Zina. My hands have earned your bread and mine!
Brightly. (To soldiers.) Kill her! (Halcom dashes in R. followed by soldiers, who cover rebs.)
Halcom. Throw down your arms! (Rebels drop arms and Zina rushes into her brother’s arms saying:)
Zina. My brother!
Halcom. I have long suspected this. My mother’s face lives in this girl and in my memory seventeen years since as she begged for mercy from a man who never felt it.
Brightly. I am a prisoner of war.
Halcom. We have met, sir, for the last time. You shall fight women and helpless prisoners no longer.
Brightly. Then have done with your preaching and come on! (Drops sword and draws knife.)
Halcom. I will not keep you waiting long! You shall fight for your life this time like an honorable man!
Brightly. (To reb. soldiers) The psalm of a traitor who has stabbed his country in the back!