David! David! A sea of shouting!-- O queen! AHINOAM You yearn for it? Then go and lave you in this tide of joy. [_The women go rapturously._ AHINOAM _turns_.] MERAB Mother! AHINOAM My daughter? MERAB Well? AHINOAM They all are gone. MERAB And Michal, where? AHINOAM I do not know, my child. MERAB Why did my father pledge her to him! you Not hindering! AHINOAM She is your sister. You Are pledged to Adriel. MERAB And as a slave! And if I do not love him there is--riches! If he is Sodom-bitter to me--riches! AHINOAM But for the kingdom. MERAB For my torture! What Kingdom is to a woman as her love! AHINOAM And David still enthralls you? MERAB Though he never Sought me with any murmur or desire! Though he is Michal’s for Goliath’s death! Michal’s to-day, unless-- AHINOAM Merab, a care! Too near in you were ever love and hate. [_The tumult nears._ AHINOAM _goes to look out._] [DOEG _enters to_ MERAB.] DOEG [_low_] News, Merab! MERAB Well--? DOEG A triumph o’er him, yet! The king is worn, as a leopard pent, between Wonder of David and quick jealousy Because of praise this whelming of Goliath Wakes in the people. MERAB Then? the triumph? DOEG This. [_The tumult, nearer._] I’ve skilfully disposed the women To coldly sing of Saul, but of our David With lavish of ecstasy as to a king. [_He watches her._] MERAB Then _I_ will praise him. DOEG David? you? MERAB As he Was never--and shall never be again,-- DOEG But-- MERAB Give me the phial. DOEG The poison? MERAB Come; At once! DOEG What will you do? MERAB At once with it! [_He hands it to her. She dips the point of her dagger in it._] DOEG To stab him MERAB As any fool? Wait.--And the rest now, quick. This timbrel-player, Judith? DOEG She is ready And ravishing! MERAB Well, well; then--?