_Michal._ So have you breathed yourself about my heart, Even as moonlit incense, spirit flame Burning away all barrier!
_Michal._ And all the world has streamed a rapture in, Till even now my lids from anger falter And the dew falls!
_David._ Restrain! O do not weep! Upon my heart each tear were as a sea Flooding it from all duty but the course Of thy delight!
_Michal._ Poor, that I should have tears! Fury were better, tempest! O weak eyes, When 'tis my father, and with Samuel You creep to steal his kingdom!
_David._ Cruel! fell accusal! Yea, Utterly false and full of wounding! (_Struggling, then with control._) Yet, Forgive that even when thy arrows sink Deeper than all the skill of time can draw, I spare thee not the furrowed face of pain ... Delirious wings of hope that fluttered up, At last to fall!
(_He turns. She sways and reaches to him her arms. As they move together_ DOEG _and_ MERAB _appear, but vanish from the curtains as_ MICHAL _utters dismay._)
_David_ (_has sprung to her_). Yet what matter, now! Were it the driven night-unshrouded dead! Under the firmament is but one need, That you will understand!
_Michal._ But Merab! ah, She's cunning, cold and cruel, and she loves thee; Hath told her love to Ahinoam the queen! And Doeg hates thee--since for me he's mad!
_David._ Then be his hate as wild, as wide as winds That gather up the desert for their blast, Be it as Sheol deep, stronger than stars That fling fate on us, and I care not, care not, If I am trusted and to Michal truth! Hear, hear me! for the kingdom, tho 't may come, I yearn not; but for you!
_David._ For you! Since I a shepherd o'er a wild of hills First beheld you the daughter of the king Amid his servants, leaning, still with noon, Beautiful under a tamarisk, until All beauty else is dead----
_David._ Since then I have been wonder, ecstasy and dream! The moulded light and fragrant miracle, Body of you and soul, lifted me till When you departed----
_David._ Then came the prophet Samuel with anointing! My hope sprung as the sun!
_David._ Then was I called to play before the king. Here in this hall where cherubim shine out, Where the night silence----
_David._ Strung me tense, I waited, shepherd-timid, and you came, You for the king to try my skill! you, you!