 | Herod the Great |  |
1
The First ACT.
The first Scene is an Obscure Grotta.Phaltiel and Samias enter hastily, Antipater comes out to meet them.
Phalt.
Through all Jerusalem they have spread the News,
Which is receiv'd in Raptures by the Jews,
That Faithless People in their looks display,
How much their hearts long'd for this fatal Day.
Sam.
When Herod to the Isle of Rhodes did go,
We all foresaw 'twould prove his Overthrow.
Cæsar the Friend of Anthony must hate,
And make Revenge an Interest of State.
Phalt.
How natural was it for a Prince to frown,
When but by doing it, he gain'd a Crown
Ant.
But Honour should have made Octavius Just,
Seising my Father, he deceiv'd his Trust.
Sam.
Cæsar will judge that Imputation weak,
Since Herod his Safe-Conduct did not seek.
Ant.
Yet all the World must this black deed upbraid,
The noblest trusts are without Bargain made;
The height of Honour Herod's Ruin was,
Trusting his Vertue, he contemn'd
[To them Hazael hastily.
Haz.
The Sanhedrim are now resolv'd to meet,
To lay the Crown at Mariamne's Feet:
For she, in highest Vertue first does shine,
And is the last of the Asmonean Line.
Sir, You should instantly your self declare,
Ere they, beyond Retreat, engaged are.
[To them Pollio hastily.
Poll.
Ten of the Priests are from the Temple come,
Who told the People in the Hippodrome,
That as last night, their Sacred Watch they kept,
They heard in Tombs, where Kings, and High-Priests slept,
Noises, much like to dying Warriors Groans:
Then saw great drops spring from those polish'd Stones;
Which seem'd to weep, that so much precious Dust,
Ere the last day, was Ravish'd from their Trust.
Phalt.
O Heavens what may this Prodigy portend.
Poll.
Restrain your Wonder till you hear the End:
The Grief, which did those Tears from Marble draw,
So Powerful was, it did the Marble thaw.
Then from the gaping Tombs there did appear
All those who Israel's Sacred Crown did wear:
From Saul till fatal Zedechiah's days,
The bad Kings Crown'd with Flames; the Good with Bayes.
Every one smote his Breast, and shook his Head,
The trembling Priests with fear were almost dead.
2
Sure dismal Changes in this Place must fall,
Since Heaven out of their Graves the Dead does Call.
Poll.
But that which most of all increas'd their fears,
Were direful Noises which did wound their Ears.
Then Troops of Furies did the Priest surround,
And danc'd with Impious Feet on Sacred ground.
Each Fiend in Course the Dances leading takes,
And when they chang'd, all crack'd their Whips of Snakes.
Were direful Noises which did wound their Ears.
Then Troops of Furies did the Priest surround,
And danc'd with Impious Feet on Sacred ground.
Each Fiend in Course the Dances leading takes,
And when they chang'd, all crack'd their Whips of Snakes.
The Priests were then yielding to their despair,
When all the Furies did resolve to Air;
At which the Temples vast Foundation shook,
And three times, Woe, by all the Ghosts was spoke;
The Tombs did then with hast their Dead enclose,
When straight Aurora pale, and trembling rose,
As if she seem'd concern'd and in a fright,
At the dire Visions of the vanish'd Night:
Nor has the Temple only haunted been,
Strange sights have too been in the Palace seen;
But yet the Queen her Courage has not lost,
Though her slain Brother, and Hircanus's Ghost,
Have to th'Arabian Guards appear'd to Night.
When all the Furies did resolve to Air;
At which the Temples vast Foundation shook,
And three times, Woe, by all the Ghosts was spoke;
The Tombs did then with hast their Dead enclose,
When straight Aurora pale, and trembling rose,
As if she seem'd concern'd and in a fright,
At the dire Visions of the vanish'd Night:
Nor has the Temple only haunted been,
Strange sights have too been in the Palace seen;
But yet the Queen her Courage has not lost,
Though her slain Brother, and Hircanus's Ghost,
Have to th'Arabian Guards appear'd to Night.
Nor does it Mariamne seem to fright;
Though both the Ghosts did bid them tell their Queen
In the black Hall, this Night they should be seen:
For she, to evidence she knows no fear,
Boldly declar'd, she would expect them there.
Though both the Ghosts did bid them tell their Queen
In the black Hall, this Night they should be seen:
For she, to evidence she knows no fear,
Boldly declar'd, she would expect them there.
