Abiathar. O, rebuke him, do!
David. Almost I am beyond this tolerance.
Abiathar. In truth. Therefore it is you rise and shake
Out of his power the sceptre!
David. Tempt me not!
Mercy and memory almost are dead,
And craving birth in me is fateful ire.
(They follow into the cave: but hardly have done so when, at a shout, pour in Saul and his men, bloodthirstily, from all sides, Doeg and Abner leading.)
Saul. On, to him! search the caves! in, in, and bring
Him to my sword and Michal with him.
(Pacing.)
They
Shall couch upon eternity and dust.
(Weakly.) I am the king and Israel is mine....
I'll sleep upon their grave, I'll sleep upon it,
And hear the worm...!
(To a soldier re-entering from one cave.)
Where is he? Bring him.