,note3 ,images of the original pages are available through ,kentuckiana ,digital ,library4 ,see http3_/_/kdl4kyvl4org_/catalog_/xt#g;bvq #bs#eaefc8 ,,david2 ,a ,tragedy by ,,cale ,,young ,,rice 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,author ,charles ,di ,tocca 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,david2 ,a ,tragedy by ,,cale ,,young ,,rice ,illustration ,new ,york ,mc,clure1 ,phillips ,co4 ,,mcmiv ,two hundred and fifty copies of this book have been printed at the ,mc,clure ,press1 of which this is ,no4 ,copyright1 #aijd1 by ,mc,clure1 ,phillips ,co4 ,published ,may1 #aijd4 ,n4 ,,affectionately ,,to ,,my ,,brother ,,lacy ,l4 ,,rice ,,characters ,,saul ,king of ,israel4 ,,jonathan ,heir to the throne4 ,,ishui ,his brother4 ,,samuel ,the ,prophet of ,israel4 ,,abner ,captain of the ,host of ,israel4 ,,doeg ,an ,edomite2 ,chief ,servant of ,saul1 and suitor for ,michal4 ,,adriel ,a lord of ,meholah1 suitor for ,merab4 ,,david ,a ,shepherd1 secretly anointed ,king4 ,,abishai ,a follower of ,david4 ,,abiathar ,a ,priest and follower of ,david4 ,a ,,philistine ,,spy ,,ahinoam ,the ,queen4 ,,merab ,,michal ,daughters of ,saul and ,ahinoam4 ,,miriam ,a blind ,prophetess1 and later the 8,witch of ,endor40 ,,judith ,,leah ,timbrel-players of the ,king4 ,,zilla ,,adah ,handmaiden to ,merab4 ,a ,chorus of ,women4 ,a ,band of ,prophets4 ,followers of ,david4 ,soldiers of ,saul4 ,people of the ,court1 etc4 ,,david ,,act ,i ,,scene3 ,a ,hall of ,judgment in the palace of ,saul at ,gibeah4 ,the walls1 pillars and ceiling are of cedar richly carven with images of serpents1 pomegranates and cherubim in gold4 ,the floors are of bright marble2 the throne of ivory1 hung with a lion's skin whose head is its footstool4 ,on the right and left1 doors1 draped with finely woven curtains of purple and white1 lead to other portions of the palace4 ,seats toward the front4 ,lamps burn low4 ,the ,hall1 supported on pillars1 is open along the back1 where a ,porch1 surrounding the ,court of the palace1 crosses4 ,through the ,porch1 on the environing hills1 glow the camp-fires of the ,philistines1 the enemies of ,israel4 ,,judith1 ,,leah and ,,zilla are reclining restively on the floor of the ,hall4 ,,judith ,springing to her feet impatiently4 ,o for a feast6 pomegranate wine and song6 ,,leah ,oh6 oh6 ,,zilla ,a feast indeed6 the men in camp6 ,when was a laugh or any leaping here8 ,never2 and none to charm with timbreling6 ,she goes to the porch4 ,,leah ,what shall we do8 ,,judith ,i'll dance4 ,,zilla ,until you're dead4 ,,judith ,or till a youth wed ,zilla for her beauty8 ,i'll not soil mine with sullen fear all day ,because these ,philistines press round4 ,as well ,be wenches gathering grapes or wool6 ,come1 ,leah4 ,she prepares to dance4 ,,leah ,no1 ,judith1 ,i'll put henna on my nails1 ,and mend my anklet4 ,she sits down4 ,,zilla ,at the curtains4 ,oh6 oh1 oh6 ,,judith ,now hear her6 ,who1 who1 now8 who1 who is it8 dog1 fox1 devil8 ,,zilla ,all6 ,,judith ,then 'tis ,ishui6 ,bounding to curtains4 ,yes1 ,ishui6 ,and fury in him1 sallow1 sour fury6 ,a jackal were his mate6 ,come1 come1 we'll plague him4 ,,zilla ,and too--with ,david whom he hates6 ,,judith ,aie1 ,david6 ,a joy to rouse men up to jealousy6 ,,leah ,why hates he ,david1 ,zilla8 ,,zilla ,stupid ,leah6 ,,judith ,hush1 hush1 be meet and ready now2 he's near4 ,look as for silly visions and for dreams6 ,they pose themselves4 ,ishui enters--sees them4 ,judith sighs4 ,,ishui ,now timbrel-gaud1 why gaping here6 ,,judith ,o6 'tis ,prince ,ishui6 ,,zilla ,prince ,ishui6 ,then he ,will tell us6 he will tell us6 ,,leah ,yes6 ,,judith ,of ,david6 ,o is he come6 when1 where1 quick1 quick1 and will ,he pluck us ecstasies out of his harp1 ,winning until we're wanton for him1 mad1 ,and sigh and laugh and weep to the moon6 ,,ishui ,low thing6 ,chaff of the king6 ,,judith ,the king6 ,i had not thought6 ,david a king6 how beauteous would he be6 ,,ishui ,david8 ,,judith ,turban of sapphire6 robe of gold6 ,,ishui ,a king8 o'er ,israel8 ,,judith ,who1 who can tell6 ,have you not heard8 ,yesterday in the camp ,among war-old but fearful men he offered ,kingly to meet ,goliath--great ,goliath6 ,,ishui ,what do you say8 to meet ,goliath8 ,,judith ,laughing in his face4 ,aie6 ,he thrusts her from him4 ,she goes dancing with ,zilla and ,leah4 ,,adriel ,who has entered4 ,ishui1 in a rage8 ,,ishui ,should ,i not be6 ,,adriel ,not would you be yourself4 ,,ishui ,not8 ,deftly4 ,you say well4 ,i should not1 no4 ,pardon1 then1 ,adriel4 ,,adriel ,what was the offence8 ,,ishui ,turn from it4--,i have not ,bidden you here for vapours2 yet they had ,substance as well for you6 ,,adriel ,for me8 ,,ishui ,who likes ,laughter against him6 ,,adriel ,i was laughed at8 ,,ishui ,why1 ,it is this shepherd6 ,,adriel ,david8 ,,ishui ,with his harp6 ,flinging enchantment on the palace air ,till he impassions to him all who breathe4 ,,adriel ,what sting from that8 ,he's lovable and brave4 ,,ishui ,lovable8 ,lovable8 ,,adriel ,i do not see4 ,,ishui ,this then3 you've hither come with gifts and gold1 ,dream-bringing amethyst and weft of ,ind1 ,to wed my sister1 ,merab8 ,,adriel ,it is so4 ,,ishui ,and you've the king's consent2 but she denies8 ,,adriel ,as every wind1 you know it4 ,,ishui ,still denies6 ,and you1 lost in the maze of her1 fare on ,blindly and find no reason for it6 ,,adriel ,how8 ,what reason can be8 women are not clear2 ,and least unto themselves4 ,,ishui ,or to their fools4 ,he goes to curtains and draws out ,adah4 ,your mistress1 ,merab1 girl1 whom does she love8 ,unclench your hands4 ,,adah ,i hate her4 ,,ishui ,insolent6 ,answer2 ,i am not milky ,jonathan4 ,answer2 and for the rest--,you hear8 ,,adah ,she loves-- ,the shepherd ,david6 ,,adriel ,who1 girl8 ,,adah ,i care not6 ,she is unkind2 ,i wilt not spy for her ,on ,michal1 and ,i'll tell her secrets all6 ,and ,david does not love her--and she raves4 ,,ishui ,off to your sleep2 now off-- ,makes to strikes her4 ,,adriel ,ishui1 no4 ,,adah goes4 ,,ishui ,and see you now how #8lovable' he is6 ,i tell you that he stands athwart us all6 ,the heart of ,merab swung a censer to him1 ,my seat at table with the king usurped6 ,mildew and mocking to the harp of ,doeg1 ,as it were any slave's2 the while we all ,are lepered with suspicion4 ,,adriel ,of the king8 ,,ishui ,ah6 and of ,jonathan and ,michal4 ,,adriel ,hush4 ,enter ,,michal passing with ,,miriam4 ,michal1 delay4 ,whom lead you8 ,,michal ,miriam1 ,a prophetess4 ,,adriel ,how of the king to-night8 ,,michal ,he's not at rest2 dreads ,samuel's prophecy ,the throne shall pass from him1 and darkens more ,against this boundless ,philistine ,goliath ,who dares at ,israel daily on the hills1 ,as we were dogs6 ,,adriel ,is ,david with him8 ,,michal ,no2 ,but he is sent for--and will ease him--,ah6 ,he's wonderful to heal the king with his harp6 ,a waft1 a sunny leap of melody1 ,and swift the hovering mad shadow's gone-- ,as magic6 ,,ishui ,michal4''' ,curst6 ,,michal ,what anger's this8 ,,ishui ,disdaining ,doeg and his plea to dust1 ,his waiting and the winning-o'er of ,edom1 ,you are enamoured of this ,david too8 ,,michal ,i think my brother ,ishui hath a fever4 ,she goes--calmly1 with ,miriam4 ,,ishui ,now are you kindled--are you quivering1 ,or must this shepherd put upon us more8 ,,adriel ,but has he not dealt honorably8 ,,ishui ,no4 ,,adriel ,why do you urge it8 ,,ishui ,why have senses4 ,he ,with ,samuel the prophet fast enshrouds ,some secret1 and has ,samuel not told ,the kingdom from my father shall be rent ,and fall unto another8 ,,adriel ,you are certain8 ,,ishui ,as granite4 ,voices are heard in altercation4 ,yonder6 ,,adriel ,the king8 ,,ishui ,and ,samuel ,with prophecy or some refusal tears him6 ,they step aside4 ,,saul followed by ,,samuel strides in and mounts the throne4 ,,saul ,you threat1 and ever thunder threatening6 ,pour seething prophesy into my veins1 ,till a simoon of madness in me moves4 ,am ,i not king1 the king8 chosen and sealed8 ,who've been anathema and have been bane ,unto the foes of ,israel1 and filled ,the earth with death of them8 ,and do you still forbid that ,i bear gold ,and bribe away this ,philistine array ,folded about us1 fettering with flame8 ,,samuel ,yes1--yes6 ,while there is air1 and awe of ,heaven ,do ,i forbid6 ,a champion must rise ,to level this ,goliath4 ,thus may we ,loose on them pest of panic and of fear4 ,,saul ,are forty days not dead8 ,a champion6 ,none will arise--'tis vain4 ,and ,i'll not wait ,on miracle4 ,,samuel ,offer thy daughter then1 ,michal1 thy fairest1 to whoever shall4 ,,saul ,demand and drain for more6 without an end4 ,ever vexation6 ,no2 ,i will not4 ,,samuel ,then1 ,out of ,jehovah and a vast foreseen ,i tell thee again1 thou perilous proud king1 ,the sceptre shall slip from thee to another6 ,he moves to go4 ,,saul ,the sceptre4''' ,,samuel ,to another6 ,,saul ,from me6 ,no6 ,you rouse afar the billowing of ill4 ,i grant--go not6--,i grovel to your will1 ,fear it and fawn as to omnipotence1 ,snatching at ,,samuel',s mantle4 ,and vow to all its divination--all6 ,,samuel ,then1 ,saul of ,israel1 the hour is near1 ,when shall arise one1 and ,goliath fall6 ,,samuel goes slowly out1 ,,saul sinks back4 ,,ishui ,oh1--subtle6 ,,saul ,thus he sways me4 ,,ishui ,subtle6--subtle6 ,and yet ,i must not speak2 come1 ,adriel1 ,no use of us here4 ,he makes as if to go4 ,,saul ,use8 subtle8 ,stand6 ,,ishui ,no1 father1 no4 ,,saul ,what mean you8 ,,ishui ,do not ask4''' ,yet how it creeps1 and how6 ,,saul ,unveil your words4 ,,ishui ,do you not see it crawl1 this serpent scheme8 ,goliath slain--the people mad with praise1 ,then fallen from you--,michal the victor's wife4''' ,,saul ,say on2 say on4 ,,ishui ,or else the champion slain-- ,fear on the people--panic--the kingdom's ruin6 ,,saul ,now do the folds slip from me4 ,,ishui ,and you see8 ,ah then1 if one arise8 ,if one arise8 ,,saul ,death1 death6 ,if he hath touched this prophet--if ,merely a little moment6-- ,,ishui ,i have seen ,your ,david with him4 ,,saul ,death6 if--,come here3 ,david8 ,,ishui ,in secret4 ,,saul ,say you8 ,,ishui ,yes1 ,,saul ,the folds slip further2 ,to this you lead me--hatred against ,david6 ,to this with supple envy's easy glide6 ,,ishui ,i have but told-- ,,saul ,you have but builded lies1 ,as ever you are building and forever4 ,i'll hear no more against him--,abner--,no4 ,to ,,abner1 who enters4 ,david1 and with his harp4 ,,abner ,my lord-- ,,saul ,not come8 ,he is not come8 ,and never6 but delays4 ,,abner ,time's yet to pass4 ,,saul ,there is not--,am ,i king8 ,a harp is heard4 ,see you1 'tis he6 ',tis ,david1 and he sings6 ,,david ,bravely1 within4 ,smiter of hosts1 ,terrible ,saul6 ,vile on the hills shall he laugh who boasts ,none is among ,great ,israel's all ,fearless for ,saul1 king ,saul6 ,entering with people of the palace4 ,aye1 is there none ,galled of the sting1 ,will at the soul of ,goliath run8 ,wring it and up ,to his false gods fling8''' ,none for the king1 the king8 ,he drops to his knee1 amid praise1 before the throne4 ,,saul ,darkening ,forego this praise and stand ,away from him2 'tis overmuch4 ,to ,,david ,why have ,you dallied and delayed8 ,,david ,my lord1 delayed8 ,,saul ,do not smile wonder1 mocking6 ,,david ,why1 my lord1 ,i do not mock4 ,only the birds have wings4 ,yet on the vales behind me ,i have left ,haste and a swirling wonderment of air1 ,and in the torrent's troubled vein amaze1 ,so swift ,i hurried hither at your urgence ,out of the fields and folding the far sheep6 ,,saul ,you have not2 you have dallied4 ,he motions4 ,all go but ,,david1 whom he comes down toward1 indeterminately4 ,you have dallied4 ,,david ,deep in the king ,i see a darkness foam ,and sheeted passion1 as a lightning gust4 ,shall ,i not play to him8 ,,saul ,you shall not1 no4 ,slowly draws a dagger4 ,i'll not be lulled4 ,,david ,is it a tiger gleam1 ,terrible fury stealing from the heart ,and crouching cold within the eye of ,saul8 ,,saul ,i'll not endure4 ,they say that you-- ,,david ,they say8 ,what is this ravage in you4 ,does the truth ,so limpid overflow in palaces8 ,never an enemy to venom it8 ,am ,i not ,david1 faithful1 and thy friend8 ,,saul ,i'll slay you1 and regretless4 ,,david ,unmoving ,slay1 my lord8 ,,saul ,do you not fear8 and brave me to my breast6 ,,david ,have ,i done wrong that ,i should fear the king8 ,reed as ,i am1 could he not breathe and break8 ,and ,i should be oblivion at a word6 ,but under the terror of his might have ,i ,not seen his heart beat justice and beat love8 ,see1 even now'''6 ,,saul ,i will not listen to them6 ,,david ,to whom1 my lord1 and what8 ,,saul ,ever they say1 8,this ,david10 and 8this ,david60 ,,david ,ah1 my harp6 ,,saul ,but think you1 ,david1 ,i shall lose the kingdom8 ,,david ,starting ,my lord'''6 ,,saul ,pain in your eyes8 you think it8 ,deem ,i cannot overleap this destiny8 ,,david ,to that let us not verge2 it has but ill4 ,deeper the future gulf is for our fears4 ,forget it4 ,forget the brink may ever gape1 ,and wield the throne so well that ,god himself ,must not unking you1 more than he would cry ,the morning star from ,heaven6 ,then1 ,i swear it1 ,none else will6 ,,saul ,swear8 ,,david ,nay1 nay6 ,,saul ,you swear8 ,,david ,but words1 ,foolishly from the heart2 a shepherd speech6 ,give them no mood2 but see1 see yonder fires ,camping upon the peace of ,israel1 ,as we were carrion beneath the sun6 ,let us conceive annihilation on them1 ,hurricane rush and deluging and ruin4 ,,saul ,ah1 but the prophecy6 the prophecy6 ,it eats in me the food of rest and ease4 ,and ,david1 nearer3 ,samuel in my stead ,another hath anointed4 ,,david ,saul1 not this6 ,this should not fall to me1 my lord2 no more6 ,you cannot understand2 it pains beyond ,all duty and enduring6 ,,saul ,pains beyond'''8 ,who is he8 know you of him8 do you8 know you8 ,you sup the confidence of ,samuel8 ,i'll search from ,nile to ,nineveh-- ,,david ,my lord6 ,,saul ,mountain and desert1 wilderness and sea1 ,under and over1 search--and find4 ,,david ,peace1 peace6 ,enter ,,michal joyously4 ,,michal ,o father1 father6 ,david6 ,listen6--,why1 ,all here is dark and quivering as pain1 ,and a foreboding binds me ere ,i breathe6 ,david1 you have not been as sun to him6 ,,david ,but ,michal will be now4 ,,saul ,child1 well1 what then8 ,,michal ,father1 a secret6 ,oh1 and it will make ,dawn and delight in you6 ,,saul ,perhaps2 then1 well8 ,,michal ,oh1 ,i have heard'''6 ,,saul ,have heard8--,why do you pale8 ,she stands unaccountably moved4 ,now are you ,baal-bit8 ,,david ,michal6 ,,michal ,in terror4 ,david6''' the dread4 ,what does it mean8 ,i cannot speak6 ,it shrinks ,shivering down upon my heart in awe6 ,,david ,so piteous are you8 suddenly so numb8 ,and you are faint8 let it rush from your lips6 ,can any moving in the world so bring ,terror upon you6 ,speak1 what is it8 ,,michal ,ah6 ,i know not2 danger rising and its wing ,sudden against my lips6 ,,david ,to warn8 ,,michal ,it shall not6 ,there--now again flows joy2 ,i think it flows4 ,,saul ,then--you have heard'''8 ,,michal ,yes1 father1 yes6 ,have you ,not much desired discovery of whom ,samuel hath anointed8 ,,saul ,well8 ,,michal ,i've found ,,david blenches4 ,almost have found6 ,a prophetess to-day ,hath told me that he is a-- ,she stops in realizing horror4 ,,saul ,now you cease8 ,sudden and senseless6 ,,michal ,david8--,no6 ,,saul ,god6 ,god6 ,have ,i not bidden swiftly6 ,ever then ,vexation6 ,i could--,no4 ,will she not speak6 ,,michal ,i cannot4 ,,saul ,cannot6 ,are you flesh of me6 ,,david ,my lord1 not anger6 ,hear me ''' ,,saul ,cannot8 ,,david ,hear6 ,her lips could never seal upon a wrong4 ,sudden divinity is on them1 silence ,sent for the benison of ,israel1 ,else were it shattered by her love to you6 ,believe6 in all the riven realm of duty ,there's no obedience from thee she would hold4 ,if it seem other-- ,enter ,,abner hurriedly4 ,,abner ,pardon1 ,o king4 ,at once6 ,,saul ,i will not4 ,do you come with vexing too8 ,,abner ,the ,philistines--some fury is afoot4 ,a spy within our gates--and scorns to speak4 ,,saul ,conspiracy of silence6''' ,back to him4 ,,abner goes4 ,to ,,david and ,,michal4 ,but you--,i'll not forget4 ,i'll not forget4 ,,saul goes4 ,,david ,forget6 anointing6 peril6 what are they all6 ,michal8--for me you have done this1 for me8 ,she stands immovable4 ,i am swung with joy1 as palms of ,abila6 ,goes to her4 ,a princess1 you1 and the veins of you live warm ,with sympathy and love unto your father1 ,yet you have shielded me8 ,,michal ,you are the anointed8 ,,david ,i am--oh do not flint your loveliness6-- ,i am the anointed1 but all innocent ,in will or hope of any envious wrong ,as lily blowing of blasphemy6 as dew ,upon it is of enmity6 ,,michal ,anointed6 ,you whom the king uplifted from the fields6 ,,david ,and who am ever faithful to him6 ,,michal ,you1 ,whom ,jonathan loves more than women love6 ,,david ,yet reaches not my love to ,jonathan6 ,,michal ,you--you6 ,,david ,but1 hear me6 ,,michal ,you1 of all6 ,,david ,o ,hear6 ,of my anointing ,jonathan is 'ware1 ,knows it is holy1 helpless1 innocent ,as dawn or a drift of dreaming in the night6 ,knows it unsought--out of the skies--supernal-- ,from the inspird cruse of ,samuel6 ,for ,israel it dripped upon me1 and ,for ,israel must drip until ,i die6 ,or till high ,gath and ,askalon are blown ,dust on the wind1 and all ,philistia ,lie peopleless and still under the stars6-- ,goliath1 then1 a laughter evermore6''' ,still1 still you shrink6 do you not see1 not feel8 ,,michal ,so have you breathed yourself about my heart1 ,even as moon-lit incense1 spirit flame ,burning away all barrier6 ,,david ,but see6 ,,michal ,and all the world has streamed a rapture in1 ,till even now my lids from anger falter ,and the dew falls6 ,,david ,restrain6 ,o do not weep6 ,upon my heart each tear were as a sea ,flooding it from all duty but the course ,of thy delight6 ,,michal ,poor1 that ,i should have tears6 ,fury were better1 tempest6 ,o weak eyes1 ,when 'tis my father1 and with ,samuel ,you creep to steal his kingdom6 ,,david ,michal6''' ,god6 ,,michal ,yes1 steal it6 ,,david ,cruel6 fell accusal6 ,yes1 ,utterly false and full of wounding6 ,struggling1 then with control4 ,yet1 ,forgive that even when thy arrows drive ,deeper than all the skill of time can draw1 ,i spare thee not the furrowed face of pain4''' ,delirious wings of hope that fluttered up1 ,at last to fall6 ,moves to go4 ,,michal ,david6 ,,david ,farewell6 ,,michal ''' ,you must not6 ,,david ,peace to you--peace and joy6 ,,michal ,you must not go6 ,he turns4 ,she sways1 then reaches out her arms4 ,as irresistibly they move toward each other1 ,,doeg and ,,merab appear through the curtains4 ,,michal utters a low cry4 ,they vanish4 ,,michal ,in numb affright ,merab and ,doeg6 ,,david ,yet what matter1 now6 ,were it the driven night-unshrouded dead6 ,under the firmament is but one need1 ,that you will understand6 ,,michal ,but ,merab6 ah1 ,she's cunning1 cold and cruel1 and she loves thee2 ,hath told her love to ,ahinoam the queen6 ,and ,doeg hates thee--since for me he's mad6 ,,david ,be it1 his hate1 as wild1 as wide as winds ,that gather up the desert for their blast1 ,be it as ,sheol deep1 stronger than stars ,that fling fate on us1 and ,i care not1 care not1 ,if ,i am trusted and to ,michal truth6 ,hear1 hear me6 for the kingdom1 tho 't may come1 ,i yearn not1 but for you6 ,,michal ,no1 no6 ,,david ,for you6 ,since ,i a shepherd o'er a wild of hills ,first beheld you the daughter of the king ,amid his servants1 leaning1 still with noon1 ,beautiful under a tamarisk1 until ,all beauty else is dead-- ,,michal ,ah cease6 ,,david ,since then1 ,i have been wonder ecstasy and dream6 ,the molded light and fragrant miracle1 ,body of you and soul1 lifted me till ,when you departed-- ,,michal ,no1 you rend me6 ,,david ,i ,fell thro' infinity of void6 ,,michal ,no more6 ,,david ,then came the prophet ,samuel with anointing6 ,my hope sprung as the sun6 ,,michal ,i must not hear6 ,,david ,then was ,i called to play before the king4 ,here in this hall where cherubim shine out1 ,where the night