University of Virginia Library

Act. 2.

Scœna 1.

Enter at one Dore Marriam and Alexandra; at another Kiparim and Salumith, they meete and passe disdainfully.
Kip.
Lord how their poyson swels them.

Sal.
Sure they'l burst, if this strong Chollicke hold them.

Mar.
Mother, withdraw; the Greeke begins to scold.

Sal.
And why to scold, proud Madame?

Mar.
Nay, I want a tongue for your encounter.

Kip.
Yet this thing,
Of which thou art deriued, ought to know
Shee owes me some obeysance; though she was
Mother to him that wore the Crowne, I am
Mother to him that weares it.

Sal.

Tut, pride loues not to distinguish: goodly Lord,
not so much as how doe you forsooth; (euery foolish Citizens
salutation;) nor haile to the Sister of my Lord the King,
(euery Court-Coxecombes Congee;) nor saue you sweet
Lady, (Fooles and Physitians Orizons)

Mar.
How this shewes.

Kip.
It shewes that you are insolent.

Q. Alex.
Insolent: hugge it sweetly, tis your owne;
And euery sinne besides that's damnable:
Come, y'are despised Grecians; so prophane,
Ignoble and vnholy, that our Tribes
Are staind in your coniunctions; poore things, know,
Your titular King, in whom your glories dwell,
Is but a royall murderer; your selues,
And his proud Bastard, bloody Substitutes:
O, I could paint you brauely; for my grieues
Haue all your perfect colours.

Sal.
Come I could
Make you runne dog-like backe, and from the ground
Licke vp the filth you vtterd.

Mar.
Neuer sure;
Sheele leaue it where she found it.

Sal.
Yes, and you
Leaue vertue where you found it; harke you Queene,
You are vnchast, and most incontinent.

Mar.
Incontinent: with whom?

Sal.
His picture lies within you; plucke it out,
And let your false heart follow.

Mar.
It is Truths part to suffer; so must I.

Sal.
Vengeance vpon such sufferance.

Q. Alex.
Come, y'are a barbarous Creature.

Kip.
Base Edomite.

Q. Alex.
Slanderous Grecian.

Sal.
Old Beldame.

Q. Alex.
Young Cocatrice.

Kip.
S'death, I could teare thine eyes out.

Enter Antip.
Q. Alex.
Do but (This) that motion shall destroy thee.

Sal.
Marry mew.

Ant.
Hold in the name of Verue; heere's a braule
Able to inflame patience: Beautious Queene,
Diuinest Alexandra; what can moue
These stormes in this calme weather.

Mar.
Flattering Sir,
You best can close vp mischiefe.

Ant.
If I may,
Ile lay my life a subiect to your mercies;
Make me your footstooles to appease your wrathes;
My blood Ile make your sacrifice.

Q. Alex.
No more;
I that but now shed teares, now laugh: O God!
To see so braue a Maister-piece of Villany
By such a Bastard Issue bee compacted:
Thou make attonement? Hence Bastard, hence;
The dregges of Lust, the foule Disease of Wine,
That wert begot when sinne was reuelling:
Thou make attonemenr? No; goe learne to drowne
The Lords elected people; heere stands shee
That lookes to tast thy poyson.

Ant.
Miracles!
Wrest not my good thoughts (Madam) for I call
Iust Heauen to witnesse how I lou'd your Sonne;
And would my selfe haue dyed to ransome him;
But your misprision I impute to heate
And Chollericke spleene, which now misgouernes you.

Kip.
Nay, you should thanke her for abusing you;
Wee are become her vassals.

Ant.
Thinke not so.

Sal.
Yes, and cry vengeance for it; wicked one,
Theres wier whips in making, and I know
Furies will soundly lash you; you, and you;
Both are markt out to perish; faith you are.

Enter Ioseph.
Ios.
How now; what means this outrage? Peace for shame;
This talke fits Stewes and Brothels: Come, no more;
Mother, your iudgement should be farre more wise;
And Madam, you should be more temperate:
At Princes hands, all iniuries should looke
Not for reuenge but patience.

Kip.
Thou which art made of Cowardise and feare;
Dost thou confirme their actions?

