Ah, but the prophecy! the prophecy! It eats in me the food of rest and ease. And David, nearer: Samuel in my stead Another hath anointed. DAVID Saul, not this! This should not fall to me, my lord; no more! You cannot understand; it pains beyond All duty and enduring! SAUL Pains beyond…? Who is he? know you of him? do you? know you? You sup the confidence of Samuel? I’ll search from Nile to Nineveh-- DAVID My lord! SAUL Mountain and desert, wilderness and sea, Under and over, search--and find. DAVID Peace, peace! [_Enter_ MICHAL _joyously_.] MICHAL O father, father! David! Listen!--Why, All here is dark and quivering as pain, And a foreboding binds me ere I breathe! David, you have not been as sun to him! DAVID But Michal will be now. SAUL Child, well, what then? MICHAL Father, a secret! Oh, and it will make Dawn and delight in you! SAUL Perhaps; then, well? MICHAL Oh, I have heard…! SAUL Have heard?--Why do you pale? [_She stands unaccountably moved._] Now are you Baal-bit? DAVID Michal! MICHAL [_In terror._] David!… the dread. What does it mean? I cannot speak! It shrinks Shivering down upon my heart in awe! DAVID So piteous are you? suddenly so numb? And you are faint? let it rush from your lips! Can any moving in the world so bring Terror upon you! Speak, what is it? MICHAL Ah! I know not; danger rising and its wing Sudden against my lips! DAVID To warn? MICHAL It shall not! There--now again flows joy; I think it flows. SAUL Then--you have heard…? MICHAL Yes, father, yes! Have you Not much desired discovery of whom Samuel hath anointed? SAUL Well? MICHAL I’ve found [DAVID _blenches_.] Almost have found! A prophetess to-day Hath told me that he is a-- [_She stops in realizing horror._] SAUL Now you cease? Sudden and senseless! MICHAL David?--No! SAUL God! God! Have I not bidden swiftly! Ever then Vexation! I could--No. Will she not speak! MICHAL I cannot. SAUL Cannot! Are you flesh of me! DAVID My lord, not anger! Hear me … SAUL Cannot? DAVID