silence-- ,,michal ,david6 ,,david ,strung me tense1 ,i waited1 shepherd-timid1 and you came1 ,you for the king to try my skill6 you1 you6 ,,michal ,leave me1 ah leave6 ,i yield6 ,,david ,and often since ,have we not swayed and swept thro' happy hours1 ,far from the birth unto the bourne of bliss8 ,,michal ,and ,i-- ,,david ,to-night you did not to the king ,reveal my helpless chrism1 give me to peril4 ,say but the reason6 ,,michal ,david6 ,,david ,speak1 ,o speak6 ,,michal ,and shall ,i1 shall ,i8 how this prophetess ,miriam hath foretold-- ,,david ,some wonder8 speak6 ,,michal ,springing up the throne4 ,hath told ,i shall be queen of ,israel6 ,,david ,michal1 the queen8 the queen6 ,we two are then ,yoked of eternity unto this end6 ,,michal ,shrinking down4 ,no1 no6 horror in me moans out against it6 ,wed me with destiny against my father8 ,dethrone my mother8 ,ah6 ,,david ,not that--no wrong6 ,,michal ,then swear conspiracy upon its tide ,never shall lift you6 ,,david ,deeper than soul or sea1 ,deep as divinity is deep1 ,i swear4 ,if it shall come1 the kingdom-- ,,michal 8,if60 not 8if40 ,surrender this anointing6 ,spurn it1 say ,you never will be king though ,israel ,kingless go mad for it6 ,,david ,i cannot4 ,,michal ,guile6 ,,david ,i cannot--and ,i must not4 ,it is holy6 ,,michal ,then must ,i hate you--scorn you-- ,,david ,michal6 ,,michal ,and will4 ,but to reign over ,israel you care1 ,not for the peace of it6 ,,david ,thus all is vain2 ,a seething on the lips1 ,i'll say no more ''' ,care but to reign and not for ,israel's calm8 ,i who am wounded with her every wound8''' ,look out upon yon ,philistine bold fires ,lapping the night with bloody tongue--look out6 ,a commotion is heard within4 ,as ,god has swung the world and hung forever ,the infinite in awe1 to-morrow night ,not one of them shall burn6 ,,michal ,you pall me6 ,,david ,none6 ,,michal ,what is this strength6 ,it seizes on me6 ,no1 ,i'll not believe1 no1 no1 more than ,i would ,from a boy's breath or the mere sling you wear ,a multitude should flee6 ,and you shall learn ,a daughter to a father may be true ,tho paleness be her doom until she die6 ,she turns to go4 ,enter ,,jonathan eagerly4 ,,jonathan ,david6 ,,david ,my friend--my ,jonathan6 ',tis you8 ,they embrace4 ,,michal goes4 ,,jonathan ,great heart1 ,i've heard how yesterday before ,the soldiers you4''' ,but ,michal gone8 ,no word8 ,,david ,the anointing4 ,,jonathan ,ah1 she knows8 ,,david ,all4 ,,jonathan ,and disdains ,believing8 tell me4 ,,david ,no1 not now--not now4 ,let me forget it in a leap of deeds4 ,the commotion sounds again4 ,and all this murmur misty of distress1 ,what is it8 sprung of the ,philistines8 new terror8 ,this sounding giant flings again his foam8 ,jonathan1 ,i am flame that will not wait1 ,what is it8 ,i must strike4 ,,jonathan ,david4''' ,,david ,tell me1 ,and do not bring dissuasion more1 or pause4 ,,jonathan ,the king comes here4 ,,david ,now8 ,,jonathan ,with a spy who keeps ,fiercely to silence4 ,,david ,then is peril up6 ,jonathan--6 ,,jonathan ,david1 you must cool from this4 ,determination surges you o'erfar4 ,i will not see you rush on perishing1 ,not though it be the aid of ,israel4 ,,david ,i must4''' ,i will not let them ever throng1 ,staining the hills1 and starving us from peace4 ,rather the last ray living in me1 rather ,death and the desecration of the worm4 ,bid me not back with love1 nor plea2 ,i must6 ,,jonathan ,but think-- ,,david ,i must4 ,,jonathan ',twere futile4 ,,david ,hear2 the king6 ,,jonathan ,the madness of it6 ,,david ,no1 and see2 they come4 ,,jonathan ,strangely my father is unstrung4 ,,david ,they come4 ,enter ,,saul with ,,samuel2 ,soldiers with the spy2 ,,ahinoam with ,,abner2 and all the court in suppressed dread4 ,,saul ,to ,,samuel ,he will not speak1 but scorns me1 and his lips ,bitterly curve and grapple4 ,but he shall ,learn there is torture to it6 ,set him forth4 ,the spy is thrust forward4 ,tighten his bonds up till he moan4 ,it is done4 ,aye1 gasp1 ,accursed ,philistine6 ,now wilt thou tell ,the plan and passion of thy people 'gainst us8 ,,spy ,baal6 ,,saul ,tighten the torture more4''' ,now will you8 ,,spy ,in agony4 ,yea6 ,,saul ,on1 then1 reveal4 ,,spy ,new forces have arrived4 ,numberless2 more than peaks of ,arabah4 ,general movement of uneasiness4 ,unless before to-morrow's moon one's sent ,to overthrow ,goliath--,gods6 the pain6 ,,saul ,well8--,well8 ,,spy ,then ,gibeah attacked1 and all ,even to sucking babes be put to sword6 ,a movement of horror4 ,,ahinoam ,all ,gibeah6 ,a ,,woman ,my little ones8 ,no1 no6 ,she rushes frantically out4 ,,samuel ,then1 ,saul of ,gibeah1 one thing and one ,alone is to be done4 ,a champion1 ,to break this beetling giant down to death6 ,,saul ,there is none4 ,,samuel ,is none6 ,call6 ,i order it4 ,,saul ,then who will dare against him6 ,a silence4 ,see you now4 ,,samuel ,you1 ,abner1 will not8 ,,abner ,it were death and vain4 ,,samuel ,doeg1 chief servant of the king8 ,,doeg ,why me8 ,had ,i a mother out of ,israel8 ,i am an alien1 an ,edomite4 ,,david ,my lord1 this is no more endurable6 ,futile and death8 ,alien8 ,edomite8 ,has not this ,philistine before the gates ,with insult and illimitable breath ,vaunting of vanity and smiting laughter ,boasted and braved and threatened up to ,baal8 ,and now unless one slay him1 ,israel ,from babe to age must bleed and be no more6 ,i am a shepherd1 have but seized the lion ,and throttled the bleating kid out of his throat2 ,little it then beseems that ,i thrust in ,where battle captains pale and falter off2 ,but this is past all carp of rank or station4 ,one must go out--,goliath must have end4 ,,doeg ,ah1 ah6 and you will6 ,,ishui ,you8 ,,jonathan ,no1 ,david6 ,,saul ,you8 ,,david ,sudden you hound about me ravenous8 ,have ,i thrown doom not daring to your feet1 ,ruler of ,israel1 that you rise wild1 ,livid above me as an avalanche8 ,,doeg ,a plot6 it is a plot6 ,he will be slain-- ,from you1 my lord1 dominion then will fall6 ,or should it not ''' ,,samuel ,liar2 it is no plot4 ,but courage sprung seraphic out of night1 ,beautiful and a bravery from ,god6 ,,michal ,behind the throng4 ,open1 and let me enter6 ,open6 ,she enters4 ,father1 ,it is not false8 but now1 the uttermost8 ,to-morrow1 if ,goliath still exult1 ,there's peril of desolation1 bloody ruin8 ,,samuel ,i answer for him4 ,,michal ,then to your will1 ,father1 unto will of yesterday ,i bend me now with sacrificial joy4 ,unto ,goliath's slayer is the hand ,of ,michal1 the king's daughter6 ,,david ,joyously ,michal6 ,michal6 ,,doeg ,see1 see1 my lord6 ,do you not understand8 ,,ishui ,it is another coiling of their plot6 ,,michal ,coiling of plot8 ,what mean you8 ,,merab ,ah8 ,you know ,not it is ,david offers against ,goliath8 ,,michal ,david8 ,shrinking ,david8 ,a low tumult is heard without4 ,enter a ,captain hurriedly4 ,,captain ,o ,king1 bid me to speak6 ,,saul ,then speak6 ,,captain ,fear is upon the host4 ,there will ,be mutiny unless1 ,goliath slain1 ,courage spring up anew4 ,,david ,my lord1 then1 choose6 ,ere longer waiting fester to disaster4 ,,samuel ,yea1 king of ,gibeah1 and bid him go1 ,and ,michal for his meed6 or evermore ,evil be on you and the sear of shame-- ,and haunting memory beyond the tomb6 ,,saul ,then let him--let him4 ,and upon the field ,of ,ephes-,dammin4 ,but ,i am not blind6 ,to ,,abner ,let him1 to morrow6 ,go1 prepare the host4 ,yet--,i am king1 remember6 ,i am king6 ,,saul goes2 there is a murmur of relief4 ,all except ,,michal follow1 with various expressions of joy or hate toward ,,david4 ,,david ,michal6 ,she looks at him2 struggles against tears1 and turning1 goes4 ,,david stands gazing sadly after her4 ,then a trumpet sounds1 and soldiers shouting exultantly without1 throng to the porch4 ,,david ,thrilled2 his hand on his sling ,for ,israel6 ,for ,israel6 ,he goes1 toward the soldiers4 ,,curtain4 ,,act ,,ii ,,scene3 ,the royal tent of ,saul pitched on one hill of the battle-field of ,ephes-,dammin4 ,the tent is of black embroidered with various warlike designs4 ,to one side on a dais are the chairs of ,,saul and ,,ahinoam2 also ,,david',s harp4 ,on the other side1 toward the front1 is a table with wine and wine cups4 ,the tent wall is lifted along the back1 revealing on the opposite hill1 across a deep narrow valley1 the routed camp of the ,philistines3 before it in gleaming brazen armor lies ,,goliath slain4 ,other hills beyond1 and the sky above4 ,by the wine table1 her back to the battle-field1 sits ,,merab in cold anger4 ,,ahinoam and several women look out in ecstasy toward ,,david1 ,,saul1 ,,jonathan and the army1 returning victorious and shouting4 ,,first ,,woman ,see1 see1 at last6 ,,second ,,woman ,they come6 ,,third ,,woman ,an avalanche4 ,over the brook and bright amid hosannas6 ,,second ,,woman ,and now amid the rushes6 ,,first ,,woman ,and the servants6 ,goliath's head high-borne upon a charger6 ,the rocks that cry reverberant and vast6 ,the people and the palms6 ,,third ,,woman ,yea all the branches ,torn from the trees6 ,the waving of them--,o6 ,,second ,,woman ,and ,david1 see6 triumphant1 calm1 between ,the king and ,jonathan6''' ,his glory ,all the wild generations of the wind ,ever shall utter6 ,hear them-- ,the tumult ascends afar ,david6 ,david6 ,a sea of shouting6-- ,o queen6 ,,ahinoam ,you yearn for it8 ,then go and lave you in this tide of joy4 ,the women go rapturously4 ,,ahinoam turns4 ,,merab ,mother6 ,,ahinoam ,my daughter8 ,,merab ,well8 ,,ahinoam ,they all are gone4 ,,merab ,and ,michal1 where8 ,,ahinoam ,i do not know1 my child4 ,,merab ,why did my father pledge her to him6 you ,not hindering6 ,,ahinoam ,she is your sister4 ,you ,are pledged to ,adriel4 ,,merab ,and as a slave6 ,and if ,i do not love him there is--riches6 ,if he is ,sodom-bitter to me--riches6 ,,ahinoam ,but for the kingdom4 ,,merab ,for my torture6 ,what ,kingdom is to a woman as her love6 ,,ahinoam ,and ,david still enthralls you8 ,,merab ,though he never ,sought me with any murmur or desire6 ,though he is ,michal's for ,goliath's death6 ,michal's to-day1 