University of Virginia Library

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

SALOME, MAZAEL.
MAZAEL.
Thus soaring o'er thy rival, who is lost
Beyond recovery; reinstated firm
In Herod's favour; every wish complete;
Why thus to melancholy thoughts a prey?
Avenging his own injuries, the king
Is thy avenger; to the highest pitch
His fury swells; with horror I beheld
The fatal evils which myself had caused.
Thou too the dreadful spectacle hast seen;
The trembling slaves pierced by his desperate sword
Weltering in blood; the queen beside them sunk,
Pale, faint and half expiring; o'er her head
His arm up-raised, prepared to take her life;
Her agonizing children, bathed in tears,
Struggling to grasp his knees, and offering each
Their tender bosoms to the murderer's steel.
What wouldst thou more? What fears can reach thee now?

SALOME.
I fear the king, those powerful charms I fear
Which he adores; that arm so prompt to strike,
So easily unnerved; in short that anger
So soon enflamed, but which irresolute
And blind for ever, loses all its force
In sudden transports. From his frantic fit
What gain shall I experience! Will Sohemus
Cast a more favourable eye on me?
No, this will fix his hatred; and my brother
Unhappy as he is, thus forced to punish
A faithless wife, will never cease t'upbraid me
With her dishonour, and his own misfortunes.
E'en now his heart forgives her; and in secret
Is torn with inexpressive pangs to lose
This darling object, while on me alone,
Could he pursue his will, would vengeance fall.
Ah! What perplexities, what doubts impede
My fatal triumph! twice, in one short day,
My destiny hath changed, twice have I seen
Stern ire by love succeeded; we are ruin'd
Should he again behold her.

SCENE II.

HEROD, SALOME, MARIAMNE.
MAZAEL.
Lo, he comes!
What inward horror agitates his frame!

SALOME.
Hast thou made sure the destined work of vengeance?

MAZAEL.
Now heaven forefend that my exciting voice
Betwixt my royal master and his queen
Should rashly interfere, and strive to urge
Wisdom and mercy to remorseless rage!
But her revolt Sohemus first inspired,
And he is her protector still against thee.
Not that I bid you seek revenge on him;
But rather to beware his dark designs,
And dread the secret stroke of treachery.

HEROD.
Alas! I fear not him.

MAZAEL.
Yet think, my lord,
How quick adultery passes on to murder,
It is its certain progress.

HEROD.
Hah! What say'st thou?

MAZAEL.
Sohemus who could ne'er disguise his feelings,
Hath always plainly shewn himself the more
Thy deadly foe. Nay those whose guilty aid
He had suborn'd, have openly declared
Thy life should be attempted.

HEROD.
Mariamne!
Thy hate strikes deep, that is thy greatest crime.
Oh! Tho' thou canst not but approve, my sister,
This rage which animates my breast, thy eyes
Viewing my sufferings, drop the tear of pity.
Whom hath my heart to lean upon but thee?
Its only friend? A fatal dear delusion,
Possess'd me wholly; and while every care
Was busily employ'd to make her happy,
Thou wert the sacrifice; I number'd thee
Amongst my bitterest foes, and for her scorn,
And rancorous spirit, persecuted thee.
By all that tenderness so ill-repay'd,
I swear, e'er yonder circling orb completes
His daily journey, thou shalt be revenged.
Ah! The more absolute her power, the more
With justice fired I pant, I burn t'inflict
Severest punishment.—Alas! my heart
Ne'er own'd a passion but for her alone!
I lov'd, abhorr'd, ador'd the faithless woman.
And thou, Sohemus, thou shalt not escape
The fate thy crimes deserve!—Hold! That were mercy—
No, in thy dearer self thou shalt be slain—
She who despised this soul sincere, who lavish'd
On thee her fond affection, whom I once
Prized as a countless treasure, shall expire
Before thy eyes in torture.—Oh! to view
Her perjured blood follow my vengeful steel
And gush in streams on thee! Hah! Good, most good,
Thou lovest her; and thy minion's death will give
The sharpest pangs, and satiate my revenge.

