Herself and not to-day your friend; but now Conquered to exaltation and aglow To wreathe you for this might to Israel, Beautiful, unbelievable and bright! Noble the dawn of it within your dream, Noble the lightning of it in your arm, And noble in your veins the fearless flow And dare of blood!--so noble that I ask As a remembrance and bequest forever, In priceless covenant of peace between us, A drop of it-- [_She draws her dagger and offers it to him._] Upon this sacred blade. DAVID Such kindness, in all honor? MERAB Poor requital To one whose greatness humbles me from hate. DAVID Then of my veins whatever drop you will, Were it the very dwelling of my soul. [_He takes the dagger and makes as if to prick himself._] Ah, but you do not mock me? MERAB Rather upon Its edge one vein of you--than priceless nard. DAVID And perfume out of India jewel poured? [_He searches her eyes._] Or than--I may believe?--a miracle Of dew, were you a traveller and lost Upon the illimitable desert’s thirst? Or than-- [_He draws his own dagger, pricks his wrist with it, and hands it to her._] than this? MERAB Shepherd! Treachery, then? Under a sham of tribute, poison? MICHAL Poison? DAVID And I of vanity should prick it in? I a mere shepherd innocent of wile! A singer music-maudled and no more. [_As she goes, stung with chagrin._] The daughter of king Saul has yet to learn. [_From looking after her, he turns toward_ MICHAL, _and, sighing, slowly approaches her_.] The vaunting of this victory is done. We are alone at last. MICHAL Yes. DAVID That is all? For Israel I’ve wrought to-day, for you Who were about me, in me, as a mist Of armed mighty angels triumphing. MICHAL Yes? It was well. DAVID To you no more? to you Whom not a slave can serve unhonored? MICHAL [_Struggling._] Nothing. DAVID Empty of glow then seems it, impotent, A shrivelled hallowing.… Ashes of ecstasy that burned in vain. MICHAL No, no! I-- DAVID Michal? MICHAL No, divine it was! And had I cried my praise the ground had broke To Eden under me with blossoming. Where was so wonderful a deed as this, So fair a springing of salvation up! Glory above star-soaring could I seize, Auras of dawn and loveliness unfading, To crown you with and crown! DAVID