University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

SALOME, MAZAEL.
MAZAEL.
This recent blow urged home, this mystery
Of dreadful import, which by thy contrivance
To Mariamne and her mother's ear
Hath been convey'd; this secret now disclosed,
Th'inhuman mandate, will their union break,
Seal the divorce, and render it eternal.
Herod will ne'er concieve thou could'st betray
His confidence to thy inveterate foe.
And in the restless tumults of his soul
Will seek no friend but thee to lenify
Thy own inflicted wounds. To rouse the storm,
Or calm it's fury will be thine alone;
Divide, and rise to empire; this thy lot.

SALOME.
Ah! what, it's scope of action circumscribed,
Can policy avail! my deep-laid schemes
All frustrate, have betray'd me to my ruin;
Each deed is now the offspring of despair.
A fatal letter from the king demands
That at the feet of her imperious rival
His sister should with low prostration fall.
I thought Sohemus would have lent his firm
And generous aid; my influence, Herod own'd.
Now am I desolate alas! and stripp'd
Of every succour. O'er my luckless head
Totters the building which with utmost skill
These hands had rear'd. I see there is a time
When fortune ruling tramples in the dust
Each human effort; every toil is vain;
When prudence on destructive rocks is lost,
And art but wounds itself; yes, I perceive,
I feel the power invincible, supreme,
Which in our neighbouring climates at it's will,
Sports with their fands, unstable as our fates.

MAZAEL.
Obey thy brother; to the tempest yield,
Stand not erect and brave it's passing rage;
Time may recover all!

SALOME.
Vain consolation!
O wretch! who from the tardy step of time
Expects his happiness! wouldst thou that I
Should trust futurity's deceitful hour,
Seeing the injuries thus heap'd upon me?

MAZAEL.
At least Sohemus to his realm returns,
Justly gainst him incens'd, thou needst no more
Fear Mariamne; jealousy may rest.

SALOME.
Her conduct, I confess, mysterious still,
Eludes my penetration. But will he
Less treacherous prove? less criminal? Am I
Insulted less? diminish'd are my foes?
Or they who look on me with hidden envy?
Or base unmanly friends? no—I must strive
With my approaching fall, the secret insult,
And public hate. E'en now before the smiles
Of Mariamne, prone in adoration,
The frantic people their triumphant taunts
Prepare for my disgrace. I see all bend
To her new power, and droop beneath its blaze,
While my week fading honours are eclipsed.
But that my soul should sicken at her glory,
That I should pine in anguish and despair,
Will this suffice? no, soon the stroke of death
My ignominious lot, and her renown
Will glaringly demonstrate. I cast off
All flattery here, nor foster it's delusions.
So circumstanced, myself would dash the front
Of every foe, and tread the aspiring down.
She cannot reign, unless by my destruction;
Nor can her just resentment want to learn
That I'm too dangerous to be spared. Mean while
O dire constraint! O load of infamy!
My high exalted soul stoop to her.
I come to soothe her pride with my respect,
And on my own misfortunes and my shame
Utter congratulations.

MAZAEL.
She approaches.

SALOME.
Must I then see her! thus compell'd!—