OZIAS (_to First Soldier_). Let every armed man in the city be roused, and publish the order of Ozias that the Captains lead their bands swiftly into the valley by the secret way to fall upon the Assyrians. (_Exit First Soldier and another, with joyous cries, L_.) HAGGITH. Thus hath the lady Judith spoken by me, Haggith. OZIAS. Whither is thy mistress gone, and why does she tarry? HAGGITH. My mistress is hidden in a sure place in the valley, for there is one among the Assyrians who fears not God. And he is Bagoas, the chief eunuch of Holofernes, and he has sworn an oath to kill my mistress, for that by guile she did cut off the head of Holofernes. And Bagoas searches for my mistress in the folds of the valley. But he will not find her. OZIAS (_perturbed_). How knowst thou that he will not find her? HAGGITH. Because the Lord of Israel is a sharp sword and protecteth his servants.... And also because my mistress is most cunningly hidden. _Enter_ Charmis, _L_. CHARMIS (_joyously excited_). What is the miracle that I hear, Ozias? OZIAS (_blandly_). There is no miracle; but that which I had planned with the lady Judith has come to pass. Take women and old men Charmis, and go ye to the wells and bring water to the city, for the wells are delivered into my hands. CHARMIS (_hesitating_). Women and old men? But the onslaught against the Assyrians of which I hear? OZIAS (_imperiously_). Go quickly. For who is the governor of this city? Is it thou or is it I? (_Exit_ Charmis, _L_.) (_Men and women have gathered joyously in the street_.) VOICES (_mockingly, indicating_ Ingur, _with a tendency to horseplay_). The Assyrian! The Assyrian! OZIAS. Take him to the guard-house and chain him to Achior. HAGGITH. He shall not go, lord Ozias. For as my mistress beguiled Holofernes, so did I beguile Ingur, and he is my slave. But I have not cut off his head, and he is dear to me because I have not cut off his head. And he is mine, and let none touch him (_looking at the soldiers_), or my anger, which is the anger of the lady Judith, shall be upon that man. (_Hearing a noise, she glances at the house_.) What do I see? The sluts are in the tent of my mistress, which is forbidden them. Out, sluts! (_Exit angrily into the house_!) (Ingur _follows her quickly for protection_.) _Enter_ Messenger. OZIAS. And you? MESSENGER (_saluting_). Do my eyes behold the great lord Ozias, governor of Bethulia? OZIAS. Your eyes behold him. MESSENGER. It is not yet dawn, nevertheless the streets of the city are full of a great going and coming, but I found none to lead me to the house of the lord Ozias. Yet when I saw my lord's visage my heart said: 'This is he.' OZIAS. What is your affair with me? MESSENGER. I am a messenger. OZIAS (_curtly_). Speak quickly, for the government of this city in this hour is no common matter, and the whole charge of it lies upon me.