THE tragedy OF MARIAM, THE FAIR Queen of jewry.  
Written by that learned, virtuous, and truly noble Lady, E. C.  
LONDON. Printed by Thomas Creed, for Richard Hawkins, and are to be sold at his shop in Chancery Lane, near unto sergeant Inn. 1613.   

TO Diana's EARTHLY deputess, and my worthy Sister, Mistress Elizabeth Carry.  

WHen cheerful Phoebus his full course hath run,  
His sisters fainter beams our hearts doth cheer:  
So your fair Brother is to me the Sun,  
And you his Sister as my Moon appear.   

You are my next beloved, my second Friend,  
For when my Phoebus' absence makes it Night,  
Whilst to th'Antipodes his beams do bend,  
From you my Phoebe, shines my second Light.   

He like to SOL, clear-sighted, constant, free,  
You luna-like, unspotted, chaste, divine:  
He shone on Sicily, you destined be,  
T'llumine the now obscured Palestine.  
My first was consecrated to Apollo,  
My second to DIANA now shall follow.   E. C.  

The names of the Speakers.  

Herod, King of judea.  
Doris, his first Wife.  
Mariam, his second Wife.  
Salome, Herod's Sister.  
Antipater his son by Salome.  
Alexandra, Mariam's mother.  
Sillius, Prince of Arabia.  
Constabarus, husband to Salome.  
Phaeroras, Herod's Brother.  
Graphina, his Love.  
Babus' first Son.  
Babus' second Son.  
Annanell, the high Priest.  
Sohemus, a counselor to Herod.  
Nuntis.  
Bu.. another Messenger.  
Chorus, a Company of Jews.    

The Argument.  
HErod the son of Antipater (an Idumean,) having crept by the favour of the Romans, into the jewish Monarchy, married Mariam the daughter of Hircanus, the rightful King and Priest, and for her (besides her high blood, being of singular beauty) he repudiated Doris, his former Wife, by whom he had Children.  
This Mariam had a Brother called Aristobolus, and next him and Hircanus his Grandfather, Herod in his Wives right had the best title. Therefore to remove them, he charged the first with treason: and put him to death; and drowned the second under colour of sport. Alexandra, Daughter to the one, and Mother to the other, accused him for their deaths before Anthony.  
So when he was forced to go answer this Accusation at Rome, he left the custody of his wife to Josephus his Uncle, that had married his Sister Salome, and cut of a violent affection (unwilling any should enjoy her after him) he gave strict and private commandment, that if he were slain, she should be put to death. But he returned with much honour, yet found his Wife extremely discontented, to whom Josephus had (meaning it for the best, to prove Herod loved her) revealed his charge.  
So by Salome's accusation he put josephus to death, but was reconciled to Mariam, who still bore the death of her Friends exceeding hardly.  
In this mean time Herod was again necessarily to revisit Rome, for Caesar having overthrown Anthony his great friend, was likely to make an alteration of his Fortune.  
In his absence, news came to jerusalem that Caesar had put him to death, their willingness it should be so, together with the likelihood, gave this Rumor so good credit, as Sohemus that had succeeded josephus charge, succeeded him likewise in revealing it. So at Herod's return which was speedy and unexpected, he found Mariam so far from joy, that she showed apparent signs of sorrow. He still desiring to win her to a better humour, she being very unable to conceal her passion, fell to upbraiding him with her Brother's death. As they were thus debating, came in a fellow with a Cup of Wine, who hired by Salome, said first, it was a Love potion, which Mariam desired to deliver to the King: but afterwards he affirmed that it was a poison, and that Sohemus had told her somewhat, which procured the vehement hate in her.  
The King hearing this, more moved with jealousy of Sohemus, then with this intent of poison, sent her away, and presently after by the instigation of Salome, she was beheaded. Which rashness was afterward punished in him, with an intolerable and almost Frantic passion for her death.   


Actus primus. Scoena prima.  Mariam sola. 
HOw oft have I with public voice run on?  
To censure Rome's last Hero for deceit:  
Because he wept when Pompey's life was gone,  
Yet when he lived, he thought his Name too great.  
But now I do recant, and Roman Lord  
Excuse too rash a judgement in a woman:  
My Sex pleads pardon, pardon then afford,  
Mistaking is with us, but too too common.  
Now do I find by self Experience taught,  
One Object yields both grief and joy:  
You wept indeed, when on his worth you thought,  
But joyed that slaughter did your Foe destroy.  
So at his death your Eyes true drops did rain  
Whom dead, you did not wish alive again.  
When Herod lived, that now is done to death,  
Oft have I wished that I from him were free:  
Oft have I wished that he might lose his breath,  
Oft have I wished his Carcase dead to see.  
Then Rage and Scorn had put my love to flight,  
That Love which once on him was firmly set:  
Hate hid his true affection from my sight,  
And kept my heart from paying him his debt.  
And blame me not, for Herod's jealousy  
Had power even constancy itself to change:  
For he by barring me from liberty,  
To shun my ranging, taught me first to range.  
But yet too chaste a Scholar was my heart,  
To learn to love another than my Lord:  
To leave his Love, my lessons former part,  
I quickly learned, the other I abhorred.  
But now his death to memory doth call,  
The tender love, that he to Mariam bore:  
And mine to him, this makes those rivers fall,  
Which by another thought unmoistened are.  
For Aristobolus the lowliest youth  
That ever did in angel's shape appear:  
The cruel Herod was not moved to ruth,  
Then why grieves Mariam Herod's death to hear?  
Why joy I not the tongue no more shall speak,  
That yielded forth my brother's latest doom:  
Both youth and beauty might thy fury break,  
And both in him did ill befit a Tomb.  
And worthy Grandsire ill did he requite,  
His high Assent alone by thee procured,  
Except he murdered thee to free the sprite  
Which still he thought on earth too long immured.  
How happy was it that Sohemus' mind  
Was moved to pity my distressed estate?  
Might Herod's life a trusty servant find,  
My death to his had been unseparate.  
These thoughts have power, his death to make me bear,  
Nay more, to wish the news may firmly hold:  
Yet cannot this repulse some falling tear,  
That will against my will some grief unfold.  
And more I owe him for his love to me,  
The deepest love that ever yet was seen:  
Yet had I rather much a milkmaid be,  
Then be the Monarch of Judaea's Queen.  
It was for nought but love, he wished his end  
Might to my death, but the vaunt-courier prove:  
But I had rather still be foe than friend,  
To him that saves for hate, and kills for love.  
Hard-hearted Mariam, at thy discontent,  
What floods of tears have drenched his manly face?  
How canst thou then so faintly now lament,  
Thy truest lovers death, a death's disgrace:  
I now mine eyes you do begin to right  
The wrongs of your admirers. And my Lord,  
Long since you should have put your smiles to flight,  
Ill doth a widowed eye with joy accord.  
Why now methinks the love I bore him then,  
When virgin freedom left me unrestrained:  
Doth to my heart begin to creep again,  
My passion now is far from being feigned.  
But tears fly back, and hide you in your banks,  
You must not be to Alexandra seen:  
For if my moan be spied, but little thanks  
Shall Mariam have, from that incensed Queen.   

Actus primus: Scoena Secunda.  Mariam. Alexandra. Alex: 
WHat means these tears? my Mariam doth mistake,  
The news we heard did tell the tyrant's end:  
What weepst thou for thy brother's murders sake,  
Will ever wight a tear for Herod spend?  
My curse pursue his breathless trunk and spirit,  
Base Edomite the damned Esau's heir:  
Must he ere Jacob's child the crown inherit?  
Must he vile wretch be set in David's chair?  
No David's soul within the bosom placed,  
Of our forefather Abram was ashamed:  
To see his seat with such a toad disgraced,  
That seat that hath by judas race been feigned.  
Thou fatal enemy to royal blood,  
Did not the murder of my boy suffice,  
To stop thy cruel mouth that gaping stood?  
But must thou dim the mild Hercanus' eyes?  
My gracious father, whose too ready hand  
Did lift this Idumean from the dust:  
And he ungrateful caitiff did withstand,  
The man that did in him most friendly trust.  
What kingdoms right could cruel Herod claim,  
Was he not Esau's Issue, heir of hell?  
Then what succession can he have but shame?  
Did not his Ancestor his birthright sell?  
O yes, he doth from Edom's name derive,  
His cruel nature which with blood is fed:  
That made him me of Sire and son deprive,  
He ever thirsts for blood, and blood is red.  
Weepst thou because his love to thee was bent?  
And readst thou love in crimson characters?  
Slew he thy friends to work thy hearts content?  
No: hate may justly call that action hers.  
He gave the sacred Priesthood for thy sake,  
To Aristobolus. Yet doomed him dead:  
Before his back the Ephod warm could make,  
And ere the Mitre settled on his head.  
Oh had he given my boy no less than right,  
The double oil should to his forehead bring:  
A double honour, shining doubly bright,  
His birth anointed him both Priest and King.  
And say my father, and my son he slew,  
To royalize by right your Prince borne breath:  
Was love the cause, can Mariam deem it true,  
That Mariam gave commandment for her death?  
I know by fits, he showed some signs of love,  
And yet not love, but raging lunacy:  
And this his hate to thee may justly prove,  
That sure he hates Hercanus' family.  
Who knows if he unconstant wavering Lord,  
His love to Doris had renewed again?  
And that he might his bed to her afford,  
Perchance he wished that Mariam might be slain.  Nun: 
Doris, Alas her time of love was passed,  
Those coals were raked in embers long ago:  
If Mariam's love and she was now disgraced,  
Nor did I glory in her overthrow.  
He not a whit his first borne son esteemed,  
Because as well as his he was not mine:  
My children only for his own he deemed,  
These boys that did descend from royal line.  
These did he style his heirs to David's throne,  
My Alexander if he live, shall sit  
In the Majestic seat of Solomon,  
To will it so, did Herod think it fit.  Alex. 
Why? who can claim from Alexander's brood  
That Gold adorned lion-guarded Chair?  
Was Alexander not of David's blood?  
And was not Mariam Alexander's heir?  
What more than right could Herod then bestow,  
And who will think except for more than right,  
He did not raise them, for they were not low,  
But borne to wear the Crown in his despite:  
Then send those tears away that are not sent  
To thee by reason, but by passion's power:  
Thine eyes to cheer, thy cheeks to smiles be bent,  
And entertain with joy this happy hour.  
Felicity, if when she comes, she finds  
A mourning habit, and a cheerless look,  
Will think she is not welcome to thy mind,  
And so perchance her lodging will not brook.  
Oh keep her whilst thou hast her, if she go  
She will not easily return again:  
Full many a year have I endured in woe,  
Yet still have sued her presence to obtain:  
And did not I to her as presents send  
A Table, that best Art did beautify  
Of two, to whom Heaven did best feature lend,  
To woe her love by winning Anthony:  
For when a PRINCE's favour we do crave,  
We first their Minions loves do seek to win:  
So I, that sought felicity to have,  
Did with her Minion Anthony begin,  
With double slight I sought to captivate  
The warlike lover, but I did not right:  
For if my gift had borne but half the rate,  
The Roman had been overtaken quite.  
But now he fared like a hungry guest,  
That to some plenteous festival is gone,  
Now this, now that, he deems to eat were best,  
Such choice doth make him let them all alone.  
The boys large forehead first did fairest seem  
Then glanced his eye upon my Mariam's cheek:  
And that without comparison did deem,  
What was in either but he most did leek.  
And thus distracted, either's beauty's might  
Within the other's excellence was drowned:  
Too much delight did bear him from delight,  
For either's love, the others did confound.  
Where if thy portraiture had only gone,  
His life from Herod, Anthony had taken:  
He would have loved thee, and thee alone,  
And left the brown Egyptian clean forsaken.  
And Cleopatra then to seek had been,  
So firm a lover of her waned face:  
Then great Anthonius fall we had not seen,  
By her that fled to have him hold the chase.  
Then Mariam in a Romans Chariot set,  
In place of Cleopatra might have shown:  
A mart of Beauties in her visage met,  
And part in this, that they were all her own.  Ma. 
Not to be Emprise of aspiring Rome,  
Would Mariam like to Cleopatra live:  
With purest body will I press my Tomb,  
And wish no favours Anthony could give.  Alex. 
Let us retire us, that we may resolve  
How now to deal in this reversed state:  
Great are th'affairs that we must now revolve,  
And great affairs must not be taken late.   

