HEROD AND MARIAMNE

ACT I

A Castle on Zion. A large Audience-Chamber.Joab, Sameas, Zerubabeland his SonPhilo, Titus, Judas,and many others.EnterHerod.

Joab(advancing towards the King).

I’m back again.

Herod.

I’ll speak with you anon.Announce the weightiest first!

I’ll speak with you anon.

Announce the weightiest first!

Joab(retreating: aside).

The weightiest!I had a kind of notion ’twere to learnWhether my head sits shoulder-tight or not.

The weightiest!

I had a kind of notion ’twere to learn

Whether my head sits shoulder-tight or not.

Herod(beckoning toJudas).

How is it with the fire?

Judas.

With the fire?Know you already what I came to tell?

With the fire?

Know you already what I came to tell?

Herod.

At midnight it broke out; I was the firstTo mark it, and the first to call the watch.Am I at fault, or did I wake yourself?

At midnight it broke out; I was the first

To mark it, and the first to call the watch.

Am I at fault, or did I wake yourself?

Judas.

It is extinguished. (Aside.) Ha, then it is trueThe mummer dogs the town-ways in disguiseWhen others are asleep! Then bridle tongue!A chance may prick it blind against his ear!

It is extinguished. (Aside.) Ha, then it is true

The mummer dogs the town-ways in disguise

When others are asleep! Then bridle tongue!

A chance may prick it blind against his ear!

Herod.

I saw when all was in a reel of flamesA woman, young, through the window of a house;She seemed quite sense-numbed. Was this woman saved?

I saw when all was in a reel of flames

A woman, young, through the window of a house;

She seemed quite sense-numbed. Was this woman saved?

Judas.

She’d none of it.

Herod.

She’d none of it?

Judas.

By Heaven,She made defence against the force essayedTo bear her off; she laid about with handsAnd feet; she clutched and clung to the bedOn which she sat, shrieking “that very hourShe’d chosen for a death by her own hands.And now that death was come by lucky chance!”

By Heaven,

She made defence against the force essayed

To bear her off; she laid about with hands

And feet; she clutched and clung to the bed

On which she sat, shrieking “that very hour

She’d chosen for a death by her own hands.

And now that death was come by lucky chance!”

Herod.

She must have been a maniac.

Judas.

PossiblyThe poignancy of pain gave her the wrench.Her husband had just died the moment ere then.His corpse, still warm, was lying in his bed.

Possibly

The poignancy of pain gave her the wrench.

Her husband had just died the moment ere then.

His corpse, still warm, was lying in his bed.

Herod(aside).

That tale’s in point: I’ll tell’t to MariamneAnd fix her eyes i’ the very telling! (Aloud.) This womanHas had no child belike; in the other caseThe child shall be my care; as for herself,Let her have rich and princely burial.I feel she was among all women queen.

That tale’s in point: I’ll tell’t to Mariamne

And fix her eyes i’ the very telling! (Aloud.) This woman

Has had no child belike; in the other case

The child shall be my care; as for herself,

Let her have rich and princely burial.

I feel she was among all women queen.

Sameas(advancing towardsHerod).

A burial? I protest the thing can’t be,Or, at the least, not in Jerusalem,For it is written——

A burial? I protest the thing can’t be,

Or, at the least, not in Jerusalem,

For it is written——

Herod.

Are you not known to me?

Sameas.

You’ve had ere now a chance to make acquaintance;I was the tongue once of the SanhedrimWhen it was dumb before you.

You’ve had ere now a chance to make acquaintance;

I was the tongue once of the Sanhedrim

When it was dumb before you.

Herod.

Sameas,I hope you know me too. Hard on the heelYou have pursued the youngling, and were liefTo make the hangman richer by the headOf that same youngling. I forgive your deedsAs man and King. Your neck still carries yours.

Sameas,

I hope you know me too. Hard on the heel

You have pursued the youngling, and were lief

To make the hangman richer by the head

Of that same youngling. I forgive your deeds

As man and King. Your neck still carries yours.

Sameas.

If for the grace that bade you leave it meI dare not use it, here it is! That wereA worse mischance than loss for good and all.

