Source text for this digital edition:
Cary, Elizabeth. La tragedia de Mariam, la hermosa reina de los judíos. Edición bilingüe anotada, introducción y traducción de Víctor Huertas Martín. Valencia: EMOTHE Universitat de València, 2023. https://hdl.handle.net/10550/89867
Digital text encoding for EMOTHE:
- Huertas Martín, Víctor
Note on this digital edition
This publication is part of the research project “Early Modern Spanish and European Theatre: Heritage and Databases”, reference PID2019-104045GB-C54 (acronym EMOTHE), funded by MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.
An annotated and bilingual edition, with introduction and translation into Spanish by Víctor Huertas Martín of Elizabeth Cary's English tragedy THE TRAGEDY OF MARIAM, THE FAIR QUEEN OF JEWRY is available at
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10550/89867
DOI: 10.7203/PUV-OA-593-1
LIST OF CHARACTERS
| HEROD, King of Judea |
| DORIS, Herod’s first wife |
| MARIAM, Herod’s second wife |
| SALOME, Herod’s sister |
| ANTIPATER, his son by Doris |
| ALEXANDRA, Mariam’s brother |
| SILLEUS, Prince of Arabia |
| CONSTABARUS, husband to Salome |
| PHERORAS, Herod’s brother |
| GRAPHINA, his love |
| Babas’ first son |
| Babas’ second son |
| ANNANNELL, the high priest |
| SOHEMUS, a counsellor to Herod |
| NUNTIUS, a messenger |
| BUTLER, another messenger |
| CHORUS, a company of Jews |
| SILLEUS’ MAN |
| SOLDIER |
1.1
[Enter] Mariam.
MARIAM
1
How oft have I with public voice run on
2
To censure Rome’s last hero for deceit
3
Because he wept when Pompey’s life was gone,
4
Yet when he lived, he thought his name too great!
5
But now I do recant, and, Roman lord,
6
Excuse too rash a judgement in a woman.
7
My sex pleads pardon, pardon then afford;
8
Mistaking is with us but too too common.
9
Now do I find by self-experience taught:
10
One object yields both grief and joy!
11
You wept indeed when on his worth you thought,
12
But joyed that slaughter did your foe destroy.
13
So at his death your eyes true drops did rain
14
Whom dead you did not wish alive again.
15
When Herod lived, that now is done to death,
16
Oft have I wished that I from him were free,
17
Oft have I wished that he might lose his breath,
18
Oft have I wished his carcass dead to see.
19
Then rage and scorn had put my love to flight,
20
That love which once on him was firmly set.
21
Hate hid his true affection from my sight,
22
And kept my heart from paying him his debt.
23
And blame me not, for Herod’s jealousy
24
Had power even constancy itself to change;
25
For he, by barring me from liberty
26
To shun my ranging, taught me first to range.
27
But yet too chaste a scholar was my heart
28
To learn to love another than my lord;
29
To leave his love, my lesson’s former part,
30
I quickly learned, the other I abhorred.
31
But now his death to memory doth call
32
The tender love that he to Mariam bare–
33
And mine to him. This makes those rivers fall,
34
Which by another thought unmoistened are.
35
For Aristobolus, the loveliest youth
36
That ever did in angel’s shape appear,
37
The cruel Herod was not moved to ruth.
38
Then why grieves Mariam Herod’s death to hear?
39
Why, joy I not the tongue no more shall speak,
40
That yielded forth my brother’s latest doom?
41
Both youth and beauty might thy fury break
42
And both in him did ill befit a tomb.
43
And, worthy grandshire, ill did he requite,
44
His high ascent, alone by thee procured,
45
Except he murdered thee to free the sprite,
46
Which still he thought on earth too long immured.
47
How happy was it that Sohemus’ mind
48
Was moved to pity my distressed estate?
49
Might Herod’s life a trusty servant find,
50
My death to his had been unseparate.
51
These thoughts have power his death to make me bear–
52
Nay more, to wish the news may firmly hold.
53
Yet cannot this repulse some falling tear,
54
That will against my will some grief unfold.
55
And more I owe him for his love to me,
56
The deepest love that ever yet was seen.
57
Yet had I rather much a milkmaid be
58
Than be the monarch of Judea’s queen.
59
It was for naught but love he wished his end
60
Might to my death, but the vaunt-courier prove;
61
But I had rather still be foe than friend
62
To him that saves for hate and kills for love.
63
Hard-hearted Mariam, at thy discontent,
64
What floods of tears have drenched his manly face?
65
How canst thou then so faintly now lament
66
Thy truest lover’s death, a death’s disgrace?
67
Ay, now, mine eyes, you do begin to right
68
The wrongs of your admirer and my lord;
69
Long since you should have put your smiles to flight.
70
Ill doth a widowed eye with joy accord.
71
Why, now methinks the love I bore him then,
72
When virgin freedom left me unrestrained,
73
Doth to my heart begin to creep again.
74
My passion now is far from being feigned.
75
But tears fly back and hide you in your banks:
76
You must not be to Alexandra seen.
77
For if my moan be spied, but little thanks
78
Shall Mariam have from that incensèd queen.
1.2
[Enter] Alexandra.
ALEXANDRA
1
What means these tears? My Mariam doth mistake!
2
The news we heard did tell the tyrant’s end.
3
What? Weepest thou for thy brother’s murderer’s sake?
4
Will ever wight a tear for Herod spend?
5
My curse pursue his breathless trunk and spirit.
6
Base Edomite, the damnèd Esau’s heir!
7
Must he ere Jacob’s child the crown inherit?
8
Must he, vile wretch, be set in David’s chair?
9
No, David’s soul, within the bosom placed
10
Of our forefather Abraham, was ashamed
11
To see his seat with such a toad disgraced,
12
That seat that hath by Judah’s race been famed.
13
Thou fatal enemy to royal blood,
14
Did not the murder of my boy suffice
15
To stop thy cruel mouth that gaping stood,
16
But must thou dim the mild Hircanus’ eyes,
17
My gracious father, whose too ready hand
18
Did lift this Idumean from the dust?
19
And he, ungrateful caitiff, did withstand
20
The man that did in him most friendly trust!
21
What kingdom’s right could cruel Herod claim?
22
Was he not Esau’s issue, heir of hell?
23
Then what succession can he have but shame?
24
Did not his ancestor his birth-right sell?
25
Oh, yes, he doth from Edom’s name derive
26
His cruel nature, which with blood is fed;
27
That made him me of sire and son deprive.
28
He ever thirsts for blood and blood is red.
29
Weep’st thou because his love to thee was bent?
30
And read’st thou love in crimson characters?
31
Slew he thy friends to work thy heart’s content?
32
No! Hate may justly call that action hers.
33
He gave the sacred priesthood for thy sake
34
To Aristobolus, yet doomed him dead
35
Before his back the ephod warm could make.
36
And ere the miter settled on his head.
37
Oh, had he given my boy no less than right,
38
The double oil should to his forehead bring
39
A double honor, shining doubly bright.
40
His birth anointed him both priest and king.
41
And say my father and my son he slew
42
To royalize by right your prince-born breath,
43
Was love the cause? Can Mariam deem it true
44
That Herod gave commandment for her death?
45
I know, by fits he showed some signs of love,
46
And yet not love but raging lunacy.
47
And this his hate to thee may justly prove
48
That sure he hates Hircanus’ family.
49
Who knows if he, unconstant wavering lord,
50
His love to Doris had renewed again
51
And that he might his bed to her afford?
52
Perchance he wished that Mariam might be slain.
MARIAM
53
Doris! Alas, her time of love was past.
54
Those coals were raked in embers long ago
55
Of Mariam’s love, and she was now disgraced,
56
Nor did I glory in her overthrow.
57
He not a whit his firstborn son esteemed,
58
Because as well as his he was not mine.
59
My children only for his own he deemed,
60
These boys that did descend from royal line,
61
These did he style his heirs to David’s throne.
62
My Alexander, if he live, shall sit
63
In the majestic seat of Solomon.
64
To will it so did Herod think it fit.
ALEXANDRA
65
Why? Who can claim from Alexander’s brood
66
That gold-adorned lion-guarded chair?
67
Was Alexander not of David’s blood?
68
And was not Mariam Alexander’s heir?
69
What more than right could Herod then bestow?
70
And who will think, except for more than right,
71
He did not raise them? For they were not low,
72
But born to wear the crown in his despite.
73
Then send those tears away that are not sent
74
To thee by reason but by passion’s power.
75
Thine eyes to cheer, thy cheeks to smiles be bent,
76
And entertain with joy this happy hour.
77
Felicity, if, when she comes, she finds
78
A mourning habit and a cheerless look,
79
Will think she is not welcome to thy mind
80
And so perchance her lodging will not brook.
81
Oh, keep her whilst thou hast her! If she go,
82
She will not easily return again.
83
Full many a year have I endured in woe,
84
Yet still have sued her presence to obtain.
85
And did not I to her as presents send
86
A table, that best art did beautify
87
Of two, to whom heaven did best feature lend,
88
To woo her love by winning Antony?
89
For when a prince’s favour we do crave,
90
We first their minions’ loves do seek to win;
91
So I, that sought Felicity to have,
92
Did with her minion Antony begin.
93
With double sleight I sought to captivate
94
The warlike lover, but I did not right,
95
For if my gift had born but half the rate,
96
The Roman had been overtaken quite.
97
But now he fared like a hungry guest
98
That to some plenteous festival is gone:
99
Now this, now that, he deems to eat were best.
100
Such choice doth make him let them all alone.
101
The boy’s large forehead first did fairest seem;
102
Then glanced his eye upon my Mariam’s cheek,
103
And that without comparison did deem.
104
What was in either but he most did seek
105
And, thus distracted, either’s beauty’s might
106
Within the other’s excellence was drowned.
107
Too much delight did bar him from delight,
108
For either’s love, the other’s did confound.
109
Where if thy portraiture had only gone,
110
His life from Herod Antony had taken.
111
He would have lovèd thee and thee alone
112
And left the brown Egyptian clean forsaken.
113
And Cleopatra then to seek had been
114
So firm a lover of her wanèd face.
115
Then great Antonius’ fall we had not seen
116
By her that fled to have him hold the chase.
117
Then Mariam, in a Roman’s chariot set,
118
In place of Cleopatra might have shown:
119
A mart of beauties in her visage met,
120
And part in this, that they were all her own.
MARIAM
121
Not to be Empress of aspiring Rome
122
Would Mariam like to Cleopatra live.
123
With purest body will I press my tomb
124
And wish no favours Antony could give.
ALEXANDRA
125
Let us retire us, that we may resolve
126
How now to deal in this reversèd state.
127
Great are th’affairs that we must now revolve
128
And great affairs must not be taken late.
1.3
[Enter] Salome.
SALOME
1
More plotting yet? Why? Now you have the thing
2
For which so oft you spent your suppliant breath;
3
And Mariam hopes to have another king.
4
Her eyes do sparkle joy for Herod’s death.
ALEXANDRA
5
If she desired another king to have,
6
She might before she came in Herod’s bed
7
Have had her wish. More kings than one did crave
8
For leave to set a crown upon her head.
9
I think with more than reason she laments
10
That she is freed from such a sad annoy.
11
Who is’t will weep to part from discontents?
12
And if she joy, she did not causeless joy.
SALOME
13
You durst not thus have given your tongue the rein,
14
If noble Herod still remained in life.
15
Your daughter’s betters far, I dare maintain,
16
Might have rejoiced to be my brother’s wife.
MARIAM
17
My “betters far”! Base woman ‘tis untrue!
18
You scarce have ever my superiors seen,
19
For Mariam’s servants were as good as you
20
Before she came to be Judaea’s Queen.
SALOME
21
Now stirs the tongue that is so quickly moved,
22
But more than once your choler have I born,
23
Your fumish words are sooner said than proved,
24
And Salome’s reply is only scorn.
MARIAM
25
Scorn those that are for thy companions held.
26
Though I thy brother’s face had never seen,
27
My birth thy baser birth so far excelled,
28
I had to both of you the princess been.
29
Thou parti-Jew, and parti-Edomite,
30
Thou mongrel, issued from rejected race!
31
Thy ancestors against the heavens did fight,
32
And thou, like them, wilt heavenly birth disgrace.
SALOME
33
Still twit you me with nothing but my birth?
34
What odds betwixt your ancestors and mine?
35
Both born of Adam, both were made of earth
36
And both did come from holy Abraham’s line.
MARIAM
37
I favour thee when nothing else I say.
38
With thy black acts I’ll not pollute my breath;
39
Else to thy charge I might full justly lay
40
A shameful life, besides a husband’s death.
SALOME
41
’Tis true indeed, I did the plots reveal
42
That passed betwixt your favorites and you.
43
I meant not, I, a traitor to conceal.
44
Thus Salome your minion Joseph slew.
