University of Virginia Library

SCENE IX.

Herod
to Arsinoe.
As heav'nly peace
May sooth your anguish, when the fluttering soul
Prepares to wing her last eternal flight;
Assist my quiet, and resolve my doubts!
Was Sohemus admitted to the Queen,
Whilst I was gone to Rhodes?

Ar.
Never, my Lord!

Her.
Never?

Ar.
His name's offensive to her ear:
And for his person! no antipathy
In nature can be stronger.

Her.
So I thought;
But such fictitious arts too oft conceal
Criminal correspondence: they might write!
And doubtless did.

Ar.
That commerce cou'd not 'scape
My notice, who by constant duty bound,
Waited so near the Queen.

Her.
What if she saw?
Her interest then, and now her fear prevails
To seal the lips of truth.

Fla.
Sir, not the frown
Of majesty, nor brandish'd thunder awes
A Roman spirit, (such I hope she bears)
To make it start from the plain tracks of truth,
And deviate into falsehood.

Her.
Can the Queen
Pierce to the close recesses of the soul?
Are thoughts there visible, like children's toys
Kept in a chrystal case? Does she retain
Dæmons, to sit secure from mortal sight,
In Princes cabinets to learn the summ
Of secret counsels? Told they this decree;
If Cæsar, to revenge the sacred faith
I held with Anthony, shou'd to the sword
Sentence my head, that her's shou'd likewise fall;
Lest the proud successor who seiz'd my throne,
Shou'd triumph in my bed?—No! That resolve
A carnal fiend imparted; and she paid
His service with her honour!—

Ar.
Royal Sir!
Her honour is unblemish'd; all the blame
Transfer to my officious zeal: I told
That fatal secret.

Her.
How!—Did Sohemus
Impart that most important charge to you?

Ar.
To me his vows of love were then address'd;
Which when disdain'd, with more persuasive force
To recommend his passion, he reveal'd
The dreadful mandate left in trust; and swore
That if you perish'd by the sword of Rome
My love alone was ransom for the life
Of my dear Royal mistress.

Her.
Fly! O fly!
Swift as a cherub to preserve his charge
Reverse the doom of death.

[Exit Ar.