David: A Tragedy

ACT III. 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 See, see, at last! SECOND WOMAN They come! THIRD WOMAN An avalanche. Over the brook and bright amid hosannas! SECOND WOMAN And now amid the rushes! FIRST WOMAN And the servants! Goliath’s head high-borne upon a charger! The rocks that cry reverberant and vast! The people and the palms! THIRD WOMAN Yea all the branches Torn from the trees! The waving of them—O! SECOND WOMAN And David, see! triumphant, calm, between The king and Jonathan!… His glory All the wild generations of the wind Ever shall utter! Hear them— [ The tumult ascends afar ] David! David! A sea of shouting!— O queen! AHINOAM You yearn for it? Then go and lave you in this tide of joy. [ The women go rapturously. Ahinoam turns. ] MERAB Mother! AHINOAM My daughter? MERAB Well? AHINOAM They all are gone. MERAB And Michal, where? AHINOAM I do not know, my child. MERAB Why did my father pledge her to him! you Not hindering! AHINOAM She is your sister. You Are pledged to Adriel. MERAB And as a slave! And if I do not love him there is—riches! If he is Sodom-bitter to me—riches! AHINOAM But for the kingdom. MERAB For my torture! What Kingdom is to a woman as her love! AHINOAM And David still enthralls you? MERAB Though he never Sought me with any murmur or desire! Though he is Michal’s for Goliath’s death! Michal’s to-day, unless— AHINOAM Merab, a care! Too near in you were ever love and hate. [ The tumult nears. Ahinoam goes to look out. ] [ Doeg enters to Merab . ] DOEG [ low ] News, Merab! MERAB Well—? DOEG A triumph o’er him, yet! The king is worn, as a leopard pent, between Wonder of David and quick jealousy Because of praise this whelming of Goliath Wakes in the people. MERAB Then? the triumph? DOEG This. [ The tumult, nearer. ] I’ve skilfully disposed the women To coldly sing of Saul, but of our David With lavish of ecstasy as to a king. [ He watches her. ] MERAB Then I will praise him. DOEG David? you? MERAB As he Was never—and shall never be again,— DOEG But— MERAB Give me the phial. DOEG The poison? MERAB Come; At once! DOEG What will you do? MERAB At once with it! [ He hands it to her. She dips the point of her dagger in it. ] DOEG To stab him MERAB As any fool? Wait.—And the rest now, quick. This timbrel-player, Judith? DOEG She is ready And ravishing! MERAB Well, well; then—? DOEG We will send her Sudden, as Michal is alone with David, To seize him with insinuative kisses, And arms that wind as they were wonted to him. Michal once jealous—and already I Have sowed suspicions— MERAB Will—? yes—? DOEG On him burst [ laughs ] And as a fury. MERAB May it be their rending! [ The tumult, near. ] Come, we must see. [ 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 .] Our little ones are saved! hosannah! joy! [ She kisses David’s hand. ] JONATHAN Woman, thy tongue should know an angel-word, Or seraph-syllables new-sung to God! Earth has not any rapture well for this! David, my brother! DAVID Jonathan, my friend! While life has any love, know mine for you. JONATHAN Then am I friended as no man was ever! And though my soul were morning wide it were Helpless to hold my wonder and delight! O people, look upon him! THE PEOPLE David! David! JONATHAN Never before in Israel rose beauty Up to this glory! DAVID Jonathan, nay— JONATHAN Never! [ Loosing his robe and girdle. ] Therefore I pour him splendor passionate. In gold and purple, this my own, I clothe him. David, my brother! SAUL [ Angered. ] Brother! AHINOAM Saul? SAUL Thou fool! JONATHAN Father? AHINOAM My lord? SAUL Thou full-of-lauding fool! Of breath and ravishment unceasing! AHINOAM Saul! SAUL Is it not praise enough, has he not reached The skies on it! DAVID O king, my lord— SAUL Had Saul Ever so rich a rapture from his son? Ever this worshipping of utterance? DAVID My lord, my lord, this should not fret you. DOEG [ Derisively. ] Nay! DAVID ’Tis only that the soul of Jonathan, Brimmed by the Philistines with bitterness, Sudden is joy and overfloweth— DOEG Fast— DAVID Upon his friend, thy servant, David. DOEG Aie! [ He turns away laughing. ] SAUL Why do you laugh? DOEG “Thy servant