ACT II

The Castle on Zion.Alexandra’sApartments.Alexandra.Sameas.

Alexandra.

You know it now.

Sameas.

It gives me no surprise.No, in a Herod nothing gives surpriseWho once as stripling on the SanhedrimDeclared a war: who with his gleaming weaponStrode up before his judge and dropped the hintThat he himself was Headsman and the HeadsmanUpon himself no sentence executes,He may as man—Ha, I can see him nowAs, front to front opposing the High Priest,He leaned against a column ’mid a ringOf his hired bravos, who in robber-huntingTurned robber too—strange metamorphosis!And took our total tally, head for head,As though he stood before a thistle patchAnd summed in mind a way to weed it clean.

It gives me no surprise.

No, in a Herod nothing gives surprise

Who once as stripling on the Sanhedrim

Declared a war: who with his gleaming weapon

Strode up before his judge and dropped the hint

That he himself was Headsman and the Headsman

Upon himself no sentence executes,

He may as man—Ha, I can see him now

As, front to front opposing the High Priest,

He leaned against a column ’mid a ring

Of his hired bravos, who in robber-hunting

Turned robber too—strange metamorphosis!

And took our total tally, head for head,

As though he stood before a thistle patch

And summed in mind a way to weed it clean.

Alex.

Yes, yes, that was an hour of hours for him,A moment he may proudly call to mind.A boyish madcap, scarce in his twentieth year,He stands arraigned before the Sanhedrim,Because in stark presumptuous sacrilegeHe’d arrogated violence on the law;Because his hand unsanctioned executedA death-decree you had not yet pronounced.The dead man’s widow, as he treads the threshold,Counters him with her curse: within there sitsAll in Jerusalem that’s old and grey.But since he comes not sackclothed, and no ashesBestrew his head, you get a sag in the heart:You think no more with punishment to greet him,You think no more with threatenings to tame him!You say him naught, he laughs you off and goes.

Yes, yes, that was an hour of hours for him,

A moment he may proudly call to mind.

A boyish madcap, scarce in his twentieth year,

He stands arraigned before the Sanhedrim,

Because in stark presumptuous sacrilege

He’d arrogated violence on the law;

Because his hand unsanctioned executed

A death-decree you had not yet pronounced.

The dead man’s widow, as he treads the threshold,

Counters him with her curse: within there sits

All in Jerusalem that’s old and grey.

But since he comes not sackclothed, and no ashes

Bestrew his head, you get a sag in the heart:

You think no more with punishment to greet him,

You think no more with threatenings to tame him!

You say him naught, he laughs you off and goes.

Sameas.

I spoke!

Alex.

Yes, when too late!

Sameas.

And had I done itBefore that moment it had been too soon.Through reverence for the High Priest I was silent.He was the eldest and the youngest I.

And had I done it

Before that moment it had been too soon.

Through reverence for the High Priest I was silent.

He was the eldest and the youngest I.

Alex.

No matter. Had you courage at that momentTo prove you held the simple heart of dutyThe larger mood would not be urgent now.Then look to’t well if you—Ho, ho! I seeAnother loophole yet remains if youScarce relish combat with him, and in truth’Twere risky play. Best ’ware him. So you’ll enterFor a mild bout with lions and with tigersIn this brute-battle that he now ordains.

No matter. Had you courage at that moment

To prove you held the simple heart of duty

The larger mood would not be urgent now.

Then look to’t well if you—Ho, ho! I see

Another loophole yet remains if you

Scarce relish combat with him, and in truth

’Twere risky play. Best ’ware him. So you’ll enter

For a mild bout with lions and with tigers

In this brute-battle that he now ordains.

Sameas.

What mean these words?

Alex.

You know the fighting-gamesOf Rome? What, no?

You know the fighting-games

Of Rome? What, no?

Sameas.

Thank God I know them not.I count it for no jot of gain to knowAbout the heathen but what Moses tells us.Down go my eyelids every single timeI see a Roman soldier cross my path,And then I bless my father in his graveThat he ne’er gave me tutoring in their tongue.

Thank God I know them not.

I count it for no jot of gain to know

About the heathen but what Moses tells us.

