DAVID; A TRAGEDY

BY CALE YOUNG RICE

BY THE SAME AUTHOR Charles Di Tocca

DAVID; A TRAGEDY BY CALE YOUNG RICE

NEW YORK MCCLURE, PHILLIPS & CO. MCMIV

Two hundred and fifty copies of this book have been printed at the McClure Press, of which this is No. __________

Copyright, 1904, by McClure, Phillips & Co.

Published May, 1904. N.

AFFECTIONATELY TO MY BROTHER LACY L. RICE

CHARACTERS

A Chorus of Women. A Band of Prophets. Followers of David. Soldiers of Saul. People of the Court, etc.

ACT I

SCENE: A Hall of Judgment in the palace of Saul at Gibeah. The walls, pillars and ceiling are of cedar richly carven with images of serpents, pomegranates and cherubim in gold. The floors are of bright marble; the throne of ivory, hung with a lion’s skin whose head is its footstool. On the right and left, doors, draped with finely woven curtains of purple and white, lead to other portions of the palace. Seats toward the front. Lamps burn low.

The Hall, supported on pillars, is open along the back, where a Porch, surrounding the Court of the palace, crosses. Through the Porch, on the environing hills, glow the camp-fires of the Philistines, the enemies of Israel.

JUDITH, LEAH and ZILLA are reclining restively on the floor of the Hall.

JUDITH

[Springing to her feet impatiently.]

LEAH

ZILLA

[She goes to the porch.]

LEAH

JUDITH

ZILLA

JUDITH

[She prepares to dance.]

LEAH

[She sits down.]

ZILLA [At the curtains.]

JUDITH

ZILLA

JUDITH

ZILLA

JUDITH

LEAH

ZILLA

JUDITH

[They pose themselves. Ishui enters—sees them. Judith sighs.]

ISHUI

JUDITH

ZILLA

LEAH

JUDITH

ISHUI

JUDITH

ISHUI

JUDITH

ISHUI

JUDITH

ISHUI

JUDITH [Laughing in his face.]

[He thrusts her from him. She goes dancing with Zilla and Leah.]

ADRIEL [Who has entered.]

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

[He goes to curtains and draws out Adah.]

ADAH

ISHUI

ADAH

ADRIEL

ADAH

ISHUI

[Makes to strikes her.]

ADRIEL

[Adah goes.]

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

ADRIEL

[Enter Michal passing with Miriam.]

MICHAL

ADRIEL

MICHAL

ADRIEL

MICHAL

ISHUI

MICHAL

ISHUI

MICHAL

[She goes—calmly, with Miriam.]

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

ADRIEL

ISHUI

[Voices are heard in altercation.]

ADRIEL

ISHUI

[They step aside. Saul followed by Samuel strides in and mounts the throne.]

SAUL

SAMUEL

SAUL

SAMUEL

SAUL

SAMUEL

[He moves to go.]

SAUL

SAMUEL

SAUL

[Snatching at Samuel’s mantle.]

SAMUEL

[Samuel goes slowly out, Saul sinks back.]

ISHUI

SAUL

ISHUI

[He makes as if to go.]

SAUL

ISHUI

SAUL

ISHUI

SAUL

ISHUI

SAUL

ISHUI

SAUL

ISHUI

SAUL

ISHUI

SAUL

ISHUI

SAUL

ISHUI

SAUL

ISHUI

SAUL

[To Abner, who enters.]

ABNER

SAUL

ABNER

SAUL

[A harp is heard.]

DAVID [Bravely, within.]

[Entering with people of the palace.]

[He drops to his knee, amid praise, before the throne.]

SAUL [Darkening]

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

[He motions. All go but David, whom he comes down toward, indeterminately.]

DAVID

SAUL

[Slowly draws a dagger.]

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID [Unmoving]

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID [Starting]

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

[Enter Michal joyously.]

MICHAL

DAVID

SAUL

MICHAL

SAUL

MICHAL

SAUL

[She stands unaccountably moved.]

DAVID

MICHAL [In terror.]

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

SAUL

MICHAL

SAUL

MICHAL

[David blenches.]

[She stops in realizing horror.]

SAUL

MICHAL

SAUL

MICHAL

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

[Enter Abner hurriedly.]

ABNER

SAUL

ABNER

SAUL

[Abner goes.]

[Saul goes]

DAVID

[She stands immovable.]

[Goes to her.]

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

[Moves to go.]

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

[He turns. She sways, then reaches out her arms. As irresistibly they move toward each other, Doeg and Merab appear through the curtains. Michal utters a low cry. They vanish.]

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL [Springing up the throne.]

DAVID

MICHAL [Shrinking down.]

