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PRINTED  FOR  THE  MALONE  SOCIETY  BY 

HORACE  HART  M.A.  AT  THE 

OXFORD  UNIVERSITY 

PRESS 


THE  TRAGEDY  OF 

MARIAM 

1613 


THE  MALONE  SOCIETY 
REPRINTS 

1914 


This  reprint  of  Lady  Elizabeth  Gary's  Tragedy  of  Mariam 
has  been  prepared  by  A.  C.  Dunstan  with  the  assistance  of 
the  General  Editor. 

July  19 14.  W.  W.  Greg. 


THE  TRAGEDY  OF  MARIAM  1615. 

The  copy  of  Ma riam  formerly  in  the  Hiith  collection  i 
not  the  only  one  which  contains  the  dedicatory  sonnet  an< 
list  of  characters.  Another,  it  appears,  is  in  the  possession  o 
Mr.  W.  A.  White  of  New  York,  who  has  most  kindly  supplier 
the  General  Editor  with  photographs  of  the  additional  Icai 
In  view  of  the  fact  that  so  far  as  is  known  the  only  copies  c 
this  are  now  in  America,  it  has  been  thought  well  to  reprc 
duce  the  two  pages  in  collotype  as  well  as  issuing  a  typ 
facsimile  of  them  by  way  of  supplement  to  the  Societ}^' 
reprint  of  the  play.  Mr.  White's  copy  was  bouglit  fror 
a  London  bookseller  in  1890. 

It  will  be  observed  as  regards  the  sonnet  that  Hazlitt' 
reprint  inNotes atid  QueriesyWhilQ  not  quite  accurate  in  detaih 
is  essentially  faithful  to  the  original.  As  regards  '  The  nam<^ 
of  the  Speakers'  now  reprinted  for  the  first  time,  it  will  b 
noticed  that  tlie  list  has  been  compiled  by  some  one  possessmi 
at  best  a  superficial  acquaintance  with  the  play.  Thu 
Antipater  is  said  to  be  Herod's  son  by  Salome  instead  of  b^ 
Doris,  Silleus'  name  is  misprinted  ^Sillius ',  while  the  abbre 
viation  'Bu.'  is  taken  as  representing  the  name  of  'anothe 
Messenger ',  whereas  in  fact  it  almost  certainly  stands  fo; 
'  Butler '. 


ERRATUM. 

Martam^  L  \^s^-  In  some  copies  of  the  reprint  an  '  I '  appears  at 
the  beginning  of  this  line  before  the  word '  would '.  In  the  original 
there  is  no  '  I  *,  only  a  blank  space.  See  note  in  the  List  of  Doubtfiil 
Readings. 


V    >' 


1^ 


**  f 


TO'OtAimES 

EARTH  L'f^.    DEPVrfe^S^^&IS* 
and  my  \\  6rthySi{kr^Mj(lo5k'.  --1- 
EliziKctnCaiyc.  \ 

WHcacbcctiiH  /*ip*Aw  his  ftjli  courfc  h«th  rtiri^ 
IJafifl^s  faintcrfkams  our  hartwfotb  c^cdcA 
*         Soyour/tirc^BrochmstointcihcSumgci^ 
AnciyouhisSifltftwiiyirfipoDcappccic.     .       *^-  ^  -; 

You  irc  my  ncict  bclou'd,  ^  fcoond  Fricn^j  " 

For  when  m  v  PharSw  ab^orpi^rf  it  Nighf^   •  •     . ,       ■  /  -  --  ^ 
(\'hiri1toth^y^//>b/^7hj«g?l^^  •     ^-* 

From  you  my  ?/(7a:Af,  fliioM, my  fccond  Light        -^^ 

.'   ^  It  ^ »      1 

Hcclikcto  ,JOL,clcafc-(5ghrctJ,conflinf,froci  '     -y     ^  J 

Tfou  Z;'iV'/^-iiteynrpottcti,chaft>diuin^:  *  '  ; 

Hcc  (honcon  5*iCi/7,yotidcftin*d  bcc,  <^^C  ^ 

.  TMIuminc  the  now  obfcurdc  Pdltfiiwe^  Hr'  ^^^ 

My  firQ  WAS  con(ecrared  to  jlp^Bo, 
'  My  fccond  to  DIA  NA  now  fhail  follow. 


E.G. 


A  •  ^        Th» 


^ 


^  tc>«CC/ 


7  -.r^ 


r.- 


I 


^  : 


The  names  of  the  Speakers, 

Hercd,  Kli^of  Ittdea. 
VffrhJjisfirftfVtfe, 
MarUm,  his  fecund  fVifg. 
Salome  yHerids Sifter,  i    ' 

^'•f^patrrhisfgnne  by  Salome. 
I  Alexandra,  MariMms  mother. 
:_      S^fiJHs,  Prince  of  Arabia. 

Conflaharm ,  bmbandto  Salome. 

Pkaroroi.Herods  Brother. 
Craphina,  his  Lone. 

BtAtu  fafl  Senne.  "  . 

»    ,  Sahus  fecond  Sonne, 
Jn9kmeli,theht^hPri€ft, 
•  Sohemw,a  Counfelitno  fi^^od. 
Nttntig, 

r  B»^  another  Me  jfeftger. 

€ionu ,  4  Companie  tf  [ewes. 


'-*•   # 


The 


'  V 


uidk.*'^%ailMV  'a. 


TO    DIANAES 

EARTHLIE    DEPVTESSE, 

and  my  worthy  Sifter,  Miftris 
Elizabeth  Carye. 

WHen  chccrfiil  Phoebus  his  full  coiirfe  hath  run, 
His  fillers  fainter  beams  our  harts  doth  cheere : 
So  your  faire  Brother  is  to  mee  the  Sunne, 
And  you  his  Sifter  as  my  Moone  appeere. 

You  are  my  next  belou'd,  my  fecond  Friend, 
For  when  my  Phoebus  abfence  makes  it  Night, 
Whillt  to  x)[i  Antipodes  his  beames  do  bend. 
From  you  my  Phoebe^  (hines  my  fecond  Light. 

Hee  like  to  SOL^  cleare-fighted,  confbnt,  free, 

You  Z.^iV>/-like,  vnipotted,  chait,  diuine : 

Hee  fhone  on  Sicily^  you  deftin'd  bee, 

T'illumine  the  now  obfcurde  Pakjl'tnc. 

My  firft  was  confecrated  to  Apollo^ 

My  fecond  to  DIANA  now  fhall  follow. 

E.G. 


lO 


The 


The  names  of  the  Speakers. 

Herod^  King  of  ludea, 
Doris ^  his  firft  fViJe. 
Mariam^  his  fecond  JVife, 
Salome^  Herods  Sifter, 
Antipater  his  forme  hy  Salome. 
Alexandra^  Mariams  mother, 
Sillius^  Prince  of  Arabia. 
Conftaharus^  husband  to  Salome. 
Pharoras^  Herods  Brother, 
Graphina,  his  Loue. 
Babus  firft  Sonne. 
Babus  fecond  Sonne, 
Annanell^  the  high  Prieft. 
Sohemus,  a  Counfellor  to  Herod. 
Nuntio, 

Bu.  another  Meffenger, 
Chorus.,  a  Companie  of  lewes. 


10 


The 


In  the  Register  of  the  Stationers'  Company  is  found  the 
following  entry : 

17.  Deccmbris  [i^n] 

Entrcd  for  his  copie  vndcr  the  handes  of  Sir  George  Bucke  and  master  Richard 
Harison  Warden   A   Bookc  called  Mariamne  The   tragcdie  of  the  fayrc  Hawkm 
Mariamne  Qu^ene  of  lurye         ........     vj^ 

[Arber's  Transcript,  iii.  ^08.] 

The  only  known  edition  of  the  play  here  reprinted 
appeared  in  quarto  with  the  date  1613.  It  bore  the  title: 
^  The  Tragedie  of  Mariam,  the  faire  Queene  of  lewry  ',  was 
printed  by  Thomas  Creede  for  Richard  Hawkins,  and  pur- 
ported to  be  '  Written  by  that  learned,  vertuous,  and  truly 
noble  Ladie,  E.  C  It  is  to  be  noticed  that  the  title-page 
affords  no  evidence  that  the  authoress  was  a  titled  lady, 
though  it  does  not  necessarily  imply  the  contrary.  Copies 
of  the  quarto  are  not  uncommon  :  there  are  three  in  the 
British  Museum  (1(^2.  c.  28,  G.  11221  with  title  mutilated, 
C.  34.  c.  9  wanting  sig.  I)  and  one  in  the  Bodleian  Library, 
all  of  which  have  been  used  in  the  preparation  of  the  present 
reprint.  Other  copies  are  in  the  Dyce  and  Eton  College 
Libraries ;  yet  others  were  till  recently  in  the  Huth  and 
Devonshire  collections.  A  few  slight  variants  have  been 
observed.  The  quarto  is  printed  in  ordinary  roman  type 
of  a  body  approximating  to  modern  pica  (20 11.  =  83  mm.). 

All  the  copies  mentioned  above  are  (except  where  the 
contrary  is  stated)  perfect  so  far  as  the  bibliographical 
make  up  of  the  volume  is  concerned.  But  the  Huth  copy 
had  the  jx^culiarity  of  possessing  an  extra  leaf  which  does 
not  appear  to  be  preserved  in  any  other  copy.  This  has 
recently  gone  to  America  and  is  for  the  moment  unfortu- 
nately inaccessible.  A  full  description  of  the  copy  will  be 
found  in  the  catalogue  of  ^ The  Huth  Library  '^1880, i.  263). 
After  giving  a  transcript  of  the  title  it  proceeds  :  '  A-I  2  in 
fours,  besides  a  leaf  marked  A,  which  contains  the  verses  to 
the  authoress  by  her  brother,  and  the  dramatis  persona:. 
This  leaf  should  follow  the  title,  and  is  frequently  wanting. 


It  is  directed  by  E.  C.  "  To  Dianaes  Earthlie  Depvtesse,  and 
my  worthy  Sister,  Mistris  Elizabeth  Carye".  This  copy 
has  successively  belonged  to  Mr.  Bright,  Mr.  Holgate,  and 
Mr.  Corser.'  It  is  to  be  observed  that  the  leaf  in  question 
is  an  insertion,  for  the  title  forms  the  real  A  i  of  the  volume. 
The  sonnet  is  not  reproduced  in  the  Catalogue,  but  the 
following  communication  from  W.  Carew  Hazlitt  appeared 
in  ^  Notes  and  Queries'  for  9  Sept.  iSdy  (3  Ser.  viii. 
203):  ^In  examining  some  old  books  and  MSS.,  for  a 
different  purpose,  I  came  across  a  copy  of  The  Tragedy  of 
Mariam^  the  Fair  ^iueen  of  Jewry ^  1(^13,  by  Lady  E.  Carew, 
with  a  dedication  which  I  never  met  with  before  in  copies 
of  this  drama,  as  follows : — 

<^TO   DIANAES 

EARTHLIE    DEPVTESSE, 

and  my  worthy  Sister,  Mistris 
Elizabeth  Carye. 

''When  cheerfull  TkoeBus  his  full  course  hath  run, 
His  Sister's  fainter  Beams  our  harts  doth  cheere  • 
So  your  faire  Brother  is  to  mee  the  Sunne  5 
And  you,  his  Sister,  as  my  Moone  appeare. 

''  You  are  my  next  belouM,  my  second  Friend, 
For  when  my  'Phosbus  absence  makes  it  Night, 
Whilst  to  th*  Antipodes  his  beams  do  bend. 
From  you,  my  Phwhe^  shines  my  second  Light. 

''  Hee,  like  to  Sol,  cleare-sighted,  constant,  free. 
You,  LvNA-like,  vnspotted,  chast,  deuine  : 
Hee  shone  on  Sicily  ^  you  destin'd  jjpe 
T'  illumine  the  now  obscurde  Palestine, 
My  first  was  consecrated  to  Apollo^ 
My  second  to  Diana  now  shall  follow. 

E.G."' 

This  sonnet  has  often,  as  in  the  Huth  Catalogue,  been 
taken  as  gratulatory,  that  is,  as  addressed  by  a  friend  to  the 
author,  but  in  the  absence  of  very  strong  evidence  to  the 
contrary  we  are  bound  to  assume  that  the  E.  C.  of  the  title- 
page  and  the  E.  C.  of  the  sonnet  refer  to  the  same  person. 

vi 


All,  therefore,  that  we  are  able  immediately  to  infer  is  that 
the  play  was  written  by  a  lady  whose  initials  were  E.  C.  and 
who  had  a  *  sister'.  Mistress  Elizabeth  Carye. 

The  fact  that  this  extra  leaf  is  only  known  to  occur  in 
one  copy  out  of  the  many  extant  necessitates  our  supposing 
that  only  a  very  small  portion  of  the  edition  ever  had  it. 
Either  it  is  to  be  regarded  as  an  insertion  made  in  a  few 
presentation  copies  only,  or  else  as  an  afterthought  added 
after  the  bulk  of  the  edition  had  already  been  sold. 

The  play  apparently  figures  in  Rogers  and  Ley's  list  in 
i6f6  as  'Mariamnc  Tragedy'.  It  will  be  observed  that 
the  form  of  the  name  here  givxn  agrees  with  that  in 
the  Stationers'  Register — a  curious  coincidence.  Though 
not  used  apparently  by  English  writers  at  this  time,  it  must 
have  been  known  to  a  certain  class  of  students  as  occurring 
in  the  Latin  translations  of  Josephus:  it  is  very  rare  in  the 
Greek  texts  (see  Niese's  edition,  Berlin,  1887).  In  i6y6 
likewise  appeared  Archer's  catalogue,  which  contains  the 
earliest  ascription  of  our  play:  '  Mariame.  T[ragedy].  Lady 
Eliz.  Carew '.  This  was  copied  in  Kirkman's  lists ;  '  Mariame  ' 
becoming  '  Mariam  '  in  i5di,  and  '  Marian  '  in  1671.  Since 
the  name  is  spelt  'Carew'  in  the  lists  and  'Carey'  m  the 
dedication,  the  probability  is  that  the  former  drew  not 
from  the  latter,  but  from  an  inscription  on  the  title  of  some 
copy  in  Archer's  stock.  Such  old  inscriptions  are  notoriously 
untrustworthy,  and  little  authority  can  be  attached  to  the 
statement  in  the  lists. 

It  happens,  however,  to  be  perfectly  correct.  The  play 
and  the  dedication  were  alike  written  by  Lady  Elizalx^th 
Carey,  or  Cary,  wife  of  Sir  Henry  Cary,  who  became 
Viscount  l-'alkland  in  1620.  This  appears  from  certain 
verses  in  the  M//ses^  Sacrifice  by  John  Davies  of  Hereford 
printed  in  k^i  2,  but  apparently  not  entered  in  the  Stationers' 
Register.  This  work  is  dedicated  to  three  ladies  of  whom 
one  is  'Elizabeth,  Lady  Cary,  (Wife  of  S'  Henry  Cary  :)  ', 
and  to  her  the  author  writes : 


VII 


Thou  mak'st  Melpomen  proud,  and  my  heart  great 

of  such  a  Pupill,  who,  in  Buskin  fine, 
With  Feete  of  State,  dost  make  thy  Muse  to  mete 

the  scenes  of  Syracuse  and  Palestine. 

These  lines,  taken  in  conjunction  with  the  dedicatory 
sonnet  aheady  printed,  afford  satisfactory  evidence  that 
Davies  is  addressing  the  author  of  Mariam.  That  the 
later  Viscountess  Falkland  is  intended  is  also  clear,  for 
though  there  were  several  Lady  Elizabeth  Carys,  and  several 
Sir  Henry  Carys,  there  appears  to  have  been  but  one  Lady 
Elizabeth  who  was  the  wife  of  a  Sir  Henry.  The  material 
portions  of  Davies'  dedication  will  be  found  printed  at  the 
end  of  the  present  introduction. 

If  Lady  Elizabeth  Gary  was  the  E.  C.  of  the  sonnet,  who 
was  the  Mistress  Elizabeth  Carey }  Sir  Henry  Cary,  later 
Viscount  Falkland,  had  a  sister  Elizabeth,  to  whom  the 
designation  would  of  course  apply,  but  it  appears  that  she 
married  Sir  John  Savile  on  20  Nov.  lyS^,  when  the  author 
of  Mariam  must  have  been  still  in  her  cradle.  But  Sir 
Henry  also  had  a  rather  obscure  brother  Philip,  who  was 
knighted  sometime  between  March  160^  and  April  1(^09, 
and  this  Philip  married  a  certain  Elizabeth  Bland  of  Carle- 
ton,  Yorks.  This  lady  must  then  have  been  the  Mistress 
Elizabeth  Cary  to  whom  Mariam  is  dedicated. 

The  history  therefore  stands  as  follows.  In  the  year 
16 00  Elizabeth  Tanfield,  only  child  of  Lawrence  Tanfield 
of  Burford  Priory,  Oxford,  later  Sir  Lawrence  Tanfield  and 
Lord  Chief  Baron  of  the  Exchequer,  became  Lady  Cary, 
wife  of  Sir  Henry  Cary,  the  son  of  a  Hertfordshire  knight. 
She  was  then  about  fifteen  years  old.  Either  just  before 
or,  more  probably,  soon  after  her  marriage  she  wrote  a  play 
of  which  the  scene  is  laid  at  Syracuse,  and  dedicated  it  to 
her  husband.  That  was  her  first  literary  venture.  Her 
second,  Mariam^  she  dedicated  to  her  namesake,  the  wife 
of  her  husband's  brother,  Philip.  There  is  some  reason  to 
suppose  that  Philip  was  knighted  in   160 f^  which  would 

v'iii 


make  the  play  the  work  of  the  first  four  years  of  the 
author's  married  life:  it  might  safely  be  dated  1(^03-4. 
The  date  of  Philip's  marriage  is  unfortunately  not  known. 
The  only  difficulty  is  that  the  sonnet  is  to  all  appearances 
addressed  to  an  unmarried  woman.  There  is,  however, 
nothing  to  prevent  our  supposing  that  Philip's  bride,  like 
Henry's,  was  still  a  child,  and  that  it  was  some  years  before 
husband  and  wife  lived  together.  Philip's  eldest  child  was 
baptized  in  i(^  10,  Henry's  not  before  1607.  The  authority 
for  the  dates  given  above  will  be  found  in  the  notes  at  the 
end  of  this  introduction. 

The  play  of  Mariam  must  have  circulated  in  manuscript 
among  Lady  Gary's  friends,  and  for  such  manuscript  copies, 
it  is  clear,  the  dedication  was  written,  for  by  16 iz  Philip's 
wife  had  ceased  to  be  Mistress  and  had  become  Lady  Gary. 
When  in  1^13  the  play  came  to  be  printed  the  dedication 
as  it  stood  was  no  longer  correct.  Had  it  been  written  in 
that  year  it  must  have  been  written  very  differently.  Had 
it  in  that  year  been  printed  with  a  view  to  insertion  in 
a  few  presentation  copies,  even  then  we  might  expect  the 
heading  at  least  to  have  been  brought  up  to  date.  The 
play  can  hardly  have  been  printed  without  the  author's 
knowledge  and  at  least  acquiescence,  for  in  view  of  the 
regular  entry  in  the  Stationers'  Register  and  the  licence  by 
the  Master  of  the  Revels  it  is  impossible  to  suppose  that 
there  was  anything  surreptitious  about  the  publication. 
Perhaps  the  most  probable  conjecture  is  that  after  the  play 
had  been  printed  and  part  of  the  edition  disposed  of  with 
the  assent  of  the  author,  the  dedication  hap{)ened  to  come 
independently  into  the  stationer's  hands  and  that  he  printed 
and  added  it  to  the  remainder  of  the  stock  without  seeking 
further  authority,  and  without  troubling  hnnself  as  to 
whether  at  that  date  it  was,  as  it  stood,  correct.  The  fact 
that  he  utili'/ed  the  back  of  the  leaf  for  the  addition  of 
a  list  of  dramatis  personae  suggests  that  he  intended  it  as 
an  integral  portion  of  those  copies  in  which  it  was  inserted. 

ix  b 


List  of  Doubtful  Readings,  &c. 


N.B. — The  following  Is  primarily  a  list  of  those  passages  in  which  the 
reading  of  the  original  is  open  to  question,  and  of  those  in  which  different 
copies  of  the  original  have  been  found  to  vary.  It  also  includes  a  number 
of  readings  which  are  evident  typographical  blunders  of  the  original,  this 
being  necessary  as  a  defence  of  the  accuracy  of  the  reprint.  It  makes, 
however,  no  pretence  of  supplying  a  complete  list  of  errors  and  corruptions, 
still  less  of  offering  any  criticism  or  emendation.  For  the  sake  of  greater 
clearness  the  readings  are  quoted  in  a  slightly  different  manner  from  that 
adopted  in  the  earlier  Malone  reprints.  The  mere  repetition  of  a  reading 
out  of  the  text  is  equivalent  to  '  sic '.  The  three  British  Museum  copies 
mentioned  above  are  distinguished  as  A,  B,  and  C  respectively.  It  will 
be  observed  that  the  inner  forme  of  sheet  G  is  uncorrected  in  A,  and  the 
outer  forme  of  sheet  H  in  B  and  C,  as  also  in  the  copy  at  Eton. 


Arg.  4  daughrer  {properly 
grand-daughter) 
6  reputia-|ted 

12  firfb  {properly  fecon  j) 

15  fecond  {properly  firft) 

2.3   lofophus 

4,7  procured]  possibly  procured 
Text  Iz  {line  too  short) 

3  7  lowlyeft  i^ead  louelyeft  ?) 

4^  maide  {read  minde) 

6^  c.w.  Th 

8^  murthers  {read  murthrers) 

95:  fain'd.  {read  fam'd.) 
127  Mariam  (read  Herod) 
136^  ZC»»;  (read  Man) 

Alas 
138  li  {read  in  or  on) 
160  findes  {read  finde) 
187  leeke.  (r^^^  feeke.) 
203   And  part  {read  Apart?) 
22  5"  difcontent,  {read  difcontents,) 
22(S^  did  {read  doth  ?) 
z6i  fufpitious  {read  fufpitions) 
26^4  lofephus  (read  lofephs  ?) 
286"  allyes  {read  all  eyes) 
308  for 

310  Contabarus 

311  Earneft 
335  Soena 

3  f  t   do*es 


35-3  Solleus. 

'^66  not  {read on?) 

373  home  {read  whom  ?) 

387  Soena 

413  forfeited  {add  to  or  by  ?) 

43^  beaftes,  fwine, 

{read  beaftes  swim,  ?) 
478  vowd.  {read  vow.) 
5"  1 2-3   {should  be    indented   and  foU 

loiued  by  lead) 
yi(^  Of  {read  if?) 
y2i  chreefull, 
72 5-  T'hother 

')^6  drawes  nye]  possibly  drawesnye 
^6^  teach  {read  teach  vs .?) 
^08  beft  (r^^^  left .?) 
6'27  An  d 
6^32  Soena. 
6^34  Babus. 
6-11  operpaft 
(^83  fafely  (rf^^fafety?) 
6"^  8  breath]  possibly  bre  ath 
701  leare :  [read  feare :) 

710  gratitude  Conji,  belieue 

(r^tf^  gratitude.   Conft,  Belieue) 

711  {line  too  short) 
728  Hue,  {read  lie,) 
733   lulions 

737  Phifmony 

7d8  Your  {read  You .?) 


79  i  oath  {read  oaths  ?) 

8i^  fortunes,  (r^tf^  fortunes,  ^) 

848  expectation?  (r^^^ exception?  ?^ 

849  Salom^  (read  Salome^}) 
877   loft,  {read  lode,?) 

93  I  I,  I,  they  fight,  (presumably  the 
corruption  of  a  stage  dire^- 
tion) 

933  IntruM 

934  ]atetofearc,(r^tf<^late,I  feare,.? 
936^  Si//eus  very  (rczd  Si//eus.    Very) 
945  Sterne 

948   fo  (read  too  ?) 

997  cane  mak 
10 1 7  beautie, 
1047  [One  too  short) 
io6i  her  with  you  be 

(read  here  with  you.     Be  ?) 
106^8  done  {read  dooni'd  .?) 

1070  he  {read  we.?) 

107 1  his  [read  our?) 

1 1 1 2  bides]  possibly  bides. 

1 1 16^  {belongs  to  Mariarri) 

1 142  Great]  possibly  Grear 

1155"  hypcorite : 

1 1  ^6  death]  possibly  d  eath 

119^  Alexanders  (read  Alexandras) 

ii6z  Atari  am}  (read  Mariam^  how  r .?) 

11(^1,  1163    Ni«//(?. 

1273   lofuaVikc 

1 28 1   griefe  {read  geefe  ?) 

1290  little,  while  {read  little  while, 

1297  Whofe 

1331  you  {read  your) 

1339  Salom   read  Salome  ?) 

1343   them]  possibly  the  m 

1393    (/^tf  rime -line  is  missing) 

1407  taught]  possibly  tau  ght 

1428  pall  ion  (r^a^poifon  ?) 

145 1    would  {read  I  would  ?) 

14^7  they 

\4t66  fhoul'dft 

14(^8  ncuer  (omit?) 