Sal.
Yes, tis fit;
Lust still must flatter falshood.

Ios.
Ha; what's that? why Wife—

Sal.
Call me not Wife;
The sound of death hath farre more Musique in it:
Wife? O, my fate! Wife vnto such a Letcher?

Ios.
Why Salumith.

Sal.
Ile be no Salumith of thine, ther'es your Loue;
She whom you foster in her insolencies;
Shee's your Salumith: O crudulous women,
How easily are you guld, with a seducing kisse!

Ant.
Now it workes.

Sal.
A faire word makes the Diuell seeme a Saint;
But Ile be reueng'd, and in so strange a course
As neuer woman tooke. D'yee perpetrate my goodnes?
There's your Salumith.

Ant.
Admirable still.

Kip.
And there's th'old Hen her Mother,
A couple of season'd dishes, fall too, fall too.

Ant.
Nay Madam, y'are too bitter.

Ios.
By Heauen & happines, I know not what this meanes;
Yet were the King not sodainly return'd,
And crau'd our swift attendance; I would sift
And try this language strangely.

Ant.
Is the King return'd?

Ios.
He is, and safely.

Kip.
Then my hate, Ile giue thee fire to worke on.

Sal.
So will I; I'm arm'd with able mischiefe.

Ant.
And my plots
Shall runne as fast to ayd and second you.

Ios.
Ladies, shake hands with passion, and let's ioyne
To meete the King with royall cheerefulnesse.

Mar.
Sir, not I;
Let them that loue their horror seeke it still:
Goodnesse I want, with him is all thats ill.

Q. Alex.
You may report our speeches; say, our ioy
Is, we haue left no more he can destroy.

Exe. Q. Alex. & Marriam.
Ios.
This is a violent passion.

Ant.
Let it rule;
Repentance needes must follow.

Enter Herod, P. Alex. Y. Aristob. Pheroas, and Attendants.
Omnes.
Welcome, O welcome to Ierusalem;
May Herod liue for euer fortunate.

Her.
We thank you: Mother & Sister, rise; let no knee bow
But to the Gods of Greece; by whose support
Wee stand vnshakt and vnremoou'd: but (me thinkes)
In this great vniuersall Rhapsodie
Of comfort and amazement, I doe misse.
Two faire companions of my happinesse:
Where is my louely Marriam? what withdrawes
Her Mother Alexandra? Sure, my heart
Lookt for their entertainment.

Ios.
Gracious Sir,
Th'vnfortunate destruction of her Sonne,
The high Priest Aristobulus (late drownd
Within the Riuer Rigill) so takes vp
Their hearts with powerfull sorrow, that their minds
Are borne with nothing but calamity.

Her.
That guest is soone remoued; goe, my Sonnes,
Informe your Grandmother and Mother-Queene,,
How much I long to see them.

P. Alex.
Tis a worke
Worthy our duties.

Her.
Ioseph, goe, attend;
There's need of your assistance.

Ex. P. Alex. Y. Ari. & Ios.
Sal.
Yes; and all I feare too weake to draw them:
Royall Sir, you are abus'd in your credulity;
It is not griefe but malice, bitter spleene,
An anger I may call Treason, which keepes backe
These two from noble duties: Sir, they say
You doe vsurpe, and are a Murderer,
And teach all yours to murder; that you are
No lawfull King of Israel; but a Greeke
Descended basely; drawne from polluted blood:
Prophane, vnholy; nay, (indeed) what not
That Rancor can imagine? Sir, I feare
Your life is plotted on; a wrath like theirs,
So lowd, so publique, nay so impudent;
Is not without assistance.

Ant.
Brauely vrg'd.

Her.
Good Sister, thinke not so; a losse like theirs
Will make dumbe patience muteny; beleeu't,
It moues much in my owne brest; as for plots,
Alas, what can they dreame of?

Sal.
Desperate things.
Things which may shake your foot-hold; for, I feare
The Queene is turnd an Aspis, and will spread
Her fatall poyson ore you; if you doate,
The Lethargie will kill you: Sir, tis said,
Nay, t'will be prou'd she is incontinent.

Her.
Incontinent! with whom?

