Note: Images of the original pages are available through Kentuckiana Digital Library. See http://kdl.kyvl.org/catalog/xt7bvq2s5156_3? DAVID; A Tragedy by CALE YOUNG RICE * * * * * * BY THE SAME AUTHOR _Charles Di Tocca_ * * * * * * DAVID; A Tragedy by CALE YOUNG RICE [Illustration] New York McClure, Phillips & Co. MCMIV Two hundred and fifty copies of this book have been printed at the McClure Press, of which this is No. __________ Copyright, 1904, by McClure, Phillips & Co. Published May, 1904. N. AFFECTIONATELY TO MY BROTHER LACY L. RICE CHARACTERS SAUL King of Israel. JONATHAN Heir to the throne. ISHUI His brother. SAMUEL The Prophet of Israel. ABNER Captain of the Host of Israel. DOEG An Edomite; Chief Servant of Saul, and suitor for Michal. ADRIEL A lord of Meholah, suitor for Merab. DAVID A Shepherd, secretly anointed King. ABISHAI A follower of David. ABIATHAR A Priest and follower of David. A PHILISTINE SPY AHINOAM The Queen. MERAB } MICHAL } Daughters of Saul and Ahinoam. MIRIAM A blind Prophetess, and later the “Witch of Endor.” JUDITH } LEAH } Timbrel-players of the King. ZILLA } ADAH Handmaiden to Merab. A Chorus of Women. A Band of Prophets. Followers of David. Soldiers of Saul. People of the Court, etc. DAVID ACT I _SCENE: A Hall of Judgment in the palace of Saul at Gibeah. The walls, pillars and ceiling are of cedar richly carven with images of serpents, pomegranates and cherubim in gold. The floors are of bright marble; the throne of ivory, hung with a lion’s skin whose head is its footstool. On the right and left, doors, draped with finely woven curtains of purple and white, lead to other portions of the palace. Seats toward the front. Lamps burn low._ _The Hall, supported on pillars, is open along the back, where a Porch, surrounding the Court of the palace, crosses. Through the Porch, on the environing hills, glow the camp-fires of the Philistines, the enemies of Israel._ _JUDITH, LEAH and ZILLA are reclining restively on the floor of the Hall._ JUDITH [_Springing to her feet impatiently._] O for a feast! pomegranate wine and song! LEAH Oh! oh! ZILLA A feast indeed! the men in camp! When was a laugh or any leaping here? Never; and none to charm with timbreling! [_She goes to the porch._] LEAH What shall we do?