University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

The Scene opens.
The Temple appears, and Herod seated on a Throne within it. On his right hand Annanelus the High-Priest stands drest in all his Pontifical Habits: On his left hand Pheroras, Abner, Phaltiel, Samias, Asdrubal, with all the Courtiers and the Guards.
The Singing Priests are all in their white Robes, with wreaths of Laurel on their Heads; after some time of silence, the chief Singer lifts up his right hand, and then the whole Quire of Priests sing the following Song.
SONG.
Those Clouds which dare the Sun obscure,
But a short time endure;
And when he breaks what did his Light confine,
His Beams with brighter Lustre shine.
So Herod's Danger which we did deplore,
Serves but to raise his Glories more;
He now appears to his glad Subjects sights,
Like cheerful Mornings after stormy nights.
In sign that we this blessing prize,
We offer up whole Herds in Sacrifice:
[Flames are seen behind the Theatre in the Temple.
And flaming Incense on our Altars burn,
To Celebrate Our King's return:
Since to this Temple he new Life does give,
His Fame shall in his Piety still live.

This Song is to be sung twice by the whole Quire of Priests; at the first ending of the Song Herod descends from the Throne, walks out over the Theatre, attended by all, having a Canopy of State carryed over him by four. By that time the Priests have ended the Song the second time, the last of the Procession are to be gotten off the Theatre, and then the Scene of the Temple is to be closed by the Scene of Herod's Apartment.
Enter Herod, Pheroras, Abner, Phaltiel, Samias, Asdrubal, and the Arabian Guards.
Pher.
The Sanhedrim are at your Palace Gate,
And beg admittance.

Her.
No. There let them wait.
By Fear, not Love, they now are hither drawn,
Base Spirits; when insulting fails, they fawn.
When they but dreamt Fortune had cast me down,
They did consult how to bestow my Crown.
Since they'll not tell on whom that guilt does fall;
Rather than punish none, I'll punish all.
Justice must not be mockt.

Pher.
But Justice then
Should not designedly punish guiltless Men.
Because to you the faulty are not known,
You'll punish All, rather than punish none.

Her.
Since all were present at the black Debate,
'Tis they the Guiltless must discriminate.
My Resolution is on Justice built;
Who in this Case conceals, does share the guilt.
Pheroras, take my Guards, and carry all
The Sanhedrim into the Judgment-Hall,
There torture them, till you from some have got,
Who first propos'd, and then approv'd the Plot.

Phalt.
The Jews will rise in Tumults through despair.

Her.
Tumults the Frenzies of the People are.
And who in Frenzies strive must be withstood,
Such fits are quickly cur'd by letting Blood.

Sam.
'Tis hard with a whole Nation to dispute.

Her.
But harder when Kings are not Absolute.
He of a Throne should be unworthy held,
Who to his will makes not his Subjects yield.
Who to obtain that end his Life does give,
Does dy more glorious than he else can live.
Brother you seem as if you were afraid:
Go you; and see these Orders now obey'd.

[To Phalt. Sam. and Asdr.
Pher.
Sir, I will never give you cause to say,
That what you Order, I dare not obey.
Come all with me—

[Pher. Phalt. Sam. and Guards go out.
Her.
Abner, to thee alone
My Counterfeited Passion I made known;
But now I fear 'tis Mariana's due,
That false Love made to her must change to true;
Love by her Eyes, that Fiction would upbraid,
And burns me in those Flames with which I play'd.

Abn.
Sir, since the Queen some coldness did express,
While she unrivall'd did your heart possess.
May it not, Sir, provoke her to despair,
Seeing another in that Glory share.

Her.

Abn.
As soon as the vast present she had seen,
She said, I had mistook her for the Queen;
But when to her I solemnly did swear,
That they by you presented were to her;
She trembl'd instantly, then blushing said,
They were too mighty Presents for a Maid;
And beg'd me I would make you her Excuse,
Since 'twas her Vertue did those gifts refuse:
Then from the Chamber she in hast did go.