MARIAM
45
Heaven, dost thou mean this infamy to smother?
46
Let slandered Mariam ope thy closed ear!
47
Self-guilt hath ever been suspicion’s mother
48
And, therefore, I this speech with patience bear.
49
No, had not Salome’s unsteadfast heart,
50
In Josephus’ stead her Constabarus placed,
51
To free herself she had not used the art
52
To slander hapless Mariam for unchaste.
ALEXANDRA
53
Come, Mariam, let us go; it is no boot
54
To let the head contend against the foot.
[Exeunt Mariam and Alexandra.]
1.4
SALOME
1
Lives Salome to get so base a style
2
As foot to the proud Mariam? Herod’s spirit
3
In happy time for her endured exile,
4
For, did he live, she should not miss her merit.
5
But he is dead, and though he were my brother,
6
His death such store of cinders cannot cast
7
My coals of love to quench; for though they smother
8
The flames a while, yet will they out at last.
9
Oh, blessed Arabia, in best climate placed!
10
I by the fruit will censure of the tree.
11
’Tis not in vain thy happy name thou hast
12
If all Arabians like Silleus be.
13
Had not my fate been too too contrary,
14
When I on Constabarus first did gaze,
15
Silleus had been object to mine eye,
16
Whose looks and personage must all eyes amaze.
17
But now, ill-fated Salome, thy tongue
18
To Constabarus by itself is tied;
19
And now, except I do the Hebrew wrong,
20
I cannot be the fair Arabian bride.
21
What childish lets are these? Why stand I now
22
On honorable points? ‘Tis long ago
23
Since shame was written on my tainted brow,
24
And certain ‘tis, that shame is honor’s foe.
25
Had I upon my reputation stood,
26
Had I affected an unspotted life,
27
Josephus’ veins had still been stuffed with blood
28
And I to him had lived a sober wife.
29
Then, had I never cast an eye of love
30
On Constabarus’ now-detested face,
31
Then had I kept my thoughts without remove
32
And blushed at motion of the least disgrace.
33
But shame is gone, and honor wiped away,
34
And impudency on my forehead sits.
35
She bids me work my will without delay
36
And for my will I will employ my wits.
37
He loves, I love; what then can be the cause
38
Keeps me from being the Arabian’s wife?
39
It is the principles from Moses’ laws,
40
For Constabarus still remains in life.
41
If he to me did bear as earnest hate
42
As I to him, for him there were an ease:
43
A separating bill might free his fate
44
From such a yoke that did so much displease.
45
Why should such privilege to man be given?
46
Or, given to them, why barred from women then?
47
Are men than we in greater grace with heaven?
48
Or cannot women hate as well as men?
49
I’ll be the custom-breaker and begin
50
To show my sex the way to freedom’s door.
51
And with an offering will I purge my sin.
52
The law was made for none but who are poor.
53
If Herod had lived, I might to him accuse
54
My present lord but for the future’s sake.
55
Then would I tell the king he did refuse
56
The sons of Babas in his power to take.
57
But now I must divorce him from my bed,
58
That my Silleus may possess his room.
59
Had I not begged his life, he had been dead.
60
I curse my tongue, the hinderer of his doom.
61
But then my wandering heart to him was fast,
62
Nor did I dream of change. Silleus said
63
He would be here, and see he comes at last!
64
Had I not named him, longer had he stayed!
1.5
[Enter] Silleus.
SILLEUS
1
Well found, fair Salome, Judaea’s pride!
2
Hath thy innated wisdom found the way
3
To make Silleus deem him deified,
4
By gaining thee, a more than precious prey?
SALOME
5
I have devised the best I can devise.
6
A more imperfect means was never found,
7
But what cares Salome? It doth suffice
8
If our endeavors with their end be crowned.
9
In this our land we have an ancient use,
10
Permitted first by our law-giver’s head:
11
Who hates his wife, though for no just abuse,
12
May with a bill divorce her from his bed.
13
But, in this custom, women are not free.
14
Yet I for once will wrest it; blame not thou
15
The ill I do, since what I do’s for thee.
16
Though others blame, Silleus should allow.
SILLEUS
17
Thinks Salome Silleus hath a tongue
18
To censure her fair actions? Let my blood
19
Bedash my proper brow, for such a wrong,
20
The being yours, can make even vices good.
21
Arabia, joy! Prepare thy earth with green!
22
Thou never happy wert indeed till now.
23
Now shall thy ground be trod by beauty’s queen;
24
Her foot is destined to depress thy brow.
25
Thou shalt, fair Salome, command as much
26
As if the royal ornament were thine;
27
The weakness of Arabia’s king is such;
28
The kingdom is not his so much as mine.
29
My mouth is our Obodas’ oracle,
30
Who thinks not aught but what Silleus will.
31
And thou, rare creature, Asia’s miracle,
32
Shalt be to me as it: Obodas’ still.
SALOME
33
’Tis not for glory I thy love accept,
34
Judaea yields me honors worthy store.
35
Had not affection in my bosom crept,
36
My native country should my life deplore.
37
Were not Silleus he with whom I go,
38
I would not change my Palestine for Rome;
39
Much less would I, a glorious state to show,
40
Go far to purchase an Arabian tomb.
SILLEUS
41
Far be it from Silleus so to think.
42
I know it is thy gratitude requites
43
The love that is in me, and shall not shrink
44
Till death do sever me from earth’s delights.
SALOME
45
But whist! Methinks the wolf is in our talk.
46
Be gone, Silleus. Who doth here arrive?
47
’Tis Constabarus that doth hither walk.
48
I’ll find a quarrel, him from me to drive.
SILLEUS
49
Farewell, but were it not for thy command,
50
In his despite Silleus here would stand.
[Exit.]
1.6
[Enter] Constabarus.
CONSTABARUS
1
O Salome, how much you wrong your name,
2
Your race, your country and your husband most!
3
A stranger’s private conference is shame.
4
I blush for you, that have your blushing lost.
5
Oft have I found, and found you to my grief,
6
Consorted with this base Arabian here.
7
Heaven knows that you have been my comfort chief;
8
Then do not now my greater plague appear.
9
Now, by the stately carvèd edifice
10
That on Mount Zion makes so fair a show,
11
And by the altar fit for sacrifice,
12
I love thee more than thou thyself dost know.
13
Oft with a silent sorrow have I heard
14
How ill Judaea’s mouth doth censure thee,
15
And, did I not thine honour much regard.
16
Thou shouldst not be exhorted thus for me.
17
Didst thou but know the worth of honest fame?
18
How much a virtuous woman is esteemed?
19
Thou wouldst like hell eschew deservèd shame
20
And seek to be both chaste and chastely deemed.
21
Our wisest prince did say, and true he said:
22
A virtuous woman crowns her husband’s head.
SALOME
23
Did I for this uprear thy low estate?
24
Did I for this requital beg thy life,
25
That thou hadst forfeited to hapless fate?
26
To be to such a thankless wretch the wife!
27
This hand of mine hath lifted up thy head,
28
Which many a day ago had fallen full low,
29
Because the sons of Babas are not dead.
30
To me thou dost both life and fortune owe.
CONSTABARUS
31
You have my patience often exercised.
32
Use, make my choler keep within the banks!
33
Yet boast no more, but be by me advised:
34
A benefit upbraided forfeits thanks.
35
I prithee, Salome, dismiss this mood.
36
Thou dost not know how ill it fits thy place.
37
My words were all intended for thy good,
38
To raise thine honour and to stop disgrace.
SALOME
39
‘To stop disgrace’? Take thou no care for me.
40
Nay, do thy worst! Thy worst I set not by.
41
No shame of mine is like to light on thee,
42
Thy love and admonitions I defy!
43
Thou shalt no hour longer call me wife.
44
Thy jealousy procures my hate so deep
45
That I from thee do mean to free my life
46
By a divorcing bill before I sleep.
CONSTABARUS
47
Are Hebrew women now transformed to men?
48
Why do you not as well our battles fight
49
And wear our armour? Suffer this, and then
50
Let all the world be topsy-turnèd quite.
51
Let fishes graze, beasts swim and birds descend,
52
Let fire burn downwards whilst the earth aspires.
53
Let winter’s heat and summer’s cold offend,
54
Let thistles grow on vines and grapes on briars.
55
Set us to spin or sew, or, at the best.
56
Make us wood-hewers, water-bearing wights.
57
For sacred service let us take no rest.
58
Use us as Joshua did the Gibeonites.
SALOME
59
Hold on your talk, till it be time to end.
60
For me I am resolved it shall be so.
61
Though I be first that to this course do bend,
62
I shall not be the last, full well I know.
CONSTABARUS
63
Why, then, be witness, heaven, the judge of sins;
64
Be witness, spirits that eschew the dark;
65
Be witness, angels; witness, cherubins,
66
Whose semblance sits upon the holy Ark.
67
Be witness, earth; be witness, Palestine;
68
Be witness, David’s City, if my heart
69
Did ever merit such an act of thine,
70
Or if the fault be mine that makes us part.
71
Since mildest Moses, friend unto the Lord,
72
Did work his wonders in the land of Ham,
73
And slew the first-born babes without a sword,
74
In sign whereof we eat the holy lamb,
75
Till now that fourteen hundred years are past,
76
Since first the law with us hath been in force.
77
You are the first and, will I hope, be last,
78
That ever sought her husband to divorce.
SALOME
79
I mean not to be led by precedent,
80
My will shall be to me instead of law.
CONSTABARUS
81
I fear me much you will too late repent
82
That you have ever lived so void of awe.
83
This is Silleus’ love that makes you thus
84
Reverse all order; you must next be his.
85
But if my thoughts aright the cause discuss,
86
In winning you, he gains no lasting bliss.
87
I was Silleus, and not long ago
88
Josephus then was Constabarus now.
89
When you became my friend, you proved his foe,
90
As now for him you break to me your vow.
SALOME
91
If once I loved you, greater is your debt;
92
For certain ’tis that you deserved it not.
93
And undeservèd love we soon forget,
94
And, therefore, that to me can be no blot.
95
But now fare ill, my once belovèd lord,
96
Yet never more beloved than now abhorred.
[Exit.]
CONSTABARUS
97
Yet, Constabarus biddeth thee farewell.
98
Farewell, light creature. Heaven forgive thy sin!
99
My prophesying spirit doth foretell
100
Thy wavering thoughts do yet but new begin.
101
Yet I have better ’scaped than Joseph did;
102
But if our Herod’s death had been delayed,
103
The valiant youths that I so long have hid,
104
Had been by her, and I for them, betrayed.
105
Therefore, in happy hour did Caesar give
106
The fatal blow to wanton Antony.
107
For, had he lived, our Herod then should live,
108
But great Antonius’ death made Herod die.
109
Had he enjoyed his breath, not I alone
110
Had been in danger of a deadly fall;
111
But Mariam had the way of peril gone,
112
Though by the tyrant most beloved of all.
113
The sweet-faced Mariam, as free from guilt
114
As heaven from spots; yet had her lord come back
115
Her purest blood had been unjustly spilt,
116
And Salome it was would work her wrack.
117
Though all Judaea yield her innocent,
118
She often hath been near to punishment.
[Exit.]
1 CHORUS
CHORUS
119
Those minds that wholly dote upon delight,
120
Except they only joy in inward good,
121
Still hope at last to hop upon the right,
122
And so from sand they leap in loathsome mud.
123
Fond wretches, seeking what they cannot find,
124
For no content attends a wavering mind.
125
If wealth they do desire and wealth attain,
126
Then wondrous fain would they to honor leap.
127
If mean degree they do in honor gain,
128
They would but wish a little higher step.
129
Thus, step to step and wealth to wealth, they add,
130
Yet cannot all their plenty make them glad.
131
Yet oft we see that some in humble state
132
Are cheerful, pleasant, happy and content,
133
When those indeed that are of higher state
134
With vain additions do their thoughts torment.
135
Th’one would to his mind his fortune bind,
136
Th’other to his fortune frames his mind.
137
To wish variety is sign of grief,
138
For if you like your state as now it is,
139
Why should an alteration bring relief?
140
Nay, change would then be feared as loss of bliss.
141
That man is only happy in his fate,
142
That is delighted in a settled state.
143
Still Mariam wished she from her lord were free,
144
For expectation of variety;
145
Yet, now she sees her wishes prosperous be;
146
She grieves because her lord so soon did die.
147
Who can those vast imaginations feed
148
Where in a property contempt doth breed?
149
Were Herod now perchance to live again,
150
She would again as much be grieved at that.
151
All that she may, she ever doth disdain;
152
Her wishes guide her to she knows not what.
153
And sad must be their looks, their honor sour,
154
That care for nothing being in their power.
2.1
[Enter] Pheroras and Graphina.
PHERORAS
1
‘Tis true, Graphina, now the time draws nigh
2
Wherein the holy priest with hallowed right
3
The happy long desirèd knot shall tie
4
Pheroras and Graphina to unite.
