therefore will I goe To try if I can sleepe away my woe Actus 4. Scoena 8. Mariam AM I the Mariam that presum'd so much And deem'd my face must needes preserue my breath I I it was that thought my beautie such At it alone could countermaund my death Now death will reach me he can pale aswell A cheeke of roses as a cheeke lesse bright And dim an eye whose shine doth most excell Assoone as one that casts a meaner light Had not my selfe against my selfe conspirde No plot no aduersarie from without Could Herods loue from Mariam haue retirde Or from his heart haue thrust my semblance out The wanton Queene that neuer lou'd for loue False Cleopatra wholly set on gaine With all her slights did proue yet vainly proue For her the loue of Herod to obtaine Yet her allurements all her courtly guile Her smiles her fauours and her smooth deceit Could not my face from Herods minde exile But were with him of lesse then little weight That face and person that in Asia late For beauties Goddesse Paphos Queene was tane That face that did captiue great Iulius fate That very face that was Anthonius bane That face that to be Egipts pride was borne That face that all the world esteem'd so rare Did Herod hate despise neglect and scorne When with the same he Mariams did compare This made that I improuidently wrought And on the wager euen my life did pawne Because I thought and yet but truly thought That Herods loue could not from me be drawne But now though out of time I plainly see It could be drawne though neuer drawne from me Had I but with humilitie bene grac'te As well as faire I might haue prou'd me wise But I did thinke because I knew me chaste One vertue for a woman might suffice That mind for glory of our sexe might stand Wherein humilitie and chastitie Doth march with equall paces hand in hand But one it single seene who setteth by And I had single one but t is my ioy That I was euer innocent though sower And therefore can they but my life destroy My Soule is free from aduersaries power Enter Doris You Princes great in power and high in birth Be great and high I enuy not your hap Your birth must be from dust your power on earth In heau'n shall Mariam sit in Saraes lap Doris I heau'n your beautie cannot bring you thither Your soule is blacke and spotted full of sinne You in adultry liu'd nine yeare together And heau'n will neuer let adultry in Mar: What art thou that dost poore Mariam pursue Some spirit sent to driue me to dispaire Who sees for truth that Mariam is vntrue If faire she be she is as chaste as faire Doris I am that Doris that was once belou'd Belou'd by Herod Herods lawfull wife T was you that Doris from his side remou'd And rob'd from me the glory of my life Mar: Was that adultry did not Moses say That he that being matcht did deadly hate Might by permission put his wife away And take a more belou'd to be his mate Doris What did he hate me for for simple truth For bringing beautious babes for loue to him For riches noble birth or tender youth Or for no staine did Doris honour dim Oh tell me Mariam tell me if you knowe Which fault of these made Herod Doris foe These thrice three yeares haue I with hands held vp And bowed knees fast nailed to the ground Besought for thee the dreggs of that same cup That cup of wrath that is for sinners found And now thou art to drinke it Doris curse Vpon thy selfe did all this while attend But now it shall pursue thy children worse Mar: Oh Doris now to thee my knees I bend That hart that neuer bow'd to thee doth bow Curse not mine infants let it thee suffice That Heau'n doth punishment to me allow Thy curse is cause that guiltles Mariam dies Doris Had I ten thousand tongues and eu'ry tongue Inflam'd with poisons power and steept in gall My curses would not answere for my wrong Though I in cursing thee imployd them all Heare thou that didst mount Gerarim command To be a place whereon with cause to curse Stretch thy reuenging arme thrust forth thy hand And plague the mother much the children worse Throw flaming fire vpon the baseborne heads That were begotten in vnlawfull beds But let them liue till they haue sence to know What t is to be in miserable state Then be their neerest friends their ouerthrow Attended be they by suspitious hate And Mariam I doe hope this boy of mine Shall one day come to be the death of thine Exit Mariam Oh! Heauen forbid I hope the world shall see This curse of thine shall be return'd on thee Now earth farewell though I be yet but yong Yet I me thinks haue knowne thee too too long Exit Chorus THe fairest action of our humane life Is scorning to reuenge an iniurie For who forgiues without a further strife His aduersaries heart to him doth tie And t is a firmer conquest truely sed To winne the heart then ouerthrow the head If we a worthy enemie doe finde To yeeld to worth it must be nobly done But if of baser mettall be his minde In base reuenge there is no honor wonne Who would a worthy courage ouerthrow And who would wrastle with a worthles foe We say our hearts are great and cannot yeeld Because they cannot yeeld it proues them poore Great hearts are task't beyond their power but seld The weakest Lyon will the lowdest roare Truths schoole for certaine doth this same allow High hartednes doth sometimes teach to bow A noble heart doth teach a vertuous scorne To scorne to owe a dutie ouer-long To scorne to be for benefits forborne To scorne to lie to scorne to doe a wrong To scorne to beare an iniurie in minde To scorne a free-borne heart slaue-like to binde But if for wrongs we needs reuenge must haue Then be our vengeance of the noblest kinde Doe we his body from our furie saue And let our hate preuaile against our minde What can gainst him a greater vengeance bee Then make his foe more worthy farre then hee Had Mariam scorn'd to leaue a due vnpaide Shee would to Herod then haue paid her loue And not haue bene by sullen passion swaide To fixe her thoughts all iniurie aboue Is vertuous pride Had Mariam thus bene prou'd Long famous life to her had bene allowd Actus quintus Scoena prima Nuntio WHen sweetest friend did I so farre offend Your heauenly selfe that you my fault to quit Haue made me now relator of her end The end of beautie Chastitie and wit Was none so haples in the fatall place But I most wretched for the Queene t' chuse T is certaine I haue some ill boding face That made me culd to tell this luckles newes And yet no news to Herod were it new To him vnhappy t 'had not bene at all Yet doe I
long to come within his vew That he may know his wife did guiltles fall And heere he comes Your Mariam greets you well Enter Herod Herod What liues my Mariam ioy exceeding ioy She shall not die Nun. Heau'n doth your will repell Herod Oh doe not with thy words my life destroy I prethy tell no dying-tale thine eye Without thy tongue doth tell but too too much Yet let thy tongues addition make me die Death welcome comes to him whose griefe is such Nunti. I went amongst the curious gazing troope To see the last of her that was the best To see if death had hart to make her stoope To see the Sunne admiring Phoenix nest VVhen there I came vpon the way I saw The stately Mariam not debas'd by feare Her looke did seeme to keepe the world in awe Yet mildly did her face this fortune beare Herod Thou dost vsurpe my right my tongue was fram'd To be the instrument of Mariams praise Yet speake she cannot be too often fam'd All tongues suffice not her sweet name to raise Nun. But as she came she Alexandra met Who did her death sweet Queene no whit bewaile But as if nature she did quite forget She did vpon her daughter loudly raile Herod Why stopt you not her mouth where had she words To darke that that Heauen made so bright Our sacred tongue no Epithite affords To call her other then the worlds delight Nun. Shee told her that her death was too too good And that already she had liu'd too long She said she sham'd to haue a part in blood Of her that did the princely Herod wrong Herod Base picke-thanke Diuell Shame t was all her glory That she to noble Mariam was the mother But neuer shall it liue in any storie Her name except to infamy I le smother What answere did her princely daughter make Nun. She made no answere but she lookt the while As if thereof she scarce did notice take Yet smilde a dutifull though scornefull smile Her Sweet creature I that looke to mind doe call Full oft hath Herod bene amaz'd withall Nun. Go on she came vnmou'd with pleasant grace As if to triumph her arriuall were In stately habite and with cheerfull face Yet eu'ry eye was moyst but Mariams there When iustly opposite to me she came She pickt me out from all the crue She beckned to me cald me by my name For she my name my birth and fortune knew Herod What did she name thee happy happy man Wilt thou not euer loue that name the better But what sweet