If for the grace that bade you leave it me

I dare not use it, here it is! That were

A worse mischance than loss for good and all.

Herod.

Why did you come? I never saw you hereTill now within these walls.

Why did you come? I never saw you here

Till now within these walls.

Sameas.

That’s just the reasonYou see me here to-day. You may have thoughtIt was through fear of you. I fear you not!Not even now, when many learnt to fear youWho till this time—I mean up till the deathOf Aristobulus—had no fear of you;And now at offered opportunityTo give you proof I have a grateful heart,I grasp the chance, and warn you solemnlyAgainst a deed that the Lord God abhors.This woman’s bones unhallowed are accursed,She has rejected rescue heathen-wise;No less the act than had she killed herself.And then——

That’s just the reason

You see me here to-day. You may have thought

It was through fear of you. I fear you not!

Not even now, when many learnt to fear you

Who till this time—I mean up till the death

Of Aristobulus—had no fear of you;

And now at offered opportunity

To give you proof I have a grateful heart,

I grasp the chance, and warn you solemnly

Against a deed that the Lord God abhors.

This woman’s bones unhallowed are accursed,

She has rejected rescue heathen-wise;

No less the act than had she killed herself.

And then——

Herod.

Some other time!(ToZerubabel.) From Galilee!Zerubabel as well who once——Be welcome!Yourself’s to blame I’ve seen you not till now.

Some other time!

(ToZerubabel.) From Galilee!

Zerubabel as well who once——Be welcome!

Yourself’s to blame I’ve seen you not till now.

Zer.

’Tis a high honour, King, you know me still.(Pointing to his mouth.) But then of course these teeth, these mighty twinsThat make me a blood-cousin to the boar——

’Tis a high honour, King, you know me still.

(Pointing to his mouth.) But then of course these teeth, these mighty twins

That make me a blood-cousin to the boar——

Herod.

The look of my own face will I forgetSooner than his who’s served me trustily.When I was brigand-hunting in your land,My sharpest sleuth-hound you! Why come you now?

The look of my own face will I forget

Sooner than his who’s served me trustily.

When I was brigand-hunting in your land,

My sharpest sleuth-hound you! Why come you now?

Zer.(pointing to his son).

Small cause enough. This Philo here’s my son.Soldiers you need, and I—well none need I.This one’s a Roman. By some oversightA Hebrew daughter gave him to the world.1

Small cause enough. This Philo here’s my son.

Soldiers you need, and I—well none need I.

This one’s a Roman. By some oversight

A Hebrew daughter gave him to the world.1

Herod.

From Galilee comes to me naught but good.I’ll have you summoned later.

From Galilee comes to me naught but good.

I’ll have you summoned later.

[Zerubabelretires with his son.

Titus(advancing).

A cheat’s fraudI have discovered forces——

A cheat’s fraud

I have discovered forces——

Herod.

Out with it!

Titus.

The dumb speak!

Herod.

Riddle not!

Titus.

Your halberdierWho, companied with one of my centurions,Last night was standing guard at your bed-chamber——

Your halberdier

Who, companied with one of my centurions,

Last night was standing guard at your bed-chamber——

Herod(aside).

The man whom Alexandra, my wife’s mother,Enlisted in my service——

The man whom Alexandra, my wife’s mother,

Enlisted in my service——

Titus.

He’s not dumb,Though not a soul but seems to think so of him.In dreaming he has found his voice and cursed.

He’s not dumb,

Though not a soul but seems to think so of him.

In dreaming he has found his voice and cursed.

Herod.

In dreaming!

Titus.

Yes, he fell asleep on guard,And my centurion had no mind to wake him,Thinking his duty’s scope made no exaction,Because he is not drafted with his cohort.But his sharp eye was on him, if he fellTo catch him that your rest be not disturbed,Since it was early and you lay asleep.While he does this the dumb one sudden startsA-murmuring, and calls aloud your name,And couples it with a most fearsome curse.

Yes, he fell asleep on guard,

And my centurion had no mind to wake him,

Thinking his duty’s scope made no exaction,

Because he is not drafted with his cohort.

