And many. DAVID King of Israel! Inexorable! ABIATHAR O, rebuke him, do! DAVID Almost I am beyond this tolerance. ABIATHAR In truth. Therefore it is you rise and shake Out of his power the sceptre! DAVID Tempt me not! Mercy and memory almost are dead, And craving birth in me is fateful ire. [_They follow into the cave. Hardly have they done so when at a shout_, SAUL, _bloodthirsty, with_ DOEG, ABNER, ISHUI, _and soldiers, pour in from all sides, with drawn weapons_.] SAUL On, to him! search the caves! In, in, and bring Him to my sword, and Michal with him. [_Pacing terrible the while._] They Shall couch upon eternity and dust. [_Weakly._] I am the king, and Israel is mine.… I’ll sleep upon their grave--I’ll sleep upon it, And hear the worm…! [_To a_ SOLDIER _re-entering from one cave_.] Where is he? Bring him. SOLDIER O King---- SAUL You’ve slain him and you tremble! Say it. SOLDIER No. SAUL Then hither with him; hither! SOLDIER He’s not here. SAUL A treachery! You cunningly contrive To aid him, so.… [_To a_ SOLDIER _re-entering fearfully from the other cave_.] Bring me his head. SOLDIER My lord, He is not there. SAUL I tell you it is lies-- Because you deem that he shall be the king And treasure up reward and amnesty. [_Into one cave, then another he rushes, then out among them furious._] From me, ill-fruited ineffectual herd! Away from me, he’s fled and none of you Is servant and will find and for me seize him! From me--I’ll sleep--I’ll rest--and then-- [_All begin to crowd out, overawed, but_ DOEG and ABNER.] I’ll sleep. [_Slowly he moves into the cave, Left, and lies down._] ABNER [_To_ DOEG, significantly.] The evil spirit. DOEG Yes; is on him swift As never before, and as a drunkenness. ABNER Then, safe to leave him? DOEG Will he brook denial? ABNER And Merab, too, will soon be here. DOEG Well, come. ABNER I’ll go and look upon him. [_Goes to_ SAUL’S _cave and returns_.] Already he sleeps. [_Turning they encounter_ MICHAL _entering, still disguised_. _She quails._] Woman, who are you, who? MICHAL Unclean! away! DOEG