tune did this faire dying Swan Afford thine care tell all omit no letter Nun. Tell thou my Lord said she Her Mee ment flie mee I st true the more my shame I was her Lord Were I not made her Lord I still should bee But now her name must be by me adord Oh say what said she more each word she sed Shall be the food whereon my heart is fed Nun: Tell thou my Lord thou saw'st me loose my breath Herod Oh that I could that sentence now controule Nun. If guiltily eternall be my death Her: I hold her chast eu'n in my inmost soule Nun: By three daies hence if wishes could reuiue I know himselfe would make me oft aliue Herod Three daies three houres three minutes not so much A minute in a thousand parts diuided My penitencie for her death is such As in the first I wisht she had not died But forward in thy tale Nun: Why on she went And after she some silent praier had sed She did as if to die she were content And thus to heau'n her heau'nly soule is fled Herod But art thou sure there doth no life remaine I st possible my Mariam should be dead Is there no tricke to make her breathe againe Nun: Her body is diuided from her head Her: Why yet me thinkes there might be found by art Strange waies of cure t is sure rare things are don By an inuentiue head and willing heart Nun: Let not my Lord your fancies idlely run It is as possible it should be seen That we should make the holy Abraham liue Though he intomb'd two thousand yeares had bene As breath againe to slaughtred Mariam giue But now for more assaults prepare your eares Herod There cannot be a further cause of mone This accident shall shelter me from feares What can I feare already Mariams gone Yet tell eu'n what you will Nun: As I came by From Mariams death I saw vpon a tree A man that to his necke a cord did tie Which cord he had designd his end to bee When me he once discern'd he downwards bow'd And thus with fearefull voyce she cride alowd Goe tell the King he trusted ere he tride I am the cause that Mariam causeles dide Herod Damnation take him for it was the slaue That said she ment with poisons deadly force To end my life that she the Crowne might haue Which tale did Mariam from her selfe diuorce Oh pardon me thou pure vnspotted Ghost My punishment must needes sufficient bee In missing that content I valued most Which was thy admirable face to see I had but one inestimable Iewell Yet one I had no monarch had the like And therefore may I curse my selfe as cruell T was broken by a blowe my selfe did strike I gaz'd thereon and neuer thought me blest But when on it my dazled eye might rest A pretious Mirror made by wonderous art I prizd it ten times dearer then my Crowne And laide it vp fast foulded in my heart Yet I in suddaine choler cast it downe And pasht it all to peeces t was no foe That robd me of it no Arabian host Nor no Armenian guide hath vsde me so But Herods wretched selfe hath Herod crost She was my gracefull moytie me accurst To slay my better halfe and saue my worst But sure she is not dead you did but iest To put me in perplexitie a while T were well indeed if I could so be drest I see she is aliue me thinkes you smile Nun: If sainted Abel yet deceased bee T is certaine Mariam is as dead as hee Her: Why then goe call her to me bid her now Put on faire habite stately ornament And let no frowne ore shade her smoothest brow In her doth Herod place his whole content Nun: Shee l come in stately weedes to please your sence If now she come attirde in robe of heauen Remember you your selfe did send her hence And now to you she can no more be giuen Herod Shee 's dead hell take her murderers she was faire Oh what a hand she had it was so white It did the whitenes of the snowe impaire I neuer more shall see so sweet a sight Nun: T is true her hand was rare Her: her hand her hands She had not singly one of beautie rare But such a paire as heere where Herod stands He dares the world to make to both compare Accursed Salome hadst thou bene still My Mariam had bene
as well as good you know Phero: But wisedome is the porter of her head And bares all wicked words from issuing thence Sal. But of a porter better were you sped If she against their entrance made defence Phero. But wherefore comes the sacred Ananell That hitherward his hastie steppes doth bend Great sacrificer y' are arriued well Ill newes from holy mouth I not attend Actus tertius Scoena 2. Pheroras Salome Ananell Ananell MY lippes my sonne with peacefull tidings blest Shall vtter Honey to your listning eare A word of death comes not from Priestly brest I speake of life in life there is no feare And for the newes I did the Heauens salute And fill'd the Temple with my thankfull voice For though that mourning may not me pollute At pleasing accidents I may reioyce Pheror. Is Herod then reuiu'd from certaine death Sall. What can your news restore my brothers breath Ana. Both so and so the King is safe and sound And did such grace in royall Caesar meet That he with larger stile then euer crownd Within this houre Ierusalem will greet I did but come to tell you and must backe To make preparatiues for sacrifice I knew his death your hearts like mine did racke Though to conceale it prou'd you wise Salom. How can my ioy sufficiently appeare Phero. A heauier tale did neuer pierce mine eare Salo. Now Salome of happinesse may boast Pheror. But now Pheroras is in danger most Salom. I shall enioy the comfort of my life Pheror. And I shall loose it loosing of my wife Salom. Ioy heart for Constan: shall be slaine Phero. Grieue soule Graphina shall from me be tane Salom. Smile cheekes the faire Silleus shall be mine Phero. Weepe eyes for I must with a child combine Salom Well brother cease your mones on one condition He vndertake to winne the Kings consent Graphina still shall be in your tuition And her with you be nere the lesse content Phero. What 's the condition let me quickly know That I as quickly your command may act Were it to see what Hearbs in Ophir grow Or that the lofty Tyrus might be sackt Salom. T is no so hard a taske It is no more But tell the King that Consta: hid The sonnes of Baba done to death before And t is no more then Consta. did And tell him more that he for Herods sake Not able to endure his brothers foe Did with a bill our separation make Though loth from Consta else to goe Phero. Beleeue this tale for told I le goe from hence In Herods eare the Hebrew to deface And I that neuer studied eloquence Doe meane with eloquence this tale to grace Exit Salom. This will be Constabarus quicke dispatch Which from my mouth would lesser credit finde Yet shall he not decease without a match For Mariam shall not linger long behinde First Iealousie if that auaile not feare Shal be my minister to worke her end A common error moues not Herods eare Which doth so firmly to his Mariam bend She shall be charged with so horrid crime As Herods feare shall turne his loue to hate He make some sweare that she desires to clime And seekes to poyson him for his estate I scorne that she should liue my birth t' vpbraid To call me base and hungry Edomite With patient show her choller I betrayd And watcht the time to be reueng'd by slite Now tongue of mine with scandall load her name Turne hers to fountaines Herods eyes to flame Yet first I will begin Pheroras suite That he my earnest businesse may effect And I of Mariam will keepe me mute Till first some other doth her name detect Who 's there Silleus man How fares your Lord That your aspects doe beare the badge of sorrow Silleus man He hath the marks of Constabarus sword And for a while desires your sight to borrow Salom. My heauy curse the hatefull sword pursue My heauier curse on the more hatefull arme That wounded my Silleus But renew Your tale againe Hath he no mortall harme Silleus man No signe of danger doth in him appeare Nor are his wounds in place of perill seene Hee bides you be assured you need not feare He hopes to make you yet Arabias Queene Salom. Commend my heart to be Silleus charge Tell him my brothers suddaine comming now Will giue my foote no roome to walke at large But I will see him yet ere night I vow Actus 3. Scoena 3. Mariam and Sohemus Mariam SOhemus tell me what the newes may he That makes your eyes so full your cheeks so blew Sohem. I know not how to call them Ill for me T is sure they are not so I hope for you Herod Mari. Oh what of Herod Sohem Herod liues How liues What in some Caue or forrest hid Sohem. Nay backe return'd with honor Caesar giues Him greater grace then ere Anthonius did Mari. Foretell the ruine of my family Tell me that I shall see our Citie burnd Tell me I shall a death disgracefull die But tell me not that Herod is returnd Sohem. Be not impatient Madam be but milde His loue to you againe will soone be bred Mar. I will not to his loue be reconcilde With solemne vowes I haue forsworne