ACT III

The Castle on Zion.Alexandra’sApartments.Alexandra. Joseph. Salome.

EnterHerod,Soemus,and Retinue.

Herod.

I’m home again. (ToSoemus.) Does it stil bleed? The stone,Though meant for me, hit you because in justThat nick of time you came to tell me something.Your head for this time made your King a shield,But had you stayed at post——

I’m home again. (ToSoemus.) Does it stil bleed? The stone,

Though meant for me, hit you because in just

That nick of time you came to tell me something.

Your head for this time made your King a shield,

But had you stayed at post——

Soemus.

I had not thenReceived the wound nor rendered you the service,If it be worth the name. In GalileeThat man is stoned at least who’s so foolhardyTo get at loggerheads with you and me,Since I’m your shadow or your speaking-trumpetOr what you will.

I had not then

Received the wound nor rendered you the service,

If it be worth the name. In Galilee

That man is stoned at least who’s so foolhardy

To get at loggerheads with you and me,

Since I’m your shadow or your speaking-trumpet

Or what you will.

Herod.

Yes, there the men are true—That is, to ends of theirs; and since these endsWith mine go hand in hand, to mine as well.

Yes, there the men are true—

That is, to ends of theirs; and since these ends

With mine go hand in hand, to mine as well.

Soemus.

How true this token shows you—that you findMyself in your chief city.

How true this token shows you—that you find

Myself in your chief city.

Herod.

Ay, indeedI had not thought that I would meet you here,For when the King is far there’s double needAmong the stiff-necked provinces for watchers.What was it then that drove you from your post?’Twas sure some other impulse than the wishTo prove me that it might unjeopardisedLie tenantless; or thought’s instinctive feelThat a flung stone was here to intercept.

Ay, indeed

I had not thought that I would meet you here,

For when the King is far there’s double need

Among the stiff-necked provinces for watchers.

What was it then that drove you from your post?

’Twas sure some other impulse than the wish

To prove me that it might unjeopardised

Lie tenantless; or thought’s instinctive feel

That a flung stone was here to intercept.

Soemus.

I was come here to advertise the viceroyTouching disclosures of a wondrous kind,And tell them orally in all due haste.I would apprise him that the PhariseesSeek even the stubborn soil of Galilee,Although their work is vain, to underburrow.But all too late my warning came; I foundJerusalem in flames by then, and couldBut help extinguish them.

I was come here to advertise the viceroy

Touching disclosures of a wondrous kind,

And tell them orally in all due haste.

I would apprise him that the Pharisees

Seek even the stubborn soil of Galilee,

Although their work is vain, to underburrow.

But all too late my warning came; I found

Jerusalem in flames by then, and could

But help extinguish them.

Herod(giving him his hand).

And that you didWith blood of yours!—Ah, Joseph! you? Good-day!I thought to find you other here; but good;Yet, for the nonce, go bring me SameasThe Pharisee, who’s held by Captain TitusA prisoner in the mode the Scythians use.The ironside Roman drags him, fastly boundenUnto the tail of the war-horse he rides,Hither and thither, since the holy zealotSpat after him i’ the open market-place.Now he must run as he may ne’er beforeHave run if he’s no mind to have a tumbleAnd go a-draggling. Then and there ’twere betterThat I had rescued him as I went past.I’ faith, ’tis sure I owe him thanks aloneThat all the serpents who until to-dayCrawled stilly from my foot, are known to me.Now I can stamp them piecemeal when I will.

And that you did

With blood of yours!—Ah, Joseph! you? Good-day!

I thought to find you other here; but good;

Yet, for the nonce, go bring me Sameas

The Pharisee, who’s held by Captain Titus

A prisoner in the mode the Scythians use.

The ironside Roman drags him, fastly bounden

Unto the tail of the war-horse he rides,

Hither and thither, since the holy zealot

Spat after him i’ the open market-place.

Now he must run as he may ne’er before

Have run if he’s no mind to have a tumble

And go a-draggling. Then and there ’twere better

That I had rescued him as I went past.