unless-- ,,ahinoam ,merab1 a care6 ,too near in you were ever love and hate4 ,the tumult nears4 ,,ahinoam goes to look out4 ,,doeg enters to ,,merab4 ,,doeg low ,news1 ,merab6 ,,merab ,well--8 ,,doeg ,a triumph o'er him1 yet6 ,the king is worn1 as a leopard pent1 between ,wonder of ,david and quick jealousy ,because of praise this whelming of ,goliath ,wakes in the people4 ,,merab ,then8 the triumph8 ,,doeg ,this4 ,the tumult1 nearer4 ,i've skilfully disposed the women ,to coldly sing of ,saul1 but of our ,david ,with lavish of ecstasy as to a king4 ,he watches her4 ,,merab ,then ,i will praise him4 ,,doeg ,david8 you8 ,,merab ,as he ,was never--and shall never be again1-- ,,doeg ,but-- ,,merab ,give me the phial4 ,,doeg ,the poison8 ,,merab ,come2 ,at once6 ,,doeg ,what will you do8 ,,merab ,at once with it6 ,he hands it to her4 ,she dips the point of her dagger in it4 ,,doeg ,to stab him ,,merab ,as any fool8 ,wait4--,and the rest now1 quick4 ,this timbrel-player1 ,judith8 ,,doeg ,she is ready ,and ravishing6 ,,merab ,well1 well2 then--8 ,,doeg ,we will send her ,sudden1 as ,michal is alone with ,david1 ,to seize him with insinuative kisses1 ,and arms that wind as they were wonted to him4 ,michal once jealous--and already ,i ,have sowed suspicions-- ,,merab ,will--8 yes--8 ,,doeg ,on him burst laughs ,and as a fury4 ,,merab ,may it be their rending6 ,the tumult1 near4 ,come1 we must see4 ,they go to look out4 ,shouts of 8,david60 8,david60 arise1 and a band of timbrel-players1 dancing and singing1 followed by a band of priests bearing the ark with its cherubim of gold1 pass the tent opening4 ,,david1 ,,saul1 ,,jonathan1 ,,ishui and the ,court then enter amid acclamations2 before them servants1 bearing the head of ,goliath on a charger under a napkin4 ,,saul darkly mounts the throne with ,,ahinoam1 to waving of palms and to praise4 ,a ,,woman breaking from the throng4 ,our little ones are saved6 hosannah6 joy6 ,she kisses ,,david',s hand4 ,,jonathan ,woman1 thy tongue should know an angel-word1 ,or seraph-syllables new-sung to ,god6 ,earth has not any rapture well for this6 ,david1 my brother6 ,,david ,jonathan1 my friend6 ,while life has any love1 know mine for you4 ,,jonathan ,then am ,i friended as no man was ever6 ,and though my soul were morning wide it were ,helpless to hold my wonder and delight6 ,o people1 look upon him6 ,,the ,,people ,david6 ,david6 ,,jonathan ,never before in ,israel rose beauty ,up to this glory6 ,,david ,jonathan1 nay-- ,,jonathan ,never6 ,loosing his robe and girdle4 ,therefore ,i pour him splendor passionate4 ,in gold and purple1 this my own1 ,i clothe him4 ,david1 my brother6 ,,saul ,angered4 ,brother6 ,,ahinoam ,saul8 ,,saul ,thou fool6 ,,jonathan ,father8 ,,ahinoam ,my lord8 ,,saul ,thou full-of-lauding fool6 ,of breath and ravishment unceasing6 ,,ahinoam ,saul6 ,,saul ,is it not praise enough1 has he not reached ,the skies on it6 ,,david ,o king1 my lord-- ,,saul ,had ,saul ,ever so rich a rapture from his son8 ,ever this worshipping of utterance8 ,,david ,my lord1 my lord1 this should not fret you4 ,,doeg ,derisively4 ,nay6 ,,david ',tis only that the soul of ,jonathan1 ,brimmed by the ,philistines with bitterness1 ,sudden is joy and overfloweth-- ,,doeg ,fast-- ,,david ,upon his friend1 thy servant1 ,david4 ,,doeg ,aie6 ,he turns away laughing4 ,,saul ,why do you laugh8 ,,doeg 8,thy servant ,david60 ,,saul ,why6 ,a ,,woman ,without4 ,king ,saul has slain his thousands6 ,,doeg 8,why10 my lord8 ,,the ,,woman ,but ,david his ten thousands6 ,,doeg ,do you hear8 ,king ,saul has slain his thousands1 ,david ten6 ,thy servant is he8 servant8 ,,david ,to ,,saul4 ,shall thy sceptre ,be wielded by this venom-word1 as is ,a weed under the wind8 ,,saul ',tis overmuch6 ,i'll burst all bond of priest or prophecy4 ,nor cringe to threatening and fondle fear4 ,he seizes a javelin4 ,i'll smite where'er ,i will4 ,,david ,no6 ,,jonathan ,father6 ,,david ,shall ,a rapid palsy now come on thy hand1 ,awful and sceptre-ruined lord of men8 ,an impotence1 a shriveling to fear1 ,avenging ere thou shed offenceless blood8 ,,saul',s hand drops4 ,is this thy love1 the love of ,saul the king8 ,who once was kindlier than kindest are4 ,for but a woman's wantonness of word ,and idle air1 my life8 ,,ahinoam ,saul1 ,saul--6 ,,jonathan ,the shame6 ,,david ,some enemy--does ,doeg curve his lip8-- ,hath put into her mouth this stratagem ,of fevered false-impassioned overpraise4 ,,saul1 silent1 rises slowly and goes1 entreated of ,,jonathan4 ,many follow in doubt1 whispering4 ,,doeg ,to ,,david4 ,this is not all1 boy out of ,bethlehem4 ,goliath's dead-- ,,david ,but not all villainy8 ,,doeg goes1 flushing1--and all follow1 except ,,michal1 and ,,merab1 who moves cunningly forward as if incensed4 ,,merab ,i burn for it6 ,,david ,for what1 and suddenly8 ,,merab ,my father so ungenerously wroth6 ,and wrought away from recompense so right2 ,can you forgive him8 ,,david ,merab8''' ,,merab ,is it strange ,that even ,i now ask it8 ,,david ,merab's self8 ,,merab ,herself and not to-day your friend2 but now ,conquered to exaltation and aglow ,to wreathe you for this might to ,israel1 ,beautiful1 unbelievable and bright6 ,noble the dawn of it within your dream1 ,noble the lightning of it in your arm1 ,and noble in your veins the fearless flow ,and dare of blood6--so noble that ,i ask ,as a remembrance and bequest forever1 ,in priceless covenant of peace between us1 ,a drop of it-- ,she draws her dagger and offers it to him4 ,upon this sacred blade4 ,,david ,such kindness1 in all honor8 ,,merab ,poor requital ,to one whose greatness humbles me from hate4 ,,david ,then of my veins whatever drop you will1 ,were it the very dwelling of my soul4 ,he takes the dagger and makes as if to prick himself4 ,ah1 but you do not mock me8 ,,merab ,rather upon ,its edge one vein of you--than priceless nard4 ,,david ,and perfume out of ,india jewel poured8 ,he searches her eyes4 ,or than--,i may believe8--a miracle ,of dew1 were you a traveller and lost ,upon the illimitable desert's thirst8 ,or than-- ,he draws his own dagger1 pricks his wrist with it1 and hands it to her4 than this8 ,,merab ,shepherd6 ,treachery1 then8 ,under a sham of tribute1 poison8 ,,michal ,poison8 ,,david ,and ,i of vanity should prick it in8 ,i a mere shepherd innocent of wile6 ,a singer music-maudled and no more4 ,as she goes1 stung with chagrin4 ,the daughter of king ,saul has yet to learn4 ,from looking after her1 he turns toward ,,michal1 and1 sighing1 slowly approaches her4 ,the vaunting of this victory is done4 ,we are alone at last4 ,,michal ,yes4 ,,david ,that is all8 ,for ,israel ,i've wrought to-day1 for you ,who were about me1 in me1 as a mist ,of armed mighty angels triumphing4 ,,michal ,yes8 ,it was well4 ,,david ,to you no more8 to you ,whom not a slave can serve unhonored8 ,,michal ,struggling4 ,nothing4 ,,david ,empty of glow then seems it1 impotent1 ,a shrivelled hallowing4''' ,ashes of ecstasy that burned in vain4 ,,michal ,no1 no6 ,i-- ,,david ,michal8 ,,michal ,no1 divine it was6 ,and had ,i cried my praise the ground had broke ,to ,eden under me with blossoming4 ,where was so wonderful a deed as this1 ,so fair a springing of salvation up6 ,glory above star-soaring could ,i seize1 ,auras of dawn and loveliness unfading1 ,to crown you with and crown6 ,,david ,o lips6 ,,michal ,with but ,a sling1 a shepherd's sling1 you sped the brook1 ,drew from its bed a stone1 and up the hill ,where the great ,philistine contemning cried1 ,mounted and flung it deep upon his brain6 ,,david ,this is the victory and not his death6 ,tell1 tell thy joy with kisses on my lips6 ,thy mouth6 thy arms6 thy breast6 ,,michal ,no no6 ,,david ,thy soul6 ,too much of waiting and of severance6 ,of dread and distance and the deep of doubt4 ,now must ,i fold you1 falter all my love ,and triumph on your senses till they burn ,beautiful to eternity with bliss4 ,,michal ,loose1 loose me6 ,,david ,nay1 again6 immortal kisses6 ,,michal ,a frenzy1 'tis a frenzy6 ,from me6 see6 ,this irremediable victory ,over ,goliath severs us the more4 ,the tumult breaks again1 afar4 ,hear how the people lift you limitless6 ,almost1 to-day1 and in my father's room ,they would that you were king4 ,,david ,but ere to-morrow ,dim shall ,i be1 and ere the harvest bend ,less than a gleam in their forgotten peril6 ,,michal ,o were it1 were it6 ,but all silently ,jehovah fast is beckoning the realm ,into thy hands4 ,,david ,then futile to resist ,the gliding on of firm divinity4 ,and yet whatever may be shall be done4 ,,michal ,all1 all8 ,,david ,that for thee reverently may4 ,,michal ,the anointing1 then-- ,,david ,of that6''' not that6 ,,michal ,yet grant ,it may be told my father2 that ,i may ,say to him all the secret6 ,,david ,and provoke ,murder in him1 insatiable though ,i fled upon the wilderness and famine8 ,,michal ,he would not6 ,,david ,nay4 ,,michal ,i'll plead with him4 ,,david ,in vain6 ,,michal ,then coldly it is as ,i thought4 ,,david ,you are distraught4 ,,michal ,this stroke to-day pointing to ,,goliath',s head no love of me had in it4 ,,david ,a love1 a passion fervid thro' me as ,the tread and tremble of immortal song ,along the infinite4 ,,michal ,you use me6 ,,david ,use8 ,,michal ,a step to rise and riot in ambition6 ,,david ,so bitter are you1 blind8 ,,michal ,it was a trick6 ,you snared me to you4 ,,david ,michal6 ,,michal ,cunningly ,with ,samuel netted fears about my father ,till ,i am paltrily unto you pledged4 ,,david ,enough4 ,,michal ,too much4 ,,david ,no more2 the pledge ,i fling ,out of my heart1 as 'twere enchantment dead4 ,and free you2 but1 no more4 ,he moves from her4 ,,michal ,as if it were ,enchantment dead4 ,ah1 then 'tis true--there is ,another--is another6 ,,david ,now what fever8 ,a gentleness clad once your every grace4 ,,michal ,there is some other that you lure and love4 ,,david ,it is not ,michal speaking2 so ,i wait4 ,,michal ,then-- ,,judith glides suddenly in with a low laugh and kneels before ,,david4 ,,michal stands amazed4 ,,judith ,as if with amorous admiration4 ,brave1 it was brave1 my love6 beauteous6 brave6 ,,david ,woman8 ,,judith ,the ,philistine1 a brazen tower1 ,a bastion of strength fell to the earth6 ,,david ,woman1 who are you8 ,she clasps and kisses him4 ,take away your flesh4 ,free ,take it away1 the heat and myrrh of it4 ,,judith ,so cold8 ,,david ,away4 ,,judith ,and 'tis no longer fair8 ,wantonly ,oh6 ,ah6 ,i understand6 the princess8-- ,,david ,go4 ,,judith obeys1 laughing and shaking her timbrel4 ,,michal ,a dancer then1 a very timbrel player6 ,,david ,until this hour ,i never looked upon her4 ,it is chicanery of chance or craft4 ,you who are noble1 though in doubt adrift1 ,be noble now6 ,,michal ,and loving8 ,o1 ,i will-- ,now that ,i know what should be done4 ,be sure4 ,,david ,you mean1 that ,saul8--you would not1 no6 ,,michal ,rest sure4 ,a hand is seen at the tent4 ,,ahinoam enters4 ,,ahinoam ,david1 the king--,but what is this8 ,,michal goes4 ,,david ,o queen-- ,it is but life4 ,,ahinoam ,nay4 ,,david ,life that ever strings ,our hearts1 so pitifully prone for it1 ,to ecstasy--then snaps4 ,,ahinoam ,i love thee1 ,david4 ,,david ,then gracious be1 and question here no more4 ,where words are futile for an utterance4 ,but of the king--the king8 ,,ahinoam ,he's driven still4 ,and hither comes1 and soon1 and must be calmed4 ,thy harp take1 winds of beauty from it bring1 ,and consolation--as of valley-eves ,when there is ebb of sorrow and of toil1 ,o could you heal him and forever heal4 ,,david ,then would ,i be--6 ,he breaks off with a gesture of great desire1 takes the harp and seats himself4 ,,ahinoam ,at once1 for he will come4 ,,david begins2 a strain of wild sadness4 ,,saul enters and with him ,,doeg1 ,,ishui1 ,,jonathan--others4 ,he pauses1 his hand to his brow1 and goes slowly1 enspelled of ,,david's playing1 up the dais4 ,,ahinoam ,my lord1 shall ,david sing--to ease us8 ,,saul ,let him4 ,,david ,with high sorrow4 ,o heart of woe1 ,heart of unrest and broken as a reed6 ,plays4 ,o heart whose flow ,is anguish and all the bitterness of need6 ,plays4 ,o heart as a roe1 ,heart as a hind upon the mountain fleeing ,the arrow-wounds of being1 ,be still1 ,o heart1 and rest and do not bleed6 ,plays longer with bowed head4 ,o days of life1 ,days that are driven swift and wild from the womb6 ,plays4 ,o days so rife-- ,days that are torn of trouble1 trod of doom6 ,plays4 ,,michal enters4 ,o days of strife1 ,days of desire on deserts spread unending1 ,the burning blue o'erbending1 ,o days1 our peace1 our victory is the tomb6 ,he plays to a close that dies in anguished silence4 ,,saul ,rising in tears ,david6 ,,david ,my lord8 ,,saul ,thy breathing6 beauteous6 ,stilling to sorrow6 ,o my friend1 my son6 ,,david ,to me is this8 ,i dream it not8 ,the king ,again is kind and soft his spirit moves8 ,,saul ,to you6 ,,david ,how shelter o'er me then will spring ,and safety covering6 ,,saul ,it ever shall4 ,loveliest have you been among my days1 ,and singing weary madness from my brain4 ,,david starts toward him4 ,how ,i have wronged thee6 ,,michal ,wronged him8 ,in fury4 ,,david ,michal6 ,,saul ,girl8 ,,michal ,you have not wronged him6 ,,david ,michal6 ,,michal ,no1 but he ,is jeopardy and fate about you6 drive ,him from you utterly and now away6 ,murmurs of astonishment4 ,,saul ,what mean you8 ,,ishui ,speak4 ,,saul ,what mean you8 ,,michal ,this6 ,,david ,no word6 ,,michal ,i'll not be kept-- ,,david ,but shall be2 for to tell ,would rend silence forever from you--pale ,your flesh with haunting of it evermore6 ,all1 all your being would become a hiss4 ,a memory of syllables that sear1 ,a living iteration of remorse4 ,i--,i myself will save your lips the words ,of this betrayal leaping from your heart4 ,nobly1 before ,saul4 ,you seek1 my lord1 you seek whom ,samuel ,anointed4 ,,saul ,yes4 ,,david ,then know that it is ,i4 ,,saul ',tis--8 ,,david ,i4 ,,saul ,you6 ,,david ,i4 ,and guiltless ,i1 no other4 ,i1 though ,i sought it not and suffer1 though ,i would it had not come and fast am sworn ,never against you to lift up-- ,,merab ,hear1 hear6 ,now he will cozen6 ,,doeg ,he1 8thy servant60 ,,ishui ,hear6 ,a ,,voice ,without4 ,a thousand ,saul hath slain6 ,but ,david ten6 ,,saul ,choking4 ,omnipotence shall not withhold me more4 ,he lifts a javelin4 ,,david ,murderous king afoam with murder-heat6 ,he avoids from side to side4 ,monarch of misery--of might--of rage ,so fell that lightning were not dread enough ,were it thy bolt6 ,to-day you will destroy me8 ,,goliath',s head overturned1 rolls on the floor4 ,upon this day will slay me innocent8 ,,saul ,die1 die6 ,,jonathan ,no1 father1 hold6 ,,saul flings the javelin4 ,,michal ,reeling4 ,what have ,i done8 ,,jonathan ,david1 unhurt8 ,away1 the wilderness4 ,thrusts a sword on him4 ,,saul ,he shall not6 no4 ,seizes another javelin4 ,,david ,aflame4 ,then1 king of ,israel1 strike6 ,strike me to darkness and the waiting worm6 ,into the ,pit and to the hopeless gloom4 ,but1 after1 be your every breathing blood1 ,remorse and riving bitterness and fear1 ,be guilt and all the hideous choke of horror6 ,,saul trembling at the curse lets the javelin fall from his hand4 ,,david breaking through ,,doeg and ,,ishui escapes by the door4 ,,michal sinks to her knees1 her face buried in her hands4 ,,curtain4 ,,act ,,iii4 ,,scene3 ,a savage mountain-cliff in the wilderness of ,engeddi4 ,on either side gray crags rise rugged1 sinking away precipitously across the back4 ,cut into each is a cave4 ,the height is reached by clefts from all sides4 ,between the crags to the ,east is the far blue of the ,dead ,sea2 and still beyond1 bathed in the waning afternoon1 stretch the purple shores of ,moab4 ,during the act the scene grows crimson with sunset and a thunder-cloud rises over the sea4 ,lying on a pallet of skins near the cliff's verge1 ,,david tosses feverishly4 ,three of his followers and a lad1 who serves him1 are gathered toward the front1 ragged1 hungry1 and hunted1 in altercation over a barley-cake4 ,,david ,water6 the fever fills me1 and ,i thirst4 ,water6 ,,first ,,follower ,listen4 ,,second ,,follower ,he calls4 ,,david ,water6 ,i thirst4 ,,the ,,lad ,yes1 yes1 my lord4 ,takes up a water-skin4 ,ah1 empty1 not a quaff6 ,they've drunk it all from him6 ,my lord1 none's left4 ,i'll run and in the valley brim it soon4 ,he goes4 ,,david sinks back4 ,,second ,,follower ,to ,,first4 ,you drank it then4 ,,first ,,follower ,and should ,i thirst1 not he8 ,give me the bread4 ,,second ,,follower ,if it would strangle you4 ,,first ,,follower ,i'll have it4 ,,second ,,follower ,or betray him8 spitingly8 ,it is the last4 ,already you have eat4 ,and we are here within a wilderness4 ,,first ,,follower ,be it1 but ,i'll not starve4 ,,third ,,follower ,he utters right4 ,why should we but to follow a mere shepherd ,famish and o'er a hundred desert hills8 ,the prophecy portending him the throne-- ,folly1 not fate6 though it is ,samuel's4 ,i'll trust in it no more4 ,,first ,,follower ,nor ,i4 ,,third ,,follower ,and ,saul ,has driven us from waste to waste--pressed us ,even unto the ,philistines for shelter1 ,and now unto this crag4 ,and is not ,david's ,thought but of ,michal1 not of smiting him ,and1 with a host1 of leaping to the kingdom8 ,,david stirs to rise4 ,,first ,,follower ,he moves2 peace6 ,,third ,,follower ,let him4 ,,second ,,follower ,peace4 ,,third ,,follower ,and fawning too8 ,,david ,sufferingly ,men--men1 we must have news4 ,perpetual1 ,implacable they stare unto each other4 ,this rock and stony sky4 ,rises and comes down to them4 ,we must have news4 ,they are silent4 ,longer is death4 ',tis overmany days ,of sighing and remembered verdancy2 ,nor any dew or upward odor comes4 ,who will go now and bring us word of ,saul8 ,,third ,,follower ,have not ,abishai1 ,abiathar1 ,and others gone8 ,,david ,bravely4 ,,third ,,follower ,and none returned6 ,,david ,not one of all4 ,,third ,,follower ,well1 then1 we are not swine1 ,and life's but once4 ,,david ,so----8 ,,third ,,follower ,we will follow you ,no longer hungered and rewarded never1 ,but perilously ever4 ,,david ,it is well4 ,he looses a bracelet from his arm4 ,this was a gift from ,saul4 ,in it is ease4 ,gives it to ,,third ,,follower1 who goes4 ,this ring was ,jonathan's4 ,the jewel tells ,still of the sunny haven of his heart4 ,upon my hand he pressed it--the day we leapt ,deeper than friends into each other's love4 ,gives it to ,,first ,,follower1 who goes4 ,this chain---- ,,second ,,follower ,i want it not4 ,,david ,you have not thought2 ',tis riches--such as ,sidon marts and ,tyre ,would covet4 ,,second ,,follower ,i care not4 ,,david ,none else is left4 ,,second ,,follower ,no matter4 ,,david ,then----8 ,,second ,,follower ,there was of ,gibeah ,a woman--dear to me4 ,her face at night ,weeping among my dreams4''' ,the prophecy ,is unfulfilled1 and vain6 ,,david ,and you would go8 ,,second ,,follower ,the suffering--this cliff4 ,,david ,i understand1 ,motions4 ,so1 without any blame1 and to content4 ,the ,,second ,,follower falters1 then goes4 ,quietly4 ,a desolation left1 of rock and air1 ,of barren sea and bitterness as vast4 ,thou hast bereft me1 ,saul6 thou hast bereft6 ,he moves up the cliff1 gazes sadly away1 then kneels by a stone1 as to pray4 ,my flesh cries for oblivion--to sink ,unwaking away into the ,night ''' where is ,no tears1 but only tides of sleep4''' ,no1 crieth ,not for ,oblivion and ,night1 but for ,rage and revenge6 ,saul6 ,saul6''' ,my spirit1 peace4 ,as pants the heart for the water-brook1 so ,i6 ,he bows his head4 ,,michal in rags that disguise1 enters with the ,,lad1 unseen4 ,her lips it was that hurled me unto this6 ,yet1 yet not violence on him and blood6 ,i must revenge's call within me quell1 ,though righteously it quivers and aflame4 ,he goes slowly into the cave1 ,right4 ,,michal ,this is the place1 then1 this8 ,,lad ,yes1 princess4 ,,michal ,here ,so long in want and sickness he hath hid8 ,under the livid day and lonelier night6 ,,lad ,i brought him water1 often4 ,,michal ,little lad6 ,but he has heard no word from me--not how ,my father1 ,saul1 frantic of my