1478  heauy  (r^^ft^  hcaunly  7) 

1484  courdft 

1492  guliltles 


1493   looke  irftfi/ lockc) 
1504  her:  Sould:  you 

(r^tf^her?  Sould:  You?) 
1^06  Wie 

15-10  bouc  Trf  j^  loue) 
15-25:   Bu.'\  original  Bw 
15-25  caules  (r^tfi/ caufeles) 
1^42  founds 

15-43   ^^^^  "Ot  (r^^^dideft?) 
I  t^6o  Tis  {read  Thus  ?) 
1^66  your  nuptiall 

(rf<z^/  our  nuptiall  ?) 
15-89  heaue'n 
15-93   ni^riy  (^^^^  man) 
I  do  I   You  {read  Your) 
16^04  he  (read  Ihc) 
I ($"54  S^/.  doubt 
1(^5-8 c.w.    Youl'e]    x(»  B,   C,   Bodl,^ 

Dyce^  Eton  :  Youlle  A 
1(^94  (/;wf  /oo  short) 
1 78 1   anew,]  j<?  B,  C,   Bodl.^  ^}^^, 

Eton  :  a  new,  A 
1802   At  {read  As) 
1844  power.)  Enter 
1 849  I  (rf<z^  In  ?) 
18^5-   fees  {read  fays  .?) 
1887   Gerarim  (read  Gerizim) 
1905:  fcorniug]  turned  n  /'»  original 
1938   Is  (rf^^  In  ?) 

1980  darke  (r^d-^  darken?) 

198 1  Our  facred] /)o/W^/y  Ourfacred 
1997  Nun.  Go  on,  (he 

{read  Go  on.     Nirar.  She  ?) 
1999  checfijll 
2002  (//W  too  short) 
201 1   made  her  Lord, 

(r^tf^  mad,  her  Lord) 
2022  diuided,  (r^tf^  diuidc,) 
2050  fhc  {read  he) 
2090  fa  ire, 

2 1 09  much  a  :  {read  much:  a) 
2124  li'ud. 
2132  did  {read  died  .*') 
2153,  215^  fainc]  so  A.  Bcdl.^  Dya  : 

fame  B,  C,  Eton 
2177  voyd]  ^<?///^/y  voy  d 


XI 


List  of  Characters 


in  order  of  appearance. 

The  extra  leaf,  found  in  the  Huth  copy,  is  said  to  contain  a  list  of 
dramatis  personae,  but  this  is  not  now  available. 


Mariam,  wife  to  Herod. 
Alexandra,  her  mother. 
Salome,  sister  to  Herod. 
SiLLEUs,  an  Arabian. 
CoNSTABARUs,  husband  to  Salome. 
Pheror AS,  brother  to  Herod. 
Graphina,  his  love, 
two  Sons  of  Babus. 
Doris,  formerly  wife  to  Herod,  now 
repudiated. 


Antipater,  her  son. 

Ananell,  the  high  priest. 

a  Man  of  Silleus'. 

Sohemus,   guardian  of   Mariam   in 

Herod's  absence. 
Herod,  king  of  Judaea. 
Nuntio. 
a  Butler. 

a  Soldier  of  Herod's. 
Chorus. 


Attendants  on  Herod,  guard. 

The  character  described  as  ^  Nuntio '  in  V.  i,  presumably  also  appears  in 
IV.  i,  where  the  word  is  twice  misprinted  'Nutio'  (11.  ii^'i,  ii6'3).     The 

*  Butler'  brings  the  drink  in  IV.  iv:  the  name  is  conjectural  since  the  text 
has  nothing  but  the  prefix  '  Bu."*  or  ^  Bu:"  (11.  1423,  1431?  14-333  149T3  I497> 
I5'25').  For  the  'Soldier'  see  1.  15-04.  Herod's  sister  is  called  Salome  or 
Salom  according  to  the  requirements  of  the  metre. 

No  place  is  assigned  jfor  the  scene ;  it  is  presumably  in  or  before  Herod's 
palace.     The  action  is  limited  to  one  day. 

With  one  exception  the  names  of  all  the  characters  are  taken  from 
Josephus.  He,  however,  does  not  name  the  slave-woman  loved  by  Pheroras, 
who  is  here  called  Graphina.  This  name  may,  however,  have  been 
suggested  by  that  of  Glaphyra,  the  wife  of  a  certain  Alexander,  mentioned 
in  the  same  chapter  as  the  incident  of  Pheroras'  refusal  of  Herod's 
daughter.     In   Lodge's   translation  we   actually  find  the  marginal   note: 

*  Herod  greatly  moued  against  Pheroras  for  affirming  that  he  was  in  loue 
with  Glaphyra',  where  *he'  properly  refers  to  Herod  though  it  might 
easily  be  taken  to  refer  to  Pheroras. 


Xll 


Note  on  the  Source,  Date,  and  Authorship 

OF  THE  Play. 

Josephiis  gives  two  versions  of  the  story  of  Mariam,  one 
in  the  If^an  of  the  Jeirs^  the  other  in  the  Jyitiquities.  Lady 
Cary  uses  the  latter  version.  She  follows  Josephus  fairly 
closely,  but  makes  several  alterations,  sometimes  compressing, 
sometimes  amplifying,  frequently  transposing  events,  occa- 
sionally inventing  scenes,  to  simplify  the  story  and  to  observe 
the  unities. 

Many  dramas  have  been  based  on  this  story,  and  most  of 
these  have  been  discussed  by  Landau :  Die  Dramcn  von 
Herodes  und  Mariamne  (Zeitschrift  fiir  vergleichende  Litera- 
turgeschichte,  ed.  Koch,  N.F.  Bd.  viii,  ix.  Weimar  \%^^-6\ 
Before  Lady  Gary's  drama  appeared  Dolce,  Hans  Sachs,  and 
possibly  Hardy  had  written  their  plays.  Lady  Cary  does 
not  seem  to  have  used  either  the  Italian,  the  German,  or  the 
French  drama,  but  to  have  gone  directly  to  Josephus  for 
the  subject-matter.  It  is  true  that  Hardy's  drama  is  to 
some  extent  similar  to  Lady  Gary's  work,  whilst  the  dramas 
of  Dolce  and  Hans  Sachs  contain  much  that  is  foreign  to  her 
play.  Hardy's  Pherore  and  Lady  Gary's  Pheroras  do  not 
appear  in  Dolce  and  Hans  Sachs  j  in  the  argument  of  both 
dramas  Hircanus  is  the  father  of  Mariam :  this  mistake, 
however,  is  made  once  by  Josephus,  Lady  Gary  gives  the 
correct  relation  throughout  the  drama,  whilst  Hardy  dc^s 
not  do  this.  More  striking  is  the  similarity  of  Lady  Gary 
1.  1 98  3  if.  and  Hardy  v.  8  i  ff. :  ^  Que  dis-je  mcritc^,  millc  morts 
plus  cruclles ',  &c.  But  the  similarities  are  not  close  enough 
to  prove  borrowing. 

Before   the  appearance    of  Lady    Gary's   drama    Latin 
Trench,  German,  and  English  translations  of  Josephus  had 

xiii 


been  published,  and  it  is  not  quite  clear  whether  Lady  Cary 
used  a  Greek  text  or  one  of  the  translations.  The  following 
consideration  points  to  the  assumption  that  Lady  Cary  did 
not  use  a  Greek  text.  In  1.  175*7  the  name  Asuerus  occurs. 
In  the  Greek  texts  the  name  is  Artaxerxes,  but  in  some 
Latin  texts  there  is  a  marginal  gloss  giving  the  name 
Assuerus,  Asuerus.  Thus  the  Latin  text  of  1 5-14  (BM.  4f  1 5*. 
f.  10)  reads  ^Cirus  qui  dictus  est  Artaxerxes  in  biblia  est 
Assuerus',  the  Latin  text  of  15-80  glosses  ^Asuerus  Rex 
Persarum '.  A  comparison  of  name-forms  leads  to  no  result. 
Lady  Cary  has  Constabarus,  Ananell,  Babus  sonnes,  sonnes  of 
Baba,  Latin  texts  have  Costobarus,  Ananelus,  Baba  (gen. 
Bab^e);  Lodge  has  Costabarus  Ananell  (p.  385),  Babas 
sonnes,  &c.  There  are,  however,  good  reasons  for  assuming 
that  Lady  Cary  used  Lodge's  translation  of  Josephus  (publ. 
1602).  Lodge  translates ^/Wm^/Tz  '  butler ',  Lady  Cary  has 
a  character  Bu[tler].  Still  more  striking  is  the  fact  that 
Lady  Cary  combines  the  pincerna  and  eunuchus  of  the  Latin 
texts  ( 1 5*80,  p.  44 8J,  whilst  in  Lodge  (p.  398)  we  read 
^Mariammes  most  faithful  servant'  for  ^eunuchum  Mari- 
ammes  fidissimum '.  A  slightly  inattentive  reader  of  Lodge 
might  easily  assume  that  the  butler  and  the  eunuch  were 
one  and  the  same  person,  as  actually  in  the  drama.  There 
are,further,some  verbal  agreements:  cp.  Lady  Cary,l.  1799 £: 

Am  I  the  Mariam  that  presumed  so  much  &c. 
and  Lodge  (p.  399):  ^For  being  entertained  by  him,  who 
in ti  rely  loued  her  .  .  .  she  presumed  vpon  a  great  and  in- 
temperate libertie  in  her  discourse '  \  Lady  Cary's  Argument 
*  and  presently  after  by  the  instigation  of  Salome,  she  was 
beheaded'.  Lodge  (p.  398)  'Mariamme  by  Salomes  insti- 
gations is  led  to  execution'  (but  the  Latin  gloss  (p.  449) 
reads  *  Mariamme  Salomse  instinctu  ad  supplicium  ducitur  ') ; 
Lady  Cary's  Argument  ^vnder  colour  of  sport',  Lodge 
(p.  385)^  pretending  to  duck  him  in  sport '.  Lodge's  trans- 
lation contains  a  preface  '  To  the  courteous  Reader '.  Three 
passages  resemble  passages  in  Lady  Cary :  ^  whereas  they  that 

xiv 


sit  in  a  plentifull  banquet,  in  affecting  all  things,  can  make 
use  of  nothing',  cp.  Lady  Cary,  1.  i  80  fF. : 

But  now  he  fared  like  a  hungry  guest, 
That  to  some  plenteous  festiuall  is  gone, 
Now  this,  now  that,  hce  deems  to  eate  were  best, 
Such  choice  doth  make  him  let  them  all  alone. 

Lodge :  ^  And  truly  in  my  opinion  the  chiefest  ground  of 
this  difficulty  [the  reading  of  history  aright],  is  the  peruers- 
ness  of  our  iudgcments,  which  is  the  cause  we  the  rather 
respect  our  own  inclinations  what  they  are,  then  the  true 
life  and  force  of  example  ',  cp.  Lady  Gary's  Chorus  to  Act  II. 
Lodge  [By  reading  history  we]  ^  sit  and  learne  preuention 
by  other  mens  perils,  and  grow  amplie  wise  by  forraine 
wreckes',  cp.  Lady  Cary,  11.  2232-7. 

If  Lodge's  translation  was  used  the  drama  was  probably 
written  after  1602^  although  Lodge's  work  was  licenced  as 
early  as  26  June,  15-98  (Arber,  iii.  119).  The  limits  seem 
to  be  1 602  (Lodge's  translation)  and  23  March,  160^/ ^ 
(Philip  Cary  created  knight). 

There  is  some  internal  evidence  for  attributing:  the 
drama  to  Sir  Henry  Cary's  (Viscount  Falkland's)  wife. 
After  Lady  Falkland's  death  a  biography  of  her  was  written 
by  one  or  more  of  her  daughters  and  revised  by  one  of  her 
sons  [71?e  Lady  Falkland:  her  life^  &c.,  ed.  R.  S.  i8di).  The 
editor  discusses  the  authorship  of  this  biography  in  the 
introduction  to  his  edition. 

We  know  from  this  book  that  Lady  Falkland  was  a  great 
reader,  that  she  herself  wrote,  and  that  she  loved  plays  very 
much.  There  are  some  passages  in  the  Life  which  are 
reflected  in  the  drama.  We  read  on  p.  16  ^she  did  always 
much  disapprove  the  practice  of  satisfying  oneself  with 
their  conscience  being  free  from  fiult,  not  forbearing  all 
that  might  have  the  least  show  or  suspicion  of  uncomclinc^ss 
or  unfitness ',  and  that  she  had  '  Be  and  Seem '  inscribed  in 
her  daughter's  wedding  ring.  This  maxun  we  find  in  the 
Chorus  to  Act  III.    Her  letter  to  the  king  (p.  i  yo)  shows  the 

XY 


attitude  which  Lady  Falkland  thought  it  right  for  a  woman 
to  adopt  towards  her  husband.  This  is  reflected  in  this 
chorus,  and  in  11.  1833-40,  whilst  the  villain  of  the  piece 
(Salome)  holds  quite  opposite  views.     In  the  play  we  read 

(11.  1797-^)' 

My  head  waies  downwards :  therefore  will  I  goe 
To  try  if  I  can  sleepe  away  my  woe. 

On  p.  17  of  the  Life  we  learn  that  Lady  Falkland  was 
frequently  depressed,  that  she  could  sleep  at  will,  and  was 
in  the  habit  of  sleeping  to  cure  depression.  Less  striking 
is  a  correspondence  between  p.  22  of  the  Lifsy  where  we  are 
told  that  Lady  Falkland  would  confess  to  ^  finding  much 
more  delight  in  obliging  than  in  being  obliged',  and  11.  6^7-^ 
of  the  play.  Moreover,  in  the  one  work  which  is  almost 
certainly  by  her,  a  translation  of  the  Reply  of  the  Cardinal 
of  Perron^  &c.,  i<^3o,  she  hid  the  identity  of  authorship. 
In  this  play  the  fact  that  copies  are  found  without  the  leaf  i 
containing  the  sonnet  possibly  points  to  the  supposition  that  ^ 
Lady  Gary  wished  to  remain  unknown  to  the  general  public. 
Evidently  Lady  Falkland  had  written  something  to 
attract  attention.  In  the  translation  of  the  Reply  there  are 
verses  ^  To  the  most  noble  Translatour ',  where  we  read : 

And  though  you  know  this  where  to  weack  a  frame 
To  rayse  up  higher  the  greatnesse  of  your  name 
Which  must  from  your  owne  rich  inventions  grow. 

The  publisher  of  Marston's  Works  i  <J  3  3  dedicates  them 
<To  the  Right  Honourable,  the  Lady  Elizabeth  Carey, 
Viscountess  Falkland '.  He  does  so  ^  because  your  Honour 
is  well  acquainted  with  the  Muses '. 

The  dedication  in  John  Davies's  Muses  Sacrifice  or  Diuine 
Meditations  (London :  printed  by  T.  S.  for  George  Norton, 
161  x)  proves  conclusively  that  Lady  Falkland  is  the  author 
of  the  play.  This  work  is  dedicated  <  To  the  most  noble, 
and  no  lesse  deseruedly-renowned  Ladyes,  as  well  Darlings, 
as  Patronesses,  of  the  Muses ;  Lucy,  Countesse  of  Bedford  ^ 
Mary,  Countesse-Dowager  of  Pembrooke;  and  Elizabeth, 

xvi 


Lady  Cary,  (Wife  of  S'.  Henry  Cary  :)  Glories  of  Women  \ 
The  last  named  he  celebrates  as  follows : 

Cary  (of  whom  Mincrua  stands  in  fcarc, 

lest  she,  from  her,  should  get  Arts  Rcgencie) 

Of-  Art  so  moues  the  great-all-moiiing  Spheare, 
that  eu'ry  Orbe  of  Science  moues  thereby. 

Thou  mak'st  Melpomen  proud,  and  my  Heart  great 

of  such  a  Pupill,  who,  in  Buskin  hne. 
With  Feete  of  State,  dost  make  thy  Muse  to  mete 

the  Scenes  of  Syracuse  and  I'alestine. 

Art,  Language  •  yea ;  abstruse  and  holy  Tongues, 
thy  Wit  and  Grace  acquired  thy  Fame  to  rai^e  ; 

And  still  to  fill  thine  owne,  and  others  Songs; 

thine,  with  thy  Parts,  and  others,  with  thy  praise. 

Such  neruy  Limbs  of  Art,  and  Straines  of  Wit 

Times  past  ne'er  knew  the  weaker  Sexe  to  haue; 

And  Times  to  come,  will  hardly  credit  it, 

if  thus  thou  giue  thy  Workes  both  Birth  and  Grauc. 

The  works  of  these  ladies  remained  unpublished  apparently, 
for  Davies,  after  remarking  on  the  large  amount  of  bad 
material  printed,  goes  on  to  say : 

But  your  [read  you'j  Three  Graces,  (whom  our  Muse  would  grace, 

had  she  that  glory,  that  our  Philip  had. 
That  was  the  Beautie  of  Arts  Soule  and  Face) 

you  presse  the  Presse  with  little  you  haue  made. 

No;  you  well  know  the  Presse  so  much  is  wrong'd, 
by  abiect  Rimers  that  great  Hearts  doe  scorne 

To  haue  their  Measures  with  such  Nombers  thronged, 
as  are  so  basely  got,  concelu'd,  and  borne. 

Many  details  concerning  the  Cary  family  are  given  in 
the  Herald  and  Genealogist^  edited  by  J.  G.  Nichols.  I  rom 
this  work  (vol.  iii)  the  following  facts  are  taken  : 

Extracts  from  Parish  and  other  Registers. 

Aldcnham,  F^c^ts. 
Bapt'tinii, 
i6io.     May  ^.     Miriall,  )*  dau.  of  }«  right  vorshipftill  Sir  Philip  Caryc, 
knight.     [This  is  the  eldest  child,  or,  at  least,  the  cailicst  entry.] 

xsW  C 


Burials* 
i6zi.    Oct.  4.     The  Ladye   Elizabeth,  y*  wife  of  the   right  wor"  Sir 

Philippe  Carye,  knight. 
1^51.    June  id.     The  right  wor"  Sir  Philippe  Gary. 
1(^33.     Sep.  ay.     The  right  hon^^«  Henry,  Lord  Gary,  Viscount  Falkland. 

Great  Berkhampstead,  Herts. 
Marriages, 
i<^%6.     Nov.  20.    Jhon  Savell,  Esq'  and  M"  Eliz*^  Garye. 

Registry  of  the  Prerogative  Gourt  of  Ganterbury,  Doctors'  Gommons, 
London : 

{Dorset  33.)     Sir  Adolphe  Garye,  kt.     Dat.  March  i6y  1^04-5'. 
'.  .  .  to  my  brother   Sir   Harry  Gary,  knt.  ...  to   my  brother  Philip 
Carye  .  .  . '  [the  latter  proved  on  14  Apr.  \6o^  as  Philip  Gary,  Knight.] 
{Fenner  i8.)     Sir  Wymond  Garye,  of  Snettisham,  co.  Norfolk,  knt.    Dated 
Dec.  27,  16^05;. 

'  ...  to  my  nephew  Sir  Henry  Gary,  kt.,  son  and  heir  app.  of  my  brother 
Sir  Edward  Gary,  kt.  .  .  .  to  my  nephew  Sir  Philip  Gary,  kt.,  the  youngest 
son  of  my  said  brother  .  .  . ' 

Henry  Gary's  eldest  children  were  born  at  Burfbrd 
(Oxfordshire).  The  registers  here  do  not  begin  before 
i5i2.  According  to  Nichols  (iii.  40)  the  eldest  daughter, 
Catherine,  was  aged  thirteen,  and  the  eldest  son,  Lucius, 
was  twelve,  in  16 zz. 

From  the  quotations  from  the  wills  it  will  be  seen  that 
Henry  Gary  was  knighted  before  16  March,  1^04/)-,  but 
that  his  brother  Philip  was  not.  W.  G.  Metcalfe's  A  Book 
of  Knights^  London,  1 8  8  j,  contains  the  entries : 

Sr.  Philip  Gary,  Herts,  ag  March  i6o4r/5r]. 
Sr.  Henry  Gary,  3  Nov.  1616  \\.h.is  is  K.B.J. 
Sr.  Henry  Gary,  la  July  ly^^  [at  Dublin]. 

The  Henry  Gary  who  become  a  K.B.  in  1616  is  the  later 
Viscount  Falkland;  The  wills  prove  that  he  was  already 
a  knight  at  the  time.  It  is  not  clear  (and,  as  far  as  the 
drama  is  concerned,  it  is  immaterial)  when  he  was  first 
knighted.  He  may  possibly  be  the  Henry  Gary  knighted 
at  Dublin  in  1^99-  The  <Sr.  Philip  Gary  of  Herts.',  who 
was  knighted  [at  Greenwich — see  also  W.  A.  Shaw,  The 
Knights  of  England^  London,  190^,  ii.  137]  in  March  1(^04/5- 

xviii 


is  certainly  his  brother  Philip.     Philip  is  a  rare  name  in 
the  Gary  family,  whilst  Henry  is  common. 
The  biography  of  Lady  Falkland  states : 

'She  was  born  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1585-  or  i^S^),  in  Oxfordshire,  at 
the  priory  of  Burford,  her  father's  house.'     (p.  i.) 

'  At  fifteen  years  old  her  father  married  her  to  one  Sir  Harry  Carey 
(son  to  Sir  Edward  Carey,  of  Barkhamstced  in  Herts),  then  master  of  the 
Jewel-house  to  Queen  Elizabeth.'     (p.  7.) 

*  She  was  married  seven  years  without  any  child.'     (p.  1 1.) 

'She  .  .  .  died  .  .  .  the  —  day  of  October,  the  year  of  our  Lord  i6'3<;, 
being  three  or  four-and-fifty  years  oid.'     (p.  121.) 

The  name  of  Philip  Gary's  wife  is  given  in  the  Visitations 
of  Hertfordshire  lyyz  and  16^4  (Harleian  MSS.  ^147  and 
ij^6)^  i88<^,  p.  116:  ^  Sir  Philip  Carey  of  Aldcnham,  co. 
Hertf.  m.  Elizabeth,  da.  of  Richard  Bland  of  co.  York.' 


XIX 


TRAGEDIE 


OF  MARIAM, 

THE    F  A  I  RE 
Qiaecneof  icwry. 


VVritcen  by  that  learned 

vcrtuous,and  truly  noble  Ladic, 

E,   C  _ 


LONDON. 

Printed  by  Thomas  Crccdc ,  for  Richard 

H»wkins ,  and  arc  to  be  fotdc.ac  hii  fhoppc 

iB  CluBcery  Lane,  neeK  vnto 

Stfgeants  Inne. 

I  6  I  {• 


Ut^^wrfi. 


A  I  RicTO  (B.  M.,  C.  3+.  c.  I 


'A 


1 


Actus  primu5.     6'cana  prim  i. 

HO  jv  oft  hiiuc  1  with  publikc  voycc  f  unnc  en  i 
to  cenfarc/?-7f^^/  lAllf/^A-i^  for  deceit  : 
BcCiu(€  he  wept  whtn  P^mpeu  life  was  gone, 
Yetwhenhcllu'd)  becthought  his  Name tuogreK, 
But  now  1  doc  recant ,  and  Koman  Lord 
Excufetoorafh  a  judgement  in  a  woman: 
My  Sexc  pleads  pardon ,  pardon  then  afford, 
Mift«ki»g  is  with  vi,but  too  too  common. 
Now  doc  I  findc  by  fclfc  Experience  taughf, 
One  Objcdyeelds  both  gciefc and  loy  : 
You  wept  indeed,  when  on  his  worthyou  thought, 
But  ioyd  that  (laughter  did  your  Foedeftroy. 
So  at  his  death  your  Eyes  true  droppes  did  rainc? 
Whom  clead>you  did  not  wKhaliucAgainc. 
When  Herod  liu^d,  that  now  is  done  to  death, 
Oft  hauelwirtitthat  1  from  him  were  free: 
Oft  hauc  t  wiflit  that  he  might  lofc  his  breath, 
Oft hauci  wjQit his Carkat dead fo tee. 
Then  R*gc  and  Scorne  had  put  my  louc  to  flight, 
That  Loue  which  once  on  him  was  firmely  fct ; 
Hate  hid  his  true  affcftion  from  my  fight, 
And  kept  my  heart  from  paymg  him  his  debt. 
And  blame  me  not,  for  Herods  Icaloufic 
Had  power  eucnconrtancic  it  fclfc  tochangff: 
Far  hec  by  barring  me  from  hbertic , 
To  flionnc  my  ranging , taught  me  firrt  to  range. 
But  yet  too  chaft  a  Scholler  was  my  hart. 
To  learne  to  loue  another  then  my  Lord  t 
Toleauc  hii^  Loue,  my  IciTons  former  part, 


A  ]  RLCTO  ,B.  M.,  C.  H-  ^'  y) 


TRAGEDIE 

OF  MARIAM, 

THE    F  A  I  R  E 

Queeneoflewry. 


Written  by  that  learned, 

vertuous,and  truly  noble Ladie, 
E.G. 


LONDON. 

