They will not war against Asshur,
They will make a league with the God of Nineveh.
Evil is in store for Damascus,
A strong enemy will lay waste the land.
Therefore make peace with the Bull;
Hearken to the voice of Rimmon._

[_She turns again to the altar, and the priests close in around her.
REZON lifts his rod toward the tower of the temple. A flash of
lightning followed by thunder; smoke rises from the altar; all except
NAAMAN and RUAHMAH cover their faces. The circle of priests opens
again, and TSARPI comes forward slowly, chanting._]

CHANT:
_Hear the words of Rimmon! Thus your Maker speaketh:
I, the god of thunder, riding on the whirlwind,
I, the god of lightning leaping from the storm-cloud,
I will smite with vengeance him who dares defy me!
He who leads Damascus into war with Asshur,
Conquering or conquered, bears my curse upon him.
Surely shall my arrow strike his heart in secret,
Burn his flesh with fever, turn his blood to poison,
Brand him with corruption, drive him into darkness;
He alone shall perish, by the doom of Rimmon._

[_All are terrified and look toward NAAMAN, shuddering. RUAHMAH alone
seems not to heed the curse, but stands with her eyes fixed on NAAMAN._]

RUAHMAH:
Be not afraid! There is a greater God