University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

SOHEMUS, AMMON.
SOHEMUS.
What do her words import? What mystic meaning?
Why think she can espy within my heart
Thoughts to myself unknown? Hah! that I breathe
The amorous sigh! and nurse for Mariamne
Instead of friendship's purity severe,
A flame unhallow'd! that I yield myself
A slave to the soft passion, tho' prepared
In haste to quit such numberless perfections!

AMMON.
From Salome's offended soul the worst
Is to be fear'd, the tinge of jealousy
Is clearly seen; love hath betray'd itself.

SOHEMUS.
No; in my breast the devious sentiments
Of criminal affection ne'er could enter.
The sect I follow, other manners forms.
Th'Essenians, rigid stoics of Judæa,
From the pure fountain of morality
More noble thoughts derive. Our lords, the Romans!
Victors of nations, rule the subject earth,
And we our passions. Kindred ties alone
Unite Sohemus, and the wife of Herod.
Thank heaven, I feel no conscious blushes rise.
Harrass'd beneath a dreadful power, I saw
Her deep distress; I only wish'd to serve her;
And have perform'd my duty.

AMMON.
It suited well thy just heroic mind
T'avenge the virtue trampled on by them.
But could'st thou in this court replete with crimes
From generous pity act, and not from love!

SOHEMUS.
Ah! is it needful then that her defence
From love should spring? Who would not with myself
Such innocence with tender care have shielded?
What savage heart would not with speed have flown
To her relief? and who to save her life
Would not have prodigally risqued his own?
O! Friend, this soul no sordid baseness knows,
And thou it's zeal canst witness; here I came,
Here dwelt, each threatening blow to ward from her;
That was my only motive. When from hence
The king departed, dubious of his fate,
Whether his death would be adjudged by Rome,
Or in his hands the sceptre placed again,
Urged by excess of love, and jealous frenzy,
Dreading, lest slain himself, his hapless queen,
For empire born, but then a Roman slave,
To some unworthy partner should be doom'd:
He gave command a tomb to rear, in which
He, and the object of his adoration
Might both together be inhumed. Pheroras
Had the dire charge assign'd, to offer up
To the infernal fires of jealousy
The bleeding victim. He to me reveal'd
The savage mandate of the guilty king.
Thus o'er a life so dear, so full of woe,
I with unceasing providence have watch'd,
Still arm'd, still prompt and eager to protect her.
But chiefly from her eyes intent to hide
The face of danger, have contrived to serve her.
And not awaken terror. Her misfortunes
Have pierced me more than all her matchless beauties.
Strongly affected is my heart, but love
Has no dominion there, he boasts no conquest,
But is by me subdued. The noble passion,
Th'exalted sentiments which she inspired,
Taught me t'avenge, but not seduce her virtue.
In short, success attends the king, Rome yields,
The sceptre of Judæa is restored.
Triumphant he returns again to tread
This bloody stage, with winged haste he comes
To the loved idol of his soul, whom oft
He tortures, always goddess-like adores.
Their mutual woes are ended; thro' the gloom
This horrid court involving, breaks a new
And placid morn. My presence may be spared;
For Mariamne will at length be happy.
I shall no more behold her; but my heart,
My melancholy heart to other charms
Will be for ever closed; and every bond
Of wedlock I with dread and hate survey.
Conscious of her perfections, who but looks
On all the rest of womankind with scorn?
Yes, my retreat, tho' humble, hath for me
Sufficient splendor, there shall I reside
With virtue bless'd, far from the eyes of tyrants:
My lot superior to the proudest kings,
Lord of my fate, and master o'er myself.