Ant.
These are strange things! But th'event must tell,
If these Presages come from Heaven, or Hell.
Lest in that Dread these Visions have begun,
The giddy People to extreams should run;
You to the Hippodrome again must go,
And let me hourly, all that passes, know.
Phaltiel and Samias here with me shall stay,
Haz.
You must resolve, and act without delay.
Poll.
Good Fortune rarely visits him who mourns;
But when she does, if slighted, ne're returns.
[Pollio and Hazael go out.
Phalt.
Sir, you must now your Father's Army lead,
And by their Swords the Crown six on your Head.
Ant.
O no, my Phaltiel! why should I pursue
Gaining that Crown, which to the Queen is due:
'Twere Sin if I her double Right withstood,
'Tis Hers by merit, and 'tis Hers by Blood.
Phalt.
Since you Her Right above your own prefer,
First take the Crown, and then present it Her.
Ant.
Giving a Crown which I that way shall win,
To pay a Duty, I must act a Sin;
But if the Crown I from her Love receive,
To the great Gift, 'twill double Lustre give.
Sam.
O, Sir, that guilty hope you should suppress,
The Queen can never make your happiness:
Her Vertue should in you all thoughts remove,
Ere to possess her by Incestuous Love:
And 'twould eclipse the Glories of your Life,
Should you attempt to wed your Father's Wife.
Ant.
My Father's Wife! Witness ye Powers above,
She was first mine, by Sacred Vows, and Love.
3
Herod from me forc'd her by Tyranny;
For which my Sword I did against him draw,
He broke Our Match, and then I broke his Law.
Phal.
No one can say but he in that did ill,
Yet, Sir, Forget not, he's your Father still.
Sam.
And to that Sacred Name a Debt is due.
Ant.
And to offended Love there is so too.
All that I ow'd, he to himself did pay,
That Life he gave, he more than took away.
All that I ow'd, he to himself did pay,
That Life he gave, he more than took away.
These guilty Tears which from my Eyes would flow,
Too little Love, and too good nature show.
Too little Love, and too good nature show.
[Wiping his Eyes.
Phalt.
Blame not that Piety which makes you mourn;
Consider, Sir, your Father may return.
Ant.
That thought in your belief should find no room,
A Prince's Prison's Prologue to his Tomb.
The Folly equal to the guilt would be,
First to Restrain, then set a Monarch free.
He never can again his freedom win.
Sam.
Grant it, yet Incest is a Crying Sin.
Methinks that word alone should make you start.
Ant.
Incest, most think, is but a term of Art.
A name with which the Priests keep Fools in aw,
For no such thing is found in Nature's Law.
He must himself, and not his Fortune blame,
Who from his Joyes is frighted by a Name.
Phal.
What we have said we wish we could unsay,
Since it augments the Storm it should allay.
Sam.
But in a calmer hour we hope 'twill move.
Ant.
You speak your Friendship, and I speak my Love.
Yet I conjure you leave me for some time,
Else you will both participate my Crime:
For I am now into a Chaos hurl'd,
Darker than that, which first involv'd the World.
Phalt.
to Sam.
His Passion thus oppos'd does higher grow.
Sam.
May Heaven that Quiet which you want bestow.
[Phalt. and Sam. go out.
Ant.
Before she knows I live, 'tis fit I see
If she preserves her Constancy to me:
But if my feign'd Death made her prove untrue,
What Herod thinks is done, my hand shall do.
[Ant. goes out.
The Scene is a Magnificent Apartment.
Enter Solome, who is met by Merab.
Mer.
Madam, the Prince Sohemus now is come.
Solo.
Call him, and when he enters, leave the room.
[Merab goes out.
Solo.
How should I, without blushes, on him look,
Whom while we lov'd, so meanly I forsook.
[Merab introduces Sohemus, and then goes out again.
Sohemus, does it not your Soul surprise,
That Solome is without weeping Eyes.
When Herod now is Dead; a Loss so great,
That all our Glories, in his fall, are set.
Sohe.
Madam, th'Assaults of Fate, though nere so rude,
Have still been Conquer'd by your Fortitude.
4
This Conquest you ascribe to a wrong Cause,
'Tis Love alone, which to my grief gives Laws.
Nothing can now my Inclinations cross,
This Joy does more than recompence that loss.
