Part 58 (1/2)

NAAMAN: [Kneels beside him.]

One living? Quick, a torch this way!

Lift up his head,--so,--carefully!

Courage, my friend, your captain is beside you.

Call back your soul and make report to him.

WOUNDED SOLDIER: Hail, captain! O my captain,--here!

NAAMAN: Be patient,--rest in peace,--the fight is done.

Nothing remains but render your account.

WOUNDED SOLDIER: They fell upon us suddenly,--we fought Our fiercest,--every man,--our lady fought Fiercer than all. They beat us down,--she's gone.

Rezon has carried her away a captive. See,-- Her amulet,--I die for you, my captain.

NAAMAN: [He gently lays the dead soldier on the ground, and rises.]

Farewell. This last report was brave; but strange Beyond my thought! How came the High Priest here?

And what is this? my chain, my seal! But this Has never been in Tsarpi's hand. I gave This signet to a captive maid one night,-- A maid of Israel. How long ago?

Ruahmah was her name,--almost forgotten!

So long ago,--how comes this token here?

What is this mystery, Saballidin?

SABALLIDIN: Ruahmah is her name who brought you hither.

NAAMAN: Where then is Tsarpi?

SABALLIDIN: In Damascus.

She left you when the curse of Rimmon fell,-- Took refuge in his House,--and there she waits Her lord's return,--Rezon's return.

NAAMAN: 'Tis false!

SABALLIDIN: The falsehood is in her. She hath been friend With Rezon in his priestly plot to win a.s.syria's favour,--friend to his design To sell his country to enrich his temple,-- And friend to him in more,--I will not name it.

NAAMAN: Nor will I credit it. Impossible!

SABALLIDIN: Did she not plead with you against the war, Counsel surrender, seek to break your will?

NAAMAN: She did not love my work, a soldier's task.

She never seemed to be at one with me Until I was a leper.

SABALLIDIN: From whose hand Did you receive the sacred cup?

NAAMAN: From hers.

SABALLIDIN: And from that hour the curse began to work.

NAAMAN: But did she not have pity when she saw Me smitten? Did she not beseech the King For letters and a guard to make this journey?

Has she not been the fountain of my hope, My comforter and my most faithful guide In this adventure of the dark? All this Is proof of perfect love that would have shared A leper's doom rather than give me up.