Down go my eyelids every single time

I see a Roman soldier cross my path,

And then I bless my father in his grave

That he ne’er gave me tutoring in their tongue.

Alex.

And so you do not know that savage beastsAre shipped by them from Africa to RomeIn hundreds?

And so you do not know that savage beasts

Are shipped by them from Africa to Rome

In hundreds?

Sameas.

No indeed, I know it not.

Alex.

Not know that there in a stone-built arenaThey drive them at each other, and that slavesAre hounded on them, who for life or deathMust face them in the fight, and they the whileCircled around upon high benches sitAll jubilant when wounds of death are gapingAnd when the red blood spurts on sprinkled sand?

Not know that there in a stone-built arena

They drive them at each other, and that slaves

Are hounded on them, who for life or death

Must face them in the fight, and they the while

Circled around upon high benches sit

All jubilant when wounds of death are gaping

And when the red blood spurts on sprinkled sand?

Sameas.

Such things the wildest fancy of my dreamingNe’er showed me; but it joys my very soulIf such they do. It fits the breed o’ them!(With raised hands.) Lord, Thou art great; and though Thy will vouchsafeThe heathen life, he must requite the giftBy payment to Thee of a gruesome tribute.Thou dost chastise him as he uses others.Such games I could well see!

Such things the wildest fancy of my dreaming

Ne’er showed me; but it joys my very soul

If such they do. It fits the breed o’ them!

(With raised hands.) Lord, Thou art great; and though Thy will vouchsafe

The heathen life, he must requite the gift

By payment to Thee of a gruesome tribute.

Thou dost chastise him as he uses others.

Such games I could well see!

Alex.

Your wish will findFruition soon as Herod comes again.He plans to introduce them.

Your wish will find

Fruition soon as Herod comes again.

He plans to introduce them.

Sameas.

Never, never!

Alex.

That’s what I said to you. Why not? We haveLions enough for sure. The mountain herdWill be rejoiced to see their tale diminishedBy saving many kine and many calves.6

That’s what I said to you. Why not? We have

Lions enough for sure. The mountain herd

Will be rejoiced to see their tale diminished

By saving many kine and many calves.6

Sameas.

To raise no other point, where would he findThe fighters? In our folk there are no slavesBound to his beck and call for life or death.

To raise no other point, where would he find

The fighters? In our folk there are no slaves

Bound to his beck and call for life or death.

Alex.

The first I see before me.

Sameas.

What?

Alex.

For sure!You will, as now, twist up your angry face,Forget yourself, perhaps, and clench the fists,Set eyes at rolling and the teeth at gnashingIf spared to witness that high day on which,August, as Solomon of yore the Temple,He consecrates the heathenish arena.This will not slip his eyes, and for rewardHe passes you a signal that you enterAnd show to the assembled folk your powersWhen you stand face to face against a lionWho’d been whole days before made sharp with hunger.But since among our folk there’s lack of slaves,The death-devoted criminals must needsSupply their place; and who’s more death-devotedThan he who openly defies the King?

For sure!

You will, as now, twist up your angry face,

Forget yourself, perhaps, and clench the fists,

Set eyes at rolling and the teeth at gnashing

If spared to witness that high day on which,

August, as Solomon of yore the Temple,

He consecrates the heathenish arena.

This will not slip his eyes, and for reward

He passes you a signal that you enter

And show to the assembled folk your powers

When you stand face to face against a lion

Who’d been whole days before made sharp with hunger.

But since among our folk there’s lack of slaves,

The death-devoted criminals must needs

Supply their place; and who’s more death-devoted

Than he who openly defies the King?

Sameas.

He may——

Alex.

Dispel your doubts! It would go illIf he should lose his head before his time.There would be projects nipped along with himThat Pompey, who with brazen heathendomDared the approach unto the Holy of Holies,Himself might——

Dispel your doubts! It would go ill

If he should lose his head before his time.

There would be projects nipped along with him

That Pompey, who with brazen heathendom

Dared the approach unto the Holy of Holies,

Himself might——

Sameas(breaking out).

