip, I cry for justice ! Hear me, Philip ! 
 
 PHILIP 
 Philip the tetrarch I, I deal out justice. 
 Whether in Auranitis, Trachonitis, 
 In rugged Ituraea or Philippi — 
 I heed the cry for justice. Woman, speak ! 
 
 MARY 
 O, Philip, tetrarch, I must speak alone. 
 To you alone. 
 
 [259] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 PHILIP to his followers 
 
 Pass on. 
 
 Exeunt followers. 
 
 MARY 
 
 in the hearing of the guard 
 Great is your name 
 In wide-spread Auranitis, Trachonitis, 
 In rugged Ituraea and Philippi. 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 in his natural tones 
 Mary, my Syrian goddess, what wild errand 
 Convoys you to this waste ? 
 
 MARY 
 
 Revenge, revenge! 
 Revenge me on this insolent Ithomar, 
 This lying patriot of the Sanhedrin. 
 
 PHILIP 
 What freakish wind has veered the rosy flame 
 So lately leaping round his stony shrine ? 
 Could you not melt him with your Cyprian fires ? 
 
 MARY 
 It was a pastime that has turned to war. 
 Crush me the stone to fragments, mighty Philip. 
 
 [260] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 PHILIP 
 My eager deeds have run before your wish; 
 Even now my emissaries lie in wait 
 To entangle him in violent dispute 
 With brawling Sadducees and Pharisees. 
 
 MARY 
 They were your creatures then, the carrion dogs. 
 What next ? 
 
 PHILIP 
 The spear of Rome will end the matter. 
 
 MARY 
 But Ithomar is of such heroic mould, 
 'Tis easier said than done — to prick him thus 
 With Roman spear of common sentinel. 
 
 PHILIP 
 What would you, then ? Philip is at your service 
 If Mary Magdala will pay the price. 
 
 MARY scornfully 
 
 Mary of Magdala does not beg for barter 
 That which belongs to her, O Cesarean. 
 
 PHILIP 
 Mark, I will serve you, not as Philip, man, 
 But Philip, head of Cesarea Philippi. 
 
 [ 261 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 Ithomar, as you know — deny it not — 
 Inflames the Sanhedrin with mutinous talk 
 Against the imperial mother- city, Rome. 
 Are you, too, patriot, that you turn so pale ? 
 We have the knowledge but we lack the proof. 
 Entice from him the parchment of that speech, 
 Entrap him in your house — this your revenge. 
 And Roman justice for the malcontent. 
 
 MARY 
 Turn traitor to my people to entrap him ? 
 
 PHILIP 
 No other man but Ithomar shall suffer. 
 
 MARY 
 Promise me, Philip, head of Cesarea. 
 
 PHILIP 
 I swear, and you? 
 
 MARY 
 I win the parchment from him. 
 Before to-morrow's midnight moon swings low. 
 Set watch upon the dark front of my house. 
 And when the eastern shutter is flung wide 
 To shoot a stream of radiance down the night 
 Then let your soldiers spring upon their prey. 
 Dear is revenge to Mary Magdala. 
 
 [262] 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 Enter wearily from l, Cleo, a fathetic figure of 
 faded beauty. 
 
 PHILIP 
 They will watch the signal of the open shutter. 
 Dear is revenge to Philip, Mary's lover. 
 Exit Philip, l. 
 
 CLEO hesitatingly 
 
 Is this, perchance, the pool they call Bethesda ? 
 
 MARY 
 What barren wave has washed this remnant up, 
 The wasted ghost of immemorial trysts ? 
 
 CLEO 
 Forgive me if I syllable amiss ; 
 I am unlearned in your Syrian speech. 
 Is this, perchance, the pool they call Bethesda ? 
 
 MARY 
 Mayhap she seeks to wash away her sins 
 Or some gray sorrow in the haunted pool. 
 
 CLEO 
 I am a stranger to this Roman province 
 And weary from long journey over-seas ; 
 I think I do not understand your words. 
 Being overwrought and sick nigh unto death. 
 She leans for support against a wall. 
 
 [263] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 
 Stranger she is to Cesarea Philippi, 
 A wanderer with a ripple in her voice 
 As aUen-wild as some faint voyaging bird 
 Who Ughts upon a mast far out at sea. 
 Stranger, what do you seek, or whom ? 
 
 CLEO 
 
 I seek — 
 
 I seek my husband, lost to me long since. 
 
 MARY 
 What is his name ? 
 
 Cleo hesitatesy and then an expression of piteous 
 terror comes to her face. 
 
 CLEO 
 Ah, it has gone from me; 
 I have forgot his name ; 'tis gone from me. 
 
 MARY 
 You seek your husband, knowing not his name ? 
 
 CLEO 
 Whither does this road lead? 
 
 MARY 
 
 Into the fields ; 
 
 Only two houses lie beyond the gate. 
 
 Go back to shelter and to sheltering friends. 
 
 [264] 
 
ACTTWOiSCENEONE | 
 
 Shubab enters from l with a lantern and waits for \ 
 
 Mary. ! 
 
 CLEO ; 
 
 I have no shelter and no sheltering friends, \ 
 
 My husband I must seek until I die. : 
 
 Exit Cleo, l. ,j 
 
 ;i 
 
 MARY I 
 
 Now what poor dusty simpleton was this ? 1 
 
 Long will she flutter for that star forbidden ! 
 Until she beat her tattered wings to ruin, 
 
 A hopeless fragment of forgotten beauty \ 
 
 In the death-circle of some deadly lamp. i 
 
 Scuffle and voices from r. Enter Jude, Dathan | 
 
 and others in altercation with Ithomar, who holds | 
 
 himself aloof. They crowd against him. ] 
 
 ITHOMAB I 
 
 Back from me, insolent rabble! i; 
 
 ELON entering r. ] 
 
 The guard, the guard! ; 
 
 It is now almost dark. He claps his hands. All \ 
 
 scatter^ leaving Ithomar and Elon facing each \ 
 
 other and Mary leaning against the wall, her veil \ 
 drawn about her. Enter four Soldiers, l. 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 This insolent rabble has dogged my steps to- 
 night. 
 
 ELON 
 This man molests the peace. Arrest him, guard. 
 Mary steps forward and points to Elon. 
 
 MARY 
 Here is the man, ring-leader of the brawl. 
 The guard lay hands upon Elon. 
 
 ELON 
 I do protest! 
 
 MARY 
 
 A dangerous turbulent fellow. 
 
 FIRST GUARD 
 Lady, he will not trouble you again. 
 We have bound him strongly. 
 
 ELON as he is dragged ojf 
 I appeal to Philip. 
 
 Exeunt Guards and Elon. Mary and Ithomar 
 look at each other in silence. 
 
 MARY laughing 
 
 Pray, have you found solution for your question ? 
 
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Philosophy has proved a surly mistress. 
 
 MARY 
 'Tis I have saved you, not philosophy. 
 
 ITHOMAR tenderly 
 
 'Tis you have saved me, not philosophy. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Did not the Teacher solve the riddle for you ? 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 The doctrine of the Christ is too austere; 
 I listened and went sorrowing away. 
 'Tis you w^ill solve my riddle, Magdalene. 
 Shubab precedes them. They walk away, hand 
 in hand. 
 
 MARY lifting the lantern 
 Mary of Magdala, like this flame endure, 
 A taunt, a challenge, a loveliness, a lure. 
 
 Curtain 
 
 end of act ii 
 
 [267] 
 
ACT in 
 
 Scene I: Mary's House. 
 
 Discovered — Philip and Zillah, 'parting 
 
 at door, r. 
 
 PHILIP 
 Ithomar visits her to-night, you say. 
 And has she won from him the manuscript ? 
 The court at Antioch must needs have proof. 
 
