 | Mariamne |  |
181
SCENE V.
HEROD, SALOME.SALOME.
I share them all; nor can I but express
My wonder, that Sohemus and the queen
Should thus avoid thy presence, and betray
So little of affection and respect.
HEROD.
One I must blame, the other I excuse.
Press not the subject further.
SALOME.
This Sohemus
Whom justly thou condemn'st, hath always kindled
The queen's resentment.
HEROD.
Ah! What countless horrors
Have burst upon our heads! I seek to end them.
Stern and implacable, I purchased nought
But fear from others, misery to myself.
Too long revenge and hate have pour'd their streams
Of baleful venom o'er my sad abode.
Thine and the queen's too ranc'rous enmity
Would prove a never-failing source of torment.
For thy repose, my sister, for my own,
That we may both be happy, let us part.
Quit this unfortunate and gloomy mansion.
It must be so.
SALOME.
Just Heaven! what do I hear?
O fatal enemy!
HEROD.
Thy king commands,
Thy brother shall intreat thee. Oh may ne'er
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To give one cruel order! Never more
Unrein stern vengeance! Ne'er shed blood again!
My life hath been a scene of restless tumult,
Oh, spare me, nor imbitter what remains.
Murmur; complain of me, lament thyself;
But leave the court.
SALOME.
Ah, sire, I murmur not,
I utter no complaint; it is enough
That just and necessary in thy sight
My banishment appears? taught to comply
E'en with thy least desires, to thy command
I yield a prompt obedience. Tho' my heart
Glows with the injury, thou shalt not see me
Attest before thee nature's sacred tye,
Her voice can seldom pierce the ear of kings;
And where the passions dwell, relationship
Pleads its just rights in vain. I shall not boast
That zeal, and warm sincerity of friendship,
Which now begins to be displeasing to thee;
Much less awaken memory with the thought
Of all my various services o'erpast.
Ah! I perceive a glance hath quite effaced them
And left a total blank.—But say, can Herod
Believe that Mariamne will forget
The fatal order pointed at her life?
The constant object of her fear, wilt thou
Fear her no longer? Are her wishes hid?
Her sentiments unknown? Who shall prevent
By wholesome counsel the revengeful blow
Which now her soul may in its raging mood
With ease inflict? What watchful eyes intent
To guard thy life, shall trace her mazy plots,
And every snare unravel? Who shall curb
Her headstrong violence? Dost thou imagine
That when by tenderness disarm'd, and placed
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And charm her from her purpose! Hah! Will scorn
Like hers excessive, that inhuman mind
Inspiring deeds of horror—
HEROD.
Ah! Permit me
To doubt a while her scorn, and let my soul
Enjoy the flattering hope that I may
Recover her affection; if I err, still,
Respect my error, nor thus idly strive
To undeceive me. I would fain believe,
Nay it is riveted within my breast,
Proud as thou art, that thy malevolence
Raised a barrier betwixt the queen and me.
That thy inflexible and barbarous nature
Hath hardened Mariamne's heart against me,
And but for thee I had been less detested.
SALOME.
Oh, could'st thou guess, could'st thou but comprehend
To what intent—
HEROD.
No more; I will not hear thee.
Let Mariamne threaten at her will
A life, beneath the load of which I groan.
Let her cut short its course; If die I must,
At least the hand I love will guide the blow.
SALOME.
Ah! I can hold no longer; nor by silence
Foster thy blind delusion; tho' exposed
To swift destruction, I am bound to serve thee.
Let the dire thunder burst upon my head,
Yet will I speak.—O most ill-fated husband!
Know Mariamne, and be whelm'd with shame,
What is the fierce disdain which arms her breast?
Or what her hate?—Another is beloved.
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Another is beloved! Barbarian! Hah!
And darest thou in my presence cast a stain
On such uncommon virtue! Is it thus
Thou stab'st thy brother? Thus thou bid'st farewel,
Leaving behind deep fix'd th'invenom'd steel?
And Discord waving round her blazing torch?
And shame, and rage and jealousy to tear,
To harrow up my soul?—Hah! Mariamne!—
Impossible. I will not deign t'inquire
Into the groundless charge; thy noxious counsels
Have ruled with sway too absolute; long time
Have I believed thee, heaven avenges now
My fond credulity. I have been doom'd
For ever doom'd, to fix my love on those
Who hated me the most—yes, here, at me,
At me alone thy persecution aims.
SALOME.
Nay then at distance from thee—
HEROD.
Stir not hence.
Another is beloved!—Give to my sight,
Shew me, thou cruel monitress, whose blood
Must quench this vengeance unessay'd before.
Pursue thy work, and make my woes complete.
SALOME.
Since 'tis thy will—
HEROD.
Strike—Lo! my throbbing heart!
Speak, name the traitor; but whoe'er he be,
Think that on thee too my revenge may fall,
For thou hast chaced my darling error from me.
Thus warn'd; proceed.
SALOME.
No matter.
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Speak at once.
SALOME.
It is—
| Mariamne | |