Antony, if thou’lt but grip him;A whole year’s space I vow I will not curse thee!And if thou dost it not—then good, we’re ready!

Antony, if thou’lt but grip him;

A whole year’s space I vow I will not curse thee!

And if thou dost it not—then good, we’re ready!

Alex.

He says that if our folk were not ordainedTo mix with others, then had we this earth-ballFrom God received for our sole dwelling-portion.

He says that if our folk were not ordained

To mix with others, then had we this earth-ball

From God received for our sole dwelling-portion.

Sameas.

He says so?

Alex.

But since Fate has other willThere rises need the dam-walls to unbarrierWhich long have shut us, like a stagnant mereLocked from the sea, away from other peoples,And there’s no other method but that weIn use and custom mould us to their fashion.

But since Fate has other will

There rises need the dam-walls to unbarrier

Which long have shut us, like a stagnant mere

Locked from the sea, away from other peoples,

And there’s no other method but that we

In use and custom mould us to their fashion.

Sameas.

In use and—(to Heaven) Lord, if I break not in ravingSend me Thy sign how such a churl shall die,Sign of some death which every other deathSucks of its horrors, and proclaim to meThat it is Herod for whose sake ’tis done.

In use and—(to Heaven) Lord, if I break not in raving

Send me Thy sign how such a churl shall die,

Sign of some death which every other death

Sucks of its horrors, and proclaim to me

That it is Herod for whose sake ’tis done.

Alex.

Be you then the Death-Angel?

Sameas.

Or for himOr for myself! I swear’t! Can I not hinderThis ghastly plan, my impotence I’ll punishWith murder of myself (with a gesture towards his breast) ere that day comes,The day that he shall first befleck with mire.Thereis a binding oath that a misdeedWill wring from me if for a hero-deedI prove unfit. Who ever swore a greater?

Or for him

Or for myself! I swear’t! Can I not hinder

This ghastly plan, my impotence I’ll punish

With murder of myself (with a gesture towards his breast) ere that day comes,

The day that he shall first befleck with mire.

Thereis a binding oath that a misdeed

Will wring from me if for a hero-deed

I prove unfit. Who ever swore a greater?

Alex.

Good! But forget not this; if your own armBe over-weak to dash your foemen downwards,A stranger’s arm must not then be contemned.

Good! But forget not this; if your own arm

Be over-weak to dash your foemen downwards,

A stranger’s arm must not then be contemned.

Sameas.

And such a stranger?

Alex.

You may arm with ease.

Sameas.

Speak plainer language!

Alex.

Who created HerodA King?

Who created Herod

A King?

Sameas.

Why, Antony; who otherwise?

Alex.

And wherefore did it?

Sameas.

While it pleased him so;Perhaps, too, just because it pleased not us.When had a heathen ever better grounds?

While it pleased him so;

Perhaps, too, just because it pleased not us.

When had a heathen ever better grounds?

Alex.

And, further, what maintains him on the throne?

Sameas.

Not the folk’s blessing! Maybe ’tis its curse.Who can say that?

Not the folk’s blessing! Maybe ’tis its curse.

Who can say that?

Alex.

I! Nothing but his trickOf sending every year ere reckoning-dayThe tax that we are forced to pay the Romans,Ay, and the same of his own will to doubleIf some new war has broken into blaze.The Roman wants our gold and nothing more,He leaves to us our Faith, he leaves our God,Would even help to do Him reverence,And, niched with Jupiter and Ops and Isis,Grant Him a corner in the CapitolThat has been let lie vacant till to-dayIf only He, as they, were made of stone.

I! Nothing but his trick

Of sending every year ere reckoning-day

The tax that we are forced to pay the Romans,

Ay, and the same of his own will to double

If some new war has broken into blaze.

The Roman wants our gold and nothing more,

He leaves to us our Faith, he leaves our God,

Would even help to do Him reverence,

And, niched with Jupiter and Ops and Isis,

Grant Him a corner in the Capitol

That has been let lie vacant till to-day

If only He, as they, were made of stone.

Sameas.