his Bed Sohem. But you must breake those vowes Mar. I le rather breake The heart of Mariam Cursed is my Fate But speake no more to me in vaine ye speake To liue with him I so profoundly hate Sohem. Great Queene you must to me your pardon giue Sohemus cannot now your will obey If your command should me to silence driue It were not to obey but to betray Reiect and slight my speeches mocke my faith Scorne my obseruance call my counsell nought Though you regard not what Sohemus saith Yet will I euer freely speake my thought I feare ere long I shall faire Mariam see In wofull state and by her selfe vndone Yet for your issues sake more temp'rate bee The heart by affabilitie is wonne Mari. And must I to my Prison turne againe Oh now I see I was an hypocrite I did this morning for his death complaine And yet doe mourne because he liues ere night When I his death beleeu'd compassion wrought And was the stickler twixt my heart and him But now that Curtaine 's drawne from off my thought Hate doth appeare againe with visage grim And paints the face of Herod in my heart In horred colours with detested looke Then feare would come but scorne doth play her part And saith that scorne with feare can neuer brooke I now I could inchaine him with a smile And lead him captiue with a gentle word Scorne my looke should euer man beguile or other speech then meaning to afford Else Salome in vaine might spend her winde In vaine might Herods mother whet her tongue In vaine had they complotted and combinde For I could ouerthrow them all ere long Oh what a shelter is mine innocence To shield me from the pangs of inward griefe Gainst all mishaps it
is my faire defence And to my sorrowes yeelds a large reliefe To be commandresse of the triple earth And sit in safetie from a fall secure To haue all nations celebrate my birth I would not that my spirit were impure Let my distressed state vnpittied bee Mine innocence is hope enough for mee Exit Sohem: Poore guiltles Queene Oh that my wish might place A little temper now about thy heart Vnbridled speech is Mariams worst disgrace And will indanger her without desart I am in greater hazard O're my head The fattall axe doth hang vnstedily My disobedience once discouered Will shake it downe Sohemus so shall die For when the King shall find we thought his death Had bene as certaine as we see his life And markes withall I slighted so his breath As to preserue aliue his matchles wife Nay more to giue to Alexanders hand The regall dignitie The soueraigne power How I had yeelded vp at her command The strength of all the citie Dauids Tower What more then common death may I expect Since I too well do know his crueltie T were death a word of Herods to neglect What then to doe directly contrarie Yet life I quite thee with a willing spirit And thinke thou could'st not better be imploi'd I forfeit thee for her that more doth merit Ten such were better dead then she destroi'd But fare thee well chast Queene well may I see The darknes palpable and riuers part The sunne stand still Nay more retorted bee But neuer woman with so pure a heart Thine eyes graue maiestie keepes all in awe And cuts the winges of euery loose desire Thy brow is table to the modest lawe Yet though we dare not loue we may admire And if I die it shall my soule content My breath in Mariams seruice shall be spent Chorus T Is not enough for one that is a wife To keepe her spotles from an act of ill But from suspition she should free her life And bare her selfe of power as well as will T is not so glorious for her to be free As by her proper selfe restrain'd to bee When she hath spatious ground to walke vpon Why on the ridge should she desire to goe It is no glory to forbeare alone Those things that may her honour ouerthrowe But t is thanke-worthy if she will not take All lawfull liberties for honours sake That wife her hand against her fame doth reare That more then to her Lord alone will giue A priuate word to any second eare And though she may with reputation liue Yet though most chast she doth her glory blot And wounds her honour though she killes it not When to their Husbands they themselues doe bind Doe they not wholy giue themselues away Or giue they but their body not their mind Reseruing that though best for others pray No sure their thoughts no more can be their owne And therefore should to none but one be knowne Then she vsurpes vpon anothers right That seekes to be by publike language grac't And though her thoughts reflect with purest light Her mind if not peculiar is not chast For in a wife it is no worse to finde A common body then a common minde And euery mind though free from thought of ill That out of glory seekes a worth to show When any 's eares but one therewith they fill Doth in a sort her purenes ouerthrow Now Mariam had but that to this she bent Beene free from feare as well as innocent Actus quartus Scoena prima Enter Herod and his attendants Herod HAile happie citie happie in thy store And happy that thy buildings such we see More happie in the Temple where w'adore But most of all that Mariam liues in thee Art thou return'd how fares my Mariam Enter Nutio Nutio. She 's well my Lord and will anon be here As you commanded Her: Muffle vp thy browe Thou daies darke taper Mariam will appeare And where she shines we need not thy dimme light Oh hast thy steps rare creature speed thy pace And let thy presence make the day more bright And cheere the heart of Herod with thy face It is an age since I from Mariam went Me thinkes our parting was in Dauids daies The houres are so increast by discontent Deepe sorrow Iosua like the season staies But when I am with Mariam time runnes on Her sight can make months minutes daies of weekes An hower is then no sooner come then gon When in her face mine eye for wonders seekes You world commanding citie Europes grace Twice hath my curious eye your streets suruai'd And I haue seene the statue filled place That once if not for griefe had bene betrai'd I all your Roman beauties haue beheld And seene the showes your Ediles did prepare I saw the sum of what in you exceld Yet saw no miracle like Mariam rare The faire and famous Liuia Caesars loue The worlds commaunding Mistresse did I see Whose beauties both the world and Rome approue Yet Mariam Liuia is not like to thee Be patient but a little while mine eyes Within your compast limits be contain'd That obiect straight shall your desires suffice From which you were so long a while restrain'd How wisely Mariam doth the time delay Least suddaine ioy my sence should suffocate I am prepar'd thou needst no longer stay Whos 's there my Mariam more then happie fate Oh no it is Pheroras welcome Brother Now for a while I must my passion smother Actus quartus Scoena secunda Herod Pheroras Pheroras ALl health and safetie waite vpon my Lord And may you long in prosperous fortunes liue With Rome commanding Caesar at accord And haue all honors that the world can giue Herod Oh brother now thou speakst not from thy hart No thou hast strooke a blow at Herods loue That cannot quickly from my memory part Though Salome did me to pardon moue Valiant Phasaelus now to thee farewell Thou wert my kinde and honorable brother Oh haples houre when you selfe striken fell Thou fathers Image glory of thy mother Had I desir'd a greater sute of thee Then to withhold thee from a harlots bed Thou wouldst haue granted it but now I see All are not like that in a wombe are bred Thou wouldst not hadst thou heard of Herods death Haue made his buriall time thy bridall houre Thou wouldst with clamours not with ioyfull breath Haue show'd the newes to be not sweet but soure Phero. Phasaelus great worth I know did staine Pheroras petty valour but they lie Excepting you your selfe that dare maintaine That he did honor Herod more then I For what I showd loues power constraind me show And pardon louing faults for Mariams sake Herod Mariam where is she Phero. Nay I do not know But absent vse of her faire name I make You haue forgiuen greater faults then this For Constabarus that against you will Preseru'd the sonnes of Baba liues in blisse Though you commanded him the youths to kill Herod Goe take a present order for his
