scene 5
[SALOME. SILLEUS.]
SILLEUS
Well found, fair Salome, Judea's pride!
Hath they innated wisdom found the way
To make Silleus deem him deified,
By gaining thee, a more than precious prey?
SALOME
I have devised the best I can devise;
A more imperfect means was never found:
But what cares Salome? It doth suffice
If our endeavors with their end be crowned.
In this our land we have an ancient use,
Permitted first by our law-giver's3 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 do's for thee,
Though others blame, Silleus should allow.
SILLEUS
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 honors worthy store:
Had not affection in my bosom crept,
My native country should my life deplore.
Were not Silleus he with whom 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 tomb.
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 d**h do sever me from earth's delights.
SALOME
But whist; methinks the wolf is in our talk.
Begone, Silleus. Who doth here arrive?
'Tis Constabarus that doth hither walk;
I'll find a quarrel, him from me to drive.
SILLEUS Farewell, but were it not for thy command,
In his despite Silleus here would stand.