ACT V

Castle on Zion. A large Audience-Chamber, as in Act I. Throne and tribunal.

Herod. Salome.

Herod.

An end, an end to this! The InquisitionI’ve ordered and will execute its sentence.I, I whom once each fever set a-shakingE’en though her maid-in-waiting it befel,’Tis I myself that weapons death against her.Be that enough! and if your zeal not yetAllow you rest, it will o’ershoot its target.I shall be thinking that ’tis hate aloneSpeaks from your mouth, and you will meet as witnessRejection, though I shall admit as suchEach several candle that has cast its flame,Each several flower that has shed its scent.

An end, an end to this! The Inquisition

I’ve ordered and will execute its sentence.

I, I whom once each fever set a-shaking

E’en though her maid-in-waiting it befel,

’Tis I myself that weapons death against her.

Be that enough! and if your zeal not yet

Allow you rest, it will o’ershoot its target.

I shall be thinking that ’tis hate alone

Speaks from your mouth, and you will meet as witness

Rejection, though I shall admit as such

Each several candle that has cast its flame,

Each several flower that has shed its scent.

Salome.

Herod, I’ll not deny the truth. I haveEre now spied on her faults and painted themWith heightened hue as you enhanced the virtuesThat you discovered in her. Was the prideFlaunted upon your mother and me wheneverShe crossed our path, was this a ground for love?As being of a loftier race she bore herThat never had awaked another thoughtWithin my mind than this—“Wherefore existsThe bulky book that tells the hero-deedsThe Maccabeans wrought unto our folk?She bears the chronicle upon her face.”

Herod, I’ll not deny the truth. I have

Ere now spied on her faults and painted them

With heightened hue as you enhanced the virtues

That you discovered in her. Was the pride

Flaunted upon your mother and me whenever

She crossed our path, was this a ground for love?

As being of a loftier race she bore her

That never had awaked another thought

Within my mind than this—“Wherefore exists

The bulky book that tells the hero-deeds

The Maccabeans wrought unto our folk?

She bears the chronicle upon her face.”

Herod.

Your will is to refute me, and you sealThe sentence I have passed.

Your will is to refute me, and you seal

The sentence I have passed.

Salome.

Nay, hear me out!’Twas so, I’ll not deny it. But if nowI’ve said more than I know and think and feel,Yea, if I am not moved by sister’s pityTo lock the half of what I could have told youEven now within my breast, then may my child—You’ll grant I love it well—as many yearsLive out as hairs are counted on his skullAnd every day as much of sorrow bring himAs it shall have of minutes, yea, of seconds.

Nay, hear me out!

’Twas so, I’ll not deny it. But if now

I’ve said more than I know and think and feel,

Yea, if I am not moved by sister’s pity

To lock the half of what I could have told you

Even now within my breast, then may my child—

You’ll grant I love it well—as many years

Live out as hairs are counted on his skull

And every day as much of sorrow bring him

As it shall have of minutes, yea, of seconds.

Herod.

A fearsome oath!

Salome.

And yet it falls from meMore lightly than this word—“The night is black.”E’en though the eye were jaundiced, ’tis past credenceThat jaundiced eye were paired by jaundiced ear,Yea, and by instinct, heart, and every mannerOf organ that is buttress to the senses.And this time all are tuned so fine togetherThat they could never clash in contradiction,Yea, and had God upon that festal nightCalled unto me from out the heights of Heaven,“Say from what evil I shall give your earthDeliverance—you have the choice!” I would notHave named the pest, nay, but your wicked wife.I shuddered at her; she would taint my moodAs though I’d reached a demon out of HellAmid the pitchy black by human handAnd he had met me with derision, steppingBefore me in his proper shape of frightFrom out the stolen frame of flesh and bloodAnd grinned and mowed at me through twisting flames.Nor did I shudder thus alone. The Roman,Yea, even the ironside Titus felt recoil.

And yet it falls from me

More lightly than this word—“The night is black.”

E’en though the eye were jaundiced, ’tis past credence

That jaundiced eye were paired by jaundiced ear,

Yea, and by instinct, heart, and every manner

Of organ that is buttress to the senses.

