SCENE 7

HEROD _alone_.

HEROD.

’Tis true I went too far. When half-way launched I told myself the same. But not less true If she loved me the offence she would condone. If she loved me! Has she loved, truth to truth? I think it. Ay, but now--oh, how the Dead One Is skilled to vengeance even in the grave! I made away with him my crown t’ assure, He took what dipped the heavier scale--her heart. For she has shown me since her brother died Strange alteration; though my nice regard Has never found between her and her mother The tiniest tell-tale vestige of resemblance, To-day showed more than once the linking touches; Thus I can give no more the old-time faith. That is a surety; must it therefore be An equal surety that she has deceived? The guarantee that in her love had lain Is fallen away, but still there is a second Lies in that pride of hers; will not a pride, Superb-disdainful of its self-defence, Even more disdain the sullying of self? Ay, but she knows it! Joseph! Why can man But kill and nevermore the dead awaken? He should be able both to do or neither. He takes his vengeance too! He comes not! Yet I see him there! “My Lord commanded?” Monstrous! I’ll not believe ’t! Salome, keep you silent Howe’er it came it came not so! Perchance The eating secret like embowelled fire Forced way through him; or he perchance betrayed it Because he deemed me as one lost, and now Was fain to be atoned with Alexandra Before the tidings came. Well, we shall see! For she must stand the proof. Had I but guessed That she could come by knowledge of it, never Had I so far been gone. Now that she knows, From her revenge I now will need to fear The thing that from her soul’s unstableness Perchance I feared unjustly. I must fear That on my grave she’ll make my wedding-mirth. Soemus came at nick of time. He is A man who, if I were not in the world, Had stood where I now stand. How true he thinks, How zealously he serves, he proves by coming. I give him now the charge. I know from him She lures naught out of lock if she essay The man in him to tempt. If he betray me She pays me such a price as--Then, Salome, Then you were in the right!--Now to probation!

[_Exit._