Her.

[Herod and Abner go out several ways.
The Scene the private Gallery of Herod's Palace.
Sohemus meets Mariana.
Sohe.
O Sister, I am now for ever lost,
My flatt'ring hopes by my ill Stars are crost:
The Queen to my Address does cruel prove,
My Services she takes, but slights my Love.
While Solome her former flame renews,
And with such guilty Love my Love pursues;
That I perceive 'tis the Decree of Fate,
I must be ruin'd by her Love or hate.

Mar.
If you but for the Queen can Love admit,
Solome must be paid with Counterfeit;
Else all your hopes of Life will be but Dreams,
Her Soul no Passion knows but in extreams.

Sohe.
Sister, you know my Heart could never brook
Whatever did but like dissembling look.

Mar.
Dissembling must to you uneasy be,
And to perswade you to it, is to me;
But since on you depends all I hold dear,
My Virtue now indulges to my fear.
When in this Love you did at first engage,
The sad effects of it I did presage;
Now my Prophetick fears I find are true,
—But may it not be yet supprest by you.

Sohe.
O 'tis in vain me to that change to move,
Who once lov'd well can never cease to Love.

Mar.
Then you at first lov'd Solome but ill,
Or by that Rule you ought to love her still;
And if for her a Passion you did feign,
For both Our Sakes dissemble it again.

Sohe.
Though once her Beauties gave my Heart the Law.
Yet her Change froze more than her Eyes can thaw.
And you as well may raise the dead again,
As Love which has been murther'd by disdain:
Solome order'd me to meet her here—
Sister, retire, yonder she does appear.

Mar.
O ere I go, let me this promise win,
That you'l not think what saves us both a Sin.
This on my Knees I would of you implore.

[Mar. says the last Verse as she is going out.
Sohe.
I'll do what Honour bids me, and no more.

Enter Solome.
Solo.

Sohe.
Madam, you need not to your Brother sue
To take a Life that is abhorr'd by you.
From me your Will shall no resistance meet,
I freely lay it, Madam, at your Feet.

Solo.
Your Life, Sohemus, would my Blessing prove,
If you would reassume—your—former—Love.

[She puts her hand before her face.
Sohe.
Why would you have that Passion live again,
Which when you could reward, you did disdain:
In pity, Madam, do not press me more,
To suffer Shipwrack twice upon one Shore.

Solo.
I told you Herod forc'd me to that Crime.

Sohe.
Force which once aw'd you, may a second time.

Solo.
But to repeat a Sin few dare consent,
Of which they once did really repent.

Sohe.
Herod I know will make you soon repent
Of that Divorce you to your Husband sent.

Solo.
Brother, and King, Husband of best degree,
Are empty Names to one that loves like me.
Do but declare that I possess your Heart,
Then all the rest trust to my care and Art:
Those who oppose me I'll to Death pursue,
And in vast Crimes shew as vast Love for you.

Sohe.
So much your Servant I resolve to be,
That you shall never act a Crime for me.

Solo.
Persidious Man; since you my Love disdain,
I'll tear you hence, where you too long did raign:
All those Objections you to me did move,
Were now I see to triumph o're my Love;
And when all Obstacles I would subdue,
I find my greatest, nay my Only—You.

Sohe.
Were I as proud, or false, as now you say,
I might with ease you by your Love betray:
But by my Faithfulness I make you shun
Crimes, which would make you hate your self when done:
Ah Madam, 'tis severe to use me thus,
We give not Laws to Love, but Love to us:
Could we at will quench or revive his Flame,
You'd kill that Love which now you blush to name.
If what I say cannot your wrath asswage,
Here, in my Blood, be pleas'd to drown your Rage.
[Opening his Arms.
If over Love I could the Victor prove,
To whom I give my Life, I'd give my Love.