MAZAEL.
Let then the precious opportunity
Be speedily embraced; and whilst Sohemus
Remains at distance, and his troops are scattered
Far from these walls, attempt at once, and perfect
The easy work of vengeance.

SALOME.
But conceal
Thy deep resentment from the public eye,
Spare to thyself the horror of a sight
So dreadfully affecting: and removed
From this sad dwelling, conscious of thy shame,
Fly from the painful images which here
Thy matchless wrongs will always raise before thee.

HEROD.
I see her crime, her aim, and why Sohemus
Thy hand so contumeliouly refused.

SALOME.
Waste not a thought on me; consider well
What grosser injuries are thine.

HEROD.
She lived
With innocence her bosom friend till now.
Of nothing but her violence of temper
Could I accuse her, that presumptuous boldness
With which she ever thwarted my desires,
Her sullen discontent, and fix'd contempt
Of all my kindred.—What affronts, what insults
Have I not borne from th'Asmonæan line!
But is it possible her soul could stoop
Thus meanly to dishonour me?

SALOME.
Oh, banish
These thoughts, my lord! Nor thus indulge reflection!
Compose thy soul.

HEROD.
Yes! I once more will see her,
And with a searching eye confound her guilt.
Urge home her crime, and force her to reply.
Behold her shuddering at th'approach of death
And begging mercy, which she shall not find.

SALOME.
Hah! Wilt thou then admit her to thy presence?

HEROD.
Fear not. My soul is fix'd in its resolves;
She dies. In vain, can perfidy like hers
Hope aught from love o'er past. My heart is closed,
A bar eternal shuts all pity out.
Her eyes, which knew, alas! too well to charm,
Have lost their power, I feel resentment strong,
Her sight will kindle it to furious rage.
Guards, bring the queen before us. I but wish
To see, to hear, and punish her. My sister,
Leave me a moment to myself.—Away!
And bear my orders. You mean time retire.

SCENE III.

HEROD
alone.
Again behold her!—Whither tends that purpose?
Oh, Herod, say, can thy bewildered heart
Answer the question? Hah! Glares not her guilt
Like broadest noon? Art thou not deeply wrong'd?
Completely injured? What hast thou to do
With ought besides? What canst thou hope to gain
From this dread converse? Will it stamp thy heart
With feelings such as her's! Ah! Well thou know'st
Her soul abhors thee. Dost thou seek revenge?
How? Why then lives she still? But thou wouldst fain
See her once more.—O abject wretch! O mind
Unworthy of a crown! Go, sigh before her,
Haste to pronounce her pardon. Go, contemplate
And gaze with fondness on the charms, so long
So fatally adored. No, she shall die—
The oath hath past my lips—her death is sworn.
It shall be spilt—my foe's detested blood—
The blood which flows from th'Asmonæan race,
And swells her veins; the blood which rankled ever
With hate t'ward me, with never-conquer'd hate
By me regarded. But she comes! O heaven!
A sight which blasts my vision!

SCENE IV.

MARIAMNE, HEROD, ELIZA, GUARDS.
ELIZA.
Summon all
Your wonted fortitude, my royal mistress,
For lo the king!

MARIAMNE.
Where am I? Whither tend
My faultring steps! O Power Supreme! I die,
I see my fate before me.

HEROD.
Wherefore thus
Trembles my inmost soul as I behold her?

MARIAMNE.
Support me, I am faint, each nerve gives way.

ELISA.
A little onward—

MARIAMNE.
Oh! What torture!

HEROD.
Heavens!
My tongue refuses utterance.

MARIAMNE.
Wherefore, say,
Am I commanded hither! Wilt thou take
With thy own hands the weak remains of life;
A life, the source of misery to us both?
I am prepared, strike, give the welcome blow,
The only blessing I expect from Herod.

