 | Mariamne |  |
SCENE IV.
HAZEROTH, SOHEMUS.Hazeroth.
The King, I thank his grace! vouchsafes me leave
To breath a freer air, than what was judg'd
Fit for my constitution; though the terms
Of freedom are severe.
Soh.
What terms, my lord?
Haz.
To sue for reconcilement, and receive
In sacred friendship that injurious hand,
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You know the man!
Soh.
My lord, the man you mean
Bears such devotion to your high descent;
That 'tis the favourite passion of his soul,
To live your humblest servant—
Haz.
And his tongue
Distills court-honey, while his heart o'er-flows
With quintessence of gall!
Soh.
That character,
My lord, with great submission I disown:
You hear the dictates of an honest heart,
That's warm in all your interests.
Haz.
You confin'd
My person, like a felon's to promote
My interest! statesmen have peculiar arts!
They're so mysterious, few can apprehend
The favours they confer!
Soh.
The crime deserv'd
Severer penance than the King enjoin'd.
Haz.
I thank your majesty!
Soh.
I then, my lord,
Bore th' express image of the sov'reign pow'r;
And that's allow'd to dignify the coin,
However mean the metal. Me you brav'd,
With most unseemly licence; but th' affront
Wounded the King: and his prerogative
Reveng'd itself, not me.
Haz.
Whene'er the spleen
And pride of Tools in office are chastis'd;
The King's affronted!—is the general cry,
From those who lord it in the Sanhedrim,
To him who drives the camels!
Soh.
When, my lord,
Your shining merits meet their just reward;
Distinguish'd with some honourable post,
As soon they must; you'll own my doctrine sound.
Nothing but duty to preserve the crown
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Cou'd urge me to exert an act of pow'r
On you, my lord, whose qualities adorn
Your royal lineage: but, the noblest fruits
Have too much tartness, 'till the mellowing year
Digests their eager juices.
Haz.
Youth is apt
T' incur such indiscretions, as the King
Forgave in me, and you, my lord, forget:
Our friendship here begins.
Soh.
May death alone
Dissolve the honour'd tie! [Ex. Haz.]
O flattery!
How soon thy smooth insinuating oil
Supples the toughest fool!
[Exit Soh.
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