JUDITH. If Nebuchadnezzar laid a command upon you, would you disregard
it?
BAGOAS. I would not, for my skin is very valuable to me.
JUDITH. As Nebuchadnezzar is your god, so is the Lord of Israel mine.
And my God laid a secret command upon me to speak with Prince Holofernes
alone and with none other in his tent. Thus, and thus only, was it that
I refused to speak in the presence even of the mighty Bagoas. But as I
withstood you in the valley there, the God of Israel descended upon me
and I heard the voice of God in my ear, and the voice said: 'It is
permitted to thee to speak with Bagoas also.' Therefore I yielded to the
importunity of Prince Holofernes and of Bagoas.
BAGOAS. Your god is a wise god and has discernment.
JUDITH. This I tell you, that there may be peace and good intelligence
between us. Is there peace between us?
BAGOAS. Lady, in my heat I admonished you with hard words and much
vituperation.
JUDITH (_innocently_.) By Nebuchadnezzar, I heard none.
BAGOAS. There is peace between us. And in the closeness of our
intelligence you and I will rule them that rule all Assyria.
_Enter_ Holofernes, _L_.
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