If it be so, alas! and it is so,What have you then to hope of Antony?In this regard, yourself has said it, HerodYields each punctilious tittle. Why, I’ve seenThe tribute-panniers carried. One mule brokeHis backbone ere it reached the city-gate.For every drop of blood within his veinsHe renders up to him an ounce of gold.7Think you on your account he’ll send it back?

If it be so, alas! and it is so,

What have you then to hope of Antony?

In this regard, yourself has said it, Herod

Yields each punctilious tittle. Why, I’ve seen

The tribute-panniers carried. One mule broke

His backbone ere it reached the city-gate.

For every drop of blood within his veins

He renders up to him an ounce of gold.7

Think you on your account he’ll send it back?

Alex.

’Twere bootless, if I steered my cause myself,But Cleopatra does the deed for me,And, so I hope, will Mariamne too.Amazed? Fail not my meaning. Not in person;In such a case she’d rather turn on me.But through her picture, and not even through that,No, through another close resembling her.For as a wild wood harbours not aloneThe lion, but his foe as well, the tiger,So in the hot-bed of this Roman’s heartEnnests itself a wormy brood of passionsWrestling each other for the dominant place.And thus, if Herod builds upon the firstI build upon the second, and I thinkThat mine’s a lustier wrestler than its fellow.

’Twere bootless, if I steered my cause myself,

But Cleopatra does the deed for me,

And, so I hope, will Mariamne too.

Amazed? Fail not my meaning. Not in person;

In such a case she’d rather turn on me.

But through her picture, and not even through that,

No, through another close resembling her.

For as a wild wood harbours not alone

The lion, but his foe as well, the tiger,

So in the hot-bed of this Roman’s heart

Ennests itself a wormy brood of passions

Wrestling each other for the dominant place.

And thus, if Herod builds upon the first

I build upon the second, and I think

That mine’s a lustier wrestler than its fellow.

Sameas.

You are——

Alex.

No Hyrcan, tho’ I be his daughter.But, lest you should misprise what I have done,I am not Mariamne either. If,To pave his way towards her, AntonyDestroys the man that has her in possession,She still is mistress of herself and canEnwrap her in eternal widow-weeds.But this I hold for certain, that by nowHe’s laid his hand on sword and if not yetHe’s drawn it, one sole point of pause detains himThat this luck-minion among soldiers, Herod,Stands good to Romans for the iron ringThat all things here with us together clamps.But once you furnish him with opposite proof,Rouse insurrection, stir the flaccid peace,And he will draw’t.

No Hyrcan, tho’ I be his daughter.

But, lest you should misprise what I have done,

I am not Mariamne either. If,

To pave his way towards her, Antony

Destroys the man that has her in possession,

She still is mistress of herself and can

Enwrap her in eternal widow-weeds.

But this I hold for certain, that by now

He’s laid his hand on sword and if not yet

He’s drawn it, one sole point of pause detains him

That this luck-minion among soldiers, Herod,

Stands good to Romans for the iron ring

That all things here with us together clamps.

But once you furnish him with opposite proof,

Rouse insurrection, stir the flaccid peace,

And he will draw’t.

Sameas.

I’ll furnish easy proof!The folk’s already struck him dead in thought,They rumour that——

I’ll furnish easy proof!

The folk’s already struck him dead in thought,

They rumour that——

Alex.

Impress your seal thereon!Then swiftly open his last testament;You know the contents now, the fighting-gamesStand at the head, and then when every manBelieves him shortened of a hundred stripesThrough Herod’s death, or of the torture-cross,Then each believes what he can dare believe.For there are things that loom o’er IsraelWill wring from many a heart in its despairThe wish of agony that the Red SeaHad gulfed the whole folk deep into its mawAnd the twelve holy Tribes and Moses first.

Impress your seal thereon!

Then swiftly open his last testament;

You know the contents now, the fighting-games

Stand at the head, and then when every man

Believes him shortened of a hundred stripes

Through Herod’s death, or of the torture-cross,

Then each believes what he can dare believe.

For there are things that loom o’er Israel

Will wring from many a heart in its despair

The wish of agony that the Red Sea

Had gulfed the whole folk deep into its maw

And the twelve holy Tribes and Moses first.

Sameas.

I go, and ere the midday comes——

Alex.