And this time all are tuned so fine together

That they could never clash in contradiction,

Yea, and had God upon that festal night

Called unto me from out the heights of Heaven,

“Say from what evil I shall give your earth

Deliverance—you have the choice!” I would not

Have named the pest, nay, but your wicked wife.

I shuddered at her; she would taint my mood

As though I’d reached a demon out of Hell

Amid the pitchy black by human hand

And he had met me with derision, stepping

Before me in his proper shape of fright

From out the stolen frame of flesh and blood

And grinned and mowed at me through twisting flames.

Nor did I shudder thus alone. The Roman,

Yea, even the ironside Titus felt recoil.

Herod.

True, true, and he weighs heavier than yourself,For just as he loves no one, he hates no one,And just he is like ghosts devoid of blood.Now leave me, for I am awaiting him.

True, true, and he weighs heavier than yourself,

For just as he loves no one, he hates no one,

And just he is like ghosts devoid of blood.

Now leave me, for I am awaiting him.

Salome.

I vow this dance shall never be forgottenIn which, responsive to the music’s beat,She trod the floor as though she knew for sureThat you lay underneath. By God, I wouldI were not forced to say it, for I knowHow inly you, who gave her mother, sister,And what not for her victims, must rebel.And yet it was so.

I vow this dance shall never be forgotten

In which, responsive to the music’s beat,

She trod the floor as though she knew for sure

That you lay underneath. By God, I would

I were not forced to say it, for I know

How inly you, who gave her mother, sister,

And what not for her victims, must rebel.

And yet it was so.

[Exit.

Herodalone.

Herod.

Titus said to meThe very same. Myself I saw enough,And she is right. I gave to her a sister,A mother almost, for her victims. Would theyNot counterpoise the brother whom she lost?In her eyes they do not.

Titus said to me

The very same. Myself I saw enough,

And she is right. I gave to her a sister,

A mother almost, for her victims. Would they

Not counterpoise the brother whom she lost?

In her eyes they do not.

[EnterTitus.

Herod. Titus.

Herod.

Well, Titus, well?Admits Soemus——?

Well, Titus, well?

Admits Soemus——?

Titus.

What you know. Not more.

Herod.

Naught of——?

Titus.

Oh no! He leapt to feet as ravingIf I but cast the lightest hint thereat.

Oh no! He leapt to feet as raving

If I but cast the lightest hint thereat.

Herod.

I could expect it.

Titus.

“Never could,” he answered,“A wife like yours have lived, and never wasA man so little worth the precious jewelThat God vouchsafed to him——”

“Never could,” he answered,

“A wife like yours have lived, and never was

A man so little worth the precious jewel

That God vouchsafed to him——”

Herod.

As I myself!Yes, yes! “He did not know the worth of pearlsWherefore I took them from him,” said the thief.I know not if that helped.

As I myself!

Yes, yes! “He did not know the worth of pearls

Wherefore I took them from him,” said the thief.

I know not if that helped.

Titus.

“Her heart was noblerThan gold.”

“Her heart was nobler

Than gold.”

Herod.

And so he knows it! Swimming-brainedHe lauds the wine. Does not that furnish proofThat he has drunk.14And what veneer used heTo coat it? Why betrayed he my commissionTo her?

And so he knows it! Swimming-brained

He lauds the wine. Does not that furnish proof

That he has drunk.14And what veneer used he

To coat it? Why betrayed he my commission

To her?

Titus.

From loathing, as he said.

Herod.

From loathing?And he ne’er gave the loathing words to me?

From loathing?

And he ne’er gave the loathing words to me?

Titus.

Would not the event have been his bane? Could youHave granted life unto the stockish servantIf once he had received from you commandAnd pushed it from him?

Would not the event have been his bane? Could you

Have granted life unto the stockish servant

If once he had received from you command

And pushed it from him?

Herod.

Why, in such a case,Was’t not enough to leave it unfruitioned?

Why, in such a case,

Was’t not enough to leave it unfruitioned?

Titus.