firtill ground Sal. Then let the fire deuoure her Her T' will not bee Flame is from her deriu'd into my heart Thou nursest flame flame will not murther thee My fairest Mariam fullest of desert Salom. Then let her liue for me Herod Nay she shall die But can you liue without her Sal. doubt you that Herod I 'me sure I cannot I beseech you trie I haue experience but I know not what Salom. How should I try Her Why let my loue be slaine But if we cannot liue without her sight You le finde the meanes to make her breathe againe Or else you will bereaue my comfort quite Sal. Oh I I warrant you Herod What is she gone And gone to bid the world be ouerthrowne What is her hearts composure hardest stone To what a passe are cruell women growne She is return'd already haue you done I st possible you can command so soone A creatures heart to quench the flaming Sunne Or from the skie to wipe away the Moone Salo. If Mariam be the Sunne and Moone it is For I already haue commanded this Her But haue you seene her cheek Sal. A thousand times Herod But did you marke it too Sal. I very well Herod What i st Sal. A Crimson bush that euer limes The soule whose foresight doth not much excell Herod Send word she shall not dye Her cheek a bush Nay then I see indeed you markt it not Sal. T is very faire but yet will neuer blush Though foule dishonors do her forehead blot Herod Then let her die t is very true indeed And for this fault alone shall Mariam bleed Sal. What fault my Lord Herod What fault i st you that aske If you be ignorant I know of none To call her backe from death shall be your taske I 'm glad that she for innocent is knowne For on the brow of Mariam hangs a Fleece Whose slenderest twine is strong enough to binde The hearts of Kings the pride and shame of Greece Troy flaming Helens not so fairely shinde Salom. T is true indeed she layes them out for nets To catch the hearts that doe not shune a baite T is time to speake for Herod sure forgets That Mariams very tresses hide deceit Her Oh doe they so nay then you doe but well Insooth I thought it had beene haire Nets call you them Lord how they doe excell I neuer saw a net that show'd so faire But haue you heard her speake Sal. You know I haue Her: And were you not amaz'd Sal. No not a whit Her Then t' was not her you heard her life I le saue For Mariam hath a world amazing wit Salo. She speaks a beautious language but within Her heart is false as powder and her tongue Doth but allure the auditors to sinne And is the instrument to doe you wrong Herod It may be so nay t is so shee 's vnchaste Her mouth will ope to eu'ry strangers eare Then let the executioner make haste Lest she inchant him if her words he heare Let him be deafe lest she do him surprise That shall to free her spirit be assignde Yet what boots deafenes if he haue his eyes Her murtherer must be both deafe and blinde For if he see he needs must see the starres That shine on eyther side of Mariams face Whose sweet aspect will terminate the warres Wherewith he should a soule so precious chase Her eyes can speake and in their speaking moue Oft did my heart with reuerence receiue The worlds mandates Pretty tales of loue They vtter which can humane bondage weaue But shall I let this heauens modell dye Which for a small selfe-portraiture she drew Her eyes like starres her forehead like the skie She is like Heauen and must be heauenly true Salom. Your thoughts do raue with doating on the Queen Her eyes are ebon hewde and you 'll confesse A sable starre hath beene but seldome seene Then speake of reason more of Mariam lesse Herod Your selfe are held a goodly creature heere Yet so vnlike my Mariam in your shape That when to her you haue approached neere My selfe hath often tane you for an Ape And yet you prate of beautie goe your waies You are to her a Sun burnt Blackamore Your paintings cannot equall Mariams praise Her nature is so rich you are so poore Let her be staide from death for if she die We do we know not what to stop her breath A world cannot another Mariam buy Why stay you lingring countermaund her death Salo. Then you le no more remember what hath past Sohemus loue and hers shall be forgot T is well in truth that fault may be her last And she may mend though yet she loue you not Her: Oh God t is true Sohemus earth and heau'n Why did you both conspire to make me curst In cousning me with showes and proofes vneu'n She show'd the best and yet did proue the worst Her show was such as had our singing king The holy Dauid Mariams beautie seene The Hittits had then felt no deadly sting Nor Bethsabe had neuer bene a Queene Or had his sonne the wisest man of men Whose fond delight did most consist in change Beheld her face he had bene staid agen No creature hauing her can wish to range Had Asuerus seene my Mariams brow The humble Iewe she might haue walkt alone Her beautious vertue should haue staid below Whiles Mariam mounted to the Persian throne But what auailes it all for in the waight She is deceitfull light as vanitie Oh she was made for nothing but a bait To traine some haples man to miserie I am the haples man that haue bene trainde To endles bondage I will see her yet Me thinkes I should discerne her if she fainde Can humane eyes be dazde by womans wit Once more these eyes of mine with hers shall meet Before the headsman doe her life bereaue Shall I for euer part from thee my sweet Without the taking of my latest leaue Salo: You had as good resolue to saue her now I le stay her death t is well determined For sure she neuer more will breake her vow Sohemus and Iosephus both are dead Herod She shall not liue nor will I see her face A long heald wound a second time doth bleed With Ioseph I remember her disgrace A shamefull end ensues a shamefull deed Oh that I had not cald to minde anew The discontent of Mariams wauering hart T was you you foule mouth'd Ate none but you That did the thought hereof to me impart Hence from my sight my blacke tormenter hence For hadst not thou made Herod vnsecure I had not doubted Mariams innocence But still had held her in my heart for pure Salo: I le leaue you to your passion t is no time To purge me now though of a guiltles crime Exit Herod Destruction take thee thou hast made my hart As heauie as reuenge I am so dull Me thinkes I am not sensible of smart Though hiddious horrors at my bosome pull My head waies downwards
breathing by my side Oh neuer had I had I had my will Sent forth command that Mariam should haue dide But Salome thou didst with enuy vexe To see thy selfe out-matched in thy sexe Vpon your sexes forehead Mariam sat To grace you all like an imperiall crowne But you fond foole haue rudely pusht thereat And proudly puld your proper glory downe One smile of hers Nay not so much a looke Was worth a hundred thousand such as you Iudea how canst thou the wretches brooke That robd from thee the fairest of the crew You dwellers in the now depriued land Wherein the matchles Mariam was bred Why graspe not each of you a sword in hand To ayme at me your cruell Soueraignes head Oh when you thinke of Herod as your King And owner of the pride of Palestine This act to your remembrance likewise bring T is I haue ouerthrowne your royall line Within her purer vaines the blood did run That from her Grandam Sara she deriu'd Whose beldame age the loue of Kings hath wonne Oh that her issue had as long bene li'ud But can her eye be made by death obscure I cannot thinke but it must sparkle still Foule sacriledge to rob those lights so pure From out a Temple made by heau'nly skill I am the Villaine that haue done the deed The cruell deed though by anothers hand My word though not my sword made Mariam bleed Hircanus Grandchild did at my command That Mariam that I once did loue so deare The partner of my now detested bed Why shine you sun with an aspect so cleare I tell you once againe my Mariams dead You could but shine if some Egiptian blows Or AEthiopian doudy lose her life This was then wherefore bend you not your brows The King of Iuries faire and spotles wife Denie thy beames and Moone refuse thy light Let all the starres be darke let Iuries eye No more distinguish which is day and night Since her best birth did in her bosome die Those fond Idolaters the men of Greece Maintaine these orbes are safely gouerned That each within themselues haue God 's a peece By whom their stedfast course is iustly led But were it so as so it cannot bee They all would put their mourning garments on Not one of them would yeeld a light to mee To me that is the cause that Mariams gon For though they fame their Saturne melancholy Of sowre behauiours and of angry moode They fame him likewise to be iust and holy And iustice needes must seeke reuenge for blood Their Ioue if Ioue he were would sure desire To punish him that slew so faire a lasse For Laedaes beautie set his heart on fire Yet she not halfe so faire as Mariam was And Mars would deeme his Venus had bene slaine Sol to recouer her would neuer sticke For if he want the power her life to gaine Then Physicks God is but an Empericke The Queene of loue would storme for beauties sake And Hermes too since he bestow'd her wit The nights pale light for angrie griefe would shake To see chast Mariam die in age vnfit But oh I am deceiu'd she past them all In euery gift in euery propertie Her Excellencies wrought her timeles fall And they reioyc'd not grieu'd to see her die The Paphian Goddesse did repent her wast When she to one