Actus primus. Scoena tertia.  Mariam. Alexandra. Salome. Salome. 
MOre plotting yet? Why? now you have the thing  
For which so oft you spent your suppliant breath:  
And Mariam hopes to have another King,  
Her eyes do sparkle joy for Herod's death.  Alex. 
If she desired another King to have,  
She might before she came in Herod's bed  
Have had her wish. More Kings than one did crave,  
For leave to set a Crown upon her head.  
I think with more than reason she laments,  
That she is freed from such a sad annoy:  
Who be't will weep to part from discontent,  
And if she joy, she did not causeless joy.  Sal. 
You durst not thus have given your tongue the rain,  
If noble Herod still remained in life:  
Your daughters betters far I dare maintain,  
Might have rejoiced to be my brother's wife.  Mar. 
My betters far, base woman 'tis untrue,  
You scarce have ever my superiors seen:  
For Mariam's servants were as good as you,  
Before she came to be Judaea's Queen.  Sal. 
Now stirs the tongue that is so quickly moved,  
But more than once your colour have I borne:  
Your fumish words are sooner said than proved,  
And Salome's reply is only scorn.  Mar. 
Scorn those that are for thy companions held,  
Though I thy brother's face had never seen,  
My birth, thy baser birth so far excelled,  
I had to both of you the Princess bene.  
Thou party jew, and party Edomite,  
Thou Mongrel: issued from rejected race,  
Thy Ancestors against the Heavens did fight,  
And thou like them wilt heavenly birth disgrace.  Sal. 
Still twit you me with nothing but my birth,  
What odds betwixt your ancestors and mine?  
Both borne of Adam, both were made of Earth,  
And both did come from holy Abraham's line.  Mar. 
I favour thee when nothing else I say,  
With thy black acts i'll not pollute my breath:  
Else to thy charge I might full justly lay  
A shameful life, besides a husband's death.  Sal. 
'tis true indeed, I did the plots reveal,  
That passed betwixt your favourites and you:  
I meant not I, a traitor to conceal.  
Thus Salome your Minion joseph slew.  Mar. 
Heaven, dost thou mean this Infamy to smother?  
Let slandered Mariam open thy closed ear:  
Self guilt hath ever been suspicious mother,  
And therefore I this speech with patience bear.  
No, had not Salome's unsteadfast heart,  
In josephus stead her Constabarus placed,  
To free herself, she had not used the art,  
To slander hapless Mariam for unchaste.  Alex. 
Come Mariam, let us go: it is no boot  
To let the head contend against the foot.   

Actus primus. Scoena quarta.  Salome, Sola. 
Lives Salome, to get so base a style  
As foot, to the proud Mariam Herod's spirit:  
In happy time for her endured exile,  
For did he live she should not miss her merit:  
But he is dead: and though he were my Brother,  
His death such store of Cinders cannot cast  
My Coals of love to quench: for though they smother  
The flames a while, yet will they out at last.  
Oh blessed Arabia, in best climate placed,  
I by the Fruit will censure of the Tree:  
'tis not in vain, thy happy name thou hast,  
If all Arabians like Silleus be:  
Had not my Fate been too too contrary,  
When I on Constabarus first did gaze,  
Silleus had been object to mine eye:  
Whose looks and parsonage must allies amaze.  
But now ill Fated Salome, thy tongue  
To Constabarus by itself is tide:  
And now except I do the Hebrew wrong  
I cannot be the fair Arabian Bride:  
What childish lets are these? Why stand I now  
On honourable points? 'tis long ago  
Since shame was written on my tainted brow:  
And certain 'tis, that shame is honour's foe.  
Had I upon my reputation stood,  
Had I affected an unspotted life,  
josephus veins had still been stuffed with blood,  
And I to him had lived a sober wife.  
Then had I never cast an eye of love,  
On Constabarus now detested face,  
Then had I kept my thoughts without remove  
And blushed at motion of the least disgrace:  
But shame is gone, and honour wiped away,  
And Impudency on my forehead sits:  
She bids me work my will without delay,  
And for my will I will employ my wits.  
He loves, I love; what then can be the cause,  
Keeps me for being the Arabians wife?  
It is the principles of Moses laws,  
For Contabarus still remains in life,  
If he to me did bear 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 privilege to man be given?  
Or given to them, why bar from women then?  
Are men then we in greater grace with Heaven?  
Or cannot women hate as well as men?  
I'll be the custom-breaker: and begin  
To show my Sex the way to freedoms door,  
And with an offering will I purge my sin,  
The law was made for none but who are poor.  
If Herod had lived, I might to him accuse  
My present Lord. But for the future's sake  
Then would I tell the King he did refuse  
The sons of Baba in his power to take.  
But now I must divorce him from my bed,  
That my Silleus may possess his room:  
Had I not begged his life he had been dead,  
I curse my tongue the hinderer of his doom,  
But then my wandering heart to him was fast,  
Nor did I dream of change: Silleus said,  
He would be here, and see he comes at last,  
Had I not named him longer had he stayed.   

Actus primus. Scena quinta.  Salome, Silleus. Silleus. 
WEll found fair Salome Judaea's pride,  
Hath thy innated wisdom found the way  
To make Silleus deem him deified,  
By gaining thee a more than precious pray?  Salo. 
I have devised the best I can devise,  
A more imperfect means was never found:  
But what cares Salome, it doth suffice  
If our endeavours with their end be crowned.  
In this our land we have an ancient use,  
Permitted first by our lawgivers head:  
Who hates his wife, though for no just abuse,  
May with a bill divorce her from his bed.  
But in this custom women are not free,  
Yet I for once will wrest it, blame not thou  
The ill I do, since what I does for thee,  
Though others blame, Silleus should allow.  Solleus. 
Thinks Salome, Silleus hath a tongue  
To censure her fair actions: let my blood  
Bedash my proper brow, for such a wrong,  
The being yours, can make even vices good:  
Arabia joy, prepare thy earth with green,  
Thou never happy wert indeed till now:  
Now shall thy ground be trod by beauty's Queen,  
Her foot is destined to depress thy brow.  
Thou shalt fair Salome command as much  
As if the royal ornament were thine:  
The weakness of Arabia's King is such,  
The kingdom is not his so much as mine.  
My mouth is our Obodas' oracle,  
Who thinks not aught but what Silleus will?  
And thou rare creature. Asia's miracle,  
Shalt be to me as It: Obodas still.  Salome. 
'tis not for glory I thy love accept,  
judea yields me honours worthy store:  
Had not affection in my bosom crept,  
My native country should my life deplore.  
Were not Silleus he with home I go,  
I would not change my Palestine for Rome:  
Much less would I a glorious state to show,  
Go far to purchase an Arabian room.  Silleus. 
Far be it from Silleus so to think,  
I know it is thy gratitude requites  
The love that is in me, and shall not shrink  
Till death do sever me from earth's delights.  Salom. 
But whist; methinks the wolf is in our talk,  
Be gone Silleus, who doth here arrive?  
'tis Constabarus that doth hither walk,  
I'll find a quarrel, him from me to drive.  Sille. 
Farewell, but were it not for thy command,  
In his despite Silleus here would stand.   

Actus primus: Scena Sexta  Salome: Constabarus. Const: 
OH Salome, how much you wrong your name,  
Your race, your country, and your husband most?  
A strangers private conference is shame,  
I blush for you, that have your blushing lost.  
Oft have I found, and found you to my grief,  
Consorted with this base Arabian here:  
Heaven knows that you have been my comfort chief,  
Then do not now my greater plague appear.  
Now by the stately Carved edifice  
That on Mount Zion makes so fair a show,  
And by the Altar fit for sacrifice,  
I love thee more than thou thyself dost know.  
Oft with a silent sorrow have I heard  
How ill Judaea's mouth doth censure thee:  
And did I not thine honour much regard,  
Thou shouldst not be exhorted thus for me.  
Didst thou but know the worth of honest fame,  
How much a virtuous woman is esteemed,  
Thou wouldest like hell eschew deserved shame,  
And seek to be both chaste and chastened deemed.  
Our wisest Prince did say, and true he said,  
A virtuous woman crowns her husband's head.  Salome. 
Did I for this, uprear thy low estate?  
Did I for this requital beg thy life,  
That thou hadst forfeited hapless fate?  
To be to such a thankless wretch the wife.  
This hand of mine hath lifted up thy head,  
Which many a day ago had fallen full low,  
Because the sons of Baba are not dead,  
To me thou dost both life and fortune owe.  Const. 
You have my patience often exercised,  
Use make my choler keep within the banks:  
Yet boast no more, but be by me advised.  
A benefit upbraided, forfeits thanks:  
I prithee Salome dismiss this mood,  
Thou dost not know how ill it fits thy place:  
My words were all intended for thy good,  
To raise thine honour and to stop disgrace.  Sa. 
To stop disgrace? take thou no care for me,  
Nay do thy worst, thy worst I set not by:  
No shame of mine is like to light on thee,  
Thy love and admonitions I defy.  
Thou shalt no hour longer call me wife,  
Thy jealousy procures my hate so deep:  
That I from thee do mean to free my life,  
By a divorcing bill before I sleep.  Const. 
Are Hebrew women now transformed to men?  
Why do you not as well our battles fight,  
And wear our armour? suffer this, and then  
Let all the world be topsy-turved quite.  
Let fishes graze, beasts, swine, and birds descend,  
Let fire burn downward whilst the earth aspires:  
Let Winter's heat and Summers cold offend,  
Let thistles grow on Vines, and Grapes on briars,  
Set us to Spin or Sow, or at the best  
Make us Wood-hewers, Waters-bearing wights:  
For sacred service let us take no rest,  
Use us as joshua did the Gibonites.  Salom. 
Hold on your talk, till it be time to end,  
For me I am resolved it shall be so:  
Though I be first that to this course do bend,  
I shall not be the last full well I know.  Const. 
Why then be witness Heaven, the judge of sins,  
Be witness Spirits that eschew the dark:  
Be witness Angels, witness Cherubins,  
Whose semblance sits upon the holy Ark:  
Be witness earth, be witness Palestine,  
Be witness David's City, if my heart  
Did ever merit such an act of thine:  
Or if the fault be mine that makes us part,  
Since mildest Moses friend unto the Lord,  
Did work his wonders in the land of Ham,  
And slew the first-born Babes without a sword,  
In sign whereof we eat the holy Lamb:  
Till now that fourteen hundred years are past,  
Since first the Law with us hath been in force:  
You are the first, and will I hope, be last,  
That ever sought her husband to divorce.  Salom. 
I mean not to be led by precedent,  
My will shall be to me in stead of Law.  Const. 
I fear me much you will too late repent,  
That you have ever lived so void of awe:  
This is Silleus' love that makes you thus  
Reverse all order: you must next be his.  
But if my thoughts aright the cause discuss,  
In winning you, he gains no lasting bliss,  
I was Silleus and not long ago  
josephus then was Constabarus now:  
When you became my friend you proved his foe,  
As now for him you break to me your vowed.  Sal. 
If once I loved you, greater is your debt:  
For certain 'tis that you deserved it not.  
And undeserved love we soon forget,  
And therefore that to me can be no blot.  
But now fare ill my once beloved Lord,  
Yet never more beloved than now abhorred.  Const. 
Yet Constabarus biddeth thee farewell.  
Farewell light creature. Heaven forgive thy sin:  
My prophesying spirit doth foretell  
Thy wavering thoughts do yet but new begin.  
Yet I have better scaped then joseph did,  
But if our Herod's death had been delayed,  
The valiant youths that I so long have hid,  
Had been by her, and I for them betrayed.  
Therefore in happy hour did Caesar give  
The fatal blow to wanton Anthony.  
For had he lived, our Herod then should live,  
But great Anthonius death made Herod die.  
Had he enjoyed his breath, not I alone  
Had been in danger of a deadly fall:  
But Mariam had the way of peril gone,  
Though by the Tyrant most beloved of all.  
The sweet faced Mariam as free from guilt  
As Heaven from spots, yet had her Lord come back  
Her purest blood had been unjustly spilled.  
And Salome it was would work her wrack.  
Though all judea yield her innocent,  
She often hath been near to punishment.  Chorus. 

