University of Virginia Library

Scœna quinta.

Salome, Silleus.
Silleus.
VVell found faire Salome Iudæus pride,
Hath thy innated wisedome found the way
To make Silleus deeme him deified,
By gaining thee a more then precious pray?

Salo.
I haue deuisde the best I can deuise,
A more imperfect meanes was neuer found:
But what cares Salome, it doth suffice
If our indeuours with their end be crown'd.
In this our land we haue an ancient vse,
Permitted first by our law-giuers head:
Who hates his wife, though for no iust abuse,
May with a bill diuorce her from his bed.
But in this custome women are not free,
Yet I for once will wrest it, blame not thou
The ill I doe, since what I do'es for thee,
Though others blame, Silleus should allow.

Solleus.
Thinkes Salome, Silleus hath a tongue
To censure her faire actions? let my blood
Bedash my proper brow, for such a wrong,
The being yours, can make euen vices good:
Arabia ioy, prepare thy earth with greene,
Thou neuer happie were indeed till now:
Now shall thy ground be trod by beauties Queene,
Her foote is destin'd to depresse thy brow.
Thou shalt faire Salome commaund as much
As if the royall ornament were thine:
The weaknes of Arabias King is such,
The kingdome is not his so much as mine:
My mouth is our Obodas oracle,
Who thinkes not ought but what Silleus will?
And thou rare creature. Asias miracle,
Shalt be to me as it: Obodas still.

Salome.
Tis not for glory I thy loue accept,
Iudea yeelds me honours worthy store:
Had not affection in my bosome crept,
My natiue country should my life deplore.
Were not Silleus he with home I goe,
I would not change my Palastine for Rome:
Much lesse would I a glorious state to shew,
Goe far to purchase an Arabian too me.

Silleus.
Far be it from Silleus so to thinke,
I know it is thy gratitude requites
The loue that is in me, and shall not shrinke
Till death doe seuer me from earths delights.

Salom.
But whist; me thinkes the wolfe is in our talke,
Be gone Silleus, who doth here arriue?
Tis Constabarus that doth hither walke,
Ile find a quarrell, him from me to driue.

Sille.
Farewell, but were it not for thy commaund,
In his despight Silleus here would stand.