For I can now do your brave Passion right,
Our hearts which Power divorc'd, Love shall unite.
Sohe.
I am amaz'd to hear such words as these;
Madam, have you forgot Cossabanes;
To whom by Sacred Marriage you are ty'd,
And how you did my grief for him deride;
A grief, which I one day could not have born,
And which my Death had cur'd, had not your scorn.
Solo.
Though I was forc'd by Herod's stern Command,
To give the abhorr'd Cossabanes my hand.
Yet 'twas above his Tyranny, and Art,
To make me from Sohemus give my heart.
Your doubts of me on a false ground are built,
You should not call my punishment my guilt.
Sohe.
Ah to that Punishment you seem'd inclin'd.
Solo.
I seem'd more faulty, but to be more kind.
For had you by my words, or Actions, seen
How firm for you my Passion still has been;
Your Love, or your Revenge, had made you run
To those extreams, I found it wise to shun:
With Joy I did submit to be his Wife,
Since I had no way else to save your Life.
Sohe.
Could you think fit to me your Love to give,
Yet hope I could the loss of it outlive?
Solo.
In that fierce Storm we then did both endure,
A seeming scorn could only be your Cure.
Sohe.
The Power of Love for me you never knew,
Since while you lov'd, you seem'd to scorn me too.
Darkness, and light may both together reign,
As well as perfect Love, and such disdain.
Though a Just Person may a Sin commit,
Yet his Soul trembles, while he's acting it:
But when your Vows to me you did decline,
Nothing but Joy in your fair Eyes did shine.
Solo.
Though for your sake I did that guilty deed,
Yet while my Face did smile, my Heart did bleed:
I did, to break that match, all I could do,
Both with Cossabanes, and Herod too:
But when all fail'd to which I had recourse,
I from my heart, that Brother did divorce;
And on his Ruin ever since was bent,
In hope of this blest time, Heaven now has sent.
Sohe.
These are strange Secrets which you now declare.
Solo.
Listen, and I will tell you stranger far:
'Twas I made Herod to Octavius go,
And made Pheroras wait upon him too;
That Cæsar having both, might more incline
To cut off the Male Race of all Our Line.
'Twas I made Herod to all else unjust,
And leave his haughty Wife to your sole trust;
With Orders, if he Cæsar did not win,
You instantly should put to Death his Queen.
Sohe.
He told me none but I those Orders knew.
Solo.
You see he told you then, what was not true.
5
But to what end did you those Crimes pursue.
Solo.
For my great End; That of obtaining you.
Sohe.
Madam, against the Power of Heaven you strive.
Solo.
How's that?
Sohe.
Is not Cossabanes alive?
Solo.
'Tis Man, not God, makes Marriages by force;
Therefore this day I sent him a Divorce.
Sohe.
That right is only by our Sex enjoy'd.
Solo.
That Usurpation I for you destroy'd.
'Tis just, where two under one Contract are,
That they alike, the priviledge should share.
Affection only ties true Wedlock Bands,
Where hearts divide, in vain Priests join the hands:
He now in his Arabia does reside,
Where I have sent him leave to choose a Bride.
'Tis just, where two under one Contract are,
That they alike, the priviledge should share.
Affection only ties true Wedlock Bands,
Where hearts divide, in vain Priests join the hands:
He now in his Arabia does reside,
Where I have sent him leave to choose a Bride.
Now if you act your Prince's last Command,
Nothing between us, and our Joyes doth stand:
For when the Queen you have of Life bereft,
I only of both Royal Lines am left:
Then will a Crown which my free Love bestows,
[Sohemus starts and
trembles.
Nothing between us, and our Joyes doth stand:
For when the Queen you have of Life bereft,
I only of both Royal Lines am left:
Then will a Crown which my free Love bestows,
Make some Atonement for my breach of Vows.
Why do you start, and such disturbance show?
Why do you start, and such disturbance show?
Sohe.
'Tis at the Mischiefs you would make me do.
Solo.
To a true Subject then can any thing
Look like a Crime, when 'tis t'obey his King?
Sohe.
Those who by Power alone have Scepters sway'd,
Ought not when Dead, to have their wills obey'd:
Only to Lawful Kings that Duty's shown.
Solo.
Then do it for my sake; or, for your own.
I would have done it ere I spoke of it,
But that to me it did appear unfit;
That I for you should every guilt contract,
And leave you for my sake, not One to Act.
