amp
Of life, where art thou? Nay, I cannot find her.

WOUNDED SOLDIER: [_Raising himself on his arm._]
Master!

NAAMAN: [_Kneels beside him._]
One living? Quick, a torch this way!
Lift up his head,--so,--carefully!
Courage, my friend, your captain is beside you.
Call back your soul and make report to him.

WOUNDED SOLDIER:
Hail, captain! O my captain,--here!

NAAMAN:
Be patient,--rest in peace,--the fight is done.
Nothing remains but render your account.

WOUNDED SOLDIER:
They fell upon us suddenly,--we fought
Our fiercest,--every man,--our lady fought
Fiercer than all. They beat us down,--she's gone.
Rezon has carried her away a captive. See,--
Her amulet,--I die for you, my captain.

NAAMAN: [_He gently lays the dead soldier on the ground, and rises._]
Farewell. This last report was brave; but strange
Beyond my thought! How came the High Priest here?
And what is this? my chain, my seal! But this
Has never been in Tsarpi's hand. I gave
This signet to a captive maid one night,--
A maid of Israel. How long ago?
Ruahmah was her name,--almost forgotten!
So long ago,--how comes this token here?
What is this mystery, Saballidin?

SABALLIDIN:
Ruahmah is her name who brought you hither.

NAAMAN:
Where then is Tsarpi?

SABALLIDIN:
In Damascus.
She left you when the curse of Rimmon fell,--
Took refuge in his House,--and there she waits
Her lord's return,--Rezon's return.

NAAMAN:
'Tis false!

SABALLIDIN:
The falsehood is in her. She hath been friend
With Rezon in his priestly plot to win
Assyria's favour,--friend to his design
To sell his country to enrich his temple,--
And friend to him in more,--I will not name it.

NAAMAN:
Nor will I credit it. Impossible!

SABALLIDIN:
Did she not plead with you against the war,
Counsel surrender, seek to break your will?

NAAMAN:
She did not love my work, a soldier's task.
She never seemed to be at one with me
Until I was a leper.

SABALLIDIN:
From whose hand
Did you receive the sacred cup?

NAAMAN:
From hers.

SABALLIDIN:
And from that hour the curse began to work.

NAAMAN:
But did she not have pity when she saw
Me smitten? Did she not beseech the King
For letters and a guard to make this journey?
Has she not been the fountain of my hope,
My comforter and my most faithful guide
In this adventure of