Solo.
Too deep a wound thy bold contempt affords,
Ere to be heal'd by Fawnings and by words.
Since thou with scorn my proffer'd Love dost brand,
'Twere too great Death to perish by my hand.
[Striking her Breast.
Thus—with one blow Love's Image I deface,
Revenge, do thou ascend, and take the place.
In thy black Empire few successless prove,
Whose Hearts are fill'd with Rage, as once with Love.

[Solome goes out.
Sohe.
I see her fury cannot be withstood,
She will allay this tempest in my Blood:
Yet to my Death 'tis nobler to submit,
Than to Contract a guilt which merits it.

[Sohemus goes out.
The Scene the first obscure Grotta.
Enter Antipater, Pollio.
Ant.
Disswade me not, by all my hopes I swear,
Nothing shall hinder me to wait on her.

Poll.
Your Life in doing it will hazard run.

Ant.
'Twill run more hazard if it be not done:
For Life on no account to me is dear,
But only as it does belong to her.

Poll.
Lose not that Life which for her sake you prize.

Ant.
Ah 'tis not Life while banish'd from her Eyes.

To them Phaltiel and Samias.
Phalt.
Sir, from the Judgment-Hall we now are come,
Where forty noble Jews receiv'd their doom:
Th'Arabians putting many to the Rack,
Which in the Plot did not at all partake.
The rest urg'd by a Vertue most sublime,
The guiltless clear'd, and did confess their Crime:
But those which were absolv'd did boldly say,
They'd rather perish than be sav'd that way.

Sam.
Never did men so generously contend,
Each would have lost his Life to save his Friend.

Ant.
My Father's Crown and Life in danger lies,
Attempted thus by them who Death despise.

Sam.
He that in this great Action led the way,
Was Abner's Father, aged Barzillai:
All hop'd the favour Herod shews the Son,
Would for the Father a Reprieve have won:
But as we came out of the Hippodrome,
The Orders that he first should dye were come.

Ant.
What is this Abner, for whose sake you thought
My Father might from his revenge be brought?
Since my disgrace he did to favour climb.

Phalt.
To draw him, Sir, at length, requires much time.
He is, to give his Character in short,
In War most fierce, most humble in the Court
Who merits favour, yet obtains it not,
In him unask'd an Advocate has got.
Respect for him he in all hearts has bred,
Because it is not sought, but merited.
Malice does fear such Vertue to pursue,
Which makes him favour'd without Envy too.

Enter Hazael hastily, who takes Antip. aside.
Haz.
Tamar, your Trust did with such Joy receive,
And in such Raptures learnt you were alive:
That in disguise as you desir'd, she's gone
To Nathan's Tomb, to meet you there alone.
Your stay with her she begs may be so short,
As none may mind her absence from the Court:
Where over her there are suspicious Eyes.

Ant.

[Ant. and Haz. go out hastily.
Phalt.
I'll try to stay him.

Sam.
Do not, 'tis in vain.
Reason and Love never together reign.

[Sam. Phalt. and Poll. go out.
The Scene is the Palace-Garden.
Enter Herod and the Queen.
Her.
'Tis to Agrippa, Madam, that I owe
At once my Liberty, and Kingdom too.
With such success he did my Cause debate,
As he did alter what was thought my Fate.

Queen.
Does it not meanly in a Monarch show,
Both those to a Proud Roman King to owe.
But to his Subject thus in Debt to run,
Is what I should elect by Death to shun.

Her.
Freedom you seem, and Empire to abhor.

Queen.
No; I love both, but I love Glory more.
For those who do not Glory more esteem
Than Life and Empire, cannot merit them.

Her.
You my Return so coldly entertain,
As if some other in your heart did reign.

Queen.
I for your absence had no cause to mourn,
Nor can I joyful be for your Return.
Neither in me had reason to prevail,
Since I but change my Jaylor, not my Jayl.
Your part Sohemus acted, you being gone;
And now you are return'd you act your own.

Her.
While Rules of Honour you on me obtrude,
You quite forget your Debts of gratitude.
'Twas I that rais'd you to my Bed and Crown,
When all your House were by their Fate cast down.