Sal.
With him I blush to mention; Ioseph Sir,
Ioseph my Husband wrongs you.

Her.
Peace for shame;
Your Iealousie doth foole you.

Kip.
Well, take heede
Affection doe not blinde you: tis a staine,
Almost the whole world finds out; and a truth,
Not hidden, but apparant; pray you Sir,
Speake you what is reported.

Ant.
Tis not fit,
Nor dare I credit Rumor, chiefly when
It speakes of such great persons; yet tis true,
Many vilde things are vtterd; nay indeed
Some prou'd I wish were hidden: but alas,
Who knowes not Slander's euer impudent?

Sal.
Doe not giue truth that title; for you know,
It will be prou'd by many witnesses.

Her.
Thart iealous Sister, and than such a fiend,
There is no worse companion: come, no more;
Should all the Prophets, Patriarchs, and Priests
Lodg'd in the holy Bookes of Israel
Come forth and tell this message, I would stand
Boldly and interpose them; for I know,
There is no truth to guard them; no nor faith.
O my Diuinest Marriam, how art thou
And thy great sweetnesse iniur'd? Th'vnblowne Rose,
The mines of Chrystall, nor the Diamond,
Are halfe so chast, so pure and innocent.
O poore forsaken Vertue, how art thou
Torne downe by thy despisers, and consum'd
By th'enuious flame of the malicious?
But I am come to guard thee, and restore
Thy goodnesse backe with interest; for I vow
To heare naught but thy praises: heere shee comes;
Enter P. Alex. Y. Arist. Ioseph, Marriam, & Alexandra.
Welcome my dearest, sweetest, happiest,
All that my longings looke for; thus, and thus,
Like a rich Chaine, my loue shall hang about thee;
And make the whole world doe thee reuerence;
Nay weepe not Mother; come, I know your care,
And beare an equall burthen: heere, O heere
Is the true Tombe of Aristobulus.

Q. Alex.
You can dissemble royally; but that
Cannot cure mine Impostume.

Her.
Say not so;
You must forget the worke of accident.

Q. Alex.
Of accident? of plotted Massacre;
Murder beyond example: but there's left
A Hell to reckon with.

Her.
Good sweet, no more;
Let not your Iudgement wrong you to suspect
Mine Innocence vniustly; for, I vow,
Neuer came death so neare me; or did force
My teares in such aboundance; but you know,
Earth must not question Heauen: Yet to shew
My faire affection to your Princely Sonne;
Within an Vrne of Gold, Ile lodge his bones;
And to his Funerall Rites, adde such a Pompe,
As shall amaze Inuention; and besides,
There's not an eye in all Ierusalem,
But shall drop sorrow for him.

Q. Alex.
Funerals are
But wretched satisfactions.

Kip.
Note this pride.

Sal.
Yes, and her Daughters sullennesse.

Her.
Why looks my louely Marriam downward, & deiects
The glory of her bright eye? I had thought
My safe returne (which strikes a generall ioy
Through Iuda and Ierusalem, and makes
Mount Sion so triumphant) had not had
The power to kill her comforts: Louely one;
How haue I lost thy friendship; or, what Fiend
Sends this Diuorce betwixt vs?

Mar.
Your owne Dissimulation. Cruell Sir;
Y'aue dealt vniustly with me, and prophan'd
A Temple held you sacred.

Her.
What, your selfe?
O doe not speake it; for to that blest Shrine
I haue beene so religious, that the world
Hath oft condemnd me of Idolatry:
And can you then accuse me?

Mar.
Yes, and call
Your owne heart to be witnesse.

Her.
Let me then
Be strucke with fearefull Thunder.

Mar.
Sir, take heed;
Vengeance is quicke in falling.

Her.
Let it come:
You call a Loue in question, that's as iust
As Equity or Goodnesse; by that power—

Mar.
Come, you will now be periur'd; but Ile stay
That imputation from you: What became
Of your affection, when you bound that man;
If you miscarried in your worke at Rome,
That he should see me poyson'd? Start you now?
O, twas a venom'd Complot.

Her.
Sir, a word:
Y'are a faithlesse young man; and haue lost
The great hope I had in you.

