Fling the splendid state-rooms wide And summon all that can be jubilant! Put fire to every candle that will burn, Pluck all the flowers from stem that are not faded! There is no need that any now survive. (_To_ MOSES.) You tricked our wedding once in famous trappings, Your task to-day’s a feast more brilliant still. Spare nothing therefore. (_Advancing._) Herod, tremble now Though never yet before in life you trembled! SOEMUS (_approaching her_). I feel your smart as you do. MAR. Keep your pity, I’ll rob you not! You axe no butcher’s boor, I dare not doubt it, you have given me proof! But that has turned you traitor, and to traitors I give no thanks nor bear them round my person Whatever use they may be in this world. For that’s not judged awry. Were you the man You seemed to be, it had been forced on God To work a wonder; He were forced to lend The very air the tongue it lacks for utterance. That He foresaw or ere your clay He shaped And made the first of hypocrites--made you! SOEMUS. That thing I am not! I was Herod’s friend, His weapon-brother and his shoulder-fellow, Before he scaled the throne! I was his servant, His truest servant, since he’s been a king, But only so as long as he could hold The Man in me inviolate and the Human, As I in him the Hero and the Lord. He did so till, the eyes of the dissembler For the first time unworthily down-drooping, He gave the word of Blood through which he doomed, All-heartless, me and you to certain death, Through which he doomed me to your folk’s revenge, To Roman rage, and to his own slant spite, And you to be the prey of my sword’s point. That was my proof how high he rated me. MAR. Did you not tell him how your heart recoiled? SOEMUS. I did it not because I would protect you.[15] I took his charge in show and hypocrited, If you will have the word, that thus no other Take it instead from him and stab me down. A Galilean had the deed accomplished. MAR. I own me wrong. You stand with him as I; You have, as I, in your most Holy Place Felt hurt; as I, am slighted to a Thing, For what he is as spouse he is as friend.[16] Come to my feast. [_Exit._ ALEX. So you, it seems, were waiting for your time As I was! SOEMUS. For my time? How mean you that? ALEX. I’ve often seen it with a wondering eye How, when the King gives thanks for his high office Unto the Roman’s whim (the heady swiller!) And not to lineage and pride of birth, You bent your back as though you seemed, like him, Forgetful that you were his equal peer. But now I pierce your mask; it was your wish To lull him from suspicion! SOEMUS.