Part 60 (1/2)

REZON: Behold the sacrifice! Bow down, bow down!

NAAMAN: [Stabbing him.]

Bow thou, black priest! Down,--down to h.e.l.l!

Ruahmah! do not die! I come to thee.

[NAAMAN rushes toward her, attacked by the priests, crying ”Sacrilege! Kill him!” But the soldiers stand on the steps and beat them back. He springs upon the altar and clasps her by the hand. Tumult and confusion. The King rises and speaks with a loud voice, silence follows.]

BENHADAD: Peace, peace! The King commands all weapons down!

O Naaman, what wouldst thou do? Beware Lest thou provoke the anger of a G.o.d.

NAAMAN: There is no G.o.d but one, the Merciful, Who gave this perfect woman to my soul That I might learn through her to wors.h.i.+p Him, And know the meaning of immortal Love.

BENHADAD: [Agitated.]

Yet she is consecrated, bound, and doomed To sacrificial death; but thou art sworn To live and lead my host,--Hast thou not sworn?

NAAMAN: Only if thou wilt keep thy word to me!

Break with this idol of iniquity Whose shadow makes a darkness in the land; Give her to me who gave me back to thee; And I will lead thine army to renown And plant thy banners on the hill of triumph.

But if she dies, I die with her, defying Rimmon.

[Cries of ”Spare them! Release her! Give us back our Captain!” and ”Sacrilege! Let them die!” Then silence, all turning toward the King.]

BENHADAD: Is this the choice? Must we destroy the bond Of ancient faith, or slay the city's living hope!

I am an old, old man,--and yet the King!

Must I decide?--O let me ponder it!

[His head sinks upon his breast. All stand eagerly looking at him.]

NAAMAN: Ruahmah, my Ruahmah! I have come To thee at last! And art thou satisfied?

RUAHMAH: [Looking into his face.]

Beloved, my beloved, I am glad Of all, and glad for ever, come what may.

Nothing can harm me,--since my lord is come!

APPENDIX

CARMINA FESTIVA

THE LITTLE-NECK CLAM

A modern verse-sequence, showing how a native American subject, strictly realistic, may be treated in various manners adapted to the requirements of different magazines, thus combining Art-for-Art's-Sake with Writing-for-the-Market. Read at the First Dinner of the American Periodical Publishers' a.s.sociation, in Was.h.i.+ngton, April, 1904.

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