No more; the pledge I fling Out of my heart, as ’twere enchantment dead. And free you; but, no more. [_He moves from her._] MICHAL As if it were Enchantment dead. Ah, then ’tis true--there is Another--is another! DAVID Now what fever? A gentleness clad once your every grace. MICHAL There is some other that you lure and love. DAVID It is not Michal speaking; so I wait. MICHAL Then-- [JUDITH _glides suddenly in with a low laugh and kneels before_ DAVID. MICHAL _stands amazed_.] JUDITH [_As if with amorous admiration._] Brave, it was brave, my love! beauteous! brave! DAVID Woman? JUDITH The Philistine, a brazen tower, A bastion of strength fell to the earth! DAVID Woman, who are you? [_She clasps and kisses him._] Take away your flesh. [_Free_] Take it away, the heat and myrrh of it. JUDITH So cold? DAVID Away. JUDITH And ’tis no longer fair? [_Wantonly_] Oh! Ah! I understand! the princess?-- DAVID Go. [JUDITH _obeys, laughing and shaking her timbrel_.] MICHAL A dancer then, a very timbrel player! DAVID Until this hour I never looked upon her. It is chicanery of chance or craft. You who are noble, though in doubt adrift, Be noble now! MICHAL And loving? O, I will-- Now that I know what should be done. Be sure. DAVID You mean, that Saul?--you would not, no! MICHAL Rest sure. [_A hand is seen at the tent._ AHINOAM _enters_.] AHINOAM David, the king--But what is this? [MICHAL _goes_.] DAVID O queen-- It is but life. AHINOAM Nay. DAVID Life that ever strings Our hearts, so pitifully prone for it, To ecstasy--then snaps. AHINOAM I love thee, David. DAVID Then gracious be, and question here no more. Where words are futile for an utterance. But of the king--the king? AHINOAM He’s driven still. And hither comes, and soon, and must be calmed. Thy harp take, winds of beauty from it bring, And consolation--as of valley-eves When there is ebb of sorrow and of toil, O could you heal him and forever heal. DAVID Then would I be--! [_He breaks off with a gesture of great desire, takes the harp and seats himself._] AHINOAM At once, for he will come.