University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

The palace: an antechamber of the council-hall: Officers of Absalom's Guard, Attendants, &c., in waiting.
First Off.
Will their debate ne'er end?

Second Off.
No, by the proverb,
Never: when gossip graybeards talk, the sun
Stands still.

Enter Hadad from the hall.
Had.
(to one of the Attendants.)
What, is she come yet?

Attend.
No, my lord.

Had.
(aside.)
This is His spite!—
You bore the signet?—saw the Princess?

Attend.
Yes, my lord.

Had.
Why didst thou not stay by her when thou saw'st
The streets in tumult?

Attend.
I was bid depart.

Had.
O curse!— (Turns angrily into the hall.)


First Off.
What clouds the Syrian? What 's amiss,
(To the Attendant.)
That Hadad bites his lip with such a frown?

Attend.
The Princess, Sir, is missing.

Officers.
Missing! Ha! (They gather round him.)

But how?

Attend.
It happened thus. Imploring leave
To come unto her father, he despatched
Permission by his signet; but she came not,
Though she had thrice entreated him with tears.
It since appears, refusing all attendance,
Except a slave, she went into the streets,
And has not since been heard of.

First Off.
When was this?

Attend.
About the hour of twilight.

First Off.
'T is dark night: (Looking out.)

The city 's in confusion: she may suffer
Some shameful outrage.

Attend.
That is feared indeed:
Bagoas raves, and tears his hair, and Hadad—

Re-enter Hadad.
Had.
Brave gallants of the guard, the King commands
Ye follow me. The Princess Tamar 's lost,
This riotous night, we fear, amidst the streets.
Ride six of you, for life, to every gate,
And bid them, in the King's name, suffer none
Pass outward.—Scatter through the streets your comrades;
Pierce sharply through the people;—scan the crowds.—
If ye espy her, send me instant news
To Zion gate by Gihon. On the bridge
'Twixt the two cities I will post myself.
Away! (Exeunt Officers of the Guard.)

(To one of the Attendants.)
—Come hither. Know'st thou that dark alley
Behind the Market-place?

Attend.
I do, my lord.

Had.
Run thither. Near a lattice thou wilt see
A low, dark man, in a Scribe's gaberdine,
Devoutly searching Moses, by a lamp
Niched in the wall. Say Hadad's treasure 's lost,—
The Princess,—lost in the unruly streets,
And spirited, perhaps, into some den
Of mischief. Bid him search, and come to me
Upon the western bridge o'er Gihon. Fly!
(Exit Attendant.)
Off—off—disperse yourselves in every quarter:—
If ye hear tidings, haste to me.—Stay thou
The King's forthcoming.—He shall be enriched,
Who first salutes me with intelligence.

(Exeunt.)