University of Virginia Library

Act the Fourth.

Scene the First

Mariamnes Chamber.
Enter Mariamne, Cleophe, Philon.
Maria.
Then Heav'n has heard my pray'rs, and now I find,
Though I deserv'd it not, He has been kind.
If Heaven permits me but to fall alone,
My Breast shall not emit one sigh, or groan:
Now Tyridates is from Danger free,
I do not care what he decrees of Me:
Fly Prince from hence into a kinder clime,
Where to be good, and Vertuous is no Crime:

[Enter Sohem.
Sohem.
Prince Tyridates by the Roman Legat freed
And by him safe without the Citty led,
From his freind Sosius has made escape,
And is come hither in a borrow'd shape.

Mar.
Just Heav'n forbid: I cannot see him: Go,
And tell him so.—
His Folly would his Certain Ruine bring;
His Death would now be Justice in the King.

Sohem.
Madam; all my perswasions can't prevaile,
He onely beggs to take his last farewel.

Mar.
This may some blemish to my Honour give—

Philon.
Madam, his Thoughts from such pure Fountains flow;
They on your Innocence no spots can throw;

Sohem.
Without your leave he durst no nigher come,
But stayes without, and there expects his Doome.

Mar.
Well call him in—and pardon me this time:
For he shall never more repeat the Crime.
Philon and you Sohemus watch hard by
And give us warning when that danger's nigh.
Sohem. steps to the Dore and brings in Tyridates
[Exeunt. Phil. and Sohem.
Ah Prince! consider what you make me do
[Tyrid. kneels,
Hazard my Life and Reputation too!
Have I thus long my life with Caution led
The very shadow of all Corutship fled.
Now at the last to make my Honour bow!
By Night, and in disguise, to talk with You!

Tyrid.
Though my Intents with Innocence are clad,
The ills You suffer by them make em bad.

Mar.
Your business?

Tyrid.
Can I fly and leave you here,
Expos'd to Herods Rage, and jealous fear?
I'le break those Chaines my heedless Passions drew—
With such a black Ingratitude on You.
Herod, by Sword and Poyson sets me free
From all the Tyes of Hospitality!
I this without Ingratitude can doe
I owe not now my Life to Him, but You.
Reject not then the succour I propose,
Whence to You freedome, to me, Glory Flowes.

Mar.
I will no longer these Discourses hear.
Urge me no more. This Answer take for all!
Vertue shall ne're be blemished by my fall.

Tyrid.
Then give me leave to Die—I cannot see
You still have Fetters on whilst I am free.

Mar.
But whilst I thus my Innocence keep white;
Me-thinks I feel as yet my Chains too light.

Tyrid.
But I can never go.

Mar.
I for one boon must sue,
And sure I cannot be deny'd by you?

Tyrid.
'Twere impious to disobey that breath,
Though the Commands were to meet Wracks, or Death.

Mar.
But this performance must be bound by Vow

Tyrid.
By all the powers to which men kneel, and bow.
And what's as Sacred, by your self I swear—

Mar.
She craves one boon who never begg'd before:
Sir, I intreat you ne're to see me more.
Call your Obedience and your Courage up,
And the Carrere of your blind passion stop:
My Life and Honour both at Stake do lye,
And suffer, if you either stay, or dye.

Tyrid.
Can you condemn me, most Unfortunate,
To Banishment for ever, and not hate?

Mar.
Perhaps th'affection that I'ave shown to you,
Has not been such as you pretended to.
I to your Merits always gave their due,
As far as my Condition would allow.
Had I been free, and at my own dispose,
I before all had Tyridates chose.

Tyrid.
Oh all ye Gods! how dubious is my Fate!
At once how Glorious, and how Desolate!
I have now, 'tis true! no Reason to complain;
Yet in my former Wretchedness remain.
Those eyes must never more upon me shine,
Yet I can neither murmur, nor repine.

Mar.
Pitty begins too much to move my heart,
I find by these it is high time to part!
[Mar. Weeps.
I, Tyridates have some weakness shown;
And your Misfortunes move more than my own.
Let Mariamne your Example be,
Do you assume your Courage now like me:
Insensibly I do not part with you,
Yet dauntless act what I resolve to do.
If o're your Spirit any power I have,
Let it be shown—be patient and be brave:
And let this act of your obedience prove
The Candor, and the Greatness of your Love.
Take now my last Farewell.
[Tyrid. kneels.
—One kindness yet—
When you remember me, this fault forget.

Exit cum. Cleop.
[gives him her hand to kiss.
Tyrid.
Oh Gods! is there no other way to prove
The pureness and the greatness of my Love.
Must I to this hard Doom subjected be?
Yet 'tis a Just and Vertuous Cruelty!
Yes to remember Thee, I'le take this way,
I'le dye for Debts I cannot live to pay.

[Exit.