Yes; but if he went further he has done itPerchance because he deemed you as one lostAnd now was fain to have the Queen’s good graceA bargain at your cost for his own profit,Since it was in her hands his future lay.

Yes; but if he went further he has done it

Perchance because he deemed you as one lost

And now was fain to have the Queen’s good grace

A bargain at your cost for his own profit,

Since it was in her hands his future lay.

Herod.

No, Titus, no! Soemus was the manTo risk the daring bid in his own personThat makes another’s grace a needless prop.For that sole cause I gave it him. I thought:—“’Tis done for self if ’tis not done for you.”Yes, had he been a lesser than he isAnd had he not in Rome friends in such plentyI could have thought it true. But now—no, no,There was one only ground.

No, Titus, no! Soemus was the man

To risk the daring bid in his own person

That makes another’s grace a needless prop.

For that sole cause I gave it him. I thought:—

“’Tis done for self if ’tis not done for you.”

Yes, had he been a lesser than he is

And had he not in Rome friends in such plenty

I could have thought it true. But now—no, no,

There was one only ground.

Titus.

And yet he’ll notConfess that one.

And yet he’ll not

Confess that one.

Herod.

He were not what he isIf he should do it, for he knows full wellWhat follows that, and hopes now through his lyingTo waken in my breast one last misdoubtingSuch as will guard, if not perchance his head,Then hers before the coming bulk of death.He errs, though. That misdoubting lacks its sting.Had I no cause to punish what she didI’d punish that which she became and is.Ha, had she ever been what she has seemedShe never could have donned this shifting sloughAnd I’ll take vengeance on the duplex Thing.Yes, Titus, yes, I swear it by the keyOf Paradise that she holds in her hands,By all beatitude that she erewhileHas granted me, that she can grant me still,Yea, by this instant’s shudder which monitionsThat I in her will blot myself to nothing,I make an end howe’er the matter stand.

He were not what he is

If he should do it, for he knows full well

What follows that, and hopes now through his lying

To waken in my breast one last misdoubting

Such as will guard, if not perchance his head,

Then hers before the coming bulk of death.

He errs, though. That misdoubting lacks its sting.

Had I no cause to punish what she did

I’d punish that which she became and is.

Ha, had she ever been what she has seemed

She never could have donned this shifting slough

And I’ll take vengeance on the duplex Thing.

Yes, Titus, yes, I swear it by the key

Of Paradise that she holds in her hands,

By all beatitude that she erewhile

Has granted me, that she can grant me still,

Yea, by this instant’s shudder which monitions

That I in her will blot myself to nothing,

I make an end howe’er the matter stand.

Titus.

It is too late to make the cry of warning“Give not the order!” and I know myselfNo means of leading this to issue clearAnd therefore cannot dare to say “Hold! Hold!”

It is too late to make the cry of warning

“Give not the order!” and I know myself

No means of leading this to issue clear

And therefore cannot dare to say “Hold! Hold!”

[EnterJoab.

The Same. Joab.

Herod(toJoab).

Are they assembled?

Joab.

Long since. From the prisonI must announce to you what seems of weight.We cannot bring this Sameas to such lengthsThat he’ll disbody soul.

Long since. From the prison

I must announce to you what seems of weight.

We cannot bring this Sameas to such lengths

That he’ll disbody soul.

Herod.

I gave commandHe should be put to torture till he do it.(ToTitus.) This man had sworn, I’ve heard, that he would kill himCould he not make me in his own sweet likeness,Which process is to break what he has namedThe heathenish notions in me. Since he’s failedI now use force on him his oath to keep,His death’s a right good thousandfold deserved.

I gave command

He should be put to torture till he do it.

(ToTitus.) This man had sworn, I’ve heard, that he would kill him

Could he not make me in his own sweet likeness,

Which process is to break what he has named

The heathenish notions in me. Since he’s failed

I now use force on him his oath to keep,

His death’s a right good thousandfold deserved.

Titus.

I had myself been urgent for his death,For me he has reviled and Rome in meAnd that can everywhere be granted pardonBut here among this stubborn-stomached folk.