Printed  by  Thomas  Creede,  for  Richard 

Hawkins,  and  arc  to  be  foldc  at  his  (lioppe 

in  Chancery  Lane,  ncerc  vnto 

Sargeants  Innc. 

I  6  I  I. 


The  Argument. 


HEivci  the  fbnne  of  Antipater  (an  Idttmeau^  huulng 
crept  by  the  fauor  of  the  Romanes^  into  the  lewilh 
Monarchic,  married  Manam  the  daughrer  of ///r- 
cantis^  the  rightfiiU  King  and  Priejt^  and  for  her  (befides 
her  high  blood,  being  of  fingiilar  beautie)  hee  reputia- 
ted  Doris,  his  former  Wife,  by  whome  hee  had  Chil- 
dren. 

This  Mariam  had  a  Brother  called  Arijloholus^  and 
next  him  and  Hiixanus  his  Graund-father,  Heiod  in  his  lo 
Wiues  right  had  the  beft:  title.  Therefore  to  remooue 
them,  he  charged  the  firlt  with  treafon:  and  put  him  to 
death;  and  drowned  the  fecond  vnder  colour  of  fport. 
Alexandra^  Daughter  to  the  one,  and  Mother  to  the  o- 
ther,  accufed  him  for  their  deaths  before  Anthony. 

So  when  hee  was  forc'te  to  goe  anfxvere  this  Accu- 
fation  at  Rome^  he  left  the  cultodie  of  his  wife  to  loftpbtis 
his  Vncle,  that  had  married  his  Sifter  -5ii/(?wc,  and  out  of 
a  violent  affection  (vnwilling  any  fliould  enioy  her  af- 
ter him)  hee  gaue  Itrict  and  priuate  commaundement,  lo 
that  if  hee  were  ilaine,  (hee  fliould  be  put  to  death.  But 
he  returned  with  much  honour,  yet  found  his  Wife  ex- 
treamely  difcontented,  to  whom  lofophus  had  (meaning 
it  for  the  belt,  to  proue  Ht^ivd  loucd  her)  reucalcd  liis 
charge. 

So  by  Salo?Nes  accufation  hee  put  /ojcphtis  to  death, 
but  was  reconciled  to  Maiiarn^  who  ftill  bare  the  death 
of  her  Friends  exceeding  hardly. 

In  this  meane  time  Hcwd  was  againc  necclLuily  to 
reuifite  Ronw^  for  dvjdr  hauing  ouerthrowne  Anthony  his  50 

A  2.  great 


THE   EPISTLE 

great  friend,  was  likely  to  make  an  alteration  of  his  For- 
tune. 

In  his  ab fence,  newes  came  to  Terufalem  that  CW/^rhad 
put  him  to  death,  their  willingnes  it  fhould  be  fb,  toge- 
ther with  the  likelyhood,  gaue  this  Rumor  fb  good  cre- 
dit, as  Sohemus  that  had  fuceeded  lofephus  charge,  fuc- 
ceeded  him  likew^ife  in  reuealing  it.  So  at  Herods  returne 
which  was  fpeedy  and  vnexpected,  he  fbund  Mariam  fb 
farre  from  ioye,  that  fhe  fhewed  apparant  fignes  of  for- 
row.  Hee  flill  defiring  to  winne  her  to  a  better  humour,  40 
file  being  very  vnable  to  conceale  her  paffion,  fell  to  vp- 
braiding  him  with  her  Brothers  death.  As  they  were 
thus  debating,  came  in  a  fellow  with  a  Cuppe  of  Wine, 
who  hired  by  Salome^  faide  firft,  it  was  a  Loue  potion, 
which  Mariam  defired  to  deliuer  to  the  King :  but  after- 
wards he  affirmed  that  it  was  a  poyfon,  and  that  Sohe- 
mus had  tolde  her  fbmewhat,  which  procured  the  vehe- 
ment hate  in  her. 

The  King  hearing  this,  more  moued  with  lealoufie 
o?  Sohemus  J  then  with  this  intent  of  poyfon,  fent  her  a-  5*0 
way,  and  prefently  after  by  the  infligation  oH  Salome^  fhe 
was  beheaded.  Which  rafhnes  was  afterward  punifhed 
in  him,  with  an  intollerable  and  almoft  Frantike  pafli- 
on  for  her  death. 


j^ctus 


Actus  primus.     Scoena  prima. 

Muriam  fola. 

HOw  oft  hauel  with  piiblike  voyce  runne  on  ? 
To  ccnfure  Romes  lalfc  Hero  for  deceit : 
Bccaulc  he  wept  when  Pompeis  life  was  gone, 
Yet  when  he  liird,  hee  thought  his  Name  too  great. 
But  now  I  doe  recant,  and  Ko7nan  Lord 
Excufe  too  rafh  a  judgement  in  a  woman : 
My  Sexe  pleads  pardon,  pardon  then  afford, 
Miltaking  is  with  vs,  but  too  too  common.  lo 

Now  doe  I  finde  by  ielfe  Experience  taught, 
One  Object  yeelds  both  griefe  and  ioy  : 
You  wept  indeed,  when  on  his  worth  you  thought, 
But  ioyd  that  (laughter  did  your  Foe  deltroy. 
So  at  his  death  your  Eyes  true  droppcs  did  raine, 
Whom  dead,  you  did  not  wifh  aliue  againe. 
When  //(frWliu'd,  that  now  is  done  to  death, 
Oft  haue  I  wifht  that  I  from  him  were  free: 
Oft  haue  I  wifht  that  he  might  lofe  his  breath. 
Oft  haue  I  wiflit  his  Carkas  dead  to  fee.  lo 

Then  Rage  and  Scorne  had  put  my  loue  to  flight, 
That  Loue  which  once  on  him  was  firmely  fet : 
Hate  hid  his  true  affection  from  my  fight. 
And  kept  my  heart  from  paying  him  his  debt. 
And  blame  me  not,  for  Hejve/s  lealoulie 
Had  power  euen  conihaiicie  it  felfe  to  change: 
For  hee  by  barring  me  from  libertie. 
To  fhunne  my  ranging,  taught  me  firlt  to  range. 
But  yet  too  chalfc  a  ScnoUer  was  my  hart. 
To  learne  to  loue  another  then  my  Lord:  3<5 

To  leaue  his  Loue,  my  leifons  former  part, 

A  I  I 


THE    TRAGEDIE 

I  quickly  learned,  the  other  I  abhord. 

But  now  his  death  to  memorie  doth  call, 

The  tender  loue,  that  he  to  Mariam  bare : 

And  mine  to  him,  this  makes  thofe  riuers  fall, 

Which  by  an  other  thought  vnmoiftned  are. 

For  Arijioholus  the  lowly efl  youth 

That  euer  did  in  Angels  fhape  appeare : 

The  cruell  Heyvd  was  not  mou'd  to  ruth, 

Then  why  grieues  Man  am  Herods  death  to  heare  ?  40 

Why  ioy  I  not  the  tongue  no  more  (hall  fpeake. 

That  yeelded  forth  my  brothers  lateft  dome : 

Both  youth  and  beautie  might  thy  furie  breake, 

And  both  in  him  did  ill  befit  a  Tombe. 

And  worthy  Grandlire  ill  did  he  requite. 

His  high  Aflent  alone  by  thee  procured. 

Except  he  murdred  thee  to  free  the  fpright 

Which  ftill  he  thought  on  earth  too  long  immur'd. 

How  happie  was  it  that  Sob  emus  maide 

Was  mou'd  to  pittie  my  diftreft  eftate  ?  Jo 

Might  Herods  life  a  truftie  feruant  finde, 

My  death  to  his  had  bene  vnfeparate.  (beare, 

Thele  thoughts  haue  power,  his  death  to  make  me 

Nay  more,  to  wifh  the  newes  may  firmely  hold  : 

Yet  cannot  this  repulfe  fome  falling  teare. 

That  will  againft  my  will  fome  griefe  vnfold. 

And  more  I  owe  him  for  his  loue  to  me. 

The  deepefl  loue  that  euer  yet  was  feene : 

Yet  had  I  rather  much  a  milke-maide  bee. 

Then  be  the  Monarke  of  ludeas  Queene.  ^o 

It  was  for  nought  but  loue,  he  wiiht  his  end 

Might  to  my  death,  but  the  vaunt-currier  proue : 

But  I  had  rather  ftill  be  foe  then  friend. 

To  him  that  faues  for  hate,  and  kills  for  loue. 

Hard-hearted  Mariam^  at  thy  difcontent. 

What  flouds  of  teares  haue  drencht  his  manly  face  ? 

How  canft  thou  then  fo  faintly  now  lament. 

Thy  trueft  louers  death,  a  deaths  difgrace : 

I  now  mine  eyes  you  do  begin  to  right 

Th 


M 


OF   MARIAM. 
The  wrongs  of  your  admirer.     And  my  Lord,  70 

Long  fince  you  fhould  haue  put  your  fmilcs  to  flight, 
111  doth  a  widowed  eye  with  ioy  accord. 
Why  now  me  thinkes  the  loue  I  bare  him  then. 
When  virgin  freedome  left  me  vnreffcraind  : 
Doth  to  my  heart  begin  to  creepe  agcn, 
My  palTion  now  is  far  from  being  faind. 
But  teares  flic  backe,  and  hide  you  in  your  bankes. 
You  mult  not  be  to  AUxandra  ^^cxm-. 
For  if  my  mone  be  fpide,  but  little  thankes 
Shall  Mariam  haue,  from  that  incenfed  Queene.  80 

Actus  primus  :  Scoena  Secunda. 

Mariam.  Alexandra. 

Alex:  (mifbke, 

WHat  meanes  thefe  teares?   my  Mariam  doth 
The  newes  we  heard  did  tell  the  Tyrants  end : 
What  weepft  thou  for  thy  brothers  murthers  fake, 
Will  euer  wight  a  teare  for  Herod  fpend  ? 
My  curfe  purfuc  his  breathles  trunke  and  fpirit, 
Bafe  Edomite  the  damned  Rjaus  heire : 
Mull  he  ere  Jacobs  child  the  crowne  inherit  ?  90 

Mult  he  vile  wTctch  be  fet  in  Dauids  chaire  ? 
No  Dauids  foule  within  the  bofome  plac'te, 
Of  our  forefather  Abram  was  afham'd: 
To  fee  his  feat  with  fuch  a  toade  difgrac'te. 
That  feat  that  hath  by  ludas  race  bene  fain'd. 
Thou  fatall  enemie  to  royall  blood, 
Did  not  the  murther  of  my  boy  fufhce. 
To  flop  thy  cruell  mouth  that  gaping  ftood  ? 
But  mufl  thou  dim  the  mildc  Hercanus  eves.'' 
My  gratious  father,  whofe  too  readie  hand  100 

Did  lift  this  Idtwiean  from  the  duifc : 
And  he  vngratefull  catiffe  did  withlland, 
7'he  man  that  ^\6.  in  him  moil  friendly  trufl. 
What  kingdomes  right  could  cruell  Herod  claimc. 
Was  he  not  Ejaus  llfue,  heyre  of  hell? 
Then  what  fuccellion  can  he  haue  but  fliame  ? 
Did  not  his  Anccltor  his  birth-right  fell?  O 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

0  yes,  he  doth  from  Edoms  name  deriue. 
His  cruell  nature  which  with  blood  is  fed : 

That  made  him  me  of  Sire  and  fonne  depriue,  no 

He  euer  thirfts  for  blood,  and  blood  is  red. 

Weepfl  thou  becaufe  his  loue  to  thee  was  bent  ? 

And  readfl  thou  loue  in  crimfbn  caracters  ? 

Slew  he  thy  friends  to  worke  thy  hearts  content  ? 

No :  hate  may  luflly  call  that  action  hers. 

He  gaue  the  facred  Prieflhood  for  thy  fake, 

To  Ariftoholus.     Yet  doomde  him  dead : 

Before  his  backe  the  Ephod  warme  could  make. 

And  ere  the  Myter  fetled  on  his  head : 

Oh  had  he  giuen  my  boy  no  lelTe  then  right,  no 

The  double  oyle  fhould  to  his  forehead  bring : 

A  double  honour,  fliining  doubly  bright, 

His  birth  annoynted  him  both  Prieft  and  King. 

And  fay  my  father,  and  my  fonne  he  flewe. 

To  royalize  by  right  your  Prince  borne  breath : 

Was  loue  the  caufe,  can  Mar i am  deeme  it  true, 

That  Mariam  gaue  commandment  for  her  death  ? 

1  know  by  fits,  he  Ihewd  fome  fignes  of  loue, 
And  yet  not  loue,  but  raging  lunacie : 

And  this  his  hate  to  thee  may  iuftly  proue,  130 

That  fiire  he  hates  Hercanus  famihe. 

Who  knowes  if  he  vnconflant  wauering  Lord, 

His  loue  to  Doris  had  renew 'd  againe  ? 

And  that  he  might  his  bed  to  her  afford. 

Perchance  he  wifht  that  Mariam  might  be  flaine. 

Nun:  Doris ^  Alas  her  time  of  loue  was  paft, 
Thofe  coales  were  rakte  in  embers  long  agoe : 
If  Mariams  loue  and  fhe  was  now  difgraft. 
Nor  did  I  glorie  in  her  ouerthrowe. 

He  not  a  whit  his  firfl  borne  fonne  efleem'd,  140 

Becaufe  as  well  as  his  he  was  not  mine  : 
My  children  onely  for  his  owne  he  deem'd, 
Thefe  boyes  that  did  defcend  from  royall  line. 
Thefe  did  he  ftile  his  heyres  to  Dauids  throne, 
My  Alexander  if  he  liue,  fhall  fit 

In 


OK    MARIAM. 

In  the  Maielticke  feat  o\'  S^ilamori^ 
To  will  it  fo,  did  Herod  thinke  it  fit. 

j^lex.  Why  ?  who  can  chime  from  Alexanders  brood 
That  Gold  adorned  Lyon-giiardcd  Chaire  ? 
Was  Alexander  not  of  Dauids  blood  ?  i  y  o 

And  was  not  Mariam  Alexanders  heire  ? 
What  more  then  right  could  Herod  then  beflow. 
And  who  will  thinke  except  for  more  then  right, 
He  did  not  raife  them,  for  they  were  not  low, 
But  borne  to  weare  the  Crowne  in  his  del'pight: 
Then  fend  thofe  teares  away  that  are  not  fent 
To  thee  by  reafbn,  but  by  paflions  power: 
Thine  eyes  to  cheere,  thy  chcekes  to  fmiles  be  bent, 
And  entertaine  with  ioy  this  happy  houre. 
Felicitie,  if  when  fhee  comes,  fhe  findes  i6o 

A  mourning  habite,  and  a  cheerlefle  looke, 
Will  thinke  fhe  is  not  welcome  to  thy  minde. 
And  fo  perchance  her  lodging  will  not  brooke. 
Oh  keepe  her  whileft  thou  hait  her,  if  fhe  goe 
She  will  not  eafily  returne  againe  : 
Full  many  a  yeere  haue  I  indur'd  in  woe, 
Yet  ftill  haue  fude  her  prefence  to  obtaine  : 
And  did  not  I  to  her  as  prefents  fend 
A  Table,  that  belt  Art  did  beautifie 

Of  two,  to  whom  Heauen  did  beffc  feauire  lend,  170 

To  woe  her  loue  by  winning  Anthony. 
For  w^hen  a  Princes  fauour  we  doe  craue, 
We  firfl  their  Mynions  loues  do  feeke  to  winne ; 
So  I,  that  fought  Felicitie  to  haue. 
Did  with  her  Mynion  Anthony  beginne. 
With  double  flight  I  fought  to  captiuate 
The  warlike  loucr,  but  I  did  not  right : 
For  if  my  gift  had  borne  but  halfe  the  rate, 
The  Roman  had  beene  ouer- taken  quite. 
But  now  he  fared  like  a  hungry  guelt,  180 

That  to  fome  plenteous  felfciuall  is  gone. 
Now  this,  now  that,  hee  deems  to  eate  were  bcfl, 
Such  choice  doth  make  him  let  them  all  alone. 

B  The 


THE   TRAGEDIE 

The  boyes  large  forehead  firft  did  fayrefl  feeme, 

Then  glaunfl  his  eye  vpon  ray  Mariams  cheeke : 

And  that  without  comparifbn  did  deeme, 

What  was  in  eyther  but  he  mofl  did  leeke. 

And  thus  diflracted,  eythers  beauties  might 

Within  the  others  excellence  was  drown 'd  : 

Too  much  delight  did  bare  him  from  delight,  1 90 

For  cithers  loue,  the  others  did  confound. 

Where  if  thy  portraiture  had  onely  gone. 

His  life  from  Herod^  Anthony  had  taken ; 

He  would  haue  loued  thee,  and  thee  alone. 

And  left  the  browne  Egyptian  cleane  forfaken. 

And  Cleopatra  then  to  feeke  had  bene. 

So  firme  a  louer  of  her  wayned  face  : 

Then  great  Anthonius  fall  we  had  not  feene, 

By  her  that  fled  to  haue  him  holde  the  chafe. 

Then  Mart  am  in  a  Romans  Chariot  fet,  200 

In  place  di  Cleopatra  might  haue  fhowne: 

A  mart  of  Beauties  in  her  vifage  met, 

And  part  in  this,  that  they  were  all  her  owne. 

Ma.  Not  to  be  Emprife  of  alpiring  Rome^ 
Would  Mariam  like  to  Cleopatra  liue  : 
With  purefl  body  will  I  preffe  my  Toome, 
And  wifli  no  fauours  Anthony  could  giue. 

Alex.  Let  vs  retire  vs,  that  we  may  refblue 
How  now  to  deale  va  this  reuerfed  ftate : 
Great  are  th  affaires  that  we  muft  now  reuolue,  210 

And  great  affaires  mufl  not  be  taken  late. 

Actus  primus.     Scoena  tertia. 

Mariam.  Alexandra.  Salome, 

Salome, 

MOre  plotting  yet?  Why?  now  you  haue  the  thing 
For  which  fo  oft  you  fpent  your  fupliant  breath : 
And  Mariam  hopes  to  haue  another  King, 
Her  eyes  doe  Iparkle  ioy  for  Herods  death. 

Alex. 


OF   MARIAM. 

Alex.  If  (he  defir'd  another  King  to  haue, 
She  might  before  fhe  came  in  Herods  bed  zio 

Haue  had  her  wifh.    More  Kings  then  one  did  crauc, 
For  leaue  to  fet  a  Crowne  vpon  her  head. 
I  thinke  with  more  then  reafon  fhe  bments. 
That  fhe  is  freed  from  fuch  a  fad  annoy : 
Who  ifl:  will  weepe  to  part  from  difcontent. 
And  if  fhe  ioy,  fhe  did  not  caiifelefTe  ioy. 

Sal.  You  durlt  not  thus  haue  giuen  your  tongue  the 
If  noble  Herod  ftill  remaind  in  life :  (raine, 

Your  daughters  betters  farre  I  dare  maintaine, 
Might  haue  reioyc'd  to  be  my  brothers  wife.  130 

Mar.  My  betters  farre,  bafe  woman  t'is  vntrue. 
You  fcarce  haue  cuer  my  fuperiors  feene : 
For  Maria?ns  feruants  were  as  good  as  you, 
Before  fhe  came  to  be  ludeas  Queene. 

Sal.  Now  Itirs  the  tongue  that  is  fo  quickly  mou*d. 
But  more  then  once  your  collor  haue  I  borne : 
Your  fiimifli  words  are  fooner  fayd  then  prou'd, 
And  Salotnes  reply  is  onely  fcorne. 

Mar.    Scorne    thofe    that   are    for    thy    companions 
Though  I  thy  brothers  face  had   neuer  feene,     (held,  ^40 
My  birth,  thy  bafer  birth  fo  farre  exceld, 
I  had  to  both  of  you  the  PrincefiTe  bene. 
Thou  party  lew,  and  party  Edomite, 
Thou  Mongrell :  ilTu'd  from  reiected  race, 
Thy  Anceitors  againft  the  Heauens  did  fight. 
And  thou  like  them  wilt  heauenly  birth  difgrace. 

Sal.  Still  twit  you  me  with  nothing  but  my  birth, 
What  ods  betwixt  your  anceflors  and  mine  ? 
Both  borne  o^  Adam.,  both  were  made  of  Earth, 
And  both  did  come  from  holy  Abrahams  line.  Mo 

Mar.  I  fauour  thee  when  nothing  elfe  I  fay. 
With  thy  blacke  acts  ile  not  jx)llute  my  breath: 
Elfe  to  thy  charge  I  might  full  iuldy  lay 
A  fhamefull  hfe,  beiides  a  husbands  death. 

Sal.  Tis  true  indeed,  I  did  the  plots  reueale, 
That  palt  betwixt  your  fauorites  and  you  : 
I  ment  not  I,  a  travtor  to  conceale. 

B  1  Thus 


THE   TRAGEDIE 

Thus  Salome  your  Mynion  Tofeph  flue. 

Mar.  Heauen,  doft  thou  meane  this  Infamy  to  fmo- 
Let  flandred  Mariam  ope  thy  clofed  eare :  (ther  ?  i^o 

Selfe-guilt  hath  euer  bene  fiifpitious  mother, 
And  therefore  I  this  fpeech  with  patience  beare. 
No,  had  not  Salomes  vnfledfafl  heart. 
In  lofephus  ftead  her  Conjiaharus  plaft. 
To  free  her  felfe,  fhe  had  not  vfde  the  art. 
To  flander  haplefle  Mariam  for  vnchafl. 

^lex.  Come  Mariam,  let  vs  goe :  it  is  no  boote 
To  let  the  head  contend  again  ft  the  foote. 

Actus  primus.     Scoena  quarta. 

Salome,  Sola.  170 

LIues  Salome,  to  get  fo  bafe  a  ftile 
As  fbote,  to  the  proud  Mariam  Herods  fpirit ; 
In  happy  time  for  her  endured  exile. 
For  did  he  Hue  fhe  fhould  not  mifle  her  merit  : 
But  he  is  dead :  and  though  he  were  my  Brother, 
His  death  fuch  ftore  of  Cinders  cannot  caft 
My  Coales  of  loue  to  quench :  for  though  they  fmo- 
The  flames  a  while,  yet  will  they  out  at  laft.  (ther 

Oh  bleft  Arabia,  in  beft  climate  plafl, 
I  by  the  Fruit  will  cenfure  of  the  Tree  :  a8o 

Tis  not  in  vaine,  thy  happy  name  thou  haft. 
If  all  AraVians  like  Silleus  bee : 
Had  not  my  Fate  bene  too  too  contrary. 
When  I  on  Conjiaharus  firft  did  gaze, 
Silleus  had  beene  obiect  to  mine  eye : 
Whofe  lookes  and  perfonage  muft  allyes  amaze. 
But  now  ill  Fated  Salome,  thy  tongue 
To  Conjiaharus  by  it  felfe  is  tide : 
And  now  except  I  doe  the  Ebrew  wrong 
I  cannot  be  the  faire  Arabian  Bride :  a^o 

What  childifh  lets  are  thefe  ?  Why  ftand  I  now 
On  honourable  points  ?     Tis  long  agoe 

Since 


OF   MARIA  M. 

Since  fliame  was  written  on  my  tainted  brow  : 
And  certaine  tis,  that  fhame  is  honours  foe. 
Had  I  vpon  my  reputation  Itood, 
Had  I  atfected  an  vnfpottcd  life, 
lofephus  vain  OS  had  Hill  bene  ftuft  with  blood, 
And  I  to  him  had  liu'd  a  fober  wife. 
Then  had  I  neuer  call:  an  eye  of  loue, 
On  Conjhiharus  now  detefted  face,  joo 

Then  had  I  kept  my  thoughts  without  remoue: 
And  bluflit  at  motion  of  the  leaffc  difgrace: 
But  (hame  is  gone,  and  honour  wipt  away, 
And  Impudencie  on  my  forehead  fits  : 
She  bids  me  worke  my  will  without  delay, 
And  for  my  will  I  will  imploy  my  wits. 
He  loues,  I  loue;  what  then  can  be  the  caufe, 
Keepes  me  for  being  the  Arabians  wife  .'^ 
It  is  the  principles  of  Mofes  lawes. 

For  Contabarus  itill  remaines  in  life,  310 

If  he  to  me  did  beare  as  Earned  hate, 
As  I  to  him,  for  him  there  were  an  eafe, 
A  feparating  bill  might  free  his  fate : 
From  fuch  a  yoke  that  did  fo  much  difpleafe. 
Why  fhould  fuch  priuiledge  to  man  be  giuen  ? 
Or  giuen  to  them,  why  bard  from  women  then.^ 
Are  men  then  w^e  in  greater  grace  with  Heauen  ? 
Or  cannot  women  hate  as  well  as  men } 
He  be  the  cultome-breaker :  and  beginne 
To  fhew  my  Sexe  the  w^ay  to  freedomes  doore,  31© 

And  with  an  offring  will  I  purge  my  finne, 
The  lawe  was  made  for  none  but  who  are  poore. 
If  Herod  had  liu'd,  I  might  to  him  accufe 
My  prefent  Lord.     But  for  the  futures  fake 
Then  would  I  tell  the  King  he  did  reflife 
The  fonnes  o^  Baha  in  his  power  to  take. 
But  now  I  mud  diuorfe  him  from  my  bed. 
That  my  Silletis  may  polIefTe  his  roome : 
Had  I  not  begd  his  life  he  had  bene  dead, 
I  curfe  my  tongue  the  hindrer  of  his  doomc,  330 

B    ;  But 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

But  then  my  wandring  heart  to  him  was  fail:, 
Nor  did  I  dreame  of  chaunge :  Silleus  faid. 
He  would  be  here,  and  fee  he  comes  at  laft, 
Had  I  not  nam'd  him  longer  had  he  flaid. 

