rn
There is a God in Israel.

NAAMAN:
I fear
That I am grown mistrustful of all gods;
Their secret counsels are implacable.

RUAHMAH:
Fear not! There's One who rules in righteousness
High over all.

NAAMAN:
What knowest thou of Him?

RUAHMAH:
Oh, I have heard,--the maid of Israel,--
Rememberest thou? She often said her God
Was merciful and kind, and slow to wrath,
And plenteous in forgiveness, pitying us
Like as a father pitieth his children.

NAAMAN:
If there were such a God, I'd worship Him
Forever!

RUAHMAH:
Then make haste to hear the word
His prophet promises to speak to thee!
Obey it, my dear lord, and thou shalt find
Healing and peace. The light shall fill thine eyes.
Thou wilt not need my leading any more,--
Nor me,--for thou wilt see me, all unveiled,--
I tremble at the thought.

NAAMAN:
Why, what is this?
Why shouldst thou tremble? Art thou not mine own?

RUAHMAH: [Turning to him and speaking in broken words.]
I am,--thy handmaid,--all and only thine,--
The very pulses of my heart are thine!
Feel how they throb to comfort thee to-day--
To-day! Because it is thy time of trouble.

[She takes his hand and puts it to her forehead and
her lips, but before she can lay it upon her heart,
he draws away from her.]

NAAMAN:
Thou art too dear to injure with a kiss,--
How should I take a gift may bankrupt thee,
Or drain the fragrant chalice of thy love
With lips that may be fatal? Tempt me not
To sweet dishonour; strengthen me to wait
Until thy prophecy is all fulfilled,
And I can claim thee with a joyful heart.

RUAHMAH: [Turning away.]
Thou wilt not need me then,--and I shall be
No more than the faint echo of a song
Heard half asleep. We shall go back to where
We stood before this journey.

NAAMAN:
Never again!
For thou art changed by some deep miracle.
The flower of womanhood hath bloomed in thee,--
Art thou not changed?

RUAHMAH:
Yea, I am changed,--and changed
Again,--bewildered,--till there's nothing clear
To me but this: I am the instrument
In an Almighty hand to rescue thee
From death. This will I do,--and afterward--

[A trumpet