SCENE 4

THE SAME. JOAB.

HEROD (_to_ JOAB).

Are they assembled?

JOAB.

Long since. From the prison I must announce to you what seems of weight. We cannot bring this Sameas to such lengths That he’ll disbody soul.

HEROD.

I gave command He should be put to torture till he do it. (_To_ TITUS.) This man had sworn, I’ve heard, that he would kill him Could he not make me in his own sweet likeness, Which process is to break what he has named The heathenish notions in me. Since he’s failed I now use force on him his oath to keep, His death’s a right good thousandfold deserved.

TITUS.

I had myself been urgent for his death, For me he has reviled and Rome in me And that can everywhere be granted pardon But here among this stubborn-stomached folk.

HEROD (_to_ JOAB).

Well then?

JOAB.

Your words were followed to the letter, But it has helped to no success. The headsman Plied him with almost every pang, and more, Grimmed into spite by such unwincing front, Which he misread as scorn, he dealt him wounds. But ’tis as though he’d given a tree a flogging, As though ’twere nerveless wood that took his slashing. There stands the old man dead to feel of pain, He sings, instead of shrieking out, and clutching To get the knife that’s held before his eyes, He sings the psalm which the Three Men of yore Sang in the fiery oven, and he lifts At every added pang his voice the louder, And when he bates it prophesies forsooth!

HEROD (_aside_).

Such is their breed. Yes--will they e’er be other?

JOAB.

Then he cries out as though for things of wonder Beyond the threshold he had got an eye For every wound that he can count. “Now is The time fulfilled and in the manger-crib The Virgin-Mother of the stem of David E’en at this hallowed moment lays a Child Destined to topple thrones, awake the dead, Tear stars from heaven and from eternity Unto eternity o’erlord the world.” Meanwhile the folk in thousands are assembled, Hang on the very doors and hear it all, Believing that Elijah’s flaming chariot Will sink to earth and bear him like the prophet On skyward path. The headsman’s menial even Shrank back and did not cut him with new wounds, But held the old together.

HEROD.

Then he shall Be killed upon the spot and to the folk Be shown when he is dead. Thereafter bid The Judges to present them and----

JOAB.

The Queen!

[_Exit._

HEROD.

You, Titus, shall be seated at my side. I send her mother too an invitation That she at least fail not her child as witness.

[_Enter_ AARON, _and the other_ FIVE JUDGES. ALEXANDRA _and_ SALOME _follow_. JOAB _appears immediately after_.