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

[A commotion is heard within.]

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

[She turns to go. Enter Jonathan eagerly.]

JONATHAN

DAVID

[They embrace. Michal goes.]

JONATHAN

DAVID

JONATHAN

DAVID

JONATHAN

DAVID

[The commotion sounds again.]

JONATHAN

DAVID

JONATHAN

DAVID

JONATHAN

DAVID

JONATHAN

DAVID

JONATHAN

DAVID

JONATHAN

DAVID

JONATHAN

DAVID

JONATHAN

DAVID

[Enter Saul with Samuel; Soldiers with the spy; Ahinoam with Abner; and all the court in suppressed dread.]

SAUL

[The spy is thrust forward.]

[It is done.]

SPY

SAUL

SPY [In agony.]

SAUL

SPY

[General movement of uneasiness.]

SAUL

SPY

[A movement of horror.]

AHINOAM

A WOMAN

[She rushes frantically out.]

SAMUEL

SAUL

SAMUEL

SAUL

[A silence.]

SAMUEL

ABNER

SAMUEL

DOEG

DAVID

DOEG

ISHUI

JONATHAN

SAUL

DAVID

DOEG

SAMUEL

MICHAL [Behind the throng.]

[She enters.]

SAMUEL

MICHAL

DAVID [Joyously]

DOEG

ISHUI

MICHAL

MERAB

MICHAL

[A low tumult is heard without. Enter a Captain hurriedly.]

CAPTAIN

SAUL

CAPTAIN

DAVID

SAMUEL

SAUL

[To Abner]

[Saul goes; there is a murmur of relief. All except Michal follow, with various expressions of joy or hate toward David.]

DAVID

[She looks at him; struggles against tears, and turning, goes. David stands gazing sadly after her. Then a trumpet sounds, and soldiers shouting exultantly without, throng to the porch.]

DAVID [Thrilled; his hand on his sling]

[He goes, toward the soldiers.]

[CURTAIN.]

ACT II

SCENE: The royal tent of Saul pitched on one hill of the battle-field of Ephes-Dammin. The tent is of black embroidered with various warlike designs. To one side on a dais are the chairs of SAUL and AHINOAM; also DAVID’S harp. On the other side, toward the front, is a table with wine and wine cups. The tent wall is lifted along the back, revealing on the opposite hill, across a deep narrow valley, the routed camp of the Philistines: before it in gleaming brazen armor lies GOLIATH slain. Other hills beyond, and the sky above. By the wine table, her back to the battle-field, sits MERAB in cold anger. AHINOAM and several women look out in ecstasy toward DAVID, SAUL, JONATHAN and the army, returning victorious and shouting.

FIRST WOMAN

SECOND WOMAN

THIRD WOMAN

SECOND WOMAN

FIRST WOMAN

THIRD WOMAN

SECOND WOMAN

AHINOAM

[The women go rapturously. Ahinoam turns.]

MERAB

AHINOAM

MERAB

AHINOAM

MERAB

AHINOAM

MERAB

AHINOAM

MERAB

AHINOAM

MERAB

AHINOAM

MERAB

AHINOAM

[The tumult nears. Ahinoam goes to look out.]

[Doeg enters to Merab.]

DOEG [low]

MERAB

DOEG

MERAB

DOEG

[The tumult, nearer.]

[He watches her.]

MERAB

DOEG

MERAB

DOEG

MERAB

DOEG

MERAB

DOEG

MERAB

[He hands it to her. She dips the point of her dagger in it.]

DOEG

MERAB

DOEG

MERAB

DOEG

MERAB

DOEG

MERAB

[The tumult, near.]

[They go to look out. Shouts of “David!” “David!” arise, and a band of timbrel-players, dancing and singing, followed by a band of priests bearing the ark with its cherubim of gold, pass the tent opening. David, Saul, Jonathan, Ishui and the Court then enter amid acclamations; before them servants, bearing the head of Goliath on a charger under a napkin. Saul darkly mounts the throne with Ahinoam, to waving of palms and to praise.]

A WOMAN [breaking from the throng.]

[She kisses David’s hand.]

JONATHAN

DAVID

JONATHAN

THE PEOPLE

JONATHAN

DAVID

JONATHAN

[Loosing his robe and girdle.]

SAUL [Angered.]

AHINOAM

SAUL

JONATHAN

AHINOAM

SAUL

AHINOAM

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

DOEG [Derisively.]

DAVID

DOEG

DAVID

DOEG

[He turns away laughing.]

SAUL

DOEG

SAUL

A WOMAN [Without.]

DOEG

THE WOMAN

DOEG

DAVID [To Saul.]

