Fool!
ACHIOR. I said to Holofernes, my lord and governor, that which I was
appointed to say--that, no more and no less.
OZIAS. And who appointed you to say that which you said?
JUDITH. If there be a God in Israel, and if the Lord has not abandoned
us, may not this youth be the messenger of the Most High to bring us
comfort, and for a warning to the vainglory of Holofernes?
OZIAS (_with irony_). All is possible to the Lord. Yet may his purposes
be hidden from us. (_To the soldiers_.) Until the Lord vouchsafe new
wisdom to me, his servant, bind fetters about the feet of Achior, and
take him to the house of bondage, and set a guard over him, for a spy is
not more dangerous than a fool.
CHARMIS (_springing forward_). It shall be done, Ozias.
(_The soldiers begin to put chains on_ Achior.)
JUDITH (_quietly_). Shame him not with fetters, lord Ozias.
OZIAS (_after a pause, to the soldiers_). Unbind him! (_The soldiers
obey_.) Take him off! Speedily! Away! All! Let none remain! Hasten, I
say!
(_Exeunt back, all except_ Ozias _and_ Judith. _As he goes_ Achior
_kisses Judith's robe_.)
JUDITH (_to_ Achior, _as he does so_).
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