s valour onward. In the last attack
He rode before us as the crested wave
That leads the flood; and lo, our enemies
Were broken like a dam of river-reeds.
The flying King encircled by his guard
Was lodged like driftwood on a little hill.
Then Naaman, who led our foremost band
Of whirlwind riders, hammered through the hedge
Of spearmen, brandishing the golden yoke.
"Take back this gift," he cried; and shattered it
On Shalmaneser's helmet. So the fight
Dissolved in universal rout; the King,
His chariots and his horsemen fled away;
Our captain stood the master of the field,
And saviour of Damascus! Now he brings,
First to the King, report of this great triumph.

[Shouts of joy and applause.]

RUAHMAH: [Coming close to SABALLIDIN.]
But what of him who won it? Fares he well?
My mistress would receive some word of him.

SABALLIDIN:
Hath she not heard?

RUAHMAH:
But one brief message came:
A letter saying, "We have fought and conquered,"
No word of his own person. Fares he well?

SABALLIDIN:
Alas, most ill! For he is like a man
Consumed by some strange sickness: wasted, wan,--
His eyes are dimmed so that he scarce can see;
His ears are dulled; his fearless face is pale
As one who walks to meet a certain doom
Yet will not flinch. It is most pitiful,--
But you shall see.

RUAHMAH:
Yea, we shall see a man
Who dared to face the wrath of evil powers
Unknown, and hazard all to save his country.

[Enter BENHADAD with courtiers.]

BENHADAD:
Where is my faithful servant Naaman,
The captain of my host?

SABALLIDIN:
My lord, he comes.

[Trumpet sounds. Enter company of soldiers in
armour. Then four soldiers bearing captured
standards of Asshur. NAAMAN follows, very pale,
armour dinted and stained; he is blind, and
guides himself by cords from the standards on
each side, but walks firmly. The doors of the
temple open slightly, and REZON appears at the
top of the steps. NAAMAN lets the cords fall,
and gropes his way for a few paces.]

NAAMAN: [Kneeling.]
Where is my King?
Master, the bearer of thy sword returns.
The golden yoke thou gavest me I broke
On him who sent it. Asshur's Bull h