left you here?

RUAHMAH:
The leper is no more.

REZON:
What mean you?

RUAHMAH:
He has gone to meet his God.

REZON:
Dead? Dead? Behold how Rimmon's wrath is swift!
Damascus shall be mine; I'll terrify
The King with this, and make my terms. But no!
False maid, you sweet-faced harlot, you have lied
To save him,--speak.

RUAHMAH:
I am not what you say,
Nor have I lied, nor will I ever speak
A word to you, vile servant of a traitor-god.

REZON:
Break off this little flute of blasphemy,
This ivory neck,--twist it, I say!
Give her a swift despatch after her leper!
But stay,--if he still lives he'll follow her,
And so we may ensnare him. Harm her not!
Bind her! Away with her to Rimmon's House!
Is all this carrion dead? There's one that moves,--
A spear,--fasten him down! All quiet now?
Then back to our Damascus! Rimmon's face
Shall be made bright with sacrifice.

[Exeunt, forcing RUAHMAH with them. Musical
interlude. A wounded soldier crawls from a
dark corner of the tent and finds the chain
with NAAMAN'S seal, which has fallen to the
ground in the struggle.]

WOUNDED SOLDIER:
The signet of my lord, her amulet!
Lost, lost! Ah, noble lady,--let me die
With this upon my breast.

[The tent is dark. Enter NAAMAN and his company
in haste, with torches.]

NAAMAN:
What bloody work
Is here? God, let me live to punish him
Who wrought this horror! Treacherously slain
At night, by unknown hands, my brave companions:
Tsarpi, my best beloved, light of my soul,
Put out in darkness! O my broken lamp
Of life, where art thou? Nay, I cannot find her.

WOUNDED SOLDIER: [Raising himself on his arm.]
Master!

NAAMAN: [Kneels beside him.]
One living? Quick, a torch this way!
Lift up his head,--so,--carefully!
Courage, my friend, your captain is beside you.
Call back your soul and make report to him.

WOUNDED SOLDIER:
Hail, captain! O my captain,--here!

NAAMAN:
Be patient,--rest in peace,--the fight is done.
Nothing remains but render your account.

WOUNDED SOLDIER:
They fell upon us suddenly,--we fought
Our fiercest,--every man,--our lady fought
Fiercer than all. They beat us down,--she's go