Now to’t, “and once again!” I’d almost said, But there’s no end in prospect. I resemble The Man i’ the Fable whom before, the lion, Behind, the tiger gripped at; whom the eagles With beak and claw were threatening imminent, And who was standing on a snaky clump. All’s one! I’ll make defence as best I can, And fit each enemy with his own weapon. Be this henceforth my law and ordinance. What length it takes, it shall not fret my peace. If but to the end I keep firm-planted feet And nothing lose of what I’ve called my own, Then let that end be on me when it will. SCENE 3 HEROD. MARIAMNE. [_Enter a_ SERVANT. SERVANT. The Queen! [MARIAMNE _follows close on him_. HEROD. You’ve just outstripped my own desire! I wanted---- MAR. Nay then, surely not to fetch My thanks in person for the pearls so wondrous? I waved you twice aside, but once again Make trial if I’d pleased to change my mood, That would have strained the patience of a man, And, past all doubt, the patience of a King. Nay, nay, I know my duty, and since you, After my gay-heart brother’s swift-sent death, Shower daily so rich gifts as though you courted My love anew, I come at last myself And show you I have gratitude in heart. HEROD. I see it! MAR. Faith, I cannot tell what trend Your bearing takes. You send for me the diver Deep, deep into the lightless sea, and if No one’s to find who for the gleaming guerdon Will dare disturb Leviathan’s repose, You fling your dungeons open and give back Some robber-varlet his devoted head To get you a pearl-fisherman for me. HEROD. That seems a maddish whim? Why, madder still, I’ve had a murderer cut down from the cross When need to snatch a child from out the brand Was urgent, and I’ve said to him:--“If you Return it to the mother, in my eyes That counterbalances your debt to death.” Ay, he was in with a plunge---- MAR. And back again Unscathed? HEROD. It was too late, or otherwise My word kept, he’d have been dispatched to Rome A-soldiering. They call for tigers there! My policy is “Usury with all!” And why not drive the trade with forfeit lives? You have your junctures when they offer use. MAR. (_aside_). Oh that he did not have the bloody hand! What use are words? For whatsoe’er his deed, Once on his tongue, he paints it wisely done. And oh, revolting if he drove me, drove me To judge a brother-murder, like the rest, Compelled, inevitable, wisely done! HEROD. You’re silent? MAR.