Actus  primus.     Soena  quinta. 

Salome^  Silleus, 

Silleus.  "V\  TEll  found  faire  Salome  ludaas  pride, 
V V  Hath  thy  innated  wifedome  found 
To  make  Silleus  deeme  him  deified,  (the  way 

By  gaining  thee  a  more  then  precious  pray?  340 

Sdo,  I  haue  deuifde  the  bell  I  can  deuife, 
A  more  imperfect  meanes  was  neuer  found : 
But  what  cares  Salome,,  it  doth  fuffice 
If  our  indeuours  with  their  end  be  crown'd. 
In  this  our  land  we  haue  an  ancient  vfe, 
Permitted  firft  by  our  law-giuers  head: 
Who  hates  his  wife,  though  for  no  iuft  abufe, 
May  with  a  bill  diuorce  her  from  his  bed. 
But  in  this  cuftome  women  are  not  free, 
Yet  I  for  once  will  wrefl  it,  blame  not  thou  350 

The  ill  I  doe,  fince  what  I  do'es  for  thee, 
Though  others  blame,  Silleus  fhould  allow. 

Solleus.  Thinkes  Salome,  Silleus  hath  a  tongue 
To  cenfure  her  faire  actions :  let  my  blood 
Bedalh  my  proper  brow,  for  iuch  a  wrong, 
The  being  yours,  can  make  euen  vices  good  : 
Arahia  ioy,  prepare  thy  earth  with  greene. 
Thou  neuer  happie  wert  indeed  till  now : 
Now  fhall  thy  ground  be  trod  by  beauties  Queene, 
Her  foote  is  deflin'd  to  deprefle  thy  brow.  3^0 

Thou  fhalt  faire  Salome  commaund  as  much 
As  if  the  royall  ornament  were  thine  : 
The  weaknes  of  Arahias  King  is  liich. 
The  kingdome  is  not  his  fo  much  as  mine. 
My  mouth  is  our  Obodas  oracle. 
Who  thinkes  not  ought  but  what  Silleus  will  ? 

And 


OF    MARIAM. 

And  thou  rare  creature.  Ajias  miracle, 
Shalt  be  to  me  as  It :  Obodeis  Itill. 

Salome.  Tis  not  for  glory  I  thy  loue  accept, 
lu^ea  yeelds  me  honours  worthy  ftore :  370 

Had  not  affection  in  my  bofome  crept. 
My  natiue  country  fliould  my  life  deplore. 
Were  not  Silltus  he  with  home  I  goe, 
I  would  not  change  my  Palajtirie  for  Rome\ 
Much  lefle  would  I  a  glorious  Itate  to  fliew, 
Goe  far  to  purchafe  an  Arabian  toome. 

sulcus.  Far  be  it  from  Silleus  fo  to  thinke, 
I  know  it  is  thy  gratitude  requites 
The  loue  that  is  in  me,  and  fnall  not  flirinke 
Till  death  doe  feuer  me  from  earths  delights,     (talke,  380 

Salotn.  But  whilt;  me  thinkes  the  wolk  is  in  our 
Be  gone  Si  Ileus.,  who  doth  here  arriue  "^ 
Tis  Conjtabarus  that  doth  hither  walke. 
He  find  a  quarrell,  him  from  me  to  driue. 

Si  lie.  Farewell,  but  were  it  not  for  thy  commaund. 
In  his  dcfpight  Silleus  here  would  lland. 

Actus  primus :  Soena  Sexta. 

Salome:  Conjiabarus. 

Conjl:  /^H  Salome.,  how  much  you  wrog  your  name, 

^-^Your  race,  your  country,  and  your  husband  39<^ 
A  ffcraungers  priuate  conference  is  Ihame,  (molt } 

I  blufh  for  you,  that  haue  your  blu filing  lofl. 
Oft  haue  I  found,  and  found  you  to  my  grief e, 
Confoned  with  this  bafe  Arabian  heere : 
Heauen  knowes  that  you  haue  bin  my  comfort  chiefe. 
Then  doe  not  now  my  greater  plague  appeare. 
Now  by  the  ibtely  Carued  edifice 
That  on  Mount  Sion  makes  fo  faire  a  fliow, 
And  by  the  Altar  fit  for  facrifice, 

I  loue  thee  more  then  thou  thy  fclfc  doeft  know.        \^^ 
Oft  with  a  filent  forrow  haue  I  heard 
How  ill  luiieas  mouth  doth  cenfure  thee: 

And 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

And  did  I  not  thine  honour  much  regard. 

Thou  fhouldfl  not  be  exhorted  thus  fcr  mee. 

Didft  thou  but  know  the  worth  of  honeft  fame, 

How  much  a  vertuous  woman  is  efteem'd. 

Thou  wouldeft  like  hell  efchew  defer ued  fhame. 

And  feeke  to  be  both  chaft  and  chaflly  deem*d. 

Our  wifeft  Prince  did  fay,  and  true  he  faid, 

A  vertuous  woman  crownes  her  husbands  head.  410 

Salome.  Did  I  for  this,  vpreare  thy  lowe  eflate  ? 
Did  I  for  this  requitall  begge  thy  life, 
That  thou  hadft  forfeited  haples  fate  ? 
To  be  to  fiich  a  thankles  wretch  the  wife. 
This  hand  of  mine  hath  lifted  vp  thy  head. 
Which  many  a  day  agoe  had  felne  fiiU  lowe, 
Becaufe  the  fbnnes  of  Baba  are  not  dead. 
To  me  thou  doefl  both  life  and  fortune  owe. 

Conjl,   You  haue  my  patience  often  exercifde, 
Vfe  make  my  choller  keepe  within  the  bankes :  420 

Yet  boafl  no  more,  but  be  by  me  aduifde. 
A  benefit  vpbraided,  forfeits  thankes : 
I  prethy  Salome  difmifle  this  mood, 
Tnou  doeft  not  know  how  ill  it  fits  thy  place : 
My  words  were  all  intended  for  thy  good. 
To  raife  thine  honour  and  to  flop  difgrace. 

Sa,  To  flop  difgrace  '^.   take  thou  no  care  for  mee, 
Nay  do  thy  worfl,  thy  worfl  I  fet  not  by  : 
No  fhame  of  mine  is  like  to  light  on  thee. 
Thy  loue  and  admonitions  I  defie.  430 

Thou  fhalt  no  hower  longer  call  me  wife. 
Thy  lealoufie  procures  my  hate  fo  deepe : 
That  I  from  thee  doe  meane  to  free  my  life. 
By  a  diuorcing  bill  before  I  fleepe. 

ConJl,  Are  Hebrew  women  now  trasform*d  to  men  ? 
Why  do  you  not  as  well  our  battels  fight. 
And  weare  our  armour  }  fiiffer  this,  and  then 
Let  all  the  world  be  topfie  turued  quite. 
Let  fifhes  graze,  beafles,  fwine,  and  birds  defcend. 
Let  fire  burne  do wne wards  whilfl  the  earth  afpires :        440 

Let 


OF    MARIAM. 

Let  Winters  heat  and  Summers  cold  offend, 

Let  Thiftels  growe  on  Vines,  and  Grapes  on  Briers, 

Set  vs  to  Spinne  or  Sowe,  or  at  the  befh 

Make   vs   Wood-hewers,   Waters-bearing   wights: 

For  facred  feruicc  let  vs  take  no  relfc, 

Vfe  vs  as  Toflma  did  the  Gibonites. 

Salom.  Hold  on  your  talke,  till  it  be  time  to  end, 
For  me  I  am  refolu'd  it  fliall  be  fb : 
Though  I  be  firit  that  to  this  courfe  do  bend, 
I  fhall  not  be  the  lalt  full  well  I  know.  45© 

Conjl.  Why  then  be  witneffe  Heau'n,  the  ludge  of 
Be  witnelfe  Spirits  that  efchew  the  darke:  (finnes, 

Be  witnelfe  Angels,  witnelfe  Cherubins, 
Whofe  femblance  fits  vpon  the  holy  Arke : 
Be  witnelfe  earth,  be  witnefTe  Fakjiine^ 
Be  witnefle  'Dauids  Citie,  if  my  heart 
Did  euer  merit  fuch  an  act  of  thine : 
Or  if  the  fault  be  mine  that  makes  vs  part. 
Since  mildeft  Mojes  friend  vnto  the  Lord, 
Did  worke  his  wonders  in  the  land  of  Ham^  4<^=> 

And  flew  the  firft-borne  Babes  without  a  fword, 
In  figne  whereof  we  eate  the  holy  Lambe : 
Till  now  that  foureteene  hundred  yeeres  are  pafl. 
Since  firlt  the  Law  with  vs  hath  beene  in  force : 
You  are  the  firft,  and  will  I  hope,  be  lait, 
That  euer  fought  her  husband  to  diuorce. 

Salo?n.  I  mcanc  not  to  be  led  by  preddent. 
My  will  fliall  be  to  me  in  Head  of  Law. 

Corijf.  I  feare  me  much  you  will  too  late  repent. 
That  you  haue  euer  liu'd  fo  void  of  awe:  470 

This  is  salens  loue  that  makes  you  thus 
Rcucrfe  all  order :  you  muft  next  be  his. 
But  if  my  thoughts  aright  the  caulc  dilculle, 
Jn  winning  you,  he  gaincs  no  lalting  hlillc, 
1  was  Silleus^  and  not  long  agoe 
/ofcphus  then  was  Cotijiahams  now  : 
When  you  became  my  friend  you  prou'd  his  foe. 
As  now  for  him  you  breake  to  me  your  vowd. 

C  Salom. 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

Sal.  If  once  I  lou*d  you,  greater  is  your  debt : 
For  certaine  tis  that  you  deferued  it  not.  480 

And  vndeferued  loue  we  foone  forget, 
And  therefore  that  to  me  can  be  no  blot. 
But  now  fare  ill  my  once  beloued  Lord, 
Yet  neuer  more  belou'd  then  now  abhord. 

Conji.  Yet  Conjiaharus  biddeth  thee  farewell. 
Farewell  hght  creature.   Heauen  forgiue  thy  finne  : 
My  prophecying  fpirit  doth  foretell 
Thy  wauering  thoughts  doe  yet  but  new  begin ne. 
Yet  I  haue  better  fcap'd  then  lofeph  did. 
But  if  our  Herods  death  had  bene  delayd,  490 

The  valiant  youths  that  I  fo  long  haue  hid, 
Had  bene  by  her,  and  I  for  them  betrayd. 
Therefore  in  happy  houre  did  Cafar  giue 
The  fatall  blow  to  wanton  Anthony : 
For  had  he  lined,  our  Herod  then  fhould  Hue, 
But  great  Anthonius  death  made  Herod  dye. 
Had  he  enioyed  his  breath,  not  I  alone 
Had  beene  in  danger  of  a  deadly  fall : 
But  Mart  am  had  the  way  of  per  ill  gone. 
Though  by  the  Tyrant  moft  belou'd  of  all.  Joo 

The  fweet  fac'd  Mariam  as  free  from  guilt 
As  Heauen  from  fpots,  yet  had  her  Lord  come  backe 
Her  pureft  blood  had  bene  vniuflly  fpilt. 
And  Salome  it  was  would  worke  her  wracke. 
Though  all  ludea  yeeld  her  innocent. 
She  often  hath  bene  neere  to  punilhment. 

Chorus. 

THofe  mindes  that  wholy  dote  vpon  delight. 
Except  they  onely  ioy  in  inward  good : 
Still  hope  at  laft  to  hop  vpon  the  right,  ^o 

And  fo  from  Sand  they  leape  in  loathfbme  mud. 
Fond  wretches,  feeking  what  they  cannot  finde. 
For  no  content  attends  a  wauering  minde. 
If  wealth  they  doe  defire,  and  wealth  attaine. 

Then 


OF   MARIAM. 

Then  wondrous  faine  would  they  to  honor  lep: 

Of  meane  degree  they  doe  in  honor  gaine, 

They  would  but  wifh  a  little  higher  Itep. 

Thus  Itep  to  {fcep,  and  wealth  to  wealth  they  ad. 
Yet  cannot  all  their  plenty  make  them  glad. 

Yet  oft  we  fee  that  fome  in  humble  (late,  510 

Are  chreefidl,  plcafant,  happy,  and  content: 
When  thofe  indeed  that  are  of  higher  ftate, 
With  vaine  additions  do    their  thoughts  torment. 

Th  one  would  to  his  minde  his  fortune  binde, 

T'hother  to  his  fortune  frames  his  minde. 

To  wifh  varietie  is  figne  of  gricfc, 

For  if  you  like  your  itate  as  now  it  is. 

Why  fhould  an  alteration  bring  reliefe? 

Nay  change  would  then  be  fcar'd  as  lofle  of  blis. 

That  man  is  onely  happy  in  his  Fate,  T3° 

That  is  delighted  in  a  fetled  Itate. 

Still  Martam  wilht  (he  from  her  Lord  were  free, 

For  expectation  of  varietie  : 

Yet  now  (he  fees  her  wifhes  profperous  bee, 

She  grieues,  becaufe  her  Lord  fo  foone  did  die. 
Who  can  thofe  valt  imaginations  feede, 
Where  in  a  propertie,  contempt  doth  breede  ? 

Were  Herod  now  perchance  to  line  againe, 

She  would  againe  as  much  be  grieued  at  that : 

All  that  (he  may,  fhe  euer  doth  difdaine,  M© 

Her  wifhes  guide  her  to  fhe  knowes  not  what. 

And  fad  muft  be  their  lookcs,  their  honor  fowcr, 
That  care  for  nothing  being  in  their  power. 

Actus  fecundus.     Scoena  prima. 


Pheroras  and  Graph'tna. 
Fher.    T^Is  true  Graphinn,  now  the  time  drawes  nyc 

J-  Wherin  the  holy  Pricit  with  hallowed  right, 

C    1  The 


THE   TRAGEDIE 

The  happy  long  defired  knot  fhall  tie, 

Pheroras  and  Graphina  to  vnite : 

How  oft  haue  I  with  lifted  hands  implor'd  550 

This  blefled  houre,  till  now  implord  in  vaine, 

Which  hath  my  willied  libertie  reflor'd, 

And  made  my  ilibiect  felfe  my  owne  againe. 

Thy  lone  faire  Mayd  vpon  mine  eye  doth  fit, 

Whofe  nature  hot  doth  dry  the  moyfture  all, 

Which  were  in  nature,  and  in  reafon  fit 

For  my  monachall  Brothers  death  to  fiiU : 

Had  Herod  liu'd,  he  would  haue  pluckt  my  hand 

From  faire  Graphinas  Palme  perforce :  and  tide 

The  fame  in  hatefull  and  defpifed  band,  5^0 

For  I  had  had  a  Baby  to  my  Bride : 

Scarce  can  her  Infent  tongue  with  eafie  voice 

Her  name  diflinguifh  to  anothers  eare : 

Yet  had  he  liu'd,  his  power,  and  not  my  choife 

Had  made  me  folembly  the  contract  fweare. 

Haue  I  not  caufe  in  fuch  a  change  to  ioy  ? 

What  ?  though  fhe  be  my  Neece,  a  Princeffe  borne  : 

Neere  bloods  without  refpect :  high  birth  a  toy. 

Since  Loue  can  teach  blood  and  kindreds  fcorne. 

What  booted  it  that  he  did  raife  my  head,  j/o 

To  be  his  Realmes  Copartner,  Kingdomes  mate, 

Withall,  he  kept  Graphina  from  my  bed. 

More  wifht  by  me  then  thrice  ludeas  flate. 

Oh,  could  not  he  be  skilfiiU  ludge  in  loue, 

That  doted  fb  vpon  his  Mariams  face  ? 

He,  for  his  paffion,  Doris  did  remoue. 

I  needed  not  a  lawfull  Wife  difplace. 

It  could  not  be  but  he  had  power  to  iudge. 

But  he  that  neuer  grudg'd  a  Kingdomes  (hare. 

This  well  knowne  happinefle  to  me  did  grudge:  580 

And  ment  to  be  therein  without  compare. 

Elfe  had  I  bene  his  equall  in  loues  hoaft. 

For  though  the  Diadem  on  Mariams  head 

Corrupt  the  vulgar  iudgements,  I  will  boaft 

Graphinas  brow's  as  white,  her  cheekes  as  red. 

Why 


OF   MARIAM. 

Why  fpeaks  thou  not  faire  creature  ?  moue  thy  tongue, 

For  Silence  is  a  fignc  of  difcontent : 

It  were  to  both  our  loucs  too  great  a  wrong 

If  now  this  hower  do  find  thee  fadly  bent. 

Graph.  Miftake  me  not  my  Lord,  too  oft  haue  I  jpo 

Defir'd  this  time  to  come  with  winged  feete, 
To  be  inwTapt  with  griefe  when  tis  too  nie. 
You  know  my  wifhes  euer  yours  did  meete: 
If  I  be  fllent,  tis  no  more  but  feare 
That  I  fliould  fay  too  little  when  I  fpeake: 
But  (ince  you  will  my  imperfections  beare. 
In  fpight  of  doubt  I  will  my  filence  brcake : 
Yet  might  amazement  tie  my  mouing  tongue, 
But  that  I  know  before  Phervras  minde, 
I  haue  admired  your  affection  long:  600 

And  cannot  yet  therein  a  reafbn  finde. 
Your  hand  hath  lifted  me  from  lowelt  ftate, 
To  highelt  eminencie  wondrous  grace, 
And  me  your  hand-maid  haue  you  made  your  mate, 
Though  all  but  you  alone  doe  count  me  bafe. 
You  haue  preferued  me  pure  at  my  recjueffc, 
Though  you  fb  weake  a  vaffaile  might  conitraine 
To  yceld  to  your  high  will,  then  lait  not  belt 
In  my  refpect  a  Princeile  you  diidaine. 
Then  need  not  all  thefe  fiuours  Itudie  craue,  610 

To  be  requited  by  a  fimple  maide: 
And  ftudie  ftill  you  know  mufl  filence  haue, 
Then  be  my  caule  for  filence  iuilly  waide. 
But  Itudie  cannot  boote  nor  I  requite. 
Except  your  lowly  hand-maides  iteadfaft  loue 
And  hit  obedience  may  your  mind  delight, 
I  will  not  promile  more  then  I  can  proue. 

Phew.  That  Itudie  needs  not  let  Graphina  fmile, 
And  I  dcfire  no  greater  recomjKncc  : 

I  cannot  vaunt  me  in  a  glorious  Itilc,  6x9 

Nor  (hew  my  loue  in  far-fetcht  eloquence: 
But  this  beleeue  me,  neuer  Herod s  heart 
Hath  held  his  Prince-borne  beautie  famed  wife 

C    X  In 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

In  neerer  place  then  thou  faire  virgin  art. 

To  him  that  holds  the  glory  of  his  life. 

Should  Herods  body  leaue  the  Sepulcher, 

An  d  entertaine  the  feuer'd  ghoft  againe : 

He  fhould  not  be  my  nuptial!  hinderer. 

Except  he  hindred  it  with  dying  paine. 

Come  faire  Graphina,  let  vs  goe  in  flate,  ^l^ 

This  wifh-indeered  time  to  celebrate. 


Actus  X.     Soena.  i. 

Conjlabarus  and  Bahus  Sonnes. 

Bahus.  I.  Sonne. 

NOw  valiant  friend  you  haue  our  Hues  redeem'd, 
Which  Hues  as  fau'd  by  you,  to  you  are  due : 
Command  and  you  fhall  fee  your  felfe  efleem'd. 
Our  Hues  and  Hberties  belong  to  you. 
This  twice  fixe  yeares  with  hazard  of  your  life, 
You  haue  conceal'd  vs  from  the  tyrants  fword  :  ^4© 

Though  cruell  Herods  fifter  were  your  wife. 
You  durft  in  fcorne  of  feare  this  grace  afford. 
In  recompence  we  know  not  what  to  fay, 
A  poore  reward  were  thankes  for  fuch  a  merit. 
Our  trueft  friendftiip  at  your  feete  we  lay. 
The  beft  requitall  to  a  noble  fpirit.  (youth, 

Conft.  Oh  how  you  wrong  our  friendfhip  valiant 
With  friends  there  is  not  fuch  a  word  as  det : 
Where  amitie  is  tide  with  bond  of  truth,  « 

All  benefits  are  there  in  common  fet.  ^jo 

Then  is  the  golden  age  with  them  renewed. 
All  names  of  properties  are  banifht  quite : 
Diuifion,  and  diilinction,  are  efchew'd : 
Each  hath  to  what  belongs  to  others  right. 
And  tis  not  fure  fo  fiiU  a  benefit. 
Freely  to  giue,  as  freely  to  require : 
A  bountious  act  hath  glory  following  it. 
They  caufe  the  elory  that  the  act  defire. 

AU 


OF   MARIAM. 

All  friendfhip  (hould  the  patternc  imitate, 
Q{  lejjes  Sonne  and  valiant  lonathan-.  660 

For  neither  Soueraignes  nor  fathers  hate, 
A  friendfhip  fixt  on  vertue  feuer  can. 
Too  much  of  this,  tis  written  in  the  heart, 
And  need  no  amplifying  with  the  tongue : 
Now  may  you  from  your  liuing  tombe  depart, 
Where  Havds  life  hath  kept  you  ouer  long. 
Too  great  an  iniury  to  a  noble  minde, 
To  be  quicke  buried,  you  had  purchalt  fame. 
Some  yeares  a  goe,  but  that  you  were  confinde. 
While  thoufand  meaner  did  aduance  their  name.  ^70 

Your  belt  of  life  the  prime  of  all  your  yeares, 
Your  time  of  action  is  from  you  bereft. 
Twelue  winters  haue  you  operpaft  in  feares : 
Yet  if  you  vfe  it  well,  enough  is  left. 
And  who  can  doubt  but  you  will  vfe  it  well  ? 
The  fonnes  o^  Babus  haue  it  by  defcent : 
In  all  their  thoughts  each  action  to  excell, 
Boldly  to  act,  and  wifely  to  inuent. 

Bah  us  2.  Sonne. 
Had  it  not  like  the  hatefull  cuckoe  beene,  680 

Whofe  riper  age  his  infant  nurfe  doth  kill : 
So  long  we  had  not  kept  our  felues  vnfeene, 
But  Conftabarus  fafely  croit  our  will : 
For  had  the  Tyrant  fixt  his  cruell  eye, 
On  our  concealed  faces  wrath  had  fwaide 
His  lultice  fb,  that  he  had  forll  vs  die. 
And  dearer  price  then  life  we  (hould  haue  paid. 
For  you  our  truelt  friend  had  falne  with  vs : 
And  we  much  like  a  houfe  on  pillers  fct. 
Had  cleane  deprclt  our  prop,  and  therefore  thus  690 

Our  readie  will  with  our  concealemcnt  met. 
But  now  that  you  faire  Lord  are  daungerleHc, 
The  Sonnes  oi Baba  fliall  their  rigor  lliow  : 
And  proue  it  was  not  bafenes  did  opprcHc 
Our  hearts  fb  long,  but  honour  kept  them  low. 

Bii.  I.  Sonne.  Yet  do  I  feare  this  tale  o^i Havds  death, 
At  lait  will  proue  a  very  tale  indeed : 

It 


THE   TRAGEDIE 

It  giues  me  ftrongly  in  my  minde,  his  breath 

Will  be  preferu'd  to  make  a  number  bleed : 

I  wifh  not  therefore  to  be  fet  at  large,  700 

Yet  perill  to  my  felfe  I  do  not  leare : 

Let  vs  for  fome  daies  longer  be  your  charge, 

Till  we  of  Herods  ftate  the  truth  do  heare. 

Conji.  "What  art  thou  turn'd  a  coward  noble  youth. 
That  thou  beginft  to  doubt,  vndoubted  truth  ? 

Bahus.  I.  Son.  Were  it  my  brothers  tongue  that  call 
I  fro  his  hart  would  haue  the  queflion  out :    (this  doubt. 
With  this  keene  fauchion,  but  tis  you  my  Lord 
Againft  whofe  head  I  muft  not  lift  a  fword : 
I  am  fb  tide  in  gratitude  ConJi.  belieue  710 

You  haue  no  cauie  to  take  it  ill, 
If  any  word  of  mine  your  heart  did  grieue 
The  word  difcented  from  the  Ipeakers  will, 
I  know  it  was  not  feare  the  doubt  begun. 
But  rather  valour  and  your  care  of  me, 
A  coward  could  not  be  your  fathers  fonne, 
Yet  know  I  doubts  vnneceflarie  be : 
For  who  can  thinke  that  in  Anthonius  fall, 
Herod  his  bofome  friend  Ihould  fcape  vnbrufde : 
Then  Cafar  we  might  thee  an  idiot  call,  7io 

If  thou  by  him  ihould'ft  be  io  farre  abufde. 

