 | Mariamne |  |
SCENE VI.
HEROD, IDAMAS, GUARDS.HEROD.
Let me not hear her hated name again;
Abandon'd false one!—Well, my brave defenders!
Followers in arms! Say, are there yet more foes?
IDAMAS.
All are subdued. The Hebrews lowly bend
Imploring mercy. In his blood embathed
Sohemus lies; the victory is thine.
This day with added glory decks thy fame.
HEROD.
With glory! Oh!
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'Tis painful to reflection.
Slaughter hath raged enough to satisfy
Thy wounded honour. With his latest breath
Sohemus witness'd Mariamne's truth.
HEROD.
Now then shall tardy vengeance punish guilt.
This worthless object which my utmost care
Could never fix as mine, I cast away
For ever from me. Now my reign begins.
With blindness smit, too long this fatal passion
Hath been my only blot, my only weakness.
Die thou ungrateful! Her seducive charms,
Snatch them, oblivion. Her polluted name
Henceforth no tongue pronounce! But above all
Within my heart; perish her memory!
Are all things ready for this sacrifice
Which justice claims?
IDAMAS.
They are, my lord.
HEROD.
Alas!
How quickly they obey me! Oh! What torture!
What agony of woe! And must she perish!
All ready, saidst thou?
IDAMAS.
By the guards secured;
Too soon will thy revenge be satisfied.
HEROD.
She courted her destruction; forced my soul
Struggling reluctant. Seal'd then be her doom.
Bane to my peace, obstrusive thoughts, away!
Oh! For her sake alone I wish'd to live,
I would have died for her. How sunk! How lost!
O, perjured Mariamne, headlong plunged
Into the gulph of misery by thy guilt!
| Mariamne | |