THose minds that wholly dote upon delight,  
Except they only joy in inward good:  
Still hope at last to hop upon the right,  
And so from Sand they leap in loathsome mud.  
Fond wretches, seeking what they cannot find,  
For no content attends a wavering mind.  
If wealth they do desire, and wealth attain,   

Then wondrous fain would they to honour leap:  
Of mean degree they do in honour gain,  
They would but wish a little higher step.  
Thus step to step, and wealth to wealth they add,  
Yet cannot all their plenty make them glad.   

Yet oft we see that some in humble state,  
Are cheerful, pleasant, happy, and content:  
When those indeed that are of higher state,  
With vain additions do their thoughts torment.  
Th'one would to his mind his fortune bind,  
T'hother to his fortune frames his mind.   

To wish variety is sign of grief,  
For if you like your state as now it is,  
Why should an alteration bring relief?  
Nay change would then be feared as loss of bliss.  
That man is only happy in his Fate,  
That is delighted in a settled state.   

Still Mariam wished she from her Lord were free,  
For expectation of variety:  
Yet now she sees her wishes prosperous be,  
She grieves, because her Lord so soon did die.  
Who can those vast imaginations feed,  
Where in a property, contempt doth breed?   

Were Herod now perchance to live again,  
She would again as much be grieved at that:  
All that she may, she ever doth disdain,  
Her wishes guide her to she knows not what.  
And sad must be their looks, their honour sour,  
That care for nothing being in their power.     


Actus secundus. Scoena prima.  Pheroras and Graphina. Pher. 
'tIs true Graphina, now the time draws nigh  
Wherein the holy Priest with hallowed right,  
The happy long desired knot shall tie,  
Pheroras and Graphina to unite:  
How oft have I with lifted hands implored  
This blessed hour, till now implored in vain,  
Which hath my wished liberty restored,  
And made my subject self my own again.  
Thy love fair Maid upon mine eye doth sit,  
Whose nature hot doth dry the moisture all,  
Which were in nature, and in reason fit  
For my monarchal Brother's death to fall:  
Had Herod lived, he would have plucked my hand  
From fair Graphina's Palm perforce: and tide  
The same in hateful and despised band,  
For I had had a Baby to my Bride:  
Scarce can her Infant tongue with easy voice  
Her name distinguish to another's ear:  
Yet had he lived, his power, and not my choice  
Had made me solemnly the contract swear.  
Have I not cause in such a change to joy?  
What? though she be my Niece, a Princess borne:  
near bloods without respect: high birth a toy.  
Since Love can teach blood and kindred's scorn.  
What booted it that he did raise my head,  
To be his realms Copartner, kingdoms mate,  
Withal, he kept Graphina from my bed,  
More wished by me then thrice Judaea's state.  
Oh, could not he be skilful judge in love,  
That doted so upon his Mariam's face?  
He, for his passion, Doris did remove.  
I needed not a lawful Wife displace,  
It could not be but he had power to judge,  
But he that never grudged a kingdoms share,  
This well known happiness to me did grudge:  
And meant to be therein without compare.  
Else had I been his equal in loves host,  
For though the Diadem on Mariam's head  
Corrupt the vulgar judgements, I will boast  
Graphina: brow's as white, her cheeks as red.  
Why speaks thou not fair creature? move thy tongue,  
For Silence is a sign of discontent:  
It were to both our loves too great a wrong  
If now this hour do find thee sadly bent.  Graph. 
Mistake me not my Lord, too oft have I  
Desired this time to come with winged feet,  
To be enwrapped with grief when 'tis too nigh,  
You know my wishes ever yours did meet:  
If I be silent, 'tis no more but fear  
That I should say too little when I speak:  
But since you will my imperfections bear,  
In spite of doubt I will my silence break:  
Yet might amazement tie my moving tongue,  
But that I know before Pheroras mind,  
I have admired your affection long:  
And cannot yet therein a reason find.  
Your hand hath lifted me from lowest state,  
To highest eminency wondrous grace,  
And me your handmaid have you made your mate,  
Though all but you alone do count me base.  
You have preserved me pure at my request,  
Though you so weak a vassal might constrain  
To yield to your high will, then last not best  
In my respect a Princess you disdain,  
Then need not all these favours study crave,  
To be requited by a simple maid:  
And study still you know must silence have,  
Then be my cause for silence justly weighed,  
But study cannot boot nor I requite,  
Except your lowly handmaides steadfast love  
And fast obedience may your mind delight,  
I will not promise more than I can prove.  Phero. 
That study needs not let Graphina smile,  
And I desire no greater recompense:  
I cannot vaunt me in a glorious style,  
Nor show my love in far-fetched eloquence:  
But this believe me, never Herod's heart  
Hath held his prince-born beauty famed wife  
In nearer place than thou fair virgin art,  
To him that holds the glory of his life.  
Should Herod's body leave the Sepulchre,  
And entertain the severed ghost again:  
He should not be my nuptial hinderer,  
Except he hindered it with dying pain.  
Come fair Graphina, let us go in state,  
This wish-endeared time to celebrate.   

Actus 2. Scena. 2.  Constabarus and Babus' Sons. Babus'. 1. Son. 
NOw valiant friend you have our lives redeemed,  
Which lives as saved by you, to you are due:  
Command and you shall see yourself esteemed,  
Our lives and liberties belong to you.  
This twice six years with hazard of your life,  
You have concealed us from the tyrant's sword:  
Though cruel Herod's sister were your wife,  
You durst in scorn of fear this grace afford.  
In recompense we know not what to say,  
A poor reward were thanks for such a merit,  
Our truest friendship at your feet we lay,  
The best requital to a noble spirit.  Const. 
Oh how you wrong our friendship valiant youth,  
With friends there is not such a word as det:  
Where amity is tide with bond of truth,  
All benefits are there in common set.  
Then is the golden age with them renewed,  
All names of properties are banished quite:  
Division, and distinction, are eschewed:  
Each hath to what belongs to others right.  
And 'tis not sure so full a benefit,  
Freely to give, as freely to require:  
A bounteous act hath glory following it,  
They cause the glory that the act desire.  
All friendship should the pattern imitate,  
Of Jesse's Son and valiant jonathan's  
For neither sovereign's nor father's hate,  
A friendship fixed on virtue sever can.  
Too much of this, 'tis written in the heart,  
And need no amplifying with the tongue:  
Now may you from your living tomb depart,  
Where Herod's life hath kept you over long.  
Too great an injury to a noble mind,  
To be quick buried, you had purchased fame,  
Some years ago, but that you were confined.  
While thousand meaner did advance their name.  
Your best of life the prime of all your years,  
Your time of action is from you bereft.  
twelve winters have you operpast in fears:  
Yet if you use it well, enough is left.  
And who can doubt but you will use it well?  
The sons of Babus have it by descent:  
In all their thoughts each action to excel,  
Boldly to act, and wisely to invent.  Babus' 2. Son. 
Had it not like the hateful cuckoo been,  
Whose riper age his infant nurse doth kill:  
So long we had not kept ourselves unseen,  
But Constabarus safely crossed our will:  
For had the Tyrant fixed his cruel eye,  
On our concealed faces wrath had swayed  
His justice so, that he had forced us die.  
And dearer price than life we should have paid,  
For you our truest friend had fallen with us:  
And we much like a house on pillars set,  
Had clean depressed our prop, and therefore thus  
Our ready will with our concealment met.  
But now that you fair Lord are dangerless,  
The Sons of Baba shall their rigor show:  
And prove it was not baseness did oppress  
Our hearts so long, but honour kept them low.  Ba. 1. Son. 
Yet do I fear this tale of Herod's death,  
At last will prove a very tale indeed:  
It gives me strongly in my mind, his breath  
Will be preserved to make a number bleed:  
I wish not therefore to be set at large,  
Yet peril to myself I do not fear:  
Let us for some days longer be your charge,  
Till we of Herod's state the truth do hear.  Const. 
What art thou turned a coward noble youth,  
That thou beginst to doubt, undoubted truth?  Babus'. 1. Son. 
Were it my brother's tongue that cast this doubt,  
I from his heart would have the question out:  
With this keen falchion, but 'tis you my Lord  
Against whose head I must not lift a sword:  
I am so tide in gratitude Const. believe  
You have no cause to take it ill,  
If any word of mine your heart did grieve  
The word dissented from the speakers will,  
I know it was not fear the doubt begun,  
But rather valour and your care of me,  
A coward could not be your father's son,  
Yet know I doubts unnecessary be:  
For who can think that in Anthonius fall,  
Herod his bosom friend should scape unbruised:  
Then Caesar we might thee an idiot call,  
If thou by him shouldst be so far abused.  Babus'. 2. Son. 
Lord Constab: let me tell you this,  
Upon submission Caesar will forgive:  
And therefore though the tyrant did amiss,  
It may fall out that he will let him live.  
Not many years agone it is since I  
Directed thither by my father's care,  
In famous Rome for twice twelve months did live,  
My life from Hebrews' cruelty to spare,  
There though I were but yet of boyish age,  
I bent mine eye to mark, mine ears to hear.  
Where I did see Octavious then a page,  
When first he did to julion's sight appear:  
methought I saw such mildness in his face,  
And such a sweetness in his looks did grow,  
Withal, commixed with so majestic grace,  
His Phisnomy his Fortune did foreshow:  
For this I am indebted to mine eye,  
But then mine ear received more evidence,  
By that I knew his love to clemency,  
How he with hottest choler could dispense.  Const. 
But we have more than barely heard the news,  
It hath been twice confirmed. And though some tongue  
Might be so false, with false report t'abuse,  
A false report hath never lasted long.  
But be it so that Herod have his life,  
Concealment would not then a whit avail:  
For certain 'tis, that she that was my wife,  
Would not to set her accusation fail.  
And therefore now as good the venture give,  
And free ourselves from blot of cowardice:  
As show a pitiful desire to live,  
For, who can pity but they must despise?  Babus' first son. 
I yield, but to necessity I yield,  
I dare upon this doubt engage mine arm:  
That Herod shall again this kingdom wield,  
And prove his death to be a false alarm.  Babus' second son. 
I doubt it too: God grant it be an error,  
'tis best without a cause to be in terror:  
And rather had I, though my soul be mine,  
My soul should lie, then prove a true divine.  Const. 
Come, come, let fear go seek a dastards nest,  
Undaunted courage lies in a noble breast.   