David!” SAUL Why! A WOMAN [ Without. ] King Saul has slain his thousands! DOEG “Why,” my lord? THE WOMAN But David his ten thousands! DOEG Do you hear? King Saul has slain his thousands, David ten! Thy servant is he? servant? DAVID [ To Saul. ] Shall thy sceptre Be wielded by this venom-word, as is A weed under the wind? SAUL ’Tis overmuch! I’ll burst all bond of priest or prophecy. Nor cringe to threatening and fondle fear. [ He seizes a javelin. ] I’ll smite where’er I will. DAVID No! JONATHAN Father! DAVID Shall A rapid palsy now come on thy hand, Awful and sceptre-ruined lord of men? An impotence, a shriveling to fear, Avenging ere thou shed offenceless blood? [ Saul’s hand drops. ] Is this thy love, the love of Saul the king? Who once was kindlier than kindest are. For but a woman’s wantonness of word And idle air, my life? AHINOAM Saul, Saul—! JONATHAN The shame! DAVID Some enemy—does Doeg curve his lip?— Hath put into her mouth this stratagem Of fevered false-impassioned overpraise. [ Saul , silent, rises slowly and goes, entreated of Jonathan . Many follow in doubt, whispering. ] DOEG [ To David . ] This is not all, boy out of Bethlehem. Goliath’s dead— DAVID But not all villainy? [ Doeg goes, flushing,—and all follow, except Michal , and Merab , who moves cunningly forward as if incensed. ] MERAB I burn for it! DAVID For what, and suddenly? MERAB My father so ungenerously wroth! And wrought away from recompense so right; Can you forgive him? DAVID Merab?… MERAB Is it strange That even I now ask it? DAVID Merab’s self? MERAB Herself and not to-day your friend; but now Conquered to exaltation and aglow To wreathe you for this might to Israel, Beautiful, unbelievable and bright! Noble the dawn of it within your dream, Noble the lightning of it in your arm, And noble in your veins the fearless flow And dare of blood!—so noble that I ask As a remembrance and bequest forever, In priceless covenant of peace between us, A drop of it— [ She draws her dagger and offers it to him. ] Upon this sacred blade. DAVID Such kindness, in all honor? MERAB Poor requital To one whose greatness humbles me from hate. DAVID Then of my veins whatever drop you will, Were it the very dwelling of my soul. [ He takes the dagger and makes as if to prick himself. ] Ah, but you do not mock me? MERAB Rather upon Its edge one vein of you—than priceless nard. DAVID And perfume out of India jewel poured? [ He searches her eyes. ] Or than—I may believe?—a miracle Of dew, were you a traveller and lost Upon the illimitable desert’s thirst? Or than— [ He draws his own dagger, pricks his wrist with it, and hands it to her. ] than this? MERAB Shepherd! Treachery, then? Under a sham of tribute, poison? MICHAL Poison? DAVID And I of vanity should prick it in? I a mere shepherd innocent of wile! A singer music-maudled and no more. [ As she goes, stung with chagrin. ] The daughter of king Saul has yet to learn. [ From looking after her, he turns toward Michal , and, sighing, slowly approaches her. ] The vaunting of this victory is done. We are alone at last. MICHAL Yes. DAVID That is all? For Israel I’ve wrought to-day, for you Who were about me, in me, as a mist Of armed mighty angels triumphing. MICHAL Yes? It was well. DAVID To you no more? to you Whom not a slave can serve unhonored? MICHAL [ Struggling. ] Nothing. DAVID Empty of glow then seems it, impotent, A shrivelled hallowing.… Ashes of ecstasy that burned in vain. MICHAL No, no! I— DAVID Michal? MICHAL No, divine it was! And had I cried my praise the ground had broke To Eden under me with blossoming. Where was so wonderful a deed as this, So fair a springing of salvation up! Glory above star-soaring could I seize, Auras of dawn and loveliness unfading, To crown you with and crown! DAVID O lips! MICHAL With but A sling, a shepherd’s sling, you sped the brook, Drew from its bed a stone, and up the hill Where the great Philistine contemning cried, Mounted and flung it deep upon his brain! DAVID This is the victory and not his death! Tell, tell thy joy with kisses on my lips! Thy mouth! thy arms! thy breast! MICHAL No no! DAVID Thy soul! Too much of waiting and of