FIRST ATTENDANT. Yea, mightiness.
JUDITH. I humbly thank your mightiness.
BAGOAS. But it is necessary that you should relate to me your little
affair. For no woman speaks to the illustrious Prince until she has
spoken to me.
JUDITH. It cannot be so.
BAGOAS (_persuasively_). In my ear, privily. Approach.
JUDITH. It cannot be so.
BAGOAS. What mean you--it cannot be so?
JUDITH. I will utter my errand to the illustrious Prince Holofernes
alone.
BAGOAS (_losing his self-control; angrily_). What? Thou queasy chit!
Thou minx! Thou jade! Baggage! Mopsy! Shamelesss wench! Thou wilt not
obey Bagoas, chief eunuch in the camps of the Assyrians! I will make
thee the slave of my slave and the plaything of scullions. (_Stops._
Judith _smiles_. Haggith _subsides alarmed at her feet_.) Thou shalt be
abandoned to the sutlers and the ass-drivers, and thus thou shalt learn
who is Bagoas and what is his power! (_Stops again._ Judith _still
smiles_.) The strumpets of the kitchens shall scorn thee! I--I----
JUDITH (_smiling sweetly_). Mightiness! Mightiness! I am your bondwoman,
but it is appointed by heaven that I shall speak with the illustrious
Prince Holofernes himself.
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