University of Virginia Library

Scœna 2.

Pheroras. Salome. Ananell.
Ananell.
My lippes, my sonne, with peacefull tidings blest,
Shall vtter Honey to your listning eare:
A word of death comes not from Priestly brest,
I speake of life: in life there is no feare.
And for the newes I did the Heauens salute,
And fill'd the Temple with my thankfull voice:
For though that mourning may not me pollute,
At pleasing accidents I may reioyce.

Pheror.
Is Herod then reuiu'd from certaine death?

Sall.
What? can your news restore my brothers breath?

Ana.
Both so, and so, the King is safe and sound,
And did such grace in royall Cæsar meet:
That he with larger stile then euer crownd,
Within this houre Ierusalem will greet.
I did but come to tell you, and must backe
To make preparatiues for sacrifice:
I knew his death, your hearts like mine did racke,
Though to conceale it, prou'd you wise.

Salom.
How can my ioy sufficiently appeare?

Phero.
A heauier tale did neuer pierce mine eare.

Salo.
Now Salome of happinesse may boast.

Pheror.
But now Pheroras, is in danger most.

Salom.
I shall enioy the comfort of my life.

Pheror.
And I shall loose it, loosing of my wife.

Salom.
Ioy heart, for Constant shall be slaine.

Phero.
Grieue soule, Graphina shall from me be tane.

Salom.
Smile cheekes, the faire Silleus shall be mine.

Phero.
Weepe eyes, for I must with a child combine.

Salom.
Well brother, cease your mones, on one condition
Ile vndertake to winne the Kings consent:
Graphina still shall be in your tuition,
And her with you be nere the lesse content.

Phero.
What's the condition? let me quickly know,
That I as quickly your command may act:
Were it see what Hearbs in Ophir grow,
Or that the lofty Tyrus might be sackt.

Salom.
Tis no so hard a taske: It is no more,
But tell the King that Consta: hid
The sonnes of Baba, done to death before:
And tis no more then Consta. did.
And tell him more that he for Herods sake,
Not able to endure his brothers foe:
Did with a bill our separation make,
Though loth from Consta: else to goe.

Phero.
Beleeue this tale for told, Ile goe from hence,
In Herods eare the Hebrew to deface:
And I that neuer studied eloquence,
Doe meane with eloquence this tale to grace.

Exit.
Salom.
This will be Constabarus quicke dispatch,
Which from my mouth would lesser credit finde:
Yet shall he not decease without a match,
For Mariam shall not linger long behinde.
First Iealousie, if that made not, feare
Shalbe my minister to worke her end:
A common error moues not Herods care,
Which doth so firmly to his Mariam bend.
She shall be charged with so horrid crime,
As Herods feare shall turne his loue to hate:
Ile make some sweare that she desires to clime,
And seekes to poyson him for his estate,
I scorne that she should liue my birth t'vpbraid,
To call me base and hungry Edomite:
With patient show her choller I betrayd,
And watcht the time to be reueng'd by slite.
Now tongue of mine with scandall load her name,
Turne hers to fountaines, Herods eyes to flame:
Yet first I will begin Pheroras suite,
That he my earnest businesse may effect:
And I of Mariam will keepe me mute,
Till first some other doth her name derect.
Who's there, Silleus man? How fares your Lord?
That your aspects doe beare the badge of sorrow?

Silleus man.
He hath the marks of Constabarus sword,
And for a while desires your sight to borrow.

Salom.
My heauy curse the hatefull sword pursue,
My heauier curse on the more hatefull arme
That wounded my Silleus. But renew
Your tale againe. Hath he no mortall harme?

Silleus man.
No signe of danger doth in him appeare,
Nor are his wounds in place of perill seene:
Hee bides you be assured you need not feare,
He hopes to make you yet Arabias Queene.

Salom.
Commend my heart to be Silleus charge,
Tell him, my brothers suddaine comming now:
Will giue my foote no roome to walke at large,
But I will see him yet ere night I vow.