OZIAS (angrily, to first soldier). Did I not give an order to bar the street?
FIRST SOLDIER. My lord, some of these are elders of high authority, and would pass. As for the girl——
RAHEL (to Chabris). This moment! (She faints and falls.)
CHABRIS (indifferently, as Charmis moves towards Rahel). Let her lie. She will come to of herself—or not, as God wills.
OZIAS (to the soldiers, with cold fierceness). Get back to your places. (Exeunt soldiers.)
CHARMIS (looking at Ozias and indicating Rahel). She is the fourteenth I have seen faint from thirst in the streets this day.
OZIAS (soothingly). Alas! And you or I may be the next. We are all in like case. But what is to be done?
(Confused feeble exclamations from the group of citizens: 'We want to know. We are come for that. There is but one thing to be done.')
OZIAS (still soothingly). Who among you will be the spokesman?
CHARMIS. We are all spokesmen.