The Queen is full of raging jealousy of the young bride. But though
she claims Assad's love for herself, she is yet too proud to resign her
crown, and so, hesitating between love and pride, she swears vengeance
on her rival. Under the shade of night her slave-woman, Astaroth,
allures Assad to the fountain, where he finds the Queen, {285} who
employs all her arts again to captivate him, succeeding alas, only too
well.

Morning dawns and with it the day of Assad's marriage with Sulamith.
Solomon and the High-priest conduct the youth to the altar, but just as
he is taking the ring, offered to him by the bride's father, the Queen
of Sheba appears, bringing as wedding-gift a golden cup, filled with
pearls.

Assad, again overcome by the Queen's dazzling beauty, throws the ring
away and precipitates himself at her feet. The Levites detain him, but
Solomon guessing at the truth, implores the Queen to speak. Assad
invokes all the sweet memories of their past, the Queen hesitates, but
her pride conquers. For the second time she disowns him.--Now
everybody believes Assad possessed by an evil spirit, and the priests
at once begin to exorcise it; it is all but done, when one word of the
Queen's, who sweetly calls him "Assad", spoils everything. He is in
her hands: falling on his knees before her, he prays to her as to his
goddess. Wrathful at this blasphemy in the temple, the priests demand
his death.

Assad asks no better, Sulamith despairs and the Queen repents having
gone so far. In the great tumult Solomon alone is unmoved. He detains
the priests with dignity, for he alone will judge Assad.

There now follows a charming ballet, given in honor of the Queen of
Sheba. At the end of the meal, the Queen demands Assad's pardon from
Solomon. He refuses her request. She now tries {286} to ensnare the
King with her charms, as she did Assad, but in vain. Solomon sees her
in her true light and treats her with cold politeness. Almost beside
herself with rage, the Queen threatens to take vengeance on the King
and to free Assad at any risk.

Solomon, well understanding the vile tricks of the eastern Queen, has
changed the verdict of death into that of exile. Sulamith, faithful
and gentle, entreats for her lover, and has only one wish: to sweeten
life to her Assad, or to die with him.

We find Assad in the desert. He is broken down and deeply repents his
folly, when, lo, the Queen appears once more, hoping to lure him