I’ faith, ’tis sure I owe him thanks alone

That all the serpents who until to-day

Crawled stilly from my foot, are known to me.

Now I can stamp them piecemeal when I will.

[ExitJoseph.

(ToAlexandra.) I give you greeting, and from AntonyI am to make announcement that a riverCannot be brought to judgment; and a KingWithin whose land it flows with less of rightBecause he did not earth it in. (ToSoemus.) I wereLong since again come hither, but when friendsTogether meet who seldom see each other,They hold them fast. And so ’twill be with you(I treat you with a foretaste) now I’m hostAnd have you at the longed-for last again.And you with me must set the figs a-shakingJust as, perforce, I aided Antony,Pah, gluttony! in stream of old FalernianTo smother lampreys and call many a prankFrom out our bygone times to jog remembranceWith freshening fillip. So, resolve your mindTo do like service. If I scarce may haveEnough of the triumphant hero in meTo have you so commanded to my presenceAs he commanded me to his, with showOf hearing me on some insipid charge,His brow like Cæsar’s wrinkled and his armWith lightning and with thunderbolt beweaponed,And all to be assured—this was the groundOn which he did it—that I came for certain,If such be so, at least to-day’s good chanceThat puts you in my hands I’ll use to profitAnd say, as he, when speeches on your officeBegin—“If you conduct it as you shouldIt does not need your every wink o’ the eye.You come so seldom that it seems you’re loathTo be here!”

(ToAlexandra.) I give you greeting, and from Antony

I am to make announcement that a river

Cannot be brought to judgment; and a King

Within whose land it flows with less of right

Because he did not earth it in. (ToSoemus.) I were

Long since again come hither, but when friends

Together meet who seldom see each other,

They hold them fast. And so ’twill be with you

(I treat you with a foretaste) now I’m host

And have you at the longed-for last again.

And you with me must set the figs a-shaking

Just as, perforce, I aided Antony,

Pah, gluttony! in stream of old Falernian

To smother lampreys and call many a prank

From out our bygone times to jog remembrance

With freshening fillip. So, resolve your mind

To do like service. If I scarce may have

Enough of the triumphant hero in me

To have you so commanded to my presence

As he commanded me to his, with show

Of hearing me on some insipid charge,

His brow like Cæsar’s wrinkled and his arm

With lightning and with thunderbolt beweaponed,

And all to be assured—this was the ground

On which he did it—that I came for certain,

If such be so, at least to-day’s good chance

That puts you in my hands I’ll use to profit

And say, as he, when speeches on your office

Begin—“If you conduct it as you should

It does not need your every wink o’ the eye.

You come so seldom that it seems you’re loath

To be here!”

Soemus.

Lord, you do me an injustice;And yet I have no cause to come too often.

Lord, you do me an injustice;

And yet I have no cause to come too often.

Herod(toSalome).

And you here too? So you have learnt at lastTo trick your wits, when you meet Mariamne,With fancy-thoughts that you look in a mirrorAnd spy your own reflected counterpart?’Twas oft my counsel when you eyed her sourly;It never pleased. Take not the jest amiss.There is no evil doing in the hourWhen friends are come a-meeting. But where is she?I heard it said that she was with her motherAnd so came here.

And you here too? So you have learnt at last

To trick your wits, when you meet Mariamne,

With fancy-thoughts that you look in a mirror

And spy your own reflected counterpart?

’Twas oft my counsel when you eyed her sourly;

It never pleased. Take not the jest amiss.

There is no evil doing in the hour

When friends are come a-meeting. But where is she?

I heard it said that she was with her mother

And so came here.

Salome.

She went when she had learntThat you were nearing.

She went when she had learnt

That you were nearing.

Herod.

Went? Impossible!But good. She did it since ’tis solitudeBefits reunion. (Aside.) Heart, will you bear her angerNor rather make amends? (Aloud.) I follow her;Her delicate feeling’s right.

Went? Impossible!