 ZILLAH 
 I think that he has sworn to bring it to her. 
 But Phihp, Mary half repents her vow 
 And half she loves him while she lures him on; 
 Strike then to-night or you will strike too late. 
 
 PHILIP 
 To-night. Fling wide the shutter when he 
 
 comes. 
 He takes the gold chain from his neck and puts it 
 into her hand. Exit. 
 
 [ 268 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 ZILLAH 
 
 dangling the chain as she crosses to l. 
 I wish I had the tetrarch for a lover, 
 With such gold chains to throw at every bush. 
 Enter, 2 e l, Mary and Azubah. 
 
 MARY 
 You smile as if you had a vision. 
 
 ZILLAH 
 
 I had. 
 
 Exit ZiLLAH, 1 E L. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 My blood runs fainter when she smiles like that. 
 
 MARY 
 To Azubah, as they lie together on the cushions of 
 the floor. 
 
 Tell me, Azubah, have I won his heart 
 Or loves he still that girl of long ago, 
 The Rhodian beauty with her hair of gold. 
 Whose fleeting likeness lay within my statue ? 
 
 AZUBAH 
 Was she his wife.'^ 
 
 MARY 
 I know she was his wife, 
 And that they sailed together from her isle 
 
 [ 269 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 In that first flush of youth and joy and love — 
 Azubah, what would love like theirs be like 
 To us who have only trod the scarlet way ? 
 Think you, Azubah, we could know such love 
 As blossoms in the soul of snow ? 
 
 AZUBAH 
 
 Would God, 
 Would God I could untread the scarlet way! 
 
 MARY 
 But the great God who leads men by the hand. 
 Leads some to peace and others to temptation. 
 My lot was sown on thorny ground and hers, 
 Golden-haired Cleo whom he made his wife. 
 Was hedged about with flowers of quietness ; 
 Let Great Jehovah judge between us two ! 
 A silence. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 They sailed away, and then ? 
 
 MARY 
 The ship was wrecked; 
 The wild Ionian gulf went over her; 
 Cleo was lost and Ithomar returned. 
 Gathered from bitter salvage of the sea, 
 
 [ 270 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 To cherish until now her memory. 
 
 I did not dream such faith was left in man. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 And you, you would entice him to forget ? 
 
 MARY 
 I love him better than my life, Azubah, 
 And that was long ago. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 
 Has he forgot ? 
 Mary does not answer hut is lost in thought. 
 
 MARY 
 Azubah, there shall be a duel this night — 
 Dead Cleo or the living Magdalene. 
 She rises. 
 
 Look, I will wear the semblance of the statue. 
 Standing all still upon its pedestal — 
 She goes to the empty pedestal, followed by Cleo. 
 The light is dim and I am robed in white, 
 And these white roses garlanding my brow. 
 She mounts the pedestal. 
 Just as the statue when he burst upon me 
 And cried out, " No, it is beyond belief. 
 The lifted brow, the soft elusive smile — 
 It is not you, O Mary Magdalen " 
 
 [271] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 AZUBAH 
 
 arranging her drapery 
 Ah, now you seem a marble moveless thing. 
 
 MARY 
 I hear his voice. He comes. Azubah, quick, 
 Lift up these folds across my shoulder, so ! 
 A knock, two short raps, characteristic of Ithomar. 
 The same signal was given in Act I. 
 Azubah, hush ! No word of me but leave us ! 
 Azubah goes to the door and lets in Ithomar, who 
 removes his sandals while he speaks. 
 
 ITHOMAR gallantly 
 Some pretty tale is lingering in your eyes 
 
 AZUBAH 
 keeping her distance from him. 
 You wish for Mary ? 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 What a shrewd surmise. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 
 Bowing as she retreats, 1 e l. 
 I go and search for her. 
 Exit Azubah. 
 
 [ 272 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 smiling compassionately at himself 
 Mad Ithomar, 
 Lo, here you are imbued with all the creeds. 
 Inoculated with philosophy, 
 The woman-fever riot in your veins! 
 A whimsical contagion this, wise man ! 
 As he moves slowly about the room his eyes fall 
 upon the figure of Mary, statue-like on its pedestal. 
 . . . How marvellously the sculptor fashioned it, 
 Prisoning a soul within the insensate stone. 
 Binding her youth to immortality 
 And one fleet instant to eternity. 
 . . . Where is thy likeness gone, my Rhodian girl. 
 The smile of thine that only yestereve 
 Hovered about the marble mouth of Mary ? 
 He turns from the figure, as if addressing another 
 one 
 
 Cleo, I cannot now bring back thy face 
 Across the long stretch of the dreary years : 
 Cleo, forgive me if I do forget. 
 After a pause, he turns to Mary. 
 Dead Cleo, or the living Magdalene — 
 Mary starts. 
 
 ... I could believe that her miraculous brow 
 
 [273] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 Leaned downward like the moving of a cloud. 
 
 Mary of Magdala, speak with those pure lips ! 
 
 She reaches out a hand to him. He approaches 
 
 her slowly as if in fear. 
 
 A dream, a miracle, an insanity. 
 
 As he touches her hand, she steps down from the 
 
 pedestal and goes to his embrace. 
 
 MARY 
 A dream, a miracle, but reality ! 
 Now I believe you love me, Ithomar, 
 Me and none other, from the old dead past. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 You and none other, Mary, perfect one ! 
 They sit together on cushions by a low table, an 
 which is a brazier of burning coals. 
 
 MARY 
 You are silent, wrapped away from me in silence. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 There is no need of speech in happiness. 
 But here is matter if we must converse. 
 The manuscript that you have raved about; 
 I am half curious at your eager whimsy 
 To probe the dulness of the Sanhedrin. 
 
 [ 274 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 He 'pushes the MS. to her across the table. She 
 shows uneasiness. 
 
 MARY 
 My people's freedom is not dull discourse; 
 Perhaps I, too, am patriot, Ithomar. 
 But keep the manuscript within your bosom. 
 During the next few speeches the manuscript is 
 toyed withy pushed back and forth between them. 
 
 ITHOMAE 
 No, take it from me. 
 
 MARY 
 No, I wish it not. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 You earnestly besought me. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Woman's whimsy. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 A nobler zeal to share a desperate cause, 
 I do beHeve. 
 He puts the parchment into her hand. 
 
 MARY earnestly 
 
 What is this scroll to me ? 
 Pray keep the tedious thing within your bosom. 
 
 [275] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 " Our people's freedom is not dull discourse. " 
 
 MAUY 
 Forgive me, Ithomar, my mad vagaries; 
 Verily, I desired it from your hands : 
 And now, in truth, I do desire it not. 
 A woman's fancy is inscrutable. 
 
 ITHOMAR resentfully 
 
 You mock me to the utmost of your power. 
 Beseeching me to give my honor to you. 
 And playing with the gift in feline fashion. ' 
 Was not the alabaster vase enough ? 
 
 MARY 
 The vase I have not yet. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 
 You have my promise. 
 
 MARY gently 
 I do not wish to rouse your wrath against me. 
 Listen, and we will read the script together: 
 " O reverend high-priest, O all ye elders ! " 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Nay, but most gently! 
 
 [ 276 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MARY 
 Is there danger in it ? 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Cried out upon the gates, 'twould cost my hfe; 
 " Proscribed for mutiny against the Caesar ! " 
 Behold my trust in you ! 
 
 MARY 
 
 But take it back. 
 I fear to hold the tool of your proscription. 
 
 ITHOMAR jesting 
 
 Nay, read it to me in your woman's voice. 
 There are no Roman spies in ambuscade. 
 
 MARY 
 
 " O reverend high-priest, O all ye elders ! " 
 
 A voice is heard outside. 
 
 VOICE 
 Make way! 
 
 MARY 
 
 dropping the parchment on the table. 
 Haste, you must leave me, Ithomar. 
 Some one is at my door. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 
 For some one leave you ! 
 [277] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 Go, as you love me, go ! 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 How desperate-earnest. 
 All for a casual some one at the door ! 
 
