Part 53 (2/2)

I greet the unknown powers; [Pours libation.]

I will perform my vow; [Again.]

I will abide my fate; [Again.]

I pledge my life to keep Damascus free.

[He drains the cup, and lets it fall.]

_CURTAIN._

ACT II

TIME: _A week later_

_The fore-court of the House of Rimmon. At the back the broad steps and double doors of the shrine; above them the tower of the G.o.d, its summit invisible. Enter various groups of citizens, talking, laughing, shouting: RAKHAZ, HAZAEL, SHUMAKIM and others._

FIRST CITIZEN: Great news, glorious news, the a.s.syrians are beaten!

SECOND CITIZEN: Naaman is returning, crowned with victory. Glory to our n.o.ble captain!

THIRD CITIZEN: No, he is killed. I had it from one of the camp-followers who saw him fall at the head of the battle. They are bringing his body to bury it with honour. O sorrowful victory!

RAKHAZ: Peace, my good fellows, you are ignorant, you have not been rightly informed, I will misinform you. The accounts of Naaman's death are overdrawn. He was killed, but his life has been preserved. One of his wounds was mortal, but the other three were curable, and by these the physicians have saved him.

SHUMAKIM: [Balancing himself before RAKHAZ in pretended admiration.]

O wonderful! Most admirable logic! One mortal, and three curable, therefore he must recover as it were, by three to one. Rakhaz, do you know that you are a marvelous man?

RAKHAZ: Yes, I know it, but I make no boast of my knowledge.

SHUMAKIM: Too modest, for in knowing this you know more than any other in Damascus!

[Enter, from the right, SABALLIDIN in armour: from the left, TSARPI with her attendants, among whom is RUAHMAH.]

HAZAEL: Here is Saballidin, we'll question him; He was enflamed by Naaman's wild words, And rode with him to battle. Give us news, Of your great captain! Is he safe and well?

When will he come? Or will he come at all?

[All gather around him listening eagerly.]

SABALLIDIN: He comes but now, returning from the field Where he hath gained a crown of deathless fame!

Three times he led the charge; three times he fell Wounded, and the a.s.syrians beat us back.

Yet every wound was but a spur to urge His valour onward. In the last attack He rode before us as the crested wave That leads the flood; and lo, our enemies Were broken like a dam of river-reeds.

The flying King encircled by his guard Was lodged like driftwood on a little hill.

Then Naaman, who led our foremost band Of whirlwind riders, hammered through the hedge Of spearmen, brandis.h.i.+ng the golden yoke.

”Take back this gift,” he cried; and shattered it On Shalmaneser's helmet. So the fight Dissolved in universal rout; the King, His chariots and his hors.e.m.e.n fled away; Our captain stood the master of the field, And saviour of Damascus! Now he brings, First to the King, report of this great triumph.

[Shouts of joy and applause.]

RUAHMAH: [Coming close to SABALLIDIN.]

But what of him who won it? Fares he well?

My mistress would receive some word of him.

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