Too much it did like to Engrossing look,
But finding now how highly I mistook;
Admit me to this Queen, and you shall see,
I dare do more for you than you for me.
Sohe.
Who lets you act the Sin he can withstand,
Does himself act it by another's hand.
Solo.
Will you not then let me a Crime commit,
Of which you are to have the benefit.
Sohe.
O, Madam; were you now what once you were—
Solo.
What Herod forc'd me to, I will repair.
Sohe.
But Oh—
Solo.
But what? Speak without more delay,
I'm arm'd against whatever you dare say.
Sohe.
But wrongs which Honour, and which Love endure
From those who did them, can admit no Cure.
Solo.
Ungrateful Man! Have I in vain for you
Ruin'd my King, my Fame, and Brothers too.
Through all your Vails I see what you would hide,
I could not else thus rudely be deny'd.
Sohe.
Madam, but hear me out—
Solo.
I'll hear no more.
'Tis Mariamne's Beauties you adore:
What you would not confess, your blushes do;
I fear'd the Change, and now I find it true.
6
As thus to make you scorn a Crown and Me.
Begone; and to your Cost you soon shall prove,
A Woman's hatred does transcend her Love.
[They go out several ways.
The Scene changes to a spacious Room all black.
Antipater muffl'd up with a Cloak, and a Page with a Flambeau.
Page.
'Tis in this Room the Queen will watch to night.
Ant.
Where I may see, and yet be out of sight.
Page.
There you may all things see, and not be seen:
But should this be discover'd to the Queen;
I shall, past hope of Pardon, be undone.
Ant.
Fear not, there's your Reward; and now begone.
[He flings him a Purse, which the Page takes and goes out.
Love only could this strange Design inspire.
[A noise within.
What noise is that?—The Queen! He looks I must retire.
[He conceals himself.
The Queen and Mariana they bolt the door after them.
Mar.
Why to these Horrors, Madam, will you run.
Queen.
'Tis brave to seek, what 'tis in vain to shun.
One of the Noblest Joyes that is above,
Is there to meet those whom we here did love.
Since Fate to grant that Blessing does delay,
I would possess what here of it I may.
Mar.
Should the best Friend of mine that's dead appear,
I should be soon as dead as he with fear.
Queen.
Poor Mariana; this too much doth show
Thy Soul the Charms of Love did never know.
Hadst thou been ever warm'd with that blest Fire,
What makes thy fear, would then be thy desire.
Mar.
Sure you at Herod's Ghost would startled be.
Queen.
His Ghost!—'tis all of him I long to see:
But since Hircanus and my Brother have
The Priviledge to wander from the Grave;
And pay their Visits where they're justliest due,
Why may not Antipater do it too.
But since Hircanus and my Brother have
The Priviledge to wander from the Grave;
And pay their Visits where they're justliest due,
Why may not Antipater do it too.
For if Departed Souls about them bear
Those Vertuous Loves, which did inflame them here;
No place to him, a place of Joy can be,
Where he is banish'd from attending me.
Those Vertuous Loves, which did inflame them here;
No place to him, a place of Joy can be,
Where he is banish'd from attending me.
Mar.
But durst you look on Antipater's Ghost?
Queen.
Durst I? You know that I disdain to boast;
But though he were in that dark place of pain
Which Priests do preach of, and which Poets feign:
Yet there, were I but sure with him to stay,
I would—I would do more than I will say.
Mar.
But an Infernal shape like his may seem.
Queen.
Nothing Infernal can resemble him.
[A great flash of fire.
Mar.
Bless me; what means this sudden flash of light?
My trembling Knees do one another smite;
My Hair does stare, I scarce can draw my Breath,
And a Cold seises me like that of Death.
[A second flash of fire.
Queen.
Guard me, ye blessed Angels, for I find
My timorous flesh strives to infect my Mind:
In Fears Men Sin, I scorn to be involv'd,
What is it can resist a Soul resolv'd?
While terror does the mortal part invade,
To the Immortal, it should Courage add.
My timorous flesh strives to infect my Mind:
7
What is it can resist a Soul resolv'd?
While terror does the mortal part invade,
To the Immortal, it should Courage add.
Why Mariana dost thou tremble so?
Canst thou be Innocent, and fearful too?
Canst thou be Innocent, and fearful too?
Mar.