Actus 2. Scoena 3.  Doris and Antipater. Dor. 
YOur royal buildings bow your lofty side,  
And scope to her that is by right your Queen:  
Let your humility upbraid the pride  
Of those in whom no due respect is seen:  
Nine times have we with Trumpets haughty sound,  
And banishing sour Leaven from our taste:  
Observed the feast that takes the fruit from ground.  
Since I fair City did behold thee last,  
So long it is since Mariam's purer cheek  
Did rob from mine the glory. And so long  
Since I returned my native Town to seek:  
And with me nothing but the sense of wrong.  
And thee my Boy, whose birth though great it were,  
Yet have thy after fortunes proved but poor:  
When thou wert borne how little did I fear  
Thou shouldst be thrust from forth thy Father's door.  
Art thou not Herod's right begotten Son?  
Was not the hapless Doris, Herod's wife?  
Yes: ere he had the Hebrew kingdom won,  
I was companion to his private life.  
Was I not fair enough to be a Queen?  
Why ere thou wert to me false Monarch tide,  
My lake of beauty might as well be seen,  
As after I had lived five years thy Bride.  
Yet then thine oath came pouring like the rain,  
Which all affirmed my face without compare:  
And that if thou might'st Doris love obtain,  
For all the world besides thou didst not care.  
Then was I young, and rich, and nobly borne,  
And therefore worthy to be Herod's mate:  
Yet thou ungrateful cast me off with scorn,  
When Heavens purpose raised your meaner fate.  
Oft have I begged for vengeance for this fact,  
And with dejected knees, aspiring hands  
Have prayed the highest power to enact  
The fall of her that on my Trophy stands.  
Revenge I have according to my will,  
Yet where I wished this vengeance did not light:  
I wished it should high-hearted Mariam kill.  
But it against my whilom Lord did fight  
With thee sweet Boy I came, and came to try  
If thou before his bastards might be placed  
In Herod's royal seat and dignity.  
But Mariam's infants here are only graced,  
And now for us there doth no hope remain:  
Yet we will not return till Herod's end  
Be more confirmed, perchance he is not slain.  
So glorious Fortunes may my Boy attend,  
For if he live, he'll think it doth suffice,  
That he to Doris shows such cruelty:  
For as he did my wretched life despise,  
So do I know I shall despised die.  
Let him but prove as natural to thee,  
As cruel to thy miserable mother:  
His cruelty shall not upbraided be  
But in thy fortunes. ay his faults will smother.  Antipat. 
Each mouth within the City loudly cries  
That Herod's death is certain: therefore we  
Had best some subtle hidden plot devise,  
That Mariam's children might subverted be,  
By poison's drink, or else by murderous Knife,  
So we may be advanced, it skills not how:  
They are but Bastards, you were Herod's wife,  
And foul adultery blotteth Mariam's brow.  Doris. 
They are too strong to be by us removed,  
Or else revenges foulest spotted face:  
By our detested wrongs might be approved,  
But weakness must to greater power give place.  
But let us now retire to grieve alone,  
For solitariness best fitteth moan.   

Actus secundus. Scoena 4.  Silleus and Constabarus. Silleus. 
WEll met judean Lord, the only wight  
Silleus wished to see. I am to call  
Thy tongue to strict account.  Const. 
For what despite  
I ready am to hear, and answer all.  
But if directly at the cause I guess  
That breeds this challenge, you must pardon me:  
And now some other ground of fight profess,  
For I have vowed, vows must unbroken be.  Sill. 
What may be your expectation? let me know.  Const. 
Why? ought concerning Salom, my sword  
Shall not be wielded for a cause so low,  
A blow for her my arm will scorn t'afford.  Sill. 
It is for slandering her unspotted name,  
And I will make thee in thy vows despite,  
Suck up the breath that did my Mistress blame,  
And swallow it again to do her right.  Const. 
I prithee give some other quarrel ground  
To find beginning, rail against my name:  
Or strike me first, or let some scarlet wound  
Inflame my courage, give me words of shame,  
Do thou our Moses sacred laws disgrace,  
Deprave our nation, do me some despite:  
I'm apt enough to fight in any case,  
But yet for Salome I will not fight.  Sill. 
Nor I for aught but Salome: My sword  
That owes his service 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 pity thee enough already,  
For her, I therefore will not mangle thee:  
A woman with a heart so most unsteady,  
Will of herself sufficient torture be.  
I cannot envy for so light a gain,  
Her mind with such unconstancy doth run:  
As with a word thou didst her love obtain,  
So with a word she will from thee be won.  
So light as her possessions for most day  
Is her affections lost, to me 'tis known:  
As good go hold the wind as make her stay,  
She never loves, but till she call her own.  
She merely is a painted sepulchre,  
That is both fair, and vilely foul at once:  
Though on her outside graces garnish her,  
Her mind is filled with worse then rotten bones.  
And ever ready lifted is her hand,  
To aim destruction at a husband's throat:  
For proofs, josephus and myself do stand,  
Though once on both of us, she seemed to do at.  
Her mouth though serpent-like it never hisses,  
Yet like a Serpent, poisons where it kisses.  Silleus. 
Well Hebrew well, thou barkest, 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 give thee thanks. A cowards hateful name,  
Cannot to valiant minds a blot impart,  
And therefore I with joy receive the same.  
Thou know'st I am no coward: thou wert by  
At the Arabian battle th'other day:  
And sawst my sword with daring valiancy,  
Amongst the faint Arabians cut my way.  
The blood of foes no more could let it shine,  
And 'twas enameled with some of thine.  
But now have at thee, not for Salome  
I fight: but to discharge a coward's style:  
Here 'gins the fight that shall not parted be,  
Before a soul or two endure exile.  Silleus. 
Thy sword hath made some windows for my blood,  
To show a horrid crimson phisnomy:  
To breathe for both of us methinks 'twere good,  
The day will give us time enough to die.  Const: 
With all my heart take breath, thou shalt have time,  
And if thou list a twelvemonth, let us end:  
Into thy cheeks there doth a paleness climb,  
Thou canst not from my sword thyself defend.  
What needest thou for Salome to fight,  
Thou hast her, and mayst keep her, none strives for her:  
I willingly to thee resign my right,  
For in my very soul I do abhor her.  
Thou seest that I am fresh, unwounded yet,  
Than not for fear I do this offer make:  
Thou art with loss of blood, to fight unfit,  
For here is one, and there another take.  Silleus. 
I will not leave as long as breath remains  
Within my wounded body: spare your words,  
My heart in blood's stead, courage entertains,  
Salome's love no place for fear affords.  Const: 
Oh could thy soul but prophesy like mine,  
I would not wonder thou shouldst long to die:  
For Salome if I aright divine  
Will be then death a greater misery.  Sille. 
Then list, I'll breathe no longer.  Const: 
Do thy will,  
I hateless fight, and charitably kill. ay, ay, they fight,  
Pity thyself Silleus, let not death  
Intruded before his time into thy heart:  
Alas it is too late to fear, his breath  
Is from his body now about to part.  
How farest thou brave Arabian? Silleus very well,  
My leg is hurt, I can no longer fight:  
It only grieves me, that so soon I fell,  
Before fair Salome's wrongs I came to right.  Const: 
Thy wounds are less than mortal. Never fear,  
Thou shalt a safe and quick recovery find:  
Come, I will thee unto my lodging bear,  
I hate thy body, but I love thy mind.  Silleus. 
Thanks noble jew, I see a courteous foe,  
Stern enmity to friendship can no art:  
Had not my heart and tongue engaged me so,  
I would from thee no foe, but friend depart.  
My heart to Salome is tide so fast,  
To leave her love for friendship, yet my skill  
Shall be employed to make you favour last,  
And I will honour Constabarus still.  Const: 
I open my bosom to thee, and will take  
Thee in, as friend, and grieve for thy complaint:  
But if we do not expedition make,  
Thy loss of blood I fear will make thee faint.  Chorus. 

TO hear a tale with ears prejudicate,  
It spoils the judgement, and corrupts the sense:  
That human error given to every state,  
Is greater enemy to innocence.  
It makes us foolish, heady, rash, unjust,  
It makes us never try before we trust.   

It will confound the meaning change the words,  
For it our sense of hearing much deceives:  
Besides no time to judgement it affords,  
To way the circumstance our ear Receives.  
The ground of accidents it never tries,  
But makes us take for truth ten thousand lies.   

Our ears and hearts are apt to hold for good,  
That we ourselves do most desire to be:  
And then we drown objections in the flood  
Of partiality, 'tis that we see  
That makes false rumours long with credit past,  
Though they like rumours must conclude at last.   

The greatest part of us prejudicate,  
With wishing Herod's 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,  
Do carry headlong, so they doubts conclude.   

They not object the weak uncertain ground,  
Whereon they built this tale of Herod's end:  
Whereof the Author scarcely can be found,  
And all because their wishes that way bend.  
They think not of the peril that ensu'th,  
If this should prove the contrary to truth.   

On this same doubt, on this so light a breath,  
They pawn their lives, and fortunes. For they all  
Behave them as the news of Herod's death,  
They did of most undoubted credit call:  
But if their actions now do rightly hit,  
Let them commend their fortune, not their wit.     


Actus tertius: Scoena prima.  Pheroras: Salome. Phero. 
Urge me no more Graphina to forsake,  
Not twelve hours since I married her for love:  
And do you think a sister's power can make  
A resolute decree, so soon remove?  Salome. 
Poor minds they are that honour not affects.  Phero: 
Who hunts for honour, happiness neglects.  Salom. 
You might have been both of felicity,  
And honour too in equal measure seized.  Phero: 
It is not you can tell so well as I,  
What 'tis can make me happy, or displeased.  Salome. 
To match for neither beauty nor respects  
One mean of birth, but yet of meaner mind,  
A woman full of natural defects,  
I wonder what your eye in her could find.  Phero: 
Mine eye found loveliness, mine ear found wit,  
To please the one, and to enchant the other:  
Grace on her eye, mirth on her tongue doth sit,  
In looks a child, in wisdoms house a mother.  Salom: 
But say you thought her fair, as none thinks else,  
Knows not Pheroras, beauty is a blast:  
Much like this flower which today excels,  
But longer than a day it will not last.  Phero: 
Her wit exceeds her beauty,  Salo: 
Wit may show  
The way to ill, as well as good you know.  Phero: 
But wisdom is the porter of her head,  
And bears 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 hasty steps doth bend?  
Great sacrificer you're arrived well,  
Ill news from holy mouth I not attend.   

