He will incline his brother-god, the Bull,
To spare us, if we supplicate him now
With costly gifts. Therefore I have prepared
A sacrifice: Rimmon shall be well pleased
With the red blood that bathes his knees to-night!
BENHADAD:
My mind is dark with doubt,--I do forebode
Some horror! Let me go,--I am an old man,--
If Naaman my captain were alive!
But he is dead,--the glory is departed!
[He rises, trembling, to leave the throne. Trumpet
sounds,--NAAMAN'S call;--enter NAAMAN, followed
by soldiers; he kneels at the foot of the throne.]
BENHADAD: [Half-whispering.]
Art thou a ghost escaped from Allatu?
How didst thou pass the seven doors of death?
O noble ghost I am afraid of thee,
And yet I love thee,--let me hear thy voice!
NAAMAN:
No ghost, my King, but one who lives to serve
Thee and Damascus with his heart and sword
As in the former days. The only God
Has healed my leprosy: my life is clean
To offer to my country and my King.
BENHADAD: [Starting toward him.]
O welcome to thy King! Thrice welcome!
REZON: [Leaving his seat and coming toward NAAMAN.
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