BENHADAD:  [Sinking hack on the throne, submissively.]
  I am the faithful son of Rimmon’s House. 
  Consult the oracle.  But who shall read?

REZON: 
  Tsarpi, the wife of Naaman, who served
  Within the temple in her maiden years,
  Shall be the mouthpiece of the mighty god,
  To-day’s high-priestess.  Bring the sacrifice!

[Gongs and cymbals sound:  enter priests carrying an altar on which a lamb is bound.  The altar is placed in the centre of the hall.  TSARPI follows the priests, covered with a long transparent veil of black, sewn with gold stars; RUAHMAH, in white, bears her train.  TSARPI stands before the altar, facing it, and lifts her right hand holding a knife.  RUAHMAH steps back, near the throne, her hands crossed on her breast, her head bowed.  The priests close in around TSARPI and the altar.  The knife is seen to strike downward.  Gongs and cymbals sound:  cries of “Rimmon, hear us.”  The circle of priests opens, and TSARPI turns slowly to face the King.]

TSARPI:  [Monotonously.]
  Black is the blood of the victim,
  Rimmon is unfavourable,
  Asratu is unfavourable;
  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
  Shall cover thee with His almighty wings: 
  Beneath his shield and buckler shalt thou trust.

BENHADAD: 
  Repent, my son, thou must not brave this curse.