Ant.
By my life,
Hopes, and all fruitfull wishes; I'm of this
As Innocent as Silence: if my lips
Ere open'd to relate it; let me feele
Some sodaine fatall iudgement: Gracious Sir,
Search out this secret further, 'twill be found
There is more Treason breeding.

Her.
I'm resolu'd.
Madam, you haue accus'd me; and I stand
So strongly on mine owne truth, that you must
Discouer your Informers: By that loue
Once you did faine to beare me; by that faith
Which should linke married couples; by the awe,
Duty and truth of Women; or if these
Be canceld with you fury; yet by that
Great power your King hath ore you, and to shun
The scourge of Torments, which I sollemnly
Will try to the extreamest; heere I bind,
Nay, doe command you, that vnfainedly
You tell me who inform'd you.

Mar.
You haue laid
So great Commandments on me, that I dare
In no wise disobey you. Sir, it was
Lord Ioseph that inform'd me.

Her.
Ha; Ioseph!
O my abused confidence!

Ant.
Now it workes.

Kip.
The fire begins to kindle.

Sal.
But Ile bring
Fuell that shall inflame it.

Her.
Ioseph? was't Ioseph? then tis time to feele
My cold dull vnbelieuing.

Ios.
O pardon me;
It was my loue, not malice.

Her.
No, your lust,
And you shall buy it dearely: Call a Guard.
Enter Animis, and a Guard.
Haue I for this so often lost my selfe
Within the Labyrinth of her wanton eyes;
And am I now repaid with Treachery:
Ceaze on those wretched Creatures; Salumith,
Stand forth, and what thy knowledge can approue
Against those Traytors, speake it; now mine eare
Lies open to my safety.

Ant.
Brauely speake,
You shall haue strong supporters; now his eare
Is open, see you fill it.

Sal.
Doubt me not.
Great Sir, with confidence as full of Truth,
As they are full of Treason; I auerre,
These, in your absence, haue abus'd your bed,
With most incestuous foule Adultery.

Mar.
All that's like goodnesse shield me.

Ios.
Woman, looke vp;
The vault of Heauen is Marble; this vntruth
Will make it fall to kill thee.

Sal.
Let it come,
If I speake ought vniustly; all my words,
My blood and oath shall seale to.

Enter Antipater, Pheroas, and Achitophel.
Antip.
Good, let my loue perswade thee; doe not buze
Such foule things in his eares; his Maiestie
Is too much mou'd already.

Phe.
Good my Lord,
Let me discharge my duty.

Ant.
Nay, for that,
I dare not to withstand; yet, questionlesse,
The Queene is not so wicked.—Goe, put home;
Y'aue all things to assist you:—Sirrah Iew,
Forget not thy preferment.

Ach.
Feare me not.

Her.
How now, what tumult's that?

Phe.
O my dread Lord,
Grant me your gracious pardon; I must tell
A sad and heauy Story; yet most true:
And yet 'gainst such a person, as I feare
Your eare will not receiue it.

Her.
Speake; 'gainst whom?

Phe.
Against the Queene.

Mar.
O sacred Truth, but thee,
I haue nor sword, nor armour.

Her.
Vtter it.

Phe.
Since your departure, to my hands she brought
This fatall Violl; saying, Pheroas,
Thou art the Kings Cup-bearer; by my loue
I charge thee, when his Maiesty shall call
For wine, giue him this Potion; tis a draught
Shall crowne thee with great fortunes: I desir'd
To know the nature; shee, with solemne oathes,
Swore it was nothing but a wholsome drinke,
Compounded with such Art; that, tasting it,
You would doate of her beauty, and become
A very Slaue to her perfections:
I promis'd to performe it; yet my feare
Arguing with my Iudgement, made me try
The vertue on a Spaniel; and I found
It was an odious poyson.

Omnes.
Wonderfull!

Phe.
After this triall, I demanded then,
From whom her Highnesse had it: she affirm'd,
From the Lord Ioseph; but by stricter search,
I found this Iew was he compounded it.

Ach.
I doe confesse the Queene of Israel
Commanded me to try my vtmost skill
In this most strong Confection; said it was
To proue the force of Simples: I, her Slaue,
Durst not to disobay her; yet suspect
Made me reueale it to this Noble-man.

