arrows of injustice, and foredoom

The innocent to burn in endless pain,

I will not call this fierce almightiness

Divine. Though I must bear, with every man,

The burden of my life ordained, I'll keep

My soul unterrified, and tread the path

Of truth and honour with a steady heart!

But if I err in this; and if there be

Divinities whose will is cruel, unjust,

Capricious and supreme, I will forswear

The favour of these gods, and take my part

With man to suffer and for man to die.

Have ye not heard, my lords? The oracle

Proclaims to me, to me alone, the doom

Of vengeance if I lead the army out.

"Conquered or conquering!" I grip that chance!

Damascus free, her foes all beaten back,

The people saved from slavery, the King

Upheld in honour on his ancient throne,--

O what's the cost of this? I'll gladly pay

Whatever gods there be, whatever price

They ask for this one victory. Give me

This gilded sign of shame to carry back;

I'll shake it in the face of Asshur's king,

And break it on his teeth.

BENHADAD: [Rising.]

Then go, my never-beaten captain, go!

And may the powers that hear thy solemn vow

Forgive thy rashness for Damascus' sake,

Prosper thy fighting, and remit thy pledge.

REZON: [Standing beside the altar.]

The pledge, O King, this man must seal his pledge

At Rimmon's altar. He must take the cup

Of soldier-sacrament, and bind himself

By thrice-performed libation to abide

The fate he has invoked.

NAAMAN: [Slowly.]

And so I will.

[He comes down the steps, toward the altar, where REZON is filling the cup which TSARPI holds. RUAHMAH throws herself before NAAMAN, clasping his knees.]

RUAHMAH: [Passionately and wildly.]

My lord, I do beseech you, stay! There's death

Within that cup. It is an offering

To devils. See, the wine blazes like fire,

It flows like blood, it is a cursed cup,

Fulfilled of treachery and hate.

Dear master, noble master, touch it not!

NAAMAN:

Poor maid, thy brain is still distraught. Fear not

But let me go! Here, treat her tenderly!

[Gives her into the hands of SABALLIDIN.]

Can harm befall me from the wife who bears

My name? I take the cup of fate from her.

I greet the unknown powers; [Pours libation.]

I will perform my vow; [Again.]

I will abide my fate; [Again.]

I pledge my life to keep Damascus free.

[He drains the cup, and lets it fall.]

CURTAIN.