I had myself been urgent for his death,

For me he has reviled and Rome in me

And that can everywhere be granted pardon

But here among this stubborn-stomached folk.

Herod(toJoab).

Well then?

Joab.

Your words were followed to the letter,But it has helped to no success. The headsmanPlied him with almost every pang, and more,Grimmed into spite by such unwincing front,Which he misread as scorn, he dealt him wounds.But ’tis as though he’d given a tree a flogging,As though ’twere nerveless wood that took his slashing.There stands the old man dead to feel of pain,He sings, instead of shrieking out, and clutchingTo get the knife that’s held before his eyes,He sings the psalm which the Three Men of yoreSang in the fiery oven, and he liftsAt every added pang his voice the louder,And when he bates it prophesies forsooth!

Your words were followed to the letter,

But it has helped to no success. The headsman

Plied him with almost every pang, and more,

Grimmed into spite by such unwincing front,

Which he misread as scorn, he dealt him wounds.

But ’tis as though he’d given a tree a flogging,

As though ’twere nerveless wood that took his slashing.

There stands the old man dead to feel of pain,

He sings, instead of shrieking out, and clutching

To get the knife that’s held before his eyes,

He sings the psalm which the Three Men of yore

Sang in the fiery oven, and he lifts

At every added pang his voice the louder,

And when he bates it prophesies forsooth!

Herod(aside).

Such is their breed. Yes—will they e’er be other?

Joab.

Then he cries out as though for things of wonderBeyond the threshold he had got an eyeFor every wound that he can count. “Now isThe time fulfilled and in the manger-cribThe Virgin-Mother of the stem of DavidE’en at this hallowed moment lays a ChildDestined to topple thrones, awake the dead,Tear stars from heaven and from eternityUnto eternity o’erlord the world.”Meanwhile the folk in thousands are assembled,Hang on the very doors and hear it all,Believing that Elijah’s flaming chariotWill sink to earth and bear him like the prophetOn skyward path. The headsman’s menial evenShrank back and did not cut him with new wounds,But held the old together.

Then he cries out as though for things of wonder

Beyond the threshold he had got an eye

For every wound that he can count. “Now is

The time fulfilled and in the manger-crib

The Virgin-Mother of the stem of David

E’en at this hallowed moment lays a Child

Destined to topple thrones, awake the dead,

Tear stars from heaven and from eternity

Unto eternity o’erlord the world.”

Meanwhile the folk in thousands are assembled,

Hang on the very doors and hear it all,

Believing that Elijah’s flaming chariot

Will sink to earth and bear him like the prophet

On skyward path. The headsman’s menial even

Shrank back and did not cut him with new wounds,

But held the old together.

Herod.

Then he shallBe killed upon the spot and to the folkBe shown when he is dead. Thereafter bidThe Judges to present them and——

Then he shall

Be killed upon the spot and to the folk

Be shown when he is dead. Thereafter bid

The Judges to present them and——

Joab.

The Queen!

[Exit.

Herod.

You, Titus, shall be seated at my side.I send her mother too an invitationThat she at least fail not her child as witness.

You, Titus, shall be seated at my side.

I send her mother too an invitation

That she at least fail not her child as witness.

[EnterAaron,and the otherFive Judges.AlexandraandSalomefollow.Joabappears immediately after.

The Same. Aaron. The Five Judges. Alexandra. Salome.Afterwards,Mariamne.

Alex.

My King and Lord, I give you lowly greeting.

Herod.

My thanks to you.

[He seats himself on the throne.Titusplaces himself at his side. ThenTheJudgesseat themselves at a signal in a semicircle round the tribunal.

Alex.(while this is being done).

The fate of MariamneI sunder from my own, and save myself,Like to a torch, to break in future blaze.

The fate of Mariamne

I sunder from my own, and save myself,

Like to a torch, to break in future blaze.

[She sits next toSalome.

Herod(toThe Judges).

You know why I have had you summoned here.

Aaron.

In deepest pain do we appear before you.

Herod.

