SECOND WOMAN: And thy mother, Bathsheba, was her heart likewise merry? SOLOMON: My father rejoiced, but his rejoicing was naught in the measure with my mother's joy. SECOND WOMAN: She would have grieved had'st thou been stolen from her? SOLOMON: What mother would not? But, woman, to thy tale-- SECOND WOMAN: My tale is told. O son of Bathsheba, God hath given to thee an understanding heart. Let it read my sorrow; give me back my child. SOLOMON (_bewildered_): Woman, I have not thy child. SECOND WOMAN: Nay, but thy judge in Gibeon, for gold he hath rendered false judgment; for gold, he hath given my child to another woman. SOLOMON: Thou canst prove this? (_She makes a despairing gesture of denial._) (SOLOMON _claps; the_ SOLDIERS _enter._) The court of justice was held here this morn? (SOLDIER _bows._) Bring hither the case of the child and the two women. (SOLDIERS _salute and go._ SOLOMON _speaks sternly to the_ WOMAN.) If thou speakest truly, the child shall be given thee: but if thou hast sought to move me by a lying tale--; lo, I shall punish thee so thou shalt wish thou never had'st been born. SECOND WOMAN (_regarding him steadfastly_): I have no fear, for God hath given to thee an understanding heart. (_The_ JUDGE _waddles in._) WICKED JUDGE: What's this? What's this? My lord the king desired me? (_He sees the_ WOMAN.) Aha! Now I understand. This woman hath filled thy ears with lying tales. Lord king, the woman is mad-- SECOND WOMAN (_indignantly_): I am _not_ mad. WICKED JUDGE (_blandly_): Mad, I say, mad! Deeming her mad, I have excused what otherwise I had--er--severely punished. SECOND WOMAN: I am not mad. WICKED JUDGE: She claims the child of another woman. (_He taps his brow significantly._) What her game is, I know not, but she saith, I am corrupt, and thou but a beardless youth. She saith God hath given thee a kingdom, but not the wit to rule it. Ha, ha! (SOLDIERS _enter with_ FIRST WOMAN _and_ CHILD.) SOLOMON (_turning furiously to_ SECOND WOMAN): Didst thou say this? (_The_ SECOND WOMAN _pays no attention to him; she is devouring the child with her eyes. She holds out her arms yearningly._) SECOND WOMAN: O my dove, my fair one! (_She turns to_ SOLOMON.) Look, behold my baby! See his little leg--; lord king, behold his dimples. His eyes are like doves beside the water brooks; his cheeks are as a bed of spices; yea, he is altogether lovely. And he is _mine._ (_She turns with pride to the_ KING, _but shrinks away as she sees his anger._) FIRST WOMAN (_advancing to High Place_): King Solomon, all hail! Thou wisest of all judges! Thou canst read the hearts of men; Thou understandest the language of beasts and birds; Lo, I bare my heart to thee. Read thou! I lay my child before thy feet; Judge thou! (_She places child at foot of step._)