ve comfortably in
such a great windy place. No! I prefer our own house to all this
royalty.

JUDITH. Give me food, Haggith. Where hast thou been? (_She sits_.)

HAGGITH. Mistress, I have been with the man Ingur! (_Arranging_ Judith's
_costume, and then setting out the food and wine_.) In obedience to your
command. At Bethulia, being busied all my days with the ordering of your
possessions, I had no time for traffic with men; neither desire. And I
deemed them terrible and masterful creatures. And when you commanded me
to go forth into the camps and delude and entangle with wiles whatever
Assyrian I should meet, I was afraid. For it was in my heart that I
could not accomplish this thing. Yet I have done it prettily. And it is
easier to me far than sweeping with a besom. Either all men are
simpletons and besotted with self-conceit, or Ingur exceeds greatly in
folly. I have been given to him for his slave, but he is mine and knows
it not. (_She sits_.)

JUDITH. Where hast thou left him?

HAGGITH. Mistress I would not suffer that you should pass from my sight,
and I followed you, and Ingur followed me gladly, and at last the guard
seized him for that he was found within the precincts of the prince's
quarter, which is forbidden to his rank, and many stripes will be his.
Mistress, you eat not.

JUDITH (_trying to eat_). Yes, I eat. Do thou eat for me.

HAGGITH. I have eaten and drunk--with Ingur.

JUDITH. But not of his provision?

HAGGITH (_nodding_). He so softly entreated me.

JUDITH. It is a sin and an offence for thee, being an Israelite.

HAGGITH. For such as my high-born mistress, it is an offence. But for
the handmaid--pooh! She eats as she can, and the Lord turneth away his
glance until she has finished her platter. Moreover, did you not lay it
upon me to beguile the dolt? And verily, mistress, I have rejoiced much
this day; and Ingur----

JUDITH. Silence with thy prattle. Bethink thee of the dread business
upon which I am come down from Bethulia into the valley?

HAGGITH (_subdued; offering food_). Eat, mistress.

JUDITH. I cannot. My soul rejects it, and my body is on fire with
expectation and suspense. (_Rising_. Haggith _also rises_.) Stay thou
where thou art, for I will go forth alone. I must commune with the God
of Israel for my tranquillity, and I dare not seek him in the tent of
the heathen. (_Exit, back_.)

(Haggith _gathers the meat together_.)

_Enter_ Holofernes _and_ Bagoas, _L_.

HOL