OZIAS (_moved. Calling to the_ soldiers). Ho! Let the gates of the city be opened, that the lady Judith may go forth. FIRST SOLDIER. Yea, lord. (_Calling to others, off._) Gatemen! (_The gatemen man the gate-chains, and citizens rush in with cries_: 'What shall happen to us? The lady Judith leaves the city? At night-fall? What is it?') OZIAS (_fiercely, to the crowd_). Get hence! Dogs! JUDITH (_softly_). Let them stay, Lord Ozias, for that which I do, I do not in secret, neither shall it be hidden. OZIAS (_to the crowd_). Make a way clear to the gates. JUDITH. Before I go, I will look into the valley whither I descend. (_She mounts to the vantage-point_). VOICES. Water! Water! Or we die! JUDITH (_from the vantage-point_). Brethren, bewail not! Remember what things the Lord did to Abraham, and how he tried Isaac, and what happened to Jacob in Mesopotamia. For the Lord has not tried us in the fire as he did them, neither has he taken vengeance upon us. But the Lord scourges them that come near to him, to admonish them. (_She kneels. Following her example, everybody kneels_.) O Lord God of my father Simeon, the Assyrians are multiplied in their power; they trust in shield, and spear, and bow, and sling; and know not that thou art the Lord which breakest battles; the Lord is thy name. Behold their pride, and send thy wrath upon their heads; give into my hand, which am a widow, the power that I have conceived. For thy power standeth not in multitude, nor thy might in strong men. Smite the Assyrians by the deceit of my lips; break down their stateliness by the hand of a woman. And make my speech and deceit to be their wound and stripe, who have purposed cruel things against thy covenant and against the top of Zion. And make every nation and tribe to acknowledge that thou art the God of all power, and that there is none other that protecteth the people of Israel but thou. (_She rises. The crowd murmurs:_ 'Amen.' _All rise._ Judith _comes down from the vantage-point. Silence_.) OZIAS (_moved_). Open the gates. JUDITH (_to_ Haggith). Nothing is forgotten? HAGGITH. Nothing. (Judith _moves a step towards the gates._) OZIAS. The soul of my soul goes with you into the valley. JUDITH (_to_ Haggith, _solemnly_). And the knife? (Haggith _gives a gesture. At the same moment a woman comes from the house with a knife, which she hands to_ Haggith, _who hands it to_ Judith, _who takes it ceremoniously, and hides it in her dress. The gates are now opened, and the distant plain under the setting sun is seen covered with the tents of the Assyrian army_.) (Judith _goes slowly through the gates, followed by_ Haggith _carrying the baggage_.) VOICES (_as_ Judith _passes_). Water! Water! OZIAS (_with deep emotion_). Close the gates. Light the watchfires. (_The gates begin slowly to close. The glow of the watchfires is seen_.) CURTAIN. ACT II SCENE I _The valley of Jezreel. The city of Bethulia on the hill in the distance_.