Holofernes, my fortitude is yours and my resolve springs from you. Charmis has invoked the holy name of the God of Israel. Let Israel not forget its God, for never has the Most High forsaken Israel. Brethren, be of good courage. Let us yet endure five days. Five short days. And if these days pass and the God of Israel turn not his mercy towards us, then will I do according to the word of Charmis. Such is my oath to you. And so it shall be. Haggith _enters from the house of_ Judith. HAGGITH. My lord Ozias! OZIAS (_quickly descending the steps_). What say you? HAGGITH. My mistress, the lady Judith, will speak with you. She comes. RAHEL (_half rising_). Water! OZIAS (_excited_.) The lady Judith comes out of her house after three years. VOICES IN THE GROUP (_excited and impressed_.) Judith is coming, after three years! Judith! The widow! OZIAS (_sternly to the group_). Get hence, everyone to his own charge. Soldiers! Clear the street! (Two soldiers _advance, running to obey_.) The men to the walls and towers. The women and children to their houses. (_To_ Rahel, _who has risen, indicating_ Chabris.) Take the aged fool away, girl. (_Ruthlessly and contemptuously_.) Get home, all of you. Rabble! Insects! Lice! (_The street is cleared, not without difficulty, and_ Ozias _is left alone with_ Haggith.) _After a pause_, Judith _enters slowly, in widow's apparel and sackcloth_. (_Exit_ Haggith _into the house_.) JUDITH. Greetings, Lord Ozias. OZIAS. Lady, greetings. (_They salute_.) JUDITH. Where are the people? OZIAS. I invited them to go away. JUDITH. Why? OZIAS. Your waiting-woman said that you would speak with me. JUDITH. But what I have to say I would have said before them. OZIAS. Forgive your servant. JUDITH. No! It is I, the woman, who should ask to be absolved. OZIAS. I beseech you---- JUDITH (_simply_). Perhaps you dismissed the people because it is not meet for them to see all the workings of the mind which has authority over them. OZIAS (_warmly responsive_). Ah! Lady! In your wisdom and your understanding you have comprehended what it is to be the governor of a besieged city. You, alone! JUDITH. This is a day memorable beyond all the days of Bethulia. OZIAS. It is a day memorable beyond all the days of Bethulia--because Judith, the widow of Manasses, has issued from her house and from her secrecy, and because after long years she has lightened the city with her countenance. JUDITH (_smiling_). We hold converse with words, but the shadow of destruction is over us, and our hearts are darkened, and we hide our hearts in speech. Ozias, governor of Bethulia, show me your heart. OZIAS. I dare not. JUDITH. Dare! I am not afraid. OZIAS. YOU are more beautiful than aforetime--were it possible. JUDITH (_accepting the compliment_). And if I am?