The House of Rimmon

hope. Naaman

What word is that? The leper has no hope.

Ruahmah

Dear lord, the mark upon thy brow is yet
No broader than my little fingernail.
Thy force is not abated, and thy step
Is firm. Wilt thou surrender to the enemy
Before thy strength is touched? Why, let me put
A drop of courage from my breast in thine.
There is a hope for thee. The captive maid
Of Israel who dwelt within thy house
Knew of a god very compassionate,
Long-suffering, slow to anger, one who heals
The sick, hath pity on the fatherless,
And saves the poor and him who has no helper.
His prophet dwells nigh to Samaria;
And I have heard that he hath brought the dead
To life again. We’ll go to him. The King,
If I beseech him, will appoint a guard
Of thine own soldiers and Saballidin,
Thy friend, to convoy us upon our journey.
He’ll give us royal letters to the king
Of Israel to make our welcome sure;
And we will take the open road, beneath
The open sky, tomorrow, and go on
Together till we find the door of hope.
Come, come with me!

She grasps his hand. Naaman

Drawing back.

Thou must not touch me!

Ruahmah

Unclasping her girdle and putting the end in hand.

Take my girdle, then!

Naaman

Kissing the clasp of the girdle.

I do begin to think there is a God,
Since love on earth can work such miracles!

Curtain.

Act III

Scene I

Time: A month later: dawn.

Naaman’s tent, on high ground among the mountains near Samaria: the city below. In the distance, a wide and splendid landscape. Saballidin and soldiers on guard below the tent. Enter Ruahmah in hunter’s dress, with a lyre slung from her shoulder.

Ruahmah	Peace and good health to you, Saballidin. Good morrow to you all. How fares my lord?
Saballidin	The curtains of his tent are folded still: They have not moved since we returned, last night, And told him what befell us in the city.
Ruahmah	Told him! Why did you make report to him. And not to me? Am I not captain here, Entrusted by the King’s command with care Of Naaman’s life, until he is restored? ’Tis mine to know the first of good or ill In this adventure: mine to shield his heart From every arrow of adversity. What have you told him? Speak!
Saballidin	Lady, we feared To bring our news to you. For when the king Of Israel had read our monarch’s letter, He rent his clothes, and cried, “Am I a god, To kill and make alive, that I should heal A leper? Ye have come with false pretence, Damascus seeks a quarrel with me. Go!” But when we told our lord, he closed his tent, And there remains enfolded in his grief. I trust he sleeps; ’twere kind to let him sleep! For now he doth forget his misery, And all the burden of his hopeless woe Is lifted from him by the gentle hand Of slumber. Oh, to those bereft of hope Sleep is the only blessing left⁠—the last Asylum of the weary, the one sign Of pity from impenetrable heaven. Waking is strife: sleep is the truce of God! Ah, lady, wake him not. The day will be Full long for him to suffer, and for us To turn our disappointed faces home On the long road by which we must return.
Ruahmah	Return! Who gave you that command? Not I! The King made me the leader of this quest, And bound you all to follow me, because He knew I never would return without The thing for which he sent us. I’ll go on Day after day, unto the uttermost parts Of earth, if need be, and beyond the gates Of morning, till I find that which I seek⁠— New life for Naaman. Are ye ashamed To have a woman lead you? Then go back And tell the King, “This huntress went too far For us to follow; she pursues the trail Of hope alone, refusing to forsake The quarry: we grew weary of the chase; And so we left her and retraced our steps, Like faithless hounds, to sleep beside the fire.” Did Naaman forsake his soldiers thus When you went forth to hunt the Assyrian Bull? Your manly courage is less durable Than woman’s love, it seems. Go, if you will⁠— Who bids me now farewell?
Soldiers	Not I, not I!
Saballidin	Lady, lead on, we’ll follow you forever!
Ruahmah	Why, now you speak like men! Brought you no word Out of Samaria, except that cry Of impotence and fear from Israel’s king?
Saballidin	I do remember while he spoke with us A rustic messenger came in, and cried “Elisha saith, let Naaman come to me At Dothan, he shall surely know there is A God in Israel.”
Ruahmah	What said the King?
Saballidin	He only shouted “Go!” more wildly yet, And rent his clothes again, as if he were Half-maddened by a coward’s fear, and thought Only of how he might be rid of us. What comfort could there be for him, what hope For us, in the rude prophet’s misty word?
Ruahmah	It is the very word for which I prayed! My trust was not in princes; for the crown, The sceptre, and the purple robe are not Significant of vital power. The man Who saves his brother-men is he who lives His life with Nature, takes deep hold on truth, And trusts in God. A prophet’s word is more Than all the kings on earth can speak. How far Is Dothan?
Soldier	Lady, ’tis but three hours’ ride Along the valley northward.
Ruahmah	Near! so near? I had not thought to end my task so soon! Prepare yourselves with speed to take the road. I will awake my lord.
	Exeunt all but Saballidin and Ruahmah. She goes toward the tent.
Saballidin	Ruahmah, stay!
	She turns back.
	I’ve been your servant in this doubtful quest, Obedient, faithful, loyal to your will⁠— What have I earned by this?
Ruahmah	The gratitude Of him we both desire to serve: your friend⁠— My master and my lord.
Saballidin	No more than this?
Ruahmah	Yes, if you will, take all the thanks my hands Can hold, my lips can speak.
Saballidin	I would have more.
Ruahmah	My friend, there’s nothing more to give to you, My service to my lord is absolute. There’s not