Scene Second

Herods Chamber.
Enter Herod and Salome.
Herod.
What sting is this to an Imperial mind,
Thus in his will and power to be confin'd?

Salom.
Herod's a King, and does Judea sway—
But he's no King, who others does obey.

Salom.
Though many Passions grow within your Breast,
I see Ambition's greater then the rest.
And fear to lose your new acquired Crowne
Th'aspiring boldness of the rest pulls downe!
This made a Monarch to a Romane stoop,
When the whole Forces of his Rage were up.

Herod.
'Tis Wisdom to submit to greater Powers:

Salom.
None should be greater in your Realm then Yours;
You this affront in Wisdom may put by,
Sit tamely downe—But King so will not I!
For he shall fall my Victim, and in this
I will perform what Kings but faintly wish—
But How,
Do You proceed with your ungrateful Queen?

Herod.
I've sent for Her.

Salom.
To ask her Pardon.

Herod.
No.
But that her Doom she from my Breath may Know.
Enter Philon.
What says our Haughty Queen?

Philon.
She'le wait on You,
When she has first paid to her God his due.
She's busie yet.

Herod.
At Prayers: Yes, and 'tis time.
But Heaven may stay, her absence is a Crime:
Bid her make hast, and let her Understand
I now no more entreat Her, but Command.

Phil.
I Shall.

[Exitt
Salom.
This was like Herod and a King;
But yet I fear her Eyes such Forces bring,
Which she still manages with such an Art,
They will regain your undefended Heart.

Herod.
No, Though tame Love did once my Heart engage,
I have now resign'd this Royal Seat to rage!

Enter Mariamne and Cleophe.
Salom.
She's here I must retire.
Thy Lover Queen shall share thy Sufferings,
My Jealousy can kill as well as Kings.

[Exit.
Herod.
See with what Noble Pride she steps? That State
So like a Queen, as yet I cannot hate!
Not all the marks of Anger that I bear
Can shake this Womans Soul into a fear!
I must no longer pause—
You had obey'd us straight,
Had you not been retarded by your hate.

Mar.
Any to hate the Laws of Heaven forbid!
Else 'twere but Justice Herod if I did.

Herod.
You Queen have yet no Reason to complain,
My Love it is that proves your greatest pain.

Mar.
What are those Signalls of your Love you boast?

Herod.
The World the Greatness of my Love can Read,
In that you still proud Queen do wear your Head,
After your Love to Tyridates shown,
And his to you so publiquely made Known.

Mar.
My Innocence still wears a Robe so White,
That I esteem Your Accusations light.

Herod.
I say that you still Live shews Love enough.

Mar.
But of your Love I have another proof:
You can't forget the Compliment you sent
When You to Antony and Cæsar went.
You sent me Word, with Grief you left me—true—
For had you Dy'd I must have follow'd too.
Was this th'Effect either of Love or Hate,
That both our Lives must have an Equal Date?

Herod.
I am Betray'd! Undone!
Those who my Trust into my Bosome drew,
Forsake me and betray my Secrets too.
To what Extremities am I reduc'd,
By Slaves and a Disloyal Wife abus'd:

Mariam.
I by Imprudence now have rais'd a storm,
[aside.
I doubt my Philon and Sohemus harm.

Herod.
I my Intentions never will deny;
I did intend—if I did—you should dye.
It was excess of Love—

Mar.
Of Jealousie and Hate!—

Herod.
Those Traytors who my Secrets did relate,
Did not for nothing so great hazard run,
Expose themselves by me to be undone;
And buy your favour with their Lives expence,
If you had not propos'd a Recompence:
Which seem'd so great and glorious in their eyes,
They to obtain it, me, and life despise.

Mar.
What recompence had I to give?

Herod.
I know
No gifts could ever undermine them so:
Such mean things never could their Faith surprize!
No Traytress; by the Charmes of those false eyes,
They were seduc'd—

Mar.
I will acquit them, they are Innocent:
'Twas Heaven reveal'd to me thy black intent.

Herod.
Thou usest thus thy Lovers to excuse,
And dost thy Husbands Love and Bed abuse!

Mar.
Believe what e're thou wilt against me now,
The baseness of your Soul and Birth you show.
I scorn thee now so much—that I disdain—
To stoop so low, to speak to thee again:
Or any more my Innocence defend
Against th'unworthy Crime which you pretend.

Herod.
'Twould be in vain—I now will Justice do,
Yes! you shall suffer, and your Lovers too!
If all the Torments of the Rack will do?
Truth by that Tryal quickly will appear;
What do you smile? my Guard without there
[Enter Guard.
Here!
Safely the Queen to the great Prison bear.
On pain of Death, away.

Mar.
Touch not my hand,
I willingly obey his kind command.

[Exeunt Queen & Guards.
Herod.
Still the same Queen! still the same port she bears,
And not one look of fear nor horror wears!
Enter Salome and Pheroras.
My Fatal Love thus long has made me blind,
And with false Errors preposses't my mind;
But her high Pride shall feel: Pheroras haste!
And make you Joseph and Sohemus fast.
Let them be Rack'd till they the truth declare.