 MARY 
 It is my mantle-maker, such a gossip, 
 She chatters like the swallow in the eaves 
 And scatters trouble like the thistle down. 
 
 ITHOMAR lightly 
 
 I fear her, Mary, more than armed men. 
 A knock at the door. 
 
 MARY 
 
 'pointing to 2 e i, 
 That is my chamber and the steps lead up 
 Unto the roof where I will meet you soon. 
 Exit Ithomar, 2 e l, and Mary goes to r and ad- 
 mits Philip. She salutes him formally and he 
 kisses her hand, endeavoring at the same time to 
 draw her to him. She holds herself off. 
 
 PHILIP sneeringly 
 
 Our bargain is not finished, I remember. 
 
 [ ns ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MARY 
 Philip, you come too soon. 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 Not soon enough 
 To keep pace with impetuous desire. 
 
 MARY 
 What is your wish with me, O Philip, tetrarch ? 
 
 PHILIP bitterly 
 
 It pleases you to-night that I am tetrarch. 
 And head of Cesarea Philippi ; 
 Philip the tetrarch, eh, not Philip, man ? 
 So be it, and obey the procurator; 
 Where is that insolent seditionist, 
 Ithomar of the Jewish Sanhedrin ? 
 
 MARY 
 He is not here. 
 
 PHILIP 
 You speak the truth to me ? 
 
 MARY 
 Was it not I that laid this trap for him ? 
 Why should I, then, conceal the man I hate, 
 Baffling my own revenge to baffle you ? 
 
 [279] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 But woman's mind- 
 
 MARY 
 My mind is constant still. 
 
 PHILIP 
 Where is the scroll, his mutinous harangue ? 
 Mary moves slightly to "put herself between him 
 and the table on which lies the scroll. 
 
 MARY 
 All in good time the parchment shall be given. 
 
 PHILIP 
 Inexorably I hold you to your pledge; 
 The trap was yours at first, now also mine; 
 The vengeance yours at first, now also mine. 
 There is a sound in the adjoining roomy 2 e l. 
 Mary glances uneasily in that direction and Phil- 
 ip follows her glance. 
 
 Whether you love or scorn this Ithomar, 
 Why do you stare so strangely at that portal ? 
 Whether you love or scorn this Ithomar, 
 Who, loved or scorned, has come between us two, 
 I swear that he shall reap the penalty. 
 Swear to me, Mary ! 
 
 [ 280 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MARY 
 I am steadfast still; 
 The man I hate shall reap the penalty; 
 To him I love, exceeding great reward. 
 At a sound in the adjoining room Mary starts and 
 moves to protect the manuscript. Philip sees it. 
 
 PHILIP 
 The scroll of Ithomar upon the table! 
 I have proven your lie. 
 
 MARY 
 No, it is not the scroll. 
 The speech of Ithomar. It is another. 
 As they fence in words there is a constant play of 
 action between themy Philip insidiously to ap- 
 proach, Mary to ward him from the table. 
 
 PHILIP 
 What is it ? 
 
 MARY 
 
 A flimsy foreign trifle — 
 A verse that — Zaxus penned. 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 Give it to me. 
 
 MARY 
 No, no. 
 
 [281 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 PHILIP 
 Ye gods, what bold effrontery! 
 Have it I will ! 
 
 He springs forward. She, with as sudden a mo- 
 tion, takes from her hair the dagger-like pin, and 
 confronts him thus, her hair falling to her shoul- 
 ders, 
 
 MARY 
 Upon this dagger's point! 
 With her left hand she feels for the parchment, to 
 convey it stealthily to the brazier. Her back is to 
 the table. 
 
 PHILIP 
 Ha, you would murder me! 
 
 MARY 
 
 You and myself, 
 To save my people and my people's friend. 
 
 PHILIP 
 To save your lover! 
 He threatens to attack her. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Philip, O beware ! 
 Consider how the Roman world would flout 
 
 [ 2S2 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 At Philip, head of Cesarea Philippi, 
 Tetrarch of all these eastern provinces. 
 Branded across the face indelibly 
 By the weak fingers of a mocking girl. 
 She lets the manuscript fall into the brazier and it 
 flames up. 
 Philip, beware! 
 
 He seizes her wrist, wrenching the weapon from it 
 and flings her against the wall. She, breathless 
 and gasping, hurls her words at him with difficulty 
 as he goes to the coals and tries to recover the manu- 
 script. 
 
 Ay, take your parchment scroll, 
 A ruined heap of ash, a burning coal. 
 
 PHILIP 
 
 wringing his scorched fingers 
 Pssh ! You shall feel the scourge of Rome for this. 
 He goes to r. 
 
 MARY laughing bitterly 
 Run, put a poultice on your blistered fingers. 
 Exit Philip, r 
 
 Mary speaks in a deep, changed voice: 
 Now let the scourge of Rome fall, blight and scar! 
 I have saved from infamous death my Ithomar. 
 Enter, from 1 r l, Zillah, with cautious curiosity. 
 
 [283] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 ZILLAH 
 
 You are alone? 
 
 MARY 
 I was alone. 
 
 ZILLAH 
 
 Oho, 
 
 The languor of this night oppresses me. 
 
 She goes to the shuttered window. Mary rapidly 
 
 forestalls Zillah's purpose to open the lattice. 
 
 MARY 
 Stop, Zillah, dare not touch that window blind ! 
 
 ZILLAH retreating 
 
 Mercy of heaven, how you frighten me ! 
 Look, there's a crimson mark upon your wrist. 
 'Tis blood. 
 
 MARY 
 'Tis nothing. 
 
 ZILLAH 
 
 going out, 1 e l 
 Play of hawks, forsooth! 
 I would not have a lover like a hawk. 
 Exit Zillah. 
 
 r 284 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE ONE 
 
 MARY 
 A hawk herself, a prowHng claw-Hke creature. 
 Did she surmise the signal of the shutter ? 
 Enter Ithomar, 2 e l. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 I have waited for you years upon that roof. 
 Tree-tops and stars for silent company. 
 But not your eyes, your voice — How pale you are ! 
 You tremble. There is blood upon your wrist. 
 What evil thing 
 
 MARY 
 'Tis nothing, Ithomar. 
 A pin-prick from the fashioning of a garment. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 The sharp-tongued mantle-maker plies her needle 
 As shrewdly as her tongue — 
 Mary reels and Ithomar goes to her. 
 
 MARY 
 
 My head is faint. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 You breathe like one who suffocates for air — 
 He rushes to the window and throws open the shutter. 
 
 MARY 
 My God, my God, you have flung the shutter wide ! 
 
 [285] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 ITHOMAR kneeling by her 
 Take heart, beloved, wild beasts enter not 
 At open doors and windows in your house. 
 A clank of arms without and trampling of feet 
 
 MARY 
 Ah, save yourself! 
 Enter, r, a sound of Soldiers. 
 
 ITHOMAR rushing to table 
 My manuscript. Betrayed! 
 The soldiers fetter him in silence. 
 
 MARY 
 Believe it not of me ! 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 My manuscript! 
 God ! Now my eyes are open, I understand. 
 Betrayed, betrayed, betrayed to shameful death. 
 Trapped by the bright eyes of a wanton girl ! 
 
 MARY kneeling 
 
 Believe in me ! 
 
 Exeunt Guards with Ithomar. 
 He shall believe my worth. 
 Unto this vow I swear by heaven and earth. 
 
 Curtain. 
 [ 286 ] 
 
Scene II: House of Mary. Enter y r, Rachel, 
 limpingy and seeming to lead Joanna against her 
 will. Deborah follows. 
 
 DEBORAH 
 We should not let her little feet, Joanna, 
 Pass the polluted threshold of this house. 
 
 JOANNA 
 She begged to come. 
 