SAUL

[He seizes a javelin.]

DAVID

JONATHAN

DAVID

[Saul’s hand drops.]

AHINOAM

JONATHAN

DAVID

[Saul, silent, rises slowly and goes, entreated of Jonathan. Many follow in doubt, whispering.]

DOEG [To David.]

DAVID

[Doeg goes, flushing,—and all follow, except Michal, and Merab, who moves cunningly forward as if incensed.]

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

[She draws her dagger and offers it to him.]

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

[He takes the dagger and makes as if to prick himself.]

MERAB

DAVID

[He searches her eyes.]

[He draws his own dagger, pricks his wrist with it, and hands it to her.]

MERAB

MICHAL

DAVID

[As she goes, stung with chagrin.]

[From looking after her, he turns toward Michal, and, sighing, slowly approaches her.]

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL [Struggling.]

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

[The tumult breaks again, afar.]

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

[He moves from her.]

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

[Judith glides suddenly in with a low laugh and kneels before David. Michal stands amazed.]

JUDITH [As if with amorous admiration.]

DAVID

JUDITH

DAVID

[She clasps and kisses him.]

JUDITH

DAVID

JUDITH

DAVID

[Judith obeys, laughing and shaking her timbrel.]

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

[A hand is seen at the tent. Ahinoam enters.]

AHINOAM

[Michal goes.]

DAVID

AHINOAM

DAVID

AHINOAM

DAVID

AHINOAM

DAVID

[He breaks off with a gesture of great desire, takes the harp and seats himself.]

AHINOAM

[David begins; a strain of wild sadness. Saul enters and with him Doeg, Ishui, Jonathan—others. He pauses, his hand to his brow, and goes slowly, enspelled of David’s playing, up the dais.]

AHINOAM

SAUL

DAVID

[With high sorrow.]

[Plays.]

[Plays.]

[Plays longer with bowed head.]

[Plays.]

[Plays.]

[Michal enters.]

[He plays to a close that dies in anguished silence.]

SAUL [Rising in tears]

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

[David starts toward him.]

MICHAL

DAVID

SAUL

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

[Murmurs of astonishment.]

SAUL

ISHUI

SAUL

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

[Nobly, before Saul.]

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

SAUL

DAVID

MERAB

DOEG

ISHUI

A VOICE [Without.]

SAUL [Choking.]

[He lifts a javelin.]

DAVID

[He avoids from side to side.]

[Goliath’s head overturned, rolls on the floor.]

SAUL

JONATHAN

[Saul flings the javelin.]

MICHAL [Reeling.]

JONATHAN

[Thrusts a sword on him.]

SAUL

[Seizes another javelin.]

DAVID [Aflame.]

[Saul trembling at the curse lets the javelin fall from his hand. David breaking through Doeg and Ishui escapes by the door. Michal sinks to her knees, her face buried in her hands.]

[CURTAIN.]

ACT III.

SCENE: A savage mountain-cliff in the wilderness of Engeddi. On either side gray crags rise rugged, sinking away precipitously across the back. Cut into each is a cave. The height is reached by clefts from all sides.

Between the crags to the East is the far blue of the Dead Sea; and still beyond, bathed in the waning afternoon, stretch the purple shores of Moab. During the act the scene grows crimson with sunset and a thunder-cloud rises over the sea.

Lying on a pallet of skins near the cliff’s verge, DAVID tosses feverishly. Three of his followers and a lad, who serves him, are gathered toward the front, ragged, hungry, and hunted, in altercation over a barley-cake.

DAVID

FIRST FOLLOWER

SECOND FOLLOWER

DAVID

THE LAD

[He goes. David sinks back.]

SECOND FOLLOWER [To First.]

FIRST FOLLOWER

SECOND FOLLOWER

FIRST FOLLOWER

SECOND FOLLOWER

FIRST FOLLOWER

THIRD FOLLOWER

FIRST FOLLOWER

THIRD FOLLOWER

[David stirs to rise.]

FIRST FOLLOWER

THIRD FOLLOWER

SECOND FOLLOWER

THIRD FOLLOWER

DAVID [Sufferingly]

[They are silent.]

THIRD FOLLOWER

DAVID

THIRD FOLLOWER

DAVID

THIRD FOLLOWER

DAVID

THIRD FOLLOWER

DAVID

[He looses a bracelet from his arm.]

[Gives it to Third Follower, who goes.]

[Gives it to First Follower, who goes.]

SECOND FOLLOWER

DAVID

SECOND FOLLOWER

DAVID

SECOND FOLLOWER

DAVID

SECOND FOLLOWER

DAVID

SECOND FOLLOWER

DAVID

[The Second Follower falters, then goes.]