such beautie did allow Mercurius thought her wit his wit surpast And Cinthia enui'd Mariams brighter brow But these are fictions they are void of sence The Greekes but dreame and dreaming falsehoods tell They neither can offend nor giue defence And not by them it was my Mariam fell If she had bene like an Egiptian blacke And not so faire she had bene longer liude Her ouerflow of beautie turned backe And drownde the spring from whence it was deriude Her heau'nly beautie t was that made me thinke That it with chastitie could neuer dwell But now I see that heau'n in her did linke A spirit and a person to excell I le muffle vp my selfe in endles night And neuer let mine eyes behold the light Retire thy selfe vile monster worse then hee That staind the virgin earth with brothers blood Still in some vault or denne inclosed bee Where with thy teares thou maist beget a flood Which flood in time may drowne thee happie day When thou at once shalt die and finde a graue A stone vpon the vault some one shall lay Which monument shall an inscription haue And these shall be the words it shall containe Heere Herod lies that hath his Mariam slaine Chorus WHo euer hath beheld with steadfast eye The strange euents of this one onely day How many were deceiu'd How many die That once to day did grounds of safetie lay It will from them all certaintie bereue Since twice sixe houres so many can deceiue This morning Herod held for surely dead And all the Iewes on Mariam did attend And Constabarus rise from Saloms bed And neither dreamd of a diuorce or end Pheroras ioyd that he might haue his wife And Babus sonnes for safetie of their life To night our Herod doth aliue remaine The guiltles Mariam is depriu'd of breath Stout Constabarus both diuorst and slaine The valiant sonnes of Baba haue their death Pheroras sure his loue to be bereft If Salome her sute vnmade had left Herod this morning did expect with ioy To see his Mariams much beloued face And yet ere night he did her life destroy And surely thought she did her name disgrace Yet now againe so short do humors last He both repents her death and knowes her chast Had he with wisedome now her death delaide He at his pleasure might command her death But now he hath his power so much betraide As all his woes cannot restore her breath Now doth he strangely lunatickly raue Because his Mariams life he cannot saue This daies euents were certainly ordainde To be the warning to posteritie So many changes are therein containde So admirablie strange varietie This day alone our sagest Hebrewes shall In after times the schoole of wisedome call FINIS
THE TRAGEDIE OF MARIAM THE FAIRE Queene of Iewry Written by that learned vertuous and truly noble Ladie E. C. LONDON Printed by Thomas Creede for Richard Hawkins and are to be solde at his shoppe in Chancery Lane neere vnto Sargeants Inne 1613 TO DIANAES EARTHLIE DEPVTESSE and my worthy Sister Mistris Elizabeth Carye WHen cheerfull Phoebus his full course hath run His sisters fainter beams our harts doth cheere So your faire Brother is to mee the Sunne And you his Sister as my Moone appeere You are my next belou'd my second Friend For when my Phoebus absence makes it Night Whilst to th' Antipodes his beames do bend From you my Phoebe shines my second Light Hee like to SOL cleare-sighted constant free You LVNA-like vnspotted chast diuine Hee shone on Sicily you destin'd bee T' illumine the now obscurde Palestine My first was consecrated to Apollo My second to DIANA now shall follow E. C. The names of the Speakers Herod King of Iudea Doris his first Wife Mariam his second Wife Salome Herods Sister Antipater his sonne by Salome Alexandra Mariams mother Sillius Prince of Arabia Constabarus husband to Salome Phaeroras Herods Brother Graphina his Loue Babus first Sonne Babus second Sonne Annanell the high Priest Sohemus a counsellor to Herod Nuntis Bu another Messenger Chorus a Companie of Iewes The Argument HErod the sonne of Antipater an Idumean hauing crept by the fauor of the Romanes into the Iewish Monarchie married Mariam the daughter of Hircanus the rightfull King and Priest and for her besides her high blood being of singular beautie hee reputiated Doris his former Wife by whome hee had Children This Mariam had a Brother called Aristobolus and next him and Hircanus his Graund-father Herod in his Wiues right had the best title Therefore to remooue them he charged the first with treason and put him to death and drowned the second vnder colour of sport Alexandra Daughter to the one and Mother to the other accused him for their deaths before Anthony So when hee was forc'te to goe answere this Accusation at Rome he left the custodie of his wife to Iosephus his Vncle that had married his Sister Salome and cut of a violent affection vnwilling any should enioy her after him hee gaue strict and priuate commaundement that if hee were slaine shee should be put to death But he returned with much honour yet found his Wife extreamely discontented to whom Iosephus had meaning it for the best to proue Herod loued her reuealed his charge So by Salomes accusation hee put Iosephus to death but was reconciled to Mariam who still bare the death of her Friends exceeding hardly In this meane time Herod was againe necessarily to reuisite Rome for Caesar hauing ouerthrowne Anthony his great friend was likely to make an alteration of his Fortune In his absence newes came to Ierusalem that Caesar had put him to death their willingnes it should be so together with the likelyhood gaue this Rumor so good credit as Sohemus that had suceeded Iosephus charge succeeded him likewise in reuealing it So at Herods returne which was speedy and vnexpected he found Mariam so farre from ioye that she shewed apparant signes of sorrow Hee still desiring to winne her to a better humour she being very vnable to conceale her passion fell to vpbraiding him with her Brothers death As they were thus debating came in a fellow with a Cuppe of Wine who hired by Salome saide first it was a Loue potion which Mariam desired to deliuer to the King but afterwards he affirmed that it was a poyson and that Sohemus had tolde her somewhat which procured the vehement hate in her The King hearing this more moued with Iealousie of Sohemus then with this intent of poyson sent her away and presently after by the instigation of Salome she was beheaded Which rashnes was afterward punished in him with an intollerable and almost Frantike passion for her death Actus primus Scoena prima Mariam sola HOw oft haue I with publike voyce runne on To censure Romes last Hero for deceit Because he wept when Pompeis life was gone Yet when he liu'd hee thought his Name too great But now I doe recant and Roman Lord Excuse too rash a judgement in a woman My Sexe pleads pardon pardon then afford Mistaking is with vs but too too common Now doe I finde by selfe Experience taught One Object yeelds both griefe and ioy You wept indeed when on his worth you thought But ioyd that slaughter did your Foe destroy So at his death your Eyes true droppes did raine Whom dead you did not wish aliue againe When Herod liu'd that now is done to death Oft haue I wisht that I from him were free Oft haue I wisht that he might lose his breath Oft haue I wisht his Carkas dead to see Then Rage and Scorne had put my loue to flight That Loue which once on him was firmely set Hate hid his true affection from my sight And kept my heart from paying him his debt And blame me not for Herods Iealousie Had power euen constancie it selfe to change For hee by barring me from libertie To shunne my ranging taught me first to range But yet too chast a Scholler was my hart To learne to loue another then my Lord To leaue his Loue my lessons former part I quickly learn'd the other I abhord But now his death to memorie doth call The tender loue that he to Mariam bare And mine to him this makes those riuers fall Which by an other thought vnmoistned are For Aristobolus the lowlyest youth That euer did in Angels shape appeare The cruell Herod was not mou'd to ruth Then why grieues Mariam Herods death to heare Why ioy I not the tongue no more shall speake That yeelded forth my brothers latest dome Both youth and beautie might thy furie breake And both in him did ill befit a Tombe And worthy Grandsire ill did he requite His high Assent alone by thee procur'd Except he murdred thee to free the spright Which still he thought on earth too long immur'd How happie was it that Sohemus minde Was mou'd to pittie my distrest estate Might Herods life a trustie seruant finde My death to his had bene vnseparate These thoughts haue power his death to make me beare Nay more to wish the newes may firmely hold Yet cannot this repulse some falling teare That will against my will some griefe vnfold And more I owe him for his loue to me The deepest loue that euer yet was seene Yet had I rather much a milke-maide bee Then be the Monarke of Iudeas Queene It was for nought but loue he wisht his end Might to my death but the vaunt-currier proue But I had rather still be foe then friend To him that saues for hate and kills for loue Hard-hearted Mariam at thy discontent What flouds of teares haue drencht his manly face How canst thou then so faintly now lament Thy truest louers death a deaths disgrace I now mine eyes you