severance! Of dread and distance and the deep of doubt. Now must I fold you, falter all my love And triumph on your senses till they burn Beautiful to eternity with bliss. MICHAL Loose, loose me! DAVID Nay, again! immortal kisses! MICHAL A frenzy, ’tis a frenzy! From me! see! This irremediable victory Over Goliath severs us the more. [ The tumult breaks again, afar. ] Hear how the people lift you limitless! Almost, to-day, and in my father’s room They would that you were king. DAVID But ere to-morrow Dim shall I be, and ere the harvest bend Less than a gleam in their forgotten peril! MICHAL O were it, were it! But all silently Jehovah fast is beckoning the realm Into thy hands. DAVID Then futile to resist The gliding on of firm divinity. And yet whatever may be shall be done. MICHAL All, all? DAVID That for thee reverently may. MICHAL The anointing, then— DAVID Of that!… not that! MICHAL Yet grant It may be told my father; that I may Say to him all the secret! DAVID And provoke Murder in him, insatiable though I fled upon the wilderness and famine? MICHAL He would not! DAVID Nay. MICHAL I’ll plead with him. DAVID In vain! MICHAL Then [ coldly ] it is as I thought. DAVID You are distraught. MICHAL This stroke to-day [ pointing to Goliath’s head ] no love of me had in it. DAVID A love, a passion fervid thro’ me as The tread and tremble of immortal song Along the infinite. MICHAL You use me! DAVID Use? MICHAL A step to rise and riot in ambition! DAVID So bitter are you, blind? MICHAL It was a trick! You snared me to you. DAVID Michal! MICHAL Cunningly With Samuel netted fears about my father Till I am paltrily unto you pledged. DAVID Enough. MICHAL Too much. DAVID No more; the pledge I fling Out of my heart, as ’twere enchantment dead. And free you; but, no more. [ He moves from her. ] MICHAL As if it were Enchantment dead. Ah, then ’tis true—there is Another—is another! DAVID Now what fever? A gentleness clad once your every grace. MICHAL There is some other that you lure and love. DAVID It is not Michal speaking; so I wait. MICHAL Then— [ Judith glides suddenly in with a low laugh and kneels before David . Michal stands amazed. ] JUDITH [ As if with amorous admiration. ] Brave, it was brave, my love! beauteous! brave! DAVID Woman? JUDITH The Philistine, a brazen tower, A bastion of strength fell to the earth! DAVID Woman, who are you? [ She clasps and kisses him. ] Take away your flesh. [ Free ] Take it away, the heat and myrrh of it. JUDITH So cold? DAVID Away. JUDITH And ’tis no longer fair? [ Wantonly ] Oh! Ah! I understand! the princess?— DAVID Go. [ Judith obeys, laughing and shaking her timbrel. ] MICHAL A dancer then, a very timbrel player! DAVID Until this hour I never looked upon her. It is chicanery of chance or craft. You who are noble, though in doubt adrift, Be noble now! MICHAL And loving? O, I will— Now that I know what should be done. Be sure. DAVID You mean, that Saul?—you would not, no! MICHAL Rest sure. [ A hand is seen at the tent. Ahinoam enters. ] AHINOAM David, the king—But what is this? [ Michal goes. ] DAVID O queen— It is but life. AHINOAM Nay. DAVID Life that ever strings Our hearts, so pitifully prone for it, To ecstasy—then snaps. AHINOAM I love thee, David. DAVID Then gracious be, and question here no more. Where words are futile for an utterance. But of the king—the king? AHINOAM He’s driven still. And hither comes, and soon, and must be calmed. Thy harp take, winds of beauty from it bring, And consolation—as of valley-eves When there is ebb of sorrow and of toil, O could you heal him and forever heal. DAVID Then would I be—! [ He breaks off with a gesture of great desire, takes the harp and seats himself. ] AHINOAM At once, for he will come. [ 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 My lord, shall David sing—to ease us? SAUL Let him. DAVID [ With high sorrow. ] O heart of woe, Heart of unrest and broken as a reed! [ Plays. ] O heart whose flow Is anguish and all the bitterness of need! [ Plays. ] O heart as a roe, Heart as a hind upon the mountain fleeing The arrow-wounds of being, Be still, O heart, and rest and do not bleed! [ Plays