The quivering Quicksands of destiny beneath her stir. Is heaven a mocking shield which ever keeps God from our prayers? MIRIAM David, contain thy heart. [_A faint uproar begins afar; and dawn._] DAVID The battle! on the wind. Abiathar, Speed out upon the mountain-side and cull All that befalls. [ADAH _opens the gate_. ABIATHAR _goes_.] ADAH [_Springing back._] Oh! DAVID Child, why do you quail? ADAH My mistress, Merab! DAVID Girl? ADAH I saw her--she Is coming hither! Do not let her--she I fear--I fear her! DAVID Hither coming? [MERAB _throws open the gate and enters_.] ADAH Oh! MERAB Woman and witch, did Adriel, my husband, Come to you with the king? [_She sees_ DAVID _and shrinks_.] DAVID Unnatural, Unkind, most cruel sister! MERAB You are here? DAVID Once me you would have poisoned, but the coil Within your bosom I beheld. And now Michal your sister is the victim. MERAB I-- Know not your meaning. DAVID The battle burning yonder, If it adversely veers, the king has planned Michal is not to live, lest she may hap Unto my arms. MERAB That Michal shall be slain? [_The tumult again._] DAVID Almighty, smite, and save to thee thy people! And save thy altars unto Israel. [_He bows his head. A stir comes at the gate._] MERAB David, ’tis Adriel! ADRIEL Ope! open you! DAVID At last the word. MERAB Girl, Adah, draw the bar. [DAVID _throws a cloak over his face_. ADAH _obeys_. ADRIEL _enters, and_ DOEG, _who pauses in quick alarm, as_ DAVID _goes between him and the gate_.] DOEG What place is this? Why do you bar that gate? Merab, ’tis you? Why do you gaze, rigid? And this is the blind witch, Miriam? DAVID It is. [_He throws off his cloak._] DOEG Lured? I am snared? a trap? DAVID Where have you Michal? DOEG [_Drawing._] No closer! DAVID If she is an atom harmed----! Where is she? DOEG I was the servant of the king, I but obeyed him. DAVID And thy horrible heart. Then speak, or unto frenzy I am driven. DOEG I’ll drive you there with---- [_Breaks off with low laugh._] DAVID Tell it! DOEG