SCENE 8

THE SAME. HEROD, _in war accoutrement_. JOAB, _and Retinue_.

MARIAMNE.

’Tis Death, Death, Death, has come amongst us, Without announcement, as he ever comes!

SALOME.

Ay, Death for you in truth! You feel’t yourself? My brother!

[_Offers to embrace_ HEROD; _he thrusts her back_.

HEROD.

Mariamne!

MAR. (_repulsing him with a violent gesture_).

Draw the sword! Give me the poison-goblet! You are Death, Death gives embrace and kiss with sword and poison!

HEROD (_turning round to_ SALOME).

And what means this? A thousand candles called From distant regions through the night to me-- “Your courier did not fall in Arab hands A captive. He arrived; you are awaited!” And now----

SALOME.

The candles lyingly deceived you, The jubilation here was for your death! Your courier arrived not, and your mother Has rent her raiment over you.

[HEROD _looks round about_; _sees_ TITUS _and beckons to him_.

TITUS (_advancing_).

It is so. No single soul here could have thought, myself The least of all, that you before the fight At Actium would turn from Antony And, as I grant, at prudence’ call give Caesar Transferred allegiance. But that you have done it Is proved by your returning here. Then good. My--gratulations.

MAR. (_approaching him_).

And my deep regrets That no occasion offered you the chance To slay Mark Antony with your own hand. ’Twas this way you would show your new Lord best You had no further dealings with the old one. You would have brought your own friend’s head to him, He would have recompensed you with the crown.

HEROD.

Pooh, Titus, pooh! Even you think thus of me? I made my southward march to Araby Pursuing orders Antony had given. But there I found no foe, so I made ready To start for Actium, and there’s no blame Attaints me if I came too late. Had he Maintained the attitude I thought he would, In such a case (_to_ MARIAMNE) occasion had been sought To make him present of Octavian’s head As payment for the crown. (_To_ TITUS.) He did it not. He was long dead ere I appeared, nor was there A further need for friend, and I set out To see Octavian, not indeed as King-- I laid the crown aside--but all the more For that, no beggar. Drawing sword I spoke:-- “This I’d have used against you, and perchance I would have dyed it with your very blood If things here had gone better. That is o’er. I sink it at your feet and lay it by. Weigh then in mind the sort of friend I was And not whose friend. The Dead has set me free And now, if so you will, I can be yours.”

TITUS.

And he?

HEROD.

He said:--“Where have you placed your crown? I’ll set another noble stone therein. Receive the province which till now has lacked you, This only shall my largess make you feel, That I am victor, not Mark Antony. From Cleopatra it had ne’er been taken, What she till now possessed I give to you.”

TITUS.

That--I had ne’er conceived, nor praise I aught Except your star.

HEROD.

O Titus, praise it not! I have been spared for a harsh work. Soemus!

[SOEMUS _remains standing where he is and does not answer_.

What, recreant? You are dumb! I know enough. Oh oh, away with him!

SOEMUS (_as he is led off_).

Naught I deny, But that I deemed you dead--you may believe it. And now I do your will.

[_Exit._

HEROD.

And after death The end of all, eh, friend? Yes, yes, my Titus, Had you but known the man as I, you never Would stand there so composed, so unperturbed As I stand here; you would be foaming, gnashing, And raving. (_To_ MARIAMNE.) Woman, what were you about To lure so good a man so far? Salome, So you were right! I must be washing, washing-- Blood here! I institute an inquisition! You’re silent? Case you still in haughty challenge? And I know why. You have not yet forgotten What once you were to me. I’d rip more lightly E’en now heart out of breast--Titus, it is so-- Than (_again to_ MARIAMNE) you from out my heart. And yet I do it.

MAR. (_turning round abruptly_).

I am your prisoner?

HEROD.

Yes.

MAR. (_to the soldiers_).

Then lead me hence.

[_Turns round._ _At a signal from_ HEROD, JOAB _follows her with soldiers_.

Death cannot be my husband any more.

[_Exit._

HEROD.

Ha ha! To her in time past I had spoken:-- “Two souls that love each other as they should love Could never bear each other to outlive. If I on some far battlefield had fallen You would not need a courier’s announcing, You’d feel that on the instant death had happened And woundless die in sentience of mine.” Titus, bemock me not. ’Tis so, ’tis so, But, ah the pity, mankind loves not thus.

[_Exit._