Ruahmah: [Rising, her arms held by two of Rezon's followers.]
He is far beyond your reach.
Rezon:
Brave captain! He has saved himself, the leper,
And left you here?
Ruahmah:
The leper is no more.
Rezon:
What mean you?
Ruahmah:
He has gone to meet his God.
Rezon:
Dead? Dead? Behold how Rimmon's wrath is swift!
Damascus shall be mine; I'll terrify
The King with this, and make my terms. But no!
False maid, you sweet-faced harlot, you have lied
To save him,—speak.
Ruahmah:
I am not what you say,
Nor have I lied, nor will I ever speak
A word to you, vile servant of a traitor-god.
Rezon:
Break off this little flute of blasphemy,
This ivory neck,—twist it, I say!
Give her a swift despatch after her leper!
But stay,—if he still lives he'll follow her,
And so we may ensnare him. Harm her not!
Bind her! Away with her to Rimmon's House!
Is all this carrion dead? There's one that moves,—
A spear,—fasten him down! All quiet now?
Then back to our Damascus! Rimmon's face
Shall be made bright with sacrifice.
[Exeunt, forcing Ruahmah with them. Musical interlude. A wounded soldier crawls from a dark corner of the tent and finds the chain with Naaman's seal, which has fallen to the ground in the struggle.]
Wounded Soldier:
The signet of my lord, her amulet!
Lost, lost! Ah, noble lady,—let me die
With this upon my breast.