First Soldier (with sword upraised): Is it thy will, O king, I slay the child, or give it to yon woman?
Solomon: It is my will (he bends and raises Second Woman gently) thou give unto this woman the living child, and in nowise slay it; for she is the mother thereof, because she loveth much. For love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave. Many waters cannot quench love; neither can floods drown it.
Wicked Judge (sourly): Humph!
Second Woman (receiving Child, radiantly): He that ruleth over men righteously, that ruleth in the fear of God, he shall be as the light of the morning when the sun riseth, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springeth out of the earth through clear shining after rain. King Solomon, all hail!
All: King Solomon, all hail!
(All pass out singing.) (If desired, the earlier song may be repeated.)
Song: Music, "Ancient Days"
Listen: [[audio/mpeg]] [[audio/ogg; codecs=opus]] [midi]
Sheet Music: [pdf]