But his sharp eye was on him, if he fell

To catch him that your rest be not disturbed,

Since it was early and you lay asleep.

While he does this the dumb one sudden starts

A-murmuring, and calls aloud your name,

And couples it with a most fearsome curse.

Herod.

And this centurion suffers no delusion?

Titus.

If so, he must himself have fallen asleep,An omen, for the eternal city’s future,Worse than the bolt of thunder which of lateBlasted the She-wolf on the Capitol.

If so, he must himself have fallen asleep,

An omen, for the eternal city’s future,

Worse than the bolt of thunder which of late

Blasted the She-wolf on the Capitol.

Herod.

My thanks to you—and now——

[Dismisses all exceptJoab.

Ay, so it stands!Traitors in my own house, open defianceFrom Pharisaic scum, the more unblushingSince I dare not deal chastisement unlessI’m mad enough to turn fools into martyrs;And from those Galileans some scant love,No, a self-interested hanging-on,Since I’m the Bogy of the Shining SwordThat from the distance scares their rabble-dregs.And—this man brings me certain news of ill;He was too hasty-eager to announce it.For even he, though my own body-slave,Delights in my chagrin if he but knowsI must don mask as though I saw it not.(ToJoab.) The news from Alexandria!

Ay, so it stands!

Traitors in my own house, open defiance

From Pharisaic scum, the more unblushing

Since I dare not deal chastisement unless

I’m mad enough to turn fools into martyrs;

And from those Galileans some scant love,

No, a self-interested hanging-on,

Since I’m the Bogy of the Shining Sword

That from the distance scares their rabble-dregs.

And—this man brings me certain news of ill;

He was too hasty-eager to announce it.

For even he, though my own body-slave,

Delights in my chagrin if he but knows

I must don mask as though I saw it not.

(ToJoab.) The news from Alexandria!

Joab.

I had speechWith Antony.

I had speech

With Antony.

Herod.

O prologue marvellous!Had speech with Antony! I’m used to seeMy couriers to his audience vouchsafed.You are the first who finds himself compelledTo reassure me he was privileged thus.

O prologue marvellous!

Had speech with Antony! I’m used to see

My couriers to his audience vouchsafed.

You are the first who finds himself compelled

To reassure me he was privileged thus.

Joab.

A privilege hardly won! I was repulsed,Obdurately repulsed!

A privilege hardly won! I was repulsed,

Obdurately repulsed!

Herod(aside).

A sign he standsStill better with Octavian than I thought!(Aloud.) That shows you picked the right hour clumsily.

A sign he stands

Still better with Octavian than I thought!

(Aloud.) That shows you picked the right hour clumsily.

Joab.

I picked each single one o’ the twenty-fourThat make the total day. Whate’er was doingI budged not from the spot, never a foot,Even when the soldiers offered me some morsel,And, when I spurned their bounty, vented japes:—“He’ll only eat the leavings of the catAnd what the dogs have tattered with their jaws!”At last I had success——

I picked each single one o’ the twenty-four

That make the total day. Whate’er was doing

I budged not from the spot, never a foot,

Even when the soldiers offered me some morsel,

And, when I spurned their bounty, vented japes:—

“He’ll only eat the leavings of the cat

And what the dogs have tattered with their jaws!”

At last I had success——

Herod.

Some cleverer manHad won forthwith——

Some cleverer man

Had won forthwith——

Joab.

In gaining audience.It was now night, and the first notion forcedUpon my mind was that I had been summonedTo lengthen out his gibing soldiers’ jest.For, as I entered, there before my eyesA ring of cushion-sprawling drinkers lay;But he with his own hand filled me with a gobletAnd called out to me—“Drain this to my health!”I courteously declined, whereat he said:—“If killing yonder fellow were my moodI’d merely need for but an eight-days’ spaceTo have him at my board, and pile thereonThe tribute paid me by the earth and ocean.He’d sit an-idling, peak away from famine,And swear in dying he’d a bellyful!”

In gaining audience.

It was now night, and the first notion forced

Upon my mind was that I had been summoned

To lengthen out his gibing soldiers’ jest.