repentance1 ,had unto ,phalti1 a new lord1 betrothed me8 ,how then ,i fled to win unto these wilds8 ,,lad ,he heard not anything--only the tales ,i told of ,moab1 my own land4 ,,david plays within4 ,but oh6 ,it is his harp4 ,,michal ,and strains that weep o'er me6''' ,i'll speak to him ''' and yet must be unknown6 ,a leper8 as a leper could ,i'''8 ,,lad ,why ,must he not know you8 ,,michal ,ask me not1 lad1 now2 ,but go a little4 ,,lad ,yes4 ,he sets down the water-skin and goes4 ,,michal ,delaying1 then in a loud voice4 ,unclean6 ,unclean6 ,conceals her face in her hair4 ,,david ,who crieth here8 ,,michal ,unclean6 ,,david ,appearing4 ,who cries unclean8 ,poor leper in these wilds1 who art thou8 ,,michal ,one ,outcast and faint1 forlorn6 ,,david ,then you have come ,to one more bitter outcast than yourself1 ,one who has less than this lone void to give1 ,this sterile solitude and sun1 this scene ,of leaden desolation that makes mad4 ,who has no ease but cave or shading rock1 ,or the still moon1 or stars that glide the night4 ,one over whom---- ,,michal ,yet1 pity6 ,,david ,the pale hours ,flow dead into eternity4 ,,michal ,ah1 yet'''6 ,,david ,my cloak1 then1 for thy tattered limbs4 ,or1 no-- ,this chain of ,ophir for thy every need4 ,once was it dear1 but should be so no more4 ,flinging it to her4 ,have it1 and with it vanish memory ,out of my breast---- ,,michal ,no1 no4 ,,david ,and from me fall ,link upon link her loveliness that bound4 ,,michal ,oh1 do not6 ,,david ,woman'''8 ,,michal ,nothing4 ,a chain like this ,i once beheld wind undulantly bright ,o'er ,michal1 the king's daughter4 ,,david ,woman1 the king's8 ,,michal ,pity6 ,,david ,who are you8 ,,michal ,stay6 ,unclean6 ,,david ,a spy8 ,a spy of ,saul and hypocrite have crept ,hither to learn'''8 ,,michal ,have heed--unclean6 ,,david ,how then ,wandering come you here8 ,,michal ,unclean6 ,unclean6 ,,david ,my brain is overfull of fever1 mad4 ,almost and ,i had touched thy peril1 held ,thy hideous contagion4 ,,michal ,wrong6 ,,david ,then who ,art thou to know and speak of her1 of ,michal8 ,,michal ,one who has served the king4 ,,david ,and you have seen ,michal1 you have beheld her8 ,,michal ,once1 when she ,in face was fairer and in heart than now ,they say she is4 ,,david ,and heard her speak8 ,,michal ,a night ,under the leaves of ,gibeah--when she ,sang with another--,david4 ,,david ,say no more4 ,,michal ,and from afar1 under the moon1 blew faint ,the treading of the wine-presses with song4 ,david she loved1 but anger-torn betrayed1 ,unworthy of him4 ,,david ,speak of her no more1 ,nor of her cruelty1 unless to pray ,he she has ruined may forget her4 ,,michal ,yet ,if deep she should repent----8 ,,david ,leper1 no more4 ,a moment2 then a jackal's cry shrills to them4 ,,david starts4 ,the signal4 ,he listens4 ,thrice repeated8 ,word at last8 ,to ,,michal4 ,he who is near may prove to thee less kind4 ,she goes4 ,he springs to look down the cliff4 ,abishai8 ,abiathar8 ,it is6 ,but staggering and wounded8 breathless8 torn8 ,he watches1 then turns to meet them4 ,they enter--,,abiathar with bloody ephod and broken breastplate--and sink in panting exhaustion4 ,abishai1 what is it that you bring8 ,abiathar1 up6 answer6 ,,abiathar ,water6 ,,david ,up6 ,he brings the water-skin4 ,they drain it fiercely4 ,what is it now so fevered from you stares ,and breathing too abhorrence8 ,gasp it out4 ,,abiathar ,i stifle--in a universe--he still-- ,has breath in4 ,,david ,saul8 ,,abiathar ,i'll scathe him6 ,scorpions ,of terror and remorse sting in his soul6 ,,david ,if you have tidings1 not in words so wild4 ,,abiathar ,then ask and hate shall calm me4 ,,david ,ask8 ,,abiathar ,on1 on6 ,seek if he lives6 ,,david ,who8 ,,abiathar ,seek if prophecy ,founts yet in ,judah6 ,,david ,samuel'''8 ,,abiathar ,is dead6''' ,dead--and of tidings more calamitous4 ,a pause4 ,,david ,hoarsely4 ,tell on4 ,i hear4 ,,abiathar ,saul gloating to believe ,the priests1 assembled sacredly at ,nob1 ,plotted assisting you1 hath had them---- ,,david ,no'''6 ,,abiathar ,slain at the hands of ,doeg--murdered1 all6 ,,david ,but he--your father8 ,,abiathar ,was among them2 fell4 ,he stands motionless4 ,,david ,gently4 ,abiathar1 my friend6''' ,appeaseless ,saul6 ,,abiathar ,hear all1 hear all6 ,thy father1 too1 and mother1 ,even thy kindred1 out of ,israel ,are driven into ,moab2 and this king1 ,delirious still for blood as desert pard1 ,with ,merab1 whelp of him1 and many armed1 ,is near us now--aquiver at ,engeddi ,for your destruction3 ,,david struggles for control4 ,and yet you will not strike4 ,,david ,low4 ,no1 but of ,michal1 tell me good at once1 ,lest unendurable this lot1 ,i may-- and mount o'er every oath into revenge4 ,,abiathar ,ha--,michal6 ,,david ,she withholds her father's wrath8 ,,abiathar ,she's well4 ,,david ,not if you say no more4 ,,abiathar ,i know ,nothing of her4 ,,david ,your look belies4 ,,abiathar ,perhaps3 ,as did her love4 ,,david ,that is for me4 ,,abiathar ,well1 what8 ,a woman who betrays8 ,,david ,speak1 not evade2 ,and judge her when earth has no mystery4 ,,abiathar ,then from your craving put her--wide2 she is ,unworthy any tremor of your veins4 ,,david ,dawn-lilies under dew are then unworthy1 ,and nesting doves are horrible to heaven4 ,i will not so believe4 ,your reason'''6 ,,abiathar ,saul ,has given her--and she will wed him1 aye-- ,to ,phalti1 a new lord4 ,,david ,untrue of her6 ,,abiathar ,cry4 ,yet you will believe it4 ,,david ,not until ,the verdant parable of spring is hushed ,ever of bloom1 to prove it4 ,never till ,hermon is swung into the sea6 until ,the last void of the everlasting sky---- ,looking up he falters1 breaks off1 and is strangely moved at something beheld4 ,,abiathar ,what1 what alarm8 ,,abishai ,what stare you on8 ,,abiathar ,he's mad8 ,,david points4 ,they look up4 ,,abiathar ,an eaglet6''' ,,abishai ,eaglet8 ,,abiathar ,pierct6 ,,abishai ,pierct8''' ,,david ,falling here4 ,and beating against death unbuoyantly4 ,the bird1 an arrow through it1 drops in throes at their feet4 ,a destiny1 a fate in this is hidden6 ,he bends over it1 then quickly back4 ,,abiathar ,a destiny1 how1 how8 ,,david ,the arrow6--,his6 ,his1 and no other's4 ,quick1 then1 no delay4 ,,abiathar ,be clear1 clearer4 ,,david ,we are discovered--near ,on us is death4 ,open the secret chamber ,within the cave1 for from the bow of ,saul ,is yonder bleeding--from no other4 ,,abiathar ,saul's8 ,but how1 was any here8 ,,david ,to-day1 to-day4 ,a leper wandering4 ,,abiathar ,we are betrayed4 ,,abishai with the water-skin hastens into the cave1 ,right4 ,,david and ,,abiathar stand listening4 ,noise of approach is heard4 ,,david ,they near4 ,,abiathar ,and many4 ,,david ,king of ,israel6 ,inexorable6 ,,abiathar ,o1 rebuke him1 do6 ,,david ,almost ,i am beyond this tolerance4 ,,abiathar ,in truth4 ,therefore it is you rise and shake ,out of his power the sceptre6 ,,david ,tempt me not6 ,mercy and memory almost are dead1 ,and craving birth in me is fateful ire4 ,they follow into the cave4 ,hardly have they done so when at a shout1 ,,saul1 bloodthirsty1 with ,,doeg1 ,,abner1 ,,ishui1 and soldiers1 pour in from all sides1 with drawn weapons4 ,,saul ,on1 to him6 search the caves6 ,in1 in1 and bring ,him to my sword1 and ,michal with him4 ,pacing terrible the while4 ,they ,shall couch upon eternity and dust4 ,weakly4 ,i am the king1 and ,israel is mine4''' ,i'll sleep upon their grave--,i'll sleep upon it1 ,and hear the worm'''6 ,to a ,,soldier re-entering from one cave4 ,where is he8 ,bring him4 ,,soldier ,o ,king---- ,,saul ,you've slain him and you tremble6 ,say it4 ,,soldier ,no4 ,,saul ,then hither with him2 hither6 ,,soldier ,he's not here4 ,,saul ,a treachery6 ,you cunningly contrive ,to aid him1 so4''' ,to a ,,soldier re-entering fearfully from the other cave4 ,bring me his head4 ,,soldier ,my lord1 ,he is not there4 ,,saul ,i tell you it is lies-- ,because you deem that he shall be the king ,and treasure up reward and amnesty4 ,into one cave1 then another he rushes1 then out among them furious4 ,from me1 ill-fruited ineffectual herd6 ,away from me1 he's fled and none of you ,is servant and will find and for me seize him6 ,from me--,i'll sleep--,i'll rest--and then-- ,all begin to crowd out1 overawed1 but ,,doeg and ,,abner4 ,i'll sleep4 ,slowly he moves into the cave1 ,left1 and lies down4 ,,abner ,to ,,doeg1 significantly4 ,the evil spirit4 ,,doeg ,yes2 is on him swift ,as never before1 and as a drunkenness4 ,,abner ,then1 safe to leave him8 ,,doeg ,will he brook denial8 ,,abner ,and ,merab1 too1 will soon be here4 ,,doeg ,well1 come4 ,,abner ,i'll go and look upon him4 ,goes to ,,saul',s cave and returns4 ,already he sleeps4 ,turning they encounter ,,michal entering1 still disguised4 ,she quails4 ,woman1 who are you1 who8 ,,michal ,unclean6 away6 ,,doeg ,unclean8 a leper8 in this place8 ,are there ,no stones to stone you8 ,hence6 ,and had ,i not ,a brother such as thou---- ,,michal ,pity6 ,unclean6 ,she goes quickly2 then they4 ,a space4 ,then she returns trembling1 fearful4 ,i'll call him6 ,i will save him6--,david6 ,david6-- ,i his discomfiture and ruin6--,david6 ,david6 hear me6 ,david6 ,searching1 she approaches the cave where ,,saul lies1 but recoils terrified4 ,the king6 my father6 ,i cannot--am not--whither shall ,i1 whither8 ,confused she flees1 as scuffling is heard1 and ,,abishai and ,,abiathar1 struggling with ,,david1 appear4 ,,david ,loose me1 ,i say4 ',twas ,michal and she called4 ,breaking free4 ,i say that it was she6 ,,abiathar ,foolhardy1 no4 ,return into the cave1 and ere too late6 ,,merab1 veiled1 enters behind them4 ,,david ',twas ,michal and no other4 ,,abiathar ,you are duped4 ,,david ,the breathing of archangels could not so ,have swung the burden from me as her call4 ,searching1 he faces--and beholds ,,merab4 ,his look grows to coldness4 ,,merab ,it is not ,michal4 ,,david ,no--it is not ,michal4 ,he motions ,,abiathar and ,,abishai aside4 ,,merab ,yet it is one who---- ,,david ,need not lift her veil ,or longer stay4 ,the path she came is open4 ,,merab ,i'm