trays him to their hands. What can I do?
Nothing,--a slave,--hated and mocked by all
My fellow-slaves! O bitter prison-life!
I smother in this black, betraying air
Of lust and luxury; I faint beneath
The shadow of this House of Rimmon. God
Have mercy! Lead me out to Israel.
To Israel!

[_Music and laughter heard within the palace. The doors fly open and a
flood of men and women, dancers, players, flushed with wine,
dishevelled, pour down the steps, KHAMMA and NUBTA with them. They
crown the image with roses and dance around it. RUAHMAH is discovered
crouching beside the arbour. They drag her out before the image._]

NUBTA:
Look! Here's the Hebrew maid,--
She's homesick; let us comfort her!

KHAMMA: [_They put their arms around her._]
Yes, dancing is the cure for homesickness.
We'll make her dance.

RUAHMAH: [She slips away.]
I pray you, let me go!
I cannot dance, I do not know your measures.

KHAMMA:
Then sing for us,--a song of Israel!

RUAHMAH:
How can I sing the songs of Israel
In this strange country? O my heart would break
With grief in every note of that dear music.

A SERVANT:
A stubborn and unfriendly maid! We'll whip her.

[_They circle around her, striking her with rose-branches; she sinks to
her knees, covering her face with her bare arms, which bleed._]

NUBTA:
Look, look! She kneels to Rimmon, she is tamed.

RUAHMAH: [_Springing up and lifting her arms._]
Nay, not to this dumb idol, but to Him
Who made Orion and the seven stars!

ALL:
She raves,--she mocks at Rimmon! Punish her!
The fountain! Wash her blasphemy away!

[_They push her toward the fountain, laughing and shouting. In the
open door of the palace NAAMAN appears, dressed in blue and silver,
bareheaded and unarmed. He comes to the top of the steps and stands
for a moment, astonished and angry._]

NAAMAN:
Silence! What drunken rout is this? Begone,
Ye barking dogs and mewing cats! Out, all!
Poor child, what have they done to thee?

[_Exeunt all except RUAHMAH, who stands with her face covered by her
hands. NAAMAN comes to her, laying his hand on her shoulder._]

RUAHMAH: [_Looking up in his face._]
Nothing,
My lord and master! They have harmed me not.

NAAMAN: [_Touching her arm._]
Dost call this nothing?

RUAHMAH:
Since my lord is come.

NAAMAN:
I do not know thy face,--who art thou, child?

RUAHMAH:
The h