ladly ride through hell
To save Damascus. Master, bid me ride!
Ten thousand chariots wait for your command;
And twenty thousand horsemen strain the leash
Of patience till you let them go; a throng
Of spearmen, archers, swordsmen, like the sea
Chafing against a dike, roar for the onset!
O master, let me launch your mighty host
Against the Bull,--we'll bring him to his knees!

[Cries of "war!" from the soldiers and the people;
"peace!" from the courtiers and the priests. The
King rises, turning toward NAAMAN, and seems about
to speak. REZON lifts his rod.]

REZON:
Shall not the gods decide when mortals doubt?
Rimmon is master of the city's fate;
We read his will, by our most ancient-faith,
In omens and in signs of mystery.
Must we not hearken to his high commands?

BENHADAD: [Sinking back on the throne, submissively.]
I am the faithful son of Rimmon's House.
Consult the oracle. But who shall read?

REZON:
Tsarpi, the wife of Naaman, who served
Within the temple in her maiden years,
Shall be the mouth-piece of the mighty god,
To-day's high-priestess. Bring the sacrifice!

[Gongs and cymbals sound: enter priests carrying
an altar on which a lamb is bound. The altar is
placed in the centre of the hall. TSARPI follows
the priests, covered with a long transparent veil
of black, sown with gold stars; RUAHMAH, in white,
bears her train. TSARPI stands before the altar,
facing it, and lifts her right hand holding a
knife. RUAHMAH steps back, near the throne, her
hands crossed on her breast, her head bowed. The
priests close in around TSARPI and the altar. The
knife is seen to strike downward. Gongs and cymbals
sound: cries of "Rimmon, hear us!" The circle of
priests opens, and TSARPI turns slowly to face the
King.]

TSARPI: [Monotonously.]
_Black is the blood of the victim,
Rimmon is unfavourable,
Asratu is unfavourable;
They will not war against Asshur,
They will make a league with the God of Nineveh.
Evil is in store for Damascus,
A strong enemy will lay waste the land.
Therefore make peace with the Bull;
Hearken to the voice of Rimmon._

[She turns again to the altar, and the priests close
in around her. REZON lifts his rod