Unto your Soft sympathy--and passion? [_Laughs._] She is dead. DAVID [_Immovable, then repressed._] If it is so, the lightning, that is wrath Within the veins of God, should sink its fang Into thy bosom and sear out thy heart. If it is so, this momentary calm, This silence pouring overfull the world, Would rush and in thee cry until thy bones Broken of guilt are crumbled in thy groans. Dead, she is dead? MIRIAM No, David, my lord, he lies! [_Strangely, as in a trance._] To wound you, lies! DAVID Not dead? MIRIAM I see her eyes! [_All listen amazed._] I see her in a vision. She is near-- Is in a cave--is bound--and is alone. I will go to her--quickly bring her. DOEG Not [_Lunges at her._] If this shall reach you. DAVID Ah, to pierce a woman! [MIRIAM _finds her way out_.] You’ve plotted, false have been and bloody, foul, And as a pestilence of midnight marsh Have oozed corruption into all around you. The kingdom thro’ you is in brokenness, Within its arteries you flow, poison, Incentive of irruption and unrest, Of treachery and disaffection’s sore, Till even the stars of truest ray seem tares Sown hostile o’er the nightly vale of heaven. [_Drawing firmly, he coldly, skilfully approaches for attack._] DOEG [_Retreating._] No further! DAVID Unto the end! [_He rushes in, they engage._ DOEG _is wounded, recovers, defends furiously, then is disarmed and forced under_.] Thy villainy is done. [_The gate opens and_ ABIATHAR _hurries in_.] ABIATHAR David, the battle---- [_He sees_ DOEG _and stops_.] DAVID Fetter him. ABIATHAR Only fetter? [_His dagger out._] The murderer Of priestly sanctity and of my father? DAVID Abiathar! You know obedience? [ABIATHAR _sullenly sheathes his weapon and binds_ DOEG. _A dim panic is heard afar, and a lament without._ DAVID, _who has sunk to a seat, springs anxiously up_.] Listen! that cry! THE VOICE Woe! woe! DAVID What is its wail? THE VOICE The battle’s lost! DAVID Abiathar----? THE VOICE Saul flees! DAVID Abiathar, is lost? ABIATHAR I fear it. DAVID Then [_Pointing to_ DOEG.] Off with his armor for me, I will go Forth and perchance may backward bend defeat. Duty to Saul is over. ADRIEL