And from afar, under the moon, blew faint The treading of the wine-presses with song. David she loved, but anger-torn betrayed, Unworthy of him. DAVID Speak of her no more, Nor of her cruelty, unless to pray He she has ruined may forget her. MICHAL Yet If deep she should repent----? DAVID Leper, no more. [_A moment; then a jackal’s cry shrills to them._ DAVID _starts_.] The signal. [_He listens._] Thrice repeated? Word at last? [_To_ MICHAL.] He who is near may prove to thee less kind. [_She goes. He springs to look down the cliff._] Abishai? Abiathar? It is! But staggering and wounded? breathless? torn? [_He watches, then turns to meet them. They enter_--ABIATHAR _with bloody ephod and broken breastplate_--_and sink in panting exhaustion_.] Abishai, what is it that you bring? Abiathar, up! answer! ABIATHAR Water! DAVID Up! [_He brings the water-skin. They drain it fiercely._] What is it now so fevered from you stares And breathing too abhorrence? Gasp it out. ABIATHAR I stifle--in a universe--he still-- Has breath in. DAVID Saul? ABIATHAR I’ll scathe him! Scorpions Of terror and remorse sting in his soul! DAVID If you have tidings, not in words so wild. ABIATHAR Then ask and hate shall calm me. DAVID Ask? ABIATHAR On, on! Seek if he lives! DAVID Who? ABIATHAR Seek if prophecy Founts yet in Judah! DAVID Samuel…? ABIATHAR Is dead!… Dead--and of tidings more calamitous. [_A pause._] DAVID [_Hoarsely._] Tell on. I hear. ABIATHAR Saul gloating to believe The priests, assembled sacredly at Nob, Plotted assisting you, hath had them---- DAVID No…! ABIATHAR Slain at the hands of Doeg--murdered, all! DAVID But he--your father? ABIATHAR Was among them; fell. [_He stands motionless._] DAVID [_Gently._] Abiathar, my friend!… Appeaseless Saul! ABIATHAR Hear all, hear all! Thy father, too, and mother, Even thy kindred, out of Israel Are driven into Moab; and this king, Delirious still for blood as desert pard, With Merab, whelp of him, and many armed, Is near us now--aquiver at Engeddi For your destruction: [DAVID _struggles for control_.] And yet you will not strike. DAVID