Then, Saul of Israel, the hour is near, When shall arise one, and Goliath fall! [SAMUEL _goes slowly out_, SAUL _sinks back_.] ISHUI Oh,--subtle! SAUL Thus he sways me. ISHUI Subtle!--subtle! And yet I must not speak; come, Adriel, No use of us here. [_He makes as if to go._] SAUL Use? subtle? Stand! ISHUI No, father, no. SAUL What mean you? ISHUI Do not ask.… Yet how it creeps, and how! SAUL Unveil your words. ISHUI Do you not see it crawl, this serpent scheme? Goliath slain--the people mad with praise, Then fallen from you--Michal the victor’s wife.… SAUL Say on; say on. ISHUI Or else the champion slain-- Fear on the people--panic--the kingdom’s ruin! SAUL Now do the folds slip from me. ISHUI And you see? Ah then, if one arise? If one arise? SAUL Death, death! If he hath touched this prophet--if Merely a little moment!-- ISHUI I have seen Your David with him. SAUL Death! if--Come here: David? ISHUI In secret. SAUL Say you? ISHUI Yes, SAUL The folds slip further; To this you lead me--hatred against David! To this with supple envy’s easy glide! ISHUI I have but told-- SAUL You have but builded lies, As ever you are building and forever. I’ll hear no more against him--Abner--No. [_To_ ABNER, _who enters_.] David, and with his harp. ABNER My lord-- SAUL Not come? He is not come? And never! but delays. ABNER Time’s yet to pass. SAUL There is not--Am I king? [_A harp is heard._] See you, ’tis he! ’Tis David, and he sings! DAVID [_Bravely, within._] Smiter of hosts, Terrible Saul! Vile on the hills shall he laugh who boasts None is among Great Israel’s all Fearless for Saul, king Saul! [_Entering with people of the palace._] Aye, is there none Galled of the sting, Will at the soul of Goliath run? Wring it and up To his false gods fling?… None for the king, the king? [_He drops to his knee, amid praise, before the throne._] SAUL [_Darkening_] Forego this praise and stand Away from him; ’tis overmuch. [_To_ DAVID] Why have You dallied and delayed? DAVID My lord, delayed? SAUL Do not smile wonder, mocking!