SCENE: The same.
Charmis is alone at the open gates. Glimpses are caught of the people beyond the gates.
TIME: Afternoon of the same day.
CHABRIS (entering to Charmis, at the gates). They say there is now much water in Bethulia.
CHARMIS. Seeing that I have toiled mightily seven hours this day in charge of six score crazy carriers to carry water up from the wells! Would that Ozias had granted me a whip to sharpen their brains! And now Ozias hath left me in charge of the gates.
CHABRIS. Where is Ozias, and what does he do?
CHARMIS. He stands here beyond the gates to receive Judith and the women who have gone forth to meet her.
CHABRIS. What is the deed of Judith? (The noise of an approaching procession is heard. Charmis, ignoring Chabris, goes a little outside the gates to watch. Chabris continues in a louder voice.) The streets of the city are empty. I say the streets of the city are empty.
CHARMIS. Dodderer! The whole city is afoot on the hill-side, and all the Assyrians left alive are fled in panic into the East.
CHABRIS. Then I will return to my house and drink again. No! I will remain, and my eyes shall regard the women, as of old.