e announced.

{MATHAN.}

Can you one moment hesitate to grant it?
Or is that courtesy too dear for peace?

{JOSABET.}

Could Mathan, I was wondering, stript of guile,
Have overcome the injustice of his heart;
And, fatal plotter of so many ills,
Could he be author of a shade of good.

{MATHAN.}

Of what do you complain? Come I enraged
To tear from you your offspring, Zachariah?
What is this other child you love so well?
In turn, this great affection marvels me.
Is _he_ to you a pearl so precious, rare?
Is _he_ a liberator trained by Heaven?
Remember, your refusal would confirm
A faint report that's just begun to spread.

{JOSABET.}

What report I

{MATHAN.}

That of illustrious origin's the child,
Destined to some great project by your spouse.

{JOSABET.}

And by that tale, which flatters Mathan's fury--

{MATHAN.}

Princess, to think me false belongs to you.
Yet still I deem that Josabet, the foe
Implacable of falsehood, would resign
Her own life even, were it requisite,
Rather than life of insincerity
Be purchased by the slightest word untrue.
Then of that child's descent there is no trace?
Darkness profound surrounds his origin!
You know not of what parents he was born?
From whose hands Joad received him to his arms?
Pray speak, I listen ready to believe.
Princess, unto the God you serve give glory!

{JOSABET.}

Base one, is't well you thus dare speak the name
Of God, whom your own tongue bids men to curse!
Could His veracity be vouched by you,
You, wretched, sat upon the noxious bench
Where poison's scattered, falsehood hath the sway;
You, nurtured in deceit and treachery?

_Scene V._

{JOAD, JOSABET, MATHAN, NABAL.}

{JOAD.}

Where am I? Am I looking at Baal's priest?
What, David's daughter speaking to that traitor?
And will you tolerate his speech with you?
Do you not fear that a profound abyss
Will yawning open underneath his feet,
So that its flames at once will compass you?
Or that these walls will crush you fallen on him?
What wants he? Wherefore comes, this enemy
Of God, to taint the air we here inhale?

{MATHAN.}

This violence gives evidence of Joad.
Yet he would show more p