Part 59 (1/2)

SHUMAKIM: I remember that she used to wear his name and his jewels.

But I thought he had exchanged her,--for a leprosy.

KHAMMA: You must have heard that he went away to Samaria to look for healing. Some say that he died on the journey; but others say he has been cured, and is on his way home to his wife.

SHUMAKIM: It may be, for this is a mad world, and men never know when they are well off,--except us fools. But he must come soon if he would find his wife as he parted from her,--or the city where he left it. The a.s.syrians have returned with a greater army, and this time they will make an end of us. There is no Naaman now, and the Bull will devour Damascus like a bunch of leeks, flowers and all,--flowers and all, my double-budded fair one! Are you not afraid?

NUBTA: We belong to the House of Rimmon. He will protect us.

SHUMAKIM: What? The mighty one who hides behind the curtain there, and tells his secrets to Rezon? No doubt he will take care of you, and of himself. Whatever game is played, the G.o.ds never lose. But for the protection of the common people and the rest of us fools, I would rather have Naaman at the head of an army than all the sacred images between here and Babylon.

KHAMMA: You are a wicked old man. You mock the G.o.d. He will punish you.

SHUMAKIM: [Bitterly.]

How can he punish me? Has he not already made me a fool?

Hark, here comes my brother the High Priest, and my brother the King. Rimmon made us all; but n.o.body knows who made Rimmon, except the High Priest; and he will never tell.

[Gongs and cymbals sound. Enter REZON with priests, and the King with courtiers. They take their seats. A throng of Khali and Kharimati come in, TSARPI presiding; a sacred dance is performed with torches, burning incense, and chanting, in which TSARPI leads.]

CHANT

_Hail, mighty Rimmon, ruler of the whirl-storm, Hail, shaker of mountains, breaker-down of forests, Hail, thou who roarest terribly in the darkness, Hail, thou whose arrows flame across the heavens!

Hail, great destroyer, lord of flood and tempest, In thine anger almighty, in thy wrath eternal, Thou who delightest in ruin, maker of desolations, Immeru, Addu, Berku, Rimmon!

See we tremble before thee, low we bow at thine altar, Have mercy upon us, be favourable unto us, Save us from our enemy, accept our sacrifice, Barku, Immeru, Addu, Rimmon!_

[Silence follows, all bowing down.]

REZON: O King, last night the counsel from above Was given in answer to our divination.

Amba.s.sadors must go forthwith to crave a.s.syria's pardon, and a second offer Of the same terms of peace we did reject Not long ago.

BENHADAD: Dishonour! Yet I see No other way! a.s.syria will refuse, Or make still harder terms. Disaster, shame For this gray head, and ruin for Damascus!

REZON: Yet may we trust Rimmon will favour us, If we adhere devoutly to his wors.h.i.+p.

He will incline his brother-G.o.d, the Bull, To spare us, if we supplicate him now With costly gifts. Therefore I have prepared A sacrifice: Rimmon shall be well pleased With the red blood that bathes his knees to-night!

BENHADAD: My mind is dark with doubt,--I do forebode Some horror! Let me go,--I am an old man,-- If Naaman my captain were alive!

But he is dead,--the glory is departed!

[He rises, trembling, to leave the throne. Trumpet sounds,--NAAMAN'S call;--enter NAAMAN, followed by soldiers; he kneels at the foot of the throne.]

BENHADAD: [Half-whispering.]

Art thou a ghost escaped from Allatu?

How didst thou pa.s.s the seven doors of death?

O n.o.ble ghost I am afraid of thee, And yet I love thee,--let me hear thy voice!

NAAMAN: No ghost, my King, but one who lives to serve Thee and Damascus with his heart and sword As in the former days. The only G.o.d Has healed my leprosy: my life is clean To offer to my country and my King.

BENHADAD: [Starting toward him.]

O welcome to thy King! Thrice welcome!

REZON: [Leaving his seat and coming toward NAAMAN.]

Stay!