But good. She did it since ’tis solitude

Befits reunion. (Aside.) Heart, will you bear her anger

Nor rather make amends? (Aloud.) I follow her;

Her delicate feeling’s right.

Salome.

Go, self-deceiver!The fright of seeing you recalled to life,The shame of having credited your death,The greater shame of her spoiled widowhood—O’ersmooth it all with fondling gloss of shynessThe maiden feels who ne’er has known a manNor seen the shivering woman taken in sin!She went from fear!

Go, self-deceiver!

The fright of seeing you recalled to life,

The shame of having credited your death,

The greater shame of her spoiled widowhood—

O’ersmooth it all with fondling gloss of shyness

The maiden feels who ne’er has known a man

Nor seen the shivering woman taken in sin!

She went from fear!

Herod.

From fear? Look round about you,We are not here alone.

From fear? Look round about you,

We are not here alone.

Salome.

That’s opportune!If before witnesses I bring my plaintIt will be guaranteed your surer earAnd crushed the harder underfoot.

That’s opportune!

If before witnesses I bring my plaint

It will be guaranteed your surer ear

And crushed the harder underfoot.

Herod.

You placeYourself twixt her and me? Have then a care!You may be trampled piecemeal.

You place

Yourself twixt her and me? Have then a care!

You may be trampled piecemeal.

Salome.

This time, not!Although I know how small the sister countsWhen you are dealing with the Maccabean,This time——

This time, not!

Although I know how small the sister counts

When you are dealing with the Maccabean,

This time——

Herod.

I tell you one thing! If, the dayOn which she first was given to my sight,A man were risen in accusation ’gainst her,He had not easily obtained my hearing,But yet more easily than now. Take that for warning.I am so heavy in her debt that sheCan owe no debt to me. I feel that deep.

I tell you one thing! If, the day

On which she first was given to my sight,

A man were risen in accusation ’gainst her,

He had not easily obtained my hearing,

But yet more easily than now. Take that for warning.

I am so heavy in her debt that she

Can owe no debt to me. I feel that deep.

Salome.

Ah, so she has free charter?

Herod.

Any maskTo wear that she thinks well for your hoodwinkingIf she would kill the drive of time with you.

Any mask

To wear that she thinks well for your hoodwinking

If she would kill the drive of time with you.

Salome.

Then—then I must be mute. What use in speaking?For whatsoe’er I chose to tell you, everYour answer would be ready—mummery!At least this mummery has had good luck.Not me alone but all the world with meIt’s taken by the ear; it costs you honourAnd me my rest, however you may swearThat Joseph’s only done what duty badeWhen he—see to’t if any man believe you!

Then—then I must be mute. What use in speaking?

For whatsoe’er I chose to tell you, ever

Your answer would be ready—mummery!

At least this mummery has had good luck.

Not me alone but all the world with me

It’s taken by the ear; it costs you honour

And me my rest, however you may swear

That Joseph’s only done what duty bade

When he—see to’t if any man believe you!

Herod.

When he—what underdrift is lurking? End it!But no—not yet——(To a servant.) I bid the Queen be cravedTo grant to us her presence. Is it notAs though the whole o’ the world were spider-cleanAnd all had nested them within my house,That when for once I see the blue of HeavenThey forthwith might o’erhang it with their websAnd do the work of clouds? True, strange it isThat she comes not. She should, sheer-forced, have kissed meCaught in the ungoverned all-compelling moment,And then she might have vexed her lips with bitingWhen even at that the Ghost refused its quittance.(ToSalome.) Know you what you have ventured? Know you, woman?I was rejoiced! D’you understand? And now—Once on a day the Earth when I was thirstySpilled from my hand a goblet filled with wineBecause it fell to quaking ere my lipsCould drain it; I forgave it since I must;On you I could avenge me.

When he—what underdrift is lurking? End it!