longer with bowed head. ] O days of life, Days that are driven swift and wild from the womb! [ Plays. ] O days so rife— Days that are torn of trouble, trod of doom! [ Plays. ] [ Michal enters. ] O days of strife, Days of desire on deserts spread unending, The burning blue o’erbending, O days, our peace, our victory is the tomb! [ He plays to a close that dies in anguished silence. ] SAUL [ Rising in tears ] David! DAVID My lord? SAUL Thy breathing! beauteous! Stilling to sorrow! O my friend, my son! DAVID To me is this? I dream it not? The king Again is kind and soft his spirit moves? SAUL To you! DAVID How shelter o’er me then will spring And safety covering! SAUL It ever shall. Loveliest have you been among my days, And singing weary madness from my brain. [ David starts toward him. ] How I have wronged thee! MICHAL Wronged him? [ In fury. ] DAVID Michal! SAUL Girl? MICHAL You have not wronged him! DAVID Michal! MICHAL No, but he Is jeopardy and fate about you! drive Him from you utterly and now away! [ Murmurs of astonishment. ] SAUL What mean you? ISHUI Speak. SAUL What mean you? MICHAL This! DAVID No word! MICHAL I’ll not be kept— DAVID But shall be; for to tell Would rend silence forever from you—pale Your flesh with haunting of it evermore! All, all your being would become a hiss. A memory of syllables that sear, A living iteration of remorse. I—I myself will save your lips the words Of this betrayal leaping from your heart. [ Nobly, before Saul. ] You seek, my lord, you seek whom Samuel Anointed. SAUL Yes. DAVID Then know that it is I. SAUL ’Tis—? DAVID I. SAUL You! DAVID I. And guiltless I, no other. I, though I sought it not and suffer, though I would it had not come and fast am sworn Never against you to lift up— MERAB Hear, hear! Now he will cozen! DOEG He, “thy servant!” ISHUI Hear! A VOICE [ Without. ] A thousand Saul hath slain! But David ten! SAUL [ Choking. ] Omnipotence shall not withhold me more. [ He lifts a javelin. ] DAVID Murderous king afoam with murder-heat! [ He avoids from side to side. ] Monarch of misery—of might—of rage So fell that lightning were not dread enough Were it thy bolt! To-day you will destroy me? [ Goliath’s head overturned, rolls on the floor. ] Upon this day will slay me innocent? SAUL Die, die! JONATHAN No, father, hold! [ Saul flings the javelin. ] MICHAL [ Reeling. ] What have I done? JONATHAN David, unhurt? Away, the wilderness. [ Thrusts a sword on him. ] SAUL He shall not! no. [ Seizes another javelin. ] DAVID [ Aflame. ] Then, king of Israel, strike! Strike me to darkness and the waiting worm! Into the Pit and to the hopeless gloom. But, after, be your every breathing blood, Remorse and riving bitterness and fear, Be guilt and all the hideous choke of horror! [ 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 Water! the fever fills me, and I thirst. Water! FIRST FOLLOWER Listen. SECOND FOLLOWER He calls. DAVID Water! I thirst. THE LAD Yes, yes, my lord. [ Takes up a water-skin. ] Ah, empty, not a quaff! They’ve drunk it all from him! My lord, none’s left. I’ll run and in the valley brim it soon. [ He goes. David sinks back. ] SECOND FOLLOWER [ To First . ] You drank it then. FIRST FOLLOWER And should I thirst, not he? Give me the bread. SECOND FOLLOWER If it would strangle you. FIRST FOLLOWER I’ll have it. SECOND FOLLOWER Or betray him? spitingly? It is the last. Already you have eat. And we are here within a wilderness. FIRST FOLLOWER Be it, but I’ll not starve. THIRD FOLLOWER He utters right. Why should we but to follow a mere shepherd Famish and o’er a hundred desert hills? The prophecy portending him the throne— Folly, not fate! though it is Samuel’s. I’ll trust in it no more. FIRST FOLLOWER Nor I. THIRD FOLLOWER And Saul Has driven us from waste to waste—pressed us Even unto the Philistines for shelter, And now unto this crag. And is not David’s Thought but of Michal, not of smiting him And, with a host, of leaping to the kingdom? [ David stirs to rise. ] FIRST FOLLOWER He moves; peace! THIRD FOLLOWER Let him. SECOND FOLLOWER Peace. THIRD FOLLOWER And fawning too? DAVID [Sufferingly] Men—men, we must have news. Perpetual, Implacable