I knowWhat you can work if you but take the sack-clothAnd thread the lanes with wailing-cry of “woe!”As were your forebear Jonah here again.And you will find there’s service in the knackOf paying a chance visit to the FisherAnd sharing Goodman Gaffer’s bite and supFrom what he grants himself since no one buys it.

I know

What you can work if you but take the sack-cloth

And thread the lanes with wailing-cry of “woe!”

As were your forebear Jonah here again.

And you will find there’s service in the knack

Of paying a chance visit to the Fisher

And sharing Goodman Gaffer’s bite and sup

From what he grants himself since no one buys it.

Sameas.

And you will find that all we PhariseesHave not forgot the stigma that we suffered,As you would seem to reckon. Hear then nowWhat only through the deed was meant to reach you—We have been sworn against him long ere now,We’ve dug our burrows under all Judaea,And in Jerusalem, that you may seeHow sure the count we have upon the folk,There’s even a blind adherent to our band!

And you will find that all we Pharisees

Have not forgot the stigma that we suffered,

As you would seem to reckon. Hear then now

What only through the deed was meant to reach you—

We have been sworn against him long ere now,

We’ve dug our burrows under all Judaea,

And in Jerusalem, that you may see

How sure the count we have upon the folk,

There’s even a blind adherent to our band!

Alex.

What boots he?

Sameas.

Naught. He knows as much himself,But he’s so crammed with hate, so grim with grudge,That he’ll be joined with us in our empriseAnd rather perish if it should miscarryThan drag his life in such a world as this.I have a notion that’s a promising sign!

Naught. He knows as much himself,

But he’s so crammed with hate, so grim with grudge,

That he’ll be joined with us in our emprise

And rather perish if it should miscarry

Than drag his life in such a world as this.

I have a notion that’s a promising sign!

[Exit.

Alexandraalone.

Alex.

The folk’s already struck him dead in thought!I know, I know! and by that token seeHow sore the wish that he no more returns.A lucky juncture that the locust-swarmSettled on him as he went forth! It standsFor omen that it is no futile wish.It may be, too, by now an actual thingThat, less his head—Not that! Speak as you think!No eavesdrop Pharisee’s before the door.An Antony is sure an Antony,Ay, but a Roman, and a Roman givesHis verdict slow as the fulfilment’s swift.Prisoner he may be though he sit not yetWithin the dungeon: and a coaxing deftCan lead it further. Therefore it is goodIf now rebellion come, albeit I knowWhat in itself’s its import, and not lessWhat aftermath it trammels up if heReturn in Fate’s despite. If! It can happen!Think well upon’t! He sent you as he leftA severed head for a farewell-reminder.That shows you—Pah! I speak just like my father!It shows me that he’s swift to the deed, as tyrantsAre wont; and further that he’s fain to fright me.The one I long have known, the other shallSlip his intent; and if the worst should come,If all o’erleap its target and if he,Spite his infatuate love for MariamneWhich sooner mounts than falls and which protects me,Should dare his fellest once her will is won—What of it? On revenge is all my stakeAnd that revenge would follow me in death,Revenge on him who did it and on herWho let it happen. Never would the folkAnd never Rome look on indulgent-slack,And then, what touches me myself, I wouldIn an event so bloody all the betterBe mated with my forebears. They were forced,The greater number of my stem, th’ Eld-MothersAs the Eld-Fathers, to forsake the worldShort of a head because they would not bend it.I would but share their fate; what were it more?

The folk’s already struck him dead in thought!

I know, I know! and by that token see

How sore the wish that he no more returns.

A lucky juncture that the locust-swarm

Settled on him as he went forth! It stands

For omen that it is no futile wish.

It may be, too, by now an actual thing

That, less his head—Not that! Speak as you think!

No eavesdrop Pharisee’s before the door.

An Antony is sure an Antony,

Ay, but a Roman, and a Roman gives

His verdict slow as the fulfilment’s swift.

Prisoner he may be though he sit not yet

Within the dungeon: and a coaxing deft

Can lead it further. Therefore it is good

If now rebellion come, albeit I know

What in itself’s its import, and not less

What aftermath it trammels up if he

Return in Fate’s despite. If! It can happen!

