But shall be; for to tell Would rend silence forever from you--pale Your flesh with haunting of it evermore! All, all your being would become a hiss. A memory of syllables that sear, A living iteration of remorse. I--I myself will save your lips the words Of this betrayal leaping from your heart. [_Nobly, before Saul._] You seek, my lord, you seek whom Samuel Anointed. SAUL Yes. DAVID Then know that it is I. SAUL ’Tis--? DAVID I. SAUL You! DAVID I. And guiltless I, no other. I, though I sought it not and suffer, though I would it had not come and fast am sworn Never against you to lift up-- MERAB Hear, hear! Now he will cozen! DOEG He, “thy servant!” ISHUI Hear! A VOICE [_Without._] A thousand Saul hath slain! But David ten! SAUL [_Choking._] Omnipotence shall not withhold me more. [_He lifts a javelin._] DAVID Murderous king afoam with murder-heat! [_He avoids from side to side._] Monarch of misery--of might--of rage So fell that lightning were not dread enough Were it thy bolt! To-day you will destroy me? [GOLIATH’S _head overturned, rolls on the floor_.] Upon this day will slay me innocent? SAUL Die, die! JONATHAN No, father, hold! [SAUL _flings the javelin_.] MICHAL [_Reeling._] What have I done? JONATHAN David, unhurt? Away, the wilderness. [_Thrusts a sword on him._] SAUL He shall not! no. [_Seizes another javelin._] DAVID [_Aflame._] Then, king of Israel, strike! Strike me to darkness and the waiting worm! Into the Pit and to the hopeless gloom. But, after, be your every breathing blood, Remorse and riving bitterness and fear, Be guilt and all the hideous choke of horror! [SAUL _trembling at the curse lets the javelin fall from his hand_. DAVID _breaking through_ DOEG _and_ ISHUI _escapes by the door_. MICHAL _sinks to her knees, her face buried in her hands_.] [_CURTAIN._] ACT III. _SCENE: A savage mountain-cliff in the wilderness of Engeddi. On either side gray crags rise rugged, sinking away precipitously across the back. Cut into each is a cave. The height is reached by clefts from all sides._ _Between the crags to the East is the far blue of the Dead Sea; and still beyond, bathed in the waning afternoon, stretch the purple shores of Moab. During the act the scene grows crimson with sunset and a thunder-cloud rises over the sea._