half-amused
resentful resignation_.)

JUDITH. Nebuchadnezzar is your god? Is it not so, Bagoas?

BAGOAS. Nebuchadnezzar is henceforward the god of the Assyrians and of
all the lands which their spears conquer. It is an official order.

JUDITH. If Nebuchadnezzar laid a command upon you, would you disregard
it?

BAGOAS. I would not, for my skin is very valuable to me.

JUDITH. As Nebuchadnezzar is your god, so is the Lord of Israel mine.
And my God laid a secret command upon me to speak with Prince Holofernes
alone and with none other in his tent. Thus, and thus only, was it that
I refused to speak in the presence even of the mighty Bagoas. But as I
withstood you in the valley there, the God of Israel descended upon me
and I heard the voice of God in my ear, and the voice said: 'It is
permitted to thee to speak with Bagoas also.' Therefore I yielded to the
importunity of Prince Holofernes and of Bagoas.

BAGOAS. Your god is a wise god and has discernment.

JUDITH. This I tell you, that there may be peace and good intelligence
between us. Is there peace between us?

BAGOAS. Lady, in my heat I admonished you with hard words and much
vituperation.

JUDITH (_innocently_.) By Nebuchadnezzar, I heard none.

BAGOAS. There is peace between us. And in the closeness of our
intelligence you and I will rule them that rule all Assyria.

_Enter_ Holofernes, _L_.

(Bagoas _prostrates himself_. Holofernes _walks about, ignoring_
Judith.)

HOLOFERNES (_to_ Bagoas). At what hour is the Council of Captains?

BAGOAS. The Council awaits your highness.

(_Suddenly_ Holofernes _snatches the veil from_ Judith, _and throws it
on the floor. He gazes at her._ Judith _prostrates herself_. Holofernes
_drops on to the couch, and looks at everything except_ Judith.)

HOLOFERNES (_imperiously_). Rise. (Judith _rises. A pause_. Holofernes
_plays with a jewel on his costume. Without looking at_ Judith.) And
Achior?

JUDITH. Illustrious Prince.

HOLOFERNES. Did the slave reach Bethulia?

JUDITH. The men of Bethulia took him, and he declared to them all that
he had spoken to my lord Prince. And many approved him.

HOLOFERNES. And what sayest _thou_ of Achior?

JUDITH. O lord and governor, I say: Reject not the word of Achior, but
lay it up in your heart.

HOLOFERNES. Thou art bold.

JUDITH. The word of Achior is true. For the Israelites shall not be
punished, and the sword shall not prevail against them, except they sin
again