fear. Now let us to this Naboth’s feast, to raise our following against this doting King.

PROPHET: Here is our friend Ashobal with some news.

[Enter Ashobal]

ASHOBAL: I was afraid that you had gone, Lord Jehu. Prophet, Lord Jehu, there is danger here. I have just heard from Jezebel’s own lips that she has ordered Ahaziah hither with all his horse, and that he will be here within two hours.PROPHET.
Gods!
JEHU.
Did Jezebel tell you of this?
ASHOBAL.
No; I was hidden, and I overheard her as she told her women.
PROPHET.
She sent for them?
ASHOBAL.
She said so.
PROPHET.
But for what? To be a bodyguard?
ASHOBAL.
She did not say, But that is what they will be when they come.
PROPHET.
Then she suspects us.
PROPHET.
Probably.
JEHU.
The hag!
PROPHET.
These women of false gods shall die the death.
JEHU.
Yes, unless we die first. Thank you, Ashobal, You bring the message in the nick of time. Why has she sent for them? Is Ahab dying? No; he is ill, not dying. By the gods, The harlot may be plotting against Ahab To crown her son? No, by the gods, put by these pleasant dreams, The likelier thing will be the explanation. One of the little sheep within our fold Has bleated to the shepherd: we have been Betrayed, my Prophet and my sweet Ashobal, Betrayed.... By whom? By all the gods, this harlot is a man. She hears of us, at once decides to strike, Sends for the cavalry to cut our throats, Calls Ahaziah to be King until Her Ahab be a man again, and so Bids for her husband’s crown. There are the facts. ASHOBAL. Even so I judged it, from the way she spoke. PROPHET.
Then we had better scatter into hiding, For we are lost.
JEHU.
True, brother Prophet, all our heads are loose, But yet not lost.
PROPHET.
But what are we to do?
JEHU.
Stop Ahaziah in his coming here. It can be done if he be two hours hence. He must be coming by the desert road Passing by Springs. Well, he shall meet his match. Go, Prophet, to the feasting, as we planned. Praise Naboth and be bitterer than spurge About this peace. Pharmas must know of this. Find Pharmas, that the Prophet speak with 

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