 RACHEL 
 I dreamed a dream last night — 
 
 JOANNA 
 She's always dreaming dreams and seeing visions. 
 
 RACHEL 
 I dreamed that Mary stood engulfed in dark 
 And called to me to come and lead her forth; 
 I hear her calling yet, " Oh, Rachel, Rachel ! " 
 
 JOANNA 
 
 aside, to Deborah 
 She is possessed, that child. 
 
 [287] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 RACHEL 
 
 I went to her 
 And led her to a hill of olive-trees, 
 And lo ! upon the hill there stood a Cross. 
 
 JOANNA going out 
 
 I wash my hands of her and of her dream. 
 
 DEBORAH to JoANNA 
 
 Joanna, I will fetch her to you soon. 
 That little child is stronger than ourselves. 
 Exeunt both R. 
 
 RACHEL looking about 
 
 Her palace is all glorious within. 
 Like unto that king's daughter, clothed in gold. 
 Concerning whom 'tis writ in Holy Book: 
 " Her clothing is of wrought gold wonderful. 
 And all her raiment smells of myrrh and aloes ; 
 God hath anointed her above her fellows 
 With oil of gladness and with grace of beauty." 
 How happy she must be in such a house. 
 Enter, 2 e l, Mary, her expression sad. She does 
 not at first see Rachel. 
 Are you not happy in this glorious house ? 
 Mary starts to perceive the child. 
 
 [ 288 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 
 
 MARY 
 Rachel ! 
 She goes to her and embraces her affectionately. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Mary, I dreamed of you last night, 
 And so I came. But why are you not happy ? 
 You tremble and your lids are wet with tears. 
 
 MARY 
 What did you dream ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 I dreamed that you were lost. 
 And that you called to me to lead you forth. 
 
 MARY 
 You drsamed that I was lost! 
 
 RACHEL 
 
 Lost in the dark, 
 And calling, calling, till I went to you 
 And led you to a hill of olive-trees ; 
 And lo ! upon the hill there stood a Cross. 
 
 MARY 
 I am glad you came, for I am sorrowful. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Why are you sorrowful ? 
 
 [289] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 There's one I love 
 Betrayed to death, and I am his betrayer. 
 
 RACHEL 
 You? 
 
 MARY 
 Yes, unwiUingly I was the creature. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Where is he now ? 
 
 MARY 
 In prison at Antioch. 
 For his release I have moved heaven and earth. 
 
 RACHEL 
 If you have prayed to Heaven and do have faith 
 He will be freed, for Heaven is pitiful. 
 
 MARY 
 The Heaven I know is stony blind and deaf. 
 
 RACHEL 
 I have heard Jesus say : " If ye have faith 
 But as a grain of mustard-seed, your prayers, 
 Even of the little child, may move the moun- 
 tains." 
 
 [ 290 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 
 
 MARY 
 It is the good and pure who pray hke that, 
 The pure in hfe. 
 
 RACHEL 
 I have heard Jesus say, 
 " The pure in heart are blest and shall see God." 
 
 MARY 
 Ah, Rachel, Rachel, you are but a child. 
 You do not understand the sinning heart. 
 
 RACHEL 
 I have heard Jesus say that though your sins 
 Be scarlet they shall be as white as wool. 
 
 MARY 
 Take me unto this Master, Rachel, child. 
 If He will wash my sins as white as wool — 
 
 RACHEL rising 
 
 Let us go straightway. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Nay, not yet, not yet ! 
 Ithomar may return to me this day; 
 I wait for messenger from Antioch. 
 
 [291] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 RACHEL 
 Then I will come for you again, singing 
 For sign to you beneath your window lattice. 
 Dear Mary, promise that you will obey 
 The bidding of my voice in song like this : 
 " Come unto Me, 
 Come unto Me, 
 Come unto Me all ye that labor. 
 All ye that labor and are heavy-laden. 
 And I will give you rest, 
 And I will give you rest. " 
 Deborah's voice is heard outside. 
 
 Rachel ! 
 
 VOICE ] 
 
 1 
 
 MARY 
 
 I heard a voice. ; 
 
 RACHEL \ 
 
 'Tis Deborah come for me. i 
 
 MARY \ 
 I fear the woman Deborah for her curses 
 
 That have brought woe to me and to my house. I 
 
 Woe unto me on whom her curses fell ; i 
 
 I am proud no longer, I am humbled now — < 
 I will beseech her to remove the curse. 
 
 Enter Deborah, r. | 
 
 [292] 
 
 I 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 
 
 DEBORAH 
 Rachel ! 
 
 RACHEL 
 Yes, Deborah. 
 
 MARY 
 
 rushing forward and catching hold of Deborah's 
 skirt 
 
 Woman, I pray, 
 I pray you to remove that curse you set; 
 You cursed me, saying I should accursed be 
 With madness, blindness, violent vexation. 
 With burning and astonishment of heart. 
 Remove the curse, remove it from my head, 
 Remove the burden of the heavy curse. 
 
 DEBORAH 
 Nay, verily, the curse is of your brewing. 
 For you yourself have trodden the vintage out 
 From grapes of wrath into this cup of trembling. 
 
 MARY 
 No, no, I do beseech you 
 
 RACHEL 
 
 Deborah, come. 
 Enter Cleo, hesitatingly, at the open door. 
 
 [293] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN j 
 
 DEBORAH ' 
 
 Another lost lamb straying to the fold. | 
 
 Child, we will go. { 
 
 RACHEL to Mary j 
 
 Do not forget my sign. i 
 
 Exeunt, r, Deborah and Rachel. j 
 
 CLEO i 
 
 I saw him pass within the porch one day- ; 
 
 i 
 
 MARY I 
 
 Saw himi Oh, it is you again, poor bird, j 
 
 Poor dusty, wandering alien. J 
 
 CLEO ) 
 
 Let me rest 1 
 
 Before I speak again — I am so tired! ( 
 
 MARY 1 
 
 j 
 
 leading her to 2 E L :' 
 
 Here in my chamber you shall rest and sleep. ! 
 
 Exit Cleo. Mary returns. ) 
 
 Perhaps she has a sorrow great as mine; | 
 
 By day it follows her, apace, apace, ;| 
 
 It sleeps with her by night upon her pillow, ) 
 It wakes with her in dawn's first glimmering light. 
 Enter 1 e l, Azubah, her arms full of flowers, 
 boughs of white almond blossom. 
 
 [294] 'I 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 
 
 MARY 
 We have no need of those. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 
 laying down the flowers 
 Take courage, Mary, 
 Keep a brave front before a scornful world. 
 How quickly men will say your hour declines. 
 
 MARY 
 I care not. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 You must wear your jewels to-day, 
 So to deceive the hard heart of the world. 
 Exit AzUBAH, 2 E I/. 
 
 MARY 
 Be careful not to wake that sleeping one. 
 She sits in quiet, awaiting Azubah's return. 
 AzuBAH comes with the jewels in her hands and 
 arranges them on Mary's neck and brow. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 
 Now smile above the grief that eats your heart. 
 For when you laugh the world will laugh with you, 
 They say, but when you weep you weep alone. 
 
 [295] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 Better salt tears than whited sepulchres. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 Women are made to laugh and to dissemble; 
 I have often laughed to ward away a tear. 
 Enter 2 e l, Shubab, with flowers. 
 
 MARY 
 Then scatter flowers as you will, Azubah, 
 And laugh to celebrate a day of doom. 
 Exit Mary, 1 e l. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 
 arranging flowers about the room 
 She is distraught with grief for Ithomar, 
 And sleepless nights have sapped her former 
 
 courage. 
 Shubab follows her, handing the branches to her, 
 
 SHUBAB 
 This morning when I knocked upon her door. 
 Her lamp still burned — it was a sinful waste — 
 And she sat so — her arms upon the table — 
 Azubah turns to look at his imitation and laughs. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 In sooth, 'tis very much the look of Mary. 
 She continues her decoration. Shubab takes the 
 
 [ 296 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 
 
 last branch and, after trying it in several awkward 
 positions about the room, sticks it grotesquely in 
 his belt and assumes an attitude. Azubah turns, 
 with her hand outstretched for the branch. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 Give me the branch. 
 