Think well upon’t! He sent you as he left

A severed head for a farewell-reminder.

That shows you—Pah! I speak just like my father!

It shows me that he’s swift to the deed, as tyrants

Are wont; and further that he’s fain to fright me.

The one I long have known, the other shall

Slip his intent; and if the worst should come,

If all o’erleap its target and if he,

Spite his infatuate love for Mariamne

Which sooner mounts than falls and which protects me,

Should dare his fellest once her will is won—

What of it? On revenge is all my stake

And that revenge would follow me in death,

Revenge on him who did it and on her

Who let it happen. Never would the folk

And never Rome look on indulgent-slack,

And then, what touches me myself, I would

In an event so bloody all the better

Be mated with my forebears. They were forced,

The greater number of my stem, th’ Eld-Mothers

As the Eld-Fathers, to forsake the world

Short of a head because they would not bend it.

I would but share their fate; what were it more?

Alexandra.Mariamne.

Alexandra(aside).

She comes! Ah, could she be decoyed from himAnd yield consent to follow me to Rome,Then—but she hates and loves him at a breath!Dare I arouse a last storm? To the deed!

She comes! Ah, could she be decoyed from him

And yield consent to follow me to Rome,

Then—but she hates and loves him at a breath!

Dare I arouse a last storm? To the deed!

[Hastening towardsMariamne.

You seek for comfort where it may be found!Come to my heart!

You seek for comfort where it may be found!

Come to my heart!

Mar.

Comfort?

Alex.

You need it not?Then I have known you ill! Yet I had groundsTo judge you for the woman you are not.You have been slandered to me!

You need it not?

Then I have known you ill! Yet I had grounds

To judge you for the woman you are not.

You have been slandered to me!

Mar.

I? to you?

Alex.

I have been told of arms enlinked and kissesBestowed upon a brother-murdering consortHot on the deed by—Pardon! I had no rightTo give it credence.

I have been told of arms enlinked and kisses

Bestowed upon a brother-murdering consort

Hot on the deed by—Pardon! I had no right

To give it credence.

Mar.

None?

Alex.

No! ever No!And No, on more than one ground. Could you evenBegrudge the bloody shadow of your brother,All heartless, the atonement of revengeSisters should sacrifice, revenge that notThrough Judith’s sword and not through Rahab’sBnail,No, merely through a notion of the mouthAnd merely through still folding of the armsWere better wreaked and to the Dead devoted,Then he, the very murderer, had not daredTo come anear you, for you’re like the Dead One:And you could hurt his sight as ’twere the corseOf Aristobulus tricked in woman’s paint;He would have turned him from you shuddering.

No! ever No!

And No, on more than one ground. Could you even

Begrudge the bloody shadow of your brother,

All heartless, the atonement of revenge

Sisters should sacrifice, revenge that not

Through Judith’s sword and not through Rahab’sBnail,

No, merely through a notion of the mouth

And merely through still folding of the arms

Were better wreaked and to the Dead devoted,

Then he, the very murderer, had not dared

To come anear you, for you’re like the Dead One:

And you could hurt his sight as ’twere the corse

Of Aristobulus tricked in woman’s paint;

He would have turned him from you shuddering.

Mar.

He did not do the one, nor I the other.

Alex.

Then be——But no, perchance a doubt still lingersTouching his guilt. Will you then have the proof?

Then be——But no, perchance a doubt still lingers

Touching his guilt. Will you then have the proof?

Mar.

I need it not.

Alex.

You need——

Mar.

’Twere bootless to me.

Alex.

Then—but I hold the curse even now in check,I see another one has lighted on you!You still walk in the fetters of a loveThat never shed a lustre——

Then—but I hold the curse even now in check,

I see another one has lighted on you!

You still walk in the fetters of a love

That never shed a lustre——

Mar.

Yet I thoughtI had not picked a consort for myself,I had but yoked my neck beneath the doomThat you and Hyrcan with a pious careHad hung above a daughter and a grandchild.