5
How oft have I with lifted hands implored
6
This blessed hour, till now implored in vain,
7
Which hath my wishèd liberty restored
8
And made my subject self my own again.
9
Thy love, fair maid, upon mine eye doth sit,
10
Whose nature hot doth dry the moisture all,
11
Which were, in nature and in reason, fit
12
For my monarchal brother’s death to fall.
13
Had Herod lived, he would have plucked my hand
14
From fair Graphina’s palm perforce, and tied
15
The same in hateful and despisèd band,
16
For I had had a baby to my bride.
17
Scarce can her infant tongue with easy voice
18
Her name distinguish to another’s ear;
19
Yet had he lived, his power and not my choice
20
Had made me solemnly the contract swear.
21
Have I not cause in such a change to joy?
22
What though she be my niece, a princess born?
23
Near blood’s without respect, high birth a toy,
24
Since love can teach us blood and kindred’s scorn.
25
What booted it that he did raise my head
26
To be his realm’s co-partner, kingdom’s mate?
27
Withal, he kept Graphina from my bed,
28
More wished by me than thrice Judea’s state.
29
Oh, could not he be skillful judge in love,
30
That doted so upon his Mariam’s face?
31
He, for his passion, Doris did remove.
32
I needed not a lawful wife displace.
33
It could not be but he had power to judge!
34
But he that never grudged a kingdom’s share
35
This well-known happiness to me did grudge
36
And meant to be therein without compare,
37
Else had I been his equal in love’s host.
38
For though the diadem on Mariam’s head
39
Corrupt the vulgar judgements, I will boast
40
Graphina’s brow’s as white, her cheeks as red.
41
Why speaks thou not, fair creature? Move thy tongue,
42
For silence is a sign of discontent.
43
It were to both our loves too great a wrong
44
If now this hour do find thee sadly bent.
GRAPHINA
45
Mistake me not, my lord. Too oft have I
46
Desired this time to come with wingèd feet
47
To be enwrapped with grief when ‘tis too nigh.
48
You know my wishes ever yours did meet.
49
If I be silent, ‘tis no more but fear
50
That I should say too little when I speak.
51
But since you will my imperfections bear,
52
In spite of doubt, I will my silence break.
53
Yet might amazement tie my moving tongue,
54
But that I know before Pheroras’ mind.
55
I have admirèd your affection long
56
And cannot yet therein a reason find.
57
Your hand hath lifted me from lowest state
58
To highest eminency, wondrous grace.
59
And me, your hand-maid, have you made your mate,
60
Though all but you alone do count me base.
61
You have preserved me pure at my request,
62
Though you so weak a vassal might constrain
63
To yield to your high will. Then, last not best,
64
In my respect a princess you disdain.
65
Then need not all these favors study crave
66
To be requited by a simple maid?
67
And study still, you know, must silence have.
68
Then be my cause for silence justly weighed.
69
But study cannot boot, nor I requite,
70
Except your lowly hand-maid’s steadfast love
71
And fast obedience may your mind delight.
72
I will not promise more than I can prove.
PHERORAS
73
That study needs not. Let Graphina smile
74
And I desire no greater recompense.
75
I cannot vaunt me in a glorious style
76
Nor show my love in far-fetched eloquence.
77
But this believe me: Never Herod’s heart
78
Hath held his prince-borne beauty famèd wife
79
In nearer place than thou, fair virgin, art
80
To him that holds thee glory of his life.
81
Should Herod’s body leave the sepulcher
82
And entertain the severed ghost again,
83
He should not be my nuptial hinderer,
84
Except he hindered it with dying pain.
85
Come, fair Graphina, let us go in state
86
This wish-endearèd time to celebrate.
[Exeunt.]
2.2
[Enter] Constabarus and Sons of Babas.
1 SON
1
Now, valiant friend, you have our lives redeemed,
2
Which lives, as saved by you, to you are due.
3
Command and you shall see yourself esteemed.
4
Our lives and liberties belong to you.
5
This twice six years with hazard of your life,
6
You have concealed us from the tyrant’s sword.
7
Though cruel Herod’s sister were your wife,
8
You durst, in scorn of fear, this grace afford.
9
In recompense we know not what to say;
10
A poor reward were thanks for such a merit.
11
Our truest friendship at your feet we lay,
12
The best requital to a noble spirit.
CONSTABARUS
13
Oh, how you wrong our friendship, valiant youth!
14
With friends there is not such a word as debt.
15
Where amity is tied with bond of truth
16
All benefits are there in common set.
17
Then is the golden age with them renewed,
18
All names of properties are banished quite,
19
Division and distinction are eschewed,
20
Each hath to what belongs to others right.
21
And ‘tis not sure so full a benefit
22
Freely to give as freely to require.
23
A bounteous act hath glory following it;
24
They cause the glory that the act desire.
25
All friendship should the pattern imitate
26
Of Jesse’s son and valiant Jonathan,
27
For neither sovereign’s nor father’s hate
28
A friendship fixed on virtue sever can.
29
Too much of this! ’Tis written in the heart
30
And needs no amplifying with the tongue.
31
Now may you from your living tomb depart,
32
Where Herod’s life hath kept you overlong;
33
Too great an injury to a noble mind,
34
To be quick buried. You had purchased fame
35
Some years ago, but that you were confined,
36
While thousand meaner did advance their name.
37
Your best of life, the prime of all your years,
38
Your time of action is from you bereft.
39
Twelve winters have you overpassed in fears;
40
Yet, if you use it well, enough is left.
41
And who can doubt but you will use it well?
42
The sons of Babas have it by descent
43
In all their thoughts each action to excel,
44
Boldly to act and wisely to invent.
2 SON
45
Had it not like the hateful cuckoo been,
46
Whose riper age his infant nurse doth kill,
47
So long we had not kept ourselves unseen;
48
But Constabarus’ safety crossed our will.
49
For, had the tyrant fixed his cruel eye
50
On our concealed faces, wrath had swayed
51
His justice so that he had forced us die
52
And dearer price than life we should have paid.
53
For you our truest friend had fallen with us,
54
And we, much like a house on pillars set,
55
Had clean depressed our prop; and, therefore, thus
56
Our ready will with our concealment met.
57
But now that you, fair lord, are dangerless,
58
The sons of Babas shall their rigor show
59
And prove it was not baseness did oppress
60
Our hearts so long, but honour kept them low.
2 SON
61
Yet do I fear this tale of Herod’s death
62
At last will prove a very tale indeed;
63
It gives me strongly in my mind his breath
64
Will be preserved to make a number bleed.
65
I wish not, therefore, to be set at large.
66
Yet peril to myself I do not fear.
67
Let us for some days longer be your charge
68
Till we of Herod’s state the truth do hear.
CONSTABARUS
69
What? Art thou turned a coward, noble youth,
70
That thou begin’st to doubt undoubted truth?
1 SON
71
Were it my brother’s tongue that cast this doubt,
72
I from his heart would have the question out
73
With this keen falchion! But ‘tis you, my lord,
74
Against whose head I must not lift a sword.
75
I am so tied in gratitude.
CONSTABARUS
Believe
76
You have no cause to take it ill.
77
If any word of mine your heart did grieve,
78
The word dissented from the speaker’s will.
79
I know it was not fear the doubt begun,
80
But rather valour and your care of me;
81
A coward could not be your father’s son,
82
Yet know I doubts unnecessary be.
83
For who can think that in Antonius’ fall
84
Herod, his bosom friend, should ‘scape unbruised?
85
Then, Caesar, we might thee an idiot call,
86
If thou by him shouldst be so far abused.
2 SON
87
Lord Constabarus, let me tell you this:
88
Upon submission Caesar will forgive.
89
And, therefore, though the tyrant did amiss,
90
It may fall out that he will let him live.
91
Not many years agone it is since I,
92
Directed thither by my father’s care,
93
In famous Rome for twice twelve months did lie,
94
My life from Hebrews’ cruelty to spare.
95
There, though I were but yet of boyish age,
96
I bent mine eye to mark, mine ears to hear,
97
Where I did see Octavius, then a page,
98
When first he did to Julius’ sight appear.
99
Methought I saw such mildness in his face,
100
And such a sweetness in his looks did grow,
101
Withal, commixed with so majestic grace,
102
His physiognomy his fortune did foreshow.
103
For this I am indebted to mine eye,
104
But then mine ear received more evidence.
105
By that I knew his love to clemency,
106
How he with hottest choler could dispense.
CONSTABARUS
107
But we have more than barely heard the news!
108
It hath been twice confirmed. And though some tongue
109
Might be so false with false report t’abuse,
110
A false report hath never lasted long.
111
But be it so that Herod have his life,
112
Concealment would not then a whit avail;
113
For certain ‘tis that she that was my wife
114
Would not to set her accusation fail.
115
And, therefore, now as good the venture give
116
And free ourselves from blot of cowardice
117
As show a pitiful desire to live.
118
For, who can pity but they must despise?
1 SON
119
I yield, but to necessity I yield,
120
I dare upon this doubt engage mine arm:
121
That Herod shall again this kingdom wield
122
And prove his death to be a false alarm.
2 SON
123
I doubt it, too! God grant it be an error.
124
‘Tis best without a cause to be in terror.
125
And rather had I, though my soul be mine,
126
My soul should lie than prove a true divine.
CONSTABARUS
127
Come, come, let fear go seek a dastard’s nest!
128
Undaunted courage lies in a noble breast.
[Exeunt.]
2.3
[Enter] Doris and Antipater.
DORIS
1
You, royal buildings, bow your lofty side,
2
And stoop to her that is by right your queen!
3
Let your humility upbraid the pride
4
Of those in whom no due respect is seen!
5
Nine times have we, with trumpets’ haughty sound
6
And banishing sour leaven from our taste,
7
Observed the feast that takes the fruit from ground,
8
Since I, fair city, did behold thee last.
9
So long it is since Mariam’s purer cheek
10
Did rob from mine the glory, and so long
11
Since I returned my native town to seek,
12
And with me nothing but the sense of wrong,
13
And thee, my boy, whose birth though great it were,
14
Yet have thy after-fortunes proved but poor.
15
When thou wert born, how little did I fear
16
Thou shouldst be thrust from forth thy father’s door!
17
Art thou not Herod’s right begotten son?
18
Was not the hapless Doris Herod’s wife?
19
Yes, ere he had the Hebrew kingdom won,
20
I was companion to his private life.
21
Was I not fair enough to be a queen?
22
Why, ere thou wert to me, false monarch, tied,
23
My lack of beauty might as well be seen
24
As after I had lived five years thy bride.
25
Yet, then thine oaths came pouring like the rain,
26
Which all affirmed my face without compare,
27
And that, if thou mightst Doris’ love obtain,
28
For all the world besides thou didst not care.
29
Then was I young, and rich, and nobly born,
30
And, therefore, worthy to be Herod’s mate.
31
Yet thou, ungrateful, cast me off with scorn,
32
When heaven’s purpose raised your meaner fate.
33
Oft have I begged for vengeance for this fact
34
And with dejected knees, aspiring hands,
35
Have prayed the highest power to enact
36
The fall of her that on my trophy stands.
37
Revenge I have according to my will,
38
Yet where I wished, this vengeance did not light;
39
I wished it should high-hearted Mariam kill;
40
But it against my whilom lord did fight.
41
With thee, sweet boy, I came, and came to try
42
If thou before his bastard’s might be placed
43
In Herod’s royal seat and dignity.
44
But Mariam’s infants here are only graced,
45
And now for us there doth no hope remain.
46
Yet we will not return till Herod’s end
47
Be more confirmed. Perchance he is not slain;
48
So glorious fortunes may my boy attend.
49
For if he live, he’ll think it doth suffice
50
That he to Doris shows such cruelty,
51
For, as he did my wretched life despise,
52
So do I know I shall despised die.
53
Let him but prove as natural to thee
54
As cruel to thy miserable mother,
55
His cruelty shall not upbraided be
56
But in thy fortunes I his faults will smother.
ANTIPATER
57
Each mouth within the city loudly cries
58
That Herod’s death is certain. Therefore we
59
Had best some subtle hidden plot devise,
60
That Mariam’s children might subverted be
61
By poison’s drink, or else by murderous knife,
62
So we may be advanced, it skills not how.
63
They are but bastards, you were Herod’s wife,
64
And foul adultery blotteth Mariam’s brow.
DORIS
65
They are too strong to be by us removed,
66
Or else revenge’s foulest spotted face
67
By our detested wrongs might be approved.
68
But weakness must to greater power give place.
69
But let us now retire to grieve alone,
70
For solitariness best fitteth moan.
[Exeunt.]
2.4
[Enter] Silleus and Constabarus.
SILLEUS
1
Well met, Judaean lord, the only wight
2
Silleus wished to see! I am to call
3
Thy tongue to strict account.
CONSTABARUS
For what despite?