For, as I entered, there before my eyes

A ring of cushion-sprawling drinkers lay;

But he with his own hand filled me with a goblet

And called out to me—“Drain this to my health!”

I courteously declined, whereat he said:—

“If killing yonder fellow were my mood

I’d merely need for but an eight-days’ space

To have him at my board, and pile thereon

The tribute paid me by the earth and ocean.

He’d sit an-idling, peak away from famine,

And swear in dying he’d a bellyful!”

Herod.

Yes, yes, they know our breed! It must be altered.What Moses merely bade, to shield this folkFrom a backsliding to its old calf-cult,Thoughhewas not a fool, such law this folkHolds fatuous as a self-sufficient end;So sick men cured still use the healing drugAs though their food and physic were the same.This must——Continue!

Yes, yes, they know our breed! It must be altered.

What Moses merely bade, to shield this folk

From a backsliding to its old calf-cult,

Thoughhewas not a fool, such law this folk

Holds fatuous as a self-sufficient end;

So sick men cured still use the healing drug

As though their food and physic were the same.

This must——Continue!

Joab.

I was soon assuredI had mistook my man, for he dismissedAll State-affairs while cups were going round,Appointed magistrates and duly orderedThe sacrifice to Zeus, consulted augurs,Spoke with the couriers fast as e’er they came,Not me alone. Oh, a rare sight he made!A slave behind him with his ear acock,A tablet and a stylus in his hand,Was scribbling down—absurdly solemn owl!Whatever crank escaped his tippler-mood.And on the morning after, so I learnt,He reads the contents through, his head aburstWith drunkard-dregs, and holds his words so trueThat—hear the latest oath they say he swore—With his own fist he’d choke his very windpipeHad he the night before in fuddled fitMade a fool’s freakish present of the worldHe dubs his own, and thereby forfeitedHis right to one sole single place thereon.Whether, then too his walk’s a zigzag waddle,As when at night he seeks his bed, I know not;But to my thinking, both are on all fours.

I was soon assured

I had mistook my man, for he dismissed

All State-affairs while cups were going round,

Appointed magistrates and duly ordered

The sacrifice to Zeus, consulted augurs,

Spoke with the couriers fast as e’er they came,

Not me alone. Oh, a rare sight he made!

A slave behind him with his ear acock,

A tablet and a stylus in his hand,

Was scribbling down—absurdly solemn owl!

Whatever crank escaped his tippler-mood.

And on the morning after, so I learnt,

He reads the contents through, his head aburst

With drunkard-dregs, and holds his words so true

That—hear the latest oath they say he swore—

With his own fist he’d choke his very windpipe

Had he the night before in fuddled fit

Made a fool’s freakish present of the world

He dubs his own, and thereby forfeited

His right to one sole single place thereon.

Whether, then too his walk’s a zigzag waddle,

As when at night he seeks his bed, I know not;

But to my thinking, both are on all fours.

Herod.

Thou’rt conqueror, Octavian! Soon or late;That’s all the question. Well?

Thou’rt conqueror, Octavian! Soon or late;

That’s all the question. Well?

Joab.

When at long lastThe turn had come to me and I deliveredThe letter for him that I bore with me,He then and there, instead of opening it,Tossed it contemptuous to his secretary,Bade his cup-bearer bring a certain pictureWhich I should thoroughly scan, and say to himWhether I found the likeness good or no.

When at long last

The turn had come to me and I delivered

The letter for him that I bore with me,

He then and there, instead of opening it,

Tossed it contemptuous to his secretary,

Bade his cup-bearer bring a certain picture

Which I should thoroughly scan, and say to him

Whether I found the likeness good or no.

Herod.

It was the likeness of——

Joab(with sinister malice).

Aristobulus,The High-Priest drowned a trifle suddenly.A long time since your royal Consort’s mother,Queen Alexandra, who’s had doings with him,Had sent it; but ’twas swallowed ravenouslyAs though he’d ne’er set eyes on it before.Stock-still I stood, mutely confused. He spokeWhen he saw this—“The lamps here burn too dim!”Then, stretching out his hand toward your letter,Plunged it in flame and let it flicker slowBefore the picture like an uninked sheet.