Yet I thought

I had not picked a consort for myself,

I had but yoked my neck beneath the doom

That you and Hyrcan with a pious care

Had hung above a daughter and a grandchild.

Alex.

Not I! My coward father sealed the bond.

Mar.

And by that deed he pleased you ill?

Alex.

Not that!Or else I had outstripped him with our flight.I had a refuge open down in Egypt.I only say the thing was clinched by him,By him, the first High Priest without a spine!And I but battled down the first repugnanceWith which I took his meaning. Yet I did itBecause I found the coward’s tradesman-trafficGood in the main, and gave for Edom’s swordThe Pearl of Zion, when he pressed me hard.Yea, had the serpent had a poisoned fangWhen it was dug that time in Cleopatra,Or had a lucky chance brought AntonyToward these regions when upon his march,I had said no! but, as it was, said yes!

Not that!

Or else I had outstripped him with our flight.

I had a refuge open down in Egypt.

I only say the thing was clinched by him,

By him, the first High Priest without a spine!

And I but battled down the first repugnance

With which I took his meaning. Yet I did it

Because I found the coward’s tradesman-traffic

Good in the main, and gave for Edom’s sword

The Pearl of Zion, when he pressed me hard.

Yea, had the serpent had a poisoned fang

When it was dug that time in Cleopatra,

Or had a lucky chance brought Antony

Toward these regions when upon his march,

I had said no! but, as it was, said yes!

Mar.

Yet in despite of that——

Alex.

I hoped of youThat you’d not fritter off the bargain-price,And touching Herod, that you——

I hoped of you

That you’d not fritter off the bargain-price,

And touching Herod, that you——

Mar.

Ah, I know!It was my part, for every kiss I gaveTo haggle in advance for any headThat had mispleased you, and at last when noneWas left to cross you but his own, to spur himTo his self-slaughter; or if that should fail,To couch and spy a chance in the still nightAnd subtly second Judith’s catlike deed.Then would you have been proud to call me child!

Ah, I know!

It was my part, for every kiss I gave

To haggle in advance for any head

That had mispleased you, and at last when none

Was left to cross you but his own, to spur him

To his self-slaughter; or if that should fail,

To couch and spy a chance in the still night

And subtly second Judith’s catlike deed.

Then would you have been proud to call me child!

Alex.

Prouder than now, I give it no denial.

Mar.

I chose to be a wife unto the husbandTo whom your hands had led me, and for himForget the Maccabean to the measureIn which he should forget the King for me.

I chose to be a wife unto the husband

To whom your hands had led me, and for him

Forget the Maccabean to the measure

In which he should forget the King for me.

Alex.

And yet it seems in Jericho that sheCaused you a second thought: at all eventsYou were the first to break in lamentationWhen I myself still held my wailings backTo prove you. Was’t not so?

And yet it seems in Jericho that she

Caused you a second thought: at all events

You were the first to break in lamentation

When I myself still held my wailings back

To prove you. Was’t not so?

Mar.

In JerichoThe hideous hap had dizzied all my mind.It came too swift—From board to bath, from bathTo grave—a brother! Whirlwinds swept my brain!But if against my sovereign and my husbandI barred the door, slant-thoughted and stone-hearted,I rue it now, and only can condone itBecause ’twas done as though in fever’s heat.

In Jericho

The hideous hap had dizzied all my mind.

It came too swift—From board to bath, from bath

To grave—a brother! Whirlwinds swept my brain!

But if against my sovereign and my husband

I barred the door, slant-thoughted and stone-hearted,

I rue it now, and only can condone it

Because ’twas done as though in fever’s heat.

Alex.

In fever’s heat?

Mar.(in a semi-aside).

I’d not have done it eitherWere he not come to me in mourning-garments!In red, dark red, I could have borne to see him,But——

I’d not have done it either

Were he not come to me in mourning-garments!

In red, dark red, I could have borne to see him,

But——

Alex.

Ha! He found them quick! Before the deedHe had them ordered, just as other murderers,Where possible, draw water ere they murder—

Ha! He found them quick! Before the deed

He had them ordered, just as other murderers,

Where possible, draw water ere they murder—

Mar.

Mother, forget not!

Alex.

Back to Index Next