HEROD.
Thou shalt be fully gratified, revenge
Stand eager for the deed. But first declare
The cause, and vindicate thy shameful flight.
So long, so oft provoked, when I forgot
Each past offence, and my fond yielding heart
Still lavish'd all its tenderness upon thee,
The partner of my empire and my glory,
Why harbour in thy breast this black design?
To what intent? What evil genius sway'd,
And with malicious hate inspired thy soul?

MARIAMNE.
To what intent! Can Herod ask that question?
But vain reproaches are untimely now.
Yet say that far from hence I sought to find
Some place of safety, say that Mariamne
For once revolting from an husband's power,
His rights forgot, and swerved from her obedience.
Call to thy mind th'illustrious line of kings
From whence I drew my birth; consider all
My present perils, and my past misfortunes,
And then condemn my purpose if thou darest.

HEROD.
But when thy shameful passion for a traitor;
When for Sohemus—

MARIAMNE.
Cease, thou false accuser;
My life is thine; but exquisitely cruel
Heap not a load of infamy upon me.
Let me without a blush, without a stain
Enter the residence of death. At least
Think on our sacred union, recollect
The nuptial bonds which link'd my fame with thine.
Pierce, if thou wilt, this heart; here plunge thy sword—
But in the dreadful act, respect the names
Of wife, and husband.

HEROD.
O perfidious! Base!
Well it becomes thee to pronounce those names,
Thy condemnation, and my foul dishonour.
Thy scorn bears witness, thy aversion proves,
With clear conviction proves, that thou art guilty.

MARIAMNE.
Fore-judged and doom'd to death, my love or hate
Can weigh but little in the breast of Herod.
Henceforth what right dost thou pretend to claim
To Mariamne's heart, which thou hast tortured
With grief's severest pangs, with fear and horror?
Thou, who with ruthless mind for five long years
Hast but insulted o'er my deep distress,
And mark'd my days with misery? Thou, whose hand
Detested tyrant, all my kindred slew?
Thou, who wert crimson'd with my father's blood
Before these eyes expiring? Ah! Relentless!
Had thy suspicious fury singled out
My life alone, this heart entirely thine
Without a sigh had met the fatal stroke,
Had loved, and bless'd thee. But here curb thy rage,
And let my death suffice; do not protract
My woes beyond the grave, preserve my children,
Spare thy own blood, nor punish them because
They spring from me; Oh, Herod! Shew to them
A father's kindness! Thou wilt know hereafter,
And haply when too late; reflect with pity
On their ill-destin'd mother; thou wilt know
The value of a heart which thou alone
Of all the human race e'er dared suspect.
A heart which could not stoop (perhaps too proud)
To hide its feelings, and with little arts
Bring to its lure the passions of a master,
Which bore its virtue spotless to the tomb,
And which, but for thyself, had loved thee, Herod.

HEROD.
What do I hear? What magic force, what power
Of agency invincible, controuls
My furious soul, and tears me from myself?
Hah! Mariamne.—

MARIAMNE.
Cruel and inhuman!

HEROD.
O weak credulity! O headstrong frenzy!

MARIAMNE.
Thus sunk; with misery and disgrace o'erwhelm'd,
In pity take a life beneath my care.

HEROD.
My own is thine; Oh! They are firmly bound,
Connected everlastingly together!
Madness hath reign'd! My senses are restored.
Let every loitering fear be put to flight.
Those looks! That face! Ah! How could I resist them!
Thy triumph is complete. No argument
Is wanted now; excuses would be vain.
My heart acquits thee, every tender thought
Vouches thy innocence. Dost thou require
Still more? What wouldst thou to atone my crime?
O heaven! O powerful love! I now implore,
And tremble in my turn. Wilt thou remain
Alone inexorable? Urge my guilt,
When I have pardon'd all? O Mariamne,
Here let our mutual persecutions cease.
Are our hearts form'd but to detest each other?
Must we still live in fear? Nor ever banish
Gloomy distrust? Oh! Let us stop at once
The progress of our woes, and end their course!
From this auspicious hour begin to reign,
And stretch the rod of empire o'er ourselves!
Oh! Draw not back thy hand, but frankly give it,
The sacred pledge of amity restore.