Actus tertius. Scoena 2.  Pheroras. Salome. Ananell. Ananell. 
MY lips, my son, with peaceful tidings blessed,  
Shall utter Honey to your listening ear:  
A word of death comes not from Priestly breast,  
I speak of life: in life there is no fear.  
And for the news I did the Heavens salute,  
And filled the Temple with my thankful voice:  
For though that mourning may not me pollute,  
At pleasing accidents I may rejoice.  Pheror. 
Is Herod then reviv'd from certain death?  Sall. 
What? can your news restore my brother's breath?  Ana. 
Both so, and so, the King is safe and sound,  
And did such grace in royal Caesar meet:  
That he with larger style than ever crowned,  
Within this hour jerusalem will greet.  
I did but come to tell you, and must back  
To make preparatives for sacrifice:  
I knew his death, your hearts like mine did rack,  
Though to conceal it, proved you wise.  Salom. 
How can my joy sufficiently appear?  Phero. 
A heavier tale did never pierce mine ear.  Salo. 
Now Salome of happiness may boast.  Pheror. 
But now Pheroras is in danger most.  Salom. 
I shall enjoy the comfort of my life.  Pheror. 
And I shall lose it, losing of my wife.  Salom. 
joy heart, for Constan: shall be slain.  Phero. 
Grieve soul, Graphina shall from me be ta'en.  Salom. 
Smile cheeks, the fair Silleus shall be mine.  Phero. 
Weep eyes, for I must with a child combine.  Salom. 
Well brother, cease your moans, on one condition  
He undertake to win the king's consent:  
Graphina still shall be in your tuition,  
And her with you be near the less content.  Phero. 
What's the condition? let me quickly know,  
That I as quickly your command may act:  
Were it to see what Herbs in Ophir grow,  
Or that the lofty Tyrus might be sacked.  Salom. 
'tis no so hard a task: It is no more,  
But tell the King that Consta: hid  
The sons of Baba, done to death before:  
And 'tis no more than Consta. did.  
And tell him more that he for Herod's sake,  
Not able to endure his brother's foe:  
Did with a bill our separation make,  
Though loath from Consta: else to go.  Phero. 
Believe this tale for told, I'll go from hence,  
In Herod's ear the Hebrew to deface:  
And I that never studied eloquence,  
Do mean with eloquence this tale to grace. Exit.  Salom. 
This will be Constabarus quick dispatch,  
Which from my mouth would lesser credit find:  
Yet shall he not decease without a match,  
For Mariam shall not linger long behind.  
First jealousy, if that avail not, fear  
shallbe my minister to work her end:  
A common error moves not Herod's ear,  
Which doth so firmly to his Mariam bend.  
She shall be charged with so horrid crime,  
As Herod's fear shall turn his love to hate:  
He make some swear that she desires to climb,  
And seeks to poison him for his estate.  
I scorn that she should live my birth t'upbraid,  
To call me base and hungry Edomite:  
With patient show her choler I betrayed,  
And watched the time to be revenged by slight.  
Now tongue of mine with scandal load her name,  
Turn hers to fountains, Herod's eyes to flame:  
Yet first I will begin Pheroras suit,  
That he my earnest business may effect:  
And I of Mariam will keep me mute,  
Till first some other doth her name detect.  
Who's there, Silleus man? How fares your Lord?  
That your aspects do bear the badge of sorrow?  Silleus' man. 
He hath the marks of Constabarus' sword,  
And for a while desires your sight to borrow  Salom. 
My heavy curse the hateful sword pursue,  
My heavier curse on the more hateful arm  
That wounded my Silleus. But renew  
Your tale again. Hath he no mortal harm?  Silleus' man. 
No sign of danger doth in him appear,  
Nor are his wounds in place of peril seen:  
He bides you be assured you need not fear,  
He hopes to make you yet Arabia's Queen.  Salom. 
Commend my heart to be Silleus' charge,  
Tell him, my brother's sudden coming now:  
Will give my foot no room to walk 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 news may he  
That makes your eyes so full, your cheeks so blue?  Sohem. 
I know not how to call them. Ill for me  
'tis sure they are: not so I hope for you.  
Herod.  Mari. 
Oh, what of Herod? Sohem. Herod lives.  
How! lives? What in some Cave or forest hide?  Sohem. 
Nay, back returned with honour. Caesar gives  
Him greater grace than ere Anthonius did.  Mari. 
Foretell the ruin of my family,  
Tell me that I shall see our City burnt:  
Tell me I shall a death disgraceful die,  
But tell me not that Herod is returned.  Sohem. 
Be not impatient Madam, be but mild,  
His love to you again will soon be bred:  Mar. 
I will not to his love be reconciled,  
With solemn vows I have forsworn his Bed.  Sohem. 
But you must break those vows.  Mar. 
I'll rather break  
The heart of Mariam. Cursed is my Fate:  
But speak no more to me, in vain ye speak  
To live with him I so profoundly hate.  Sohem. 
Great Queen, you must to me your pardon give,  
Sohemus cannot now your will obey:  
If your command should me to silence drive,  
It were not to obey, but to betray.  
Reject, and slight my speeches, mock my faith,  
Scorn my observance, call my counsel nought:  
Though you regard not what Sohemus saith,  
Yet will I ever freely speak my thought.  
I fear ere long I shall fair Mariam see  
In woeful state, and by herself undone:  
Yet for your issue's sake more temperate be,  
The heart by affability is won.  Mari. 
And must I to my Prison turn again?  
Oh, now I see I was an hypocrite:  
I did this morning for his death complain,  
And yet do mourn, because he lives ere night.  
When I his death believed, compassion wrought,  
And was the stickler twixt my heart and him:  
But now that curtain's drawn from off my thought,  
Hate doth appear again with visage grim:  
And paints the face of Herod in my heart,  
In horrid colours with detested look:  
Then fear would come, but scorn doth play her part,  
And saith that scorn with fear can never brook.  
I know I could enchain him with a smile:  
And lead him captive with a gentle word,  
Scorn my look should ever man beguile,  
or other speech, then meaning to afford.  
Else Salome in vain might spend her wind,  
In vain might Herod's mother whet her tongue:  
In vain had they complotted and combined,  
For I could overthrow them all ere long.  
Oh what a shelter is mine innocence,  
To shield me from the pangs of inward grief:  
'gainst all mishaps it is my fair defence,  
And to my sorrows yields a large relief.  
To be commandress of the triple earth,  
And sit in safety from a fall secure:  
To have all nations celebrate my birth,  
I would not that my spirit were impure.  
Let my distressed state unpitied be,  
Mine innocence is hope enough for me. Exit.  Sohem: 
Poor guiltless Queen. Oh that my wish might place  
A little temper now about thy heart:  
Unbridled speech is Mariam's worst disgrace,  
And will endanger her without desert.  
I am in greater hazard. o'er my head,  
The fatal axe doth hang unsteadily:  
My disobedience once discovered,  
Will shake it down: Sohemus so shall die.  
For when the King shall find, we thought his death  
Had been as certain as we see his life:  
And marks withal I slighted so his breath,  
As to preserve alive his matchless wife.  
Nay more, to give to Alexander's hand  
The regal dignity. The sovereign power,  
How I had yielded up at her command,  
The strength of all the city, David's Tower.  
What more than common death may I expect,  
Since I too well do know his cruelty:  
'twere death, a word of Herod's to neglect,  
What then to do directly contrary?  
Yet life I quite thee with a willing spirit,  
And think thou couldst not better be employed:  
I forfeit thee for her that more doth merit,  
Ten such were better dead than she destroyed.  
But fare thee well chaste Queen, well may I see  
The darkness palpable, and rivers part:  
The sun stand still: Nay more retorted be,  
But never woman with so pure a heart.  
Thine eyes grave majesty keeps all in awe,  
And cuts the wings of every loose desire:  
Thy brow is table to the modest law,  
Yet though we dare not love, we may admire.  
And if I die, it shall my soul content,  
My breath in Mariam's service shall be spent.  Chorus. 

'tIs not enough for one that is a wife  
To keep her spotless from an act of ill:  
But from suspicion she should free her life,  
And bore herself of power as well as will.  
'tis not so glorious for her to be free,  
As by her proper self restrained to be.   

When she hath spacious ground to walk upon,  
Why on the ridge should she desire to go?  
It is no glory to forbear alone,  
Those things that may her honour overthrow.  
But 'tis thankworthy, if she will not take  
All lawful liberties for honour's sake.   

That wife her hand against her fame doth rear,  
That more than to her Lord alone will give  
A private word to any second ear,  
And though she may with reputation live.  
Yet though most chaste, she doth her glory blot,  
And wounds her honour, though she kills it not.   

When to their Husbands they themselves do bind,  
Do they not wholly give themselves away?  
Or give they but their body not their mind,  
Reserving that though best, for others pray?  
No sure, their thoughts no more can be their own,  
And therefore should to none but one be known.   

Then she usurps upon another's right,  
That seeks to be by public language graced:  
And though her thoughts reflect with purest light,  
Her mind if not peculiar is not chaste.  
For in a wife it is no worse to find,  
A common body, than a common mind.   

And every mind though free from thought of ill,  
That out of glory seeks a worth to show:  
When any's ears but one therewith they fill,  
Doth in a sort her pureness overthrow.  
Now Mariam had, (but that to this she bent)  
Been free from fear, as well as innocent.     


Actus quartus: Scoena prima.  Enter Herod and his attendants. Herod. 
Hail happy city, happy in thy store,  
And happy that thy buildings such we see:  
More happy in the Temple where w'adore,  
But most of all that Mariam lives in thee.  
Art thou returned? how fares my Mariam? Enter Nutio.  Nutio. 
She's well my Lord, and will anon be here  
As you commanded.  Her: 
Muffle up thy brow  
Thou days dark taper. Mariam will appear.  
And where she shines, we need not thy dim light,  
Oh haste thy steps rare creature, speed thy pace:  
And let thy presence make the day more bright,  
And cheer the heart of Herod with thy face.  
It is an age since I from Mariam went,  
methinks our parting was in David's days:  
The hours are so increased by discontent,  
Deep sorrow, josua like the season stays:  
But when I am with Mariam, time runs on,  
Her sight, can make months, minutes, days of weeks  
An hour is then no sooner come then gone.  
When in her face mine eye for wonders seeks.  
You world commanding city, Europe's grace,  
Twice hath my curious eye your streets surveyed,  
And I have seen the statue filled place,  
That once if not for grief had been betrayed.  
I all your Roman beauties have beheld,  
And seen the shows your Aediles did prepare,  
I saw the sum of what in you excelled,  
Yet saw no miracle like Mariam rare.  
The fair and famous Livia, Caesar's love,  
The world's commanding Mistress did I see:  
Whose beauties both the world and Rome approve,  
Yet Mariam: Livia is not like to thee.  
Be patient but a little, while mine eyes  
Within your compassed limits be contained:  
That object straight shall your desires suffice,  
From which you were so long a while restrained.  
How wisely Mariam doth the time delay,  
lest sudden joy my sense should suffocate:  
I am prepared, thou needst no longer stay:  
whose's there, my Mariam, more than happy 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 safety wait upon my Lord,  
And may you long in prosperous fortunes live  
With Rome commanding Caesar; at accord,  
And have all honours that the world can give.  Herod. 
Oh brother, now thou speakst not from thy heart,  
No, thou hast struck a blow at Herod's love:  
That cannot quickly from my memory part,  
Though Salome did me to pardon move.  
Valiant Phasaelus, now to thee farewell,  
Thou wert my kind and honourable brother:  
Oh hapless hour, when you self stricken fell,  
Thou father's Image, glory of thy mother.  
Had I desired a greater suit of thee,  
Than to withhold thee from a harlot's bed,  
Thou wouldst have granted it: but now I see  
All are not like that in a womb are bred.  
Thou wouldst not, hadst thou heard of Herod's death,  
Have made his burial time, thy bridal hour:  
Thou wouldst with clamours, not with joyful breath,  
Have showed the news to be not sweet but sour.  Phero. 
Phasaelus great worth I know did stain  
Pheroras petty valour: but they lie  
(Excepting you yourself) that dare maintain,  
That he did honour Herod more than I.  
For what I showed, loves power constrained me show,  
And pardon loving faults for Mariam's sake.  Herod. 
Mariam, where is she?  Phero. 
Nay, I do not know,  
But absent use of her fair name I make:  
You have forgiven greater faults than this,  
For Constabarus that against you will  
Preserved the sons of Baba, lives in bliss,  
Though you commanded him the youths to kill.  Herod. 
Go, take a present order for his death,  
And let those traitors feel the worst of fears:  
Now Salome will whine to beg his breath,  
But I'll be deaf to prayers: and blind to tears.  Phero. 
He is my Lord from Salom divorced,  
Though her affection did to leave him grieve:  
Yet was she by her love to you enforced,  
To leave the man that would your foes relieve.  Herod. 
Then haste them to their death. I will requite  
Thee gentle Mariam. Salom I mean  
The thought of Mariam doth so steal my spirit,  
My mouth from speech of her I cannot wean. Exit.   

Actus 4. Scoena 3.  Herod. Mariam. Herod. 
ANd here she comes indeed: happily met  
My best, and dearest half: what ails my dear?  
Thou dost the difference certainly forget  
Twixt dusky habits, and a time so clear.  Mar. 
My Lord, I suit my garment to my mind,  
And there no cheerful colours can I find.  Herod. 
Is this my welcome? have I longed so much  
To see my dearest Mariam discontent?  
What be't that is the cause thy heart to touch?  
Oh speak, that I thy sorrow may prevent.  
Art thou not juries Queen, and Herod's too?  
Be my Commanders, be my Sovereign guide:  
To be by thee directed I will woo,  
For in thy pleasure lies my highest pride.  
Or if thou think Judaea's narrow bound,  
Too strict a limit for thy great command:  
Thou shalt be Empress of Arabia crowned,  
For thou shalt rule, and I will win the Land.  
I'll rob the holy David's Sepulchre  
To give thee wealth, if thou for wealth do care:  
Thou shalt have all, they did with him inter,  
And I for thee will make the Temple bore.  Mar. 
I neither have of power not riches want,  
I have enough, nor do I wish for more:  
Your offers to my heart no ease can grant,  
Except they could my brother's life restore.  
No, had you wished the wretched Mariam glad,  
Or had your love to her been truly tide:  
Nay, had you not desired to make her sad,  
My brother nor my Grandsire had not died.  Her. 
Wilt thou believe no oaths to clear thy Lord?  
How oft have I with execration sworn:  
Thou art by me beloved, by me adored,  
Yet are my protestations heard with scorn.  
Hercanus plotted to deprive my head  
Of this long settled honour that I wear:  
And therefore I did justly doom him dead,  
To rid the Realm from peril, me from fear.  
Yet I for Mariam's sake do so repent  
The death of one: whose blood she did inherit:  
I wish I had a kingdoms treasure spent,  
So I had near expelled Hercanus' spirit.  
As I affected that same noble youth,  
In lasting infamy my name enrol:  
If I not mourned his death with hearty truth.  
Did I not show to him my earnest love,  
When I to him the Priesthood did restore?  
And did for him a living Priest remove,  
Which never had been done but once before.  Mariam. 
I know that moved by importunity,  
You made him Priest, and shortly after die.  Herod. 
I will not speak, unless to be believed,  
This froward humour will not do you good:  
It hath too much already Herod grieved,  
To think that you on terms of hate have stood.  
Yet smile my dearest Mariam, do but smile,  
And I will all unkind conceits exile.  Mari. 
I cannot frame disguise, nor never taught  
My face a look dissenting from my thought.  Herod. 
By heaven you vex me, build not on my love.  Mari. 
I will not build on so unstable ground.  Herod. 
Nought is so fixed, but peevishness may move.  Mar. 
'tis better slightest cause than none were found.  Herod. 
Be judge yourself, if ever Herod sought  
Or would be moved a cause of change to find:  
Yet let your look declare a milder thought,  
My heart again you shall to Mariam bind.  
How oft did I for you my Mother chide,  
Revile my Sister, and my brother rate:  
And tell them all my Mariam they belied,  
Distrust me still, if these be signs of hate.   