4
I ready am to hear and answer all.
5
But if directly at the cause I guess
6
That breeds this challenge, you must pardon me
7
And now some other ground of fight profess,
8
For I have vowed; vows must unbroken be.
SILLEUS
9
What may be your exception? Let me know.
CONSTABARUS
10
Why? Aught concerning Salome. My sword
11
Shall not be wielded for a cause so low;
12
A blow for her my arm will scorn t’afford.
SILLEUS
13
It is for slandering her unspotted name;
14
And I will make thee, in thy vow’s despite,
15
Suck up the breath that did my mistress blame
16
And swallow it again to do her right.
CONSTABARUS
17
I prithee, give some other quarrel ground
18
To find beginning. Rail against my name,
19
Or strike me first, or let some scarlet wound
20
Inflame my courage; give me words of shame;
21
Do thou our Moses’ sacred laws disgrace;
22
Deprave our nation, do me some despite.
23
I’m apt enough to fight in any case,
24
But yet for Salome I will not fight.
SILLEUS
25
Nor I for aught but Salome. My sword,
26
That owes his service to her sacred name,
27
Will not an edge for other cause afford;
28
In other fight I am not sure of fame.
CONSTABARUS
29
For her, I pity thee enough already;
30
For her, I therefore will not mangle thee.
31
A woman with a heart so most unsteady
32
Will of herself sufficient torture be.
33
I cannot envy for so light a gain,
34
Her mind with such unconstancy doth run;
35
As with a word thou didst her love obtain,
36
So with a word she will from thee be won.
37
So light as her possessions for most day
38
Is her affections lost. To me ’tis known:
39
As good go hold the wind as make her stay.
40
She never loves but till she call her own.
41
She merely is a painted sepulchre
42
That is both fair and vilely foul at once;
43
Though on her outside graces garnish her,
44
Her mind is filled with worse than rotten bones
45
And ever ready lifted is her hand
46
To aim destruction at a husband’s throat.
47
For proofs, Josephus and myself do stand,
48
Though once on both of us she seemed to dote.
49
Her mouth, though serpent-like, it never hisses,
50
Yet, like a serpent, poisons where it kisses.
SILLEUS
51
Well, Hebrew, well thou bark’st but wilt not bite.
CONSTABARUS
52
I tell thee still, for her I will not fight.
SILLEUS
53
Why, then, I call thee coward.
CONSTABARUS
From my heart
54
I give thee thanks. A coward’s hateful name
55
Cannot to valiant minds a blot impart
56
And, therefore, I with joy receive the same.
57
Thou know’st I am no coward. Thou wert by
58
At the Arabian battle th’other day;
59
And saw’st my sword with daring valiancy
60
Amongst the faint Arabians cut my way.
61
The blood of foes no more could let it shine,
62
And ’twas enamellèd with some of thine.
63
But now, have at thee! Not for Salome
64
I fight, but to discharge a coward’s style.
65
Here ’gins the fight that shall not parted be
66
Before a soul or two endure exile.
[They fight.]
SILLEUS
67
Thy sword hath made some windows for my blood,
68
To show a horrid crimson physiognomy.
69
To breathe, for both of us methinks ‘twere good.
70
The day will give us time enough to die.
CONSTABARUS
71
With all my heart, take breath. Thou shalt have time
72
And, if thou list, a twelvemonth. Let us end.
73
Into thy cheeks there doth a paleness climb;
74
Thou canst not from my sword thyself defend.
75
What needest thou for Salome to fight?
76
Thou hast her, and mayst keep her; none strives for her.
77
I willingly to thee resign my right,
78
For in my very soul I do abhor her.
79
Thou sees’t that I am fresh, unwounded yet;
80
Then not for fear I do this offer make.
81
Thou art, with loss of blood, to fight unfit,
82
For here is one and there another take.
SILLEUS
83
I will not leave as long as breath remains
84
Within my wounded body. Spare your words.
85
My heart in blood’s stead, courage entertains;
86
Salome’s love no place for fear affords.
CONSTABARUS
87
Oh, could thy soul but prophesy like mine,
88
I would not wonder thou shouldst long to die!
89
For Salome, if I aright divine,
90
Will be than death a greater misery.
SILLEUS
91
Then list; I’ll breath no longer.
CONSTABARUS
Do thy will.
92
I hateless fight, and charitably kill.
They fight.
93
Pity thyself, Silleus, let not death
94
Intrude before his time into thy heart!
95
Alas, it is too late to fear; his breath
96
Is from his body now about to part.
97
How far’st thou, brave Arabian?
SILLEUS
Very well.
98
My leg is hurt, I can no longer fight.
99
It only grieves me that so soon I fell,
100
Before fair Salome’s wrongs I came to right.
CONSTABARUS
101
Thy wounds are less than mortal. Never fear.
102
Thou shalt a safe and quick recovery find.
103
Come, I will thee unto my lodging bear.
104
I hate thy body, but I love thy mind.
SILLEUS
105
Thanks, noble Jew. I see a courteous foe.
106
Stern enmity to friendship can no art.
107
Had not my heart and tongue engaged me so,
108
I would from thee no foe, but friend, depart.
109
My heart to Salome is tied too fast
110
To leave her love for friendship; yet my skill
111
Shall be employed to make your favour last
112
And I will honor Constabarus still.
CONSTABARUS
113
I ope my bosom to thee and will take
114
Thee in, as friend, and grieve for thy complaint.
115
But if we do not expedition make,
116
Thy loss of blood, I fear, will make thee faint.
[Exeunt.]
2 CHORUS
CHORUS
117
To hear a tale with ears prejudicate,
118
It spoils the judgment and corrupts the sense.
119
That human error given to every state
120
Is greater enemy to innocence.
121
It makes us foolish, heady, rash, unjust,
122
It makes us never try before we trust.
123
It will confound the meaning, change the words,
124
For it our sense of hearing much deceives.
125
Besides, no time to judgement it affords
126
To weigh the circumstance our ear receives.
127
The ground of accidents it never tries,
128
But makes us take for truth ten thousand lies.
129
Our ears and hearts are apt to hold for good
130
That we ourselves do most desire to be,
131
And then we drown objections in the flood
132
Of partiality. ’Tis that we see
133
That makes false rumors long with credit passed,
134
Though they, like rumors, must conclude at last.
135
The greatest part of us prejudicate
136
With wishing Herod’s death do hold it true.
137
The being once deluded doth not bate
138
The credit to a better likelihood due.
139
Those few that wish it not, the multitude,
140
Do carry headlong so they doubts conclude.
141
They not object the weak uncertain ground
142
Whereon they built this tale of Herod’s end,
143
Whereof the author scarcely can be found
144
And all because their wishes that way bend.
145
They think not of the peril that ensu’th,
146
If this should prove the contrary to truth.
147
On this same doubt, on this so light a breath,
148
They pawn their lives and fortunes, for they all
149
Behave them as the news of Herod’s death
150
They did of most undoubted credit call.
151
But if their actions now do rightly hit,
152
Let them commend their fortune, not their wit.
3.1
[Enter] Pheroras [and] Salome.
PHERORAS
1
Urge me no more Graphina to forsake.
2
Not twelve hours since I married her for love!
3
And do you think a sister’s power can make
4
A resolute decree so soon remove?
SALOME
5
Poor minds they are that honor not affects.
PHERORAS
6
Who hunts for honor, happiness neglects.
SALOME
7
You might have been both of felicity
8
And honour too in equal measure seized.
PHERORAS
9
It is not you can tell so well as I
10
What ’tis can make me happy or displeased.
SALOME
11
To match for neither beauty nor respects
12
One mean of birth, but yet of meaner mind,
13
A woman full of natural defects!
14
I wonder what your eye in her could find.
PHERORAS
15
Mine eye found loveliness, mine ear found wit,
16
To please the one and to enchant the other.
17
Grace on her eye, mirth on her tongue doth sit;
18
In looks a child, in wisdom’s house a mother.
SALOME
19
But say you thought her fair, as none thinks else!
20
Knows not Pheroras beauty is a blast?
21
Much like this flower which today excels,
22
But longer than a day it will not last.
PHERORAS
23
Her wit exceeds her beauty.
SALOME
24
Wit may show
25
The way to ill as well as good you know.
PHERORAS
26
But wisdom is the porter of her head
27
And bars all wicked words from issuing thence.
SALOME
28
But of a porter, better were you sped,
29
If she against their entrance made defence.
PHERORAS
30
But wherefore comes the sacred Ananell,
31
That hitherward his hasty steps doth bend?
[Enter Ananell.]
32
Great sacrificer, you’re arrivèd well!
33
Ill news from holy mouth I not attend.
3.2
ANANELL
1
My lips, my son, with peaceful tidings blessed,
2
Shall utter honey to your listening ear.
3
A word of death comes not from priestly breast.
4
I speak of life! In life there is no fear!
5
And for the news I did the heavens salute
6
And filled the Temple with my thankful voice;
7
For though that mourning may not me pollute,
8
At pleasing accidents I may rejoice.
PHERORAS
9
Is Herod then revived from certain death?
SALOME
10
What? Can your news restore my brother’s breath?
ANANELL
11
Both so and so. The king is safe and sound,
12
And did such grace in royal Caesar meet
13
That he with larger style than ever crowned
14
Within this hour Jerusalem will greet.
15
I did but come to tell you and must back
16
To make preparatives for sacrifice.
17
I knew his death your hearts, like mine, did rack,
18
Though to conceal it proved you wise.
[Exit.]
SALOME
19
How can my joy sufficiently appear?
PHERORAS
20
A heavier tale did never pierce mine ear.
SALOME
21
Now Salome of happiness may boast.
PHERORAS
22
But now Pheroras is in danger most.
SALOME
23
I shall enjoy the comfort of my life.
PHERORAS
24
And I shall lose it losing of my wife.
SALOME
25
Joy, heart, for Constabarus shall be slain.
PHERORAS
26
Grieve, soul, Graphina shall from me be ta’en!
SALOME
27
Smile, cheeks, the fair Silleus shall be mine!
PHERORAS
28
Weep, eyes, for I must with a child combine!
SALOME
29
Well, brother, cease your moans. On one condition
30
I’ll undertake to win the king’s consent;
31
Graphina still shall be in your tuition
32
And her with you be ne’er the less content.
PHERORAS
33
What’s the condition? Let me quickly know,
34
That I as quickly your command may act,
35
Were it to see what herbs in Ophir grow
36
Or that the lofty Tyrus might be sacked.
SALOME
37
’Tis not so hard a task. It is no more
38
But tell the king that Constabarus hid
39
The sons of Babas, done to death before.
40
And ’tis no more than Constabarus did.
41
And tell him more that I, for Herod’s sake,
42
Not able to endure our brother’s foe,
43
Did with a bill our separation make,
44
Though loath from Constabarus else to go.
PHERORAS
45
Believe this tale for told, I’ll go from hence
46
In Herod’s ear the Hebrew to deface.
47
And I, that never studied eloquence,
48
Do mean with eloquence this tale to grace.
Exit.
SALOME
49
This will be Constabarus’ quick dispatch,
50
Which from my mouth would lesser credit find.
51
Yet shall he not decease without a match,
52
For Mariam shall not linger long behind.
53
First, jealousy; if that avail not, fear
54
Shall be my minister to work her end.
55
A common error moves not Herod’s ear,
56
Which doth so firmly to his Mariam bend.
57
She shall be chargèd with so horrid crime
58
As Herod’s fear shall turn his love to hate.
59
I’ll make some swear that she desires to climb
60
And seeks to poison him for his estate.
61
I scorn that she should live my birth t’upbraid,
62
To call me base and hungry Edomite!
63
With patient show her choler I betrayed
64
And watched the time to be revenged by sleight.
65
Now, tongue of mine, with scandal load her name!
66
Turn hers to fountains, Herod’s eyes to flame!
67
Yet first I will begin Pherora’s suit,
68
That he my earnest business may effect,
69
And I of Mariam will keep me mute
70
Till first some other doth her name detect.
[Enter Silleus’ Man.]
71
Who’s there, Silleus’ man? How fares your lord,
72
That your aspects do bear the badge of sorrow?
SILLEUS’ MAN
73
He hath the marks of Constabarus’ sword,
74
And for a while desires your sight to borrow.
SALOME
75
My heavy curse the hateful sword pursue!
76
My heavier curse on the more hateful arm
77
That wounded my Silleus! But renew
78
Your tale again. Hath he no mortal harm?
SILLEUS’ MAN
79
No sign of danger doth in him appear
80
Nor are his wounds in place of peril seen.
81
He bids you be assured you need not fear;
82
He hopes to make you yet Arabia’s queen.
SALOME
83
Commend my heart to be Silleus’ charge,
84
Tell him, my brother’s sudden coming now
85
Will give my foot no room to walk at large,
86
But I will see him yet ere night, I vow.
[Exeunt.]
