First Soldier (raises sword and crosses to Second Soldier, who holds Baby): Is it thy will, O king, I slay this child, or give it to yon woman? (Indicates Second Woman.)
Solomon: It is my will (he raises First Woman tenderly) 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.
First Woman (eagerly receives Baby and cuddles it): O king, he who ruleth over men righteously, who 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 (raising palms): King Solomon, all hail!
(All pass out singing the children's song.)