Bahus.  2.  Sonne.  Lord  Conjiah:  let  me  tell  you  this, 
Vpon  fubmiffion  C^far  will  forgiue  : 
iVnd  therefore  though  the  tyrant  did  amifle. 
It  may  fall  out  that  he  w^ill  let  him  liue. 
Not  many  yeares  agone  it  is  fince  I 
Directed  thither  by  my  fathers  care. 
In  famous  J^ome  for  twice  twelue  monthes  did  liue. 
My  life  from  Hebrew  es  cruel  tie  to  fpare. 
There  though  I  were  but  yet  of  boyifli  age,  730 

I  bent  mine  eye  to  marke,  mine  eares  to  heare. 
Where  I  did  fee  Octauious  then  a  page, 
When  firft  he  did  to  lulions  fight  appeare : 
Me  thought  I  faw  fiich  mildnes  in  his  face. 
And  fiich  a  fweetnes  in  his  lookes  did  grow, 

Withall 


OF    MARIAM. 

Withall,  coniniixt  with  fo  maicflickc  grace, 

His  Phifmony  his  Fortune  did  fbrefliow : 

For  this  I  am  indebted  to  mine  eye, 

But  then  mine  eare  receiu'd  more  euidence, 

By  that  I  knew  his  loue  to  clemency,  740 

How  he  with  hotte(t  choUer  could  difpencc. 

Corijt.  But  we  haue  more  then  barely  heard  the  news, 
It  hath  bin  twice  confirm'd.     And  though  fome  tongue 
Might  be  fo  falfe,  with  falfe  report  t'abule, 
A  falfe  report  hath  neuer  lafted  long. 
But  be  it  fo  that  Heivd  haue  his  life, 
Concealement  would  not  then  a  whit  auaile : 
For  certaine  t'is,  that  flie  that  was  my  wife. 
Would  not  to  fet  her  accufation  faile. 

And  therefore  now  as  good  the  venture  giue,  75 ^ 

And  free  our  felues  from  blot  of  cowardife: 
As  fhow  a  pittifull  defire  to  liue, 
For,  who  can  pittie  but  they  mud  defpife  ? 

Babus  firft  fonne. 
I  yeeld,  but  to  neceflitie  I  yeeld, 
I  dare  vpon  this  doubt  ingage  mine  arme  : 
That  Hcioci^\-A\  againe  this  kingdome  weeld, 
And  proue  his  death  to  be  a  falfe  alarme. 

Babus  fecond  fonne. 
I  doubt  it  too:  God  grant  it  be  an  error,  7^0 

Tis  belt  without  a  caufe  to  be  in  terror: 
And  rather  had  I,  though  my  foule  be  mine, 
My  foule  fliould  lie,  then  proue  a  true  diuine. 

Conjl.   Come,   come,   let   feare   goe   feekc  a  dailards 
Vndanted  courage  lies  in  a  noble  brelt.  (neft, 


Actus  X.     Scoena  5. 


Doris  and  An ti pater. 
Dor.  "XT'Our  royall  buildings  bow  your  lofiie  lidc, 

I  And  fcope  to  her  that  is  by  right  your  Queen : 

D  Let 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

Let  your  humilitie  vpbraid  the  pride  770 

Of  thofe  in  whom  no  due  refpect  is  feene : 

Nine  times  haue  we  with  Trumpets  haughtie  found. 

And  banifhing  fow'r  Leauen  from  our  tafle : 

Obferu'd  the  feafl  that  takes  the  fruit  from  ground. 

Since  I  faire  Citie  did  behold  thee  laft, 

So  long  it  is  lince  Mariams  purer  cheeke 

Did  rob  from  mine  the  glory.     And  fb  long 

Since  I  returnd  my  natiue  Towne  to  feeke : 

And  with  me  nothing  but  the  fence  of  wrong. 

And  thee  my  Boy,  whofe  birth  though  great  it  were,     780 

Yet  haue  thy  after  fortunes  prou'd  but  poore : 

When  thou  wert  borne  how  little  did  I  feare 

Thou  fhouldft  be  thruft  from  forth  thy  Fathers  doore. 

Art  thou  not  Herod s  right  begotten  Sonne  ? 

Was  not  the  haples  Doris,  Herod s  wife  ? 

Yes:  ere  he  had  the  Hebrew  kingdome  wonne, 

I  was  companion  to  his  priuate  life. 

Was  I  not  faire  enough  to  be  a  Queene  ? 

Why  ere  thou  wert  to  me  falfe  Monarch  tide. 

My  lake  of  beauty  might  as  well  be  feene,  790 

As  after  I  had  liu'd  fine  yeeres  thy  Bride. 

Yet  then  thine  oath  came  powring  like  the  raine. 

Which  all  affirm 'd  my  face  without  compare : 

And  that  if  thou  might'ft  Doris  loue  obtaine. 

For  all  the  world  befides  thou  didft  not  care. 

Then  was  I  yong,  and  rich,  and  nobly  borne. 

And  therefore  worthy  to  be  Herods  mate : 

Yet  thou  vngratefull  caft  me  off  with  fcorne. 

When  Heauens  purpofe  raifd  your  meaner  fate. 

Oft  haue  I  begd  for  vengeance  for  this  fact,  800 

And  with  deiected  knees,  afpiring  hands 

Haue  prayd  the  higheft  power  to  inact 

The  fall  of  her  that  on  my  Trophee  flands. 

Reuenge  I  haue  according  to  my  will. 

Yet  where  I  wifht  this  vengeance  did  not  light : 

I  wifht  it  fhould  high-hearted  Mariam  kill. 

But  it  againfl  my  whilome  Lord  did  fight 

With 


OF   MARIAM. 

With  thee  fweet  Boy  I  came,  and  came  to  try 

If  thou  before  his  baitards  might  be  plac'd 

In  Herods  royall  feat  and  dignitie.  810 

But  Mariams  infants  here  are  onely  grac'd, 

And  now  for  vs  there  doth  no  hope  remaine : 

Yet  we  will  not  returne  till  Heiods  end 

Be  more  confirmd,  perchance  he  is  not  flaine. 

So  glorious  Fortunes  may  my  Boy  attend, 

For  if  he  liue,  hee'U  thinke  it  doth  fuffice, 

That  he  to  Doris  (hows  fuch  crueltie : 

For  as  he  did  my  wretched  life  difpife, 

So  doe  I  know  I  fhall  defpifed  die. 

Let  him  but  prouc  as  naturall  to  thee,  8»o 

As  cruell  to  thy  miferable  mother  : 

His  crueltie  (hall  not  vpbraided  bee 

But  in  thy  fortunes.  I  his  faults  will  fmother. 

yjntipat.  Each  mouth  within  the  Citie  loudly  cries 
That  Herod s  death  is  certaine :  therefore  wee 
Had  befh  fome  fubtill  hidden  plot  deuifc, 
That  Mariains  children  might  fubuerted  bee. 
By  poifons  drinke,  or  elfe  by  murtherous  Knife, 
So  we  may  be  aduanc*d,  it  skils  not  how  : 
They  are  but  Baflards,  you  were  Herod s  wife,  850 

And  foule  adultery  blotteth  Mariams  brow. 

Doris.  They  are  too  flrong  to  be  by  vs  remould. 
Or  elfe  rcuenges  fouled  fpotted  face : 
By  our  deteffced  wrongs  might  be  approu'd. 
But  weakenelle  mufl  to  greater  power  giue  place. 
But  let  vs  now  retire  to  grieue  alone, 
For  folitarines  bcft  fitteth  mone. 


Actus  lecundus.     Scoena  4. 

sulcus  and  Conjiabai'us. 

iSV//i7//.  ATT'Kll   met  Tudean  Lord,  the  onelv  wight  840 
^  '    Si  Ileus  wifht  to  fee.      I  am  to  call 

D  2.  Thy 


THE  TRAGEDIE 
Thy  tongue  to  ftrict  account.    Confl,  For  what  defpight 
I  ready  am  to  heare,  and  anfwere  all. 
But  if  directly  at  the  caufe  I  geile 
That  breeds  this  challenge,  you  muft  pardon  me : 
And  now  fome  other  ground  of  fight  profefle, 
For  I  haue  vow'd,  vowes  muft  vnbroken  be. 

Sill,  What  may  be  your  expectation  ?  let  me  know. 

Conji.  Why  ?  ought  concerning  Salom,  my  fword 
Shall  not  be  welded  for  a  caufe  fo  low,  850 

A  blow  for  her  my  arme  will  fcorne  t'afford. 

Sill.  It  is  for  flandering  her  vnfpotted  name, 
And  I  will  make  thee  in  thy  vowes  defpight, 
Sucke  vp  the  breath  that  did  my  Miftris  blame. 
And  fwallow  it  againe  to  doe  her  right. 

ConJl.  I   prethee  giue  fome  other  quarrell  ground 
To  finde  beginning,  raile  againft  my  name : 
Or  ftrike  me  firft,  or  let  fome  fcarlet  wound 
Inflame  my  courage,  giue  me  words  of  fhame, 
Doe  thou  our  Mofes  facred  Lawes  difgrace,  %6q 

Depraue  our  nation,  doe  me  fome  defpight : 
I'm  apt  enough  to  fight  in  any  cafe. 
But  yet  for  Salome  I  will  not  fight. 

Sill.  Nor  I  for  ought  but  Salome:  My  fword 
That  owes  his  feruice  to  her  facred  name : 
Will  not  an  edge  for  other  caufe  afford. 
In  other  fight  I  am  not  fure  of  fame. 

Conft.  For  her,  I  pitty  thee  enough  already. 
For  her,  I  therefore  will  not  mangle  thee  : 
A  woman  with  a  heart  fo  moft  vnfteady,  870 

Will  of  her  felfe  fufficient  torture  bee. 
I  cannot  enuy  for  fo  light  a  gaine, 
Her  minde  with  fuch  vnconflancie  doth  runne : 
As  with  a  word  thou  didfl  her  loue  obtaine. 
So  with  a  word  fhe  will  from  thee  be  wonne. 
So  light  as  her  poffeflions  for  mofl  day 
Is  her  affections  lofl,  to  me  tis  knowne  : 
As  good  goe  hold  the  winde  as  make  her  flay, 
Shee  neuer  loues,  but  till  (he  call  her  owne. 

She 


OF   MARIAM. 

She  meerly  is  a  painted  fepulcher,  880 

That  is  both  faire,  and  vilely  fbule  at  once: 

Though  on  her  out-fide  graces  garnifh  her, 

Her  mind  is  fild  with  worfe  then  rotten  bones. 

And  euer  readie  lifted  is  her  hand, 

To  aime  deltruction  at  a  husbands  throat: 

For  proofes,  Tojephus  and  my  felfe  do  ftand, 

Though  once  on  both  of  vs,  flie  feem'd  to  doat. 

Her  mouth  though  ferpent-like  it  neuer  hiiles, 

Yet  like  a  Serpent,  poyfons  where  it  kiiles.  (bite. 

Si/lens.  Well  Hebrew  well,  thou  bark'lt,  but  wilt  not   890 
Conji.  I  tell  thee  ftill  for  her  I  will  not  fight,  (heart 
Sille:  Why  then  I  call  thee  coward.     ConJi:  From  my 

I  giue  thee  thankcs.     A  cowards  hatefuU  name, 

Cannot  to  valiant  mindes  a  blot  impart, 

And  therefore  I  with  ioy  receiue  the  fame. 

Thou  know'lt  I  am  no  coward :  thou  wert  by 

At  the  Arabian  battaile  th  other  day  : 

And  faw'lfc  my  fword  with  daring  valiancy, 

Amongfl  the  faint  Arabians  cut  my  way. 

The  blood  of  foes  no  more  could  let  it  Oiine,  900 

And  twas  inameled  with  fome  of  thine. 

But  now  haue  at  thee,  not  for  Salome 

I  fight :  but  to  difcharge  a  cowards  Itile  : 

Here  gins  the  fight  that  (hall  not  parted  be. 

Before  a  foule  or  two  indure  exile.  (my  blood, 

Silleus.  Thy  fword  hath  made  f{)me  windowes  for 

To  (hew  a  horred  crimibn  phifnomie : 

To  breath  for  both  of  vs  me  thinkes  twere  good, 

The  day  will  giue  vs  time  enough  to  die.  (time, 

ConJi:  With  all  my  hart  take  breath,  thou  (halt  haue  910 

And  if  thou  lilt  a  twelue  month,  let  vs  end  : 

Into  thy  cheekes  there  doth  a  palenes  clime. 

Thou  can  It  not  from  my  fwora  thy  felfe  defend. 

What  needeft  thou  for  Salome  to  fight,  (her: 

Thou  haft  her,  and  may'ft  keepc  her,  none  ftriucs  for 
I  willingly  to  thee  refigne  my  right. 

For  in  my  very  finile  1  do  abhorre  her. 

D    I  Thoa 


THE  TRAGEDIE  j 

Thou  feefl  that  I  am  frefh,  vnwounded  yet. 

Then  not  for  feare  I  do  this  offer  make : 

Thou  art  with  lofle  of  blood,  to  fight  vnfit,  9^0 

For  here  is  one,  and  there  another  take. 

Silkus.  I  will  not  leaue,  as  long  as  breath  rcmaines 
Within  my  wounded  body :  fpare  your  words, 
My  heart  in  bloods  ftead,  courage  entertaines, 
Salomes  loue  no  place  for  feare  affords. 

Conft:  Oh  could  thy  foule  but  prophefie  like  mine, 
I  would  not  wonder  thou  fhould'ft  long  to  die : 
For  Salome  if  I  aright  diuine 
Will  be  then  death  a  greater  miferie.  (will. 

Silk:  Then  lift.  He  breath  no  longer.     Conjl:  Do  thy  930 
I  hateles  fight,  and  charitably  kill.  I,  I,  they  fight, 
Pittie  thy  felfe  Silleus^  let  not  death 
Intru'd  before  his  time  into  thy  hart : 
Alas  it  is  too  late  to  feare,  his  breath 
Is  from  his  body  now  about  to  part. 
How  far 'ft  thou  braue  Arahtan  ?     Silleus  very  well. 
My  legge  is  hurt,  I  can  no  longer  fight : 
It  onely  grieues  me,  that  fo  foone  I  fell, 
Before  faire  Saloms  wrongs  I  came  to  right.  (feare, 

ConJl:  Thy  wounds  are  leffe  then  mortall.    Neuer     940 
Thou  fhalt  a  fafe  and  quicke  recouerie  finde : 
Come,  I  will  thee  vnto  my  lodging  beare, 
I  hate  thy  body,  but  I  loue  thy  minde. 

Silleus.  Thankes  noble  lew,  I  fee  a  courtious  foe, 
Sterne  enmitie  to  friendftiip  can  no  art : 
Had  not  my  heart  and  tongue  engagde  me  fb, 
I  would  from  thee  no  foe,  but  friend  depart. 
My  heart  to  Salome  is  tide  fo  faft, 
To  leaue  her  loue  for  friendfhip,  yet  my  skill 
Shall  be  imploy'd  to  make  your  fauour  laft,  9J»^ 

And  I  will  honour  Conjiabams  ftill. 

Confl:  I  ope  my  bofome  to  thee,  and  will  take 
Thee  in,  as  friend,  and  grieue  for  thy  complaint : 
But  if  we  doe  not  expedition  make. 
Thy  lofle  of  blood  I  feare  will  make  thee  faint. 

Chorus, 


OF  MARIAM. 

Chorus. 

TO  heare  a  tale  with  eares  preiudicate, 
It  fpoiles  the  iudgement,  and  corrupts  the  fence : 
That  humane  error  giuen  to  euery  ftate, 
Is  greater  enemie  to  innocence.  j6o 

It  makes  vs  foolifh,  heddy,  rafh,  vniuft, 
It  makes  vs  neuer  try  before  we  trult. 

It  will  confound  the  meaning,  change  the  words. 

For  it  our  fence  of  hearing  much  deceiues : 

Befides  no  time  to  Iudgement  it  affords. 

To  way  the  circumflance  our  eare  receiues. 
The  ground  of  accidents  it  neuer  tries, 
But  makes  vs  take  for  truth  ten  thoufand  lies. 

Our  eares  and  heai'ts  are  apt  to  hold  for  good, 

That  we  our  felues  doe  moil:  defire  to  bee :  ^70 

And  then  we  drowne  obiections  in  the  flood 

Of  partialitie,  tis  that  we  fee 

That  makes  falfe  rumours  long  with  credit  palt, 
Though  they  like  rumours  muffc  conclude  at  laft. 

The  greatefl  part  of  vs  preiudicate. 
With  wifhing  Herod s  death  do  hold  it  true : 
The  being  once  deluded  doth  not  bate, 
The  credit  to  a  better  likelihood  due. 

Thofe  few  that  wifh  it  not  the  multitude. 

Doe  Carrie  headlong,  fo  they  doubts  conclude.  980 

They  not  obiect  the  weake  vncertainc  ground. 
Whereon  they  built  this  ule  o{  Havds  end : 
Whereof  the  Author  fcarcely  can  be  found. 
And  all  becaufe  their  wiflies  that  way  bend. 

They  thinke  not  of  the  perill  that  enfu'th, 

If  this  fhould  proue  the  contrary  to  truth. 

On 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

On  this  fame  doubt,  on  this  ib  light  a  breath, 

They  pawne  their  Hues,  and  fortunes.    For  they  all 

Behaue  them  as  the  newes  o{  Herod s  death, 

They  did  of  moft  vndoubted  credit  call :  990 

But  if  their  actions  now  doe  rightly  hit. 
Let  them  commend  their  fortune,  not  their  wit. 


Actus  tertius :  Scoena  prima. 

Pheroras:  Salome, 

Pbetv,  TT'Rge  me  no  more  Graphina  to  forfake, 
V  Not  twelue  howers  lince  I  married  her 
And  doe  you  thinke  a  fillers  power  cane  mak  (for  loue : 
A  refolute  decree,  fo  foone  remoue  ?  (affects. 

Salome,  Poore  minds  they  are  that  honour  not 

Phero:  Who    hunts   for    honour,   happines  neglects.  1000 

Salom.  You   might  haue  bene  both   of  felicitie. 
And  honour  too  in  equall  meafiire  feafde. 

Phero:  It  is  not  you  can  tell  fb  well  as  I, 
What  tis  can  make  me  happie,  or  difpleafde. 

Salome,  To  match  for  neither  beautie  nor  relpects 
One  meane  of  birth,  but  yet  of  meaner  minde, 
A  woman  full  of  naturall  defects, 
I  wonder  what  your  eye  in  her  could  finde.  (wit, 

Phero:  Mine   eye  found  louelines,   mine  eare  found 
To  pleaie  the  one,  and  to  enchant  the  other :  10 10 

Grace  on  her  eye,  mirth  on  her  tongue  doth  fit, 
In  lookes  a  child,  in  wifedomes  houfe  a  mother,    (elfe, 

Salom:  But  fay  you  thought  her  faire,  as  none  thinks 
Knowes  not  Pheroras^  beautie  is  a  blaft : 
Much  like  this  flower  which  to  day  excels. 
But  longer  then  a  day  it  will  not  laft.  (fliow^ 

Phero:  Her  wit  exceeds  her  beautie,  Salo:  Wit  may 
The  way  to  ill,  as  well  as  good  you  know. 

Phero:  But  wifedome  is  the  porter  of  her  head. 
And  bares  all  wicked  words  from  iflliing  thence.  1020 

Salome. 


OF  MARIAM. 

Sul.  But  of  a  porter,  better  were  you  fped, 
If  file  againlt  their  entrance  made  defence. 

Phero.  But  wherefore  comes  the  facred  Anancll^ 
That  hitherward  his  hallie  fteppes  doth  bend  ? 
Great  facrificer  y'are  arriued  well, 
111  newes  from  holy  mouth  I  not  attend. 

Actus  tertius.         Scoena  2. 

Pbeivras.  Salome.  AnAtiell. 

Ananell. 

MY  lippes,  my  fonne,  with  peaccfuU  tidings  blefl,   1030 
Shall  vtter  Honey  to  your  liflning  eare : 
A  word  of  death  comes  not  from  Prieflly  brefl, 
I  fpeake  of  life :  in  life  there  is  no  feare. 
And  for  the  newes  I  did  the  Heauens  falute. 
And  fill'd  the  Temple  with  my  thankflill  voice : 
For  though  that  mourning  may  not  me  pollute. 
At  pleafing  accidents  I  may  reioyce. 

Pheror.  Is  Hejvi/thcn  reuiu'd  from  certaine  death  ? 

Sa//.  What?  can  your  news  reftore  my  brothers  breath  ? 

Ar/a.  Both  fo,  and  fo,  the  King  is  fafe  and  found,         1040 
And  did  fuch  grace  in  royall  Caffar  meet : 
That  he  with  larger  ftile  then  euer  crownd, 
Within  this  houre  lerufalem  will  greet. 
I  did  but  come  to  tell  you,  and  mull  backe 
To  make  preparatiues  for  facrifice : 
I  knew  his  death,  your  hearts  like  mine  did  racke. 
Though  to  conceale  it,  prou'd  you  wife. 

Sa/ow.  How  can  my  ioy  fulficienily  appeare  ? 

P/>ero,  A  heauier  tale  did  neuer  pierce  mine  eare. 

Sa/o.  Now  Sii /owe  of  h3.ppinciVc  may  boalt.  1050 

Pheror.  But  now  Phervias  is  in  danger  molt. 

Siilom.  I  (hall  enioy  the  comfort  ot  my  life. 

Pheror.  And  I  fliall  loofe  it,  loollng  of  my  wife. 

K  Salome. 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

Salom.  loy  heart,  for  Conjlan:  fhall  be  flaine. 

Fhero,  Grieue  foule,  Graphinci  fliall  from  me  be  tane. 

Salom.  Smile  cheekes,  the  faire  Stlleus  (hall  be  mine. 

Fhero.  Weepe  eyes,  for  I  muft  with  a  child  combine. 

Salom.  Well  brother,  ceafe  your  mones,  on  one  con- 
Ile  vndertake  to  winne  the  Kings  confent :  (dition 

Graph ina  Itill  fhaU  be  in  your  tuition,  1060 

And  her  with  you  be  nere  the  lefle  content. 

Phew.  What's  the  condition  ?  let  me  quickly  know. 
That  I  as  quickly  your  command  may  act : 
Were  it  to  fee  what  Hearbs  in  Ophir  grow, 
Or  that  the  lofty  Tyrus  might  be  fackt. 

Salom.  Tis  no  fo  hard  a  taske :  It  is  no  more. 
But  tell  the  King  that  Conjla:  hid 
The  fonnes  of  Baha.,  done  to  death  before : 
And  tis  no  more  then  Conjla.  did. 

And  tell  him  more  that  he  for  Herods  fake,  1070 

Not  able  to  endure  his  brothers  foe : 
Did  with  a  bill  our  feparation  make. 
Though  loth  from  Conjla:  elfe  to  goe. 

Fhero.  Beleeue  this  tale  for  told,  He  goe  from  hence. 
In  Herods  eare  the  Hebrew  to  deface : 
And  I  that  neuer  ftudied  eloquence, 
Doe  meane  with  eloquence  this  tale  to  grace.  Exit. 

Salom.  This  will  be  Conjlaharus  quicke  difpatch. 
Which  from  my  mouth  would  lefler  credit  finde : 
Yet  Ihall  he  not  deceafe  without  a  match,  1080 

For  Martam  fhall  not  linger  long  behinde. 
Firfb  lealoufie,  if  that  auaile  not,  feare 
Shalbe  my  minifter  to  worke  her  end : 
A  common  error  moues  not  Herods  eare, 
Which  doth  fo  firmly  to  his  Martam  bend. 
She  fhall  be  charged  with  fo  horrid  crime. 
As  Herods  feare  ftiall  turne  his  loue  to  hate : 
He  make  fome  fweare  that  fhe  deiires  to  clime. 
And  feekes  to  poyfbn  him  for  his  eftate. 
I  fcorne  that  fhe  fhould  liue  my  birth  t'vpbraid,  1090 

To  caU  me  bafe  and  hungry  Edomite : 

With 


OF  MARIAM. 

With  patient  fhow  her  choller  I  bctrayd, 

And  watcht  the  time  to  be  reueng'd  by  llite. 

Now  tongue  of  mine  with  fcandall  load  her  name, 

Tiirne  hers  to  fountaines,  Heivds  eyes  to  flame: 

Yet  firft  I  will  begin  Pheroras  fiiite, 

That  he  my  earnelt  bufinefle  may  effect: 

And  I  oi  Mariam  will  keepe  me  mute, 

Till  firlt  fome  other  doth  her  name  detect. 

Who's  there,  Silleus  man  ?  How  fares  your  Lord  ?  "oo 

That  your  afpects  doe  beare  the  badge  of  forrow? 

Silleus  man. 
He  hath  the  marks  of  Conjiabarus  fword, 
And  for  a  while  defires  your  fight  to  borrow. 