I dare not stay more Prodigies to see,
Impute this Rudeness to my fear, not me.
[Mariana goes out trembling, and shuts the door after her.
[A third, and greater flash of fire.
[Hircanus's Ghost rises, drest in the High-Priest's Habit.
Queen.
Ha? 'tis Hircanus Spirit does appear,
But why should I my Mother's Father fear.
See how he shakes his Head, and seems to groan;
Oh, since 'twas Herod that Usurp't your Throne,
Why do you not, him, or his Ghost pursue,
Rather than me, who still does weep for you.
[Another flash of fire.
But why should I my Mother's Father fear.
See how he shakes his Head, and seems to groan;
Oh, since 'twas Herod that Usurp't your Throne,
Why do you not, him, or his Ghost pursue,
Rather than me, who still does weep for you.
[Aristobulus's Ghost rises in the like Habit.
More Horrors yet? 'tis Aristobulus.
What makes you, my dear Brother, haunt me thus?
Is it because that I was Herod's Queen,
And that by him, you both have murthered been.
What makes you, my dear Brother, haunt me thus?
Is it because that I was Herod's Queen,
And that by him, you both have murthered been.
'Twas by Hircanus, and by your Command,
That to the Tyrant I did give my hand;
But when to that dire deed I did consent,
Of both your Murthers, he was Innocent.
[The two Ghosts shake their heads.
That to the Tyrant I did give my hand;
But when to that dire deed I did consent,
Of both your Murthers, he was Innocent.
Then I perceive you judge that I did ill,
Not to kill him, who both of you did kill.
But Heaven does know, I fear'd to do amiss,
And by a Sin of mine to punish his.
Not to kill him, who both of you did kill.
But Heaven does know, I fear'd to do amiss,
And by a Sin of mine to punish his.
Arist., Ghost.
You little know the blest place where we are,
Who think, Revenge can find admittance there:
Nothing so Hellish up to Heaven can fly,
Passions in Bodies live; and with them dye.
Hir., Ghost.
No, Mariamne, we both now appear,
To tell you, that your hour of Death is near;
And then from Death, you must to Judgment come,
To hear from Justice self, your endless doom;
Before that Bar Actions are truly weigh'd,
The Kings, and Slaves, are in one Ballance laid:
Mitres, and Crowns, which here the World adore,
If ill employ'd, are weights to sink us more.
Life's but a Race, the longest quickly ends;
Yet on it, our Eternity depends.
Arist., Ghost.
ETERNITY; That word so much does weigh,
As if it were pronounc'd but once a day;
With the Belief, and Reverence that is fit
For Worldly trifles, who durst hazard it?
Since but one Moment of those Joyes w'are in,
Does far transcend the longest Charms of Sin.
Hir., Ghost.
Farewel; Remember your last hour is near.
[The Ghosts descend.
Queen.
Only the unprepar'd should dying fear.
Blest, and Kind Ghosts, who Heaven awhile could miss,
To teach me here the Glorious Way to Bliss.
[Antip. within the Scene sayes.
8
The Queen's great Soul is a Reproach to me,
She speaks with those I trembl'd but to see:
Now that the Ghosts are vanish't, I'll appear.
[He makes a noise.
Queen.
More Ghosts; or am I cheated by my Ear?
[Antipater appears.
Ha? 'tis Antipater's dear Ghost I see;
In Death as Life he is still kind to me.
Stay, stay, you blessed Spirit; for I know,
Assuming of that shape, you must be so.
Come you to tell me of my dying too?
No news unwelcome is that's brought by you.
Or com'st thou to accuse me that did wed
The bloody Tyrant, who cut off thy Head?
Ah Generous Prince, it was to save your life
That I did yield to be the Monsters Wife.
My kindness only made me seem untrue,
And for your sake, I became false to you.
Ant.
Madam—I am not Dead—
Queen.
Not Dead?—O why!
Do you alas the fatal truth deny?
But know, (for I now see what you would do)
I dread not Death when I may go with you.
Do you alas the fatal truth deny?
But know, (for I now see what you would do)
I dread not Death when I may go with you.
This unkind Doubt of me does make me fear,
Lovers in the other World love less than here.
Lovers in the other World love less than here.
Ant.
By your fair Eyes, the Oath I value most,
I am Antipater, and not his Ghost:
And, if, of what I swear you doubtful stand,
Allow me to confirm it on your hand.
Queen.