Queen.
You made them Victims to your Pride and Hate,
And then ascribe their Ruins to their Fate.
With them I rather would have lost my Life,
Than be Condemn'd to live their Murtherers Wife.

Her.
Madam, there are affronts which press so near,
That 'tis beyond the strength of Love to bear.

Queen.
And there be Loves which so offensive are,
That to be hated were more pleasant far.

Her.
Take heed, your Death may end so bold a strife.

Queen.
You should not threaten me with Death but Life.

Her.
Oh Cursed Herod to give all thy heart
To her who is unworthy of a part.

Queen.
'Tis hard to credit I have all your heart,
Sure—Mariana—does possess a part.
Love that divided is must quickly fall.

Her.
Then Mariana shall possess it all.
Unworthy 'tis of Monarchs, nay of Men,
To pay their Loves where they're not lov'd again.
He merits scorn who tamely scorn endures,
Yes, I'll recal my heart as you do yours.

Queen.
The losing such a heart should I take ill,
Which you can give and take when ere you will.
Pray teach me too how I should grieve for it,
—Yet such a Passion is for her most fit;
Whose Family you for her sake thought good
To waft to Heaven through a Sea of blood:
Of this new Love let this new proof appear,
By the like passage pray, Sir, send me there.
The greatness of your Love will more be seen
In making me your Martyr than your Queen.

Her.
Spight of affronts so sensible and high,
Yet for your Beauties sake you shall not dye;
Since while you scorn me I my wrath subdue,
Judge how I'd love you, would you love me too.

Queen.
Love you? Methinks at those two words alone,
I hear the Ghosts of all th'Asmoneans groan.
Should I once more that guilty motion hear,
Out of their bloody Urns they'd all appear:
And could I grant that Love which now you crave,
They'd fright me with their looks into my Grave.

Her.
As well your weakness as your hate I see,
Can you fear Ghosts, and not fear angring me?
The dead nere to the living durst appear,
Ghosts are but shadows painted by our fear.
But were your House reviv'd, did they all reign,
My looks would fright them into Ghosts again.
Looks, which if you your Crimes do not redeem,
Shall act on you what I but talk'd of them.

Queen.
Your trembling Limbs could not your weight sustain,
If once you saw me head that Ghastly Train:
The sight would make the Crown upon your brow
Totter as much as Usurpation now.
If you doubt this, let me to them be sent,
Heavens, how I long to try th'Experiment.

Her.
Imperious Woman, by thy Pride and hate,
Thou hast at length hurl'd on thy self thy Fate.
Were I as timorous as thy weak Sex,
Me thy Contempt more than thy Ghost would vex.
Ho, who waits there?
Enter Gentleman.
Go instantly, and call
Some of the Arabian Guards, and Asdrubal.
[Exit Gentleman.
Since thou so longst in hope to frighten me
To be a Ghost, that Ghost thou now shalt be:
In my Apartment thou thy Life shalt lose,
And I that place before all others chose:
That if thy Ghost to me it self dare show,
The trembling shape shall not have far to go.

Queen.
Though all the Asmoneans dy'd by your Command,
Yet let your Wife, pray, dy by your own hand.
You should in Justice some distinction place
In murth'ring her, and others of her Race.
I do not beg you would delay my Fate,
But that your self would shed the blood you hate.
Since I the Title of your Queen possess,
Do not deny my first and last request.
Here—let your Sword your own Revenge pursue,
[Opening her Arms.
And pierce that Heart, your seign'd Love could not do.

Her.
Feign'd Love? Witness ye Sacred Powers above,
What she calls feign'd, till now was Real Love.
A Love which here did with such Empire Reign,
As nothing could have quench'd but her disdain.
Ah what to prove it could I more have done,
[Enter Asdr. and the Arabian Guards hastily.
Than for thy sake to kill my only Son.
Seize on the Queen, and let her then be led
To my Apartment, there to lose her Head.

