There, before the statue of the god, grouped among the columns and before the altar the High Priest and the lords of the Philistines.

Dalila, too, with maidens clad for the lascivious dance, and the multitude of Philistia.

The women's choral song to spring which charmed us in the first act is echoed by mixed voices.

The ballet which follows is a prettily exotic one, with an introductory cadence marked by the Oriental scale, out of which the second dance melody is constructed--a scale which has the peculiarity of an interval composed of three semitones, and which we know from the song of the priestesses in Verdi's "Aida":-- [figure: a musical score excerpt] [figure: a musical score excerpt] The High Priest makes mock of the Judge of Israel: Let him empty the wine cup and sing the praise of his vanquisher! Dalila, in the pride of her triumph, tauntingly tells him how simulated love had been made to serve her gods, her hate, and her nation.

Samson answers only in contrite prayer.