Actus 4. Scoena 4.  Herod. 
WHat hast thou here?  Bu. 
A drink procuring love,  
The Queen desired me to deliver it.  Mar. 
Did I: some hateful practice this will prove,  
Yet can it be no worse than Heavens permit.  Herod. 
Confess the truth thou wicked instrument,  
To her outrageous will, 'tis passion sure:  
Tell true, and thou shalt scape the punishment,  
Which if thou do conceal thou shalt endure.  Bu. 
I know not, but I doubt it be no less,  
Long since the hate of you her heart did cease.  Herod. 
Know'st thou the cause thereof?  Bu. 
My Lord I guess,  
Sohemus told the tale that did displease.  Herod. 
Oh Heaven! Sohemus false! Go let him die,  
Stay not to suffer him to speak a word:  
Oh damned villain, did he falsify  
The oath he swore e'en of his own accord?  
Now do I know thy falsehood, painted Devil  
Thou white Enchantress. Oh thou art so foul,  
That hyssop cannot cleanse thee worst of evil.  
A beauteous body hides a loathsome soul,  
Your love Sohemus moved by his affection,  
Though he have ever heretofore been true:  
Did blab forsooth, that I did give direction,  
If we were put to death to slaughter you.  
And you in black revenge attended now  
To add a murder to your breach of vow.  Mar. 
Is this a dream?  Her. 
Oh Heaven, that 'twere no more,  
I'll give my Realm to who can prove it so:  
I would I were like any beggar poor,  
So I for false my Mariam did not know.  
Foul pith contained in the fairest rind,  
That ever graced a cedar. Oh thine eye  
Is pure as heaven, but impure thy mind,  
And for impurity shall Mariam die.  
Why didst thou love Sohemus? Mar: they can tell  
That say I loved him, Mariam says not so.  Herod. 
Oh cannot impudence the coals expel,  
That for thy love in Herod's bosom glow:  
It is as plain as water, and denial  
Makes of thy falsehood but a greater trial.  
Hast thou beheld thyself, and couldst thou stain  
So rare perfection: even for love of thee  
I do profoundly hate thee. Wert thou plain,  
Thou shouldst the wonder of judea be.  
But oh thou art not. Hell itself lies hid  
Beneath thy heavenly show. Yet never wert thou chaste:  
Thou might'st exalt, pull down, command, forbid,  
And be above the wheel of fortune placed.  
Hadst thou complotted Herod's massacre,  
That so thy son a Monarch might be styled,  
Not half so grievous such an action were,  
As once to think, that Mariam is defiled.  
Bright workmanship of nature sullied over,  
With pitched darkness now thine end shall be:  
Thou shalt not live fair fiend to cozen more,  
With heavy semblance, as thou cozenedst me.  
Yet must I love thee in despite of death,  
And thou shalt die in the despite of love:  
For neither shall my love prolong thy breath,  
Nor shall thy loss of breath my love remove.  
I might have seen thy falsehood in thy face,  
Where couldst thou get thy stars that served for eyes?  
Except by theft, and theft is foul disgrace:  
This had appeared before were Herod wise,  
But I'm a sot, a very sot, no better:  
My wisdom long ago a wandering fell,  
Thy face encountering it, my wit did fetter,  
And made me for delight my freedom sell.  
Give me my heart false creature, 'tis a wrong,  
My guiltless heart should now with thine be slain:  
Thou hadst no right to look it up so long,  
And with usurper name I Mariam stain.  Enter Bu.: He: 
Have you designed Sohemus to his end?  Bu: 
I have my Lord Herod: Then call our royal guard  
To do as much for Mariam, they offend  
Leave ill unblamed, or good without reward.  
Here take her to her death Come back, come back,  
What meant I to deprive the world of light:  
To muffle jury in the foulest black,  
That ever was an opposite to white.  
Why whither would you carry 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 feel the fury of the sword?  
Oh now the grief returns into my heart,  
And pulls me piecemeal: love and hate do fight:  
And now hath 'bove acquired the greater part,  
Yet now hath hate, affection conquered quite.  
And therefore bear her hence: and Hebrew why  
Seize you with lions paws the fairest lamb  
Of all the flock? she must not, shall not, die,  
Without her I most miserable am.  
And with her more than most, away, away,  
But bear her but to prison not to death:  
And is she gone indeed, stay villains stay,  
Her looks alone preserved your sovereign's breathe.  
Well let her go, but yet she shall not die,  
I cannot think she meant to poison me:  
But certain 'tis she lived too wanton,  
And therefore shall she never more be free.   

Actus 4. Scoena 5.  Bu. 
Foul villain, can thy pitchy coloured soul  
Permit thine ear to hear her cawls doom?  
And not enforce thy tongue that tale control,  
That must unjustly bring her to her too me.  
Oh Salome thou hast thyself repaid,  
For all the benefits that thou hast done:  
Thou art the cause I have the queen betrayed,  
Thou hast my heart to darkest falsehood won.  
I am condemned, heaven gave me not my tongue  
To slander innocents, to lie, deceive:  
To be the hateful instrument to wrong,  
The earth of greatest glory to bereave.  
My sin ascends and doth to heaven cry,  
It is the blackest deed that ever was:  
And there doth sit an Angel notary,  
That doth record it down in leaves of brass.  
Oh how my heart doth quake: Achitophel,  
Thou found'st a means thyself from shame to free:  
And sure my soul approves thou didst not well,  
All follow some, and I will follow thee.   

Actus 4. Scoena 6.  Constabarus, Babus' Sons, 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 us resolutely yield our breath,  
Death is the only ladder, Heaven to climb.  Babus' 1. Son. 
With willing mind I could myself resign,  
But yet it grieves me with a grief untold:  
Our death should be accompanied with thine,  
Our friendship we to thee have dearly sold.  Const. 
Still wilt thou wrong the sacred name of friend?  
Then shouldst thou never style it friendship more:  
But base mechanic traffic that doth lend,  
Yet will be sure they shall the debt restore.  
I could with needless complement return,  
'tis for thy ceremony I could say:  
'tis I that made the fire your house to burn,  
For but for me she would not you betray.  
Had not the damned woman sought mine end,  
You had not been the subject of her hate:  
You never did her hateful mind offend,  
Nor could your deaths have freed your nuptial fate.  
Therefore fair friends, though you were still unborn,  
Some other subtlety devised should be:  
Were by my life, though guiltless should be torn,  
Thus have I proved, 'tis you that die for me.  
And therefore should I weakly now lament,  
You have but done your duties, friends should die:  
Alone their friend's disaster to prevent,  
Though not compelled by strong necessity.  
But now farewell fair city, never more  
Shall I behold your beauty shining bright:  
Farewell of jewish men the worthy store,  
But no farewell to any female wight.  
You wavering crew: my curse to you I leave,  
You had but one to give you any grace:  
And you yourselves will Mariam's life bereave,  
Your commonwealth doth innocency chase.  
You creatures made to be the human curse,  
You Tigers, Lionesses, hungry Bears,  
Tear massacring hyenas: nay far worse,  
For they for pray do shed their feigned tears.  
But you will weep, (you creatures cross to good)  
For your unquenched thirst of human blood:  
You were the Angels cast from heaven for pride,  
And still do keep your Angels outward show,  
But none of you are inly beautified,  
For still your heaven depriving pride doth grow.  
Did not the sins of many require a scourge,  
Your place on earth had been by this withstood:  
But since a flood no more the world must purge,  
You stayed in office of a second flood.  
You giddy creatures, sowers of debate,  
You'll love today, and for no other cause,  
But for you yesterday did deeply hate,  
You are the wreak of order, breach of laws.  
You best, are foolish, froward, wanton, vain,  
Your worst adulterous, murderous, cunning, proud  
And Salome attends the latter train,  
Or rather he their leader is allowed.  
I do the sottishness of men bewail,  
That do with following you enhance your pride:  
'twere better that the human race should fail,  
Then be by such a mischief multiplied.  
cham's servile curse to all your sex was given,  
Because in Paradise you did offend:  
Then do we not resist the will of Heaven,  
When on your wills like servants we attend?  
You are to nothing constant but to ill,  
You are with nought but wickedness endued:  
Your loves are set on nothing but your will,  
And thus my censure I of you conclude.  
You are the least of goods, the worst of evils,  
Your best are worse than men: your worst then devils.  Babus' second son. 
Come let us to our death: are we not blessed?  
Our death will freedom from these creatures give:  
Those trouble quiet sowers of unrest,  
And this I vow that had I leave to live,  
I would for ever lead a single life,  
And never venture on a devilish wife.   

