(_In a contained voice._) You go at once to Bethlehem And tell the Captain there who’s in command To find the Marvellous Boy--Nay, he will not Ransack him out, not all can see the star; As for those Kings, they’re sly as sanctimonious-- The children who within the bygone year Were born, he is to slay upon the spot. He leaves no single one surviving. JOAB (_retreating_). Good! (_Aside._) And I know why! But Moses was delivered Pharaoh despite! HEROD (_still loud and strong_). I’ll see to it to-morrow, To-day with Mariamne--(_He collapses._) Titus! [TITUS _catches him_. APPENDIX _containing passages from the original version and those omitted for stage representation._ 1. _At this point was written originally:_-- I’ve no more use for him; behind the plough To trapse is ’gainst his stomach; as to music, For that he’s over-restive; then the trumpet, I tried some blowing-lessons--wasted all! Fists, ay and fine ones too, are his equipment, Fear he knows none, not e’en the fear of me. And since the day you scoured the mountains clean There’s never brigand gives himself to glimpse. So he’s with us a lack-use, and perchance Will be the first to get a kink in his ways And spoil our maiden’s pleasure in the woods. If you’ll not--(_To his son._) Now then, Blacklooks, clear your brow! The word was not ill-meant; and if the King Forgives the jest, why you can do it too! So then you’ll take him, Sire? Before the gate I saw the Roman cohort in your service And thought this raw-hide lad was just their fellow, In all, I mean, that touches form and fashion, As though, within the very mother-womb, He’d had the thought to stop a gap therein. No single one I saw gave me the notion He might have had a bent or finger-knack For sandal-cobbling or for garment-stitching, But in each mother’s son I thought I marked That straight upon the Captain’s uttered word He’d spit his very sire without a qualm, --Just what this sprig of mine were ripe to do! The worser else, for soldiering the better. 2. _Insert:_-- If this lad be not true to me, why then His mother was no better toward his father. At least he’ll be so for an eight-days’ space For he knows none here. That’s a point worth while! [_Exit_ JOAB. 3. _In the MS.:_--