FIRST SOLDIER. _Him_? (_With a jerk of the shoulder_!) _He_ knows! In truth now, thinkest thou he would expect us soldiers to keep guard without water? _He_ knows! But he is a great lord, and in seemliness he asks for a lie, and that which he asks is given to him--in seemliness. HAGGITH. But the officer raving as thou hast said with thirst? FIRST SOLDIER. Ah! It is the business of a worshipful officer to scorn deceit and to suffer. HAGGITH. And all the people? FIRST SOLDIER. The people are the people. But we soldiers are soldiers--and must drink, or we cannot guard. (_Yawns_.) Eh! I could lie down and snore for seven years, but I am appointed to watch all night. HAGGITH (_suddenly caressing_). Sweet warrior! Would I could rest thee! FIRST SOLDIER (_startled by the change in her demeanour_). Haggith! Thou art marvellously and desirably changed. HAGGITH. I am practising to thy profit for that which lies before me and my mistress. FIRST SOLDIER. What meanest thou? HAGGITH. Chut! If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee--it will not burst thee. FIRST SOLDIER. Lord! turn away from me vain hopes and concupiscence. HAGGITH. And so thou sleepest not this night!... Neither do I sleep. FIRST SOLDIER. What? HAGGITH. I go with my mistress upon a journey. FIRST SOLDIER. What journey? There can be no journey for thee, unless thou leave the city and wend to the Assyrians. HAGGITH (_curt again_). Nevertheless we go upon a journey. FIRST SOLDIER. It is madness. HAGGITH. It may be. FIRST SOLDIER. Who can tell the heart of a master? Not I! When dost thou depart? HAGGITH. My mistress is attiring. FIRST SOLDIER. Thou dost not attire her? HAGGITH. I! I, who have charge over all that is hers! Wilt thou tell me, then, what is the task of her tiring-women? Idle sluts! FIRST SOLDIER. And this is thy baggage? HAGGITH (_matter-of-fact_). A cruse of oil, a bag of parched corn, fine bread, three lumps of figs--and a bottle of wine--yea, the last! FIRST SOLDIER (_drawing in his lips_). Ah! But thou wilt need an ass for this cargo. HAGGITH (_drily_). I am the ass. _Enter_ Judith, _magnificently dressed_. (_The_ soldier _retires, back_.) JUDITH. Is all prepared? HAGGITH. All is prepared, mistress. _Enter_ Ozias, _L_. OZIAS (_ecstatic at the sight of_ Judith's _splendour_). O, loveliness! O, lily of the field! Who shall withstand you, and who shall say you nay? JUDITH (_smiling_). I am ready to depart. OZIAS. The secret way is opened. I will lead you to it. JUDITH (_gently_). The secret way? I will take no secret way. OZIAS. But hear me, lady. The peril from the archers far off-- JUDITH. What did I say to you, lord Ozias? I said: You shall stand this night in the gate of the city, and I will go forth. My desire is that you command the gatemen to open the gates, so that I and my waiting-woman may pass out before all men, and in the sight of the Lord. (_She bends to examine_ Haggith's _baggage_.)