But no—not yet——(To a servant.) I bid the Queen be craved

To grant to us her presence. Is it not

As though the whole o’ the world were spider-clean

And all had nested them within my house,

That when for once I see the blue of Heaven

They forthwith might o’erhang it with their webs

And do the work of clouds? True, strange it is

That she comes not. She should, sheer-forced, have kissed me

Caught in the ungoverned all-compelling moment,

And then she might have vexed her lips with biting

When even at that the Ghost refused its quittance.

(ToSalome.) Know you what you have ventured? Know you, woman?

I was rejoiced! D’you understand? And now—

Once on a day the Earth when I was thirsty

Spilled from my hand a goblet filled with wine

Because it fell to quaking ere my lips

Could drain it; I forgave it since I must;

On you I could avenge me.

[EnterMariamne.

Herod. Mariamne. Alexandra. Salome.

Herod.

Fling you downBefore her, who in all these witness-eyesHave put the offending tarnish on her name,And I’ll not do it!

Fling you down

Before her, who in all these witness-eyes

Have put the offending tarnish on her name,

And I’ll not do it!

Salome.

Ha!

Alex.

What may that mean?

Herod.

Well, Mariamne?

Mar.

What commands the King?I have been summoned and I have appeared.

What commands the King?

I have been summoned and I have appeared.

Alex.

Is this the wife who swore to kill herselfIf he returned not hither?

Is this the wife who swore to kill herself

If he returned not hither?

Herod.

This your greeting?

Mar.

The King bade summon me that I should greet him?I greet him; and thereby the work is done.

The King bade summon me that I should greet him?

I greet him; and thereby the work is done.

Alex.

You’re sore in error. Here you stand arraigned.

Herod.

There was a charge preferred. Before I gaveThe charge a hearing I sent word to beg youCome hither, but in truth with no desireThat you should counter it with your defence,Only because I think that of itself’Twill lose its breath and die before your presence.

There was a charge preferred. Before I gave

The charge a hearing I sent word to beg you

Come hither, but in truth with no desire

That you should counter it with your defence,

Only because I think that of itself

’Twill lose its breath and die before your presence.

Mar.

To hinder that I should again begone.

Herod.

What, Mariamne? You were never rankedAmong those souls of despicable kindWho, when their foeman’s countenance or backComes to first gaze, forgive and fresh their grudgingBecause they are too weak for genuine hate,Too tiny for the fuller, greater mood.By what then is your deepest so transformedThat now so late you should companion them?What? When I left you had for me farewellAnd I had thought that this a claim would give meUpon your welcome. You deny me that?And you stand here as though the berg and valeStill lay between that kept us so long sundered?You step aback when I would come anear?Is’t then that my return is hateful to you?

What, Mariamne? You were never ranked

Among those souls of despicable kind

Who, when their foeman’s countenance or back

Comes to first gaze, forgive and fresh their grudging

Because they are too weak for genuine hate,

Too tiny for the fuller, greater mood.

By what then is your deepest so transformed

That now so late you should companion them?

What? When I left you had for me farewell

And I had thought that this a claim would give me

Upon your welcome. You deny me that?

And you stand here as though the berg and vale

Still lay between that kept us so long sundered?

You step aback when I would come anear?

Is’t then that my return is hateful to you?

Mar.

How should it be? Indeed it gives my lifeAgain to me.

How should it be? Indeed it gives my life

Again to me.

Herod.

Your life? What word is this?

Mar.

You’ll not deny you understand the word.

Herod(aside).

Can she then know it? (ToMariamne.) Come!

[Mariamnedoes not follow.

Leave us alone!(ToAlexandra.) You’ll pardon?

Leave us alone!

(ToAlexandra.) You’ll pardon?

Alex.

Ay!

[Exit, followed by the others.

Mar.

So craven, then!

Herod.

So craven?

Mar.

And also—how’s it nameable?

Herod.

And also?(Aside.) ’Twere horrible! I’d never quench it in her!

And also?

(Aside.) ’Twere horrible! I’d never quench it in her!

Mar.

His wife, free-willed, may grave-ward follow him,The headsman’s hand may thrust her under earth—All’s one if he make sure she dies. He leaves herNo time even for self-sacrificial death.