Sdlorn.  My  heauy  curfe  the  hateful  I  fword  purfue, 
My  heauier  curfe  on  the  more  hatefull  arme 
That  wounded  my  Silleus.     But  renew 
Your  tale  againe.     Hath  he  no  mortall  harme } 

Silleus  man. 
No  figne  of  danger  doth  in  him  appeare,  mo 

Nor  are  his  wounds  in  place  of  perill  feene: 
Hee  bides  you  be  aflured  you  need  not  feare, 
He  hopes  to  make  you  yet  ^rabias  Queene. 

Salom.  Commend  my  heart  to  be  Silleus  charge, 
Tell  him,  my  brothers  fuddaine  comming  now: 
Will  giue  my  foote  no  roome  to  walke  at  large, 
But  I  will  fee  him  yet  ere  night  I  vow. 


Actus  5.       Scoena  5. 


Mariam  and  Sohemus, 

Mart  am.  iiio 

Sohemus^  tell  me  what  the  newes  may  be 
That  makes  your  eyes  fo  flill,  your  cheeks  fo  blew  ? 
Sohefn.  I  know  not  how  to  call  them.    Ill  for  mc 
Tis  fure  they  are :  not  fo  I  hope  for  you. 
Herod.    Mari.  0\\\\\:iio^Heyvd?    Sohcfn.  Herod Wwcs. 
How  !  liues  ?  What  in  fome  Caue  or  forreit  hid  ? 

E  z  Sohem.  Nav, 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

Sohem.  Nay,  backe  return'd  with  honor.    Cafargiwts 
Him  greater  grace  then  ere  Anthonius  did. 

Maru  Foretell  the  mine  of  my  family. 
Tell  me  that  I  (hall  fee  our  Citie  burnd:  1130 

Tell  me  I  fhall  a  death  difgracefull  die. 
But  tell  me  not  that  Herod  is  returnd. 

Sohem,  Be  not  impatient  Madam,  be  but  milde, 
His  loue  to  you  againe  will  foone  be  bred : 

Mar.  I  will  not  to  his  loue  be  reconcilde, 
With  folemne  vowes  I  haue  forfworne  his  Bed. 

Sohem.  But  you  muft  breake  thofe  vowes. 

Mar.  He  rather  breake 
The  heart  0?  Mart  am.     Curfed  is  my  Fate: 
But  fpeake  no  more  to  me,  in  vaine  ye  ipeake  1140 

To  liue  with  him  I  fo  profoundly  hate. 

Sohem.  Great  Queene,  you  muft  to  me  your  pardon 
Sohemus  cannot  now  your  will  obey :  (giue. 

If  your  command  fliould  me  to  filence  driue. 
It  were  not  to  obey,  but  to  betray. 
Reiect,  and  flight  my  fpeeches,  mocke  my  faith, 
Scorne  my  obferuance,  call  my  counfell  nought ; 
Though  you  regard  not  what  Sohemus  faith. 
Yet  will  I  euer  freely  fpeake  my  thought. 
I  feare  ere  long  I  fhall  faire  Mart  am  fee  irjo 

In  wofull  ftate,  and  by  her  felfe  vndone : 
Yet  for  your  ifliies  fake  more  temperate  bee. 
The  heart  by  affabilitie  is  wonne. 

Mart,  And  muft  I  to  my  Prifbn  turne  againe  ? 
Oh,  now  I  fee  I  was  an  hypcorite : 
I  did  this  morning  for  his  death  complaine. 
And  yet  doe  mourne,  becaufe  he  Hues  ere  nigbt. 
When  I  his  death  beleeu'd,  compafsion  wrought. 
And  was  the  ftickler  twixt  my  heart  and  him : 
But  now  that  Curtaine's  drawne  from  off  my  thought,  i  \6o 
Hate  doth  appeare  againe  with  vifage  grim : 
And  paints  the  face  of  Herod  in  my  heart. 
In  horred  colours  with  detefted  looke  : 
Then  feare  would  come,  but  fcorne  doth  play  her  part. 

And 


OF   MARIAM. 

And  faith  that  fcorne  with  feare  can  neucr  brooke. 

I  know  I  could  inchainc  him  with  a  (mile: 

And  lead  him  captiuc  with  a  gentle  word, 

I  fcorne  my  lookc  fliould  euer  man  beguile, 

Or  other  fpeech,  then  meaning  to  afford. 

Elfe  Salome  m  vaine  might  fpend  her  winde,  1170 

In  vaine  might  Herods  mother  whet  her  tongue : 

In  vaine  had  they  complotted  and  combinde, 

For  I  could  oucrthrow  them  all  ere  long. 

Oh  what  a  (helter  is  mine  innocence, 

To  fhield  me  from  the  pangs  of  inward  griefe; 

Gainft  all  mifhaps  it  is  my  faire  defence, 

And  to  my  forrowes  yeelds  a  large  reliefe. 

To  be  commandrelle  of  the  triple  earth, 

And  fit  in  fafetie  from  a  fall  (ecu re  : 

To  haue  all  nations  celebrate  my  birth,  1180 

I  would  not  that  my  fpirit  were  impure. 

Let  my  diftrelfed  itate  vnpitticd  bee, 

Mine  innocence  is  hope  enough  for  mee.         Exit. 

Sohe?n:  Poore  guiltlcs  Queene.     Oh  that  my  wifh 
A  little  temper  now  about  thy  heart:  (might  place 

Vnbridled  fpeech  is  Mariams  worffc  difgrace. 
And  will  indanger  her  without  defart. 
I  am  in  greater  hazard.     O're  my  head. 
The  fattall  axe  doth  hang  vnftedily  : 

My  difobedience  once  dilcouered,  1190 

Will  (hake  it  downe :  Sohernus  fo  fhall  die. 
For  when  the  King  fhall  find,  we  thought  his  death 
Had  bene  as  certaine  as  we  fee  his  life  : 
And  markes  withall  I  flighted  fb  his  breath, 
As  to  preferue  aliue  his  match les  wife. 
Nay  more,  to  giue  to  Alex  and tns  hand 
The  regall  dignitie.     The  foueraignc  power. 
How  I  had  yeelded  vp  at  her  command. 
The  flrength  of  all  the  citie,  Datitds  Tower. 
What  more  then  common  death  may  I  expect,  noo 

Since  I  too  well  do  know  his  crueltie: 
Twere  death,  a  word  of  Heivds  to  neglect, 

E     g  What 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

What  then  to  doe  directly  contrarie  ? 

Yet  life  I  quite  thee  with  a  willing  fpirit, 

And  thinke  thou  could'ft  not  better  be  imploi'd: 

I  forfeit  thee  for  her  that  more  doth  merit, 

Ten  fuch  were  better  dead  then  (he  deftroi'd. 

But  fare  thee  well  chaft  Queene,  well  may  I  fee 

The  darknes  palpable,  and  riuers  part : 

The  funne  ftand  ftill.     Nay  more  retorted  bee,  i»io 

But  neuer  woman  with  fo  pure  a  heart. 

Thine  eyes  graue  maieftie  iceepes  all  in  awe, 

And  cuts  the  winges  of  euery  loofe  defire  : 

Thy  brow  is  table  to  the  modeft  lawe. 

Yet  though  we  dare  not  loue,  we  may  admire. 

And  if  I  die,  it  fhall  my  foule  content, 

My  breath  in  Mariams  feruice  (hall  be  fpent. 

Chorus. 

TIs  not  enough  for  one  that  is  a  wife 
To  keepe  her  fpotles  from  an  act  of  ill :  i*»o 

But  from  fufpition  fhe  fhould  free  her  life. 
And  bare  her  felfe  of  power  as  well  as  will. 
Tis  not  fo  glorious  for  her  to  be  free, 
As  by  her  proper  felfe  reftrain'd  to  bee. 

When  fhe  hath  fpatious  ground  to  walke  vpon. 
Why  on  the  ridge  fhould  (he  defire  to  goe  r 
It  is  no  glory  to  forbeare  alone, 
Thofe  things  that  may  her  honour  ouerthrowe. 

But  tis  thanke-worthy,  if  fhe  will  not  take 

All  lawfiill  liberties  for  honours  fake.  1130 

That  wife  her  hand  againft  her  fame  doth  reare. 

That  more  then  to  her  Lord  alone  will  giue 

A  priuate  word  to  any  fecond  eare, 

And  though  fhe  may  with  reputation  liue. 

Yet  though  moft  chaft,  fhe  doth  her  glory  blot. 
And  wounds  her  honour,  though  fhe  killes  it  not. 

When 


OF   MARIAM. 

When  to  their  Husbands  they  themfelues  doe  bind, 

Doe  they  not  wholy  giue  themfelues  away  ? 

Or  giue  they  but  their  body  not  their  mind, 

Refcruing  that  though  bed,  for  others  pray  ?  1x40 

No  fure,  their  thoughts  no  more  can  be  their  owne, 
And  therefore  fhould  to  none  but  one  be  knowne. 

Then  (he  vfurpes  vpon  anothers  right. 
That  feekes  to  be  by  publike  language  grac't : 
And  though  her  thoughts  reflect  with  purelt  light, 
Her  mind  if  not  peculiar  is  not  chaft. 

For  in  a  wife  it  is  no  worfe  to  finde, 

A  common  body,  then  a  common  minde. 

And  euery  mind  though  free  from  thought  of  ill, 

That  out  of  glory  feekes  a  worth  to  (how :  i»5«> 

When  any's  eares  but  one  therewith  they  fill, 

Doth  in  a  fort  her  purenes  ouerthrow. 

Now  Mariam  had,  (but  that  to  this  (he  bent) 

Beene  free  from  feare,  as  well  as  innocent. 


Actus  quartus :  Scoena  prima. 


Enter  Herod  and  his  attendants. 
Heiod 

HAile  happie  citie,  happie  in  thy  (tore. 
And  happy  that  thy  buildings  fuch  we  fee : 
More  happie  in  the  Temple  where  w'adore,  «^<^o 

But  mod  of  all  that  Mariam  Hues  in  thee. 
Art  thou  return'd?  how  fares  my  i^/jww?  Enter  Nutio. 

Nutio.  She's  well  my  Lord,  and  will  anon  be  here 
As  you  commanded.     Her:  Muffle  vp  thy  browe 
Thou  daies  darke  taper.     Mariam  will  appearc. 
And  where  (lie  (hincs,  we  need  not  thy  dimmc  light. 
Oh  had  thy  (teps  rare  creature,  fpced  thy  oace: 
And  let  thy  prefence  make  the  day  more  oright. 
And  cheerc  the  heart  of //c7T?^with  thy  face. 

It 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

It  is  an  age  fince  I  from  Mariam  went,  iz/o 

Me  thinkes  our  parting  was  in  "Dauids  daies : 

The  houres  are  lo  increafl  by  difcontent, 

Deepe  forrow,  Iofua\ikt  the  feafon  ftaies : 

But  when  I  am  with  Mariam^  time  runnes  on, 

Her  fight,  can  make  months,  minutes,  daies  of  weekes : 

An  hower  is  then  no  fooner  come  then  gon. 

When  in  her  face  mine  eye  for  wonders  feekes. 

You  w^orld  commanding  citie,  Europes  grace. 

Twice  hath  my  curious  eye  your  flreets  furuai'd. 

And  I  haue  feene  the  flatue  filled  place,  1280 

That  once  if  not  for  griefe  had  bene  betrai'd. 

I  all  your  Roman  beauties  haue  beheld. 

And  feene  the  Ihowes  your  Ediles  did  prepare, 

I  faw  the  fum  of  what  in  you  exceld, 

Yet  faw  no  miracle  like  Mariam  rare. 

The  faire  and  famous  Liuia,  Cafars  loue, 

The  worlds  commaunding  Miftrefle  did  I  fee : 

Whofe  beauties  both  the  world  and  Rome  approue. 

Yet  Mariam :  Liuia  is  not  like  to  thee. 

Be  patient  but  a  little,  while  mine  eyes  i*9<^ 

Within  your  compafl  limits  be  contained  : 

That  obiect  flraight  fhall  your  defires  fufhce. 

From  which  you  were  fo  long  a  while  reftrain'd. 

How  wifely  Mariam  doth  the  time  delay, 

Leafl  fuddaine  ioy  my  fence  fhould  fuffocate : 

I  am  prepared,  thou  needfl  no  longer  flay  : 

Whofe  there,  my  Mariam^  more  then  happie  fate  ? 

Oh  no,  it  is  Pheroras,  welcome  Brother, 

Now  for  a  while,  I  mufl  my  paffion  fmother. 

Actus  quartus.  Scoena  fecunda.         1300 


A 


Herod.      Pheivras, 

Pheroras. 
LI  health  and  fafetie  waite  vpon  my  Lord, 
And  may  you  lonsr  in  profperous  fortunes  liue 

With 


OF    MARIAM. 

With  ^o;«(f  commanding  Citjar\  at  accord. 
And  haue  all  honors  that  the  world  can  giue. 

Herod.  Oh  brother,  now  thou  fpcaklt  not  from  thy 
No,  thou  haft  ftrookc  a  blow  at  Herod s  louc  :  (hart, 

That  cannot  quickly  from  my  memory  part, 
Though  Salome  did  me  to  pardon  moue.  13 lo 

Valiant  PhafaeJus^  now  to  thee  farewell. 
Thou  wert  my  kinde  and  honorable  brother: 
Oh  haples  houre,  when  you  felfe  Itriken  fell. 
Thou  fathers  Image,  glory  of  thy  mother. 
Had  I  defir'd  a  greater  fute  of  thee. 
Then  to  withhold  thee  from  a  harlots  bed, 
Thou  wouldft  haue  granted  it :  but  now  I  fee 
All  are  not  like  that  m  a  wombe  are  bred. 
Thou  wouldit  not,  hadlt  thou  heard  of  Herod s  death, 
Haue  made  his  buriall  time,  thy  bridall  houre:  j^o 

Thou  wouldft  with  clamours,  not  with  ioyfull  breath, 
Haue  fliow'd  the  newes  to  be  not  fweet  but  foure. 

Phei-o.  P hiifaelus  gvQ:itv:ovth.  I  know  did  flaine 
Pheroras  petty  valour :  but  they  lie 
(Excepting  you  your  felfe)  that  dare  maintaine. 
That  he  did  honor  Heivd  more  then  I. 
For  what  I  fliowd,  loues  power  conftraind  me  fhow, 
And  pardon  louing  faults  for  Mai-iarns  fake. 

Herod.  Mariarn^  where  is  fhe?    Pheiv.  Nay,  I  do  not 
But  abfent  vfc  of  her  faire  name  I  make  :  (know,  13-0 

You  haue  forgiuen  greater  faults  then  this, 
For  Conjiaharus  that  again  ft  you  will 
Preferu'd  the  fonnes  01  Baha^  lines  in  blifle. 
Though  you  commanded  him  the  youths  to  kill. 

Hewd.  Goe,  take  a  prefent  order  for  his  death, 
And  let  thofe  tray  tors  feele  the  worft  of  fearcs: 
Now  Sdlo7ne  will  whine  to  begge  his  breath. 
But  He  be  deafe  to  prayers:  and  bhnd  to  teares. 

Pheiv.  He  is  my  Lord  from  Sdlom  diuorll, 
Though  her  affection  did  to  leaue  him  grieuc :  l^^o 

Yet  was  fhe  by  her  loue  to  you  inforit. 
To  leaue  the  man  that  would  your  foes  relieue. 

F  Herod 


THE  TRAGEDIE 
Heroa.  Then  hafte  them  to  their  death.    I  will  requite 
Thee  gentle  Mariam.    Salom.  I  meane 
The  thought  of  Mariam  doth  fo  fteale  my  fpirit. 
My  mouth  from  fpeech  of  her  I  cannot  weane.  Exit. 


Actus  4.     Scoena  5. 


A 


Herod,     Mariam, 

Herod, 

Nd  heere  (he  comes  indeed:  happily  met  ijjo 

.My  heft,  and  deereft  halfe  :  what  ailes  my  deare  ? 
Thou  doeft  the  difference  certainly  forget 
Twixt  Duskey  habits,  and  a  time  fo  cleare. 

Mar.  My  Lord,  I  fuit  my  garment  to  my  minde. 
And  there  no  cheerful!  colours  can  I  finde. 

Herod,  Is  this  my  welcome  ?  haue  I  longd  fo  much 
To  fee  my  deareft  Mariam  difcontent  ? 
What  ift  that  is  the  caufe  thy  heart  to  touch  ? 
Oh  fpeake,  that  I  thy  forrow  may  preuent. 
Art  thou  not  luries  Queene,  and  Herods  too  ?  13^0 

Be  my  Commandres,  be  my  Soueraigne  guide : 
To  be  by  thee  directed  I  will  woo. 
For  in  thy  pleafure  lies  my  higheft  pride. 
Or  if  thou  thinke  ludaas  narrow  bound. 
Too  flrict  a  limit  for  thy  great  command : 
Thou  fhalt  be  Empreffe  cA  Arahia  crownd. 
For  thou  (halt  rule,  and  I  will  winne  the  Land. 
He  robbe  the  holy  Dauids  Sepulcher 
To  giue  thee  wealth,  if  thou  for  wealth  do  care : 
Thou  {halt  haue  all,  they  did  with  him  inter,  1370 

And  I  for  thee  will  make  the  Temple  bare. 

Mar.  I  neither  haue  of  power  nor  riches  want, 
I  haue  enough,  nor  doe  I  wifh  for  more : 
Your  offers  to  my  heart  no  eafe  can  grant. 
Except  they  could  my  brothers  life  reftore. 
No,  had  you  wifht  the  wretched  Mariam  glad. 

Or 


OF   MARIAM. 

Or  had  your  loue  to  her  bene  truly  tide  : 
Nay,  had  you  not  defir'd  to  make  her  fad, 
My  brother  nor  my  Grandfyre  had  not  dide. 

Her.  Wilt  thou  beleeue  no  oathes  to  cleerc  thy  Lx)rd  ?  1380 
How  oft  haue  I  with  execration  fworne : 
Thou  art  by  me  belou'd,  by  me  ador'd, 
Yet  are  my  protefbtions  heard  with  fcornc. 
Hercanus  plotted  to  depriue  my  head 
Of  this  lone  fetled  honor  that  I  weare : 
And  therefore  I  did  iuftly  doome  him  dead, 
To  rid  the  Realme  from  perill,  me  from  feare. 
Yet  I  for  Mariams  fake  doe  fo  repent 
The  death  of  one  :  whofe  blood  Ihe  did  inherit : 
I  wifli  I  had  a  Klngdomes  treafure  fpent,  1390 

So  I  had  nere  expeld  Heixanus  fpirit. 
As  I  affected  that  fame  noble  youth, 
In  lafling  infamie  my  name  inrole : 
If  I  not  mournd  his  death  with  heartie  truth. 
Did  I  not  fhew  to  him  my  earnefl  loue, 
When  I  to  him  the  Priefthood  did  reftore  ? 
And  did  for  him  a  liuing  Prieffc  remoue. 
Which  neuer  had  bene  done  but  once  before. 

Mariam,  I    know  that  mou'd  by  importunitie. 
You  made  him  Priefl,  and  fhortly  after  die.  '^°® 

Heivd.  I  will  not  fpeake,  vnles  to  be  beleeu'd, 
This  fro  ward  humor  will  not  doe  you  good : 
It  hath  too  much  already  HeTod  grieu'd, 
To  thinke  that  you  on  termes  of  hate  haue  flood. 
Yet  fmile  my  deareft  Mariam^  doe  but  fmile. 
And  I  will  all  vnkind  conceits  exile. 

Mart.  I  cannot  frame  difguife,  nor  neuer  taught 
My  face  a  looke  diilenting  from  my  thought. 

Herod.  By  heau'n  you  vexe  me,  build  not  on  my  loue. 

Mart.  I  wil  not  build  on  fo  v nibble  ground.  i^xo 

Herod.  Nought  is  fo  fixt,  but  {xcuilhnes  may  mouc. 

Mar.  Tis  better  fleighteft  caufe  then  none  were  foud. 

Herod.  Be  iudge  your  fclfc,  if  euer  Herod  fought 
Or  would  be  mou'd  a  caufe  of  change  to  findc : 

F  2.  Yet 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

Yet  let  your  looke  declare  a  milder  thought, 

My  heart  againe  you  (hall  to  Mariam  binde. 

How  oft  did  I  for  you  my  Mother  chide, 

Reuile  my  Sifter,  and  my  brother  rate : 

And  tell  them  all  my  Mariam  they  bellde, 

Diftruft  me  ftill,  if  thefe  be  fignes  of  hate.  1420 

Actus  4.       Scoena  4. 

Herod. 

T  7"T  7"Hat  haft  thou  here  ?     Bu,  A  drinke  procuring 
▼      ▼    The  Queene  delir'd  me  to  deliuer  it.         (loue. 

Mar,  Did  I :  fome  hatefiill  practife  this  will  proue. 
Yet  can  it  be  no  worfe  then  Heauens  permit. 

Herod.  Confefle  the  truth  thou  wicked  inftrument, 
To  her  outragious  will,  tis  paffion  fure : 
Tell  true,  and  thou  ftialt  fcape  the  punifhment. 
Which  if  thou  doe  conceale  thou  fhalt  endure.  143° 

Bu.  I  know  not,  but  I  doubt  it  be  no  lefle. 
Long  lince  the  hate  of  you  her  heart  did  ceafe. 

Herod,  Know'ft  thou  the  caufe  thereof?    Bu.  My  Lord 
Sohemus  told  the  tale  that  did  difpleafe.  (I  gefle, 

Herod.  Oh  Heauen!  Sohemus  falfe!  Goe  let  him  die. 
Stay  not  to  fuffer  him  to  fpeake  a  word : 
Oh  damned  villaine,  did  he  falfifie 
The  oath  he  fwore  eu'n  of  his  owne  accord  ? 
Now  doe  I  know  thy  falftiood,  painted  Diuill 
Thou  white  Inchantres.     Oh  thou  art  fo  foule,  1440 

That  Yfop  cannot  clenfe  thee  worft  of  euill. 
A  beautious  body  hides  a  loathfbme  foule, 
Your  loue  Sohemus  mou'd  by  his  affection. 
Though  he  haue  euer  heretofore  bene  true : 
Did  blab  forfooth,  that  I  did  giue  direction. 
If  we  were  put  to  death  to  flaughter  you. 
And  you  in  blacke  reuenge  attended  now 
To  adde  a  murther  to  your  breach  of  vow. 

Mar,  Is  this  a  dream  ?    Her.  Oh  Heauen,  that  t'were  no 
He  giue  my  Realme  to  who  can  proue  it  fo:        (more,  14^0 

I 


OF   MARIAM. 

I  would  I  were  like  any  beggcr  poo  re, 

So  I  for  falfc  my  Mart  am  did  not  know. 

Foiile  pith  contain'd  in  the  faircit  rinde, 

That  euer  grac'd  a  CLtdar.     Oh  thine  eye 

Is  pure  as  heauen,  but  impure  thy  minde, 

And  for  impuritie  (hall  Alariam  die. 

Why  didifc  thou  loue  Sohemns  ?  Mar:  they  can  tell 

That  lay  I  lou'd  him,  Mariam  faies  not  fo, 

Herod.  Oh  cannot  impudence  the  coales  expell, 
That  for  thy  loue  in  Herods  bofome  glowe:  14^0 

It  is  as  plaine  as  water,  and  deniall 
Makes  of  thy  falfehood  but  a  greater  triall. 
Halt  thou  beheld  thy  fclfc,  and  couldfi:  thou  flaine 
So  rare  perfection:  euen  for  loue  of  thee 
I  doc  profoundly  hate  thee.    Wert  thou  plaine, 
Thou  fhoul'dit  the  w^onder  oH  ludea  bee. 
But  oh  thou  art  not.    Hell  it  felfe  lies  hid 
Beneath  thy  heauenly  fhow.    Yet  neuer  wert  thou  chafl : 
Thou  might'it  exalt,  pull  downe,  command,  forbid, 
And  be  aboue  the  wheele  of  fortune  plaft.  1470 

Hadfl  thou  com  plotted  Herod s  mailacre, 
That  fo  thy  fonne  a  Monarch  might  be  ftilde, 
Not  halfe  fo  grieuous  fuch  an  action  were, 
As  once  to  thinke,  that  Mariam  is  defilde. 
Bright  workmanfhip  of  nature  fulli'd  ore. 
With  pitched  darknes  now  thine  end  (hall  bee: 
Thou  fhalt  not  line  faire  fiend  to  cozen  more. 
With  heauy  femblance,  as  thou  coufnedit  mee. 
Yet  mult  I  loue  thee  in  defpight  of  death, 
And  thou  flialt  die  in  the  difpight  of  loue:  1480 

For  neither  (hall  my  loue  prolong  thy  breath, 
Nor  fhall  thy  loUc  of  breath  my  loue  remoue. 
I  might  haue  feene  thy  falfehood  in  thy  face. 
Where  coul'dlfc  thou  get  thy  (tares  that  fcru'd  for  eyes? 
Except  by  theft,  and  theft  is  foule  dilgrace : 
This  had  appear'd  before  were  Herod  wile, 
But  I'me  a  (ot,  a  very  fot,  no  better: 
My  wifedome  long  agoe  a  wand  ring  fell, 

F    I  Thy 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

Thy  face  incountring  it,  my  wit  did  fetter. 

