T SOLDIER. Shut and barred, lord.

OZIAS. It must be opened.... Stand! I will see to it.

FIRST SOLDIER. AS my lord wills.

OZIAS. Has the watch aught to drink?

FIRST SOLDIER. My lord knows that no drop is left in the gourds.

(Ozias _waves him away, and he retires_.)

OZIAS (_to_ Haggith, _who is busy with the sack_). Woman, has the lady
Judith perchance dreamed a dream?

HAGGITH (_enigmatically_). My mistress has dreamed no dream. Why does
the lord Ozias ask?

OZIAS. It seemed to me--(_stops_)

HAGGITH. Dreams lift up fools. (_Exit into the house_.) (_Exit Ozias,
L_.)

(_The soldier strolls forward. Twilight begins to fall_.)

(_Enter_ Haggith _from the house with more baggage_.)

HAGGITH (_to the soldier; curtly; not looking at him_). So thou hast no
water?

FIRST SOLDIER (_with genial freedom_). Yea, Haggith, we have still a
little.

HAGGITH. Then thou has lied to the governor?

FIRST SOLDIER. _Him_? (_With a jerk of the shoulder_!) _He_ knows! In
truth now, thinkest thou he would expect us soldiers to keep guard
without water? _He_ knows! But he is a great lord, and in seemliness he
asks for a lie, and that which he asks is given to him--in seemliness.

HAGGITH. But the officer raving as thou hast said with thirst?

FIRST SOLDIER. Ah! It is the business of a worshipful officer to scorn
deceit and to suffer.

HAGGITH. And all the people?

FIRST SOLDIER. The people are the people. But we soldiers are
soldiers--and must drink, or we cannot guard. (_Yawns_.) Eh! I could lie
down and snore for seven years, but I am appointed to watch all night.

HAGGITH (_suddenly caressing_). Sweet warrior! Would I could rest thee!

FIRST SOLDIER (_startled by the change in her demeanour_). Haggith! Thou
art marvellously and desirably changed.

HAGGITH. I am practising to thy profit for that which lies before me and
my mistress.

FIRST SOLDIER. What meanest thou?

HAGGITH. Chut! If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee--it will
not burst thee.

FIRST SOLDIER. Lord! turn away from me vain hopes and concupiscence.

HAGGITH. And so thou sleepest not this night!... Neither do I sleep.

FIRST SOLDIER. What?

HAGGITH. I go with my mistress upon a journey.

FIRST SOLDIER. What journey? There can be no journey for thee, unless
thou leave the city and wend to the Assyrians.

HAGGITH (_curt again_). Nevertheless we go upon a journey.

FIRST SOLDIER. It is madness.

HAGGITH. It may be.

FIRST