University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

SALOME, SOHEMUS, AMMON.
SALOME.
Draw near; thy heart was not for treachery form'd,
Nor mine to suffer injuries. The king
At length returns, and no excuse avails.
Yet think not I would wish thee to consult
Aught but thy own advantage, hide not then
From me thy inmost thoughts; but freely speak.
I dread not that inconstancy to hear
Plainly avow'd, whose light and weak offence
I shall despise; it is not mine to stoop
To the low rage of jealousy, or blush
At an affront, the shame of which is thine.

SOHEMUS.
Attend then while my conduct I explain,
So shalt thou learn what thy exalted soul
Dreads not to hear. The king hath wrong'd me much,
This I avow; he coveted o'er me
To stretch the power, with which indulged by Cæsar
He lorded it in Palestine. His sister
Was but the lure by which he meant my ruin,
And arrogantly hoped to number me
Amid his vassals. My invaded rights
I then supported, and against his will
Retain establish'd. I too found like him
Friends near Augustus, Herod's vengeful threats
Appal not me, for justice sways the world.
Nor can I bear, (with freedom will I speak)
Th'alliance of a king, for whom my mind
Fosters resentment. Add to this the storms
Which well thou know'st infest his court. In all
Whom he beholds, he dreads approaching treason,
And thro' a thousand open avenues
Suspicions enter and alarm his soul,
He doom'd to death the brother of the queen,
Outrage on outrage follow'd. Mariamne
In these drear mansions spends her life between
Fell cruelty, and fierce impetuous love.
Now the drawn dagger pointed at her heart,
Now worshipp'd to idolatry; with tears
Bathing for ever a detested bed,
In terror from her husband, or the crew
Of vile accusers, who with flattery base
Still hover round their miserable king.

SALOME.
When she's the theme, words flow, me thinks, with ease.

SOHEMUS.
Know'st thou not, princess, that her blood and mine
Spring from a kindred source? and what concern
I take in all her fortunes?

SALOME.
Well I know it.

SOHEMUS.
Yet more; her fate hath long engaged my fears,
But now they all are past. Herod will cherish
Her mother's feeble and declining age;
A solemn promise he at least hath given
To th'emperor his master. As for me,
Far from a court which I detest, for ever
I fly from Solyma, it's prince, and thee.
Yes, I depart; but think not a new chain
Succeeding thine, draws on my steps; at once
The king, his realm, and each connecting tie
Do I renounce, but chiefly that of love.
Reproach not my sincerity of mind;
What I forbear to others, 'tis but just
That I receive not.

SALOME.
Know, my soul disdains
The angry taunt, or petulance of spleen.
I am not ignorant of more, much more
Than thou hast utter'd. True, no doubt this court
Is not unstain'd by guilt; there are, whose souls
Of noblest stamp have been impell'd to deeds
In some ill-fortuned period, which their virtue
Amply atones, and which command respect.
There are of lower sphere, whose slavish weakness
Most arrogantly claims the name of wisdom,
Who underneath it's specious gewgaw dress
Hide their soft silken bonds. Perhaps I speak not
To an unconscious ear. In vain thy art
Would strive from me the rival to conceal
For whom I am betray'd. I know it all—
And whom thou hast seduced. No dupe am I
To hypocritic virtue, nor is mine
A heart which thy inconstancy can wound.
But if thou turn'st thy eyes aside from storms,
Which shook this palace, now so much detested,
Dread to excite that which may haply reach
Far as the petty state which calls thee lord.

[Exit.