(SOLDIERS _enter with_ FIRST WOMAN _and_ CHILD.)
SOLOMON (_turning furiously to_ SECOND WOMAN): Didst thou say this?
(_The_ SECOND WOMAN _pays no attention to him; she is devouring the child with her eyes. She holds out her arms yearningly._)
SECOND WOMAN: O my dove, my fair one! (_She turns to_ SOLOMON.) Look, behold my baby! See his little leg--; lord king, behold his dimples. His eyes are like doves beside the water brooks; his cheeks are as a bed of spices; yea, he is altogether lovely. And he is _mine._ (_She turns with pride to the_ KING, _but shrinks away as she sees his anger._)
FIRST WOMAN (_advancing to High Place_): King Solomon, all hail! Thou wisest of all judges! Thou canst read the hearts of men; Thou understandest the language of beasts and birds; Lo, I bare my heart to thee. Read thou! I lay my child before thy feet; Judge thou! (_She places child at foot of step._)
SOLOMON: Guard, take the child. (SECOND SOLDIER _lifts the child stiffly._) (_To_ FIRST WOMAN.) Is this thy child?
SOLOMON: Aye, but I would likewise know. Hath neither woman a witness?
WICKED JUDGE (_brusquely_): Pshaw! Nonsense! There is no doubt at all, O mighty son of David. I have examined witnesses; they swear the child is _hers_. (_Nods toward_ FIRST WOMAN.) Moreover, she hath the child; possession witnesses. (_Pats_ FIRST WOMAN.) Fear not, my girl; the king will do thee right.
SECOND WOMAN: O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house. And this woman's child died in the night; and she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid her dead son beside me. And when I arose in the morning, the child was dead; but when I had considered it, behold, it was not my son.
FIRST WOMAN: Nay, but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son.
SECOND WOMAN: Nay, but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son.
SOLOMON (_sternly_): Women, approach. (_Both stand before him. To_ FIRST WOMAN.) Thou sayest, "This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead." (_To_ SECOND WOMAN.) And thou sayest, "Nay, but thy son is the dead, and mine is the living." (_To_ SOLDIER.) Bring hither a sword. (FIRST SOLDIER _goes out._)
WICKED JUDGE: Lo, what is in the king's mind? Will he slay yonder woman for bearing lying witness?