JUDITH. Nebuchadnezzar is your god? Is it not so, Bagoas?
BAGOAS. Nebuchadnezzar is henceforward the god of the Assyrians and of all the lands which their spears conquer. It is an official order.
JUDITH. If Nebuchadnezzar laid a command upon you, would you disregard it?
BAGOAS. I would not, for my skin is very valuable to me.
JUDITH. As Nebuchadnezzar is your god, so is the Lord of Israel mine. And my God laid a secret command upon me to speak with Prince Holofernes alone and with none other in his tent. Thus, and thus only, was it that I refused to speak in the presence even of the mighty Bagoas. But as I withstood you in the valley there, the God of Israel descended upon me and I heard the voice of God in my ear, and the voice said: 'It is permitted to thee to speak with Bagoas also.' Therefore I yielded to the importunity of Prince Holofernes and of Bagoas.
BAGOAS. Your god is a wise god and has discernment.
JUDITH. This I tell you, that there may be peace and good intelligence between us. Is there peace between us?
BAGOAS. Lady, in my heat I admonished you with hard words and much vituperation.
JUDITH (innocently.) By Nebuchadnezzar, I heard none.
BAGOAS. There is peace between us. And in the closeness of our intelligence you and I will rule them that rule all Assyria.