 SHUBAB childishly 
 
 It's mine, you cannot have it. 
 He scampers away from her and she pursues him in 
 the spirit of a child. A knock comes at the door and 
 both stop. Shubab goes to the door and receives a 
 message. Returning, he leaves the door ajar and 
 speaks with the air of one who has a great secret. 
 
 SHUBAB 
 It was a servant come from Ithomar. 
 He said his master was released to-day, 
 Will visit Mary, she is not to know. 
 He will surprise her by his wonted knock. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 How glad I am, how glad I am for Mary ! 
 Mary, entering, 1 e l, finds them both laughing. 
 
 MARY 
 You happy children! 
 
 [297] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 AZUBAH 
 Happiness costs little. 
 
 MARY 
 The price of happiness is very small, 
 And so the world esteems it at its price, 
 With reckless hand, and loses it thereby. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 You would be happy if you had our cause. 
 
 MARY 
 
 with gentle reproach 
 Be happy with a reason of your own 
 And troubled not by my unhappiness. 
 Exeunt, 1 e l, Shubab and Azubah. Shubab 
 picks up the branch and waves it triumphantly as 
 he goes out. 
 
 MARY 
 If Ithomar should return, should be set free, 
 Would he accuse me as his vile betrayer, 
 Or would these days and nights of travail for him 
 Bring forth at last joy and forgivingness ? 
 Enter quietly by the open door, r, Ithomar. He 
 stands silently till Mary sees him. She, too, is 
 silent, hardly believing. 
 
 [ 298 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 
 
 MARY 
 Ithomar, you! I have dreamed and prayed for 
 
 this. 
 Why are you silent ? Do you still accuse me ? 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 What are these jewels on your brow, your breast ? 
 
 MARY 
 Gifts of my slaves, for no one is my master 
 Save you, you, you ! Look how I fling them from 
 
 me. 
 The gems of tetrarch Philip, spurned they lie ! 
 I spurn them all, I hurl them from my life, 
 I'll none of them. Believe me, Ithomar. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Almost you do persuade me to believe, 
 With that knit brow and sword-flash of the eyes. 
 Where have you learned such seeming -elemental 
 Turmoil of tortured soul, tempestuous Mary ? 
 
 MARY 
 I have learned from love, for love is elemental, 
 Not seeming-elemental, Ithomar. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Too great your simpleness to be believed. 
 Mary, you speak too simply for your sex. 
 
 [299] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 
 My sex is my misfortune, not my crime, 
 Breeding in you such cruel disbelief; 
 Behold, all simply as a child I come. 
 Begging you, Ithomar, believe, believe! 
 Even if you cast away the love I give you, 
 Even if you scorn me for the love I give you, 
 Believe the love is yours, believe, believe ! 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Even before while I was yet in prison 
 You conquered me to uttermost belief. 
 
 MARY 
 I kiss your hand, my master and my lord. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 I will return to you, bringing a pledge - 
 Inviolate, to seal my love for you. 
 Exit Ithomar, r. 
 
 MARY joyfully 
 
 You almond-blooms, you voices of the spring, 
 He brings a pledge, a pledge inviolate. 
 She draws the curtains before the 'pedestal and lays 
 branches before it. 
 
 [ 300 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 
 
 Oh, happy pedestal to hold the vase! 
 
 Enter Cleo, 2 e l. 
 
 Poor soul, unburden your sad tale to me. 
 
 CLEO sitting on the divan 
 If I could only bring to memory back 
 The names of things and people long ago. 
 I feel like one who, gazing at the sun, 
 Has blotted all her world to shapeless dark; . 
 So I, from too-long staring at my sorrow. 
 Have lost the sharpness of the edge of things. 
 
 MARY 
 What is your name ? 
 
 CLEO 
 Even that I have forgot; 
 Sometimes it hovers just within my reach, 
 But when I clutch for it, lo ! nothingness.' 
 The empty motes dance in the mocking sun. 
 I lived on a fair island of the sea 
 Where marble temples rose, and statued gods 
 Were white and wonderful with outstretched arms. 
 The shimmer of my hair was like spun gold ; 
 I danced and sang beneath the orchard trees; 
 There came a lover to this laughing isle; 
 
 His face was as the visage of a god 
 
 [301] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 
 Yes, yes, his name ? 
 
 CLEO dully 
 
 I have forgot his name, 
 But this I do remember, he was born 
 In Cesarea PhiUppi, and he spoke 
 A Syrian tongue, amazing sweet and strange. 
 He married me in early blossom time; 
 The almond-trees were white as little brides. 
 We sailed away upon a rocking ship 
 
 MARY intensely 
 
 And then 
 
 CLEO 
 There came the rain and stormy wind. 
 Thunder and lightning and tempestuous seas. 
 The crash of riven timber, the suck and swash 
 Of water and a waste of human bodies. 
 I have never seen him since that night of horror. 
 
 MARY 
 Your name is Cleo! 
 
 CLEO 
 
 Zeus on high be praised! 
 Are you an oracle that you speak so well ? 
 Tell me his name, you Delphic oracle ! 
 
 [ 302 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 
 
 MARY 
 His name? 
 
 CLEO 
 His name, that I may find my husband. 
 Mary's jace denotes the terrific struggle in her 
 mind. 
 
 MARY 
 I cannot tell his name. 
 
 CLEO 
 Have you not heard his name ? Do you not know 
 it? 
 
 MARY 
 I do not know it. 
 
 CLEO 
 Then alas for me ! 
 I have been in slavery these many years 
 With this one hope before me like a light 
 Gleaming adown a dreary corridor. 
 The light gone out, I shall not find my way. 
 
 MARY 
 Have you been true to him these many years ? 
 
 CLEO 
 I have been slave unto a Roman master. 
 The master of my heart has been but one. 
 
 [303] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MABY 
 The pure in heart ! I understand the saying. 
 Believe you, Cleo, that he, too, your — husband. 
 Has been a loyal lover ? 
 
 Cleo, as she answers, sinks backward upon the 
 cushions and her voice grows fainter in weariness. 
 
 CLEO 
 
 I believe it. 
 I gave him once an alabaster vase — 
 Mary starts. 
 
 Sculptured without in mystic symbolism. 
 Holding within an attar of perfume 
 Rare as the scent of grape-vines in the spring; 
 I sealed the vase and gave it to his hand, 
 Saying it was the symbol of our love. 
 And he should never lose or break the vase. 
 Nor ever part with it till I was dead 
 Or love was dead within his heart for me. 
 
 MARY 
 Or love was dead within his heart for you. 
 
 CLEO 
 And then the mystic vase should shattered lie. 
 Its rare perfume fled to the unthinking sky. 
 
 [304] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 
 
 Cleo's voice grows very faint, fades away, and her 
 head falls upon the cushions. Her eyes close as if 
 in sleep. Zillah enters r, gaily clad. 
 
 ZILLAH shrilly 
 
 Why do you sit in such solemnity ? 
 
 MARY 
 Why do you spread your feathers like a peacock ? 
 
 ZILLAH 
 Forsooth, this is the evening of your triumph, 
 When you have bid your friends unto a feast. 
 With a mocking laugh she runs to the alcove, draws 
 the curtains to show the empty pedestal. 
 
 Where is the vase, the alabaster vase 
 
 Cleo sharply sighs. 
 
 CLEO in her sleep 
 
 The light gone out, I shall not find my way. 
 
 MARY in a hushed voice 
 Do you not see I have a stranger here 
 Whose tired head is hurt by noisy laughter ? 
 
