Wicked Judge (crashing his fist down): Silence! Silence!! (To Second Woman.) Where are your witnesses?
(Second Woman makes an imploring and hopeless gesture.)
Wicked Judge (fiercely): What? No witnesses? Be off! Be off, I say. (He waves both women away; then his voice changes.) Stay, wait—I had forgot. I must—er—consider the welfare of the infant. (To Second Woman.) It may be thou wouldest be the better guardian. Hast thou the means to feed and clothe the child, and—er—pay all needful fees?
Second Woman: I am poor, but, sir, I am the mother.
Wicked Judge: Pshaw! Pshaw! (Turns to First Woman.) And thou?
First Woman (producing gold pieces): I have these bits of gold. (Her voice takes a mocking inflection.) Most gracious Judge, it may be thou, of thy great kindliness, wilt guard the gold for me, for I, alas, am but a weakling woman, and my child needs all my care.
Wicked Judge (pocketing gold): Ah, yea, yea, thou art indeed the rightful mother. (Raises his eyes to heaven.) More is a child to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold. I will indeed look after thy gold for thee. Now get ye gone. (Turns crossly to Second Woman.) And count thyself lucky that I do not call the guard, and have thee cast into prison for bearing lying witness.
(A Boy rushes in, shouting as he runs.)
Boy: Ohé! Ohé! King Solomon, he entereth now the city. He cometh here to offer sacrifice; the children dance before him. Ohé! Ohé! (He runs out.)