Wicked Judge: What's this? What's this? My lord the king desired me? (He sees the Woman.) Aha! Now I understand. This woman hath filled thy ears with lying tales. Lord king, the woman is mad—
Second Woman (indignantly): I am not mad.
Wicked Judge (blandly): Mad, I say, mad! Deeming her mad, I have excused what otherwise I had—er—severely punished.
Second Woman: I am not mad.
Wicked Judge: She claims the child of another woman. (He taps his brow significantly.) What her game is, I know not, but she saith, I am corrupt, and thou but a beardless youth. She saith God hath given thee a kingdom, but not the wit to rule it. Ha, ha!
(Soldiers enter with First Woman and Child.)
Solomon (turning furiously to Second Woman): Didst thou say this?
(The Second Woman pays no attention to him; she is devouring the child with her eyes. She holds out her arms yearningly.)
Second Woman: O my dove, my fair one! (She turns to Solomon.) Look, behold my baby! See his little leg—; lord king, behold his dimples. His eyes are like doves beside the water brooks; his cheeks are as a bed of spices; yea, he is altogether lovely. And he is mine. (She turns with pride to the King, but shrinks away as she sees his anger.)