Elizabeth Cary - The Tragedy of Mariam, Act 4, Scene 2 lyrics

scene 2 [HEROD. PHERORAS.] PHERORAS All health and safety wait upon my lord, And may you long in prosperous fortunes live 45 With Rome-commanding Caesar at accord, And have all honors that the world can give. HEROD Oh brother, now thou speak'st 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 honorable 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 would'st have granted it: but now I see All are not like that in a womb are bred. Thou would'st not, hadst thou heard of Herod's d**h, Have made his burial time thy bridal hour: Thou would'st with clamors, not with joyful breath, Have showed the news to be not sweet but sour. PHERORAS Phasaelus' great worth I know did stain Pheroras' petty valor: but they lie (Excepting you yourself ) that dare maintain That he did honor Herod more than I, For what I showed, love's power constrained me show, And pardon loving faults1 for Mariam's sake. HEROD Mariam, where is she? PHERORAS 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 your will Preserved the sons of Babas, lives in bliss Though you commanded him the youths to k**. HEROD Go, take a present order for his d**h, 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. PHERORAS He is, my lord, from Salome 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 d**h. [Exit PHERORAS.] I will requite Thee, gentle Mariam—Salom, I mean. 85 The thought of Mariam doth so steal my spirit, My mouth from speech of her I cannot wean.