And  made  me  for  delight  my  freedome  fell.  1490 

Giue  me  my  heart  falfe  creature,  tis  a  wrong. 

My  guliltles  heart  (hould  now  with  thine  be  flaine : 

Thou  hadft  no  right  to  looke  it  vp  fo  long. 

And  with  vfurpers  name  I  Mariam  ftaine. 

Enter  Bu: 
He:  Haue  you  defign'd  Sohemus  to  his  end  ?     (guard 
Bu:  I  haue  my  Lord.    Herod :  Then  call  our  royall 

To  doe  as  much  for  Mariam^  they  offend 

Leaue  ill  vnblam'd,  or  good  without  reward. 

Here  take  her  to  her  death.    Come  backe,  come  backe,    i  joo 

What  ment  I  to  depriue  the  world  of  light : 

To  muffle  lury  in  the  fouled  blacke. 

That  euer  was  an  oppofite  to  white. 

Why  whither  would  you  carrie  her :  Sould:  you  bad 

We  fhould  conduct  her  to  her  death  my  Lord. 
Hero:  Wie  fure  I  did  not,  Herod  was  not  mad, 

Why  fhould  fhe  feele  the  furie  of  the  fword  ? 

Oh  now  the  griefe  returnes  into  my  heart, 

And  pulles  me  peecemeale  :  loue  and  hate  doe  fight : 

And  now  hath  boue  acquir'd  the  greater  part,  15 10 

Yet  now  hath  hate,  affection  conquer 'd  quite. 

And  therefore  beare  her  hence :  and  Hebrew  why 

Seaze  you  with  Lyons  pawes  the  faireft  lam 

Of  all  the  flocke  ?  fhe  mufl  not,  fhall  not,  die. 

Without  her  I  mofl  miferable  am. 

And  with  her  more  then  mofl,  away,  away. 

But  beare  her  but  to  prifon  not  to  death : 

And  is  fhe  gon  indeed.  Hay  villaines  flay. 

Her  lookes  alone  preferu'd  your  Soueraignes  breath. 

Well  let  her  goe,  but  yet  fhe  fhall  not  die,  ijio 

I  cannot  thinke  fhe  ment  to  poifon  me : 

But  certaine  tis  fhe  liu'd  too  wantonly. 

And  therefore  fhall  fhe  neuer  more  be  free. 

Actus 


OF    MARIAM. 


Actus  4.    Scoena  5-. 


Bu.  TTOule  villaine,  can  thy  pitchie  coloured  foule 
-■-    Permit  thine  eare  to  heare  her  caulcs  doome  ? 
And  not  inforce  thy  tongue  that  tale  controule, 
That  mufl  vniuflly  bring  her  to  her  toome. 
Oh  Salome  thou  haft  thy  felfe  repaid, 

For  all  the  benefits  that  thou  haft  done :  \%io 

Thou  art  the  caufe  I  haue  the  oueene  bet  raid, 
Thou  hall  my  hart  to  darkefl  lalfc-hood  wonne. 
I  am  condemn 'd,  heau'n  gaue  me  not  my  tongue 
To  flander  innocents,  to  lie,  deceiue: 
To  be  the  hateful!  inflrument  to  wrong. 
The  earth  of  greatefl  glory  to  bereaue. 
My  finne  afcends  and  doth  to  heau'n  crie. 
It  is  the  blacked  deed  that  euer  was : 
And  there  doth  fit  an  Angell  notarie, 

That  doth  record  it  downe  in  leaues  of  brafle.  1540 

Oh  how  my  heart  doth  quake :  Achitophel^ 
Thou  founds  a  meanes  thy  felfe  from  fhame  to  free : 
And  fure  my  foule  approues  thou  didlt  not  well. 
All  follow  fome,  and  I  will  follow  thee. 


Actus  4.    Scoena  6, 

Conjlahartis^  Babus  Sonne s^  and  their  guard. 

Confl:  'VjOw  here  we  ftep  our  lafl,  the  way  to  death, 
iN  We  mufl  not  tread  this  way  a  fecond  time : 
Yet  let  vs  refolutely  yeeld  our  breath, 
Death  is  the  onely  ladder,  Heau'n  to  clime.       (rcfi^ne,  ijyo 

Babus  I.Sonne.  With  willing  mind  I  could  my  lelfc 
But  yet  it  grieues  me  with  a  gricfe  vntold: 
Our  death  fhould  be  accompani'd  with  thine, 
Our  friendfhip  we  to  thee  naue  dearely  Ibid. 

Conji: 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

Conjl.  Still  wilt  thou  wrong  the  facred  name  of  friend  ? 
Then  fhould'ft  thou  neuer  ftile  it  friendfhip  more : 
But  bafe  mechanicke  traffique  that  doth  lend. 
Yet  will  be  fure  they  Ihall  the  debt  reftore. 
I  could  with  needlefle  complement  returne, 
Tis  for  thy  ceremonie  I  could  fay :  \%6o 

Tis  I  that  made  the  fire  your  houfe  to  burne. 
For  but  for  me  fhe  would  not  you  betray. 
Had  not  the  damned  woman  fought  mine  end. 
You  had  not  bene  the  fubiect  of  her  hate : 
You  neuer  did  her  hatefuU  minde  offend. 
Nor  could  your  deaths  haue  freed  your  nuptiall  fate. 
Therefore  faire  friends,  though  you  were  ftill  vnborne. 
Some  other  fubtiltie  deuifde  fhould  bee : 
Were  by  my  life,  though  guiltles  fhould  be  torne. 
Thus  haue  I  prou'd,  tis  you  that  die  for  mee.  1^70 

And  therefore  fhould  I  weakely  now  lament. 
You  haue  but  done  your  duties,  friends  fhould  die : 
Alone  their  friends  difafter  to  preuent, 
Though  not  compeld  by  ftrong  neceffitie. 
But  now  farewell  faire  citie,  neuer  more 
Shall  I  behold  your  beautie  fhining  bright : 
Farewell  oi  lewijh  men  the  worthy  ftore. 
But  no  farewell  to  any  female  wight. 
You  wauering  crue :  my  curfe  to  you  I  leauje. 
You  had  but  one  to  giue  you  any  grace :  i  j8o 

And  you  your  felues  will  Martams  life  bereaue. 
Your  common-wealth  doth  innocencie  chafe. 
You  creatures  made  to  be  the  humane  curfe. 
You  Tygers,  Lyoneffes,  hungry  Beares, 
Teare  maffacring  Hienas :  nay  far  worfe. 
For  they  for  pray  doe  fhed  their  fained  teares. 
But  you  will  weepe,  (you  creatures  crofle  to  good) 
For  your  vnquenched  thirfl  of  humane  blood : 
You  were  the  Angels  caft  from  heaue'n  for  pride. 
And  flill  doe  keepe  your  Angels  outward  fhow,  159° 

But  none  of  you  are  inly  beautifide. 
For  flill  your  heau'n  depriuing  pride  doth  grow. 

Did 


OF    MARIAM. 

Did  not  the  finnes  of  many  require  a  fcourge, 

Your  place  on  earth  had  bene  by  this  withltood : 

But  fince  a  flood  no  more  the  world  nuilh  purge, 

You  ftaid  in  office  of  a  fecond  flood. 

You  giddy  creatures,  fowers  of  debate. 

You'll  loue  to  day,  and  for  no  other  caufe. 

But  for  you  yelterday  did  deply  hate. 

You  are  the  wreake  of  order,  breach  of  lawes.  i^oo 

You  belt,  are  foolifh,  froward,  wanton,  vaine, 

Your   word:  adulterous,    murderous,   cunning,   proud : 

And  Salome  attends  the  latter  traine, 

Or  rather  he  their  leader  is  allowd. 

I  do  the  fottifhneffe  of  men  bewaile. 

That  doe  with  following  you  inhance  vour  pride  : 

T'were  better  that  the  humane  race  fhould  faile. 

Then  be  by  fuch  a  mifchiefe  multiplide. 

Chams  feruile  curfe  to  all  your  fexe  was  giuen, 

Becaufe  in  Paradife  you  did  offend:  i^io 

Then  doe  wx  not  refilt  the  wuU  of  Heauen, 

When  on  your  willes  like  feruants  we  attend  ? 

You  are  to  nothing  conitant  but  to  ill, 

You  are  with  nought  but  wickednefle  indude  : 

Your  loues  are  fet  on  nothing  but  your  will. 

And  thus  my  cenfiire  I  of  you  conclude. 

You  are  the  leafl  of  goods,  the  worlfc  of  euils. 

Your  beft  are  worfe  then  men:  your  worfl  then  diuels. 

Bahus  fecond  fonne. 

Come  let  vs  to  our  death  :  are  we  not  blefl  ^  i^*^ 

Our  death  will  freedome  from  thefe  creatures  giuc : 
Thofe  trouble  quiet  fowers  of  vnreft. 
And  this  I  vow  that  had  I  leaue  to  liue, 
I  would  for  euer  leade  a  fi ngle  life. 
And  neuer  venter  on  a  diucllifh  wife. 


THE  TRAGEDIE 


Actus  4.     Scoena  7. 


Herod  and  Salome, 

Herod. 

NAy,  fhe  fhall  die.    Die  quoth  you,  that  fhe  fhall : 
But  for  the  meanes.     The  meanes !  Me  thinks  tis  1^30 
To  finde  a  meanes  to  murther  her  withall,  (hard 

Therefore  I  am  refolu'd  fhe  fhall  be  fpar'd. 

Salom.  Why  ?  let  her  be  beheaded.    Her.  That  were 
Thinke  you  that  fwords  are  miracles  like  you :         (well, 
Her  skinne  will  eu'ry  Curtlax  edge  refell, 
And  then  your  enterprife  you  well  may  rue. 
What  if  the  fierce  Arabian  notice  take. 
Of  this  your  wretched  weaponlefle  eftate : 
They  anfwere  when  we  bid  refiftance  make, 
That  Martams  skinne  their  fanchions  did  rebate.  1^40 

Beware  of  this,  you  make  a  goodly  hand. 
If  you  of  weapons  doe  depriue  our  Land. 

Sal.  Why  drowne  her  then.   Herod.  Indeed  a  fweet  de- 
Why  ?  would  not  eu'ry  Riuer  turne  her  courfe       (nice, 
Rather  then  doe  her  beautie  preiudice  ? 
And  be  reuerted  to  the  proper  fourfe. 
So  not  a  drop  of  water  fhould  be  found 
In  all  ludeas  quondam  fir  till  ground. 

Sal.  Then  let  the  fire  deuoure  her.     Her.  T'will  not 
Flame  is  from  her  deriu'd  into  my  heart :  (bee :  i5jo 

Thou  nurfeft  flame,  flame  will  not  murther  thee. 
My  faireft  Mariam.,  fiilleft  of  defert.  (die : 

Salom.  Then  let  her  liue  for  me.    Herod.  Nay,  fhe  fhall 
But  can  you  Hue  without  her  }  Sal.  doubt  you  that } 

Herod.  I'me  fure  I  cannot,  I  befeech  you  trie : 
I  haue  experience  but  I  know  not  what. 

Salom.  How  fhould  I  try  ?     Her.  Why  let  my  loue  be 
But  if  we  cannot  liue  without  her  fight  (flaine, 

Youl'e 


OF   MARIAM. 

Youle  finde  the  mcanes  to  make  her  breathe  againe, 

Or  elfc  you  will  bereaiie  my  comfort  ()uite.  1660 

Sal.  Oh  I :  I  warrant  you.     Herod.  What  is  (lie  gone  ? 
And  gone  to  bid  the  world  be  ouerthrowne: 
What?  is  her  hearts  compofure  hardeifc  Ifconc? 
To  what  a  palfe  are  cruell  women  erowne  ? 
She  is  return'd  already:  haue  you  done  ? 
Iffc  pollible  you  can  command  i'o  foone  ? 
A  creatures  heart  to  quench  the  flaming  Sunnc, 
Or  from  the  skie  to  wipe  away  the  Moone. 

Salo.  If  Mariam  be  the  Sunne  and  iMoone,  it  is: 
For  I  already  haue  commanded  this.  (times.  1^70 

Her.  But  haue  you  feene  her  cheek  ?     Sal.  A  thoufand 

Herod.  But  did  you  marke  it  too  ?     Sal.  1  very  well. 

Herod.  What  ift  ?    Sal.  A  Crimfon  bufh,  that  euer  limes 
The  foule  whofe  forefight  doth  not  much  excell. 

Herod.  Send  word  fhe  fhall  not  dye.  Her  cheek  a  bulh. 
Nay,  then  I  fee  indeed  you  markt  it  not. 

Sal.  Tis  very  faire,  but  yet  will  neuer  bkiili. 
Though  foule  difhonors  do  her  forehead  blot. 

Heiod,  Then  let  her  die,  tis  very  true  indeed, 
And  for  this  fault  alone  fhall  Mariam  bleed.  1^80 

Sal.  What  fault  my  Lord  }    Herod.  What  fault  ill }  you 
If  you  be  ignorant  I  know  of  none,  (that  aske: 

To  call  her  backe  from  death  (hall  be  your  taske, 
I'm  glad  that  fhe  for  innocent  is  knowne. 
For  on  the  brow  o^  Man  am  liangs  a  Fleece, 
Whofe  flendereffc  twine  is  ftrong  enough  to  binde 
The  hearts  of  Kings,  the  pride  and  fliame  of  Greece^ 
Troy  flaming  Helens  not  fo  fairely  fliinde. 

Salom.  Tis  true  indeed,  fhe  layes  them  out  for  nets. 
To  catch  the  hearts  that  doe  not  fliune  a  baite :  16^0 

Tis  time  to  fpeake:  for  Hetvd  iuvc  forgets 
That  Maf/aws  very  treffes  hide  deceit. 

Her.  Oh  doe  they  fo  ^  nay,  then  you  doc  but  well, 
Infooth  I  thought  it  had  beene  haire: 
Nets  call  you  them  ?  Lord,  how  they  doe  excell, 
I  neuer  faw  a  net  that  fliow'd  lb  faire. 

G  1  But 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

But  haue  you  heard  her  fpeake  ?   Sal,  You  know  I  haue. 

Her:  And  were  you  not  amaz'd?  Sal.  No,  not  a  whit. 

Her.  Then  t'was  not  her  you  heard,  her  life  He  faue. 
For  Mariam  hath  a  world  amazing  wit.  1700 

Salo.  She  fpeaks  a  beautious  language,  hut  within 
Her  heart  is  ralfe  as  powder :  and  her  tongue 
Doth  but  allure  the  auditors  to  finne. 
And  is  the  inftrument  to  doe  you  wrong. 

Heyvd.  It  may  be  fo :  nay,  tis  fo :  fhee's  vnchafte. 
Her  mouth  will  ope  to  eu'ry  flrangers  eare : 
Then  let  the  executioner  make  haite. 
Left  fhe  inchant  him,  if  her  words  he  heare. 
Let  him  be  deafe,  left  fhe  do  him  furprife 
That  (hall  to  free  her  fpirit  be  affignde :  17 10 

Yet  what  boots  deafenes  if  he  haue  his  eyes. 
Her  murtherer  muft  be  both  deafe  and  blinde. 
For  if  he  fee,  he  needs  muft  fee  the  ftarres 
That  ftiine  on  ey ther  fide  of  Mariams  face  : 
Whofe  fweet  afpect  will  terminate  the  warres, 
Wherewith  he  fhould  a  foule  fb  precious  chafe. 
Her  eyes  can  fpeake,  and  in  their  fpeaking  moue, 
Oft  did  my  heart  with  reuerence  receiue 
The  worlds  mandates.     Pretty  tales  of  loue 
They  vtter,  which  can  humane  bondage  weaue.  1710 

But  fhall  I  let  this  heauens  modell  dye  ? 
Which  for  a  fmall  felfe-portraiture  fhe  drew : 
Her  eyes  Uke  ftarres,  her  forehead  like  the  skie. 
She  is  like  Heauen,  and  muft  be  heauenly  true. 

Salom.  Your  thoughts  do  raue  with  doating  on  the 
Her  eyes  are  ebon  hewde,  and  you'll  confefle ;  (Queen, 
A  fable  flarre  hath  beene  but  feldome  feene. 
Then  fpeake  of  reafon  more,  of  Mariam  lefle. 

Herod.  Your  felfe  are  held  a  goodly  creature  heere, 
Yet  fo  vnlike  my  Mariam  in  your  fhape:  1730 

That  when  to  her  you  haue  approached  neere. 
My  felfe  hath  often  tane  you  for  an  Ape. 
And  yet  you  prate  of  beautie :  goe  your  waies. 
You  are  to  her  a  Sun-burnt  Blackamore : 

Your 


OF   MARIAM. 

Your  paintings  cannot  ecjuull  Mariams  praife, 

Her  nature  is  (b  rich,  you  are  fo  poore. 

Let  her  be  Itaide  from  death,  for  it  flic  die, 

We  do  we  know  not  what  to  Hop  her  breath  : 

A  world  cannot  another  Mariam  buy. 

Why  Itay  you  lingring  ?  countermaund  her  death.  17^0 

Salo.  Then  youle  no  more  remember  what  hath  pafl, 
Sobemus  loue,  and  hers  (hall  be  forgot : 
Tis  well  in  truth  :  that  fault  may  be  her  lalt. 
And  (lie  may  mend,  though  yet  (he  loue  you  not. 

Her:  Oh  God:  tis  true.     Sohemus:  earth  and  heau'n. 
Why  did  you  both  confpire  to  make  me  curft: 
In  coufning  me  with  fliowes,  and  proofes  vneu'n? 
She  fliow'd  the  beit,  and  yet  did  proue  the  worll. 
Her  (how  was  fuch,  as  had  our  linging  king 
The  holy  D^«/V,  Mariams  beautie  feene :  1750 

The  Hit  tits  had  then  felt  no  deadly  (ting. 
Nor  Bethjahe  had  neuer  bene  a  Queene. 
Or  had  his  fonne  the  wifelt  man  of  men, 
Whofe  fond  delight  did  moll  confiil  in  change: 
Beheld  her  face,  he  had  bene  (taid  agen. 
No  creature  hauing  her,  can  widi  to  range. 
Had  Aj tier  us  feene  my  Maiiams  brow. 
The  humble  levoe^  (he  might  haue  walkt  alone : 
Her  beautious  vertue  (hould  haue  (taid  below, 
Whiles  Mariam  mounted  to  the  Perfian  throne.  17^0 

But  what  auailes  it  all :  for  in  the  waight 
She  is  deceitfull,  light  as  vanitic : 
Oh  (he  was  made  for  nothing  but  a  bait, 
To  traine  fome  haplcs  man  to  miferic. 
I  am  the  haples  man  that  haue  bene  trainde. 
To  endles  bondage.     I  will  fee  her  yet: 
Me  thinkes  I  (hould  difccrne  her  if  (he  fainde. 
Can  humane  eves  be  dazde  by  womans  wit  ? 
Once  more  thele  eyes  of  mine  with  hers  (hall  meet. 
Before  the  head  (man  doe  her  life  bereaue  :  '  ^7^ 

Shall  I  for  euer  part  from  thee  my  fweet  ? 
Without  the  taking  of  my  latc(t  leaue. 

G     X  SaIo: 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

Salo:  You  had  as  good  refblue  to  faue  her  now. 
He  ftay  her  death,  tis  well  determined : 
For  fure  fhe  neuer  more  will  breake  her  vow, 
Sohemus  and  lofephus  both  are  dead. 

Herod.  She  ihall  not  Hue,  nor  will  I  fee  her  face, 
A  long  heald  wound,  a  fecond  time  doth  bleed : 
With  lofeph  I  remember  her  difgrace, 
A  fhamefull  end  enfues  a  fliamefull  deed.  1780 

Oh  that  I  had  not  cald  to  minde  anew, 
The  difcontent  of  Mariams  wauering  hart : 
Twas  you :  you  foule  mouth 'd  Ate^  none  but  you. 
That  did  the  thought  hereof  to  me  impart. 
Hence  from  my  fight,  my  blacke  tormenter  hence, 
For  hadft  not  thou  made  Herod  vnfecure : 
I  had  not  doubted  Mariams  innocence, 
But  ftill  had  held  her  in  my  heart  for  pure. 

Salo:  He  leaue  you  to  your  pailion :  tis  no  time 
To  purge  me  now,  though  of  a  guiltles  crime.      {Exit.  1790 

Herod,  Deflruction  take  thee :  thou  haft  made 
As  heauie  as  reuenge,  I  am  fo  duU,  (my  hart 

Me  thinkes  I  am  not  fenfible  of  fmart, 
Though  hiddious  horrors  at  my  bofome  pull. 
My  head  waies  downwards :  therefore  will  I  goe 
To  try  if  I  can  lleepe  away  my  woe. 

Actus  4.     Scoena.  8. 

Mariam. 

AM  I  the  Mariam  that  prefum'd  fo  much,    (breath  ? 
And  deem'd  my  face  muft  needes  preferue  my         1800 
I,  I  it  was  that  thought  my  beautie  fuch. 
At  it  alone  could  countermaund  my  death. 
Now  death  will  teach  me :  he  can  pale  afwell 
A  cheeke  of  roles,  as  a  cheeke  lefle  bright : 
And  dim  an  eye  whofe  ihine  doth  moft  excell, 
Allbone  as  one  that  cafts  a  meaner  light. 

Had 


OF    MAR  I  AM. 

Had  not  my  felfe  againlt  my  fclfc  confpirdc, 
No  plot :   no  adueriarie  from  without 
Could  Herods  loue  from  Aluriam  hauc  retirdc, 
Or  from  his  heart  hauc  thrulfc  mv  Icmblancc  out.  1810 

The  wanton  Queene  that  neucr  lou'd  for  louc, 
Falfe  Cleopatra^  wholly  fet  on  gaine: 
With  all  her  flights  did  proue:  yet  vainly  proue, 
For  her  the  loue  o^  Htnod  to  obtaine. 
Yet  her  allurements,  all  her  courtlv  guile. 
Her  fmiles,  her  fauours,  and  her  imooth  deceit: 
Could  not  my  face  from  Herods  minde  exile. 
But  were  w^ith  him  of  lefTe  then  little  weight. 
That  face  and  perfon  that  in  AJia  Lite 

For  beauties  Goddefle  Paphos  Queene  was  tane:  i8id 

That  face  that  did  captiue  great  Inlius  fate, 
That  very  face  that  was  Anthonius  bane. 
That  face  that  to  be  Egipts  pride  was  borne. 
That  face  that  all  the  world  elteem'd  fo  rare: 
Did  Herod  hate,  defpife,  neglect,  and  fcorne. 
When  with  the  fame,  he  Mariams  did  compare. 
This  made  that  I  improuidently  wrought. 
And  on  the  wager  euen  my  life  did  pawne: 
Becaufe  I  thought,  and  yet  but  truly  thought. 
That  HtTods  loue  could  not  from  me  be  drawne.  1830 

But  now  though  out  of  time,  I  plainly  fee 
It  could  be  drawne,  though  neuer  drawne  from  me: 
Had  I  but  with  humilitie  bene  grac'te, 
As  well  as  faire  I  might  haue  prou'd  me  wife : 
But  I  did  thinke  becaufe  I  knew  me  chafte, 
One  vertue  for  a  woman,  might  fufhce. 
That  mind  for  glory  of  our  lexc  might  fbnd. 
Wherein  humilitie  and  chaftitie 
Doth  march  with  equall  paces  hand  in  hand, 
But  one  if  (ingle  feene,  who  Icttcth  by  .-^  1840 

And  I  had  fingly  one,  but  tis  mv  ioy. 
That  I  was  euer  innocent,  though  ibwer: 
And  therefore  can  they  but  my  life  dellroy. 
My  Soule  is  free  from  aducrfaries  power.)  Enter  Dons. 

You 


THE   TRAGEDIE 

You  Princes  great  in  power,  and  high  in  birth. 

Be  great  and  high,  I  enuy  not  your  hap : 

Your  birth  muft  be  from  duft :  your  power  on  earth. 

In  heau'n  ihall  Mar i am  lit  in  Saraes  lap.  (thither, 

Doris.  I  heau'n,  your  beautie  cannot  bring  you 
Your  fbule  is  blacke  and  fpotted,  full  of  linne:  iSyo 

You  in  adultry  liu'd  nine  yeare  together, 
And  heau'n  will  neuer  let  adultry  in. 

Mar:  What  art  thou  that  doft  poore  Mart  am  purflie  ? 
Some  fpirit  lent  to  driue  me  to  difpaire : 
Who  fees  for  truth  that  Mariam  is  vntrue. 
If  faire  Ihe  be,  Ihe  is  as  challe  as  faire. 

Doris.  I  am  that  Doris  that  was  once  belou'd, 
Belou'd  by  Herod:  Herod s  lawfull  wife : 
Twas  you  that  Doris  from  his  lide  remou'd. 
And  rob'd  from  me  the  glory  of  my  life.  18^0 

Mar:  Was  that  adultry  :  did  not  Moles  fay, 
That  he  that  being  matcht  did  deadly  hate : 
Might  by  permiflion  put  his  wife  away. 
And  take  a  more  belou'd  to  be  his  mate  ? 

