(Trumpets on the right. Enter King Saul and his Armor-bearer. The Messenger rushes to him and kneels.)
Messenger: O my lord, I bear news;
The Philistines with their thousands approach;
They gather themselves together,
And there is none to withstand them.
Saul:
Cursed be the day I was born,
Or ever the Lord anointed me king over Israel!
For a sickness is fallen upon me,
And I know not where to look for help.
(He advances to couch and rests.)
Attendant: Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
Let my lord now command his servant to seek out a man who is a cunning player on the harp, and it shall come to pass when the evil spirit is upon thee, that he shall play and sing, and thou shalt be well.
Saul: