I will make
thee the slave of my slave and the plaything of scullions. (_Stops._
Judith _smiles_. Haggith _subsides alarmed at her feet_.) Thou shalt be
abandoned to the sutlers and the ass-drivers, and thus thou shalt learn
who is Bagoas and what is his power! (_Stops again._ Judith _still
smiles_.) The strumpets of the kitchens shall scorn thee! I--I----

JUDITH (_smiling sweetly_). Mightiness! Mightiness! I am your bondwoman,
but it is appointed by heaven that I shall speak with the illustrious
Prince Holofernes himself.

BAGOAS (_controlling himself, smiling_). Well, if it is appointed by
heaven, so shall it be. Forget my words. They had no evil intent, for I
was trying you, as my duty is. (_Aside to attendant_.) The sweetness of
her glance dissolves my backbone.

FIRST ATTENDANT. Yea, mightinesss.

BAGOAS (_to_ Judith). Follow me, lady. (_Aside to_ attendant.) Thinkest
thou the Prince will come this way? (_Pointing_.)

FIRST ATTENDANT. Yea, mightiness.

BAGOAS. Or that?

FIRST ATTENDANT. Yea, mightiness.

BAGOAS. If the Prince so much as sees her before the city is taken,
never will the city be taken, and we shall all be her captives.

FIRST ATTENDANT. Yea, mightiness.

BAGOAS (_beating the attendant_). I will lead her by the path to the
cave, for the Prince will surely not come that way. (_To_ Judith.)
Follow me, lady.

(Bagoas _moves R_. Judith _hesitates a moment as_ Haggith _picks up her
sack. Enter R. the heralds of Holofernes, followed by_ Holofernes.)

BAGOAS (_to himself_). Holofernes! (_To his attendants_.) Hide her,
rascals, or Assyria is undone. (_The attendants range themselves
between_ Judith _and_ Holofernes.)

(Bagoas _receives_ Holofernes _with a prostration and high ceremony_.)

HOLOFERNES. Where is this woman?

BAGOAS. Woman, Prince?

HOLOFERNES (_impatient_). This Hebrew woman, I say! One Ingur has run
among the tents chattering, and the rumour of her has spread through the
camps like a plague. By Nebuchadnezzar the one god, where is she, for it
has been told to me that her beauty excels the beauty of all the women
of the East and ravishes the eye exceedingly?

BAGOAS. Ah! It is of Judith that the Prince deigns to speak. Lo! I had
caught her and was bringing her to your highness. (_To_ attendants.)
Stand aside, dogs.

(Judith _is revealed to_ Holofernes. _She prostrates herself and then
rises_. Holofernes _gazes at her, entranced_.)

HOLOFERNES. So thou hast escaped out o