University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

HEROD, SALOME, MARIAMNE.
MAZAEL.
Lo, he comes!
What inward horror agitates his frame!

SALOME.
Hast thou made sure the destined work of vengeance?

MAZAEL.
Now heaven forefend that my exciting voice
Betwixt my royal master and his queen
Should rashly interfere, and strive to urge
Wisdom and mercy to remorseless rage!
But her revolt Sohemus first inspired,
And he is her protector still against thee.
Not that I bid you seek revenge on him;
But rather to beware his dark designs,
And dread the secret stroke of treachery.

HEROD.
Alas! I fear not him.

MAZAEL.
Yet think, my lord,
How quick adultery passes on to murder,
It is its certain progress.

HEROD.
Hah! What say'st thou?

MAZAEL.
Sohemus who could ne'er disguise his feelings,
Hath always plainly shewn himself the more
Thy deadly foe. Nay those whose guilty aid
He had suborn'd, have openly declared
Thy life should be attempted.

HEROD.
Mariamne!
Thy hate strikes deep, that is thy greatest crime.
Oh! Tho' thou canst not but approve, my sister,
This rage which animates my breast, thy eyes
Viewing my sufferings, drop the tear of pity.
Whom hath my heart to lean upon but thee?
Its only friend? A fatal dear delusion,
Possess'd me wholly; and while every care
Was busily employ'd to make her happy,
Thou wert the sacrifice; I number'd thee
Amongst my bitterest foes, and for her scorn,
And rancorous spirit, persecuted thee.
By all that tenderness so ill-repay'd,
I swear, e'er yonder circling orb completes
His daily journey, thou shalt be revenged.
Ah! The more absolute her power, the more
With justice fired I pant, I burn t'inflict
Severest punishment.—Alas! my heart
Ne'er own'd a passion but for her alone!
I lov'd, abhorr'd, ador'd the faithless woman.
And thou, Sohemus, thou shalt not escape
The fate thy crimes deserve!—Hold! That were mercy—
No, in thy dearer self thou shalt be slain—
She who despised this soul sincere, who lavish'd
On thee her fond affection, whom I once
Prized as a countless treasure, shall expire
Before thy eyes in torture.—Oh! to view
Her perjured blood follow my vengeful steel
And gush in streams on thee! Hah! Good, most good,
Thou lovest her; and thy minion's death will give
The sharpest pangs, and satiate my revenge.

MAZAEL.
Let then the precious opportunity
Be speedily embraced; and whilst Sohemus
Remains at distance, and his troops are scattered
Far from these walls, attempt at once, and perfect
The easy work of vengeance.

SALOME.
But conceal
Thy deep resentment from the public eye,
Spare to thyself the horror of a sight
So dreadfully affecting: and removed
From this sad dwelling, conscious of thy shame,
Fly from the painful images which here
Thy matchless wrongs will always raise before thee.

HEROD.
I see her crime, her aim, and why Sohemus
Thy hand so contumeliouly refused.

SALOME.
Waste not a thought on me; consider well
What grosser injuries are thine.

HEROD.
She lived
With innocence her bosom friend till now.
Of nothing but her violence of temper
Could I accuse her, that presumptuous boldness
With which she ever thwarted my desires,
Her sullen discontent, and fix'd contempt
Of all my kindred.—What affronts, what insults
Have I not borne from th'Asmonæan line!
But is it possible her soul could stoop
Thus meanly to dishonour me?

SALOME.
Oh, banish
These thoughts, my lord! Nor thus indulge reflection!
Compose thy soul.

HEROD.
Yes! I once more will see her,
And with a searching eye confound her guilt.
Urge home her crime, and force her to reply.
Behold her shuddering at th'approach of death
And begging mercy, which she shall not find.

SALOME.
Hah! Wilt thou then admit her to thy presence?

HEROD.
Fear not. My soul is fix'd in its resolves;
She dies. In vain, can perfidy like hers
Hope aught from love o'er past. My heart is closed,
A bar eternal shuts all pity out.
Her eyes, which knew, alas! too well to charm,
Have lost their power, I feel resentment strong,
Her sight will kindle it to furious rage.
Guards, bring the queen before us. I but wish
To see, to hear, and punish her. My sister,
Leave me a moment to myself.—Away!
And bear my orders. You mean time retire.