Take it—but wonder not I tremble so,
That's fit, whether you are a Ghost or no.
[Antipater kneels, kisses her hand in such transports, that she endeavours to withdraw it; but he still holds it.
Ant.
Why to this Joy would you a period give.
Queen.
I would not know by guilty proofs you live.
[She withdraws her hand.
I am convinc'd that you no Spirit are,
But how you scap'd, I beg you will declare.
[He rises.
Ant.
To tell that story I too dearly pay,
Yet since it is your will, I must obey.
Yet since it is your will, I must obey.
When Herod's Guards did my Revenge prevent,
To Massada I was close Pris'ner sent.
The Generous Samias, to whose Friendly Care
The Orders for my Death, intrusted were,
Beheaded a young Slave of his by night,
And to his Body, paid my Funeral right;
Which made all Palestine, and Herod too,
Think he had done the Sin he bid him do.
Thus Heaven preserv'd whom Herod meant to kill,
By which I now have priviledge to kneel.
[He kneels.
To Massada I was close Pris'ner sent.
The Generous Samias, to whose Friendly Care
The Orders for my Death, intrusted were,
Beheaded a young Slave of his by night,
And to his Body, paid my Funeral right;
Which made all Palestine, and Herod too,
Think he had done the Sin he bid him do.
Thus Heaven preserv'd whom Herod meant to kill,
By which I now have priviledge to kneel.
And beg thus at your Feet that you will give
That Joy, which if deny'd, I dare not live.
That Joy, which if deny'd, I dare not live.
Queen.
Rise, Generous Prince—Ah what is't you implore.
Ant.
That Blessing now you could not grant before.
Queen.
Into the blackest Incest I shall run,
If I should wed the Father, then the Son.
Ant.
True Love mistaken Scruples should despise,
The hand of Death cancels all humane tyes.
9
Queen.
Prince; I for you dare dy, but dare not Sin.
Ant.
By such false Maxims be not kept in awe.
Queen.
But Incest is forbid, by Heavens great Law.
Ant.
If Incest, Madam, be the Sin you fear,
I of that Incest the whole Guilt will bear.
My Love were neither generous nor true,
Would I not act one Crime to purchase you.
Queen.
Ah do not ask what Heaven bids me deny.
Ant.
Then give me leave, here, at your Feet to dye.
[Ant. offers to draw his Sword.
Queen.
Hold, Generous Prince, I might as soon agree
To Sin for you, as let you dy for me:
But if you think your Cure in Death to find,
Be not so Cruel to leave me behind:
Do not refuse what now I press you to;
Or live with me, or let me dy with you.
Ant.
Alas when of your dying I but hear,
All my despair I yield up to my fear.
[A great knocking at the door.
Tamar
within.]
O Madam, Madam.
Queen.
That's Tamar's Voice, Retire awhile, I know
Something Important brings her hither now.
[Ant. retires within the Scene.
[The Queen lets in Tamar.
Tamar.
Madam, I hope this Rudeness you'll excuse,
Since 'tis to bring you most surprising News.
Herod, whom we believ'd till now, was dead,
From his Restraint is by Octavius freed;
And Cæsar on him has confirm'd the Crown,
And what's as strange, Herod is now in Town.
He fear'd some Insurrection from the Jews,
And therefore brought of his Success the News.
The Sanhedrim to his great Fortune bend,
And through the Streets they all on him attend.
Queen.
Never a greater Change was wrought by Fate.
[To them Dina hastily.
Din.
Madam, the King is at the Palace Gate.
Queen.
Will my Misfortunes never have an End?
In my Apartment all of you attend.
[Dina and Tamar go out.
Antipater comes out.
Queen.
You hear the News of this prodigious turn.
Ant.
Yes, Madam; but what News should make me mourn?
For I have nothing now to hope or dread,
Herod's alike to me, alive or dead:
Yet my Complaints my Duty shall subdue,
Since I can now complain of none but you.
Queen.
Do not complain of her whose only fault
Is that she loves you much more than she ought.
After these guilty words I dare not stay,
Shame now, like Herod, hurries me away.
[Mariamne goes out.
Ant.
Prodigious Fate! what is't thou dost mean?
How in an instant hast thou chang'd the Scene:
But thou hast Joyful hours as well as sad,
The good I'll court, and I'll outbrave the bad.
[Antip. goes out at the door he entred.
| Herod the Great | |