He said:--“Where have you placed your crown? I’ll set another noble stone therein. Receive the province which till now has lacked you, This only shall my largess make you feel, That I am victor, not Mark Antony. From Cleopatra it had ne’er been taken, What she till now possessed I give to you.” TITUS. That--I had ne’er conceived, nor praise I aught Except your star. HEROD. O Titus, praise it not! I have been spared for a harsh work. Soemus! [SOEMUS _remains standing where he is and does not answer_. What, recreant? You are dumb! I know enough. Oh oh, away with him! SOEMUS (_as he is led off_). Naught I deny, But that I deemed you dead--you may believe it. And now I do your will. [_Exit._ HEROD. And after death The end of all, eh, friend? Yes, yes, my Titus, Had you but known the man as I, you never Would stand there so composed, so unperturbed As I stand here; you would be foaming, gnashing, And raving. (_To_ MARIAMNE.) Woman, what were you about To lure so good a man so far? Salome, So you were right! I must be washing, washing-- Blood here! I institute an inquisition! You’re silent? Case you still in haughty challenge? And I know why. You have not yet forgotten What once you were to me. I’d rip more lightly E’en now heart out of breast--Titus, it is so-- Than (_again to_ MARIAMNE) you from out my heart. And yet I do it. MAR. (_turning round abruptly_). I am your prisoner? HEROD. Yes. MAR. (_to the soldiers_). Then lead me hence. [_Turns round._ _At a signal from_ HEROD, JOAB _follows her with soldiers_. Death cannot be my husband any more. [_Exit._ HEROD. Ha ha! To her in time past I had spoken:-- “Two souls that love each other as they should love Could never bear each other to outlive. If I on some far battlefield had fallen You would not need a courier’s announcing, You’d feel that on the instant death had happened And woundless die in sentience of mine.” Titus, bemock me not. ’Tis so, ’tis so, But, ah the pity, mankind loves not thus. [_Exit._ ACT V SCENE 1 _Castle on Zion. A large Audience-Chamber, as in Act I. Throne and tribunal._ HEROD. SALOME. HEROD.