Her.
How answer you this Treason?

Mar.
Silently.

Her.
Thats a confession.

Mar.
Why, as good be dumbe,
As speake to eares are glewd vp; or a faith
Thats arm'd against beleeuing: but (great Sir)
If either of these open; then, beleeu't,
Was neuer wrong'd a greater innocence.

Ios.
Malice hath wrought vpon vs, and oretane
Our guiltlesse liues with vengeance: Hell it selfe
Is not more false then these are; yet, I know,
Nothing can saue vs but a Miracle.

Her.
The guilty euer plead thus; cursed chance,
To haue my Ioyes deuoure me: but, tis done;
Princes, your eares and Counsels.

Herod whispers with Ant. the Princes and Pheroas.
Q. Alex.
Ha! is't so,
Hath Mischiefe got the Conquest; then tis time
To change my disposition, and deceiue
Those which would else deceiue me; in this kinde,
It skils not whom we iniure, whom we blinde.

P. Alex.
Sir, of my life all this is counterfait,
And this great Diuell inchants you; for these slaues,
They speake but what is taught them.

Y. Arist.
On my life,
Our royall Mother's guiltlesse; doe not let
Their hatefull malice step betweene her life,
And your most gracious fauour.

Her.
Princely youths,
Nature and loue deceiues you: wretched things,
What can you say to stay destruction?

Mar.
That w'are the Kings, and none are innocent,
Vnlesse he please to thinke so.

Q. Alex.
Impudent!
Is that all thou canst vtter? Haue I liu'd
To see thee grow thus odious, to forsake
The chast imbracements of a royall bed,
For an incestuous Letcher; to become
The Peoples scorne, the honest Matrons curse,
The Tribes disgrace, and Israels obloquy;
Nay more, the whole worlds wonder, and a staine
Nere to be washt off from Ierusalem?
O mine afflicted honor!

Kip.
Heere's a change.

Sal.
A Tempest neuer lookt for.

Q. Alex.
Packe for shame,
Runne to thine owne destruction: What, a Whore?
A poysoning Whore? a baudy Murderesse?
Nay, more; a treacherous Strumpet? O that Heauen
Had made mine anger Lightning, that it might
Destroy thee in a moment.

Mar.
Madam, stay;
Can your true goodnesse thinke me culpable?

Q. Alex.
Is it not prou'd apparant?

Mar.
Then be dumbe,
Be dumbe for euer Marriam; if you thinke
I can be guilty, who is innocent?
Madam, you are my Mother; O call vp
Your worst imaginations, all the scapes
Both of mine Infance, Childhood or ripe yeares,
And if the smallest shadow in them all
Betoken such an error, curse me still,
Let me finde death with horror; otherwise,
Silence and patience helpe me. Sir, tis fit
You plead your owne cause; I am conquered.

Ios.
There's but one true Iudge ouer Israel,
And hee knowes I am guiltlesse.

Her.
Tis the Plea
Of euery guilty person: Animis,
Conuay those wicked creatures, with your Guard,
Vnto the market-place, and there in sight
Of all the people, cause the Hangman take
Their curst head from their bodies.

P. Alex.
Stay, great Sir,
Doe not an act t'amaze all Israel;
O looke with mercies eyes vpon the Queene;
The Innocent Queene our Mother; let not Slaues
Blast her with false reproches; be a God
And finde out Truth by Miracle.

Her.
No more.

Y. Arist.
No more? yes sure, if euery word I speake
Should naile me to destruction: Mighty Sir,
Fauour your owne repentance, doe not spill
The innocent bloud vniustly; for th'account
Is heauy as damnation: to your selfe,
And to your owne, become a Daniel.

Her.
Ile heare no more.

P. Alex.
O sacred Sir, you must;
Vpon my knees I begge compassion;
Compassion for my Mother.

Y. Arist.
To this ground
Weele grow eternally; till you vouchsafe
To grant her mercy; or to giue her Cause
A larger course of tryall.

Her.
Once againe,
I charge you to forget her.

