a youth when he looks at a woman--even you?... And if he lies not, then
he is a fool and his folly was great.

ACHIOR. I spoke the truth to Holofernes.

OZIAS (_fiercely_). But to speak truth did not content you. Having
answered Holofernes, you must needs offer counsel to your lord and
governor! Who were you to offer counsel to the greatest of all the
captains of the earth? The protection of the mighty conqueror covered
you, and lo! in your folly did you estrange yourself from him. Fool!

ACHIOR. I said to Holofernes, my lord and governor, that which I was
appointed to say--that, no more and no less.

OZIAS. And who appointed you to say that which you said?

JUDITH. If there be a God in Israel, and if the Lord has not abandoned
us, may not this youth be the messenger of the Most High to bring us
comfort, and for a warning to the vainglory of Holofernes?

OZIAS (_with irony_). All is possible to the Lord. Yet may his purposes
be hidden from us. (_To the soldiers_.) Until the Lord vouchsafe new
wisdom to me, his servant, bind fetters about the feet of Achior, and
take him to the house of bondage, and set a guard over him, for a spy is
not more dangerous than a fool.

CHARMIS (_springing forward_). It shall be done, Ozias.

(_The soldiers begin to put chains on_ Achior.)

JUDITH (_quietly_). Shame him not with fetters, lord Ozias.

OZIAS (_after a pause, to the soldiers_). Unbind him! (_The soldiers
obey_.) Take him off! Speedily! Away! All! Let none remain! Hasten, I
say!

(_Exeunt back, all except_ Ozias _and_ Judith. _As he goes_ Achior
_kisses Judith's robe_.)

JUDITH (_to_ Achior, _as he does so_). Truth-teller!

(_At a sign from_ Judith, Haggith _re-enters the house_.)

OZIAS. Your face is turned from me, because of the youth. Yet you came
out to see the governor of the city, and the governor could do no other
than I have done.

JUDITH (_looking at him_). Ozias, you have shown me your heart.

OZIAS. Yea!

JUDITH. And in the moment when the youth came you asked of me my
counsel.

OZIAS. Yea!

JUDITH. Hear me now, for the words you have spoken before the people
this day are not right.

OZIAS. What words?

JUDITH. This promise that you have uttered to deliver the city to our
enemies, unless within five days the Lord turn to help. Who are you that
seek to stand instead of God among the children of men?

OZIAS. Stand instead of God!

JUDITH. Who are you that have tempted God this day? For y