Solomon (sternly): Women, approach. (Both stand before him. To First Woman.) Thou sayest, "This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead." (To Second Woman.) And thou sayest, "Nay, but thy son is the dead, and mine is the living." (To Soldier.) Bring hither a sword. (First Soldier goes out.)
Wicked Judge: Lo, what is in the king's mind? Will he slay yonder woman for bearing lying witness?
(Solomon raises his hand with a threatening gesture; Judge shrinks back. First Soldier returns with sword.)
Solomon: I cannot judge between you; let God judge. (Turns to Soldier.) Take thou the sword; divide the living child in twain, and give half to the one and half to the other.
(The First Woman shrinks away. The Second Woman, with a little cry, rushes between the Soldier who holds the Child, and the Soldier who holds sword. She stands with fists doubled, to defend the Child. First Soldier throws her aside; she falls.)
Wicked Judge: O clever judge! O mighty son of David!
First Woman (kneeling): I bow, lord king, to thy decree. Let the child be neither mine nor hers, but divide it.
Second Woman (throwing herself before King): O my lord, my lord, give her the child, give her the living child, and in nowise slay it! Let the child live, even though it be within her arms, lord—lord—
Wicked Judge: O clever judge! Ha, ha, ha! Through thee indeed the Lord hath spoken! Who would have thought to see such mighty wisdom, yea, in a beardless youth? Thy wit hath showed the truth, and made yon lying woman eat her lies. (Taps First Woman.) Even as I said, the child is hers. (To Soldier.) Give unto this woman her child.