ADRIEL I was laughed at? ISHUI Why, It is this shepherd! ADRIEL David? ISHUI With his harp! Flinging enchantment on the palace air Till he impassions to him all who breathe. ADRIEL What sting from that? He’s lovable and brave. ISHUI Lovable? _Lovable?_ ADRIEL I do not see. ISHUI This then: you’ve hither come with gifts and gold, Dream-bringing amethyst and weft of Ind, To wed my sister, Merab? ADRIEL It is so. ISHUI And you’ve the king’s consent; but she denies? ADRIEL As every wind, you know it. ISHUI Still denies! And you, lost in the maze of her, fare on Blindly and find no reason for it! ADRIEL How? What reason can be? women are not clear; And least unto themselves. ISHUI Or to their fools. [_He goes to curtains and draws out Adah._] Your mistress, Merab, girl, whom does she love? Unclench your hands. ADAH I hate her. ISHUI Insolent! Answer; I am not milky Jonathan. Answer; and for the rest--You hear? ADAH She loves-- The shepherd David! ADRIEL Who, girl? ADAH I care not! She is unkind; I wilt not spy for her On Michal, and I’ll tell her secrets all! And David does not love her--and she raves. ISHUI Off to your sleep; now off-- [_Makes to strikes her._] ADRIEL Ishui, no. [ADAH _goes_.] ISHUI And see you now how ‘lovable’ he is! I tell you that he stands athwart us all! The heart of Merab swung a censer to him, My seat at table with the king usurped! Mildew and mocking to the harp of Doeg, As it were any slave’s; the while we all Are lepered with suspicion. ADRIEL Of the king? ISHUI Ah! and of Jonathan and Michal. ADRIEL Hush. [_Enter_ MICHAL _passing with_ MIRIAM.] Michal, delay. Whom lead you? MICHAL Miriam, A prophetess. ADRIEL How of the king to-night? MICHAL He’s not at rest; dreads Samuel’s prophecy The throne shall pass from him, and darkens more Against this boundless Philistine Goliath Who dares at Israel daily on the hills, As we were dogs! ADRIEL Is David with him? MICHAL