_Under the gallery which ranges around the court are doors leading to the sleeping and other apartments; before one of these, a lattice. On the left is the gate opening to the street. In the back to one side, the teraphim, or image of divination; on the other side a stairway mounts to the roof. Above is the night, and vague lightning amid a moan of wind. During the act comes dawn._ _Forward on a divan sits MIRIAM alone, in blind restlessness._ MIRIAM Adah! The child is sunken in a sleep. Yet would I have her near me in this night, And hear again the boding of her tale. Unto the blind the vision and the awe Of the invisible sway ever in, The shadow of nativities that lead Upon fatality. Girl! Adah! girl! [_The wind passes._ ADAH _enters from a chamber, rubbing her eyes_.] Thou art awake? ADAH I slumbered. MIRIAM Stand you where Fathoming I may feel within you. Now, Again--you’ve hither fled your mistress Merab, In fear of her? ADAH Yes. MIRIAM At Engeddi Michal By Saul was apprehended? Merab now Plotteth against her--she and Doeg? ADAH Still. MIRIAM And ’twas in Merab’s tent you heard, the king Despairing of to-morrow’s battle, comes Hither to-night to bid me lift the spirit Of Samuel out of the dead and learn The issue? ADAH Doeg said it. MIRIAM And--you hear?-- Many within the army urge for David, Would cry him king, if Saul were slain? ADAH O many. [_A knock at the gate. They start up fearful._] MIRIAM Who seeks blind Miriam of Endor’s roof, Under the night and unextinguished storm? Come you a friend? DAVID [_Without._] A friend. MIRIAM As knows my soul! [_Breathless she opens the gate._ DAVID _and_ ABIATHAR _enter cloaked_.] Thy voice again!--this blindness of my eyes-- If it be David, speak. DAVID Yes, Miriam. MIRIAM David of Jesse, Israel’s desire! Let me behold thee [_Her hands go over him._] with my fingers’ sight, And gather in them touch of thee again! Thy voice is as dream-dulcimers that stir Quivering myrrh of memory and joy-- But, aie! why are you here? You have been _there_? DAVID Yes--in the camp of Saul. MIRIAM In spite of death! Do you not know----? DAVID