Actus 4. Scoena 7.  Herod and Salome. Herod. 
NAy, she shall die. Die quoth you, that she shall:  
But for the means. The means! methinks 'tis hard  
To find a means to murder her withal,  
Therefore I am resolved she shall be spared.  Salom. 
Why? let her be beheaded.  Her. 
That were well,  
Think you that swords are miracles like you:  
Her skin will every curtle-axe edge refel,  
And then your enterprise you well may rue.  
What if the fierce Arabian notice take,  
Of this your wretched weaponless estate:  
They answer when we bid resistance make,  
That Mariam's skin their fanchions did rebate.  
Beware of this, you make a goodly hand,  
If you of weapons do deprive our Land.  Sal. 
Why drown her then.  Herod. 
Indeed a sweet device,  
Why? would not every River turn her course  
Rather then do her beauty prejudice?  
And be reverted to the proper source.  
So not a drop of water should be found  
In all Judaea's quondam fertile ground.  Sal. 
Then let the fire devour her.  Her. 
'twill not be:  
Flame is from her derived into my heart:  
Thou nursest flame, flame will not murder thee,  
My fairest Mariam, fullest of desert.  Salom. 
Then let her live for me.  Herod. 
Nay, she shall die:  
But can you live without her?  Sal. 
doubt you that?  Herod. 
I'm sure I cannot, I beseech you try:  
I have experience but I know not what.  Salom. 
How should I try?  Her. 
Why let my love be slain,  
But if we cannot live without her sight  
You'll find the means to make her breath again,  
Or else you will bereave my comfort quite.  Sal. 
Oh I: I warrant you.  Herod. 
What is she gone?  
And gone to bid the world be overthrown:  
What? is her heart's composure hardest stone?  
To what a pass are cruel women grown?  
She is returned already: have you done?  
be't possible you can command so soon?  
A creature's heart to quench the flaming Sun,  
Or from the sky to wipe away the Moon.  Salo. 
If Mariam be the Sun and Moon, it is:  
For I already have commanded this.  Her. 
But have you seen her cheek?  Sal. 
A thousand times.  Herod. 
But did you mark it too?  Sal. 
I very well.  Herod. 
What be't?  Sal. 
A Crimson bush, that ever limes  
The soul whose foresight doth not much excel.  Herod. 
Send word she shall not die. Her cheek a bush,  
Nay, than I see indeed you marked it not.  Sal. 
'tis very fair, but yet will never blush,  
Though foul dishonours do her forehead blot.  Herod. 
Then let her die, 'tis very true indeed,  
And for this fault alone shall Mariam bleed.  Sal. 
What fault my Lord?  Herod. 
What fault be't? you that ask:  
If you be ignorant I know of none,  
To call her back from death shall be your task,  
I'm glad that she for innocent is known.  
For on the brow of Mariam hangs a Fleece,  
Whose slenderest twine is strong enough to bind  
The hearts of Kings, the pride and shame of Greece,  
Troy flaming Helen's not so fairly shined.  Salom. 
'tis true indeed, she lays them out for nets,  
To catch the hearts that do not shun a bait:  
'tis time to speak: for Herod sure forgets  
That Mariam's very tresses hide deceit.  Her. 
Oh do they so? nay, than you do but well,  
Insooth I thought it had been hair:  
Nets call you them? Lord, how they do excel,  
I never saw a net that showed so fair.  
But have you heard her speak?  Sal. 
You know I have.  Her: 
And were you not amazed?  Sal. 
No, not a whit.  Her. 
Then 'twas not her you heard, her life I'll save,  
For Mariam hath a world amazing wit.  Salo. 
She speaks a beauteous language, but within  
Her heart is false as powder: and her tongue  
Doth but allure the auditors to sin,  
And is the instrument to do you wrong.  Herod. 
It may be so: nay, 'tis so: she's unchaste,  
Her mouth will ope to every stranger's ear:  
Then let the executioner make haste,  
Lest she enchant him, if her words he hear.  
Let him be deaf, lest she do him surprise  
That shall to free her spirit be assigned:  
Yet what boots deafness if he have his eyes,  
Her murderer must be both deaf and blind.  
For if he see, he needs must see the stars  
That shine on either side of Mariam's face:  
Whose sweet aspect will terminate the wars,  
Wherewith he should a soul so precious chase.  
Her eyes can speak, and in their speaking move,  
Oft did my heart with reverence receive  
The world's mandates. Pretty tales of love  
They utter, which can human bondage weave.  
But shall I let this heavens model die?  
Which for a small self-portraiture she drew:  
Her eyes like stars, her forehead like the sky,  
She is like Heaven, and must be heavenly true.  Salom. 
Your thoughts do rave with doting on the Queen,  
Her eyes are ebon hued, and you'll confess:  
A sable star hath been but seldom seen,  
Then speak of reason more, of Mariam less.  Herod. 
yourself are held a goodly creature here,  
Yet so unlike my Mariam in your shape:  
That when to her you have approached near,  
myself hath often ta'en you for an Ape.  
And yet you prate of beauty: go your ways,  
You are to her a Sun burnt Blackamoor:  
Your paintings cannot equal Mariam's praise,  
Her nature is so rich, you are so poor.  
Let her be staid 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 lingering? countermand her death.  Salo. 
Then you'll no more remember what hath passed,  
Sohemus' love, and hers shall be forgot:  
'tis well in truth: that fault may be her last,  
And she may mend, though yet she love you not.  Her: 
Oh God: 'tis true. Sohemus: earth and heaven,  
Why did you both conspire to make me cursed:  
In cozening me with shows, and proofs uneven?  
She showed the best, and yet did prove the worst.  
Her show was such, as had our singing king  
The holy David, Mariam's beauty seen:  
The Hittits had then felt no deadly sting,  
Nor Bethsabe had never been a Queen.  
Or had his son the wisest man of men,  
Whose fond delight did most consist in change:  
Beheld her face, he had been stayed again,  
No creature having her, can wish to range.  
Had Asuerus seen my Mariam's brow,  
The humble Jew, she might have walked alone:  
Her beauteous virtue should have stayed below,  
Whiles Mariam mounted to the Persian throne.  
But what avails it all: for in the weight  
She is deceitful, light as vanity:  
Oh she was made for nothing but a bait,  
To train some hapless man to misery.  
I am the hapless man that have been trained,  
To endless bondage. I will see her yet:  
methinks I should discern her if she feigned,  
Can human eyes be dazed by woman's wit?  
Once more these eyes of mine with hers shall meet,  
Before the headsman do her life bereave:  
Shall I for ever part from thee my sweet?  
Without the taking of my latest leave.  Salo: 
You had as good resolve to save her now,  
I'll stay her death, 'tis well determined:  
For sure she never more will break her vow,  
Sohemus and josephus both are dead.  Herod. 
She shall not live, nor will I see her face,  
A long healed wound, a second time doth bleed:  
With joseph I remember her disgrace,  
A shameful end ensues a shameful deed.  
Oh that I had not called to mind anew,  
The discontent of Mariam's wavering heart:  
'twas you: you foul mouthed Ate, none but you,  
That did the thought hereof to me impart.  
Hence from my sight, my black tormenter hence,  
For hadst not thou made Herod unsecure:  
I had not doubted Mariam's innocence,  
But still had held her in my heart for pure.  Salo: 
I'll leave you to your passion: 'tis no time  
To purge me now, though of a guiltless crime. Exit.  Herod. 
Destruction take thee: thou hast made my heart  
As heavy as revenge, I am so dull,  
methinks I am not sensible of smart,  
Though hideous horrors at my bosom pull.  
My head ways downwards: therefore will I go  
To try if I can sleep away my woe.   

Actus 4. Scoena. 8.  Mariam. 
AM I the Mariam that presumed so much,  
And deemed my face must needs preserve my breath?  
ay, I it was that thought my beauty such,  
At it alone could countermand my death.  
Now death will reach me: he can pale as well  
A cheek of roses, as a cheek less bright:  
And dim an eye whose shine doth most excel,  
assoon as one that casts a meaner light.  
Had not myself against myself conspire,  
No plot: no adversary from without  
Could Herod's love from Mariam have retired,  
Or from his heart have thrust my semblance out.  
The wanton Queen that never loved for love,  
False Cleopatra, wholly set on gain:  
With all her slights did prove: yet vainly prove,  
For her the love of Herod to obtain.  
Yet her allurements, all her courtly guile,  
Her smiles, her favours, and her smooth deceit:  
Could not my face from Herod's mind exile,  
But were with him of less than little weight.  
That face and person that in Asia late  
For beauty's Goddess Paphos Queen was ta'en:  
That face that did captive great julius fate,  
That very face that was Anthonius bane.  
That face that to be Egypt's pride was borne,  
That face that all the world esteemed so rare:  
Did Herod hate, despise, neglect, and scorn,  
When with the same, he Mariam's did compare.  
This made that I improvidently wrought,  
And on the wager even my life did pawn:  
Because I thought, and yet but truly thought,  
That Herod's love could not from me be drawn.  
But now though out of time, I plainly see  
It could be drawn, though never drawn from me:  
Had I but with humility been graced,  
As well as fair I might have proved me wise:  
But I did think because I knew me chaste,  
One virtue for a woman, might suffice.  
That mind for glory of our sex might stand,  
Wherein humility and chastity  
Doth march with equal paces hand in hand,  
But one it single seen, who setteth by?  
And I had single one, but 'tis my joy,  
That I was ever innocent, though sour:  
And therefore can they but my life destroy,  
My Soul is free from adversaries power.) Enter Doris.  
You Princes great in power, and high in birth,  
Be great and high, I envy not your hap:  
Your birth must be from dust: your power on earth,  
In heaven shall Mariam sit in Sara's lap.  Doris. 
I heaven, your beauty cannot bring you thither,  
Your soul is black and spotted, full of sin:  
You in adultery lived nine year together,  
And heaven will never let adultery in.  Mar: 
What art thou that dost poor Mariam pursue?  
Some spirit sent to drive me to despair:  
Who sees for truth that Mariam is untrue,  
If fair she be, she is as chaste as fair.  Doris. 
I am that Doris that was once beloved,  
Beloved by Herod: Herod's lawful wife:  
'twas you that Doris from his side removed,  
And robbed from me the glory of my life.  Mar: 
Was that adultery: did not Moses say,  
That he that being matched did deadly hate:  
Might by permission put his wife away,  
And take a more beloved to be his mate?  Doris. 
What did he hate me for: for simple truth?  
For bringing beauteous babes for love to him:  
For riches: noble birth, or tender youth,  
Or for no stain did Doris honour dim?  
Oh tell me Mariam, tell me if you know,  
Which fault of these made Herod Doris foe.  
These thrice three years have I with hands held up,  
And bowed knees fast nailed to the ground:  
Besought for thee the dregs of that same cup,  
That cup of wrath that is for sinners found.  
And now thou art to drink it: Doris curse,  
Upon thyself did all this while attend,  
But now it shall pursue thy children worse.  Mar: 
Oh Doris now to thee my knees I bend,  
That heart that never bowed to thee doth bow:  
Curse not mine infants, let it thee suffice,  
That Heaven doth punishment to me allow.  
Thy curse is cause that guiltless Mariam dies.  Doris. 
Had I ten thousand tongues, and every tongue  
Inflamed with poison's power, and steeped in gall:  
My curses would not answer for my wrong,  
Though I in cursing thee employed them all.  
Hear thou that didst mount Gerarim command,  
To be a place whereon with cause to curse:  
Stretch thy revenging arm: thrust forth thy hand,  
And plague the mother much: the children worse.  
Throw flaming fire upon the base-born heads  
That were begotten in unlawful beds.  
But let them live till they have sense to know  
What 'tis to be in miserable state:  
Then be their nearest friends their overthrow,  
Attended be they by suspicious hate.  
And Mariam, I do hope this boy of mine  
Shall one day come to be the death of thine. Exit.  Mariam. 
Oh! Heaven forbid. I hope the world shall see,  
This curse of thine shall be returned on thee:  
Now earth farewell, though I be yet but young,  
Yet I, methinks, have known thee too too long. Exit.  Chorus. 

THe fairest action of our human life,  
Is scorning to revenge an injury:  
For who forgives without a further strife,  
His adversaries heart to him doth tie.  
And 'tis a firmer conquest truly said,  
To win the heart, then overthrow the head.   

If we a worthy enemy do find,  
To yield to worth, it must be nobly done:  
But if of baser metal be his mind,  
In base revenge there is no honour won.  
Who would a worthy courage overthrow,  
And who would wrestle with a worthless foe?   

We say our hearts are great and cannot yield,  
Because they cannot yield it proves them poor:  
Great hearts are tasked beyond their power, but seld  
The weakest Lion will the loudest roar.  
truth's school for certain doth this same allow,  
High heartedness doth sometimes teach to bow.   

A noble heart doth teach a virtuous scorn,  
To scorn to owe a duty overlong:  
To scorn to be for benefits forborn,  
To scorn to lie, to scorn to do a wrong.  
To scorn to bear an injury in mind,  
To scorn a freeborn heart slavelike to bind.   

But if for wrongs we needs revenge must have,  
Then be our vengeance of the noblest kind:  
Do we his body from our fury save,  
And let our hate prevail against our mind?  
What can 'gainst him a greater vengeance be,  
Then make his foe more worthy far than he?   

Had Mariam scorned to leave a due unpaid,  
She would to Herod then have paid her love:  
And not have been by sullen passion swayed  
To fix her thoughts all injury above  
Is virtuous pride. Had Mariam thus been proved,  
Long famous life to her had been allowed.     


