Your words were followed to the letter, But it has helped to no success. The headsman Plied him with almost every pang, and more, Grimmed into spite by such unwincing front, Which he misread as scorn, he dealt him wounds. But ’tis as though he’d given a tree a flogging, As though ’twere nerveless wood that took his slashing. There stands the old man dead to feel of pain, He sings, instead of shrieking out, and clutching To get the knife that’s held before his eyes, He sings the psalm which the Three Men of yore Sang in the fiery oven, and he lifts At every added pang his voice the louder, And when he bates it prophesies forsooth! HEROD (_aside_). Such is their breed. Yes--will they e’er be other? JOAB. Then he cries out as though for things of wonder Beyond the threshold he had got an eye For every wound that he can count. “Now is The time fulfilled and in the manger-crib The Virgin-Mother of the stem of David E’en at this hallowed moment lays a Child Destined to topple thrones, awake the dead, Tear stars from heaven and from eternity Unto eternity o’erlord the world.” Meanwhile the folk in thousands are assembled, Hang on the very doors and hear it all, Believing that Elijah’s flaming chariot Will sink to earth and bear him like the prophet On skyward path. The headsman’s menial even Shrank back and did not cut him with new wounds, But held the old together. HEROD. Then he shall Be killed upon the spot and to the folk Be shown when he is dead. Thereafter bid The Judges to present them and---- JOAB. The Queen! [_Exit._ HEROD. You, Titus, shall be seated at my side. I send her mother too an invitation That she at least fail not her child as witness. [_Enter_ AARON, _and the other_ FIVE JUDGES. ALEXANDRA _and_ SALOME _follow_. JOAB _appears immediately after_. SCENE 5 THE SAME. AARON. THE FIVE JUDGES. ALEXANDRA. SALOME. _Afterwards_, MARIAMNE. ALEX. My King and Lord, I give you lowly greeting. HEROD. My thanks to you. [_He seats himself on the throne._ TITUS _places himself at his side. Then_ THE JUDGES _seat themselves at a signal in a semicircle round the tribunal_. ALEX. (_while this is being done_). The fate of Mariamne I sunder from my own, and save myself, Like to a torch, to break in future blaze. [_She sits next to_ SALOME. HEROD (_to_ THE JUDGES). You know why I have had you summoned here. AARON.