(_The sounds of a shepherd's pipe, or of a harp are heard, receding in the distance._ JESSE _enters and speaks mildly and with remonstrance._) JESSE: My son, this night the first new moon arises of the new year; My son, this night we feast, And make our sacrifices on God's altar. My son, first be thou reconciled with thy brother David. ELIAB (_impatiently_): I have done him no wrong. JESSE: Thou and thy brothers are too harsh with him. He is a tender lad; be thou more gentle. (_Lays hand on_ ELIAB'S _arm._) ELIAB (_shaking off hand_): He is a babe, fit only to tend sheep. JESSE: Where hast thou sent him? ELIAB: To the hillside, away from Bethlehem. JESSE: Where are thy brothers? ELIAB: They make them ready to fight the Philistines. JESSE: Who tendeth their sheep? ELIAB (_sullenly_): David. JESSE (_with mild sarcasm_): And if a bear or a lion attack the flocks, The little David is alone; While his brave brothers abide here in safety. _He_ perchance fighteth, while they make them _ready._ ELIAB (_sneers_): Thou ever didst make much of David. The very name of "David" means "beloved." JESSE: Nay, all my sons are equal in my love. But David--he is indeed a gentle lad. (_He turns as though to go out. Left._) (_The_ PROPHET SAMUEL _enters slowly from the right._) ELIAB: My father, who comes there? Nay, _there_, through the budding barley? The old man with so lofty a bearing? JESSE: Mine eyes are dim. (_He shades them and peers out. Suddenly he speaks._) My son, it is the prophet Samuel. What can his coming bode of good or evil? Haste, haste, my son. (_They advance to meet the prophet, bowing low._) JESSE: O Samuel, O mouthpiece of the Lord, Comest thou in peace to Bethlehem? SAMUEL: In peace! JESSE: Make us to know thy will. SAMUEL: Thou art Jesse, the Bethlehemite? JESSE: Thou hast said it. SAMUEL: I am the mouthpiece of the most high God. For the Lord spake unto me, saying: Mourn not over King Saul; For I repent me that I made Saul king over Israel. Fill thine horn with oil and go; I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite; For I have provided me a king among his sons. JESSE: _A king!_ ELIAB: _A king!!_ JESSE: Eliab, wind thy horn and call thy brothers; And bid thy sister bring both meat and wine To set before our guest. (ELIAB _runs out to the left, winding his horn. He passes several of his brothers who are entering, and points out the prophet._ JESSE _motions_ SAMUEL _to a seat in the center._ SAMUEL _sits. The_ DAUGHTER _of_ JESSE _enters with food and drink, which_ SAMUEL _rejects._) SAMUEL: And now make thou thy sons to pass before me, That I may choose. (ELIAB _enters with other brothers._ ABINADAB _slips beside his sister and eats the food. The_ DAUGHTER _stands beside her father, at right of_ SAMUEL.)