3.3
[Enter] Mariam and Sohemus.
MARIAM
1
Sohemus, tell me what the news may be
2
That makes your eyes so full, your cheeks so blue?
SOHEMUS
3
I know not how to call them. Ill for me
4
’Tis sure they are; not so, I hope, for you.
5
Herod–
MARIAM
Oh, what of Herod?
SOHEMUS
Herod lives.
MARIAM
6
How! Lives? What, in some cave or forest hid?
SOHEMUS
7
Nay, back returned with honor. Caesar gives
8
Him greater grace then e’er Antonius did.
MARIAM
9
Foretell the ruin of my family,
10
Tell me that I shall see our city burned,
11
Tell me I shall a death disgraceful die,
12
But tell me not that Herod is returned.
SOHEMUS
13
Be not impatient, madam, be but mild!
14
His love to you again will soon be bred.
MARIAM
15
I will not to his love be reconciled;
16
With solemn vows I have forsworn his bed.
SOHEMUS
17
But you must break those vows.
MARIAM
I’ll rather break
18
The heart of Mariam. Cursèd is my fate!
19
But speak no more to me, in vain you speak;
20
To live with him I so profoundly hate.
SOHEMUS
21
Great queen, you must to me your pardon give.
22
Sohemus cannot now your will obey.
23
If your command should me to silence drive,
24
It were not to obey, but to betray.
25
Reject and slight my speeches, mock my faith,
26
Scorn my observance, call my counsel naught.
27
Though you regard not what Sohemus saith,
28
Yet will I ever freely speak my thought.
29
I fear ere long I shall fair Mariam see
30
In woeful state and by herself undone.
31
Yet for your issue’s sake more temperate be;
32
The heart by affability is won.
MARIAM
33
And must I to my prison turn again?
34
Oh, now I see I was an hypocrite.
35
I did this morning for his death complain,
36
And yet do mourn because he lives ere night.
37
When I his death believed, compassion wrought
38
And was the stickler ‘twixt my heart and him;
39
But now that curtain’s drawn from off my thought,
40
Hate doth appear again with visage grim
41
And paints the face of Herod in my heart
42
In horrid colors with detested look.
43
Then fear would come, but scorn doth play her part
44
And saith that scorn with fear can never brook.
45
I now I could enchain him with a smile
46
And lead him captive with a gentle word.
47
I scorn my look should ever man beguile
48
Or other speech than meaning to afford.
49
Else Salome in vain might spend her wind;
50
In vain might Herod’s mother whet her tongue;
51
In vain had they complotted and combined,
52
For I could overthrow them all ere long.
53
Oh, what a shelter is mine innocence
54
To shield me from the pangs of inward grief!
55
’Gainst all mishaps it is my fair defence
56
And to my sorrows yields a large relief.
57
To be commandress of the triple earth
58
And sit in safety from a fall secure,
59
To have all nations celebrate my birth,
60
I would not that my spirit were impure.
61
Let my distressèd state unpitied be;
62
Mine innocence is hope enough for me.
Exit.
SOHEMUS
63
Poor guiltless queen! Oh, that my wish might place
64
A little temper now about thy heart!
65
Unbridled speech is Mariam’s worst disgrace
66
And will endanger her without desert.
67
I am in greater hazard. O’er my head
68
The fatal axe doth hang unsteadily;
69
My disobedience, once discoverèd,
70
Will shake it down. Sohemus so shall die.
71
For when the king shall find we thought his death
72
Had been as certain as we see his life
73
And marks withal I slighted so his breath
74
As to preserve alive his matchless wife–
75
Nay, more, to give to Alexander’s hand
76
The regal dignity, the sovereign power,
77
How I had yielded up at her command
78
The strength of all the city, David’s Tower–
79
What more than common death may I expect
80
Since I too well do know his cruelty?
81
’Twere death a word of Herod’s to neglect,
82
What then to do directly contrary?
83
Yet life, I quit thee with a willing spirit,
84
And think thou couldst not better be employed;
85
I forfeit thee for her that more doth merit.
86
Ten such were better dead then she destroyed.
87
But fare thee well, chaste queen! Well may I see
88
The darkness palpable and rivers part,
89
The sun stand still; nay, more, retorted be,
90
But never woman with so pure a heart.
91
Thine eyes’ grave majesty keeps all in awe,
92
And cuts the wings of every loose desire;
93
Thy brow is table to the modest law,
94
Yet though we dare not love, we may admire.
95
And if I die, it shall my soul content,
96
My breath in Mariam’s service shall be spent.
[Exit.]
CHORUS
97
’Tis not enough for one that is a wife
98
To keep her spotless from an act of ill,
99
But from suspicion she should free her life
100
And bare herself of power as well as will.
101
’Tis not so glorious for her to be free
102
As by her proper self restrained to be.
103
When she hath spacious ground to walk upon,
104
Why on the ridge should she desire to go?
105
It is no glory to forbear alone
106
Those things that may her honor overthrow.
107
But ‘tis thankworthy if she will not take
108
All lawful liberties for honor’s sake.
109
That wife her hand against her fame doth rear
110
That more than to her lord alone will give
111
A private word to any second ear,
112
And though she may with reputation live,
113
Yet though most chaste, she doth her glory blot
114
And wounds her honor, though she kills it not.
115
When to their husbands they themselves do bind,
116
Do they not wholly give themselves away?
117
Or give they but their body, not their mind,
118
Reserving that, though best, for others’ prey?
119
No, sure, their thoughts no more can be their own,
120
And, therefore, should to none but one be known.
121
Then she usurps upon another’s right,
122
That seeks to be by public language graced;
123
And though her thoughts reflect with purest light,
124
Her mind, if not peculiar, is not chaste.
125
For in a wife it is no worse to find
126
A common body than a common mind.
127
And every mind, though free from thought of ill,
128
That out of glory seeks a worth to show,
129
When any’s ears but one therewith they fill,
130
Doth in a sort her pureness overthrow.
131
Now Mariam had, but that to this she bent,
132
Been free from fear, as well as innocent.
4.1
Enter Herod and his attendants.
HEROD
1
Hail, happy city! Happy in thy store!
2
And happy that thy buildings such we see!
3
More happy in the Temple where w’adore,
4
But, most of all, that Mariam lives in thee!
Enter Nuntio.
5
Art thou returned? How fares my Mariam? How?
NUNTIO
6
She’s well, my lord, and will anon be here
7
As you commanded.
[Exit.]
HEROD
Muffle up thy brow,
8
Thou day’s dark taper! Mariam will appear
9
And where she shines we need not thy dim light.
10
Oh, haste thy steps, rare creature! Speed thy pace
11
And let thy presence make the day more bright
12
And cheer the heart of Herod with thy face.
13
It is an age since I from Mariam went.
14
Methinks our parting was in David’s days,
15
The hours are so increased by discontent.
16
Deep sorrow, Joshua-like, the season stays,
17
But when I am with Mariam, time runs on.
18
Her sight can make months minutes, days of weeks;
19
An hour is then no sooner come than gone
20
When in her face mine eye for wonders seeks.
21
You, world-commanding city, Europe’s grace,
22
Twice hath my curious eye your streets surveyed
23
And I have seen the statue-fillèd place
24
That once, if not for grief, had been betrayed.
25
I all your Roman beauties have beheld
26
And seen the shows your aediles did prepare.
27
I saw the sum of what in you excelled,
28
Yet saw no miracle like Mariam rare.
29
The fair and famous Livia, Caesar’s love,
30
The worlds commanding mistress did I see,
31
Whose beauties both the world and Rome approve;
32
Yet, Mariam, Livia is not like to thee.
33
Be patient but a little while, mine eyes,
34
Within your compass limits be contained;
35
That object straight shall your desires suffice
36
From which you were so long a while restrained.
37
How wisely Mariam doth the time delay,
38
Lest sudden joy my sense should suffocate!
39
I am prepared; thou need’st no longer stay.
40
Who’s there? My Mariam? More than happy fate!
41
Oh no, it is Pheroras.– Welcome, brother!
42
Now for a while I must my passion smother.
4.2
[Enter] Pheroras.
PHERORAS
1
All health and safety wait upon my lord
2
And may you long in prosperous fortunes live;
3
With Rome-commanding Caesar at accord
4
And have all honors that the world can give.
HEROD
5
Oh, brother, now thou speak’st not from thy heart.
6
No, thou hast struck a blow at Herod’s love.
7
That cannot quickly from my memory part,
8
Though Salome did me to pardon move.
9
Valiant Phasaelus, now to thee farewell!
10
Thou wert my kind and honorable brother!
11
Oh, hapless hour, when you self-stricken fell,
12
Thou father’s image, glory of thy mother!
13
Had I desired a greater suit of thee
14
Than to withhold thee from a harlot’s bed,
15
Thou wouldst have granted it; but now I see
16
All are not like that in a womb are bred.
17
Thou wouldst not, hadst thou heard of Herod’s death,
18
Have made his burial time, thy bridal hour;
19
Thou wouldst with clamors, not with joyful breath,
20
Have showed the news to be not sweet but sour.
PHERORAS
21
Phasaelus’ great worth I know did stain
22
Pheroras’ petty valour; but they lie,
23
(Excepting you yourself) that dare maintain
24
That he did honor Herod more than I!
25
For what I showed, love’s power constrained me show,
26
And pardon loving faults for Mariam’s sake.
HEROD
27
Mariam! Where is she?
PHERORAS
Nay, I do not know,
28
But absent use of her fair name I make.
29
You have forgiven greater faults than this;
30
For Constabarus, that against your will
31
Preserved the sons of Babas, lives in bliss,
32
Though you commanded him the youths to kill.
HEROD
33
Go, take a present order for his death,
34
And let those traitors feel the worst of fears!
35
Now Salome will whine to beg his breath,
36
But I’ll be deaf to prayers and blind to tears.
PHERORAS
37
He is, my lord, from Salome divorced,
38
Though her affection did to leave him grieve;
39
Yet was she by her love to you enforced
40
To leave the man that would your foes relieve.
HEROD
41
Then haste them to their death.
Exit [Pheroras.]
I will requite
42
Thee, gentle Mariam – Salome, I mean.
43
The thought of Mariam doth so steal my spirit,
44
My mouth from speech of her I cannot wean.
4.3
[Enter] Mariam.
HEROD
1
And here she comes indeed! Happily met,
2
My best, and dearest half! What ails my dear?
3
Thou dost the difference certainly forget
4
’Twixt dusky habits and a time so clear.
MARIAM
5
My lord, I suit my garment to my mind
6
And there no cheerful colors can I find.
HERODES
7
Is this my welcome? Have I longed so much
8
To see my dearest Mariam discontent?
9
What is’t that is the cause thy heart to touch?
10
Oh, speak, that I thy sorrow may prevent.
11
Art thou not Jewry’s queen? And Herod’s too?
12
Be my commandress, be my sovereign guide;
13
To be by thee directed I will woo,
14
For in thy pleasure lies my highest pride.
15
Or, if thou think Judaea’s narrow bound
16
Too strict a limit for thy great command,
17
Thou shalt be empress of Arabia crowned,
18
For thou shalt rule, and I will win the land.
19
I’ll rob the holy David’s sepulcher
20
To give thee wealth, if thou for wealth do care;
21
Thou shalt have all they did with him inter
22
And I for thee will make the Temple bare.
MARIAM
23
I neither have of power not riches want.
24
I have enough, nor do I wish for more.
25
Your offers to my heart no ease can grant,
26
Except they could my brother’s life restore.
27
No, had you wished the wretched Mariam glad,
28
Or had your love to her been truly tied–
29
Nay, had you not desired to make her sad–,
30
My brother nor my grandsire had not died!
HEROD
31
Wilt thou believe no oaths to clear thy lord?
32
How oft have I with execration sworn!
33
Thou art by me beloved, by me adored,
34
Yet are my protestations heard with scorn.
35
Hyrcanus plotted to deprive my head
36
Of this long-settled honor that I wear,
37
And, therefore, I did justly doom him dead
38
To rid the realm from peril, me from fear.
39
Yet I for Mariam’s sake do so repent
40
The death of one whose blood she did inherit,
41
I wish I had a kingdom’s treasure spent,
42
So I had ne’er expelled Hyrcanus’ spirit.
43
……………………………………………
44
As I affected that same noble youth;
45
In lasting infamy my name enroll
46
If I not mourned his death with hearty truth.
47
Did I not show to him my earnest love
48
When I to him the priesthood did restore?
49
And did for him a living priest remove,
50
Which never had been done but once before?
MARIAM
51
I know that, moved by importunity,
52
You made him priest and, shortly after, die.
HEROD
53
I will not speak unless to be believed!
54
This froward humor will not do you good.
55
It hath too much already Herod grieved
56
To think that you on terms of hate have stood.
57
Yet, smile, my dearest Mariam, do but smile
58
And I will all unkind conceits exile.