His wife, free-willed, may grave-ward follow him,

The headsman’s hand may thrust her under earth—

All’s one if he make sure she dies. He leaves her

No time even for self-sacrificial death.

Herod.

She knows it!

Mar.

And is Antony a manAs I till now believed, a man like you,Or else a demon, as you must believeSince you’re in desperate doubt if in my bosomSome last lorn duty-sense, some remnant prideWould make a stand against him when, all drippingWith blood of yours, he faced me as a wooerAnd made assault of storm to pass the timeWhich the Egyptian Woman leaves him free?

And is Antony a man

As I till now believed, a man like you,

Or else a demon, as you must believe

Since you’re in desperate doubt if in my bosom

Some last lorn duty-sense, some remnant pride

Would make a stand against him when, all dripping

With blood of yours, he faced me as a wooer

And made assault of storm to pass the time

Which the Egyptian Woman leaves him free?

Herod(aside).

But how? but how?

Mar.

At least he were compelledTo have you dead before he came a-wooing,And if you feel yourself—I were not ableTo think it, but I see’t—so null a nithingThat you despair his scale to counterpoiseWith the pure metal of your manhood’s worthIn your wife’s heart, what justifies you thenTo hold my worth so light that you could fearMyself would never spurn the murderer back?O double insult!

At least he were compelled

To have you dead before he came a-wooing,

And if you feel yourself—I were not able

To think it, but I see’t—so null a nithing

That you despair his scale to counterpoise

With the pure metal of your manhood’s worth

In your wife’s heart, what justifies you then

To hold my worth so light that you could fear

Myself would never spurn the murderer back?

O double insult!

Herod(breaking out).

Tell me for what priceYou learnt this secret! ’Twas not lightly venal!A head was pledged me for it!

Tell me for what price

You learnt this secret! ’Twas not lightly venal!

A head was pledged me for it!

Mar.

O Salome,How well you knew your brother!—Question himWhose treachery told me what he had received.From me expect to hear no answer more.

O Salome,

How well you knew your brother!—Question him

Whose treachery told me what he had received.

From me expect to hear no answer more.

[She turns away.

Herod.

I’ll show you quickly how I’ll question him!Soemus!

I’ll show you quickly how I’ll question him!

Soemus!

[EnterSoemus.

Herod. Mariamne. Soemus.

Herod.

Is my kinsman Joseph here?

Soemus.

He’s tarrying with Sameas.

Herod.

Lead him hence!I gave a letter to him. Have the letterForthwith delivered. You afford him escortAnd see that all be loyally fulfilledWhatever this letter orders.

Lead him hence!

I gave a letter to him. Have the letter

Forthwith delivered. You afford him escort

And see that all be loyally fulfilled

Whatever this letter orders.

Soemus.

’Twill be done.

[Exit.

Herod.

Whate’er you may suspect or think or know,You have misprised me.

Whate’er you may suspect or think or know,

You have misprised me.

Mar.

On a brother’s murderThe seal you’ve planted of necessityTo which the neck must bow though sharp the shudder,But you’ll ne’er have the plausible successTo stamp this seal upon my murder too;That murder must remain the thing it is,An outrage that at most may be repeatedBut never, never can be overgone.

On a brother’s murder

The seal you’ve planted of necessity

To which the neck must bow though sharp the shudder,

But you’ll ne’er have the plausible success

To stamp this seal upon my murder too;

That murder must remain the thing it is,

An outrage that at most may be repeated

But never, never can be overgone.

Herod.

