SOLOMON: It is my will (_he bends and raises_ SECOND WOMAN _gently_) thou give unto _this_ woman the living child, and in nowise slay it; for she is the mother thereof, because she loveth much. For love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave. Many waters cannot quench love; neither can floods drown it. WICKED JUDGE (_sourly_): Humph! SECOND WOMAN (_receiving_ CHILD, _radiantly_): He that ruleth over men righteously, that ruleth in the fear of God, he shall be as the light of the morning when the sun riseth, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springeth out of the earth through clear shining after rain. King Solomon, all hail! ALL: King Solomon, all hail! (_All pass out singing._) (_If desired, the earlier song may be repeated._) _Song: Music, "Ancient Days"_ [Song: Hail to King Dav-id's son! Hail, O thou Wis-est one! Hail, Sol-o-mon! Language of beast and bird By thee is ev-er heard; Thou read-est ev-ery word, O Sol-o-mon! ] [Illustration: THE CHILDREN] THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON (SHORTER VERSION) THE PEOPLE A HERALD. FIRST SOLDIER. SECOND SOLDIER. DANCING CHILDREN. KING SOLOMON. FIRST WOMAN. SECOND WOMAN. BABY. (A _real_ baby.) THE PLACE Gibeon, where Solomon comes to offer sacrifice. THE PROPERTIES Palms, or branches for children to carry in dance. A silver basket piled high with oranges. A trumpet. Two spears. A large sword. THE JUDGEMENT OF SOLOMON (_The_ HERALD _enters, followed by two_ SOLDIERS. _The_ HERALD _blows his trumpet; the two_ SOLDIERS _flourish their spears._) HERALD: Make way, make way; he entereth now the city! Way for King Solomon, the son of David! SOLDIERS: Way for King Solomon, the son of David! Way! Way! (_They take positions, one on the right hand and one on the left._) FIRST SOLDIER (_conversationally_): He cometh hither for sacrifice, they say. SECOND SOLDIER: Aye, and to render judgment. FIRST SOLDIER: Is it true, think you, that he is wiser than all men that have gone before him? SECOND SOLDIER (_shrugs_): So men say. As for me, I shall judge for myself. FIRST SOLDIER (_poses mockingly_): O King Solomon, King Solomon, little thou thinkest that the while thou art judging others, a mightier shall judge thee! SECOND SOLDIER (_prodding_ FIRST _with spear_): Be still, thou ass; he cometh. (_The_ SOLDIERS _stiffen to attention as the_ CHILDREN _enter dancing and singing._) _Song_: Music, "Hail to the Monarch." (See Longer Version.) (Cantata of Esther) (_Enter_ KING SOLOMON _followed by_ TWO WOMEN _and_ BABY, _also by_ PAGES _and more_ SOLDIERS _if desired for effect. The_ CHILDREN _bow low._) SOLOMON (_lifting his hand_): The Lord be with you! ALL: And with thee also, O thou son of David!