And when the city has fallen while the Assyrians
sit and watch, and when all men whisper one to another that the greatest
captain of the earth conquered by a device because he dared not attack
boldly with spear, and bow, and sling--in that day will my lord and
governor be content? Or will he be ashamed, and blush to lift up his
eyes?
HOLOFERNES (_disturbed_). It is a true word.
BAGOAS. It is a true word.
HOLOFERNES (_savagely_). This day will I attack the city and take it,
and though I make fifty thousand widows and orphans in Assyria I will
compass Bethulia, and not one house in it shall be left standing, nor
one Israelite alive.
JUDITH (_shaking her head slowly_). Why is my lord against the pleasure
of the Most High? Do I not say, and has it not been revealed to me, that
Bethulia shall not perish until its inhabitants have sinned before God?
Listen, illustrious Prince, I will remain this night. And when the time
comes I will go into the valley, and I will pray to God, and mayhap He
will tell me when the Israelites in Bethulia have committed their sin.
And I will come and show it to you, and thereupon my lord and governor
shall go forth with all his army, and none shall resist him.
Pages:
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65