[He moves up the cliff, gazes sadly away, then kneels by a stone, as to pray.]

[He bows his head. Michal in rags that disguise, enters with the Lad, unseen.]

[He goes slowly into the cave, Right.]

MICHAL

LAD

MICHAL

LAD

MICHAL

LAD

[David plays within.]

MICHAL

LAD

MICHAL

LAD

[He sets down the water-skin and goes.]

MICHAL [Delaying, then in a loud voice.]

[Conceals her face in her hair.]

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID [Appearing.]

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

[A moment; then a jackal’s cry shrills to them. David starts.]

[She goes. He springs to look down the cliff.]

[He watches, then turns to meet them. They enter—Abiathar with bloody ephod and broken breastplate—and sink in panting exhaustion.]

ABIATHAR

DAVID

[He brings the water-skin. They drain it fiercely.]

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

[A pause.]

DAVID [Hoarsely.]

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

[He stands motionless.]

DAVID [Gently.]

ABIATHAR

[David struggles for control.]

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

[Looking up he falters, breaks off, and is strangely moved at something beheld.]

ABIATHAR

ABISHAI

ABIATHAR

[David points. They look up.]

ABIATHAR

ABISHAI

ABIATHAR

ABISHAI

DAVID

[The bird, an arrow through it, drops in throes at their feet.]

[He bends over it, then quickly back.]

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

[Abishai with the water-skin hastens into the cave, Right. David and Abiathar stand listening. Noise of approach is heard.]

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

[They follow into the cave. Hardly have they done so when at a shout, Saul, bloodthirsty, with Doeg, Abner, Ishui, and soldiers, pour in from all sides, with drawn weapons.]

SAUL

SOLDIER

SAUL

SOLDIER

SAUL

SOLDIER

SAUL

[To a Soldier re-entering fearfully from the other cave.]

SOLDIER

SAUL

[Into one cave, then another he rushes, then out among them furious.]

[All begin to crowd out, overawed, but Doeg and Abner.]

[Slowly he moves into the cave, Left, and lies down.]

ABNER

[To Doeg, significantly.] The evil spirit.

DOEG

ABNER

DOEG

ABNER

DOEG

ABNER

[Goes to Saul’s cave and returns.]

[Turning they encounter Michal entering, still disguised. She quails.]

MICHAL

DOEG

MICHAL

[She goes quickly; then they. A space. Then she returns trembling, fearful.]

[Searching, she approaches the cave where Saul lies, but recoils terrified.]

[Confused she flees, as scuffling is heard, and Abishai and Abiathar, struggling with David, appear.]

DAVID

ABIATHAR

[Merab, veiled, enters behind them.]

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

[Searching, he faces—and beholds Merab. His look grows to coldness.]

MERAB

DAVID

[He motions Abiathar and Abishai aside.]

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

[Abiathar discovers Saul.]

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

[She laughs shrilly.]

DAVID

MERAB

[David shrinks.]

[She laughs more bitterly.]

[She goes. David slowly lifts his hand to his brow in heavy pain. Abiathar—and soon Abishai—abruptly descends from the cave to him.]

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

[His sword quickly out, struggling.]

[Flings the sword down, anguished.]

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

[Silently he puts them aside, takes up the sword, and slowly goes into Saul’s cave.]

ABISHAI

[Michal enters unseen.]

ABIATHAR

ABISHAI

MICHAL [To them.]

[David, haggard, with drawn sword and a piece of Saul’s cloak in his hand, re-enters from the cave. He sees Michal, pauses, and gazes upon her, as she on him, with rising emotion.]

MICHAL [Inarticulate. Then.]

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

[Growing frenzied.]

MICHAL

DAVID

[Flinging the piece of Saul’s cloak at her feet.]

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

[In agony he goes, Abiathar and Abishai after. Michal stands gazing fearlessly before her, as Saul, awakened, slowly comes from the mouth of the cave down toward her.]

[CURTAIN.]

ACT IV.

SCENE: The House of MIRIAM, the “Witch of Endor,” by Mount Gilboa—where Saul is encamped against the Philistines. It is of one story, built rectangularly about an inner court, which is dimly lighted.

Under the gallery which ranges around the court are doors leading to the sleeping and other apartments; before one of these, a lattice. On the left is the gate opening to the street. In the back to one side, the teraphim, or image of divination; on the other side a stairway mounts to the roof. Above is the night, and vague lightning amid a moan of wind. During the act comes dawn.

Forward on a divan sits MIRIAM alone, in blind restlessness.

MIRIAM

[The wind passes. Adah enters from a chamber, rubbing her eyes.]