I do not doubt it. With my house and meYou’re closely bonded all as friend and kin;What hurts me must hurt you. You will rejoice,Touching the Queen, if you—(stops short) forgive me that!You will rejoice if you should not condemn her,If you may send her, cleared before her spouse,Again unto my house, not Golgotha,Yet will you not, faced with the uttermost,Quake marrowless at its necessity.Since luck and evil luck with me you shareYou share my shame and honour alike with me.Then to your duty!

I do not doubt it. With my house and me

You’re closely bonded all as friend and kin;

What hurts me must hurt you. You will rejoice,

Touching the Queen, if you—(stops short) forgive me that!

You will rejoice if you should not condemn her,

If you may send her, cleared before her spouse,

Again unto my house, not Golgotha,

Yet will you not, faced with the uttermost,

Quake marrowless at its necessity.

Since luck and evil luck with me you share

You share my shame and honour alike with me.

Then to your duty!

[He givesJoaba sign.Joabgoes out and appears again withMariamne.A long pause.

Herod.

Aaron!

Aaron.

Queen, we haveA heavy task. You stand before your judges.

Queen, we have

A heavy task. You stand before your judges.

Mar.

Before my judges, yes. Before you too.

Aaron.

Do you repudiate this court?

Mar.

I seeA higher here. If that allow your questionsThe answering word from me, then I shall speak,And hold my peace if such the same forbid.I scarcely see you clear, for there behind youStand ghosts that gaze augustly, dumb, and earnest;They are the great Forefathers of my stem.Three nights I saw them ere this hour in dream,Now too they come by day to me, and wellI know what it must mean when thus assembledThe Dead already ope for me their ranksAnd when what lives and breathes for me is pale.See there behind yon throne on which a kingIn seeming sits, stands Judas Maccabaeus—Hero of Heroes, look thou not so darklyUpon me from on high! Thou shalt be glad of me!

I see

A higher here. If that allow your questions

The answering word from me, then I shall speak,

And hold my peace if such the same forbid.

I scarcely see you clear, for there behind you

Stand ghosts that gaze augustly, dumb, and earnest;

They are the great Forefathers of my stem.

Three nights I saw them ere this hour in dream,

Now too they come by day to me, and well

I know what it must mean when thus assembled

The Dead already ope for me their ranks

And when what lives and breathes for me is pale.

See there behind yon throne on which a king

In seeming sits, stands Judas Maccabaeus—

Hero of Heroes, look thou not so darkly

Upon me from on high! Thou shalt be glad of me!

Alex.

Curb your defiance, Mariamne!

Mar.

Mother!Farewell! (ToAaron.) Say wherefore I am here accused.

Mother!

Farewell! (ToAaron.) Say wherefore I am here accused.

Aaron.

The accusation’s this—your King and LordYou have deceived. (ToHerod.) ’Tis so?

The accusation’s this—your King and Lord

You have deceived. (ToHerod.) ’Tis so?

Mar.

Deceived? Ah, folly!Did he not find me in the way he thoughtThat he would find me, at the dance and play?And did I don, when I had heard the death-news,My mourning-raiment? Did I shed my tears?And did I tear dishevelled locks? Then had IDeceived him; but these things I have not done,And can bring solid proof. Salome, speak!

Deceived? Ah, folly!

Did he not find me in the way he thought

That he would find me, at the dance and play?

And did I don, when I had heard the death-news,

My mourning-raiment? Did I shed my tears?

And did I tear dishevelled locks? Then had I

Deceived him; but these things I have not done,

And can bring solid proof. Salome, speak!

Herod.

I found her as she says. She does not needTo look about for other witnesses.But I had never, never had such thought.

I found her as she says. She does not need

To look about for other witnesses.

But I had never, never had such thought.

Mar.

Ne’er had such thought? Yet feigned and had the headsmanSet close upon my back? That cannot be.As I at parting stood before his spiritE’en so at our reunion he has found me.Therefore I must deny that I deceived.

Ne’er had such thought? Yet feigned and had the headsman

Set close upon my back? That cannot be.

As I at parting stood before his spirit

E’en so at our reunion he has found me.

Therefore I must deny that I deceived.

Herod(breaking into wild laughter).

