University of Virginia Library

Sixth Scene

The Temple:
In which is discovered, as within the Gate, the Priests, Tyridates, and Arsanes.
1. Priest.
We do not Sir enquire of your offence,
No Criminal is ever forced from hence.

2 Priest.
You are both safe and welcome—

Tyrid.
Thanks are due
Both to the God you Worship, and to you.

Enter Herod, Pheroras, and Attendants.
1. Priest.
Sir, Though a King, keep back: 'tis just that you
Bring that respect which to this Place is due.

Her.
Give me that Traytor then; this Place nor you
Cannot protection to such Crimes allow.

1 Priest:
O Sir! you know the Priviledge of this place.
We should our Honour and our Laws disgrace—

Herod.
Then I will force him hence.

Pher.
Your Passion sway.
Offers to draw, Pher. stays him.
Great Sir, let Rage to Reason once obey:
All the whole race of Priests wou'd rather dye,
And you, although their King, to death defie,
E're they would suffer this,—besides the Jews
Would run into Rebellion at the News.
Try if you can perswade, but do not force.

Herod.
I must—but yet I first will try that course;
Put forth that Traytor, and you will do well;
You ought not to protect an Infidel.
His very presence does the place abuse;
It is a Refuge only to the Jews.

1 Priest.
We dare not Sir, they would us Partial call.
This Temple does a Refuge yield to all.

Herod.
But that Barbarian durst violate
The Rights of Hospitality and Faith;
Ancient as Fanes themselves.—
Return him fairly forth whilst I entreat,
Else I will execute more than I threat.

2 Priest.
First for his safety we our Lives will pay.

Tyrid.
Rather then you shall suffer, I'le not stay:
No: let me fall a Victim to the King
Rather then Ruine to your Altars bring.

Arsan.
O Sir! what do you mean.

1 Priest.
You will do worse,
You on our Altars will pluck down a Curse.
Let the King raze our Fane: our Bloods be spilt.
'Twere better to fall Pure, then stand with Guilt.

Tyrid.
Let me speak to the King.—

Arsa.
I'le not refuse
So you no further go.

Tyrid.
King of the Jews,
I am a Prince, and meet you without odds,
For I know no Superior but the Gods;
I scorne to justifie my self to you,
Who thus ignobly do my life pursue.
A Life which from thy Sword and Poyson flyes,
Here at the Altar thou would'st Sacrifice,
Against all Right, both Humane and Divine.

Herod.
Yes, I will have thy Life, though I lose mine.

Tyrid.
Not the most faulty of my thoughts e're meant
Mariamne or thy wrong; thy Innocent
And injur'd Queen I as the Gods esteem,
Can that wear any Title to a Crime?

Herod.
In idle words I'le lose not breath nor time.

Tyrid.
I speak not this thy Fury to asswage,
Or with design t'escape thy bloody rage;
Or to delay the Death thou threaten'st here.
No Herod; I can dye, but cannot fear.

Herod.
No, no, false man! thy artificial words
The Temple nor 100000 Swords,
Shall sheild thy Life from my armed Anger now.
Thee and that Traytress both to death I Vow.

Tyrid.
Involve not yet in my imputed Crime,
An Innocence which wholly is sublime:
If thou before these Reverend Flamines here.
Wilt Solemnly at the high Altar Swear,
I shall thy only mark of Fury be,
And thy blind Rage extend to none but me:
I'le leave this place to which I now am fled,
And to thy Vengeance render up my head.

Herod.
O Heav'ns, for him she wou'd have Life resign'd,
And he again for her has Life declin'd:
They Love—Oh Rage—
[stamp.
No Traytor, thou shalt me no Council give;
Nor you, nor She—whom thou woud'st save shall live.

[Draws.
Enter Sosius with Romane Souldiers.
Sosius.
Hold Herod, hold, I in Augustus name,
Do for the Parthian Prince a freedom clayme;
He not thy Subject hither fled for aid,
Must not by thy blind Fury be betray'd:
In this I Justice,—Honour, Friendship show
To Tyridates Vertues, and to you—

Herod.
Friend! hear me first—

Sosius.
I am by Honour swayd;
And in great Cæsars name must be obey'd.

Herod.
You are a Friend to me, and I to you.

Sosius.
I for no Friendship will injustice do:
I bear a Romans Vertue in my Breast,
Friendship not linck'd with Vertue, I detest.
And Tyridates you must yeild to me—

Tyrid.
Where I find so much Vertue, I agree.

Sosius.
Herod! your unjust Fury now asswage:
I here my Honour for you both engage;
Herod your Life by no Plots shall betray;
And you t'increase his Fury shall not stay.
You from Jerusalem this Night shall go,
And leave within 6 days Judea too:
Who breaks his Word, begets a Foe of me,
Makes Rome and Cæsar too his Enemy.

Tyrid.
I will comply, though death I'd kindlier choose.

Herod.
Sosius alone could my just Vows oppose:
I see my Fear is greater then my Rage;
I in this quarrel dare not Rome ingage:
Nor dare to my yet tott'ring Fortune trust,
But I must rule by seeming to be just.

[Exit. omnes.