they stare unto each other. This rock and stony sky. [ Rises and comes down to them. ] We must have news. [ They are silent. ] Longer is death. ’Tis overmany days Of sighing and remembered verdancy; Nor any dew or upward odor comes. Who will go now and bring us word of Saul? THIRD FOLLOWER Have not Abishai, Abiathar, And others gone? DAVID Bravely. THIRD FOLLOWER And none returned! DAVID Not one of all. THIRD FOLLOWER Well, then, we are not swine, And life’s but once. DAVID So——? THIRD FOLLOWER We will follow you No longer hungered and rewarded never, But perilously ever. DAVID It is well. [ He looses a bracelet from his arm. ] This was a gift from Saul. In it is ease. [ Gives it to Third Follower , who goes. ] This ring was Jonathan’s. The jewel tells Still of the sunny haven of his heart. Upon my hand he pressed it—the day we leapt Deeper than friends into each other’s love. [ Gives it to First Follower , who goes. ] This chain—— SECOND FOLLOWER I want it not. DAVID You have not thought; ’Tis riches—such as Sidon marts and Tyre Would covet. SECOND FOLLOWER I care not. DAVID None else is left. SECOND FOLLOWER No matter. DAVID Then——? SECOND FOLLOWER There was of Gibeah A woman—dear to me. Her face at night Weeping among my dreams.… The prophecy Is unfulfilled, and vain! DAVID And you would go? SECOND FOLLOWER The suffering—this cliff. DAVID I understand, [ Motions. ] So, without any blame, and to content. [ The Second Follower falters, then goes. ] [ Quietly. ] A desolation left, of rock and air, Of barren sea and bitterness as vast. Thou hast bereft me, Saul! thou hast bereft! [ He moves up the cliff, gazes sadly away, then kneels by a stone, as to pray. ] My flesh cries for oblivion—to sink Unwaking away into the Night … where is No tears, but only tides of sleep.… No, crieth Not for Oblivion and Night, but for Rage and revenge! Saul! Saul!… My spirit, peace. As pants the heart for the water-brook, so I! [ He bows his head. Michal in rags that disguise, enters with the Lad , unseen. ] Her lips it was that hurled me unto this! Yet, yet not violence on him and blood! I must revenge’s call within me quell, Though righteously it quivers and aflame. [ He goes slowly into the cave, Right. ] MICHAL This is the place, then, this? LAD Yes, princess. MICHAL Here So long in want and sickness he hath hid? Under the livid day and lonelier night! LAD I brought him water, often. MICHAL Little lad! But he has heard no word from me—not how My father, Saul, frantic of my repentance, Had unto Phalti, a new lord, betrothed me? How then I fled to win unto these wilds? LAD He heard not anything—only the tales I told of Moab, my own land. [ David plays within. ] But oh! It is his harp. MICHAL And strains that weep o’er me!… I’ll speak to him … and yet must be unknown! A leper? as a leper could I…? LAD Why Must he not know you? MICHAL Ask me not, lad, now; But go a little. LAD Yes. [ He sets down the water-skin and goes. ] MICHAL [ Delaying, then in a loud voice. ] Unclean! Unclean! [ Conceals her face in her hair. ] DAVID Who crieth here? MICHAL Unclean! DAVID [ Appearing. ] Who cries unclean? Poor leper in these wilds, who art thou? MICHAL One Outcast and faint, forlorn! DAVID Then you have come To one more bitter outcast than yourself, One who has less than this lone void to give, This sterile solitude and sun, this scene Of leaden desolation that makes mad. Who has no ease but cave or shading rock, Or the still moon, or stars that glide the night. One over whom—— MICHAL Yet, pity! DAVID The pale hours Flow dead into eternity. MICHAL Ah, yet…! DAVID My cloak, then, for thy tattered limbs. Or, no— This chain of Ophir for thy every need. Once was it dear, but should be so no more. [ Flinging it to her. ] Have it, and with it vanish memory Out of my breast—— MICHAL No, no. DAVID And from me fall Link upon link her loveliness that bound. MICHAL Oh, do not! DAVID Woman…? MICHAL Nothing. A chain like this I once beheld wind undulantly bright O’er Michal, the king’s daughter. DAVID Woman, the king’s? MICHAL Pity! DAVID Who are you? MICHAL Stay! Unclean! DAVID A spy? A spy of Saul and hypocrite