Elizabeth Cary - The Tragedy of Mariam, Act 3, Scene 2 lyrics

scene 2 [PHERORAS. SALOME. ANANELL.] ANANELL My lips, my son, with peaceful tidings blessed, Shall utter honey to your list'ning ear: A word of d**h 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. PHERORAS Is Herod then revived from certain d**h? SALOME What? Can your news restore my brother's breath? ANANELL 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 d**h your hearts like mine did rack, Though to conceal it proved you wise. [Exit.] SALOME How can my joy sufficiently appear? PHERORAS A heavier tale did never pierce mine ear. SALOME Now Salome of happiness may boast. PHERORAS But now Pheroras is in danger most. SALOME I shall enjoy the comfort of my life. PHERORAS And I shall lose it, losing of my wife. SALOME Joy, heart, for Constabarus shall be slain. PHERORAS Grieve, soul, Graphina shall from me be ta'en. SALOME Smile, cheeks, the fair Silleus shall be mine. PHERORAS Weep, eyes, for I must with a child combine SALOME Well brother, cease your moans. On one condition I'll undertake to win the King's consent: Graphina still shall be in your tuition, And her with you be ne'er the less content. PHERORAS 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. SALOME 'Tis not so hard a task: It is no more But tell the King that Constabarus hid The sons of Babas, done to d**h before: And 'tis no more than Constabarus did. And tell him more that we for Herod's sake, Not able to endure our brother's foe Did with a bill our separation make, Though loath from Constabarus else to go. PHERORAS 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.] SALOME 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— Shall be 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 chargèd with so horrid crime, As Herod's fear shall turn his love to hate: I'll 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 sleight. 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. SALOME 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 bids you be a**ured you need not fear, He hopes to make you yet Arabia's queen. SALOME 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. [Exit.]