P. Alex.
How, forget
The chast wombe which did beare vs; or the paps
Which gaue vs sucke? Can there in Nature be
A Lethargie so frozen?

Y. Arist.
Nay, what's more;
Can we forget her holy Stocke, deriu'd
From all the blessed Patriarchs, in whom
You and our selues are glorious? O, dread Sir,
Haue mercy on her goodnesse.

P. Alex.
Mercy, Sir.

Her.
How am I vext with importunity;
Away to Execution: if againe
I doe command tis fatall.

Y. Arist.
And if we
Indure it, let vs perish; brother draw,
The Princes draw.
And let our good swords guard her: Sir, y'aue broke
A linke in Natures best chaine; and her death,
Conuerts vs to your mortall enemies.

Her.
What; am I brau'd by Traitors? Villaines, force you.
Way to the Execution, or you perish.

P. Alex.
Mother, hold life but one houre and wee'l rescue
The Princes force through the guard; Antipater drawes & stands before Herod; all the rest conuey away the Prisoners; Alexandra a wringing her hands.
Did euer Kings owne bowels thus become
The Typhon of sedition; or, can't be,
I could beget these Serpents? Ift be so
Vnder the Ætna of their damned pride,
Ile smoother and consume them.

Ant.
Sir, I know
Your wisedome such, as can discerne what tis
At once to feare, to suffer, and to dye,
By th'hand of sterne ambition; which, ith' end,
Makes still her habitation like the place
Where poyson growes, so naked and so bare
That dust disdaines t'abide there.

Her.
Passing true;
But Ile root out that vengeance: yet againe,
When I awake my memory, to looke
Vpon her sweetnesse, goodnesse, and conceiue,
That no affaire, no wisedome, or fond zeale,
Which oft attainteth others, could touch her;
O then, me thinkes, I might at least haue breath'd,
Before I had condemn'd her; Iustice should
Ith darke of these confusions, borne a Torch
Before Truth and mine anger: but alas,
Folly and Rashnesse led me; and I'ue lost
All my delight at one throw. Antipater,
Goe, runne, flye; O, stay the Execution.

Ant.
Willingly. Yet please you first to thinke
Whether the act hurt not your Maiestie;
Kings, in these waighty causes, must not play
At fast and loose; their wordes are Oracles;
And iudgement should pursue them.

Her.
Good, no more, goe stay the Execution.

Ant.
Not on earth is there a man more willing;
Yet, when Kings condemne themselues of rashnesse,
Who can blame contempt to follow after?

Her.
Lord to see how time is lost with talking.

Antip.
I am gone.
Offers to goe and returnes.
Yet Sir, beleeu't; the Maiesty which strikes
Against contempt shall nere recouer it.

Her.
Yet againe.

Ant,
Sir, I can vanish quickly; yet, behold,
Heere's one can saue my labour.

Enter Pheroas.
Her.
Speake my Lord; where is my Queene?
O, where's my Marriam?

Phe.
Sir, she is dead.

Her.
Dead? Be the world dead with her; for on earth
There's no life but her glory: yet declare
How dyed the wofull Lady?

Phe.
Like a Saint.
Like did I say? O Sir, so farre beyond,
That neuer Saint came neere her president:
She did not goe, as one that had beene led
To take a violent parting; but as Fate
Had in her owne hands thrust her Destiny,
Saying, or liue or dye: whilst she, that knew
The one and th'others goodnesse, did agree
Onely to dye as th'act most excellent.
Her Mothers bitter railings, all the cries
Of the amazed People, mou'd not her;
No not one poore small twinckle of her eye:
But, with a constancie, that would outface,
The brazen front of terror; she assends
Vp to the fatall Scaffold; and but once
Lookt round about the people: then lifts vp
Her snow-white hands to Heauen;
Talkes to it as if she had beene in it: then fals downe
Vpon her humble knees; which, as they bent,
You might behold humility retire
Downe to her heart; and left within her eyes
Nothing but sweetnesse flaming? whilst vpon
And round about her, Maiestie did hang,
And cloath her as a garment: to be briefe,
Shee tooke the stroke, not as a punishment;
But a reward; so Saint-like hence she went.