maintaine Might haue reioyc'd to be my brothers wife Mar. My betters farre base woman t' is vntrue You scarce haue euer my superiors seene For Mariams seruants were as good as you Before she came to be Iudeas Queene Sal. Now stirs the tongue that is so quickly mou'd But more then once your collor haue I borne Your fumish words are sooner sayd then prou'd And Salomes reply is onely scorne Mar. Scorne those that are for thy companions held Though I thy brothers face had neuer seene My birth thy baser birth so farre exceld I had to both of you the Princesse bene Thou party Iew and party Edomite Thou Mongrell issu'd from reiected race Thy Ancestors against the Heauens did fight And thou like them wilt heauenly birth disgrace Sal. Still twit you me with nothing but my birth What ods betwixt your ancesters and mine Both borne of Adam both were made of Earth And both did come from holy Abrahams line Mar. I fauour thee when nothing else I say VVith thy blacke acts I le not pollute my breath Else to thy charge I might full iustly lay A shamefull life besides a husbands death Sal. T is true indeed I did the plots reueale That past betwixt your fauorites and you I ment not I a traytor to conceale Thus Salome your Mynion Ioseph slue Mar. Heauen dost thou meane this Infamy to smother Let slandred Mariam ope thy closed eare Selfe guilt hath euer bene suspitious mother And therefore I this speech with patience beare No had not Salomes vnstedfast heart In Iosephus stead her Constabarus plast To free her selfe she had not vsde the art To slander haplesse Mariam for vnchast Alex. Come Mariam let vs goe it is no boote To let the head contend against the foote Actus primus Scoena quarta Salome Sola LIues Salome to get so base a stile As foote to the proud Mariam Herods spirit In happy time for her endured exile For did he liue she should not misse her merit But he is dead and though he were my Brother His death such store of Cinders cannot cast My Coales of loue to quench for though they smother The flames a while yet will they out at last Oh blest Arabia in best climate plast I by the Fruit will censure of the Tree T is not in vaine thy happy name thou hast If all Arabians like Silleus bee Had not my Fate bene too too contrary When I on Constabarus first did gaze Silleus had beene obiect to mine eye Whose lookes and personage must allyes amaze But now ill Fated Salome thy tongue To Constabarus by it selfe is tide And now except I doe the Ebrew wrong I cannot be the faire Arabian Bride What childish lets are these Why stand I now On honourable points T is long agoe Since shame was written on my tainted brow And certaine t is that shame is honours foe Had I vpon my reputation stood Had I affected an vnspotted life Iosephus vaines had still bene stuft with blood And I to him had liu'd a sober wife Then had I neuer cast an eye of loue On Constabarus now detested face Then had I kept my thoughts without remoue And blusht at motion of the least disgrace But shame is gone and honour wipt away And Impudencie on my forehead sits She bids me worke my will without delay And for my will I will imploy my wits He loues I loue what then can be the cause Keepes me for being the Arabians wife It is the principles of Moses lawes For Contabarus still remaines in life If he to me did beare as Earnest hate As I to him for him there were an ease A separating bill might free his fate From such a yoke that did so much displease Why should such priuiledge to man be giuen Or giuen to them why bard from women then Are men then we in greater grace with Heauen Or cannot women hate as well as men I le be the custome-breaker and beginne To shew my Sexe the way to freedomes doore And with an offring will I purge my sinne The lawe was made for none but who are poore If Herod had liu'd I might to him accuse My present Lord But for the futures sake Then would I tell the King he did refuse The sonnes of Baba in his power to take But now I must diuorse him from my bed That my Silleus may possesse his roome Had I not begd his life he had bene dead I curse my tongue the hindrer of his doome But then my wandring heart to him was fast Nor did I dreame of chaunge Silleus said He would be here and see he comes at last Had I not nam'd him longer had he staid Actus primus Scena quinta Salome Silleus Silleus WEll found faire Salome Iudaeas pride Hath thy innated wisedome found the way To make Silleus deeme him deified By gaining thee a more then precious pray Salo. I haue deuisde the best I can deuise A more imperfect meanes was neuer found But what cares Salome it doth suffice If our indeuours with their end be crown'd In this our land we haue an ancient vse Permitted first by our law-giuers head Who hates his wife though for no iust abuse May with a bill diuorce her from his bed But in this custome women are not free Yet I for once will wrest it blame not thou The ill I doe since what I do'es for thee Though others blame Silleus should allow Solleus Thinkes Salome Silleus hath a tongue To censure her faire actions let my blood Bedash my proper brow for such a wrong The being yours can make euen vices good Arabia ioy prepare thy earth with greene Thou neuer happie wert indeed till now Now shall thy ground be trod by beauties Queene Her foote is destin'd to depresse thy brow Thou shalt faire Salome commaund as much As if the royall ornament were thine The weaknes of Arabias King is such The kingdome is not his so much as mine My mouth is our Obodas oracle Who thinkes not ought but what Silleus will And thou rare creature Asias miracle Shalt be to me as It Obodas still Salome T is not for glory I thy loue accept Iudea yeelds me honours worthy store Had not affection in my bosome crept My natiue country should my life deplore Were not Silleus he with home I goe I would not change my Palastine for Rome Much lesse would I a glorious state to shew Goe far to purchase an Arabian roome Silleus Far be it from Silleus so to thinke I know it is thy gratitude requites The loue that is in me and shall not shrinke Till death doe seuer me from earths delights Salom. But whist me thinkes the wolfe is in our talke Be gone Silleus who doth here arriue T is Constabarus that doth hither walke I le find a quarrell him from me to driue Sille. Farewell but were it not for thy commaund In his despight Silleus here would stand Actus primus Scena Sexta Salome Constabarus Const: OH Salome how much
my brothers tongue that cast this doubt I frō his hart would haue the question out With this keene fauchion but t is you my Lord Against whose head I must not lift a sword I am so tide in gratitude Const. belieue You haue no cause to take it ill If any word of mine your heart did grieue The word discented from the speakers will I know it was not feare the doubt begun But rather valour and your care of me A coward could not be your fathers sonne Yet know I doubts vnnecessarie be For who can thinke that in Anthonius fall Herod his bosome friend should scape vnbrusde Then Caesar we might thee an idiot call If thou by him should'st be so farre abusde Babus 2. Sonne Lord Constab: let me tell you this Vpon submission Caesar will forgiue And therefore though the tyrant did amisse It may fall out that he will let him liue Not many yeares agone it is since I Directed thither by my fathers care In famous Rome for twice twelue monthes did liue My life from Hebrewes crueltie to spare There though I were but yet of boyish age I bent mine eye to marke mine eares to heare Where I did see Octauious then a page When first he did to Iulions sight appeare Me thought I saw such mildnes in his face And such a sweetnes in his lookes did grow Withall commixt with so maiesticke grace His Phisnomy his Fortune did foreshow For this I am indebted to mine eye But then mine eare receiu'd more euidence By that I knew his loue to clemency How he with hottest choller could dispence Const. But we haue more then barely heard the news It hath bin twice confirm'd And though some tongue Might be so false with false report t' abuse A false report hath neuer lasted long But be it so that Herod haue his life Concealement would not then a whit auaile For certaine t' is that she that was my wife Would not to set her accusation faile And therefore now as good the venture giue And free our selues from blot of cowardise As