Abimelech
Who says it is false? Let him stand forth and face my sword. Who says it? [The crowd is silent] Beware of slanderers! Now then, off home with you. Let those who can fight, man the walls.
Voices
[From the back] Nahum, Nahum! Here he comes. [The crowd surges round Nahum] Nahum, good Nahum.—Give us bread.—Bread.—Bread.—You will treat us fairly.—Help us.—Good Nahum.
Nahum
[Elbowing his way through the press] Let me pass!
The Crowd
[Follows him up the steps] Nahum! Nahum!
Back! Stand back.