have crept Hither to learn…? MICHAL Have heed—unclean! DAVID How then Wandering come you here? MICHAL Unclean! Unclean! DAVID My brain is overfull of fever, mad. Almost and I had touched thy peril, held Thy hideous contagion. MICHAL Wrong! DAVID Then who Art thou to know and speak of her, of Michal? MICHAL One who has served the king. DAVID And you have seen Michal, you have beheld her? MICHAL Once, when she In face was fairer and in heart than now They say she is. DAVID And heard her speak? MICHAL A night Under the leaves of Gibeah—when she Sang with another—David. DAVID Say no more. MICHAL And from afar, under the moon, blew faint The treading of the wine-presses with song. David she loved, but anger-torn betrayed, Unworthy of him. DAVID Speak of her no more, Nor of her cruelty, unless to pray He she has ruined may forget her. MICHAL Yet If deep she should repent——? DAVID Leper, no more. [ A moment; then a jackal’s cry shrills to them. David starts. ] The signal. [ He listens. ] Thrice repeated? Word at last? [ To Michal. ] He who is near may prove to thee less kind. [ She goes. He springs to look down the cliff. ] Abishai? Abiathar? It is! But staggering and wounded? breathless? torn? [ He watches, then turns to meet them. They enter— Abiathar with bloody ephod and broken breastplate—and sink in panting exhaustion. ] Abishai, what is it that you bring? Abiathar, up! answer! ABIATHAR Water! DAVID Up! [ He brings the water-skin. They drain it fiercely. ] What is it now so fevered from you stares And breathing too abhorrence? Gasp it out. ABIATHAR I stifle—in a universe—he still— Has breath in. DAVID Saul? ABIATHAR I’ll scathe him! Scorpions Of terror and remorse sting in his soul! DAVID If you have tidings, not in words so wild. ABIATHAR Then ask and hate shall calm me. DAVID Ask? ABIATHAR On, on! Seek if he lives! DAVID Who? ABIATHAR Seek if prophecy Founts yet in Judah! DAVID Samuel…? ABIATHAR Is dead!… Dead—and of tidings more calamitous. [ A pause. ] DAVID [ Hoarsely. ] Tell on. I hear. ABIATHAR Saul gloating to believe The priests, assembled sacredly at Nob, Plotted assisting you, hath had them—— DAVID No…! ABIATHAR Slain at the hands of Doeg—murdered, all! DAVID But he—your father? ABIATHAR Was among them; fell. [ He stands motionless. ] DAVID [ Gently. ] Abiathar, my friend!… Appeaseless Saul! ABIATHAR Hear all, hear all! Thy father, too, and mother, Even thy kindred, out of Israel Are driven into Moab; and this king, Delirious still for blood as desert pard, With Merab, whelp of him, and many armed, Is near us now—aquiver at Engeddi For your destruction: [ David struggles for control. ] And yet you will not strike. DAVID [ Low. ] No, but of Michal, tell me good at once, Lest unendurable this lot, I may— and mount o’er every oath into revenge. ABIATHAR Ha—Michal! DAVID She withholds her father’s wrath? ABIATHAR She’s well. DAVID Not if you say no more. ABIATHAR I know Nothing of her. DAVID Your look belies. ABIATHAR Perhaps: As did her love. DAVID That is for me. ABIATHAR Well, what? A woman who betrays? DAVID Speak, not evade; And judge her when earth has no mystery. ABIATHAR Then from your craving put her—wide; she is Unworthy any tremor of your veins. DAVID Dawn-lilies under dew are then unworthy, And nesting doves are horrible to heaven. I will not so believe. Your reason…! ABIATHAR Saul Has given her—and she will wed him, aye— To Phalti, a new lord. DAVID Untrue of her! ABIATHAR Cry. Yet you will believe it. DAVID Not until The verdant parable of spring is hushed Ever of bloom, to prove it. Never till Hermon is swung into the sea! until The last void of the everlasting sky—— [ Looking up he falters, breaks off, and is strangely moved at something beheld. ] ABIATHAR What, what alarm? ABISHAI What stare you on? ABIATHAR He’s mad? [ David points. They look up. ] ABIATHAR An eaglet!… ABISHAI Eaglet? ABIATHAR Pierct! ABISHAI Pierct?… DAVID Falling here. And beating against death unbuoyantly. [ The bird, an arrow through it, drops in throes at their feet. ] A destiny, a fate in this is hidden! [ He bends over it, then quickly back. ] ABIATHAR A destiny, how, how? DAVID The arrow!