 | Mariamne |  |
SCENE I.
SOHEMUS, NARBAS, AMMON, ATTENDANTS.NARBAS.
The time is urgent, Herod is arrived,
He sees again the banks of Judah's stream,
And Salome who manages with art
The interest which she still retains, already
Strives by her counsels to ensnare his soul.
The servile courtiers throng in crouds around him;
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And Idamas, whom well thou know'st, precedes him.
SOHEMUS.
I know his services and past deserts
Have been but ill repaid; with zealous love
He always hath preserved his faith unshaken
For Mariamne; and with sage advice
Tempering impetuous warmth, hath often soothed
His master's headstrong fury.
NARBAS.
He will soon
Appear before thee. Meantime Mariamne,
Just ready to depart, stops, blames herself,
And on th'importance of the great design
Reflecting, stands astonish'd; tho' prepared,
Her rigid virtue dreads the thoughts of flight.
Her mother at her feet, with throbbing heart
Full fraught with terror, to her children points,
Bedews her with her tears, and trembling begs
That she will quit this fatal place with speed.
Yet still she fluctuates, doubts, and will I fear
Prolong too late the dangerous time. But thou
With generous care must hasten her departure.
On thee depend her fortune and her life,
The rarest object, the most precious gift
With which consenting heaven e'er bless'd the earth.
Stretch forth thy shielding arm, protect, preserve
Th'illustrious sufferers, save, Oh, save from death,
Th'unhappy offspring of a line of kings.
May I inform her that thy guards are ready?
Hast thou prepared them?
SOHEMUS.
All things are disposed
With proper care; she may depart this instant.
NARBAS.
Wilt thou consent too that a faithful servant
Should on her flight attend?
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Go; far from hence
Accompany her steps; these odious confines
Deserve not Mariamne. O ye waves,
The sacred freight committed to your trust
Receive propitious! And may bounteous heaven
Pitying her deep distress, each envious cloud
Dispel, and cause a purer sun to shine!
And thou, old man, how fortunate thy lot
To follow her! True model thou for all
Who dwell in courts! thy fate supremely happy,
For thou wilt share the smiles of Mariamne.
| Mariamne | |