which we must return.

RUAHMAH:
Return! Who gave you that command? Not I!
The King made me the leader of this quest,
And bound you all to follow me, because
He knew I never would return without
The thing for which he sent us. I'll go on
Day after day, unto the uttermost parts
Of earth, if need be, and beyond the gates
Of morning, till I find that which I seek,--
New life for Naaman. Are ye ashamed
To have a woman lead you? Then go back
And tell the King, "This huntress went too far
For us to follow; she pursues the trail
Of hope alone, refusing to forsake
The quarry: we grew weary of the chase;
And so we left her and retraced our steps,
Like faithless hounds, to sleep beside the fire."
Did Naaman forsake his soldiers thus
When you went forth to hunt the Assyrian Bull?
Your manly courage is less durable
Than woman's love, it seems. Go, if you will,--
Who bids me now farewell?

SOLDIERS:
Not I, not I!

SABALLIDIN:
Lady, lead on, we'll follow you for ever!

RUAHMAH:
Why, now you speak like men! Brought you no word
Out of Samaria, except that cry
Of impotence and fear from Israel's king?

SABALLIDIN:
I do remember while he spoke with us
A rustic messenger came in, and cried
"Elisha saith, let Naaman come to me
At Dothan, he shall surely know there is
A God in Israel."

RUAHMAH:
What said the King?

SABALLIDIN:
He only shouted "Go!" more wildly yet,
And rent his clothes again, as if he were
Half-maddened by a coward's fear, and thought
Only of how he might be rid of us.
What comfort could there be for him, what hope
For us, in the rude prophet's misty word?

RUAHMAH:
It is the very word for which I prayed!
My trust was not in princes; for the crown,
The sceptre, and the purple robe are not
Significant of vital power. The man
Who saves his brother-men is he who lives
His life with Nature, takes deep hold on truth,
And trusts in God. A prophet's word is more
Than all the kings on earth can speak. How far
Is Dothan?

SOLDIER:
Lady, 'tis but three hours' ride
Along the valley northward.

RUAHMAH:
Near! so near?
I had not thought to end my task so soon!
Prepare yourselves with speed to take the road.
I will awake my lord.

[_Exeunt all but SABALLIDIN and RUAHMAH. She goes toward the tent._]

SABALLIDIN;
Ruahmah, stay! [_She turns back._]
I've b