Then he would call me back, I doubt it not. And if I followed, this were my reward, That now before each one that comes anear me Henceforward I must shudder and inly say-- “Take care, for this perchance is your third headsman!” No, Titus, no, I played no pettish game; For me there’s no return; if such there were Think you I had not found it out when I Took everlasting farewell from my children? Naught but defiance drove me, as he thinks; If so my guiltless smart had broke defiance And now ’twould only mean a bitterer death. TITUS. Oh, if he felt that, came himself and flung him Down at your feet! MAR. Yes, then indeed he had The Demon overmastered, and I could Say all to him. For it is not my part To chaffer with him meanly for a life That through the price alone at which ’tis bought Must lose for me the paltriest patch of worth. It were my part, to crown him for self-conquest And, oh believe, I could! TITUS. Have you no boding, O Herod? [JOAB _enters noiselessly and remains standing in silence_. MAR. No! You see, he sends me--him! (_pointing to_ JOAB.) TITUS. Let me---- MAR. Have you not understood me, Titus? And in your eyes is still the cause defiance That put my mouth in lock? Can I still live? Can I still live with him, the man who now In me God’s image venerates no more? And if by keeping silence I had power To necromance old Death and give him weapons Were it my duty then to break my silence Only to change one dagger for the other? And were it more to do so? TITUS. She is right. MAR. (_to_ JOAB). Are you prepared? [JOAB _bows_. (_Turning towards_ HEROD’S _apartments_.) Then, Herod, fare you well! (_To Earth._) Thou, Aristobulus, oh receive my greeting! Soon I am with thee in eternal night. [_She moves towards the door._ JOAB _opens it. Armed men are seen who form their ranks in homage. She goes out._ TITUS _follows her_. JOAB _joins them. Solemn pause._ SCENE 7 SALOME _alone_. SALOME. She’s gone! And yet I feel no throb of heart, A further sign that she deserves her fate. And so I have at last my brother back, My mother also has her son. ’Tis well; I would not budge from him. Else had the Judges E’en then his judgment jarred. Nay, Aaron, nay, No word of prison! She’d remain endungeoned Not for a moon. The grave alone holds fast, For to the grave alone he has no key.[19] [_Enter_ A SERVANT. SCENE 8 SALOME, THE THREE KINGS FROM THE EAST, HEROD, TITUS, JOAB, ALEXANDRA. SERVANT.