Elizabeth Cary - The Tragedy of Mariam, Act 4, Scene 1 lyrics

Act 4 scene 1 [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. [Enter NUNTIO.] Art thou return'd? How fares my Mariam? NUNTIO She's well, my lord, and will anon be here As you commanded. HEROD Muffle up thy brow, Thou day's 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, Joshua-like, the season stays: But when I am with Mariam, time runs on, Her sight can make months minutes, days of weeks: And hour is then no sooner come than 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, I have seen the statue-fillèd place, That once if not for geese had been betrayed. I all your Roman beauties have beheld, And seen the shows your ediles did prepare; I saw the sum of what in your 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 compa**ed° limits be contained: circumscribed 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 need'st no longer stay: Who's there? My Mariam, more than happy fate? Oh, no, it is Pheroras. Welcome, brother. Now for a while I must my pa**ion smother.