Doris.  What  did  he  hate  me  for :  for  limple  truth  ? 
For  bringing  beautious  babes  for  loue  to  him  : 
For  riches :  noble  birth,  or  tender  youth. 
Or  for  no  ftaine  did  Doris  honour  dim  ? 
Oh  tell  me  Mariam^  tell  me  if  you  knowe. 
Which  fault  of  thele  made  Herod  Doris  foe.  1870 

Thefe  thrice  three  yeares  haue  I  with  hands  held  vp, 
And  bowed  knees  fall  nailed  to  the  ground : 
Belbught  for  thee  the  dreggs  of  that  lame  cup. 
That  cup  of  wrath  that  is  for  linners  found. 
And  now  thou  art  to  drinke  it :  Doris  curfe, 
Vpon  thy  felfe  did  all  this  while  attend. 
But  now  it  fhall  purliie  thy  children  worle. 

Mar:  Oh  Doris  now  to  thee  my  knees  I  bend. 
That  hart  that  neuer  bow'd  to  thee  doth  bow  : 
Curfe  not  mine  infants,  let  it  thee  lufhce,  1880 

That  Heau'n  doth  punifhment  to  me  allow. 
Thy  curfe  is  caufe  that  guiltles  Mariam  dies. 

Doris, 


OF   MARIAM. 

Doris.  Had  I  ten  thoufand  tongues,  and  cu'ry  tongue 
Inflam'd  with  poifbns  power,  and  fteept  in  gall: 
My  curfes  would  not  anfwere  for  my  wrong, 
Though  I  in  curfing  thee  imployd  them  all. 
Heare  thou  that  didit  mount  Gerarim  command, 
To  be  a  place  whereon  with  caufe  to  curfe : 
Stretch  thy  reuenging  arme  :  thruft  forth  thy  hand. 
And  plaeue  the  mother  much:  the  children  worfe.        1890 
Throw  naming  fire  vpon  the  bafeborne  heads 
That  were  begotten  in  vnlawfull  beds. 
But  let  them  liue  till  they  haue  fence  to  know 
What  tis  to  be  in  miferable  ftate : 
Then  be  their  neereffc  friends  their  ouerthrow. 
Attended  be  they  by  fufpitious  hate. 
And  Marianiy  I  doe  hope  this  boy  of  mine 
Shall  one  day  come  to  be  the  death  of  thine.  Exit. 

Mariam.  Oh  !  Heauen  forbid.    I  hope  the  world  fhall 
This  curfe  of  thine  fhall  be  return'd  on  thee:  (fee,  1900 

Now  earth  farewell,  though  I  be  yet  but  yong, 
Yet  I,  me  thinks,  haue  knowne  thee  too  too  long.  Exit. 

Chorus. 

THe  feireft  action  of  our  humane  life. 
Is  fcorniug  to  reuenge  an  iniurie: 
For  who  torgiues  without  a  further  flrife. 
His  aduerfaries  heart  to  him  doth  tie. 
And  tis  a  firmer  conqueft  truely  fed. 
To  winne  the  heart,  then  ouerthrow  the  head. 

If  we  a  worthy  enemie  doe  finde,  1910 

To  yeeld  to  worth,  it  mud  be  nobly  done: 

But  if  of  bafcr  mcttall  be  his  minde. 

In  bafe  reuenge  there  is  no  honor  wonne. 
Who  would  a  worthy  courage  ouerthrow. 
And  who  would  wraitle  with  a  worthies  foe  P 

H  Wc 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

We  lay  our  hearts  are  great  and  cannot  yeeld, 
Becaufe  they  cannot  yeeld  it  proues  them  poore : 
Great  hearts  are  task't  beyond  their  power,  but  feld 
The  weakeft  Lyon  will  the  lowdeft  roare. 

Truths  fchoole  for  certaine  doth  this  fame  allow,       19^0 
High  hartednes  doth  fometimes  teach  to  bow. 

A  noble  heart  doth  teach  a  vertuous  fcorne. 

To  fcorne  to  owe  a  dutie  ouer-long : 

To  fcorne  to  be  for  benefits  forborne, 

To  fcorne  to  lie,  to  fcorne  to  doe  a  wrong. 
To  fcorne  to  beare  an  iniurie  in  minde, 
To  fcorne  a  free-borne  heart  flaue-like  to  binde. 

But  if  for  wrongs  we  needs  reuenge  muft  haue. 
Then  be  our  vengeance  of  the  nobleft  kinde: 
Doe  we  his  body  from  our  fiirie  faue,  1930 

And  let  oiir  hate  preuaile  againft  our  minde  ? 
What  can  gainfl  him  a  greater  vengeance  bee, 
Then  make  his  foe  more  worthy  farre  then  hee  ? 

Had  Mart  am  fcorn'd  to  leaue  a  due  vnpaide, 
Shee  would  to  Herod  then  haue  paid  her  loue : 
And  not  haue  bene  by  fullen  panion  fwaide 
To  fixe  her  thoughts  all  iniurie  aboue 

Is  vertuous  pride.     Had  Mariam  thus  bene  prou'd, 

Long  famous  life  to  her  had  bene  allowd. 


Actus  quintus.     Scoena  prima.         1940 


w 


Nuntio, 

Hen,  fweetefl  friend,  did  I  fo  farre  offend 
Your  heauenly  felfe :  that  you  my  fault  to  quit 

Haue 


OF   MARIAM. 

Haue  made  me  now  relator  of  her  {:i\d. 

The  end  of  beaiitie  ?  Chaftitie  and  wit. 

Was  none  fo  haples  in  the  tatall  place, 

But  I,  molt  wretched,  for  the  Queene  t'chufc, 

Tis  cenaine  I  haue  fome  ill  boding  face 

That  made  me  culd  to  tell  this  luckles  newcs. 

And  yet  no  news  to  //c;o^:  were  it  new,  1950 

To  him  vnhappy  t'had  not  bene  at  all: 

Yet  doe  I  long  to  come  within  his  vcw, 

That  he  may  know  his  wife  did  guiltles  fall: 

And  heere  he  comes.     Your  Alaiiam  greets  you  well. 


Etitei  Have/, 

Hei-od.  What  ?  Hues  my  Maiiam  ?   ioy,  exceeding  ioy. 
She  (hall  not  die.     W//f;.  Heau'n  doth  your  will  repell. 

Haod.  Oh  doe  not  with  thy  words  my  life  deltroy, 
I  prethy  tell  no  dying-tale:  thine  eye 

Without  thy  tongue  doth  tell  but  too  too  much  :  \<)6o 

Yet  let  thy  tongues  addition  make  me  die. 
Death  welcome,  comes  to  him  whofe  griefe  is  fuch. 

Nunti.  I  went  amongit  the  curious  gazing  troope. 
To  fee  the  lalt  of  her  that  was  the  bed: 
To  fee  if  death  had  hart  to  make  her  Itoope, 
To  fee  the  Sunne  admiring  Phoenix  nelL 
When  there  I  came,  vpon  the  way  I  faw 
The  Itately  Maiiain  not  debas'd  by  feare : 
Her  looke  did  feeme  to  keepe  the  world  in  awe, 
Yet  mildly  did  her  face  this  fortune  beare.  1970 

Hei-od.  Thou  dolt  vfurpe  my  right,  my  tongue  wa:* 
To  be  the  inftrument  oi  Maruims  praife:  (tram'd 

Yet  fpeake :  (he  cannot  be  too  often  fam'd  :  ^ 
All  tongues  futhce  not  her  fwcet  name  to  raife. 
Nun.  But  as  (he  came  the  Alexandra  met, 

H     1  Who 


THE   TRAGEDIE 

Who  did  her  death  (fweet  Queene)  no  whit  bewaile, 
But  as  if  nature  (he  did  quite  forget, 
She  did  vpon  her  daughter  loudly  raile. 

Herod,  Why  ftopt  you  not  her  mouth  ?  where  had  (he 
To  darke  that,  that  Heauen  made  fo  bright?      (words   1980 
Our  facred  tongue  no  Epithite  affords, 
To  call  her  other  then  the  worlds  delight. 

Nun.  Shee  told  her  that  her  death  was  too  too  good. 
And  that  already  flie  had  liu'd  too  long : 
She  faid,  flie  fham'd  to  haue  a  part  in  blood 
Of  her  that  did  the  princely  Herod  wrong.  (glory, 

Herod.  Bale  picke-thanke  Diuell.    Shame,  twas  all  her 
That  fhe  to  noble  Mariam  was  the  mother: 
But  neuer  fhall  it  Hue  in  any  florie 

Her  name,  except  to  infamy  ile  fmother.  1990 

What  anfwere  did  her  princely  daughter  make  ? 

Nun.  She  made  no  anfwere,  but  fhe  lookt  the  while, 
As  if  thereof  fhe  fcarce  did  notice  take. 
Yet  fmilde,  a  dutifull,  though  fcornefull  fmile. 

Her.  Sweet  creature,  I  that  looke  to  mind  doe  call, 
Full  oft  hath  Herod  bene  amaz'd  withall. 

Nun.  Go  on,  fhe  came  vnmou'd  with  pleafant  grace. 
As  if  to  triumph  her  arriuall  were : 
In  ftately  habite,  and  with  cheefull  face : 
Yet  eu'ry  eye  was  moyfl,  but  Mariams  there.  2000 

When  iufUy  oppofite  to  me  flie  came. 
She  pickt  me  out  from  all  the  crue : 
She  beckned  to  me,  cald  me  by  my  name. 
For  fhe  my  name,  my  birth,  and  fortune  knew. 

Herod.  What  did  fhe  name  thee  ?  happy,  happy  man. 
Wilt  thou  not  euer  loue  that  name  the  better  ? 
But  what  fweet  tune  did  this  faire  dying  Swan 
Afford  thine  eare :  tell  all,  omit  no  letter. 

Nun.  Tell  thou  my  Lord,  faid  Ihe.    Her.  Mee,  ment  flie 
Ift  true,  the  more  my  fhanie:  I  was  her  Lord,      (mee  ?  2010 
Were  I  not  made  her  Lord,  I  ftill  fliould  bee : 

But 


OF   MARIAM. 

But  now  her  name  mult  be  by  me  adord. 

Oh  fay,  what  faid  (lie  more  ?  each  word  (he  M 

Shall  be  the  food  whereon  my  heart  is  fed.       (breath. 

JVtw:  Tell  thou  my  Lord  thou  faw'll:  me  loofe  mv 

Hewci.  Oh  that  I  could  that  fentcnce  now  controulc. 

Nun.  If  guiltily  eternall  be  my  death, 

Her:  I  hold  her  chaifc  eu'n  in  my  inmoft  foulc. 

Nun:  By  three  daies  hence  if  wifhes  could  reuiuc, 
I  know  himfelfe  would  make  me  oft  aliue.  lozo 

Hnvci.  Three  daies:  three  houres, three  minutes,  not 
A  minute  in  a  thoufand  parts  diuidcd,  (fo  much, 

My  penitencie  for  her  death  is  fuch. 
As  in  the  firlt  I  wifht  ihe  had  not  died. 
But  forward  in  thy  tale.   Nun:  Why  on  fhe  went, 
And  after  (he  (bme  iilent  praier  had  fed  : 
She  did  as  if  to  die  flie  were  content, 
And  thus  to  heau'n  her  heau'nly  foule  is  fled. 

Herod.  But  art  thou  fure  there  doth  no  life  remainc  ? 
Kt  poilible  my  Mariam  (liould  be  dead,  2030 

Is  tnerc  no  tricke  to  make  her  breathe  againe  ? 

Nun:  Her  body  is  diuided  from  her  head.  (art, 

Hei':  Why  yet  me  thinkes  there  might  be  found  by 
Strange  waies  of  cure,  tis  fure  rare  things  are  don  : 
By  an  intientiue  head,  and  willing  heart. 

Nun:  Let  not  my  Lord  your  fancies  idlely  run. 
It  is  as  poilible  it  fhould  be  ^iZi::\\<:^ 
That  we  fhould  make  the  holy  Abraham  Hue, 
Though  he  intomb'd  two  thoufand  yeares  had  bene. 
As  breath  againe  to  llau^^htred  Maridm  giue.  1040 

But  now  for  more  afTaults  prepare  your  cares, 

Herod.  There  cannot  be  a  hinher  caufe  of  mone. 
This  accident  fhall  (helter  me  from  feares: 
What  can  I  feare  ?  already  yl/jr/./w.r  gone. 
Yet  tell  eu'n  what  you  will :   Nun:  \s  I  came  by, 
From  Mariam s  death  I  law  vpn  a  tree, 
A  man  that  to  his  ncckc  a  cord  did  tie : 

H     ^  Which 


THE  TRAGEDIE 

Which  cord  he  had  defignd  his  end  to  bee. 

When  me  he  once  difcern'd,  he  downwards  bow'd, 

And  thus  with  fearefiill  voyce  fhe  cride  alowd,  loyo 

Goe  tell  the  King  he  trufted  ere  he  tride, 

I  am  the  caufe  that  Mar'tam  cauleles  dide. 

Herod.  Damnation  take  him,  for  it  was  the  flaue 
That  faid  fhe  ment  with  poifons  deadly  force 
To  end  my  life  that  fhe  the  Crowne  might  haue : 
Which  tale  did  Mart  am  from  her  felfe  diuorce. 
Oh  pardon  me  thou  pure  vnfpotted  Ghoft, 
My  punifhment  muft  needes  fuihcient  bee, 
In  milTing  that  content  I  valued  mofl : 
Which  was  thy  admirable  face  to  fee.  20^0 

I  had  but  one  inellimable  lewell, 
Yet  one  I  had  no  monarch  had  the  like. 
And  therefore  may  I  curfe  my  felfe  as  cruell : 
Twas  broken  by  a  blowe  my  felfe  did  flrike. 
I  gaz'd  thereon  and  neuer  thought  me  bleft, 
But  when  on  it  my  dazled  eye  might  reft : 
A  pretious  Mirror  made  by  wonderous  art, 
I  prizd  it  ten  times  dearer  then  my  Crowne, 
And  laide  it  vp  faft  fbulded  in  my  heart : 
Yet  I  in  fuddaine  choler  caft  it  downe.  ^070 

And  pafht  it  all  to  peeces :  twas  no  foe, 
That  robd  me  of  it ;  no  Arahian  hoft, 
Nor  no  Armenian  guide  hath  vfde  me  fb : 
But  Herods  wretched  felfe  hath  Herod  croft. 
She  was  my  gracefull  moytie,  me  accurft, 
To  flay  my  better  halfe  and  faue  my  worft. 
But  fure  fhe  is  not  dead  you  did  but  ieft. 
To  put  me  in  perplexitie  a  while, 
Twere  well  indeed  if  I  could  fo  be  dreft : 
I  fee  fhe  is  aliue,  me  thinkes  you  fmile,  2080 

Nun:  If  fainted  Ahel  yet  deceafed  bee, 
Tis  certaine  Mariam  is  as  dead  as  hee. 

Her:  Why  then  goe  call  her  to  me,  bid  her  now 

Put 


OF   MARIAM. 

Put  on  faire  habite,  (lately  ornament : 

And  let  no  frowne  orefliadc  her  fmootheffc  brow, 

In  her  doth  Heiod  place  his  whole  content.         (fence. 

Nun:  Sheel  come  in  Itately  wcedes  to  pleafe  vour 
If  now  fhe  come  attirde  in  robe  of  heauen : 
Remember  you  your  felfe  did  fend  her  hence, 
And  now  to  you  fhe  can  no  more  be  giuen.  faire,  1090 

Heioci.  Shee's  dead,  hell  take  her  murderers,  fhe  was 
Oh  what  a  hand  Ihe  had,  it  was  lo  white. 
It  did  the  whitenes  of  the  fnowe  impaire: 
I  neuer  more  fliall  fee  fb  fweet  a  fight.  (hands; 

Nun:  Tis  true,  her  hand  was  rare.  Her:  her  hand.'^  her 
She  had  not  fingly  one  of  beautie  rare. 
But  fuch  a  paire  as  heere  where  Heioci  ftands. 
He  dares  the  world  to  make  to  both  compare. 
Accurfed  Salome^  hadifc  thou  bene  Itill, 

My  Mariam  had  bene  breathing  by  my  fide:  1100 

Oh  neuer  had  I :  had  I  had  my  will. 
Sent  forth  command,  that  Mariam  fhould  haue  dide. 
But  Salome  thou  didffc  with  enuy  vexe. 
To  fee  thy  felfe  out-matched  in  thy  iexe: 
Vpon  your  fexes  forehead  Mariam  fat. 
To  grace  you  all  like  an  imperiall  crowne, 
But  you  fond  foole  haue  rudely  pufht  thereat, 
And  proudly  puld  your  proper  glory  downe. 
One  frnile  of  hers:  Nav,  not  fo  much  a  :  looke 
Was  worth  a  hundred  thoufand  fuch  as  you,  »iio 

ludea  how  canfi:  thou  the  wretches  brooke. 
That  robd  from  thee  the  faireft  of  the  crew  } 
You  dwellers  in  the  now  depriiied  land. 
Wherein  the  matchles  Mariam  was  bred  : 
Why  graf[x:  not  each  of  you  a  fword  in  hand. 
To  ayme  at  me  vour  cruell  Soueraignes  head. 
Oh  when  you  thinke  oi'  Heiod  as  your  King, 
And  owner  of  the  pride  o{Pa/e/i/fte: 
This  act  to  your  remembrance  likewife  bring, 

Tis 


THE   TRAGEDIE 

Tis  I  haue  ouerthrowne  your  royall  line.  mo 

Within  her  purer  vaines  the  blood  did  run, 

That  from  her  Grandam  Sara  fhe  deriu'd, 

Whofe  beldame  age  the  loue  of  Kings  hath  wonne, 

Oh  that  her  iflue  had  as  long  bene  li'ud. 

But  can  her  eye  be  made  by  death  obfcure  ? 

I  cannot  thinke  but  it  mull  Iparkle  lUU ; 

Foule  facriledge  to  rob  thole  lights  fo  pure. 

From  out  a  Temple  made  by  heau'nly  skill. 

I  am  the  Villaine  that  haue  done  the  deed. 

The  cruell  deed,  though  by  anothers  hand,  2130 

My  word  though  not  my  fword  made  Mariam  bleed. 

Hire  anus  Grandchild  did  at  my  command. 

That  Mariam  that  I  once  did  loue  fo  deare. 

The  partner  of  my  now  detefted  bed, 

Why  fhine  you  llm  with  an  afpect  fo  cleare  ? 

I  tell  you  once  againe  my  Mariams  dead. 

You  could  but  fhine,  if  fome  Egiptian  blows. 

Or  Ethiopian  doudy  lofe  her  life  : 

This  was,  then  wherefore  bend  you  not  your  brows. 

The  King  oi  luries  faire  and  fpotles  wife.  1140 

Dem'e  thy  beames,  and  Moone  refufe  thy  light, 

Let  all  the  fharres  be  darke,  let  luries  eye 

No  more  diflinguifh  which  is  day  and  night : 

Since  her  belt  birth  did  in  her  bofome  die. 

Thofe  fond  Idolaters  the  men  of  Greece^ 

Maintaine  thefe  orbes  are  fafely  gouerned : 

That  each  within  themfelues  haue  Gods  a  peece. 

By  whom  their  fledfaft  courfe  is  iuftly  led. 

But  were  it  lb,  as  ih  it  cannot  bee. 

They  all  would  put  their  mourning  garments  on:        ii^o 

Not  one  of  them  would  yeeld  a  light  to  mee. 

To  me  that  is  the  caufe  that  Mariams  gon. 

For  though  they  faine  their  Saturne  melancholy, 

Of  fowre  behauiours,  and  of  angry  moode : 

They  faine  him  likewife  to  be  iufl  and  holy. 

And 


OF   iMARIAM. 

And  iuflice  ncedcs  miifl    fcckc  reuengc  for  blood. 

Their  Toue^  \^ Tone  he  were,  would  furc  dcfirc, 

To  punifli  him  that  (lew  fo  faire  a  lalFe : 

For  I^a^daes  beautie  fet  his  heart  on  fire, 

Yet  (he  not  halfe  fo  faire  as  Alariam  was.  1160 

And  Aliirs  would  deeme  his  Fem4s  had  bene  flainc, 

Sol  to  recouer  her  would  neuer  (ticke : 

For  if  he  want  the  power  her  life  to  gainer 

Then  Phyflcks  God  is  but  an  Empericke. 

The  Queene  of  loue  would  itorme  for  beauties  fake, 

And  Henries  too,  fince  he  beflow'd  her  wit, 

The  nights  pale  light  for  angrie  griefe  would  fliake, 

To  fee  chafl  Mart  am  die  in  age  vnfit. 

But  oh  I  am  deceiu'd,  flie  paft  them  all 

In  euery  gift,  in  euery  propertie:  1170 

Her  Excellencies  wrought  her  timeles  fall, 

And  they  reioyc'd,  not  grieu'd  to  fee  her  die. 

The  Paphiart  Goddefle  did  repent  her  wait. 

When  file  to  one  fuch  beautie  did  allow : 

Mercuritis  thought  her  wit  his  wit  furpait, 

And  Cinthia  enui'd  Maudms  brighter  brow. 

But  thcfe  are  fictions,  they  are  voyd  offence, 

The  Greekes  but  dreame,  and  dreaming  fallehoods  tell: 

They  neither  can  offend  nor  giue  defence, 

And  not  by  them  it  was  my  M.mam  fell.  1180 

If  fhe  had  bene  like  an  Egipt'tan  blacke. 

And  not  fb  faire,  flie  had  bene  longer  liude: 

Her  ouerfiow  of  beautie  turned  backe. 

And  drownde  the  fpring  from  whence  it  was  dcriude. 

Her  heau'nly  beautie  twas  that  made  me  thinke 

That  it  with  chaftitie  could  neuer  dwell : 

But  now  I  fee  that  heau'n  in  her  '^\^  linke, 

A  fpirit  and  a  jx-rfon  to  excell. 

lie  muffle  vp  my  fclfe  in  endles  night. 

And  neuer  let  mine  eves  behold  the  light.  »i9c 

Retire  thy  felfc  vile  monfler,  worle  then  hcc 

I  Thai 


THE  TRAGEDIE 
That  ftaind  the  virgin  earth  with  brothers  blood. 
Still  in  fome  vault  or  denne  inclofed  bee, 
Where  with  thy  teares  thou  maifl  beget  a  flood. 
Which  flood  in  time  may  drowne  thee :  happie  day 
When  thou  at  once  fhalt  die  and  finde  a  graue, 
A  flone  vpon  the  vault,  fome  one  ftiall  lay. 
Which  monument  fhall  an  infcription  haue. 
And  thefe  fhall  be  the  words  it  fhall  containe, 
Heere  Herod  lies^  that  hath  his  M^rhmjlaine,  2, ^ oo 


W! 


Chorus. 

^Ho  euer  hath  beheld  with  fleadfaft  eye, 
The  ftrange  euents  of  this  one  onely  day  : 
How  many  were  deceiu'd?     How  many  die. 
That  once  to  day  did  grounds  of  fifetie  lay  ? 
It  will  from  them  all  certaintie  bereue. 
Since  twice  fixe  houres  fb  many  can  deceiue. 

This  morning  Herod  held  for  fiirely  dead. 

And  all  the  levoes  on  Mariam  did  attend : 

And  Conjiaharus  rife  from  Saloms  bed,  2210 

And  neither  dreamd  of  a  diuorce  or  end. 

Pheroras  ioyd  that  he  might  haue  his  wife. 

And  Buhus  fbnnes  for  fafetie  of  their  life. 

To  night  our  Herod  doth  aliue  remaine. 
The  guiltles  Mariam  is  depriu'd  of  breath: 
Stout  Conjiaharus  both  diuorft  and  flaine. 
The  valiant  fonnes  of  Baha  haue  their  death. 

Pheroras  fiire  his  loue  to  be  bereft. 

If  Salome  her  fute  vnmade  had  left. 

Herod  this  morning  did  expect  with  ioy,  2220 

To  fee  his  Mariams  much  beloued  face : 
And  yet  ere  night  he  did  her  life  deflroy. 

And 


OF   MARIAM. 

And  furely  thought  fhe  did  her  name  difgracc. 
Yet  now  againe  (6  fhort  do  humors  lalt, 
He  both  repents  her  death  and  knowes  her  chafl. 

Had  he  with  wifedomc  now  her  death  delaidc, 
He  at  his  pleafure  might  command  her  death : 
But  now  he  hath  his  power  (b  much  betraide, 
As  all  his  woes  cannot  reftore  her  breath. 

Now  doth  he  Ifcrangely  lunatickly  raue,  nj© 

Becaufe  his  Alariams  life  he  cannot  faue. 

This  daics  eucnts  were  certainly  ordainde, 

To  be  the  warning  to  poiteritie: 

So  many  changes  are  therein  containde, 

So  admirablie  Ifcrange  varietie. 

This  day  alone,  our  fageft  Hebrewes  (hall 
In  after  times  the  fchoole  of  wifedome  call. 

FIN/S, 


«,.  t     «    c    •  «    •■    o  '        " 


y^ 


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