Aristobulus,

The High-Priest drowned a trifle suddenly.

A long time since your royal Consort’s mother,

Queen Alexandra, who’s had doings with him,

Had sent it; but ’twas swallowed ravenously

As though he’d ne’er set eyes on it before.

Stock-still I stood, mutely confused. He spoke

When he saw this—“The lamps here burn too dim!”

Then, stretching out his hand toward your letter,

Plunged it in flame and let it flicker slow

Before the picture like an uninked sheet.

Herod.

Bold, e’en for him: but ’twas a wine-caprice.

Joab.

I cried—“What’s that you’re doing? Why, you’ve notSo much as read the letter!” He replied:—“My will’s to speak with Herod! That’s the meaning!He is arraigned by me on capital charge!”Then I was bade relate how the High PriestCame by his death, and as I told the tale—A dizziness had gripped him in his bath—He cut me short and quick—“Gripped! Ay, that isThe fitting word. That dizziness had fists!”Then I perceived—pardon if I declare it,—Rome’s not persuaded that the youth is drowned;Nay, but there’s accusation in the windThat by your chamberlain’s kind officesYou’ve had him strangled in the river-depths.

I cried—“What’s that you’re doing? Why, you’ve not

So much as read the letter!” He replied:—

“My will’s to speak with Herod! That’s the meaning!

He is arraigned by me on capital charge!”

Then I was bade relate how the High Priest

Came by his death, and as I told the tale—

A dizziness had gripped him in his bath—

He cut me short and quick—“Gripped! Ay, that is

The fitting word. That dizziness had fists!”

Then I perceived—pardon if I declare it,—

Rome’s not persuaded that the youth is drowned;

Nay, but there’s accusation in the wind

That by your chamberlain’s kind offices

You’ve had him strangled in the river-depths.

Herod.

Thanks, Alexandra, thanks!

Joab.

Then, waving hand,He bade me thence—I went. But, once again,He called to me and spoke—“You’ve not yet paidThe question I first put you its due answer;Then hear it twice. This picture, does it favourThe Dead?” As I assented with forced nod,“And favours Mariamne then her brother?Say, favours she the youth so piteous—dead?Is she so fair that every woman hates her?”

Then, waving hand,

He bade me thence—I went. But, once again,

He called to me and spoke—“You’ve not yet paid

The question I first put you its due answer;

Then hear it twice. This picture, does it favour

The Dead?” As I assented with forced nod,

“And favours Mariamne then her brother?

Say, favours she the youth so piteous—dead?

Is she so fair that every woman hates her?”

Herod.

And you?

Joab.

Hear first what all the others saidWho meanwhile rose, and, gathered at my side,Circled the picture. With a laugh they said,Changing with Antony the double glance,“Say yes! If e’er you took the dead man’s largess,Hap or mishap, you’ll see his death avenged.”But I replied I knew no jot of it,For never else but draped in veils had IBeheld the Queen: and that’s the very truth.

Hear first what all the others said

Who meanwhile rose, and, gathered at my side,

Circled the picture. With a laugh they said,

Changing with Antony the double glance,

“Say yes! If e’er you took the dead man’s largess,

Hap or mishap, you’ll see his death avenged.”

But I replied I knew no jot of it,

For never else but draped in veils had I

Beheld the Queen: and that’s the very truth.

Herod(aside).

Ha, Mariamne! But—I laugh at that,I’ll know the trick to shield me from that danger,This way or that, whatever way it come.(ToJoab.) And what commission did you take for me?

Ha, Mariamne! But—I laugh at that,

I’ll know the trick to shield me from that danger,

This way or that, whatever way it come.

(ToJoab.) And what commission did you take for me?

Joab.

No smallest. If commission I had takenI’d not have roundabouted thus. As ’tisIt seemed imperative.

No smallest. If commission I had taken

I’d not have roundabouted thus. As ’tis

It seemed imperative.

Herod.

Good: you returnAt once to Alexandria with me.You leave the palace under penalty.

Good: you return

At once to Alexandria with me.

You leave the palace under penalty.

Joab.

Your servant! I’ll hold talk with none i’ the palace.

Herod.

