Elizabeth Cary - The Tragedy of Mariam, Act 4, Scene 7 lyrics

scene 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 resolv'd she shall be spar'd. SALOME Why, let her be beheaded. HEROD That were well, Think you that swords are miracles like you? Her skin will ev'ry curtl'ax edge refell, 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 falchions did rebate. Beware of this, you make a goodly hand, If you of weapons do deprive our land. SALOME Why, drown her then. HEROD Indeed, a sweet device. Why, would not ev'ry river turn her course Rather than do her beauty prejudice, And be reverted to the proper source? So not a drop of water should be found In all Judea's quondam fertile ground. SALOME Then let the fire devour her. HEROD '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. SALOME Then let her live for me. HEROD Nay, she shall die: But can you live without her? SALOME Doubt you that? HEROD I'm sure I cannot; I beseech you try: I have experience but I know not what. SALOME How should I try? HEROD Why, let my love be slain, But if we cannot live without her sight You'll find the means to make her breathe again, Or else you will bereave my comfort quite. SALOME Oh ay: I warrant you. [Exit.] HEROD What, is she gone, And gone to bid the world be overthrown? What, is her heart's composure hardest stone? To what a pa** are cruel women grown! [Re-enter SALOME.] She is returned already: have you done? Is'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? SALOME If Mariam be the sun and moon, it is: For I already have commanded this. HEROD But have you seen her cheek? SALOME A thousand times. HEROD But did you mark it too? SALOME Ay, very well. HEROD What is't? SALOME 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, then I see indeed you mark'd it not. SALOME 'Tis very fair, but yet will never blush, Though foul dishonors do her forehead blot. HEROD Then let her die, 'tis very true indeed, And for this fault alone shall Mariam bleed. SALOME What fault, my lord? HEROD What fault is't? You that ask, If you be ignorant I know of none. To call her back from d**h 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. SALOME '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. HEROD Oh, do they so? Nay, then you do but well, In sooth 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? SALOME You know I have. HEROD And were you not amazed? SALOME No, not a whit. HEROD Then 'twas not her you heard; her life I'll save, For Mariam hath a world-amazing wit. SALOME 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 ev'ry 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 a**igned: 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 heaven's 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. SALOME 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 approachèd 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 stayed from d**h, for if she die, We do we know not what to stop her breath: A world cannot another Mariam buy; Why say you ling'ring? Countermand her d**h. SALOME Then you'll no more remember what hath pa**ed, 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. HEROD Oh God: 'tis true. Sohemus—earth and Heav'n, Why did you both conspire to make me cursed In coz'ning me with shows and proofs unev'n? 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 Hittite 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 forever part from thee, my sweet, Without the taking of my latest leave? SALOME You had as good resolve to save her now, I'll stay her d**h; 'tis well determinèd: 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 tormentor, 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. SALOME I'll leave you to your pa**ion: '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 weighs downwards: therefore will I go To try if I can sleep away my woe. [Exit.]