Nay, she has not deceived because there’s naughtShe did but what foreshadowing Sentience,All praise to her, dusked warning Deity,Caused me to feel. (ToMariamne.) Woman, this fits you well!But build not overfast on this, that IWith peace and happiness have lost my strength;Perchance some jot has still survived for vengeanceAnd—e’en as boy I ever sent a birdA chasing dart if it outflew my range.

Nay, she has not deceived because there’s naught

She did but what foreshadowing Sentience,

All praise to her, dusked warning Deity,

Caused me to feel. (ToMariamne.) Woman, this fits you well!

But build not overfast on this, that I

With peace and happiness have lost my strength;

Perchance some jot has still survived for vengeance

And—e’en as boy I ever sent a bird

A chasing dart if it outflew my range.

Mar.

Speak not of sentience foreshadowing, speakOf fear alone. You trembled at the thingThat you deserved. It is the way of man.You can no longer trust the sister, since youHave done to death the brother; all that’s grossestYour sullying mind imputes and thinks that IMust give response, yea, and out-Herod you.Speak truth, or did you always, when you marchedIn honourable open war to death,Set headsmen close behind my back? You’re silent.Good then! Since you’re so deeply sensitiveOn what in me is seemly; since your fearSchoolmasters me on duty, then will INow at long last fulfil this holy duty.Therefore I sunder me from you for aye.

Speak not of sentience foreshadowing, speak

Of fear alone. You trembled at the thing

That you deserved. It is the way of man.

You can no longer trust the sister, since you

Have done to death the brother; all that’s grossest

Your sullying mind imputes and thinks that I

Must give response, yea, and out-Herod you.

Speak truth, or did you always, when you marched

In honourable open war to death,

Set headsmen close behind my back? You’re silent.

Good then! Since you’re so deeply sensitive

On what in me is seemly; since your fear

Schoolmasters me on duty, then will I

Now at long last fulfil this holy duty.

Therefore I sunder me from you for aye.

Herod.

Answer! Do you confess or not confess?

[Mariamneis silent.

(To theJudges.) You see that all confession fails. AlsoI’ve not the proofs as such that you will need.But on a murderer once I saw you passThe doom of death because the slain man’s jewelWas found on him. It was no help that heHad pointed to his cleanly-washen hands,And none too that he swore the dead man gave itAs gift. You had the sentence executed.Good then! It stands thus here. She has the jewelThat proves to me more undeniablyThan ever any tongue of man could do itShe shamed me with the abhorred of all abhorred.A miracle must not alone have happened.It must in other case have been repeated,And miracles were ne’er repeated yet.15

(To theJudges.) You see that all confession fails. Also

I’ve not the proofs as such that you will need.

But on a murderer once I saw you pass

The doom of death because the slain man’s jewel

Was found on him. It was no help that he

Had pointed to his cleanly-washen hands,

And none too that he swore the dead man gave it

As gift. You had the sentence executed.

Good then! It stands thus here. She has the jewel

That proves to me more undeniably

Than ever any tongue of man could do it

She shamed me with the abhorred of all abhorred.

A miracle must not alone have happened.

It must in other case have been repeated,

And miracles were ne’er repeated yet.15

[Mariamnemakes a gesture.

’Tis true she’ll speak just as the murderer spoke—“’Twas given her for a gift!” And she may dare itBecause a chamber, like a wood, is dumb.But were you tempted thus to give her creditThen I will set in scale my inmost feelingAnd probing of each possibilityAs counterbalance, and demand her death,—Her death, I say! no more this nauseous gobletI’ll empty which her proud defiance fills,Nor day on day be gadflied with the riddleIf such a pride’s the most repellent faceOf Innocence, or the most brazen maskOf Sin. I’ll rescue me from out this whirlpoolBoiling with hate and love ere I be choked,And be the cost as high as e’er it may.Therefore away with her! You dally still?It’s settled! What? I missed the telling point?Then speak! I know that silence is my part,But speak! speak! Sit not there like SolomonBetween the mothers with the pair of children.Her case is clear; you need no more for sentenceThan what you see! A woman that stands thereAs she does, earns her death though she were cleanOf every guilt. And still you never speak?Will you perchance first have the proof how fastIs my conviction that she has deceived?Such I will give you through Soemus’ headAnd that at once.

