The gates remain open a
little_.)

OZIAS (_impatiently_). What is thy tale, Haggith?

HAGGITH. My mistress has slain Holofernes in his tent in the night, and
the power of Assyria is undone.

OZIAS (_astounded_). Slain Holofernes! Thou art mad in thy raving.

HAGGITH (_to_ Ingur). Open the mouth of the sack, and let my lord behold
the head of Holofernes and see that I am mad. (_To soldier_.) A torch,
that the Lord Ozias may discover the manner of my raving.

(Ozias _looks into the sack and sees the head of_ Holofernes.)

OZIAS. Great is the Lord of Israel!

HAGGITH. And my mistress is the right hand of the Lord.

OZIAS. Great is the Lord of Israel!

VOICES (_deeply moved_). His name shall live for ever.

OZIAS. How did thy mistress accomplish this mighty deed?

HAGGITH. AS for that, she will tell it to my lord with her own voice
when she shall come. And now will my lord give ear to the commands of
the lady Judith, which she doth lay upon my lord by me, Haggith? First,
the head of Holofernes shall be set upon a spear on the highest wall in
the great square before the temple. So shall all the Israelites know
that God yet watcheth over Israel. (_To the soldiers_.) Take the sack
and do as my lady hath ordained by me, Haggith.

OZIAS (_to men, who hesitate_). Take the sack. It is my command.

(_Exeunt two men, L., with sack_.)

HAGGITH. Next, ye shall send men for water to the wells beneath the city
that all may drink, for already the Assyrians are fled from the wells,
knowing that Holofernes is dead. And ye shall send forth all your army
into the valley to fall upon the Assyrians, for they are afraid of the
judgment of God, and none dare abide in the sight of his neighbour.
Neither can they stand against the chosen race of God.

OZIAS (_to First Soldier_). Let every armed man in the city be roused,
and publish the order of Ozias that the Captains lead their bands
swiftly into the valley by the secret way to fall upon the Assyrians.

(_Exit First Soldier and another, with joyous cries, L_.)

HAGGITH. Thus hath the lady Judith spoken by me, Haggith.

OZIAS. Whither is thy mistress gone, and why does she tarry?

HAGGITH. My mistress is hidden in a sure place in the valley, for there
is one among the Assyrians who fears not God. And he is Bagoas, the
chief eunuch of Holofernes, and he has sworn an oath to kill my
mistress, for that by guile she did cut off the head of Holofernes. And
Bagoas searches for my