ADAH

MIRIAM

ADAH

MIRIAM

ADAH

MIRIAM

ADAH

MIRIAM

ADAH

[A knock at the gate. They start up fearful.]

MIRIAM

DAVID [Without.]

MIRIAM

[Breathless she opens the gate. David and Abiathar enter cloaked.]

DAVID

MIRIAM

DAVID

MIRIAM

DAVID

MIRIAM

DAVID

MIRIAM

DAVID

MIRIAM

DAVID

MIRIAM

DAVID

MIRIAM

DAVID

MIRIAM

DAVID

SAUL [Calls.]

MIRIAM

SAUL

[David and Abiathar conceal themselves behind the lattice. The knocking, hastier.]

MIRIAM

SAUL

MIRIAM

SAUL

MIRIAM

SAUL

[She opens the gate. Adah cowers down. Saul, Ishui, and Adriel enter.]

MIRIAM

SAUL

MIRIAM

SAUL

MIRIAM

SAUL

MIRIAM

SAUL

MIRIAM

SAUL

MIRIAM

SAUL

MIRIAM

SAUL

MIRIAM

[Turning towards the teraphim amid wind and pallid lightning, and prostrating herself before it.]

[She waits. Only the gust. Then springing up and stretching wide her arms with wild, blind eyes.]

[An elemental cry is heard. Then vast wavering forms rise out of the earth, in continuous stream. Miriam, with a long curdling shriek, sinks moaning to her knees.]

SAUL

[The spirit of Samuel begins to take shape through the phantoms.]

MIRIAM

SAUL

MIRIAM

SAUL

[He falls heavily to the ground.]

SAMUEL

SAUL

SAMUEL

DAVID [In horror.]

ISHUI

SAMUEL

[The spirit of Samuel disappears. A wail of wind.]

ADRIEL

ISHUI

SAUL

[Ishui goes.]

[Frenzied he goes. A silence.]

DAVID

[Adriel goes.]

MIRIAM

[A faint uproar begins afar; and dawn.]

DAVID

[Adah opens the gate. Abiathar goes.]

ADAH

DAVID

ADAH

DAVID

ADAH

DAVID

[Merab throws open the gate and enters.]

ADAH

MERAB

[She sees David and shrinks.]

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

DAVID

MERAB

[The tumult again.]

DAVID

[He bows his head. A stir comes at the gate.]

MERAB

ADRIEL

DAVID

MERAB

[David throws a cloak over his face. Adah obeys. Adriel enters, and Doeg, who pauses in quick alarm, as David goes between him and the gate.]

DOEG

DAVID

[He throws off his cloak.]

DOEG

DAVID

DOEG

DAVID

DOEG

DAVID

DOEG

[Breaks off with low laugh.]

DAVID

DOEG

DAVID

[Immovable, then repressed.]

MIRIAM

DAVID

MIRIAM

[All listen amazed.]

DOEG

[Lunges at her.]

DAVID

[Miriam finds her way out.]

[Drawing firmly, he coldly, skilfully approaches for attack.]

DOEG

DAVID

[He rushes in, they engage. Doeg is wounded, recovers, defends furiously, then is disarmed and forced under.]

[The gate opens and Abiathar hurries in.]

ABIATHAR

[He sees Doeg and stops.]

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

[Abiathar sullenly sheathes his weapon and binds Doeg. A dim panic is heard afar, and a lament without. David, who has sunk to a seat, springs anxiously up.]

THE VOICE

DAVID

THE VOICE

DAVID

THE VOICE

DAVID

ABIATHAR

DAVID

ADRIEL

ABIATHAR

ADRIEL

[Miriam enters leading Michal. A moment’s suspense.]

MERAB

ADRIEL

MERAB

MIRIAM

MICHAL [Pleading to him.]

MIRIAM

MICHAL

DAVID

ADRIEL

[They go out the gate. David stands speechless.]

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

DAVID

[A great joy dawning in him.]

[Goes toward her.]

MICHAL

DAVID

MICHAL

[She sinks into his arms, and there is a pause. But a sudden confusion of cries is heard and they start apart. The gate is flung back and Adriel enters, shaken with awe. He looks from one to the other, silent.]

DAVID [At last.]

ADRIEL

MICHAL

ADRIEL

DAVID

ADRIEL

MICHAL

DAVID

[The wailing again without, and deeper groans.]

[He bows his head in tears.]

[With lifted arm, deeply moved.]

[Michal goes to him and takes his hand. He folds her in his arms.]

[Slowly they climb the stair to the house-top. At they look away toward the battle’s rout the clouds part, and the full brightness of the sun breaks over them.]

[CURTAIN.]