Pher.
They shall—

[about to goe.
Herod.
Hold! Joseph from the Rack we spare:
We will some method in our Anger take;
He's Marry'd to our Aunt, and for her sake,
Let him escape the Rack, but Strangl'd be;
Be gone—let it be done immediately.—

Salom.
Sir, seize on Philon, he knows her Intrigues;
A great Contriver in her amorous Leagues.

Herod.
See He be tortur'd too—
And forc'd by pains the hidden Truth to tell:
I to the utmost will my Wrath pursue.
After they're Rack'd—let'em be strangl'd too.
Away: let it be done before you sleep.

[Exit Phero.
Salom.
O Sir! I see 'tis difficult to keep
Our selves with all the helps of humane Art,
From those misfortunes Heav'n will still impart.
Appearances delude a humane fight,
But Treason cannot always walk in Night.

Herod.
This Woman to my mind distraction brings;
And on the Rack my tortur'd Soul she flings.

Salo.
'Tis plain! no small things could their Faiths remove,
They could not stoop at ought below her Love.
But were this Amorous League a dubious thing;
It is enough! she dares affront her King:
In that unlawfull Love which she dares own
To Tyridates.—
But where's that height of Pride she did pretend,
When she can to a Subjects Love descend.

Herod.
What shall I do?

Salom.
'Tis fatal Love, your troubles does Create:
O Sir, but strip your Princely Soul from that
Which with dark shaddows over-hangs your mind,
And makes you to your chiefest Interest blind;
You soon will be from all Vexations freed,
When Traytors justly for their Treason bleed.

Herod.
Yes, Mariamne soon should lose her head,
But that I Cæsar and the People dread.

Salom.
Never let that keep your great Soul in awe,
Salve it with Justice; let her dye by Law:
Let there some Process be against her fram'd:
Some Reverend Judges in Commission nam'd.

Herod.
I am resolv'd now—and the way is good,
It is the Law, not Herod, spills her blood.
She, who reduc'd me to this shame and fear,
Shall as a Subject at the Bar appear!

[Enter Alexandra.
Salom.
But here comes one! though often Proud and High,
Falls down as poorly in Adversity.
You'l not be mov'd with Tears!—

Herod.
No, nor with Prayers.

Salom.
But I'le be gone—Their Lives my Joys debar:
Revenge to thee! to thee! I'le Altars rear.

[Exit.
[Alex. kneels and weeps:
Alex.
O Sir! take pitty, I your Grace implore;
Deny not one, who never Kneel'd before.

Herod.
Peace! 'tis in vain; nor Tears, nor Words shall do,
And you deserve to share her Ruine too!

Alexan.
I will not rise unless you grant her Life.

Herod.
No more! She is a Disobedient Wife.

Alexan.
I'le grant it—yet some mercy show.

Herod.
Away.
No Tears; nor Prayers shall my arm'd Justice stay—

Alexan.
I'le follow you—

Herod.
My Guard without there!—here!
[Enter Guard.
This Woman quickly to her Chamber bear,
And keep her safe.

Alexan.
O see: I beg agen!
[kneels.
I do submit—

Herod.
Hast, quickly take her in.

Alexan.
O Jealous Husband! O thou wilful Wife!
'Tis cruel Death I see must end this strife.
If thou had'st but Obedient been to me,
Herod had had that Death he gives to Thee.

[Ex. with Guards.
Herod.
Still! still Confusion in my breast does roll,
And I feel mighty struglings in my Soul.
The Queens Death only satisfies my mind:
And yet in that Reluctancy I find.

[Exit.
Enter Pheroras reading Papers, and Salome.
Salom.
Are the Kings Orders then obey'd?

Pher.
They are!

Salom.
This hast bespeaks your Loyalty and Care.

Pher.
Here's their Confessions.
[gives 'em Salome.
Tortures made them tell
What they before could by no force reveal.

Salom.
Not the great danger which they ran could move,
No Obstacle could blunt their sharpen'd Love.
(Reads ... )
The Queen and Tyridates met this Night.
O here is Argument enough for spight.
This, this will do—what though Mariamne dye,
It Cures not quite! the Prince must fall, or I: ( ... Reads)

Pheroras; it is late; the King possest
with Rage, is gone to try if he can rest:
To morrow Morning I'le these Papers show,
And he by me your Diligence shall know.
But much of this must not be seen by him:
They justifie her more then they condemne!
In mid'st of all their Torments they seem bold,
And have the Truth to her advantage told.
But say Pheroras, dy'd they all like men?

Pher.
They dy'd as if they were to live agen:
And did with so much Courage yeild their breath,
As made me almost too in Love with Death:
If any sorrow in their Looks were shown,
'Twas for the Queens hard fate, and not their own.

[Exeunt.