Her.
Enough, too much; th'ast slaine me Pheroas;
O, I haue lost in her death more true ioyes,
Then Heauen can giue or, earth is worthy of:
I am a Traitor to my selfe and loue;
To Nature, Vertue, Beauty, Excellence;
I haue destroy'd the whole world; for but her,
It had no Soule, nor mouing; no delight,
No triumph, glory, or continuance:
I cannot liue to lose her; call her backe,
Or I shall dye complaining.

Ant.
This is strange
Can the dead be awaken'd?

Her.
Easily Sir,
My sighes shall breath life in her; and my voyce
Rouze her, as doth a Trumpet; nay, more lou'd
Then either winde or Thunder: canst thou thinke
That I can liue without her; she, to whom
The whole world was a Theater, where men
Sate viewing her good actions; she, that had
As much right vnto Paradise, as Kings
Haue to their Courts and Kingdomes; shee that lent
Mintage to others beauties; for, none are
Or good, or faire, but such as lookt like her:
Shee, in whose body sweetly was contain'd
Th'Easterne Spicery, the Westerne treasure,
And all the world holds happy: may it be
That I can liue and want her? or, could I
With one sad breath destroy her? she, that had
(In her owne thoughts) read all that ere was writ,
To better, or instruct vs: Shee, that knew
Heauen so well on Earth; that, being there,
Shee finds no more then she did thinke on heere;
And haue I kild her? She, whose very dreames
Were more deuout then our Petitions;
Haue I prophan'd that Temple? Fall, O fall
Downe to the ground and perish; nere looke vp,
But when or Blastings, Mildewes, Lightenings,
Or poysonous Serenes strike thee. Herod, heere,
O heere, digge vp thy graue with sorrow.

Ant.
Fie, tis vnfit Greatnesse should yeeld to passion.

Her.
Y'are a foole;
He that not mournes for her, will neuer mourne;
But is worse then the Diuell. Marriam,
O Marriam; thou that through the Spheares
(As through so many golden Beads) hast runne,
In one poore moment, to felicity;
Looke downe vpon thy Vassall, me thy Slaue,
And see how much I languish: let thine eye
Guild my complaints, and cheere my misery.

Phe.
O royall Sir, take better comfort;
There was nere on Earth a Creature worth your sorrow.

Her.
Sir, you lie; deadly and falsly; for she doth deserue
The teares of men and Angels: Shee, O shee,
Of whom the Ancients prophesied, when first
They made all Vertues Females; She, that was
The first and best faire Copie, from whose lines
The world might draw perfection: She, not worth
The teares of all thats liuing? Dulnesse, goe;
Packe from my sight for euer: O, 'twas thou,
Thou that didst make me kill her: hence, auaunt;
By all that's good or holy; if, from hence
Thou ere presume to see me, or come neere
The place of my abiding; 'tis thy death,
As certaine as Fate spoke it.

Phe.
O my Lord.

Her.
Away; reply, and I will kill thee.

Ant.
Do not offend him further; vanish Sir.

Exit Pheroas.
Enter Animis.
Ani.
To Armes my Lord, to Armes: your Princely Sonnes,
Attended by the people, stand betweene
The Towne of Bethlem and Ierusalem;
Their Ensignes spread, their Bowes bent, and their Swords
Wauing like wings of Eagles: Sir, they vow
Reuenge for their Mothers death.

Her.
On whom?
On you, the Citty; but especially,
Vpon the Prince Antipater.

Her.
No more,
Th'are angry surges, which with one poore blast,
Ile make fall to the Center; troubled thoughts,
Rest till this storme be ouer: happy man,
Ile make thee tread vpon them; this day shall
Be thy Coronation; but their Funerall.