 ZILLAH going out 
 
 And where is he, the worshipful 
 
 [305] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 
 Go out! 
 Exit, 1 E L, ZiLLAH. Mary goes to Cleo and 
 arranges the cushions under her. She stands 
 thoughtfully looking at her. 
 
 Sleep, weary wanderer, fold your wings and sleep. 
 After a pause. 
 
 She sealed the vase and gave it to his hand, 
 Saying it was a symbol of their love, 
 And he should never lose or break the vase. 
 Nor ever part with it till she was dead 
 Or love was dead within his heart for her. 
 A pause. 
 
 And then the mystic vase should shattered lie, 
 Its rare perfume fled to the unthinking sky. 
 She walks away pondering. Ithomar's knock at 
 the door. 
 His knock ! He must not see her, must not find 
 
 her — 
 She conceals Cleo's face with a silk covering. 
 I lied to her and I must lie to him. 
 To found my happiness upon a lie? 
 
 To build a house upon the unstable sand 
 
 The knock being repeated, Mary opens the door. 
 Ithomar enters, followed by a servant with the vase. 
 
 [ 306 ] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Mary, I bring the alabaster vase, 
 Glad symbol of our reunited love. 
 The servant holds the vase to Mary, hut she 
 stands struck dumb and does not take it. 
 Then from my hands receive it. 
 
 MARY 
 
 intercepting his intention 
 
 Nor from you. 
 
 Ithomar signals to his Servant to leave them. He 
 
 sets dotvn the vase and leaves the rooniy r, with an 
 
 obeisance. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 O Sphinx, unlock the riddle. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Ithomar, 
 She sealed the vase and gave it to your hand — 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 The answer of the Sphinx is still a riddle. 
 
 MARY 
 You told me once of — Cleo — and — her isle — 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 The long ago! 
 
 [307] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 But should the long ago come back to life — 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Waste not your thought on the impossible. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Nay, answer me. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 
 shaking himself free of Mary 
 Grimly. 
 
 Then have your answer, Mary Magdalen. 
 She was my wife, and you — are — what you are. 
 Mary sinks into a heap on the floor and rocks to and 
 fro, wailing. Ithomar stands with folded arms 
 and an ironical smile on his face. 
 
 MARY 
 God, am I not as other women are ? 
 I would be loved as other women are; 
 Have I not yearned for wifehood's high estate, 
 Have I not burned for holy motherhood ? 
 When Rachel's arms went round my neck that day. 
 Did not my heart cry out for motherhood. 
 Exceeding bitter travail of the soul 
 For little arms and little lips to cling. 
 And little feet to nestle in my hand ? 
 
 [308] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 
 
 ITHOMAR coldly 
 
 What new insanity is this, my Cyprian ? 
 Come, take the vase and give me warmer wel- 
 come 
 Than tears and questionings and repentances. 
 
 MARY 
 
 "passionately 
 The vase is hers, is hers who gave it you. 
 She points to Cleo's quiet figure. 
 She sealed the vase and gave it to your hand — 
 Ithomar goes to Cleo and looks at her, turning 
 away the covering from her face. 
 Saying it was a symbol of your love, 
 And you should never lose or break the vase, 
 Nor ever part with it till she was dead. 
 Or love was dead within your heart for her. 
 Ithomar kneels by Cleo and after a while leans 
 forward to kiss her forehead. He buries his face 
 on her breast, but she does not stir. Then he rises 
 and turns to Mary. 
 
 ITHOMAR solemnly 
 
 Come here! 
 
 Mary advances slowly as if in fear. 
 Behold how quietly she sleeps. 
 
 [309] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 Poor wandering bird, how quietly she sleeps ! 
 You scarce would know her bosom heaved at all, 
 Your golden Cleo of the Rhodian isle. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 It is the sleep from which there is no waking. 
 
 MARY crying out sharply 
 Dead ! Then I killed her with that lie of mine ! 
 Leave us alone together, Ithomar! 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 I have come from prison to your arms, O Mary. 
 Where shall I go, how shall I wait for you ? 
 
 MARY 
 Where shall you wait for me ? 
 
 ITHQMAR 
 
 There are two doors. 
 One leads to darkness, one into your chamber. 
 Mary hesitates^ looking from R to l. Then in 
 silence opens the door to her chamber. Exit Itho- 
 mar, 2 E L. Mary closes the door after him and 
 goes to Cleo. 
 
 MARY 
 How changed her look since May-time long ago, 
 His golden Cleo of the Rhodian isle. 
 
 [310] 
 
ACT THREE: SCENE TWO 
 
 " It is the sleep from which there is no waking. " 
 I am glad she does not know that he forgot. 
 She kneels. 
 
 I killed her, killed her with that lie of mine. 
 Forgive me, Cleo, for the cruel lie. 
 Dead face of Cleo, smile upon me once, 
 Smile once for sign you have forgiven me. 
 How sad and stern those patient lips of death ! 
 She rises and goes about the room, gathering up the 
 branches and heaping them on Cleo. 
 Are they as sweet as almond-flowers of Rhodes ? 
 Dead Cleo, answer me : 
 
 Rachel's voice is heard singing beneath the win- 
 dow. 
 
 RACHEL^S VOICE 
 Come unto Me, 
 Come unto Me, 
 Mary listens, goes to the vase, lifts it on high. 
 Come unto Me all ye that labor. 
 All ye that labor and are heavy-laden — 
 Mary advances a step or two to her outside door and 
 then to her chamber door. 
 
 MARY 
 Lo, shall I sell myself for this, this vase ? 
 
 [311] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN I 
 
 RACHEL S VOICE 
 And I will give you rest, 
 And I will give you rest, 
 Mary sets the vase down at Cleo*s feet. 
 
 Rachel's voice 
 Come unto Me — 
 Mary goes to the r, the outside door and opens it. 
 
 MARY 
 What were those piercing words of Jesus Christ ? 
 " If any man will follow after Me — " 
 She goes out. 
 
 Curtain 
 
 end of act iii 
 
 [312] 
 
ACT IV 
 
 Scene I — House of Joanna^ the Wool-Dyer. A 
 
 plain and humble upper chamber. Window r, 
 
 looking down on street. Door c, leading below. 
 
 Door L, leading to bedroom. Dyeing-vats^ a pole, 
 
 lines across a corner with stubbs hung to dry, a 
 
 pile of other stuffs ready for the vats. 
 
 Discovered — Joanna, wringing out garments. 
 
 Rachel on floor, playing with an Egyptian doll of 
 
 wood. 
 
 JOANNA 
 
 Rachel, I have a mind to call her again to see if 
 she be yet stirred out of bed. Folk who wish 
 to turn good may well begin by getting up 
 betimes. 'Tis as much a shining mark of 
 virtue as to pray long prayers on street cor- 
 ners. 
 
 Calling. 
 
 Mary, Mary! 
 
 mart's voice 
 
 Yes, Joanna, I am coming. 
 
 [313] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 JOANNA 
 We will see how she relishes plain fare and the 
 vats of the wool-dyer. 
 
 RACHEL 
 She has given away to the poor all her beautiful 
 possessions. 
 
 JOANNA 
 All but that graven image of a vase. She hoards 
 
 it in the room yonder. 
 Enter, l, Mary, soberly clad. 
 
 MARY 
 Lo, here I am, Joanna, for my labor. 
 
 JOANNA 
 You to help me with those white hands of yours ! 
 
 MARY 
 Yes, for to-day a new life is begun. 
 And the old life is put behind me far. 
 
 JOANNA confidentially 
 
 What, then, of this fine lover Ithomar ? 
 
 MARY 
 I cannot put him from my life, Joanna, 
 The thought of him. Is that a wrong, Joanna? 
 