I would not have the courage for an answerUnless, whatever the deed I may have ventured,I had not been assured of the event;But then I was assured and was so onlyBecause I set my all upon the hazard.I did what on the field of fight the soldierIs wont to do when all his last’s at stake.He flings the standard which has led him onward,On which his fortunes and his honour hang,Determined in the mellay of the foemenBut not because he thinks to give’t for spoil.He brings the wreath, which now no more by courageOnly by hope forlorn was to be reached,The victory-wreath, albeit tattered, with him.You called me craven. If the man is soWho fears a seated demon in himself,Then I at times am craven, but aloneWhen I must reach my goal on crooked by-paths,When I must duck my head and make a showAs though I were no more the man I am.Then anguish takes me that I might too soonErect my bearing, and to tame my pride,Which, lightly strung, might spur me on thereto,I knit into me what is more than SelfAnd which with me must stand or suffer fall.Know you what waited on me as I went?No dual fight, and less by far a court;A tyrant whimsy-willed to whom I mustForswear myself, and yet I surely hadForsworn no tittle if—I thought of youAnd gnashed my teeth not once—and whatsoe’erHe may have bid the Man and King within me,Haling me on from gorge to gorge, yet holdingMy teasing quittance back in sinister silence—I took it all as patient as a slave.

I would not have the courage for an answer

Unless, whatever the deed I may have ventured,

I had not been assured of the event;

But then I was assured and was so only

Because I set my all upon the hazard.

I did what on the field of fight the soldier

Is wont to do when all his last’s at stake.

He flings the standard which has led him onward,

On which his fortunes and his honour hang,

Determined in the mellay of the foemen

But not because he thinks to give’t for spoil.

He brings the wreath, which now no more by courage

Only by hope forlorn was to be reached,

The victory-wreath, albeit tattered, with him.

You called me craven. If the man is so

Who fears a seated demon in himself,

Then I at times am craven, but alone

When I must reach my goal on crooked by-paths,

When I must duck my head and make a show

As though I were no more the man I am.

Then anguish takes me that I might too soon

Erect my bearing, and to tame my pride,

Which, lightly strung, might spur me on thereto,

I knit into me what is more than Self

And which with me must stand or suffer fall.

Know you what waited on me as I went?

No dual fight, and less by far a court;

A tyrant whimsy-willed to whom I must

Forswear myself, and yet I surely had

Forsworn no tittle if—I thought of you

And gnashed my teeth not once—and whatsoe’er

He may have bid the Man and King within me,

Haling me on from gorge to gorge, yet holding

My teasing quittance back in sinister silence

—I took it all as patient as a slave.

Mar.

You speak in vain. In me humanityIs shamed by you. My pain each soul must share.Who’s human is like me, nor has he needTo be my kin, or woman as I am.When you with murder secret-still had robbedMy brother, only they could share my weepingWho might have brothers; and the rest might allWith eyes still dry of tears, step from me sidewardsRefusing me their pity. But a lifeHas every man, and none allows his lifeBe taken from him but by God aloneWho was the Giver of it. Such an outrageIs damned by mankind’s universal race,Is damned by Fate who suffered it begin,’Tis true, but not succeed; is damned by you.And if the Human in me is through youSo deeply hurt, what must the woman feel?How stand I now to you and you to me?

You speak in vain. In me humanity

Is shamed by you. My pain each soul must share.

Who’s human is like me, nor has he need

To be my kin, or woman as I am.

When you with murder secret-still had robbed

My brother, only they could share my weeping

Who might have brothers; and the rest might all

With eyes still dry of tears, step from me sidewards

Refusing me their pity. But a life

Has every man, and none allows his life

Be taken from him but by God alone

Who was the Giver of it. Such an outrage

Is damned by mankind’s universal race,

Is damned by Fate who suffered it begin,

’Tis true, but not succeed; is damned by you.

And if the Human in me is through you

So deeply hurt, what must the woman feel?

How stand I now to you and you to me?

Herod. Mariamne. Salome.

Salome(entering hastily).

What plan you, Man of Horror? Ah, I seeMy husband led away; and he conjures meBeseech you for your mercy—but I waveredBecause I bear him grudge nor understand him,And now—and now I hear things gruesome whispered.They say—they lie! Say so!

What plan you, Man of Horror? Ah, I see

My husband led away; and he conjures me

Beseech you for your mercy—but I wavered

Because I bear him grudge nor understand him,

And now—and now I hear things gruesome whispered.

They say—they lie! Say so!

