(Bagoas receives Holofernes with a prostration and high ceremony.)
HOLOFERNES. Where is this woman?
BAGOAS. Woman, Prince?
HOLOFERNES (impatient). This Hebrew woman, I say! One Ingur has run among the tents chattering, and the rumour of her has spread through the camps like a plague. By Nebuchadnezzar the one god, where is she, for it has been told to me that her beauty excels the beauty of all the women of the East and ravishes the eye exceedingly?
BAGOAS. Ah! It is of Judith that the Prince deigns to speak. Lo! I had caught her and was bringing her to your highness. (To attendants.) Stand aside, dogs.
(Judith is revealed to Holofernes. She prostrates herself and then rises. Holofernes gazes at her, entranced.)
HOLOFERNES. So thou hast escaped out of Bethulia to find water for thy thirst?
JUDITH. To find water, and to have speech with the most illustrious Prince.
HOLOFERNES. Woman (approaching her a step, and then standing still), be of good comfort, and fear not in thy heart, for I never hurt any that was willing to serve Nebuchadnezzar, the god of all the earth. And if thy people that dwell in the mountains had not held me lightly, I would not have lifted up my spear against them, but they have done these things to themselves.
BAGOAS (aside, to Holofernes). Terrible master, she is full of guile and deceitfulness, and came not at all for water, but for a hidden purpose against you. Therefore enquire of her closely.