University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Mahanaim, near the principal gate of the city. The People collected: supplies of all kinds entering. King David standing with Joab, Benaiah, and other Captains upon the wall, by the ascent of the gate.
First Citizen.
But will the battle be to-day?

Second Cit.
You see,
The Captains are arrayed in proof; the bands
In readiness, awaiting but the King.

First Cit.
Where lies the foe?

Second Cit.
Hard by the wood of Ephraim.

The Wood of Ephraim was near the city of Mahanaim in the country of Gilead, in the tribe of Gad. It received this appellation from a slaughter of the Ephraimites by Jephtha, which happened there.

Enter an Old Man.
Old Man.
Direct mine eyes—where is he? which is he?

Third Cit.
Whom seek'st thou?

Old Man.
The Anointed,—the Sweet Singer.

Third Cit.
Behold him yonder, on the wall,
'Midst the Gibborim.—Seest thou not?—there, father,
Him in the robe.

Old Man.
Is that the King?—O, heavens!

First Cit.
Why dost thou weep?

Old Man.
How matted all his beard!—
Ah! how neglected!—how his reverend locks
Are scattered!—Brothers, is it,—is it he?

Second Cit.
He hath not trimmed his beard, nor changed his raiment,
Nor slept, since he forsook Jerusalem.

Old Man.
Are those the Captains?—What helmed chief is that,
Whose face is as the ravening eagle's beak?

Second Cit.
'T is Joab.

Old Man.
Blest be Joab! hearts of flint,
And hands of steel, are needful now.

Second Cit.
See, see!

(King David and the Captains descend into the gate: the People press nearer.)
K. Dav.
Bring forth my harness.—Joab and Abishai,
Lead ye the vanguard by the southern gate,
And wait me in the plain.—My spear and harness!

People.
(many voices.)
O, go not forth, my lord,—O, go not!—Go not!

Joab.
If I might speak?

K. Dav.
Say on.

Joab.
Thou know'st the time
Is perilous, and we can jeopard nothing.
Behold, my lord,—this city 's strong for siege,
High-towered, and watered, plentiful in corn
Poured in by Gilead, provender, and kine.
Let us thy servants strike the battle now,
And if we fail, my lord shall succour us
From out the city, or receive us here
Where we can baffle them. But if my lord
The King go forth and meet mischance to-day,
What hope is left us?

People.
(crying tumultuously.)
No, no, no!—The King
Shall not go forth.—No matter if we perish;—
Ten thousand of us, to the King, is nought;—
They care not for us.—If the King be slain,
Israel is lost.—My lord shall not go forth—

Joab.
You hear the People.

Ben.
All thy servants pray.

K. Dav.
Well, what ye think is best, be done.

Joab.
(unsheathing his sword.)
Advance
The banner.

K. Dav.
Hear me, Joab,—hear, Abishai,—
Ye sons of Zeruiah, mark my charge
In presence of the People!—For my sake,
Deal gently with him,—even Absalom,—
Touch not his life.—What! is he not my blood?

Joab.
God save the King!—Abishai pass thou south;
I issue by this portal.

K. Dav.
Benaiah!

Ben.
My lord.

(They retire from the hearing of the People.)
K. Dav.
(after a moment's pause.)
Thou hast a son?

Ben.
Two valiant sons, my lord.

K. Dav.
Thou know'st—know'st what it were—
O, think on this—If he be taken,—shield him
From their wild fury.—Every heart is steeled,
And whetted to a murderous edge.—Benaiah,
I would yield crown and life, ere see my son
Hurried to his award.—Dire, dire for him
Is this arbitrament—

Ben.
Wet not your cheeks,
My gracious lord; it doth unman my heart,
Which I would wear, to-day, like my habergeon.

K. Dav.
Then swear to me.

Ben.
I swear.

K. Dav.
Enough, enough.

(The King resumes his station in the gate: the squadrons pass out before him.)