 | Queen Mariamne |  |
Scene II
RomeHerod, with Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar, stands on the steps outside the Capitol.
Octavius.
Have no disquiet.
Your simple speech of love for Cassius
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Should faith be nurtured, and a feeling brain.
Antipater, your father, was the friend
Of Rome through a whole lifetime; and your faith
Has not removed from Rome, though Cassius shed
The noblest Roman blood.
Antony.
But, Herod, letters
Are come from Cleopatra that attaint
Your virtue and your mercy.
Herod.
Wah!—what charge?
Antony.
That tacitly you killed Aristobulus.
Sweet-lipped, assailing boy—why, his rose-picture
Had pleaded to old Fate.
Herod.
And you believe it?
A mother's grief darkened and spread
Out of its night this dream—as women show
Ever a pregnant grief.
The child was drowned
In sport with others, challenged headily
By emulation. I had clothed him priest—
High-priest of Israel.
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He was the last
Of kingly breeding.
Herod.
Mariamne's brother.
Antony.
By heaven! their dam sent me their portraits once—
A girl and boy to smite their sorcery
On the taut senses. Herod, you are crowned
In Mariamne.
Herod.
She is royal.
Antony.
She is fairer
Than any breathing.
Octavius.
Cleopatra, hear!
Antony.
Let her be deaf as ostrich of the sands!
She is not fair, ye gods—she is complete,
And fast as Circe on her worshippers.
(To Herod.)
You paused in Egypt?
Herod.
True;
But did not know the queen my enemy.
Anthony.
She wants Judæa.
Herod,
You shall not, on my word, be dispossessed.
And, if Octavius smile, your Tetrarchy,
Since you aver Aristobulus' death
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Shall be returned to you a kingdom.
Octavius.
Ay,
King of Judæa!
Antony.
Give to Mariamne
A king for her embraces—women glow
Their arms round sovereignty.
Herod.
My faith is sure.
And it is great to know where greatness sways,
To take its current. All magnificence
Is—journeying with the greatness of oneself,
Or destiny's or God's. Fair-valed Judæa
Shall become Roman and attain the world.
Octavius.
A compeer, Herod! Well that Cleopatra,
Behind the lasting walls of Egypt, drew you
Into no sunned captivity. Ha, ha!
She is a mighty idler.
Antony.
She so covets
Fair-valed Judæa, you, it seems, had welcome
Of bitter flavour . . . so the letter vouches.
But I shall value faith and governance
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Ah! has she faith or governance, this queen,
Save as a dusky Venus?
(To Herod.)
Well?
Herod.
Mark Antony, the truth I gave dead Cassius
I plight you in the East: arms, treasure, victuals,
Beyond my kingdom's tribute, shall be yours.
[They join hands.
Octavius.
Come down with me!
You have been asking for the webs of Cos,
Tissues of Indian byssus. We have stalls
In the Forum Pacis and the Via Sacra
Worth a king's visit.
[Lepidus comes out of the Capitol.
Ay, there, Lepidus.
This is the daybreak of a sovereignty;
Herod is monarch of the Jews.
Lepidus.
Brave Herod!
Salve, Herodes! Then we must banquet him.
[They move down the steps, leaving Antony.
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We are going to buy stuffs.
Lepidus.
Not Antony?
Octavius.
No, Herod—where I bought but yesterday . . .
Lepidus.
Not for Scribonia; for Nero's wife,
Livia Drusilla . . .
Octavius.
Where I bought a veil.
Herod.
This broad and pillared Rome!—
My Jewish cities
Are lowly scattered . . .
Antony
(calling).
Herod!
(To Octavius and Lepidus.)
Go your way;
Herod will follow—he is swift of foot,
An antelope.
[They descend.
Herod!
Herod.
What would you?
Antony.
See,
I have given you a realm to gild the pleasure
Of Mariamne . . . and have seen your eyes
Travel in royal progress far away.
I know . . . but, man, I have displeased a queen,
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And incense to appease. . . . Necessity
Shears you of Jericho.
Herod.
The plots of balm!—
There only in the world?
Antony.
And you must lose
The towns within the river Eleutherus.
I am ashamed, but the necessity
Is hotter than my blush.
Herod.
Your will!
[He walks abruptly away.
Antony.
A man
Of the Lions' Country! . . .
She shall have six cities.
Six?—Seven; two pearls from Persia—and a letter!
| Queen Mariamne | |