show a pittifull desire to liue For who can pittie but they must despise Babus first sonne I yeeld but to necessitie I yeeld I dare vpon this doubt ingage mine arme That Herod shall againe this kingdome weeld And proue his death to be a false alarme Babus second sonne I doubt it too God grant it be an error T is best without a cause to be in terror And rather had I though my soule be mine My soule should lie then proue a true diuine Const. Come come let feare goe seeke a dastards nest Vndanted courage lies in a noble brest Actus 2. Scoena 3. Doris and Antipater Dor. YOur royall buildings bow your loftie side And scope to her that is by right your Queen Let your humilitie vpbraid the pride Of those in whom no due respect is seene Nine times haue we with Trumpets haughtie sound And banishing sow'r Leauen from our taste Obseru'd the feast that takes the fruit from ground Since I faire Citie did behold thee last So long it is since Mariams purer cheeke Did rob from mine the glory And so long Since I returnd my natiue Towne to seeke And with me nothing but the sense of wrong And thee my Boy whose birth though great it were Yet haue thy after fortunes prou'd but poore When thou wert borne how little did I feare Thou shouldst be thrust from forth thy Fathers doore Art thou not Herods right begotten Sonne VVas not the haples Doris Herods wife Yes ere he had the Hebrew kingdome wonne I was companion to his priuate life VVas I not faire enough to be a Queene Why ere thou wert to me false Monarch tide My lake of beauty might as well be seene As after I had liu'd fiue yeeres thy Bride Yet then thine oath came powring like the raine Which all affirm'd my face without compare And that if thou might'st Doris loue obtaine For all the world besides thou didst not care Then was I yong and rich and nobly borne And therefore worthy to be Herods mate Yet thou vngratefull cast me off with scorne When Heauens purpose raisd your meaner fate Oft haue I begd for vengeance for this fact And with deiected knees aspiring hands Haue prayd the highest power to inact The fall of her that on my Trophee stands Reuenge I haue according to my will Yet where I wisht this vengeance did not light I wisht it should high-hearted Mariam kill But it against my whilome Lord did fight With thee sweet Boy I came and came to try If thou before his bastards might be plac'd In Herods royall seat and dignitie But Mariams infants here are onely grac'd And now for vs there doth no hope remaine Yet we will not returne till Herods end Be more confirmd perchance he is not slaine So glorious Fortunes may my Boy attend For if he liue hee 'll thinke it doth suffice That he to Doris shows such crueltie For as he did my wretched life dispise So doe I know I shall despised die Let him but proue as naturall to thee As cruell to thy miserable mother His crueltie shall not vpbraided bee But in thy fortunes I his faults will smother Antipat. Each mouth within the Citie loudly cries That Herods death is certaine therefore wee Had best some subtill hidden plot deuise That Mariams children might subuerted bee By poisons drinke or else by murtherous Knife So we may be aduanc'd it skils not how They are but Bastards you were Herods wife And foule adultery blotteth Mariams brow Doris They are too strong to be by vs remou'd Or else reuenges foulest spotted face By our detested wrongs might be approu'd But weakenesse must to greater power giue place But let vs now retire to grieue alone For solitarines best fitteth mone Actus secundus Scoena 4. Silleus and Constabarus Silleus WEll met Iudean Lord the onely wight Silleus wisht to see I am to call Thy tongue to strict account Const. For what despight I ready am to heare and answere all But if directly at the cause I gesse That breeds this challenge you must pardon me And now some other ground of fight professe For I haue vow'd vowes must vnbroken be Sill. What may be your expectation let me know Const. Why ought concerning Salom my sword Shall not be welded for a cause so low A blow for her my arme will scorne t' afford Sill. It is for slandering her vnspotted name And I will make thee in thy vowes despight Sucke vp the breath that did my Mistris blame And swallow it againe to doe her right Const. I prethee giue some other quarrell ground To finde beginning raile against my name Or strike me first or let some scarlet wound Inflame my courage giue me words of shame Doe thou our Moses sacred Lawes disgrace Depraue our nation doe me some despight I 'm apt enough to fight in any case But yet for Salome I will not fight Sill. Nor I for ought but
Salome My sword That owes his seruice to her sacred name Will not an edge for other cause afford In other fight I am not sure of fame Const. For her I pitty thee enough already For her I therefore will not mangle thee A woman with a heart so most vnsteady Will of her selfe sufficient torture bee I cannot enuy for so light a gaine Her minde with such vnconstancie doth runne As with a word thou didst her loue obtaine So with a word she will from thee be wonne So light as her possessions for most day Is her affections lost to me t is knowne As good goe hold the winde as make her stay Shee neuer loues but till she call her owne She meerly is a painted sepulcher That is both faire and vilely foule at once Though on her out-side graces garnish her Her mind is fild with worse then rotten bones And euer readie lifted is her hand To aime destruction at a husbands throat For proofes Iosephus and my selfe do stand Though once on both of vs she seem'd to do at Her mouth though serpent-like it neuer hisses Yet like a Serpent poysons where it kisses Silleus Well Hebrew well thou bark'st but wilt not bite Const. I tell thee still for her I will not fight Sille: Why then I call thee coward Const: From my heart I giue thee thankes A cowards hatefull name Cannot to valiant mindes a blot impart And therefore I with ioy receiue the same Thou know'st I am no coward thou wert by At the Arabian battaile th' other day And saw'st my sword with daring valiancy Amongst the faint Arabians cut my way The blood of foes no more could let it shine And t was inameled with some of thine But now haue at thee not for Salome I fight but to discharge a cowards stile Here gins the fight that shall not parted be Before a soule or two indure exile Silleus Thy sword hath made some windowes for my blood To shew a horred crimson phisnomie To breath for both of vs me thinkes t were good The day will giue vs time enough to die Const: With all my hart take breath thou shalt haue time And if thou list a twelue month let vs end Into thy cheekes there doth a palenes clime Thou canst not from my sword thy selfe defend What needest thou for Salome to fight Thou hast her and may'st keepe her none striues for her I willingly to thee resigne my right For in my very soule I do abhorre her Thou seest that I am fresh vnwounded yet Then not for feare I do this offer make Thou art with losse of blood to fight vnfit For here is one and there another take Silleus I will not leaue as long as breath remaines Within my wounded body spare your words My heart in bloods stead courage entertaines Salomes loue no place for feare affords Const: Oh could thy soule but prophesie like mine I would not wonder thou should'st long to die For Salome if I aright diuine Will be then death a greater miserie Sille Then list I le breath no longer Const: Do thy will I hateles fight and charitably kill I I they fight Pittie thy selfe Silleus let not death Intru'd before his time into thy hart Alas it is too late to feare his breath Is from his body now about to part How far'st thou braue Arabian Silleus very well My legge is hurt I can no longer fight It onely grieues me that so soone I fell Before faire Salomes wrongs I came to right Const: Thy wounds are lesse then mortall Neuer feare Thou shalt a safe and quicke recouerie finde Come I will thee vnto my lodging beare I hate thy body but I loue thy minde Silleus Thankes noble Iew I see a courtious foe Sterne enmitie to friendship can no art Had not my heart and tongue engagde me so I would from thee no foe but friend depart My heart to Salome is tide so fast To leaue her loue for friendship yet my skill Shall be imploy'd to make you fauour last And I will honour Constabarus still Const: I ope my bosome to thee and will take Thee in as friend and grieue for thy complaint But if we doe not expedition make Thy losse of blood I feare will make thee faint Chorus TO heare a tale with eares preiudicate It spoiles the iudgement and corrupts the sence That humane error giuen to euery state Is greater enemie to innocence It makes vs foolish heddy rash vniust It makes vs neuer try before we trust It will confound the meaning change the words For it our sence of hearing much deceiues