That’s credible! Who hankers for the crossNow of all times when figs begin to ripe?My Mute must have the axe, and should he questionThe why, he’s answered—“Just that you can question.”(Aside.) So now I see through whom the Ancient SerpentSo often learned what I—A wicked wench!(ToJoab.) See to’t! When done I must behold the head.I’ll send a present to my mother-in-law.(Aside.) She needs a little warning-sign, it seems.

That’s credible! Who hankers for the cross

Now of all times when figs begin to ripe?

My Mute must have the axe, and should he question

The why, he’s answered—“Just that you can question.”

(Aside.) So now I see through whom the Ancient Serpent

So often learned what I—A wicked wench!

(ToJoab.) See to’t! When done I must behold the head.

I’ll send a present to my mother-in-law.

(Aside.) She needs a little warning-sign, it seems.

Joab.

At once!

Herod.

This too: the Galilean lad—Take him beneath your wing—Zerubabel’s son.I’ll have a word with him too ere we go.2

This too: the Galilean lad—

Take him beneath your wing—Zerubabel’s son.

I’ll have a word with him too ere we go.2

[ExitJoab.

Herodalone.

Herod.

Now to’t, “and once again!” I’d almost said,But there’s no end in prospect. I resembleThe Man i’ the Fable whom before, the lion,Behind, the tiger gripped at; whom the eaglesWith beak and claw were threatening imminent,And who was standing on a snaky clump.All’s one! I’ll make defence as best I can,And fit each enemy with his own weapon.Be this henceforth my law and ordinance.What length it takes, it shall not fret my peace.If but to the end I keep firm-planted feetAnd nothing lose of what I’ve called my own,Then let that end be on me when it will.

Now to’t, “and once again!” I’d almost said,

But there’s no end in prospect. I resemble

The Man i’ the Fable whom before, the lion,

Behind, the tiger gripped at; whom the eagles

With beak and claw were threatening imminent,

And who was standing on a snaky clump.

All’s one! I’ll make defence as best I can,

And fit each enemy with his own weapon.

Be this henceforth my law and ordinance.

What length it takes, it shall not fret my peace.

If but to the end I keep firm-planted feet

And nothing lose of what I’ve called my own,

Then let that end be on me when it will.

Herod. Mariamne.

[Enter aServant.

Servant.

The Queen!

[Mariamnefollows close on him.

Herod.

You’ve just outstripped my own desire!I wanted——

You’ve just outstripped my own desire!

I wanted——

Mar.

Nay then, surely not to fetchMy thanks in person for the pearls so wondrous?I waved you twice aside, but once againMake trial if I’d pleased to change my mood,That would have strained the patience of a man,And, past all doubt, the patience of a King.Nay, nay, I know my duty, and since you,After my gay-heart brother’s swift-sent death,Shower daily so rich gifts as though you courtedMy love anew, I come at last myselfAnd show you I have gratitude in heart.

Nay then, surely not to fetch

My thanks in person for the pearls so wondrous?

I waved you twice aside, but once again

Make trial if I’d pleased to change my mood,

That would have strained the patience of a man,

And, past all doubt, the patience of a King.

Nay, nay, I know my duty, and since you,

After my gay-heart brother’s swift-sent death,

Shower daily so rich gifts as though you courted

My love anew, I come at last myself

And show you I have gratitude in heart.

Herod.

I see it!

Mar.

Faith, I cannot tell what trendYour bearing takes. You send for me the diverDeep, deep into the lightless sea, and ifNo one’s to find who for the gleaming guerdonWill dare disturb Leviathan’s repose,You fling your dungeons open and give backSome robber-varlet his devoted headTo get you a pearl-fisherman for me.

Faith, I cannot tell what trend

Your bearing takes. You send for me the diver

Deep, deep into the lightless sea, and if

No one’s to find who for the gleaming guerdon

Will dare disturb Leviathan’s repose,

You fling your dungeons open and give back

Some robber-varlet his devoted head

To get you a pearl-fisherman for me.

Herod.

