MESSENGER: O my lord, I bear news; The Philistines with their thousands approach; They gather themselves together, And there is none to withstand them. SAUL: Cursed be the day I was born, Or ever the Lord anointed me king over Israel! For a sickness is fallen upon me, And I know not where to look for help. (_He advances to couch and rests._) ATTENDANT: Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let my lord now command his servant to seek out a man who is a cunning player on the harp, and it shall come to pass when the evil spirit is upon thee, that he shall play and sing, and thou shalt be well. SAUL: Do so. For I would hear of peace, and not of war. ATTENDANT: Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse, David, a shepherd lad, that is cunning in playing. He is called "The sweet singer in Israel." SAUL: Take thou this word to Jesse. Say to him: "Send me David, thy son, who is with the sheep." ATTENDANT: Lord, I obey. (_He bows and goes._) MESSENGER: O king, there be three young men, sons of Jesse, Who came but now to serve 'gainst the Philistines. SAUL: Go, bring them hither. (_The_ MESSENGER _goes out, left. At the same moment there is a loud shouting from the left, and the_ SECOND MESSENGER _runs in._) SECOND MESSENGER: News! News for the king! SAUL: Hither, man! Speak! SECOND MESSENGER: O king, I bear evil tidings: For every thousand Israelites, There are ten thousand Philistines. And there is none to withstand them. SAUL: Go ye and summon the warriors of Israel. (SECOND MESSENGER _goes out to right. Gradually the_ SOLDIERS _of_ ISRAEL _enter and group at back. The_ FIRST MESSENGER _reenters with the three elder_ SONS OF JESSE.) FIRST MESSENGER: Here are the sons of Jesse, lord. SAUL: Come nearer, men. (_They stand before him._) And are ye sons of Jesse the Bethlehemite? ELIAB: Yea, O lord king! SAUL: Is one among you called by the name of "David," Or "The sweet singer in Israel"? ELIAB: Nay, lord king, For we be men and warriors; But David is a little shepherd lad. SAUL: But shepherd lads must needs defend their flocks. (_The_ ATTENDANT _enters with_ DAVID.) SAUL: How now, returned so soon? ATTENDANT: I met him, lord. He came but now to see his brothers there. (_Nods toward them._) ELIAB (_angrily_): What do you here? And why art thou come down? And with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thine heart; Thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. DAVID: My father bade me seek thee with this loaf, And flask of wine. (_Offers them._ ELIAB _turns angrily away, but_ ABINADAB _accepts and eats._) SAUL: Peace, men! And art thou he that's called "The sweet singer in Israel"? DAVID: My lord, I--I-- SAUL: Be not ashamed, but sing thou sweetly to me. DAVID: What shall I sing?