pointed the
Assyrians by the hand of a woman; and my sandals ravished the eye of
Holofernes, and my beauty took his mind prisoner, and the knife passed
through his neck. Let all creatures serve the Lord!

VOICES. So be it!

OZIAS. Charmis, I appoint you to lead the people to the Temple, where
are the banners of the Assyrians which we have captured this day, and
each woman shall take a banner, and all shall return to this place
before the house of the Lady Judith.

CHARMIS (_swollen with pride_). I obey, lord Ozias.

(_The procession begins to move away, L_. Haggith _displays her
importance and bullies_ Ingur, _who accompanies her_.)

RAHEL (_to_ Chabris). What, grandad! You are abroad once more! (_She
takes him with her like a disobedient child_.)

(_Exeunt, processionally, all except_ Judith, Ozias _and_ Achior.)

OZIAS (_to_ Achior). Thou goest not with the people?

JUDITH (_to_ Achior). Stay, I pray you, Achior.

OZIAS (_to_ Judith, _with growing excitement_). I wish to speak privily
with the lady Judith, _now_!

JUDITH. Let us speak here.

OZIAS. Shall we not go into your house, you and I?

JUDITH. My house is not ready to receive you, Ozias.

OZIAS. Let it be so. But before Achior I will not speak.

JUDITH. Achior, go into my house, and do honour to my dwelling, and
repose in it.

ACHIOR. Gladly, O lady! (_Exit into the house_.)

JUDITH. What is the urgency that oppresses you, Ozias, and why are you
troubled in the hour of triumph?

OZIAS (_losing control of himself_). Who is the heathen Achior that you
should prefer him and make your mouth sweet to him?

JUDITH. Leave Achior, and let us come at once to the matter that
presses.

OZIAS. Oh! I will not speak smoothly for a pretence! Thou knowest that
my jealousy smokes against Achior. Yea, and against Holofernes also.

JUDITH. But Holofernes is dead.

OZIAS. Before he went down to his place, didst thou not sin with him?

JUDITH. As the Lord liveth, my countenance deceived him to his
destruction, yet did he not shame me.

OZIAS. Blessed be our God!

JUDITH. But how does this matter touch thee, and what is my virtue in
thy regard?

OZIAS. Let Holofernes suffice thee, and drive not me also to death with
the softness of thy voice. Art thou not aware that the soul of my soul
burns for thee and will not wait--the more so since thou hast done a
mighty deed and art proved a woman beyond all women?

JUDITH. Nay! I have done naught; but the Lo