 [314] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 
 
 JOANNA 
 If he thinks a deal of you, as we plain folk look at 
 it, to speak straight out of my mind without 
 regard to what the learned rabbis might have 
 to say, sooth, the best way for a woman as has 
 gone wrong is to marry herself to any one who 
 will have her, and after that to live as honest 
 as ever she can. That's my say, but I'm 
 only Joanna. 
 
 MARY 
 
 leaning against the wall 
 I fear — he does not think of me like — that. 
 Joanna 'pichs up from the floor a soiled white gar- 
 ment and spreading it out between her arms, sur- 
 veys it thoughtfully. Rachel looks up from her 
 play. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Was that soiled raiment once all white and clean ? 
 Why do you never steep them in some dye 
 To make the stain and soil all white again ? 
 
 JOANNA 
 You can't make a soiled thing like this white 
 again. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Why not? 
 
 [315] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 JOANNA 
 There is no dye I ever mixed as will do that. 
 When the soil and stain get rubbed in like 
 this, they can't be made white again. It must 
 stay soiled, or else — 
 
 MARY 
 Or else ? 
 
 JOANNA 
 
 Throw it in the fire. 
 
 Mart sighs. 
 
 Is this your fashion of labor, my girl ? You will 
 have to learn from us humble people if you 
 earn so much as your salt by the toil of your 
 hands. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Forgive my idleness. I have not learned 
 
 My lesson yet of humbleness and toil. 
 
 JOANNA 
 While I have my hands in the vats here, will you 
 go out on the street and fetch home for our 
 dinner some oil in that cruse ? It is clean 
 gone. 
 
 MARY 
 I would go gladly, but I fear the streets; 
 I fear to be discovered by my lover; 
 
 [316] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 
 
 I am not strong enough against his tempting. 
 Also I fear to be tracked down by Phihp 
 And fall beneath the scourge of his revenge. 
 
 JOANNA 
 Has Philip the tetrarch cause to trouble you ? 
 
 MARY 
 Ay, baflBed hate and wounded vanity. 
 
 JOANNA 
 I will fetch it, then, while you keep the house with 
 
 little Rachel here. 
 Joanna prepares for her departure, taking the 
 cruse and wrapping a veil about her head. 
 
 MARY 
 
 And I will tend to your work, Joanna. When you 
 
 return, I will show you all I have done. 
 
 JOANNA 
 Let that piece stand in the purple a bit longer and 
 
 then wring it dry and spread it on the rope. 
 Exity c, Joanna. 
 
 RACHEL springing up 
 
 I am forgetting something, sitting here 
 i And plapng with a wooden painted doll. 
 I am forgetting I can run and dance. 
 
 [617] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 Is it not wonderful to run and dance ? 
 
 Was it not wonderful that He could heal me ? 
 
 MARY in awed tones 
 
 It was a wonder and a miracle. 
 Tell me again those words He spoke. 
 
 RACHEL 
 
 He said : 
 "Suffer the little children to come unto Me and 
 forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of 
 heaven. " 
 
 MARY 
 I would I were a little girl again, 
 With you to enter at that heavenly gate. 
 Lo, have I not denied myself, O Christ, 
 And given all my riches to the poor ? 
 What is it stands between me and that door ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 Perhaps it is the alabaster vase. 
 
 MARY 
 Must I deny myself even that, O Lord, 
 Uttermost symbol of the love of earth ? 
 He said : " Whoso would follow after Me, 
 Let him deny himself, take up his cross — - 
 
 [318] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 
 
 RACHEL 
 I am so happy this morning, Mary, because I can 
 
 run and dance. 
 Play with me a Httle while. Run with me. 
 
 MARY 
 You dear child, I will play with you. 
 She leads her to a corner of the room. 
 We will start here, so, and see which reaches first 
 
 that far corner. No, no. 
 As Rachel commences running. 
 We must begin together. I will count. One, 
 
 two, three. At the three, we run. Now! 
 
 One. Two. Three! 
 They run and Rachel wins. 
 You have beaten me in the race. 
 
 RACHEL 
 May little children run in heaven ? Let us 
 
 try it again. I will count. One. Two. 
 
 Three! 
 They run and Rachel again wins, according to 
 Mary's purpose. 
 I am sorry you lost again. I will try not to run 
 
 so fast next time. What else do children 
 
 play? 
 
 [319] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY thinking 
 
 I must think. I have almost forgotten children's 
 games. There was a game we called "hunt- 
 mg. 
 
 RACHEL 
 What is that? 
 
 MARY 
 You are the hunted and I am the hunter. This 
 chair is your house and here you are safe. 
 Now I will pursue you and when you are 
 tired you may seek refuge in your house. 
 
 RACHEL 
 I think I shall like this game of " hunting. " 
 They play at it with many feints and subterfuges y 
 till Rachel puts her hand on the chair, breathless. 
 Home ! 
 
 MARY breathless 
 
 You are safe. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Once more! 
 
 MARY 
 I have not run so since I was a little girl. 
 
 RACHEL 
 You are not very old, are you ? You looked al- 
 most like a httle girl when you were running. 
 Joanna never plays with me. 
 [320] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 
 
 MARY 
 Joanna! In truth, Rachel, you have made me 
 
 forget Joanna's bidding. 
 She goes to the vat. 
 These were to be wrung dry. 
 She peers in doubtfully. 
 How shall I get them out ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 Joanna puts her hands in and wrings them — so. 
 
 MARY 
 Plunge my hands into that fearsome liquid! 
 
 Rachel ! If I had a stick to lift them by. 
 She looks about^ and while she does so there comes a 
 sound of trumpets from the street. Rachel runs 
 to the window and stands on the little balcony Ihat 
 abuts on the sill. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Come to the window, quick! 
 
 MARY 
 I dare not come. I dare not show myself to all 
 the street. 
 
 RACHEL 
 They celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 
 
 [ 321 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 Such palms and banners! Such young men and 
 
 maidens ! 
 Such silver trumpets! 
 
 MARY 
 Do you see Azubah ? 
 But I forget you do not know Azubah. 
 If I could only find her, win her to me, 
 Win her away from Philip masterful. 
 The baleful star that dogs her destiny. 
 She approaches the balcony. Rachel makes 
 place for her, retiring. 
 Azubah! Now I see her, borne aloft 
 Like a fair idol by the tetrarch's side. 
 Ah, would she turn her head! 
 
 RACHEL 
 
 plucking at Mary in fear 
 That man has seen you. 
 
 MARY waving her hand 
 Azubah ! she has seen me and she answers. 
 She returns to the room again as the sound of the 
 procession grows fainter. 
 
 RACHEL 
 The wolf man saw you and he marked the window. 
 
 [322] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 
 
 Now they have turned the corner. Now they 
 vanish. 
 
 MARY 
 Little Azubah will come back to me 
 And I will bring her to the Master's feet. 
 Perhaps even yet salvation is for her, 
 Though not for me, because my sins are legion. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Who was that wolfish man who glared at you ? 
 
 MARY 
 I did not see him. 
 
 RACHEL 
 
 With the beady eyes. 
 Two teeth like tusks of swine, a yellow turban. 
 
 MARY 
 Elon ! Elon, the parasite of Philip, 
 Of all my foes the most implacable. 
 Since that I trapped liim by his own device 
 And sent him howling like a dog to prison. 
 She goes to Rachel impressively. 
 Rachel, if any harm should come to-day, 
 Fear not for me, I fear not for myself. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Oh, Mary, Mary! 
 
 [323] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MARY 
 If the soldiers find me, 
 To apprehend me under Philip's ban. 
 Say not one word to them in my defence. 
 
 RACHEL 
 I am so strong I will defend you stoutly — 
 A sound of men's voices without. Mary runs to 
 the door and bolts it. Rachel closes the windows 
 and bars them. Mary goes to the vats and busies 
 herself with work while Rachel plants herself 
 watchfully by the door. 
 
 VOICE 
 In, let us in! 
 
