(Enter Hannah, followed by her husband, Elkanah. She is weeping.)
Elkanah (imploringly): Hannah, why weepest thou? And why is thy heart so grieved? If it be because thou hast no son, grieve not. Am I not better to thee than ten sons?
Hannah: Ai, my husband, the women mock me that I have no child. (She kneels and prays silently.)
(Eli enters and observes her in wonder, for silent prayer was unusual.)
Eli: Woman, what ails thee?
Hannah (rising): Ah, sir, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit; I pour out my soul before the Lord.
Eli: Give me to know thy sorrow.
Hannah: I prayed unto the Lord that he would look upon the affliction of his handmaid, and give unto me a man-child. If he do so, then will I give the child unto the Lord all the days of his life.
Eli: A man-child? Nay, ask more. Ask that he grow in the grace and love of God, else will the gift be one of sorrow.