be put upon the stage,
the effect of the action upon the drama being given at the
beginning of Act IV.

ACT IV

SCENE I

_The interior of NAAMAN'S tent, at night. RUAHMAH alone, sleeping
on the ground. A vision appears to her through the curtains of the
tent: ELISHA standing on the hillside at Dothan: NAAMAN, restored
to sight, comes in and kneels before him. ELISHA blesses him, and
he goes out rejoicing. The vision of the prophet turns to RUAHMAH
and lifts his hand in warning._

ELISHA:
Daughter of Israel, what dost thou here?
Thy prayer is granted. Naaman is healed:
Mar not true service with a selfish thought.
Nothing remains for thee to do, except
Give thanks, and go whither the Lord commands.
Obey,--obey! Ere Naaman returns
Thou must depart to thine own house in Shechem.

[The vision vanishes.]

RUAHMAH: [Waking and rising slowly.]
A dream, a dream, a messenger of God!
O dear and dreadful vision, art thou true?
Then am I glad with all my broken heart.
Nothing remains,--nothing remains but this,--
Give thanks, obey, depart,--and so I do.
Farewell, my master's sword! Farewell to you,
My amulet! I lay you on the hilt
His hand shall clasp again: bid him farewell
For me, since I must look upon his face
No more for ever!--Hark, what sound was that?

[Enter soldier hurriedly.]

SOLDIER:
Mistress, an armed troop, footmen and horse,
Mounting the hill!

RUAHMAH:
My lord returns in triumph.

SOLDIER:
Not so, for these are enemies; they march
In haste and silence, answering not our cries.

RUAHMAH:
Our enemies? Then hold your ground,--on guard!
Fight! fight! Defend the pass, and drive them down.

[Exit soldier. RUAHMAH draws NAAMAN'S sword from
the scabbard and hurries out of the tent. Confused
noise of fighting outside. Three or four soldiers
are driven in by a troop of men in disguise.
RUAHMAH follows: she is beaten to her knees,
and her sword is broken.]

REZON: [Throwing aside the cloth which covers his face.]
Hold her! So, tiger-maid, we've found your lair
And trapped you. Where is Naaman,
Your master?

RUAHMAH: [Rising, her arms held by two of REZON'S followers.]
He is far beyond your reach.

REZON:
Brave captain! He has saved himself, the leper,
And