’Tis true she’ll speak just as the murderer spoke—

“’Twas given her for a gift!” And she may dare it

Because a chamber, like a wood, is dumb.

But were you tempted thus to give her credit

Then I will set in scale my inmost feeling

And probing of each possibility

As counterbalance, and demand her death,—

Her death, I say! no more this nauseous goblet

I’ll empty which her proud defiance fills,

Nor day on day be gadflied with the riddle

If such a pride’s the most repellent face

Of Innocence, or the most brazen mask

Of Sin. I’ll rescue me from out this whirlpool

Boiling with hate and love ere I be choked,

And be the cost as high as e’er it may.

Therefore away with her! You dally still?

It’s settled! What? I missed the telling point?

Then speak! I know that silence is my part,

But speak! speak! Sit not there like Solomon

Between the mothers with the pair of children.

Her case is clear; you need no more for sentence

Than what you see! A woman that stands there

As she does, earns her death though she were clean

Of every guilt. And still you never speak?

Will you perchance first have the proof how fast

Is my conviction that she has deceived?

Such I will give you through Soemus’ head

And that at once.

[He goes up toJoab.

Titus(rising).

I say this is not trial.Your pardon!

I say this is not trial.

Your pardon!

[Is about to go.

Mar.

Roman, stay! I recognise it,Who can repudiate it if not I?

Roman, stay! I recognise it,

Who can repudiate it if not I?

[Titusseats himself again.Alexandrarises.

Mar.(approaching her, and in a subdued voice).

You’ve wrought on me much harm and never hasYour meed of happiness by mine been measured.If I’m to pardon that, be silent now.You alter naught; my will is firm and fixed.

You’ve wrought on me much harm and never has

Your meed of happiness by mine been measured.

If I’m to pardon that, be silent now.

You alter naught; my will is firm and fixed.

[Alexandraseats herself again.

And now, my Judges?

Aaron(to the otherJudges).

Let that man rise upWho deems the sentence of the King unjust!

Let that man rise up

Who deems the sentence of the King unjust!

[All remain seated.

You therefore all resolve yourselves for death?(Rising.) Queen, you are here condemned to suffer death.Have you aught still to answer?

You therefore all resolve yourselves for death?

(Rising.) Queen, you are here condemned to suffer death.

Have you aught still to answer?

Mar.

If the headsmanIs not bespoke already and by nowAwaits me with his axe, then I would craveA final word with Titus ere my death.(ToHerod.) It is not wont to give the last requestOf dying men refusal. Can you grant it,Then let my life be added unto yours.

If the headsman

Is not bespoke already and by now

Awaits me with his axe, then I would crave

A final word with Titus ere my death.

(ToHerod.) It is not wont to give the last request

Of dying men refusal. Can you grant it,

Then let my life be added unto yours.

Herod.

The Headsman is not yet bespoke. I can.And since you promise me eternityAs my reward, I must, and more, I will.(ToTitus.) This woman is an awesome thing!

The Headsman is not yet bespoke. I can.

And since you promise me eternity

As my reward, I must, and more, I will.

(ToTitus.) This woman is an awesome thing!

Titus.

She standsBefore a man as never woman should;Make then an end.

She stands

Before a man as never woman should;

Make then an end.

Salome(advancing).

Oh do it! For your motherIs sick unto the death. She will be wholeIf spared to see it.

Oh do it! For your mother

Is sick unto the death. She will be whole

If spared to see it.

Herod(toAlexandra).

Did you not say aught?

Alex.

No.

[Herodgazes long atMariamne.Mariamneremains dumb.

Herod.

Die! (ToJoab.) I lay it in your hands.

[Goes off quickly.Salomefollows him.

Alex.(looking afterHerod).

I haveAn arrow still for you. (ToMariamne.) You wished it so!

I have

An arrow still for you. (ToMariamne.) You wished it so!

Mar.

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