BAGOAS. I would not, for my skin is very valuable to me.

JUDITH. As Nebuchadnezzar is your god, so is the Lord of Israel mine.
And my God laid a secret command upon me to speak with Prince Holofernes
alone and with none other in his tent. Thus, and thus only, was it that
I refused to speak in the presence even of the mighty Bagoas. But as I
withstood you in the valley there, the God of Israel descended upon me
and I heard the voice of God in my ear, and the voice said: 'It is
permitted to thee to speak with Bagoas also.' Therefore I yielded to the
importunity of Prince Holofernes and of Bagoas.

BAGOAS. Your god is a wise god and has discernment.

JUDITH. This I tell you, that there may be peace and good intelligence
between us. Is there peace between us?

BAGOAS. Lady, in my heat I admonished you with hard words and much
vituperation.

JUDITH (_innocently_.) By Nebuchadnezzar, I heard none.

BAGOAS. There is peace between us. And in the closeness of our
intelligence you and I will rule them that rule all Assyria.

_Enter_ Holofernes, _L_.

(Bagoas _prostrates himself_. Holofernes _walks about, ignoring_
Judith.)

HOLOFERNES (_to_ Bagoas). At what hour is the Council of Captains?