MARIAM
59
I cannot frame disguise, nor never taught
60
My face a look dissenting from my thought.
HEROD
61
By heaven, you vex me! Build not on my love.
MARIAM
62
I will not build on so unstable ground.
HEROD
63
Nought is so fixed but peevishnes may move.
MARIAM
64
’Tis better sleightest cause then none were found.
HEROD
65
Be judge yourself, if ever Herod sought
66
Or would be moved a cause of change to find.
67
Yet, let your look declare a milder thought.
68
My heart again you shall to Mariam bind.
69
How oft did I for you my mother chide,
70
Revile my sister and my brother rate
71
And tell them all my Mariam they belied!
72
Distrust me still if these be signs of hate.
4.4
[Enter Butler.]
HEROD
1
What hast thou here?
BUTLER
A drink procuring love,
2
The queen desired me to deliver it.
MARIAM
3
Did I? Some hateful practice this will prove,
4
Yet can it be no worse than heavens permit.
HEROD
5
Confess the truth, thou wicked instrument
6
To her outrageous will! ’Tis poison, sure.
7
Tell true, and thou shalt scape the punishment,
8
Which, if thou do conceal, thou shalt endure.
BUTLER
9
I know not, but I doubt it be no less.
10
Long since the hate of you her heart did seize.
HEROD
11
Know’st thou the cause thereof?
BUTLER
My lord, I guess:
12
Sohemus told the tale that did displease.
HEROD
13
Oh, heaven! Sohemus false! Go let him die!
14
Stay not to suffer him to speak a word.
[Exit Butler.]
15
Oh, damnèd villain! Did he falsify
16
The oath he swore e’en of his own accord?
17
Now do I know thy falsehood, painted devil,
18
Thou white enchantress! Oh, thou art so foul
19
That hyssop cannot cleanse thee, worst of evil.
20
A beauteous body hides a loathsome soul.
21
Your love Sohemus, moved by his affection,
22
Though he have ever heretofore been true,
23
Did blab, forsooth, that I did give direction,
24
If we were put to death to slaughter you.
25
And you in black revenge attended now
26
To add a murder to your breach of vow.
MARIAM
27
Is this a dream?
HEROD
Oh, heaven, that ’twere no more!
28
I’ll give my realm to who can prove it so.
29
I would I were like any beggar poor,
30
So I for false my Mariam did not know.
31
Foul pith containèd in the fairest rind
32
That ever graced a cedar. Oh, thine eye
33
Is pure as heaven, but impure thy mind,
34
And for impurity shall Mariam die.
35
Why didst thou love Sohemus?
MARIAM
They can tell
36
That say I loved him, Mariam says not so.
HEROD
37
Oh, cannot impudence the coals expel
38
That for thy love in Herod’s bosom glow?
39
It is as plain as water, and denial
40
Makes of thy falsehood but a greater trial.
41
Hast thou beheld thyself? And couldst thou stain
42
So rare perfection? Even for love of thee,
43
I do profoundly hate thee. Wert thou plain,
44
Thou shouldst the wonder of Judaea be,
45
But oh, thou art not. Hell itself lies hid
46
Beneath thy heav’nly show. Yet never wert thou chaste!
47
Thou mightst exalt, pull down, command, forbid,
48
And be above the wheel of fortune placed.
49
Hadst thou complotted Herod’s massacre,
50
That so thy son a monarch might be styled,
51
Not half so grievous such an action were
52
As once to think that Mariam is defiled.
53
Bright workmanship of nature sullied o’er
54
With pitchèd darkness; now thine end shall be.
55
Thou shalt not live, fair fiend, to cozen more,
56
With heav’nly semblance, as thou cozened’st me.
57
Yet must I love thee in despite of death
58
And thou shalt die in the despite of love;
59
For neither shall my love prolong thy breath,
60
Nor shall thy loss of breath my love remove.
61
I might have seen thy falsehood in thy face.
62
Where couldst thou get thy stars that served for eyes,
63
Except by theft? And theft is foul disgrace!
64
This had appeared before, were Herod wise,
65
But I’m a sot, a very sot, no better.
66
My wisdom long ago a-wandering fell;
67
Thy face, encountering it, my wit did fetter
68
And made me for delight my freedom sell.
69
Give me my heart, false creature! ‘Tis a wrong
70
My guiltless heart should now with thine be slain.
71
Thou hadst no right to lock it up so long,
72
And with usurper’s name I Mariam stain.
Enter Butler.
HEROD
73
Have you designed Sohemus to his end?
BUTLER
74
I have, my lord.
HEROD
Then call our royal guard
75
To do as much for Mariam.
[Exit Butler.]
They offend
76
Leave ill unblamed or good without reward.
[Enter Soldiers.]
77
Here take her to her death. Come back, come back!
78
What meant I to deprive the world of light?
79
To muffle Jewry in the foulest black,
80
That ever was an opposite to white?
81
Why, whither would you carry her?
SOLDIER
You bade
82
We should conduct her to her death, my lord.
HEROD
83
Why, sure I did not; Herod was not mad.
84
Why should she feel the fury of the sword?
85
Oh, now the grief returns into my heart
86
And pulls me peacemeal! Love and hate do fight!
87
And now hath love acquired the greater part.
88
Yet now hath hate affection conquered quite.
89
And, therefore, bear her hence. And, Hebrew, why
90
Seize you with lion’s paws the fairest lamb
91
Of all the flock? She must not, shall not, die.
92
Without her, I most miserable am.
93
And with her, more than most. Away, away!
94
But bear her but to prison, not to death.
95
And is she gone indeed? Stay villains, stay!
96
Her looks alone preserved your sovereign’s breath.
97
Well, let her go, but yet she shall not die.
98
I cannot think she meant to poison me,
99
But certain ’tis she lived too wantonly
100
And, therefore, shall she never more be free.
[Exeunt all but Butler.]
4.5
BUTLER
1
Foul villain! Can thy pitchy-coloured soul
2
Permit thine ear to hear her causeless doom,
3
And not enforce thy tongue that tale control,
4
That must unjustly bring her to her tomb?
5
O, Salome, thou hast thyself repaid
6
For all the benefits that thou hast done!
7
Thou art the cause I have the queen betrayed;
8
Thou hast my heart to darkest falsehood won.
9
I am condemned! Heav’n gave me not my tongue
10
To slander innocents, to lie, deceive,
11
To be the hateful instrument to wrong,
12
The earth of greatest glory to bereave.
13
My sin ascends and doth to heaven cry:
14
“It is the blackest deed that ever was!”.
15
And there doth sit an angel notary,
16
That doth record it down in leaves of brass.
17
Oh, how my heart doth quake! Achitophel,
18
Thou found a means thyself from shame to free;
19
And, sure, my soul approves thou didst not well.
20
All follow some and I will follow thee.
[Exit.]
4.6
[Enter] Constabarus, Babas’ Sons, and their guard.
CONSTABARUS
1
Now here we step our last, the way to death;
2
We must not tread this way a second time.
3
Yet let us resolutely yield our breath.
4
Death is the only ladder, heaven to climb.
1 SON
5
With willing mind I could myself resign,
6
But yet it grieves me with a grief untold
7
Our death should be accompanied with thine;
8
Our friendship we to thee have dearly sold.
CONSTABARUS
9
Still wilt thou wrong the sacred name of friend?
10
Then shouldst thou never style it friendship more,
11
But base mechanic traffic that doth lend,
12
Yet will be sure they shall the debt restore.
13
I could with needless compliment return.
14
This, for thy ceremony, I could say:
15
’Tis I that made the fire your house to burn,
16
For, but for me, she would not you betray.
17
Had not the damnèd woman sought mine end,
18
You had not been the subject of her hate;
19
You never did her hateful mind offend,
20
Nor could your deaths have freed her nuptial fate.
21
Therefore, fair friends, though you were still unborn,
22
Some other subtlety devised should be,
23
Whereby my life, though guiltless, should be torn;
24
Thus, have I proved, ’tis you that die for me.
25
And, therefore, should I weakly now lament
26
You have but done your duties. Friends should die
27
Alone, their friends’ disaster to prevent,
28
Though not compelled by strong necessity.
29
But now, farewell, fair city, never more
30
Shall I behold your beauty shining bright.
31
Farewell, of Jewish men the worthy store,
32
But no farewell to any female wight.
33
You, wavering crew! My curse to you I leave!
34
You had but one to give you any grace,
35
And you yourselves will Mariam’s life bereave;
36
Your commonwealth doth innocency chase!
37
You creatures made to be the human curse!
38
You, tigers, lionesses, hungry bears,
39
Tear-massacring hyenas! Nay, far worse!
40
For they for prey do shed their feigned tears,
41
But you will weep–you, creatures cross to good!–
42
For your unquenchèd thirst of human blood.
43
You were the angels cast from heaven for pride
44
And still do keep your angel’s outward show,
45
But none of you are inly beautified,
46
For still your heav’n-depriving pride doth grow.
47
Did not the sins of man require a scourge,
48
Your place on earth had been by this withstood.
49
But since a flood no more the world must purge,
50
You stayed in office of a second flood.
51
You giddy creatures, sowers of debate,
52
You’ll love today, and for no other cause,
53
But for you yesterday did deeply hate.
54
You are the wreck of order, breach of laws;
55
Your best are foolish, froward, wanton, vain;
56
Your worst, adulterous, murderous, cunning, proud;
57
And Salome attends the latter train,
58
Or, rather, she their leader is allowed.
59
I do the sottishness of men bewail,
60
That do with following you enhance your pride.
61
’Twere better that the human race should fail
62
Than be by such a mischief multiplied.
63
Cham’s servile curse to all your sex was given
64
Because in paradise you did offend.
65
Then, do we not resist the will of heaven
66
When on your wills like servants we attend?
67
You are to nothing constant but to ill;
68
You are with nought but wickedness endued;
69
Your loves are set on nothing but your will.
70
And, thus, my censure I of you conclude:
71
You are the least of goods, the worst of evils;
72
Your best are worse than men, your worst than devils.
SON 2
73
Come let us to our death. Are we not blessed?
74
Our death will freedom from these creatures give,
75
Those trouble-quiet sowers of unrest.
76
And this I vow that had I leave to live,
77
I would forever lead a single life
78
And never venture on a devilish wife.
[Exeunt.]
4.7
[Enter] Herod and Salome.
HEROD
1
Nay, she shall die. ‘Die’, quoth you? That she shall.
2
But for the means. The means! Methinks ‘tis hard
3
To find a means to murder her withal.
4
Therefore, I am resolved she shall be spared.
SALOME
5
Why? Let her be beheaded.
HEROD
That were well!
6
Think you that swords are miracles like you?
7
Her skin will every curtal-ax edge refell,
8
And then your enterprise you well may rue.
9
What if the fierce Arabian notice take
10
Of this your wretched weaponless estate?
11
They answer, when we bid resistance make,
12
That Mariam’s skin their falchions did rebate.
13
Beware of this! You make a goodly hand
14
If you of weapons do deprive our land.
SALOME
15
Why, drown her, then.
HEROD
Indeed, a sweet device!
16
Why, would not every river turn her course
17
Rather than do her beauty prejudice,
18
And be reverted to the proper source
19
So not a drop of water should be found
20
In all Judaea’s quondam fertile ground?
SALOME
21
Then let the fire devour her.
HEROD
’Twill not be.
22
Flame is from her derived into my heart.
23
Thou nursest flame, flame will not murder thee,
24
My fairest Mariam, fullest of desert.
SALOME
25
Then let her live, for me.
HEROD
Nay, she shall die.
26
But can you live without her?
SALOME
Doubt you that?
HEROD
27
I’m sure I cannot; I beseech you, try.
28
I have experience but I know not what.
SALOME
29
How should I try?
HEROD
Why, let my love be slain.
30
But if we cannot live without her sight,
31
You’ll find the means to make her breathe again,
32
Or else you will bereave my comfort quite.
SALOME
33
Oh, ay! I warrant you.
[Exit.]
HEROD
What, is she gone?
34
And gone to bid the world be overthrown?
35
What, is her heart’s composure hardest stone?
36
To what a pass are cruel women grown!
[Re-enter Salome.]
37
She is returned already–Have you done?
38
Is’t possible you can command so soon
39
A creature’s heart to quench the flaming sun?
40
Or from the sky to wipe away the moon?
SALOME
41
If Mariam be the sun and moon, it is,
42
For I already have commanded this.
HEROD
43
But have you seen her cheek?
SALOME
A thousand times.
HEROD
44
But did you mark it too?
SALOME
Ay, very well.
HEROD
45
What is’t?
SALOME
A crimson bush, that ever limes
46
The soul whose foresight doth not much excel.
HEROD
47
Send word she shall not die. Her cheek a bush?
48
Nay then, I see indeed you marked it not.
SALOME
49
’Tis very fair, but yet will never blush,
50
Though foul dishonours do her forehead blot.