—His! His, and no other’s. Quick, then, no delay. ABIATHAR Be clear, clearer. DAVID We are discovered—near On us is death. Open the secret chamber Within the cave, for from the bow of Saul Is yonder bleeding—from no other. ABIATHAR Saul’s? But how, was any here? DAVID To-day, to-day. A leper wandering. ABIATHAR We are betrayed. [ Abishai with the water-skin hastens into the cave, Right. David and Abiathar stand listening. Noise of approach is heard. ] DAVID They near. ABIATHAR And many. DAVID King of Israel! Inexorable! ABIATHAR O, rebuke him, do! DAVID Almost I am beyond this tolerance. ABIATHAR In truth. Therefore it is you rise and shake Out of his power the sceptre! DAVID Tempt me not! Mercy and memory almost are dead, And craving birth in me is fateful ire. [ 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 On, to him! search the caves! In, in, and bring Him to my sword, and Michal with him. [ Pacing terrible the while. ] They Shall couch upon eternity and dust. [ Weakly. ] I am the king, and Israel is mine.… I’ll sleep upon their grave—I’ll sleep upon it, And hear the worm…! [ To a Soldier re-entering from one cave. ] Where is he? Bring him. SOLDIER O King—— SAUL You’ve slain him and you tremble! Say it. SOLDIER No. SAUL Then hither with him; hither! SOLDIER He’s not here. SAUL A treachery! You cunningly contrive To aid him, so.… [ To a Soldier re-entering fearfully from the other cave. ] Bring me his head. SOLDIER My lord, He is not there. SAUL I tell you it is lies— Because you deem that he shall be the king And treasure up reward and amnesty. [ Into one cave, then another he rushes, then out among them furious. ] From me, ill-fruited ineffectual herd! Away from me, he’s fled and none of you Is servant and will find and for me seize him! From me—I’ll sleep—I’ll rest—and then— [ All begin to crowd out, overawed, but Doeg and Abner. ] I’ll sleep. [ Slowly he moves into the cave, Left, and lies down. ] ABNER [ To Doeg , significantly. ] The evil spirit. DOEG Yes; is on him swift As never before, and as a drunkenness. ABNER Then, safe to leave him? DOEG Will he brook denial? ABNER And Merab, too, will soon be here. DOEG Well, come. ABNER I’ll go and look upon him. [ Goes to Saul’s cave and returns. ] Already he sleeps. [ Turning they encounter Michal entering, still disguised. She quails. ] Woman, who are you, who? MICHAL Unclean! away! DOEG Unclean? a leper? in this place? Are there No stones to stone you? Hence! And had I not A brother such as thou—— MICHAL Pity! Unclean! [ She goes quickly; then they. A space. Then she returns trembling, fearful. ] I’ll call him! I will save him!—David! David!— I his discomfiture and ruin!—David! David! hear me! David! [ Searching, she approaches the cave where Saul lies, but recoils terrified. ] The king! my father! I cannot—am not—whither shall I, whither? [ Confused she flees, as scuffling is heard, and Abishai and Abiathar , struggling with David , appear. ] DAVID Loose me, I say. ’Twas Michal and she called. [ Breaking free. ] I say that it was she! ABIATHAR Foolhardy, no. Return into the cave, and ere too late! [ Merab , veiled, enters behind them. ] DAVID ’Twas Michal and no other. ABIATHAR You are duped. DAVID The breathing of archangels could not so Have swung the burden from me as her call. [ Searching, he faces—and beholds Merab . His look grows to coldness. ] MERAB It is not Michal. DAVID No—it is not Michal. [ He motions Abiathar and Abishai aside. ] MERAB Yet it is one who—— DAVID Need not lift her veil Or longer stay. The path she came is open. MERAB I’m here—and here will speak! I’ve hither stolen, Yearning—I say it—yearning—and I will. DAVID These words I do not know. MERAB Because you will not. More all-devouring than a Moloch is This love within me—— DAVID Love and you are twain, As sun and Sheol. MERAB False. I am become For want of you as famine-wind, a wave In the mid-tempest, with no rest, no shore. DAVID I do not hear the unashamed words Of one who has but recently another, Adriel, wedded. MERAB You refuse me then? DAVID I beg you but to cease. MERAB Goaded, chagrined? No, but this will I do. The Philistines, For long at rioting within their walls, Gather again and break toward Gilboa.