Besides no time to Iudgement it affords To way the circumstance our eare receiues The ground of accidents it neuer tries But makes vs take for truth ten thousand lies Our eares and hearts are apt to hold for good That we our selues doe most desire to bee And then we drowne obiections in the flood Of partialitie t is that we see That makes false rumours long with credit past Though they like rumours must conclude at last The greatest part of vs preiudicate With wishing Herods death do hold it true The being once deluded doth not bate The credit to a better likelihood due Those few that wish it not the multitude Doe carrie headlong so they doubts conclude They not obiect the weake vncertaine ground Whereon they built this tale of Herods end Whereof the Author scarcely can be found And all because their wishes that way bend They thinke not of the perill that ensu'th If this should proue the contrary to truth On this same doubt on this so light a breath They pawne their liues and fortunes For they all Behaue them as the newes of Herods death They did of most vndoubted credit call But if their actions now doe rightly hit Let them commend their fortune not their wit Actus tertius Scoena prima Pheroras Salome Phero. VRge me no more Graphina to forsake Not twelue howers since I married her for loue And doe you thinke a sisters power cane mak A resolute decree so soone remoue Salome Poore minds they are that honour not affects Phero: Who hunts for honour happines neglects Salom. You might haue bene both of felicitie And honour too in equall measure seasde Phero: It is not you can tell so well as I What t is can make me happie or displeasde Salome To match for neither beautie nor respects One meane of birth but yet of meaner minde A woman full of naturall defects I wonder what your eye in her could finde Phero: Mine eye found louelines mine eare found wit To please the one and to enchant the other Grace on her eye mirth on her tongue doth sit In lookes a child in wisedomes house a mother Salom But say you thought her faire as none thinks else Knowes not Pheroras beautie is a blast Much like this flower which to day excels But longer then a day it will not last Phero: Her wit exceeds her beautie Salo: Wit may show The way to ill
freedome sell Giue me my heart false creature t is a wrong My guiltles heart should now with thine be slaine Thou hadst no right to looke it vp so long And with usurper name I Mariam staine Enter Bu He: Haue you design'd Sohemus to his end Bu: I haue my Lord Herod Then call our royall guard To doe as much for Mariam they offend Leaue ill vnblam'd or good without reward Here take her to her death Come backe come backe What ment I to depriue the world of light To muffle Iury in the foulest blacke That euer was an opposite to white Why whither would you carrie her Sould you bad We should conduct her to her death my Lord Hero: Wie sure I did not Herod was not mad Why should she feele the furie of the sword Oh now the griefe returnes into my heart And pulles me peecemeale loue and hate doe fight And now hath boue acquir'd the greater part Yet now hath hate affection conquer'd quite And therefore beare her hence and Hebrew why Seaze you with Lyons pawes the fairest lam Of all the flocke she must not shall not die Without her I most miserable am And with her more then most away away But beare her but to prison not to death And is she gon indeed stay villaines stay Her lookes alone preseru'd your Soueraignes breath Well let her goe but yet she shall not die I cannot thinke she ment to poison me But certaine t is she liu'd too wantonly And therefore shall she neuer more be free Actus 4. Scoena 5. Bu. FOule villaine can thy pitchie coloured soule Permit thine eare to heare her caules doome And not inforce thy tongue that tale controule That must vniustly bring her to her too me Oh Salome thou hast thy selfe repaid For all the benefits that thou hast done Thou art the cause I haue the queene betraid Thou hast my hart to darkest false-hood wonne I am condemn'd heau'n gaue me not my tongue To slander innocents to lie deceiue To be the hatefull instrument to wrong The earth of greatest glory to bereaue My sinne ascends and doth to heau'n crie It is the blackest deed that euer was And there doth sit an Angell notarie That doth record it downe in leaues of brasse Oh how my heart doth quake Achitophel Thou founds a meanes thy selfe from shame to free And sure my soule approues thou didst not well All follow some and I will follow thee Actus 4. Scoena 6. Constabarus Babus Sonnes and their guard Const: NOw here we step our last the way to death We must not tread this way a second time Yet let vs resolutely yeeld our breath Death is the onely ladder Heau'n to clime Babus 1. Sonne With willing mind I could my selfe resigne But yet it grieues me with a griefe vntold Our death should be accompani'd with thine Our friendship we to thee haue dearely sold Const. Still wilt thou wrong the sacred name of friend Then should'st thou neuer stile it friendship more But base mechanicke traffique that doth lend Yet will be sure they shall the debt restore I could with needlesse complement returne T is for thy ceremonie I could say T is I that made the fire your house to burne For but for me she would not you betray Had not the damned woman sought mine end You had not bene the subiect of her hate You neuer did her hatefull minde offend Nor could your deaths haue freed your nuptiall fate Therefore faire friends though you were still vnborne Some other subtiltie deuisde should bee Were by my life though guiltles should be torne Thus haue I prou'd t is you that die for mee And therefore should I weakely now lament You haue but done your duties friends should die Alone their friends disaster to preuent Though not compeld by strong necessitie But now farewell faire citie neuer more Shall I behold your beautie shining bright Farewell of Iewish men the worthy store But no farewell to any female wight You wauering crue my curse to you I leaue You had but one to giue you any grace And you your selues will Mariams life bereaue Your common-wealth doth innocencie chase You creatures made to be the humane curse You Tygers Lyonesses hungry Beares Teare massacring Hienas nay far worse For they for pray doe shed their fained teares But you will weepe you creatures crosse to good For your vnquenched thirst of humane blood You were the Angels cast from heaue'n for pride And still doe keepe your Angels outward show But none of you are inly beautifide For still your heau'n depriuing pride doth grow Did not the sinnes of many require a scourge Your place on earth had bene by this withstood But since a flood no more the world must purge You staid in office of a second flood You giddy creatures sowers of debate You 'll loue to day and for no other cause But for you yesterday did deply hate You are the wreake of order breach of lawes You best are foolish froward wanton vaine Your worst adulterous murderous cunning proud And Salome attends the latter traine Or rather he their leader is allowd I do the sottishnesse of men bewaile That doe with following you inhance your pride T' were better that the humane race should faile Then be by such a mischiefe multiplide Chams seruile curse to all your sexe was giuen Because in Paradise you did offend Then doe we not resist the will of Heauen When on your willes like seruants we attend You are to nothing constant but to ill You are with nought but wickednesse indude Your loues are set on nothing but your will And thus my censure I of you conclude You are the least of goods the worst of euils Your best are worse then men your worst then diuels Babus second sonne Come let vs to our death are we not blest Our death will freedome from these creatures giue Those trouble quiet sowers of vnrest And this I vow that had I leaue to liue I would for euer leade a single life And neuer venter on a diuellish wife Actus 4. Scoena 7. Herod and Salome Herod NAy she shall die Die quoth you that she shall But for the meanes The meanes Me thinks t is hard To finde a meanes to murther her withall Therefore I am resolu'd she shall be spar'd Salom. Why let her be beheaded Her That were well Thinke you that swords are miracles like you Her skinne will eu'ry Curtlax edge refell And then your enterprise you well may rue What if the fierce Arabian notice take Of this your wretched weaponlesse estate They answere when we bid resistance make That Mariams skinne their fanchions did rebate Beware of this you make a goodly hand If you of weapons doe depriue our Land Sal. Why drowne her then Herod Indeed a sweet deuice Why would not eu'ry Riuer turne her course Rather then doe her beautie preiudice And be reuerted to the proper sourse So not a drop of water should be found In all Iudeas quondam