_Enter_ Ingur, _bearing a sack_. VOICES. An Assyrian! An Assyrian! (_Men spring at_ Ingur.) HAGGITH. Let him alone; he is my bondman and I have tamed him. OZIAS. Shut the gates, for I will enquire into this matter. HAGGITH. There are yet ten other Assyrians outside the gates, carrying gourds for me. OZIAS. Ten other Assyrians! It is a trick! HAGGITH (_proudly_). By my command they are chained by their necks, neck to neck. Fetch in the gourds, men, and give the people to drink. (_The gourds are brought in amid cries and excitement. They are taken off, L_.) OZIAS. Shut the gates, I say. FIRST SOLDIER. And the ten Assyrians, great lord? OZIAS. Let them await my enquiry where they stand. FIRST SOLDIER. Lord Ozias, if they flee? HAGGITH. Hold thy mouth, gaby! Wouldst _thou_ flee with thy neck chained to nine necks? Moreover, where will they flee? For the camps of the Assyrians are broken, and in their terrible confusion the Assyrians fall one upon another. (_The gatemen talk among themselves and stare at the Assyrians outside, who cannot be seen by those within the city. The gates remain open a little_.) OZIAS (_impatiently_). What is thy tale, Haggith? HAGGITH. My mistress has slain Holofernes in his tent in the night, and the power of Assyria is undone. OZIAS (_astounded_). Slain Holofernes! Thou art mad in thy raving. HAGGITH (_to_ Ingur). Open the mouth of the sack, and let my lord behold the head of Holofernes and see that I am mad. (_To soldier_.) A torch, that the Lord Ozias may discover the manner of my raving. (Ozias _looks into the sack and sees the head of_ Holofernes.) OZIAS. Great is the Lord of Israel! HAGGITH. And my mistress is the right hand of the Lord. OZIAS. Great is the Lord of Israel! VOICES (_deeply moved_). His name shall live for ever. OZIAS. How did thy mistress accomplish this mighty deed? HAGGITH. AS for that, she will tell it to my lord with her own voice when she shall come. And now will my lord give ear to the commands of the lady Judith, which she doth lay upon my lord by me, Haggith? First, the head of Holofernes shall be set upon a spear on the highest wall in the great square before the temple. So shall all the Israelites know that God yet watcheth over Israel. (_To the soldiers_.) Take the sack and do as my lady hath ordained by me, Haggith. OZIAS (_to men, who hesitate_). Take the sack. It is my command. (_Exeunt two men, L., with sack_.) HAGGITH. Next, ye shall send men for water to the wells beneath the city that all may drink, for already the Assyrians are fled from the wells, knowing that Holofernes is dead. And ye shall send forth all your army into the valley to fall upon the Assyrians, for they are afraid of the judgment of God, and none dare abide in the sight of his neighbour. Neither can they stand against the chosen race of God.