Herod.

Your husband dies!

Salome.

Before he is condemned? Ah, never, never!

Herod.

Himself is his condemner; for the letterThat forfeits him to death was in his handsBefore he played me traitor, and he knewWhat penalty it was awaited himIf done; he put him ’neath that penaltyAnd in its spite he did it.

Himself is his condemner; for the letter

That forfeits him to death was in his hands

Before he played me traitor, and he knew

What penalty it was awaited him

If done; he put him ’neath that penalty

And in its spite he did it.

Salome.

Herod, hear me!Do you know that for sure? I did accuse himAnd felt beneath my charge the base of right;I had my grounds therefor—and that he loved herWas open fact; he had indeed for meNo single further glance, no press of hand—He was by day about her when he could be.And in the night his dreams betrayed to meHow firm she held his thought in grip; all thatIs true and more; but, for all that, it followsNot yet that she must love him in requitalAnd less than all that she—ah no, ah no!’Twas jealousy that tore me on—forgive!(ToMariamne.) You too forgive!O God, and time flies fast! They said—shall IThen love you as I hated you? Then beNo longer dumb! Speak! Say that he is guiltlessAnd plead for his reprieve even as myself.

Herod, hear me!

Do you know that for sure? I did accuse him

And felt beneath my charge the base of right;

I had my grounds therefor—and that he loved her

Was open fact; he had indeed for me

No single further glance, no press of hand—

He was by day about her when he could be.

And in the night his dreams betrayed to me

How firm she held his thought in grip; all that

Is true and more; but, for all that, it follows

Not yet that she must love him in requital

And less than all that she—ah no, ah no!

’Twas jealousy that tore me on—forgive!

(ToMariamne.) You too forgive!

O God, and time flies fast! They said—shall I

Then love you as I hated you? Then be

No longer dumb! Speak! Say that he is guiltless

And plead for his reprieve even as myself.

Mar.

He is!

Herod.

In her construction, not in mine.

Mar.

In yours as well.

Herod.

You must then have known nothing;And now a nothing can be his excuse.And if I make him now a gift to deathWithout foretrial, ’tis because my willIs bent to show you that my thought of youIs nowise base and mean, and that I rueThe rash-born word that fell from my first wrath,And more because I know that he can haveNothing to say to me.

You must then have known nothing;

And now a nothing can be his excuse.

And if I make him now a gift to death

Without foretrial, ’tis because my will

Is bent to show you that my thought of you

Is nowise base and mean, and that I rue

The rash-born word that fell from my first wrath,

And more because I know that he can have

Nothing to say to me.

[EnterSoemus.

The Same. Soemus.

Soemus.

The bloody workIs brought to end; but all JerusalemStands stock-still asking why the man whom youOrdained to represent your person when youMade journey hence, now at your coming backShould be compelled to lose his head.

The bloody work

Is brought to end; but all Jerusalem

Stands stock-still asking why the man whom you

Ordained to represent your person when you

Made journey hence, now at your coming back

Should be compelled to lose his head.

Salome(collapsing).

Woe’s me!

[Mariamnegoes to catch her.

Salome.

Away, away! (ToHerod.) And she?

Herod.

Content you, sister!Your husband has most heinously deceived me—

Content you, sister!

Your husband has most heinously deceived me—

Salome.

And she?

Herod.

What you think is not so.

Salome.

Not so?How then? Your will’s to save her? If my husbandDeceived you heinously she did it too;For what I said is true, and every manShall know it though he not yet know. And youShall wash yourself in her blood as in his,Else ne’er be clean again. At least that’s so!C

Not so?

How then? Your will’s to save her? If my husband

Deceived you heinously she did it too;

For what I said is true, and every man

Shall know it though he not yet know. And you

Shall wash yourself in her blood as in his,

Else ne’er be clean again. At least that’s so!C

Herod.

By all that I hold sacred——

Salome.

Nay then, nameHis misdeed to me if it were not such.

Nay then, name

His misdeed to me if it were not such.

Herod.

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