HEROD
51
Then let her die. ’Tis very true indeed,
52
And for this fault alone shall Mariam bleed.
SALOME
53
What fault, my lord?
HEROD
What fault is’t? You that ask,
54
If you be ignorant I know of none;
55
To call her back from death shall be your task.
56
I’m glad that she for innocent is known.
57
For on the brow of Mariam hangs a fleece
58
Whose slenderest twine is strong enough to bind
59
The hearts of kings; the pride and shame of Greece,
60
Troy-flaming Helen’s not so fairly shined.
SALOME
61
’Tis true indeed, she lays them out for nets
62
To catch the hearts that do not shun a bait.
63
’Tis time to speak, for Herod sure forgets
64
That Mariam’s very tresses hide deceit.
HEROD
65
Oh, do they so? Nay, then you do but well,
66
In sooth I thought it had been hair.
67
Nets call you them? Lord, how they do excel!
68
I never saw a net that showed so fair.
69
But have you heard her speak?
SALOME
You know I have.
HEROD
70
And were you not amazed?
SALOME
No, not a whit.
HEROD
71
Then ’twas not her you heard. Her life I’ll save,
72
For Mariam hath a world-amazing wit.
SALOME
73
She speaks a beauteous language, but within
74
Her heart is false as powder; and her tongue
75
Doth but allure the auditors to sin
76
And is the instrument to do you wrong.
HEROD
77
It may be so; nay, ’tis so: She’s unchaste!
78
Her mouth will ope to every stranger’s ear.
79
Then let the executioner make haste,
80
Lest she enchant him if her words he hear.
81
Let him be deaf, lest she do him surprise
82
That shall to free her spirit be assigned.
83
Yet, what boots deafness if he have his eyes?
84
Her murderer must be both deaf and blind.
85
For if he see, he needs must see the stars
86
That shine on either side of Mariam’s face,
87
Whose sweet aspect will terminate the wars
88
Wherewith he should a soul so precious chase.
89
Her eyes can speak and, in their speaking, move.
90
Oft did my heart with reverence receive
91
The world’s mandates. Pretty tales of love
92
They utter which can human bondage weave.
93
But shall I let this heaven’s model, die,
94
Which for a small self-portraiture she drew?
95
Her eyes, like stars, her forehead like the sky,
96
She is like heaven and must be heavenly true.
SALOME
97
Your thoughts do rave with doting on the queen.
98
Her eyes are ebon-hued, and you’ll confess
99
A sable star hath been but seldom seen.
100
Then speak of reason more, of Mariam less.
HEROD
101
Yourself are held a goodly creature here,
102
Yet so unlike my Mariam in your shape
103
That when to her you have approachèd near,
104
Myself hath often ta’en you for an ape.
105
And yet you prate of beauty! Go your ways,
106
You are to her a sunburnt blackamoor.
107
Your paintings cannot equal Mariam’s praise,
108
Her nature is so rich, you are so poor.
109
Let her be stayed from death, for if she die,
110
We do we know not what to stop her breath.
111
A world cannot another Mariam buy.
112
Why stay you lingering? Countermand her death.
SALOME
113
Then you’ll no more remember what hath passed?
114
Sohemus’ love and hers shall be forgot?
115
’Tis well, in truth. That fault may be her last,
116
And she may mend, though yet she love you not.
HEROD
117
Oh, God! ’Tis true! Sohemus! Earth and heaven,
118
Why did you both conspire to make me cursed
119
In cozening me with shows and proofs uneven?
120
She showed the best and yet did prove the worst.
121
Her show was such, as had our singing king,
122
The holy David, Mariam’s beauty seen,
123
The Hittite had then felt no deadly sting,
124
Nor Bethsabe had never been a queen.
125
Or had his son, the wisest man of men,
126
Whose fond delight did most consist in change,
127
Beheld her face, he had been stayed again;
128
No creature having her can wish to range.
129
Had Ahasuerus seen my Mariam’s brow,
130
The humble Jew, she might have walked alone;
131
Her beauteous virtue should have stayed below,
132
Whiles Mariam mounted to the Persian throne.
133
But what avails it all? For in the weight
134
She is deceitful, light as vanity.
135
Oh, she was made for nothing but a bait
136
To train some hapless man to misery.
137
I am the hapless man that have been trained
138
To endless bondage. I will see her yet.
139
Methinks I should discern her if she feigned.
140
Can human eyes be dazed by woman’s wit?
141
Once more these eyes of mine with hers shall meet,
142
Before the headsman do her life bereave.
143
Shall I forever part from thee, my sweet,
144
Without the taking of my latest leave?
SALOME
145
You had as good resolve to save her now.
146
I’ll stay her death. ’Tis well determinèd,
147
For sure she nevermore will break her vow;
148
Sohemus and Josephus both are dead.
HEROD
149
She shall not live, nor will I see her face.
150
A long-healed wound, a second time doth bleed.
151
With Joseph I remember her disgrace;
152
A shameful end ensues a shameful deed.
153
Oh, that I had not called to mind anew,
154
The discontent of Mariam’s wavering heart!
155
’Twas you, you foul-mouthed Ate, none but you,
156
That did the thought hereof to me impart.
157
Hence from my sight, my black tormentor, hence!
158
For hadst not thou made Herod unsecure,
159
I had not doubted Mariam’s innocence,
160
But still had held her in my heart for pure.
SALOME
161
I’ll leave you to your passion. ’Tis no time
162
To purge me now, though of a guiltless crime.
Exit.
HEROD
163
Destruction take thee! Thou hast made my heart
164
As heavy as revenge–I am so dull,
165
Methinks I am not sensible of smart,
166
Though hideous horrors at my bosom pull.
167
My head weighs downwards. Therefore, will I go
168
To try if I can sleep away my woe.
[Exit.]
4.8
[Enter] Mariam.
MARIAM
1
Am I the Mariam that presumed so much,
2
And deemed my face must needs preserve my breath?
3
Ay, I it was that thought my beauty such
4
As it alone could countermand my death.
5
Now Death will teach me he can pale as well
6
A cheek of roses as a cheek less bright
7
And dim an eye whose shine doth most excel
8
As soon as one that casts a meaner light.
9
Had not myself against myself conspired,
10
No plot–no adversary from without–
11
Could Herod’s love from Mariam have retired,
12
Or from his heart have thrust my semblance out.
13
The wanton queen that never loved for love,
14
False Cleopatra, wholly set on gain,
15
With all her sleights did prove, yet vainly prove
16
For her the love of Herod to obtain.
17
Yet her allurements, all her courtly guile,
18
Her smiles, her favour, and her smooth deceit
19
Could not my face from Herod’s mind exile,
20
But were with him of less than little weight.
21
That face and person that in Asia late
22
For beauty’s goddess, Paphos’ Queen, was ta’en,
23
That face that did captive great Julius’ fate,
24
That very face that was Antonius’ bane,
25
That face that to be Egypt’s pride was born,
26
That face that all the world esteemed so rare
27
Did Herod hate, despise, neglect, and scorn
28
When with the same he Mariam’s did compare.
29
This made that I improvidently wrought
30
And on the wager even my life did pawn,
31
Because I thought, and yet but truly thought,
32
That Herod’s love could not from me be drawn.
33
But now, though out of time, I plainly see
34
It could be drawn, though never drawn from me
35
Had I but with humility been graced.
36
As well as fair I might have proved me wise;
37
But I did think, because I knew me chaste,
38
One virtue for a woman might suffice,
39
That mind for glory of our sex might stand,
40
Wherein humility and chastity
41
Doth march with equal paces hand in hand.
42
But one, if single seen, who setteth by?
43
And I had singly one. But ’tis my joy
44
That I was ever innocent, though sour,
45
And, therefore, can they but my life destroy;
46
My soul is free from adversary’s power.
Enter Doris.
47
You, princes great in power and high in birth,
48
Be great and high! I envy not your hap,
49
Your birth must be from dust, your power on earth–
50
In heaven shall Mariam sit in Sarah’s lap.
DORIS
51
I’heaven?–Your beauty cannot bring you thither.
52
Your soul is black and spotted, full of sin;
53
You in adultery lived nine year together,
54
And heaven will never let adultery in.
MARIAM
55
What art thou that dost poor Mariam pursue?
56
Some spirit sent to drive me to despair?
57
Who sees for truth that Mariam is untrue?
58
If fair she be, she is as chaste as fair.
DORIS
59
I am that Doris that was once beloved,
60
Beloved by Herod–Herod’s lawful wife.
61
’Twas you that Doris from his side removed
62
And robbed from me the glory of my life.
MARIAM
63
Was that adultery? Did not Moses say
64
That he that being matched did deadly hate
65
Might by permission put his wife away
66
And take a more beloved to be his mate?
DORIS
67
What did he hate me for? For simple truth?
68
For bringing beauteous babes for love to him?
69
For riches, noble birth, or tender youth?
70
Or for no stain did Doris’ honour dim?
71
Oh, tell me, Mariam, tell me if you know,
72
Which fault of these made Herod Doris’ foe?
73
These thrice three years have I, with hands held up
74
And bowed knees fast nailed to the ground,
75
Besought for thee the dregs of that same cup,
76
That cup of wrath that is for sinners found.
77
And now thou art to drink it! Doris’ curse,
78
Upon thyself did all this while attend,
79
But now it shall pursue thy children worse.
MARIAM
80
Oh, Doris, now to thee my knees I bend!
81
That hart that never bowed to thee doth bow.
82
Curse not mine infants! Let it thee suffice
83
That heav’n doth punishment to me allow.
84
Thy curse is cause that guiltless Mariam dies.
DORIS
85
Had I ten thousand tongues and every tongue
86
Inflamed with poison’s power and steeped in gall,
87
My curses would not answer for my wrong,
88
Though I in cursing thee employed them all.
89
Hear thou that didst Mount Gerizim command,
90
To be a place whereon with cause to curse!
91
Stretch thy revenging arm! Thrust forth thy hand
92
And plague the mother much, the children worse!
93
Throw flaming fire upon the base-born heads
94
That were begotten in unlawful beds!
95
But let them live till they have sense to know
96
What ‘tis to be in miserable state.
97
Then be their nearest friends their overthrow;
98
Attended be they by suspicious hate!
99
And, Mariam, I do hope this boy of mine
100
Shall one day come to be the death of thine.
Exit.
MARIAM
101
Oh! Heaven forbid! I hope the world shall see
102
This curse of thine shall be returned on thee.
103
Now, earth, farewell! Though I be yet but young,
104
Yet I, methinks, have known thee too too long.
Exit.
CHORUS
105
The fairest action of our human life,
106
Is scorning to revenge an injury,
107
For who forgives without a further strife
108
His adversary’s heart to him doth tie.
109
And ’tis a firmer conquest, truly said,
110
To win the heart, then overthrow the head.
111
If we a worthy enemy do find,
112
To yield to worth, it must be nobly done.
113
But if of baser metal be his mind,
114
In base revenge there is no honor won.
115
Who would a worthy courage overthrow?
116
And who would wrestle with a worthless foe?
117
We say our hearts are great and cannot yield,
118
Because they cannot yield, it proves them poor.
119
Great hearts are tasked beyond their power but seld.
120
The weakest lion will the loudest roar.
121
Truth’s school for certain doth this same allow:
122
High-heartedness doth sometimes teach to bow.
123
A noble heart doth teach a virtuous scorn:
124
To scorn to owe a duty overlong,
125
To scorn to be for benefits forborne,
126
To scorn to lie, to scorn to do a wrong,
127
To scorn to bear an injury in mind,
128
To scorn a free-born heart slave-like to bind.
129
But if for wrongs we needs revenge must have,
130
Then be our vengeance of the noblest kind.
131
Do we his body from our fury save,
132
And let our hate prevail against our mind?
133
What can ’gainst him a greater vengeance be
134
Than make his foe more worthy far than he?
135
Had Mariam scorned to leave a due unpaid,
136
She would to Herod then have paid her love
137
And not have been by sullen passion swayed.
138
To fix her thoughts all injury above
139
Is virtuous pride. Had Mariam thus been proud,
140
Long famous life to her had been allowed.
5.1
[Enter] Nuntio.
NUNTIO
1
When, sweetest friend, did I so far offend
2
Your heavenly self that you, my fault to quit,
3
Have made me now relater of your end,
4
The end of beauty, chastity and wit?
5
Was none so hapless in the fatal place,
6
But I, most wretched, for the queen to choose?
7
’Tis certain I have some ill-boding face
8
That made me culled to tell this luckless news.
9
And yet no news to Herod; were it new,
10
To him unhappy ’t had not been at all.
11
Yet do I long to come within his view,
12
That he may know his wife did guiltless fall.
13
And here he comes. Your Mariam greets you well.
Enter Herod.
HEROD
14
What? Lives my Mariam? Joy, exceeding joy!
15
She shall not die.