That seems a maddish whim? Why, madder still,I’ve had a murderer cut down from the crossWhen need to snatch a child from out the brandWas urgent, and I’ve said to him:—“If youReturn it to the mother, in my eyesThat counterbalances your debt to death.”Ay, he was in with a plunge——

That seems a maddish whim? Why, madder still,

I’ve had a murderer cut down from the cross

When need to snatch a child from out the brand

Was urgent, and I’ve said to him:—“If you

Return it to the mother, in my eyes

That counterbalances your debt to death.”

Ay, he was in with a plunge——

Mar.

And back againUnscathed?

And back again

Unscathed?

Herod.

It was too late, or otherwiseMy word kept, he’d have been dispatched to RomeA-soldiering. They call for tigers there!My policy is “Usury with all!”And why not drive the trade with forfeit lives?You have your junctures when they offer use.

It was too late, or otherwise

My word kept, he’d have been dispatched to Rome

A-soldiering. They call for tigers there!

My policy is “Usury with all!”

And why not drive the trade with forfeit lives?

You have your junctures when they offer use.

Mar.(aside).

Oh that he did not have the bloody hand!What use are words? For whatsoe’er his deed,Once on his tongue, he paints it wisely done.And oh, revolting if he drove me, drove meTo judge a brother-murder, like the rest,Compelled, inevitable, wisely done!

Oh that he did not have the bloody hand!

What use are words? For whatsoe’er his deed,

Once on his tongue, he paints it wisely done.

And oh, revolting if he drove me, drove me

To judge a brother-murder, like the rest,

Compelled, inevitable, wisely done!

Herod.

You’re silent?

Mar.

Shall I speak? Well then of pearls,3You know we only spoke of pearls till now,Of pearls that are so chaste and blanched as foamThat even against a bloody hand they loseNo clearness in their sparkle! And you heapThem high on me!

Shall I speak? Well then of pearls,3

You know we only spoke of pearls till now,

Of pearls that are so chaste and blanched as foam

That even against a bloody hand they lose

No clearness in their sparkle! And you heap

Them high on me!

Herod.

To vexing you?

Mar.

Not me!’Tis sure your gift can never veil intentSome debt to cancel, and methinks I haveAs queen and woman uncontested rightTo pearls and precious jewels: I can speakAbout the noble stone like Cleopatra:—“It is my slave to whom I grant my pardonFor standing such ill vicar to the star,Since, for amends, it overblooms the flower.”And yet you have Salome for a sister.

Not me!

’Tis sure your gift can never veil intent

Some debt to cancel, and methinks I have

As queen and woman uncontested right

To pearls and precious jewels: I can speak

About the noble stone like Cleopatra:—

“It is my slave to whom I grant my pardon

For standing such ill vicar to the star,

Since, for amends, it overblooms the flower.”

And yet you have Salome for a sister.

Herod.

And she?

Mar.

Come! If you’d have her murder meOn with your work, and make the deep your plunder,Else—give the diver his meet rest. I standDeep enough in her debt by now. You eyeMe doubtful-scrutinous? Pah! When last yearI lay nigh-dead, she touched me with her kiss;It was her very first and very last.I thought at once—“This is your dear rewardFor getting gone from the world!” and, faith, it was.Ah, but I tricked her loving hope, and rallied.And now I have her kiss for naught, and thatShe can’t forget. I’ve mortal fear she mightStore it in mind were I to visit herWith wonder-pearls upon my neck that showYour latest token of your deepest love.

Come! If you’d have her murder me

On with your work, and make the deep your plunder,

Else—give the diver his meet rest. I stand

Deep enough in her debt by now. You eye

Me doubtful-scrutinous? Pah! When last year

I lay nigh-dead, she touched me with her kiss;

It was her very first and very last.

I thought at once—“This is your dear reward

For getting gone from the world!” and, faith, it was.

Ah, but I tricked her loving hope, and rallied.

And now I have her kiss for naught, and that

She can’t forget. I’ve mortal fear she might

Store it in mind were I to visit her

With wonder-pearls upon my neck that show

Your latest token of your deepest love.

Herod(aside).

There’s nothing lacking but that my left handTurn traitor to my right!

There’s nothing lacking but that my left hand

Turn traitor to my right!

Mar.

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