Actus quintus. Scoena prima.  Nuntio. 
WHen, sweetest friend, did I so far offend  
Your heavenly self: that you my fault to quit  
Have made me now relator of her end,  
The end of beauty? Chastity and wit,  
Was none so hapless in the fatal place,  
But I, most wretched, for the Queen t'choose,  
'tis certain I have some ill boding face  
That made me could to tell this luckless news.  
And yet no news to Herod: were it new,  
To him unhappy t'had not been at all:  
Yet do I long to come within his view,  
That he may know his wife did guiltless fall:  
And here he comes. Your Mariam greets you well.  Enter Herod. Herod. 
What? lives my Mariam? joy, exceeding joy.  
She shall not die.  Nun. 
Heaven doth your will repel.  Herod. 
Oh do not with thy words my life destroy,  
I prithee tell no dying-tale: thine eye  
Without thy tongue doth tell but too too much:  
Yet let thy tongue's addition make me die,  
Death welcome, comes to him whose grief is such.  Nunti. 
I went amongst the curious gazing troup,  
To see the last of her that was the best:  
To see if death had heart to make her stoop,  
To see the Sun admiring Phoenix nest.  
When there I came, upon the way I saw  
The stately Mariam not debased by fear:  
Her look did seem to keep the world in awe,  
Yet mildly did her face this fortune bear.  Herod. 
Thou dost usurp my right, my tongue was framed  
To be the instrument of Mariam's praise:  
Yet speak: she cannot be too often famed:  
All tongues suffice not her sweet name to raise.  Nun. 
But as she came she Alexandra met,  
Who did her death (sweet Queen) no whit bewail,  
But as if nature she did quite forget,  
She did upon her daughter loudly rail.  Herod. 
Why stopped you not her mouth? where had she words  
To dark that, that Heaven made so bright?  
Our sacred tongue no Epithet affords,  
To call her other than the world's delight.  Nun. 
she told her that her death was too too good,  
And that already she had lived too long:  
She said, she shamed to have a part in blood  
Of her that did the princely Herod wrong.  Herod. 
Base pickthank Devil. Shame, 'twas all her glory,  
That she to noble Mariam was the mother:  
But never shall it live in any story  
Her name, except to infamy i'll smother.  
What answer did her princely daughter make?  Nun. 
She made no answer, but she looked the while,  
As if thereof she scarce did notice take,  
Yet smiled, a dutiful, though scornful smile.  Her. 
Sweet creature, I that look to mind do call,  
Full oft hath Herod been amazed withal.  Nun. 
Go on, she came unmoved with pleasant grace,  
As if to triumph her arrival were:  
In stately habit, and with cheerful face:  
Yet every eye was moist, but Mariam's there.  
When justly opposite to me she came,  
She picked me out from all the crew:  
She beckoned to me, called 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 ever love that name the better?  
But what sweet tune did this fair dying Swan  
Afford thine care: tell all, omit no letter.  Nun. 
Tell thou my Lord, said she.  Her. 
Me, meant fly me?  
be't true, the more my shame: I was her Lord,  
Were I not made her Lord, I still should be:  
But now her name must be by me adored.  
Oh say, what said she more? each word she said  
Shall be the food whereon my heart is fed.  Nun: 
Tell thou my Lord thou sawst me loose my breath.  Herod. 
Oh that I could that sentence now control.  Nun. 
If guiltily eternal be my death,  Her: 
I hold her chaste e'en in my inmost soul.  Nun: 
By three days hence if wishes could revive,  
I know himself would make me oft alive.  Herod. 
Three days: three hours, three minutes, not so much,  
A minute in a thousand parts divided,  
My penitency for her death is such,  
As in the first I wished she had not died.  
But forward in thy tale.  Nun: 
Why on she went,  
And after she some silent prayer had said:  
She did as if to die she were content,  
And thus to heaven her heavenly soul is fled.  Herod. 
But art thou sure there doth no life remain?  
be't possible my Mariam should be dead,  
Is there no trick to make her breath again?  Nun: 
Her body is divided from her head.  Her: 
Why yet methinks there might be found by art,  
Strange ways of cure, 'tis sure rare things are done:  
By an inventive head, and willing heart.  Nun: 
Let not my Lord your fancies idly run.  
It is as possible it should be seen.  
That we should make the holy Abraham live,  
Though he entombed two thousand years had been,  
As breath again to slaughtered Mariam give.  
But now for more assaults prepare your ears,  Herod. 
There cannot be a further cause of moan,  
This accident shall shelter me from fears:  
What can I fear? already Mariam's gone.  
Yet tell e'en what you will:  Nun: 
As I came by,  
From Mariam's death I saw upon a tree,  
A man that to his neck a cord did tie:  
Which cord he had designed his end to be,  
When me he once discerned, he downwards bowed,  
And thus with fearful voice she cried aloud,  
Go tell the King he trusted ere he tried,  
I am the cause that Mariam causeless died.  Herod. 
Damnation take him, for it was the slave  
That said she meant with poisons deadly force  
To end my life that she the Crown might have:  
Which tale did Mariam from herself divorce.  
Oh pardon me thou pure unspotted Ghost,  
My punishment must needs sufficient be,  
In missing that content I valued most:  
Which was thy admirable face to see.  
I had but one inestimable jewel,  
Yet one I had no monarch had the like,  
And therefore may I curse myself as cruel:  
'twas broken by a blow myself did strike.  
I gazed thereon and never thought me blessed,  
But when on it my dazzled eye might rest:  
A precious Mirror made by wondrous art,  
I prized it ten times dearer than my Crown,  
And laid it up fast folded in my heart:  
Yet I in sudden choler cast it down.  
And pashed it all to pieces: 'twas no foe,  
That robbed me of it; no Arabian host,  
Nor no Armenian guide hath used me so:  
But Herod's wretched self hath Herod crossed.  
She was my graceful moiety, me accursed,  
To slay my better half and save my worst.  
But sure she is not dead you did but jest,  
To put me in perplexity a while,  
'twere well indeed if I could so be dressed:  
I see she is alive, methinks you smile.  Nun: 
If sainted Abel yet deceased be,  
'tis certain Mariam is as dead as he.  Her: 
Why then go call her to me, bid her now  
Put on fair habit, stately ornament:  
And let no frown over shade her smoothest brow,  
In her doth Herod place his whole content.  Nun: 
she'll come in stately weeds to please your sense,  
If now she come attired in rob of heaven:  
Remember you yourself did send her hence,  
And now to you she can no more be given.  Herod. 
she's dead, hell take her murderers, she was fair,  
Oh what a hand she had, it was so white,  
It did the whiteness of the snow impair:  
I never more shall see so sweet a sight.  Nun: 
'tis true, her hand was rare.  Her: 
her hand? her hands;  
She had not singly one of beauty rare,  
But such a pair as here where Herod stands,  
He dares the world to make to both compare.  
Accursed Salome, hadst thou been still,  
My Mariam had been breathing by my side:  
Oh never had I: had I had my will,  
Sent forth command, that Mariam should have died.  
But Salome thou didst with envy vex,  
To see thyself outmatched in thy sex:  
Upon your sex's forehead Mariam sat,  
To grace you all like an imperial crown,  
But you fond fool have rudely pushed thereat,  
And proudly pulled your proper glory down.  
One smile of hers: Nay, not so much a: look  
Was worth a hundred thousand such as you,  
judea how canst thou the wretch's brook,  
That robbed from thee the fairest of the crew?  
You dwellers in the now deprived land,  
Wherein the matchless Mariam was bred:  
Why grasp not each of you a sword in hand,  
To aim at me your cruel sovereign's head.  
Oh when you think of Herod as your King,  
And owner of the pride of Palestine:  
This act to your remembrance likewise bring,  
'tis I have overthrown your royal line.  
Within her purer veins the blood did run,  
That from her Grandam Sara she derived,  
Whose beldame age the love of Kings hath won,  
Oh that her issue had as long been lived.  
But can her eye be made by death obscure?  
I cannot think but it must sparkle still:  
Foul sacrilege to rob those lights so pure,  
From out a Temple made by heavenly skill.  
I am the Villain that have done the deed,  
The cruel deed, though by another's hand,  
My word though not my sword made Mariam bleed,  
Hircanus' Grandchild did at my command.  
That Mariam that I once did love so dear,  
The partner of my now detested bed,  
Why shine you sun with an aspect so clear?  
I tell you once again my Mariam's dead.  
You could but shine, if some Egyptian blows,  
Or AEthiopian dowdy lose her life:  
This was, then wherefore bend you not your brows,  
The King of juries fair and spotless wife.  
Deny thy beams, and Moon refuse thy light,  
Let all the stars be dark, let juries eye  
No more distinguish which is day and night:  
Since her best birth did in her bosom die.  
Those fond Idolaters the men of Greece,  
Maintain these orbs are safely governed:  
That each within themselves have God's a piece,  
By whom their steadfast course is justly led.  
But were it so, as so it cannot be,  
They all would put their mourning garments on:  
Not one of them would yield a light to me,  
To me that is the cause that Mariam's gone.  
For though they fame their Saturn melancholy,  
Of sour behaviours, and of angry mood:  
They fame him likewise to be just and holy,  
And justice needs must seek revenge for blood,  
Their jove, if jove he were, would sure desire,  
To punish him that slew so fair a lass:  
For Leda's beauty set his heart on fire,  
Yet she not half so fair as Mariam was.  
And Mars would deem his Venus had been slain,  
Sol to recover her would never stick:  
For if he want the power her life to gain:  
Then Physics God is but an Empiric.  
The Queen of love would storm for beauty's sake,  
And Hermes too, since he bestowed her wit,  
The night's pale light for angry grief would shake,  
To see chaste Mariam die in age unfit.  
But oh I am deceived, she passed them all  
In every gift, in every property:  
Her Excellencies wrought her timeless fall,  
And they rejoiced, not grieved to see her die.  
The Paphian Goddess did repent her waste,  
When she to one such beauty did allow:  
Mercurius thought her wit his wit surpassed,  
And Cinthia envied Mariam's brighter brow.  
But these are fictions, they are voided of sense,  
The Greeks but dream, and dreaming falsehoods tell:  
They neither can offend nor give defence,  
And not by them it was my Mariam fell.  
If she had been like an Egyptian black,  
And not so fair, she had been longer lived:  
Her overflow of beauty turned back,  
And drowned the spring from whence it was derived.  
Her heavenly beauty 'twas that made me think  
That it with chastity could never dwell:  
But now I see that heaven in her did link,  
A spirit and a person to excel.  
I'll muffle up myself in endless night,  
And never let mine eyes behold the light.  
Retire thyself vile monster, worse than he  
That stained the virgin earth with brother's blood,  
Still in some vault or den enclosed be,  
Where with thy tears thou mayst beget a flood,  
Which flood in time may drown thee: happy day  
When thou at once shalt die and find a grave,  
A stone upon the vault, some one shall lay,  
Which monument shall an inscription have.  
And these shall be the words it shall contain,  
Here Herod lies, that hath his Mariam slain.  Chorus. 

whoever hath beheld with steadfast eye,  
The strange events of this one only day:  
How many were deceived? How many die,  
That once today did grounds of safety lay?  
It will from them all certainty bereave,  
Since twice six hours so many can deceive.   

This morning Herod held for surely dead,  
And all the Jews on Mariam did attend:  
And Constabarus rise from Salome's bed,  
And neither dreamt of a divorce or end.  
Pheroras joyed that he might have his wife,  
And Babus' sons for safety of their life.   

tonight our Herod doth alive remain,  
The guiltless Mariam is deprived of breath:  
Stout Constabarus both divorced and slain,  
The valiant sons of Baba have their death.  
Pheroras sure his love to be bereft,  
If Salome her suit unmade had left.   

Herod this morning did expect with joy,  
To see his Mariam's much beloved face:  
And yet ere night he did her life destroy,  
And surely thought she did her name disgrace.  
Yet now again so short do humours last,  
He both repents her death and knows her chaste.   

Had he with wisdom now her death delayed,  
He at his pleasure might command her death:  
But now he hath his power so much betrayed,  
As all his woes cannot restore her breath.  
Now doth he strangely lunatickly rave,  
Because his Mariam's life he cannot save.   

This days events were certainly ordained,  
To be the warning to posterity:  
So many changes are therein contained,  
So admirably strange variety.  
This day alone, our sagest Hebrews shall  
In after times the school of wisdom call.    
FINIS.