NUNTIO
Heav’n doth your will repel.
HEROD
16
Oh, do not with thy words my life destroy,
17
I prithee tell no dying tale. Thine eye
18
Without thy tongue doth tell but too too much.
19
Yet let thy tongue’s addition make me die;
20
Death welcome comes to him whose grief is such.
NUNTIO
21
I went amongst the curious gazing troop
22
To see the last of her that was the best,
23
To see if death had heart to make her stoop,
24
To see the sun-admiring phoenix nest.
25
When there I came, upon the way I saw
26
The stately Mariam not debased by fear.
27
Her look did seem to keep the world in awe,
28
Yet mildly did her face this fortune bear.
HEROD
29
Thou dost usurp my right; my tongue was framed
30
To be the instrument of Mariam’s praise.
31
Yet, speak. She cannot be too often famed.
32
All tongues suffice not her sweet name to raise.
NUNTIO
33
But, as she came, she Alexandra met,
34
Who did her death (sweet queen) no whit bewail,
35
But, as if nature she did quite forget,
36
She did upon her daughter loudly rail.
HEROD
37
Why, stopped you not her mouth? Where had she words
38
To darken that, that heaven made so bright?
39
Our sacred tongue no epithet affords
40
To call her other than the world’s delight.
NUNTIO
41
She told her that her death was too too good,
42
And that already she had lived too long.
43
She said, she shamed to have a part in blood
HEROD
44
Base pickthank devil! ‘Shame’? ’Twas all her glory
45
That she to noble Mariam was the mother.
46
But never shall it live in any story;
47
Her name, except to infamy, I’ll smother.
48
What answer did her princely daughter make?
NUNTIO
49
She made no answer, but she looked the while
50
As if thereof she scarce did notice take,
51
Yet smiled, a dutiful, though scornful smile.
HEROD
52
Sweet creature, I that look to mind do call.
53
Full oft hath Herod been amazed withal.
54
Go on.
NUNTIO
She came unmoved, with pleasant grace,
55
As if to triumph her arrival were,
56
In stately habit and with cheerful face;
57
Yet every eye was moist but Mariam’s there.
58
When justly opposite to me she came,
59
She picked me out from all the crew;
60
She beckoned to me, called me by my name,
61
For she my name, my birth and fortune knew.
HEROD
62
What, did she name thee? Happy, happy man!
63
Wilt thou not ever love that name the better?
64
But what sweet tune did this fair dying swan
65
Afford thine ear? Tell all; omit no letter.
NUNTIO
66
‘Tell thou my lord,’ said she–
HEROD
Me, meant she me?
67
Is’t true? The more my shame! I was her lord.
68
Were I not mad, her lord I still should be.
69
But now her name must be by me adored.
70
Oh, say, what said she more? Each word she said
71
Shall be the food whereon my heart is fed.
NUNTIO
72
‘Tell thou my lord thou saw’st me lose my breath.’
HEROD
73
Oh, that I could that sentence now control!
NUNTIO
74
‘If guiltily, eternal be my death.’
HEROD
75
I hold her chaste e’en in my inmost soul.
NUNTIO
76
‘By three days hence, if wishes could revive,
77
I know himself would make me oft alive.’
HEROD
78
Three days? Three hours, three minutes! Not so much!
79
A minute in a thousand parts divide!
80
My penitency for her death is such
81
As in the first I wished she had not died.
82
But forward in thy tale.
NUNTIO
Why, on she went,
83
And, after she some silent prayer had said,
84
She died as if to die she were content.
85
And, thus, to heav’n her heav’nly soul is fled.
HEROD
86
But art thou sure there doth no life remain?
87
Is’t possible my Mariam should be dead?
88
Is there no trick to make her breathe again?
NUNTIO
89
Her body is divided from her head.
HEROD
90
Why, yet methinks there might be found by art,
91
Strange ways of cure. ’Tis sure rare things are done
92
By an inventive head and willing heart.
NUNTIO
93
Let not my lord your fancies idly run.
94
It is as possible it should be seen
95
That we should make the holy Abraham live,
96
Though he entombed two thousand years had been,
97
As breath again to slaughtered Mariam give.
98
But now for more assaults prepare your ears–
HEROD
99
There cannot be a further cause of moan;
100
This accident shall shelter me from fears.
101
What can I fear? Already Mariam’s gone.
102
Yet tell e’en what you will.
NUNTIO
As I came by,
103
From Mariam’s death, I saw upon a tree
104
A man that to his neck a cord did tie,
105
Which cord he had designed his end to be.
106
When me he once discerned, he downwards bowed,
107
And, thus, with fearful voice he cried aloud:
108
‘Go tell the king he trusted ere he tried;
109
I am the cause that Mariam causeless died.’
HEROD
110
Damnation take him! For it was the slave
111
That said she meant with poison’s deadly force
112
To end my life that she the crown might have,
113
Which tale did Mariam from herself divorce.
114
Oh, pardon me, thou pure unspotted ghost!
115
My punishment must needs sufficient be,
116
In missing that content I valued most,
117
Which was thy admirable face to see.
118
I had but one inestimable jewel–
119
Yet one I had no monarch had the like,
120
And, therefore, may I curse myself as cruel;
121
’Twas broken by a blow myself did strike.
122
I gazed thereon and never thought me blest
123
But when on it my dazzled eye might rest.
124
A precious mirror made by wondrous art,
125
I prized it ten times dearer than my crown
126
And laid it up fast folded in my heart.
127
Yet I, in sudden choler, cast it down.
128
And pashed it all to pieces. ’Twas no foe
129
That robbed me of it; no Arabian host,
130
Nor no Armenian guide hath used me so,
131
But Herod’s wretched self hath Herod cros
132
She was my graceful moiety; me accursed,
133
To slay my better half and save my worst!
134
But sure, she is not dead. You did but jest
135
To put me in perplexity a while.
136
’Twere well indeed if I could so be dressed.
137
I see she is alive; methinks you smile.
NUNTIO
138
If sainted Abel yet deceasèd be,
139
’Tis certain Mariam is as dead as he.
HEROD
140
Why, then, go call her to me. Bid her now
141
Put on fair habit, stately ornament,
142
And let no frown o’ershade her smoothest brow.
143
In her doth Herod place his whole content.
NUNTIO
144
She’ll come in stately weeds to please your sense,
145
If now she come attired in robe of heaven.
146
Remember you yourself did send her hence,
147
And now to you she can no more be given.
HEROD
148
She’s dead. Hell take her murderers! She was fair.
149
Oh, what a hand she had. It was so white
150
It did the whiteness of the snow impair.
151
I never more shall see so sweet a sight.
NUNTIO
152
’Tis true, her hand was rare.
HEROD
‘Her hand’? Her hands!
153
She had not singly one of beauty rare,
154
But such a pair as here where Herod stands,
155
He dares the world to make to both compare.
156
Accursèd Salome! Hadst thou been still,
157
My Mariam had been breathing by my side.
158
Oh, never had I, had I had my will,
159
Sent forth command, that Mariam should have died.
160
But, Salome, thou didst with envy vex
161
To see thyself outmatched in thy sex.
162
Upon your sex’s forehead Mariam sat
163
To grace you all like an imperial crown,
164
But you, fond fool, have rudely pushed thereat,
165
And proudly pulled your proper glory down.
166
One smile of hers–nay, not so much–a look
167
Was worth a hundred thousand such as you.
168
Judaea, how canst thou the wretches brook
169
That robbed from thee the fairest of the crew?
170
You, dwellers in the now deprivèd land
171
Wherein the matchless Mariam was bred,
172
Why grasp not each of you a sword in hand
173
To aim at me, your cruel sovereign’s head?
174
Oh, when you think of Herod as your king
175
And owner of the pride of Palestine,
176
This act to your remembrance likewise bring:
177
’Tis I have overthrown your royal line.
178
Within her purer veins the blood did run,
179
That from her grandam Sarah she derived,
180
Whose beldam age the love of kings hath won.
181
Oh, that her issue had as long been lived!
182
But can her eye be made by death obscure?
183
I cannot think, but it must sparkle still.
184
Foul sacrilege to rob those lights so pure
185
From out a temple made by heav’nly skill!
186
I am the villain that have done the deed,
187
The cruel deed, though by another’s hand;
188
My word, though not my sword, made Mariam bleed,
189
Hircanus’ grandchild died at my command,
190
That Mariam that I once did love so dear,
191
The partner of my now-detested bed.
192
Why shine you, sun, with an aspect so clear?
193
I tell you once again my Mariam’s dead.
194
You could but shine, if some Egyptian blowse,
195
Or Ethiopian dowdy lose her life;
196
This was–then, wherefore bend you not your brows?–,
197
The King of Jewry’s fair and spotless wife.
198
Deny thy beams and, moon, refuse thy light!
199
Let all the stars be dark; let Jewry’s eye
200
No more distinguish which is day and night,
201
Since her best birth did in her bosom die.
202
Those fond idolaters, the men of Greece,
203
Maintain these orbs are safely governèd,
204
That each within themselves have gods apiece,
205
By whom their steadfast course is justly led.
206
But were it so, as so it cannot be,
207
They all would put their mourning garments on;
208
Not one of them would yield a light to me,
209
To me that is the cause that Mariam’s gone.
210
For though they feign their Saturn melancholy,
211
Of sour behaviours and of angry mood,
212
They feign him likewise to be just and holy,
213
And justice needs must seek revenge for blood.
214
Their Jove, if Jove he were, would sure desire
215
To punish him that slew so fair a lass,
216
For Leda’s beauty set his heart on fire,
217
Yet she not half so fair as Mariam was.
218
And Mars would deem his Venus had been slain;
219
Sol to recover her would never stick,
220
For if he want the power her life to gain,
221
Then physic’s god is but an empiric.
222
The queen of love would storm for beauty’s sake,
223
And Hermes too, since he bestowed her wit.
224
The night’s pale light for angry grief would shake
225
To see chaste Mariam die in age unfit.
226
But, oh, I am deceived! She passed them all
227
In every gift, in every property;
228
Her excellencies wrought her timeless fall,
229
And they rejoiced, not grieved, to see her die.
230
The Paphian goddess did repent her waste
231
When she to one such beauty did allow;
232
Mercurius thought her wit his wit surpassed,
233
And Cynthia envied Mariam’s brighter brow.
234
But these are fictions; they are void of sense;
235
The Greeks but dream and dreaming falsehoods tell.
236
They neither can offend nor give defence
237
And not by them it was my Mariam fell.
238
If she had been, like an Egyptian, black,
239
And not so fair, she had been longer lived;
240
Her overflow of beauty turnèd back
241
And drowned the spring from whence it was derived.
242
Her heav’nly beauty ‘twas that made me think
243
That it with chastity could never dwell.
244
But now I see that heav’n in her did link
245
A spirit and a person to excel.
246
I’ll muffle up myself in endless night,
247
And never let mine eyes behold the light.
248
Retire thyself, vile monster, worse than he
249
That stained the virgin earth with brother’s blood!
250
Still in some vault or den enclosèd be,
251
Where with thy tears thou mayst beget a flood,
252
Which flood in time may drown thee, happy day,
253
When thou at once shalt die and find a grave!
254
A stone upon the vault someone shall lay,
255
Which monument shall an inscription have,
256
And these shall be the words it shall contain:
257
‘Here Herod lies, that hath his Mariam slain.’
[Exeunt.]
CHORUS
258
Who ever hath beheld with steadfast eye
259
The strange events of this one only day?
260
How many were deceived? How many die,
261
That once today did grounds of safety lay?
262
It will from them all certainty bereave,
263
Since ‘twice six hours so many can deceive.
264
This morning Herod held for surely dead,
265
And all the Jews on Mariam did attend.
266
And Constabarus rise from Salom’s bed
267
And neither dreamed of a divorce or end.
268
Pheroras joyed that he might have his wife
269
And Babas’ sons for safety of their life.
270
Tonight our Herod doth alive remain,
271
The guiltless Mariam is deprived of breath,
272
Stout Constabarus both divorced and slain,
273
The valiant sons of Babas have their death.
274
Pheroras sure his love to be bereft,
275
If Salome her suit unmade had left.
276
Herod this morning did expect with joy
277
To see his Mariam’s much belovèd face,
278
And yet ere night he did her life destroy
279
And, surely, thought she did her name disgrace.
280
Yet now again, so short do humors last,
281
He both repents her death and knows her chaste.
282
Had he with wisdom now her death delayed,
283
He at his pleasure might command her death.
284
But now he hath his power so much betrayed
285
As all his woes cannot restore her breath.
286
Now doth he strangely lunaticly rave
287
Because his Mariam’s life he cannot save.
288
This day’s events were certainly ordained
289
To be the warning to posterity,
290
So many changes are therein contained,
291
So admirably strange variety.
292
This day alone, our sagest Hebrews shall
293
In after times the school of wisdom call.
FINIS