… DAVID This is not true. MERAB To-morrow must my father From hunting you return and arm for battle. But—many would that you were king. DAVID Were?… MERAB King! DAVID I do not understand your eyes. MERAB I will For love of you arouse rebellion up, Murmur about the host your heaven-call, And lift you to the kingdom. DAVID To the—stay! Your words again. MERAB The kingdom. DAVID Awful God! MERAB What is your mien? you will not? DAVID Twice the words— Full from her lips—and to betray her father. [ Abiathar discovers Saul . ] MERAB You will not? answer! DAVID Odious utterly! As yonder sea of death and bitter salt, As foam-girt Joppa of idolatry, As Memphian fane of all abhorrencies! Morning would move with horror of it, noon A livid sepulchre of shame span o’er, And night shrink to remember day had been! MERAB You scorn—you scorn me? DAVID Jonathan! your sister! MERAB Then Saul shall rend you dead. And Jonathan!… [ She laughs shrilly. ] Perchance you have not heard that Jonathan Knows to the Philistines you fled—and loathes you! DAVID I have not heard. MERAB Nor have not, ah? how Michal Is given to the embraces of another? [ David shrinks. ] You desperately breathe and pale at last? [ She laughs more bitterly. ] To me for aid, to me, you yet shall come. [ 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—— DAVID Leave me. ABIATHAR Not till you know—and strike! DAVID I tell you go. ABIATHAR I tell you ’tis the king. DAVID Who breaks forbearance—yes. ABIATHAR Who lieth yonder, And sleeping lieth—for a thrust to end. DAVID [ His sword quickly out, struggling. ] This throb and wounds that wring me! and this wail Under the deeps of me against his wrongs, Awakening remembrance that with burst And burn of pain.… O, never-ceasing ill! [ Flings the sword down, anguished. ] ABIATHAR You will not come? DAVID The sun is set. ABIATHAR Has Saul Hunted you to this desert’s verge——? DAVID Enough! ABIATHAR Has he pursued you, all his hate unleashed? Is Samuel not slain? the priests? my father? The kingdom is not in decay, and falls? You are not prophecy’s anointed one? Seize up the sword and strike—or I myself! DAVID Or … you yourself…? [ Silently he puts them aside, takes up the sword, and slowly goes into Saul’s cave. ] ABISHAI What will he do? Listen! [ Michal enters unseen. ] ABIATHAR If Saul cries out.… ABISHAI Be ready.… MICHAL [ To them. ] What is this! [ 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. ] Ah, you have slain— Have slain him! Wretch! thou wretch! And sleeping as he was! DAVID Then it was you? In lying rags? MICHAL Have struck him in his sleep! And merciless!—And now will kill me, too? DAVID In faithless rags? You are the leper? Who [ Growing frenzied. ] Drove me a prey unto this wilderness! Upon the blot of it and death and sear! The silence, burning, and relentless swoon! You are the leper, who have broken troth And shut the cry of justice from your breast! Who’ve stifled me with desolation’s woe, Who’ve followed still and still have me betrayed! MICHAL Betrayed? No, loose me! DAVID Slain thy father? slain? [ Flinging the piece of Saul’s cloak at her feet. ] See how I might—see, see you, yonder he lies A king who quits the kingdom, though a cloud Of Philistines is foaming toward Gilboa; Jeoparded leaves it, undefended, for Pursuit of me and pitiless harrying! A king who murders priests.… MICHAL Priests? DAVID Stifles God With penitence that he has shaped the world! Have slain? have slain him! I have slain him! Ah! Ah, that I had thy falseness and could slay him! MICHAL David!… DAVID Nevermore near me! never with That quivering and tenderness of lure. Those eyes that hold infinity of fate, That breathing cassia-sweet, but sorcery! MICHAL Oh.… DAVID Never thy presence pouring beauty, swift, And seething in the brain as frantic wine! I’ll be no more enspelled of thee—never! I will not hear thee and be wound by words Into thy wile as wide as Ashtoreth’s, Back into hope, eternity of pain! [ 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. ]

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