here--and here will speak6 ,i've hither stolen1 ,yearning--,i say it--yearning--and ,i will4 ,,david ,these words ,i do not know4 ,,merab ,because you will not4 ,more all-devouring than a ,moloch is ,this love within me---- ,,david ,love and you are twain1 ,as sun and ,sheol4 ,,merab ,false4 ,i am become ,for want of you as famine-wind1 a wave ,in the mid-tempest1 with no rest1 no shore4 ,,david ,i do not hear the unashamed words ,of one who has but recently another1 ,adriel1 wedded4 ,,merab ,you refuse me then8 ,,david ,i beg you but to cease4 ,,merab ,goaded1 chagrined8 ,no1 but this will ,i do4 ,the ,philistines1 ,for long at rioting within their walls1 ,gather again and break toward ,gilboa4''' ,,david ,this is not true4 ,,merab ,to-morrow must my father ,from hunting you return and arm for battle4 ,but--many would that you were king4 ,,david ,were8''' ,,merab ,king6 ,,david ,i do not understand your eyes4 ,,merab ,i will ,for love of you arouse rebellion up1 ,murmur about the host your heaven-call1 ,and lift you to the kingdom4 ,,david ,to the--stay6 ,your words again4 ,,merab ,the kingdom4 ,,david ,awful ,god6 ,,merab ,what is your mien8 you will not8 ,,david ,twice the words-- ,full from her lips--and to betray her father4 ,,abiathar discovers ,,saul4 ,,merab ,you will not8 answer6 ,,david ,odious utterly6 ,as yonder sea of death and bitter salt1 ,as foam-girt ,joppa of idolatry1 ,as ,memphian fane of all abhorrencies6 ,morning would move with horror of it1 noon ,a livid sepulchre of shame span o'er1 ,and night shrink to remember day had been6 ,,merab ,you scorn--you scorn me8 ,,david ,jonathan6 your sister6 ,,merab ,then ,saul shall rend you dead4 ,and ,jonathan6''' ,she laughs shrilly4 ,perchance you have not heard that ,jonathan ,knows to the ,philistines you fled--and loathes you6 ,,david ,i have not heard4 ,,merab ,nor have not1 ah8 how ,michal ,is given to the embraces of another8 ,,david shrinks4 ,you desperately breathe and pale at last8 ,she laughs more bitterly4 ,to me for aid1 to me1 you yet shall come4 ,she goes4 ,,david slowly lifts his hand to his brow in heavy pain4 ,,abiathar--and soon ,,abishai--abruptly descends from the cave to him4 ,,abiathar ,david---- ,,david ,leave me4 ,,abiathar ,not till you know--and strike6 ,,david ,i tell you go4 ,,abiathar ,i tell you 'tis the king4 ,,david ,who breaks forbearance--yes4 ,,abiathar ,who lieth yonder1 ,and sleeping lieth--for a thrust to end4 ,,david ,his sword quickly out1 struggling4 ,this throb and wounds that wring me6 and this wail ,under the deeps of me against his wrongs1 ,awakening remembrance that with burst ,and burn of pain4''' ,o1 never-ceasing ill6 ,flings the sword down1 anguished4 ,,abiathar ,you will not come8 ,,david ,the sun is set4 ,,abiathar ,has ,saul ,hunted you to this desert's verge----8 ,,david ,enough6 ,,abiathar ,has he pursued you1 all his hate unleashed8 ,is ,samuel not slain8 the priests8 my father8 ,the kingdom is not in decay1 and falls8 ,you are not prophecy's anointed one8 ,seize up the sword and strike--or ,i myself6 ,,david ,or ''' you yourself'''8 ,silently he puts them aside1 takes up the sword1 and slowly goes into ,,saul',s cave4 ,,abishai ,what will he do8 ,listen6 ,,michal enters unseen4 ,,abiathar ,if ,saul cries out4''' ,,abishai ,be ready4''' ,,michal ,to them4 ,what is this6 ,,david1 haggard1 with drawn sword and a piece of ,,saul',s cloak in his hand1 re-enters from the cave4 ,he sees ,,michal1 pauses1 and gazes upon her1 as she on him1 with rising emotion4 ,,michal ,inarticulate4 ,then4 ,ah1 you have slain-- ,have slain him6 ,wretch6 thou wretch6 ,and sleeping as he was6 ,,david ,then it was you8 ,in lying rags8 ,,michal ,have struck him in his sleep6 ,and merciless6--,and now will kill me1 too8 ,,david ,in faithless rags8 ,you are the leper8 ,who ,growing frenzied4 ,drove me a prey unto this wilderness6 ,upon the blot of it and death and sear6 ,the silence1 burning1 and relentless swoon6 ,you are the leper1 who have broken troth ,and shut the cry of justice from your breast6 ,who've stifled me with desolation's woe1 ,who've followed still and still have me betrayed6 ,,michal ,betrayed8 ,no1 loose me6 ,,david ,slain thy father8 slain8 ,flinging the piece of ,,saul',s cloak at her feet4 ,see how ,i might--see1 see you1 yonder he lies ,a king who quits the kingdom1 though a cloud ,of ,philistines is foaming toward ,gilboa2 ,jeoparded leaves it1 undefended1 for ,pursuit of me and pitiless harrying6 ,a king who murders priests4''' ,,michal ,priests8 ,,david ,stifles ,god ,with penitence that he has shaped the world6 ,have slain8 have slain him6 ,i have slain him6 ,ah6 ,ah1 that ,i had thy falseness and could slay him6 ,,michal ,david6''' ,,david ,nevermore near me6 never with ,that quivering and tenderness of lure4 ,those eyes that hold infinity of fate1 ,that breathing cassia-sweet1 but sorcery6 ,,michal ,oh4''' ,,david ,never thy presence pouring beauty1 swift1 ,and seething in the brain as frantic wine6 ,i'll be no more enspelled of thee--never6 ,i will not hear thee and be wound by words ,into thy wile as wide as ,ashtoreth's1 ,back into hope1 eternity of pain6 ,in agony he goes1 ,,abiathar and ,,abishai after4 ,,michal stands gazing fearlessly before her1 as ,,saul1 awakened1 slowly comes from the mouth of the cave down toward her4 ,,curtain4 ,,act ,,iv4 ,,scene3 ,the ,house of ,,miriam1 the 8,witch of ,endor10 by ,mount ,gilboa--where ,saul is encamped against the ,philistines4 ,it is of one story1 built rectangularly about an inner court1 which is dimly lighted4 ,under the gallery which ranges around the court are doors leading to the sleeping and other apartments2 before one of these1 a lattice4 ,on the left is the gate opening to the street4 ,in the back to one side1 the teraphim1 or image of divination2 on the other side a stairway mounts to the roof4 ,above is the night1 and vague lightning amid a moan of wind4 ,during the act comes dawn4 ,forward on a divan sits ,,miriam alone1 in blind restlessness4 ,,miriam ,adah6 ,the child is sunken in a sleep4 ,yet would ,i have her near me in this night1 ,and hear again the boding of her tale4 ,unto the blind the vision and the awe ,of the invisible sway ever in1 ,the shadow of nativities that lead ,upon fatality4 ,girl6 ,adah6 girl6 ,the wind passes4 ,,adah enters from a chamber1 rubbing her eyes4 ,thou art awake8 ,,adah ,i slumbered4 ,,miriam ,stand you where ,fathoming ,i may feel within you4 ,now1 ,again--you've hither fled your mistress ,merab1 ,in fear of her8 ,,adah ,yes4 ,,miriam ,at ,engeddi ,michal ,by ,saul was apprehended8 ,merab now ,plotteth against her--she and ,doeg8 ,,adah ,still4 ,,miriam ,and 'twas in ,merab's tent you heard1 the king ,despairing of to-morrow's battle1 comes ,hither to-night to bid me lift the spirit ,of ,samuel out of the dead and learn ,the issue8 ,,adah ,doeg said it4 ,,miriam ,and--you hear8-- ,many within the army urge for ,david1 ,would cry him king1 if ,saul were slain8 ,,adah ,o many4 ,a knock at the gate4 ,they start up fearful4 ,,miriam ,who seeks blind ,miriam of ,endor's roof1 ,under the night and unextinguished storm8 ,come you a friend8 ,,david ,without4 ,a friend4 ,,miriam ,as knows my soul6 ,breathless she opens the gate4 ,,david and ,,abiathar enter cloaked4 ,thy voice again6--this blindness of my eyes-- ,if it be ,david1 speak4 ,,david ,yes1 ,miriam4 ,,miriam ,david of ,jesse1 ,israel's desire6 ,let me behold thee ,her hands go over him4 with my fingers' sight1 ,and gather in them touch of thee again6 ,thy voice is as dream-dulcimers that stir ,quivering myrrh of memory and joy-- ,but1 aie6 why are you here8 ,you have been there8 ,,david ,yes--in the camp of ,saul4 ,,miriam ,in spite of death6 ,do you not know----8 ,,david ,i know--that ,saul would rather ,o'ertrample me than a multitude of foes4 ,that it is told him ,i who shun his ire-- ,though death were easier1 if dutiful-- ,am come up with the ,philistines to win ,the kingdom4 ,that he would slay me though ,i fought ,for ,israel6--,but1 ,michal6---- ,,miriam ,aie---- ,,david ,what brews8 ,she was not in the camp4 ,,miriam ,men all are mad6 ,and you who should be never4 ,,david ,she is in ,some peril4 ,,miriam ,you1 in more6 ,and must from here ,swiftly away1 for ,saul is---- ,,david ,i must see her4 ,,miriam ,unholy6 ,,david ,yet unholier were flight4 ,,miriam ,you are the anointed6 ,a heavy knock at the gate4 ,ah1 calamity6 ,you would not heed--'tis ,saul6 ,,david ,here8 ,,miriam ,he is come ,that ,i shall call up ,samuel4 ,,david ,you1 you-- ,the awful dead8 ,,saul ,calls4 ,woman of ,endor6 ,,miriam ,hide6 ,the lattice yonder6 ,,saul ,woman of ,endor6 woman6 ,,david and ,,abiathar conceal themselves behind the lattice4 ,the knocking1 hastier4 ,woman of ,endor6 ,woman of ,endor6 ,woman6 ,,miriam ,who crieth at my gate8 ,,saul ,unbar and learn4 ,,miriam ,to danger8 ,,saul ,none4 ,,miriam ,to thieves8 ,,saul ,to rueing if ,you tarry6 ,she opens the gate4 ,,adah cowers down4 ,,saul1 ,,ishui1 and ,,adriel enter4 ,,miriam ,whom seek you8 ,,saul ,witch of ,endor1 you1 ,who of the fate-revealing dead divine4 ,out of the ,pit you call them6 ,,miriam ,what is this8 ,,saul ,i say that you can lift them6 ,,miriam ,you are come ,with snaring6 knowing well that ,saul the king ,is woe and bitterness to all who move ,with incantation4 ,,saul ,he is not4 ,,miriam ,depart6 ,,saul ,i must have up out of the ,awfulness ,him ,i would question4 ,,miriam ,perilous6 ,,saul ,prepare ,before thy teraphim4 ,no harm1 ,i swear1 ,shall come of it4 ,bid ,samuel appear4 ,the battle6 its event6 ,,miriam ,with a cry4 ,i know thee now6 ,saul6 thou art ,saul6 the ,terror6 ,,saul ,call him up4 ,ready is it1 the battle--but ,i am ,forsaken of all prophecy and dream1 ,of voices and of priest and oracle1 ,to augur it4 ,,miriam ,a doom in this6 ,,saul ,he must ,hold comfort1 and the torrent of despair ,within me stay and hush4 ,,miriam ,then must it be4 ,turning towards the teraphim amid wind and pallid lightning1 and prostrating herself before it4 ,prophet of ,israel1 who art beyond ,the