HOLOFERNES. Where is this woman?

BAGOAS. Woman, Prince?

HOLOFERNES (_impatient_). This Hebrew woman, I say! One Ingur has run
among the tents chattering, and the rumour of her has spread through the
camps like a plague. By Nebuchadnezzar the one god, where is she, for it
has been told to me that her beauty excels the beauty of all the women
of the East and ravishes the eye exceedingly?

BAGOAS. Ah! It is of Judith that the Prince deigns to speak. Lo! I had
caught her and was bringing her to your highness. (_To_ attendants.)
Stand aside, dogs.

(Judith _is revealed to_ Holofernes. _She prostrates herself and then
rises_. Holofernes _gazes at her, entranced_.)

HOLOFERNES. So thou hast escaped out of Bethulia to find water for thy
thirst?

JUDITH. To find water, and to have speech with the most illustrious
Prince.

HOLOFERNES. Woman (_approaching her a step, and then standing still_),
be of good comfort, and fear not in thy heart, for I never hurt any that
was willing to serve Nebuchadnezzar, the god of all the earth. And if
thy people that dwell in the mountains had not held me lightly, I would
not have lifted up my spear against them, but they have done these
things to themselves.