BAGOAS (_aside, to_ Holofernes). Terrible master, she is full of guile
and deceitfulness, and came not at all for water, but for a hidden
purpose against you. Therefore enquire of her closely.

HOLOFERNES (_to_ Bagoas). Chastise thy tongue, ere it overthrow thee,
fiend. There is no guile in that face. (_To_ Judith.) Tell me now thy
message and wherefore in truth thou art come. And tremble not, for thou
shalt live this night.

JUDITH. Great prince, receive the words of your servant and suffer your
handmaid to speak in your presence, and I will declare no lie to my
lord.

HOLOFERNES. Speak.

JUDITH. I will speak to my lord alone.

BAGOAS (_aside to_ Holofernes). It is a device against my lord.

HOLOFERNES (_to_ Judith). Speak now, I command thee.

JUDITH. My message concerns the fate of Bethulia, and of all the
Assyrians, and of my lord. Life and death are in it, for I have communed
with heaven.

HOLOFERNES. Which heaven? Thine or mine?

JUDITH. There is but one God.

HOLOFERNES (_roughly_). And he is Nebuchadnezzar. Speak thy tale.