troubling and the terrifying grave1 ,th' immeasurable moan and melancholy ,of ways that win to ,sheol--,rise6 ,arise6 ,she waits4 ,only the gust4 ,then springing up and stretching wide her arms with wild1 blind eyes4 ,prophet of ,israel1 arise6 ,not in ,the name of ,baal1 ,amon1 ,ashtoreth1 ,dagon or all the deities that dream ,in trembling temples of ,idolatry1 ,but of ,jehovah6 of ,jehovah6 rise6 ,an elemental cry is heard4 ,then vast wavering forms rise out of the earth1 in continuous stream4 ,,miriam1 with a long curdling shriek1 sinks moaning to her knees4 ,,saul ,woman1 ,i cannot--dare not--look upon it4 ,utter thy sight4 ,the spirit of ,,samuel begins to take shape through the phantoms4 ,,miriam ,i saw ascending ,forms as of gods in swaying ghostliness1 ,dim apparitions of a dismal might1 ,and now is one within a mantle clad1 ,who looketh---- ,,saul ,samuel6 ,,miriam ,who looketh with ,omniscience in his mien1 and all the chill ,and cling about him of eternity4 ,his eyes impale me6 ,,saul ,spirit1 give me word6 ,he falls heavily to the ground4 ,,samuel ,as afar4 ,o evil king6 and wretched king6 why hast ,thou brought me from the quietness and rest4 ,,saul ,the battle on the morrow----6 ,,samuel ,evil thou art ,for underneath this night thou hast conspired ,death to thy daughter ,michal--if at dawn ,the battle shall be lost--lest she may fall ,into the hands of ,david---- ,,david ,in horror4 ,o6 ,,ishui ,whose cry8 ,,samuel ,i tell thee1 ,saul1 thy sceptre shrivels fast4 ,the battle shall be lost--it shall be lost4 ,the spirit of ,,samuel disappears4 ,a wail of wind4 ,,adriel ,ishui1 true8 ,is ,michal to be slain8 ,,ishui ,this is no hour for fools and questioning4 ,,saul ,struggling up4 ,the battle1 ,ishui1 at once command ,it shall begin6 ,to ,jonathan and say it4 ,,ishui goes4 ,no prophecy shall sink me and no shade4 ,i am the king1 and ,israel1 my own4 ,frenzied he goes4 ,a silence4 ,,david ,breaking forth4 ,michal to die and ,israel to fall6 ,prophet of prophets1 ,samuel1 return6 ,,adriel goes4 ,the quivering ,quicksands of destiny beneath her stir4 ,is heaven a mocking shield which ever keeps ,god from our prayers8 ,,miriam ,david1 contain thy heart4 ,a faint uproar begins afar2 and dawn4 ,,david ,the battle6 on the wind4 ,abiathar1 ,speed out upon the mountain-side and cull ,all that befalls4 ,,adah opens the gate4 ,,abiathar goes4 ,,adah ,springing back4 ,oh6 ,,david ,child1 why do you quail8 ,,adah ,my mistress1 ,merab6 ,,david ,girl8 ,,adah ,i saw her--she ,is coming hither6 ,do not let her--she ,i fear--,i fear her6 ,,david ,hither coming8 ,,merab throws open the gate and enters4 ,,adah ,oh6 ,,merab ,woman and witch1 did ,adriel1 my husband1 ,come to you with the king8 ,she sees ,,david and shrinks4 ,,david ,unnatural1 ,unkind1 most cruel sister6 ,,merab ,you are here8 ,,david ,once me you would have poisoned1 but the coil ,within your bosom ,i beheld4 ,and now ,michal your sister is the victim4 ,,merab ,i-- ,know not your meaning4 ,,david ,the battle burning yonder1 ,if it adversely veers1 the king has planned ,michal is not to live1 lest she may hap ,unto my arms4 ,,merab ,that ,michal shall be slain8 ,the tumult again4 ,,david ,almighty1 smite1 and save to thee thy people6 ,and save thy altars unto ,israel4 ,he bows his head4 ,a stir comes at the gate4 ,,merab ,david1 'tis ,adriel6 ,,adriel ,ope6 open you6 ,,david ,at last the word4 ,,merab ,girl1 ,adah1 draw the bar4 ,,david throws a cloak over his face4 ,,adah obeys4 ,,adriel enters1 and ,,doeg1 who pauses in quick alarm1 as ,,david goes between him and the gate4 ,,doeg ,what place is this8 ,why do you bar that gate8 ,merab1 'tis you8 ,why do you gaze1 rigid8 ,and this is the blind witch1 ,miriam8 ,,david ,it is4 ,he throws off his cloak4 ,,doeg ,lured8 ,i am snared8 a trap8 ,,david ,where have you ,michal8 ,,doeg ,drawing4 ,no closer6 ,,david ,if she is an atom harmed----6 ,where is she8 ,,doeg ,i was the servant of the king1 ,i but obeyed him4 ,,david ,and thy horrible heart4 ,then speak1 or unto frenzy ,i am driven4 ,,doeg ,i'll drive you there with---- ,breaks off with low laugh4 ,,david ,tell it6 ,,doeg ,unto your ,soft sympathy--and passion8 ,laughs4 ,she is dead4 ,,david ,immovable1 then repressed4 ,if it is so1 the lightning1 that is wrath ,within the veins of ,god1 should sink its fang ,into thy bosom and sear out thy heart4 ,if it is so1 this momentary calm1 ,this silence pouring overfull the world1 ,would rush and in thee cry until thy bones ,broken of guilt are crumbled in thy groans4 ,dead1 she is dead8 ,,miriam ,no1 ,david1 my lord1 he lies6 ,strangely1 as in a trance4 ,to wound you1 lies6 ,,david ,not dead8 ,,miriam ,i see her eyes6 ,all listen amazed4 ,i see her in a vision4 ,she is near-- ,is in a cave--is bound--and is alone4 ,i will go to her--quickly bring her4 ,,doeg ,not ,lunges at her4 ,if this shall reach you4 ,,david ,ah1 to pierce a woman6 ,,miriam finds her way out4 ,you've plotted1 false have been and bloody1 foul1 ,and as a pestilence of midnight marsh ,have oozed corruption into all around you4 ,the kingdom thro' you is in brokenness1 ,within its arteries you flow1 poison1 ,incentive of irruption and unrest1 ,of treachery and disaffection's sore1 ,till even the stars of truest ray seem tares ,sown hostile o'er the nightly vale of heaven4 ,drawing firmly1 he coldly1 skilfully approaches for attack4 ,,doeg ,retreating4 ,no further6 ,,david ,unto the end6 ,he rushes in1 they engage4 ,,doeg is wounded1 recovers1 defends furiously1 then is disarmed and forced under4 ,thy villainy is done4 ,the gate opens and ,,abiathar hurries in4 ,,abiathar ,david1 the battle---- ,he sees ,,doeg and stops4 ,,david ,fetter him4 ,,abiathar ,only fetter8 ,his dagger out4 ,the murderer ,of priestly sanctity and of my father8 ,,david ,abiathar6 ,you know obedience8 ,,abiathar sullenly sheathes his weapon and binds ,,doeg4 ,a dim panic is heard afar1 and a lament without4 ,,david1 who has sunk to a seat1 springs anxiously up4 ,listen6 that cry6 ,,the ,,voice ,woe6 woe6 ,,david ,what is its wail8 ,,the ,,voice ,the battle's lost6 ,,david ,abiathar----8 ,,the ,,voice ,saul flees6 ,,david ,abiathar1 is lost8 ,,abiathar ,i fear it4 ,,david ,then ,pointing to ,,doeg4 ,off with his armor for me1 ,i will go ,forth and perchance may backward bend defeat4 ,duty to ,saul is over4 ,,adriel ,you must not4 ,a fruitless intrepidity it were4 ,,abiathar ,remember your anointing6 ,,adriel ,the prophesy6 ,,miriam enters leading ,,michal4 ,a moment's suspense4 ,,merab ,see6 ,,adriel ,see6 ,,merab ,she liveth6 ,,miriam ,david---- ,,michal ,pleading to him4 ,it is ,i4 ,,miriam ,the cords were cruel1 hungrily sank in ,her wrists and ankles4 ,,michal ,david1 look on me4 ,,david ,my words must be alone with her--alone4 ,,adriel ,come1 all of you--the battle4 ,they go out the gate4 ,,david stands speechless4 ,,michal ,david--my lord6 ,i ask not anything but to be heard-- ,though once ,i would not hear4 ,has all of life ,no glow for me6 ,,david ,betrayers should have none4 ,,michal ,i was a woman--the entanglement ,of duty amid love we have no skill ,to loosen1 but with passion4 ,,david ,you too late ,remember it is so4 ,,michal ,nobility ,all unbelievable it seemed that you ,could innocently watt on time to tide ,you to the kingdom4 ,then forgive1 ,i plead4 ,,david ,but in the wilderness1 your perfidy6 ,,michal ,doubt of it welleth thro' your voice4 ,no1 no1 ,to save you strove ,i----6 ,,david ,michal8 ,,michal ,not to betray6 ,from ,saul1 my father1 penitent ,i fled1 ,seeking you in ,engeddi's wild4 ,,david ,and ,phalti8 ,,michal ',twas wedding him ,i loathed4 ,,david ,say true6 ,,michal ,this knife ,unfailingly into my breast had spared ,me from him1 had not flight4 ,,david ,this--this can be8 ,a great joy dawning in him4 ,beyond all hope is it1 even as day's ,wide empery outspans our littleness4 ,goes toward her4 ,a tithing of thy loveliness were beauty ,enough for earth4 ,yet it is mine1 is mine8 ,,michal ,david--forever6 long as odorous ,cooling o'er ,lebanon shall blow1 long as ,the swinging sapphire of the sea shall flash ,up to the sun3 until the soul no more ,is soul1 but vapor6 ,,david ,michal6 ,,michal ,evermore6 ,she sinks into his arms1 and there is a pause4 ,but a sudden confusion of cries is heard and they start apart4 ,the gate is flung back and ,,adriel enters1 shaken with awe4 ,he looks from one to the other1 silent4 ,,david ,at last4 ,adriel6 ,what have you6 ,,adriel ,saul ''' is slain6 ,,michal ,my father8 ,,adriel ,slain6 ,and ,jonathan---- ,,david ,no6 ,,adriel ,fell beside him down4 ,the fray was fast--,israel fled--the foe ,fierce after ,saul1 whom ,jonathan defended4 ,,michal ,my father6 ,,david ,and my brother ,jonathan6 ,if ,i believe it will not miracle ,alone bring joy again unto my pain8 ,the wailing again without1 and deeper groans4 ,o ,israel1 the ,infinite has touched ,thy glory and it changes to a shroud6 ,thy splendor is as vintage overspilt4 ,for ,saul upon the mountains low is lying1 ,and ,jonathan beside him1 beautiful ,beyond the mar of battle1 and of death4 ,he bows his head in tears4 ,o kingly ,jonathan1 would ,i might give ,the beating of my life into your veins-- ,willing for it would ,i be drouth and die4 ,how are the mighty fallen and the fair6 ,with lifted arm1 deeply moved4 ,peaks1 mountains of ,gilboa1 let no more ,dew be upon you1 and as sackcloth let ,clouds cover you1 and ashes be your soil1 ,until ,i bring upon ,philistia ,and ,gath and ,askalon extinguishing1 ,and sorrow--and immensity of tears6 ,,michal goes to him and takes his hand4 ,he folds her in his arms4 ,but we must calm the flowing of this grief4 ,though yet we cannot mind us to remember ,love will as sandal-breath and trickling balm ,o'erheal us in the unbegotten years1 ,too headlong must not be our agony4 ,hush now thy woundedness1 my ,michal1 now4 ,see1 o'er the ,east the lifted wings of dawn4 ,slowly they climb the stair to the house-top4 ,at they look away toward the battle's rout the clouds part1 and the full brightness of the sun breaks over them4 ,,curtain4