Exe. all but Ant.
Ant.
Twas a braue Lesson that Egystus taught,
And Clitemnestra writ religiously:
Sinne safest way to sinne; None or alone; both excellent.
Yet Herod liues vnwrong'd and vnremou'd.
The Sonnes of Oedipus, in life, nor after death,
Agreed but once; which was, t'imprison Oedipus;
An act of no small wonder: O, but Boyes,
Ile mount a world aboue you; t'imprison, is
Still to haue danger neere me: tut, tis death,
Death that my aymes doe shoote at: Ile inuent
What none shall alter: fie, tis nothing worth,
By Worth, by Birth, by Choyce, by Chance to bee a King;
But so to climbe I choose, as all may feare and wonder;
Feare to attempt the like, and wonder how I wrought it;
Curst be he (in this case) that craues his Fathers blessing;
My Throane must be my Fathers Monument;
My Raigne built on his ruine: but how? how? witlesse, how?
Aske how, and seeke a Crowne? By Poyson; no, by Sword;
Sword; no, by Subtilty: O Hell awake, awake;
And once for all instruct me.
Dumbe Shew.
Musique: and, Enter Miscipsa, Iugurth, Adherball, Hiempsall, Miscipsa makes them ioyne hands, and giues each a Crowne, and departs: then in mounting the tribunall, Hiempsall and Adherball sit close to keepe out Iugurth, he diuides them by force, Hiempsall offers to draw, and Iugurth stabs him; Adherball flies and comes in againe with the Roman Senators, they seeme to reconcile them; and being departed, Iugurth stabs Adherball, and leaues at Antipaters feete a Scrowle.
O resolute Iugurth; what afford'st thou me?
Non mordent mortui; Dead men doe not bite:
True, noble Bastard: Iugurth, in thy light
Thy Brothers dwelt; O Iugurth, so doe mine:
Thou kild'st them Iugurth; Iugurth, so must I.
Thus sing we seuerall Descant on one plain-song, Kill:
Foure parts in one, the Meane excluded quite:
The Base sings deepely, Kill; the Counter-tenor, Kill;
The Tenor, Kill, Kill; the Treble, Kill, Kill, Kill:
In Diapason Kill is the Vnison, seauen times redoubled;
And so oft must I kill: as, first the King,
(His Wife is past) two Sonnes, two Brethren, and a Sister;
And thinke not but I can: can; nay, but I will:
I am no puny in these Documents:
The Tyger, tasting blood; finds it to sweet to leaue it:
The Hauke, once made to prey, takes all delight in preying;
The Virgin, once deflour'd, thinks pleasure to grow cōmon;
And can I then stop in a middle way?
Cloze fountains, riuers dry; pluck vp the roots bowes perish;
Banish the Sunne, the Moone and Starre doe vanish:
And, were it to obscure the world, and spoyle
Both Man and Beast, Nature, and euery thing;
Yet would I doo't; and why? I must, and will be King.
Kingly Antipater.

Exit.
Iosephus
Neuer grew Pride more high, more desperate;
Nor euer could the Arrogance of man
Finde out a Breast more large and spacious:
But Fate and he must wrestle. Let mee now
Intreat your worthy Patience, to containe
Much in Imagination; and, what Words
Cannot haue time to vtter; let your Eyes
Out of this dumbe Shew, tell your Memories.

Dumbe Shew.
Enter at one dore, with Drums and Colours, P. Alexander, and Y. Aristobulus, with their Army; at another, Herod and Antipater, with their Army; as they are ready to encounter, Enter Augustus with his Romans betweene them; they all cast downe their weapons at his feet and kneels; he raises Herod and sets him in his Chayre makes Alexander and Aristobulus kisse his feet; which done, they offer to assaile Antipater, Herod steps between, Augustus reconciles them; then whispering with Herod, Augustus takes three Garlands and crownes the three Sonnes, Herod placing Antipater in the midst, and so all depart, Antipater vsing ambitious countenances.
Iosephus
The Sonnes of Marriam, hauing met the King,
Are ready for Encounter; but are staid
By th'awe of great Augustus, at whose feete
They cast their Liues and Weapons: hee, with frownes
Chides the two angry Princes; yet commands
The Father to forgiue them; peace is made:
Onely against Antipater they bend
The fury of their courage; which the King
Withstands and reconciles them: all made sound;
Augustus giues them Garlands, and installs
Them equall Captaines ouer Palestine:
But yet Antipater, by Herods meanes,
Gets the precedence and Priority:
How in that throng he iustles; tis your Eyes,
And not my Tongue must censure: this we hope
Our Scale is still assending; and you'le finde
Better, and better; and the Best behinde.

Exit.