 MARY to Rachel 
 
 I swear they will not know me. 
 Speak not my name. 
 
 VOICE 
 We come from Philip, tetrarch. 
 
 MARY 
 Speak not my name; I am Joanna, dyer. 
 
 VOICE 
 
 as they hammer on the door 
 In, let us in ! We come from Philip, tetrarch. 
 
 [324] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 
 
 RACHEL 
 What do you want ? This is Joanna's house. 
 
 VOICE 
 
 Unbolt the door or we will break it down. 
 
 RACHEL 
 throwing her little form against the door 
 I will not let you enter. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Let them enter. 
 Child, you will anger them. 
 
 RACHEL withdrawing 
 
 Then break the door, 
 But I will not unloose the bolts for you. 
 
 MARY 
 Rachel, for my sake, hide yourself. Stay not. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Nay, I will stay with you. 
 
 The door is hurst open and several Soldiers enter, 
 the foremost being Jude and Dathan. 
 
 JUDE 
 Where is the brat that barred us ? 
 
 RACHEL 
 
 Here I am. 
 [325] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 DATHAN 
 Leave her alone. Our quest is bigger game. 
 We come to seize one Mary Magdalen. 
 Where is she ? Let us search. 
 To the others. 
 
 Guard ye the door. 
 Mary stands with her back to them, stirring in a 
 stolid way. 
 
 RACHEL 
 This is Joanna's house, the curtain-dyer. 
 Mary turns to them but keeps her hands behind her. 
 
 MARY 
 It is Joanna's house and here I am. 
 
 JUDE boisterously 
 
 Joanna, Anna, Hannah, curtain-dyer, 
 It matters not. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Search for this — other woman. 
 
 They begin the search. 
 
 Much do I marvel at your insolence. 
 
 They pass into the other apartment and return 
 
 again. Mary keeps her hands studiously from 
 
 their view. 
 
 [826] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE ONE 
 
 DATHAN to JUDE 
 
 This, to my certain knowledge, was the house 
 
 JUDE 
 They told us she was decked in gay apparel, 
 With stones of many colors and white hands. 
 
 DATHAN 
 This woman here who calls herself Joanna 
 She is not like to be the one we're after. 
 
 JUDE ironically 
 
 Joanna, the white-handed, the wool-dyer ! 
 
 MARY 
 Now shame upon you to mock my honest toil ! 
 
 JUDE 
 
 Doubtless we erred in singling out this chamber. 
 
 DATHAN 
 Yet do I marvel that they barred us out. 
 As they go out, they pass Rachel and Jude raises 
 his hand as if to cujf her. 
 
 JUDE 
 It was this brat. 
 
 Rachel cries out in fear and Mary turns quickly, 
 her hand raised in impulsive defence. The men 
 catch a glimpse of its whiteness. 
 
 [327] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 DATHAN 
 Look there ! Those lily hands ! 
 Nay, they were never dipped in Tyrian dyes. 
 JuDE seizes Rachel roughly. 
 The child will tell the truth : I'll force it from her. 
 Who is that woman ? 
 She is silent, looking fiteously to Mary. 
 You need not lie to me. 
 
 RACHEL 
 I will not lie to you. 
 
 JUDE 
 
 What is her name? 
 Is she Joanna or some other woman ? 
 He grasps Rachel's wrist so that she utters a cry 
 of pain. 
 
 MARY stepping forward 
 I am that Mary, called of Magdala — 
 
 Curtain 
 
 knd of scene i 
 
 [328] 
 
ACT IV 
 
 Scene II — The Porch of the Temple — Jesus 
 has written on the ground and gone within the 
 Templey leaving outside the group of Elders with 
 the sinning woman, who is Mary. Philip her 
 accuser, stands a little apart, fiercely scowling. 
 Mary is the centre of the group. Each man stands 
 in the attitude and expression in which he was 
 when the words of Jesus were spoken. Reproach, 
 self-satisfaction, amazement, scorn, anger, guilt, are 
 expressed. Some look toward the spot on the 
 ground where the words are traced. An old man 
 is deciphering them with his staff. 
 
 PHILIP after a pause 
 
 Silenced so soon by your fanatic here, 
 With his mysterious writing on the ground ! 
 She is upon your hands, ye priests and elders, 
 This sinning woman of your tribe and city. 
 Judge ye among yourselves the Magdalene, 
 The rankness and flamboyance of her sins. 
 Exit Philip with his guard. The tableau is held 
 for an appreciable moment. Then each man^ in 
 
 [329] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 turUy goes to the writing^ reads it in silence, and as 
 silently passes out. Rachel comes dancing down 
 the street, a song upon her lip. She sees the solemn 
 group and Mary, with bowed head in their midst. 
 She is hushed and pauses, her finger to her lip. 
 The last man goes out, leaving Mary and Rachel 
 together. 
 
 MARY 
 Come to me, Rachel 
 Rachel runs to her and Mary weeps. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Do not cry, dear Mary. 
 
 Look how He healed me of my grievous hurt. 
 Also He shall have power to cure your soul. 
 
 MARY 
 How fierce they were against me till He spoke ; 
 *' Neither do I condemn thee; sin no more. " 
 But ah, He did not know. He could not know 
 The multitude of my sins. 
 
 RACHEL 
 Yet I have heard 
 ** Though they be scarlet He shall wash them 
 
 white." 
 Enter Deborah from the r side of the roadway. 
 
 [330] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 
 
 MARY shrinking 
 
 Shield me from her, shield me from Deborah ! 
 
 DEBORAH gently 
 
 I would not now condemn you, Magdalene, 
 For some of us in weakness lose our way 
 And some of us through hardness of the heart. 
 I pray to God that He may save us both. 
 Exit Deborah into the temple. Mary looks at 
 Rachel with inquiry. 
 
 RACHEL 
 
 rising to follow Deborah 
 She also sat at Jesus' feet to-day. 
 Exit Rachel in the temple. 
 
 MARY 
 
 For some of us through weakness lose our way 
 And some of us through hardness of the heart. 
 If He has wrought this miracle with her, 
 Melting her stony hate to gentleness, 
 I do believe in His miraculous power 
 To wash away the multitude of my sins. 
 Enter, l, Azubah, carrying on her shoulder the 
 alabaster vase. She sets it on the step of the temple 
 by Mary. 
 
 [331 ] 
 
MARY MAGDALEN 
 
 MAEY 
 Azubah, let us wait together here 
 Until the Christ come forth from out the temple. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 I hurried and my heart beat furiously, 
 For Philip followed hard upon my steps. 
 Enter, r, Ithomar. 
 
 MARY 
 
 Stay by, Azubah, help me to be strong. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Mary, my house and heart are open to you. 
 You that erstwhile have called me lord and master. 
 Obey the passionate mandate of your master. 
 
 MARY 
 I have another and a higher Master. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 A ten days' foolish flare of infatuation. 
 
 MARY 
 Forever and forever, saith my soul. 
 A silence. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 
 with a change of tone 
 Mary, my house and heart are hungry for you. 
 Take pity on me and relent, relent 
 
 [332] 
 
ACT FOUR: SCENE TWO 
 
 MARY 
 I am filled with infinite pity, Ithomar. 
 For you and for myself and for us all. 
 
 ITHOMAR 
 Give then your answer to my thirsting soul. 
 AzuBAH whispers and points to the temple door. 
 
 AZUBAH 
 Mary, He comes. 
 
 MARY lifting the vase 
 
 I hold it in my hands, 
 Your answer, Ithomar, the mighty Answer. 
 The door of the temple opens and chanting voices 
 are heard. The disciples come out and then a 
 great radiance is seen that blurs everything. Mary 
 lifts the vase on high in the attitude of one who is 
 about to let it fall. 
 Take thou the vase, the broken vase, O Lord ! 
 
 Curtain 
 
 END OF plat 
 
 [333] 
 
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