MARIAMNE.
Canst thou desire this hand? All-righteous heaven!
To whom I bend! Thou know'st what blood of mine
Still reeks upon his own!

HEROD.
Hah! Say I slew
Thy father and my king, and spilt his blood
That I might share the crown with thee; what gain
Follow'd the deed? Thy hate. Most just I grant.
Neither do I repine, for all my guilt
Stands wide display'd before me. But this theme
Is trite, and obvious; his untimely death,
The wrongs thy children have sustain'd, these form
The least of Herod's crimes, his savage rage
Hath e'en to Mariamne been extended,
And for a moment I detested thee.
Nay more, with jealous rashness dared suspect thee.
Oh! put thy virtue to the strongest proof,
And let it nobly struggle to forgive me!
A generosity like this, no heart
But thine can manifest. View'st thou my guilt
In all it's native colours? Oh, more bright
In its pure radiance will thy goodness shine,
Mov'd to compassion by those hallow'd ties,
Which have together link'd us in misfortunes.
Thou seest what wild emotions drive me on,
Thou seest my weakness. Oh! Regard thyself!
These agonies of woe, this grief sincere
Must not be view'd with scorn. Dear cruel object
Of my excess of tenderness and rage!
If to the whispering of angelic pity
Thy heart is sensible, calm (for thou canst)
Those horrid tumults which o'erwhelm my soul!
Turn not thy eyes aside.—My Mariamne—

MARIAMNE.
Stern as thou art, may I believe these transports
Spring from a true repentance? May I hope
That real grief is thine? Remorse unfeign'd?

HEROD.
Thou may'st. Oh! take and mould me to thy will,
So I but soothe thy hatred. Every fierce
And boistrous passion, all my savage fury
By thee was kindled: thy affection lost,
Humanity withdrew, and dire revenge,
And barbarous manners all my soul possess'd.
Oh! may my tears wash out the mutual stain!
I swear—

SCENE V.

HEROD, MARIAMNE, ELISA, ONE OF THE GUARDS.
GUARD.
My lord, the people are in arms;
The scaffold raised by Salome's command
They have destroy'd, stain'd with the smoaking blood
Of th'executioners. Meanwhile Sohemus
Issues his orders to the multitude,
And even to thy troops, as sovereign master.
He comes this way, and rapidly advances.

HEROD.
Hah! At the time when humbled at thy feet—
Couldst thou perfidious—

MARIAMNE.
O, my lord, thy thoughts—

HEROD.
And is my life thus coveted? Thy malice
Shall soon be amply satisfied. But know
That I will drag thee with me to the tomb,
Spite of thyself we there shall be united.
Guards! Watch your prisoner!

SCENE VI.

HEROD, MARIAMNE, SALOME, MAZAEL, ELISA, GUARDS.
SALOME.
The rebellious people
To fury raised by Mariamne's name
Demand thy life, my brother; do not meet
These vengeful Hebrews, in their rage they come
By force to bear her hence.

HEROD.
Let us away!
They shall behold their king. I fly to seek them.
But thou shalt answer for this state of danger,
For all my woes, thou traitress. Salome,
We leave her to thy charge, secure her well.

MARIAMNE.
I fear not death; but witness for me heaven—

MAZAEL.
The foe, my lord, appears.

HEROD.
Haste! Let us on!—
But, shall her guilt meantime be left unpunish'd?
No, her perfidious blood alone can wash
The stain away—It is resolved—my will—
Alas! In this extreme my anxious soul
Can fix on nothing; but to wish for death,
But to rush on and meet the welcome blow.