Asdr.
The Queen, Sir?

Her.
Yes, the Queen; Didst thou not hear,
Or is that Question ask'd me by thy fear?

Asdr.
How should I touch the Partner of your Bed?

Her.
Her Death delay'd, shall forfeit thy own Head.

Asdr.
Madam, Thus at your Feet my self I lay,
To beg your Pardon, that I dare obey.

Queen.
You have it, Sir, why should you troubled be,
At once obeying him, You pleasure me.

[Asdrubal takes the Queen by the Hand to lead her out.
Her.
Now let her to her Death be led away.

Queen.
'Tis your first Order, I with Joy obey.

[Asdrubal leading her out, out still looks back toward Herod.
Her.
Heavens; with what Tortures is my Bosom torn,
I neither can Revenge, nor bear her scorn.
My Soul was rack'd till I her Death decreed,
And now the Doom is given, my Heart doth bleed.
[When Asdrubal has almost led the Queen off the Theatre. Herod goes hastily, and taking her from him, says.
How dar'st thou on my Queen thus lay thy hands?

Asdr.
The Sin I do, is, Sir, by your Commands.

Her.
To wait on Kings thy Judgment is too weak,
Thou knowst not when, Justice, or Rage does speak.
If Passion hurls us out of Reasons way,
'Tis the best Duty then, to Disobey.

Queen.
If you Reprieve me from the wish'd for Blow,
You'll grieve at it e're long, as I shall now.

Her.
Your Hate, and your Disdain, I will outbrave,
Love has reverst the Doom which Anger gave.
You with the Guards have leave now to retire,

[Asdrubal and the Guards go out.
Queen.
Death is deny'd, because I Death desire.

Her.
Madam, retire, and do not by your stay,
Augment that Storm which Love strives to allay.

Queen.
Heaven knows I go from hence with greater grief
Condemn'd to Live, than now to lose my Life.

[The Queen goes out.
Her.
How great a Soul does this Asmonean show,
Her generous Heart will rather break, than bow.
While I, who have Battles and Kingdoms won,
Yield to her Pride, and blush for it when done.

[Herod walks in deep melancholy about the Stage.
Enter Solome, who having consider'd a while Herod's disorders, says.
Solo.
What fitter time to tell it him than now,
When Grief and Rage sit mingl'd on his Brow.
All Passions must in him at once combine,
To make him act those mischiefs I design,
I met the Queen as she from hence did go,
[To Herod.
She scarce would look on me—

Her.
It may be so—

Solo.
Your Sister with respect should treated be.

Her.
Respect for you? Why she hath none for me.

Solo.
How can one Woman's Pride keep you in awe,
Whose word alone gives to two Kingdoms Law.

Her.
Ah, 'tis by much an easier task to guide
Two mighty Kingdoms, than one Womans Pride.

Solo.
Your Fame is lost if aw'd thus by your Wife,
You ought to take away her Pride on Life.

Her.
To one who begs, I death to her would give,
'Tis the worst Punishment to let her live.

Solo.
If Death she does desire, why should she strive
For that from you she to her self can give.

Her.
Perhaps she would have me her Murth'rer prove.

Solo.
Life, Sir, is sweet, to one that is in Love.

Her.
In Love?

Solo.
Yes, Sir, in Love, I say.

Her.
With who?
Hold—I would think your malice speaks, not You.

Solo.
No, 'tis my Love, and Duty, makes me tell
A Truth, which 'twere a Sin should I conceal:
Nor could they both more generously appear
Than now in telling, what you dare not hear.

Her.
No more—Why should I let into my Breast,
What would for ever rob me of my Rest!
[Aside.
A thousand horrors in that narrow Room
Have found their Cradle, and may find their Tomb.
This fatal Subject do not then pursue,
[To Solo.
But pity both your King and Brother too:
Who to the other Torments of his Life,
Knows he should hate, but cannot hate his Wife.

[They both go out.