You are so fair that all who gaze upon you Nigh win a faith in immortality, That unctuous, flattering Pharisaic hope, Since none can realise your image e’er Should fade in him; so fair, that it would seem No wonder to me if with sudden travail The mountains yielded me some nobler metal Than gold and silver for your ornamenting, Some metal long enwombed against your coming; So fair that--ha! the knowledge that you die Hard on another’s death, from loving die That close upon his fore-flight you may hasten And in a sphere to hold you where one is And is no more (I picture such a heaven As latest breath with latest breath immingled), Ah, that were worth the self-dealt death, ’twould be Beyond the grave, that home where horror dwells, To find still one more rapture. Mariamne, Dare I hope such a thing, or must fear take me That you would--Antony has asked of you! MAR. Men do not issue notes of hand for acts, Much less for smartings and for sacrifice, Such as Despair can bring, I feel full well, Though love can never make demand on them.[5] HEROD. Farewell! MAR. Farewell! I know you will come back. Your slayer’s--He alone (_pointing to heaven_)---- HEROD. So small the fear? MAR. So great the confidence! HEROD. Love is a-tremble, A-tremble even in a hero’s breast. MAR. But my love trembles not! HEROD. You tremble not? MAR. Now I begin. Can you no more trust self Since you--the brother of me--then woe to me And woe to you! HEROD. You hold that word in check, That simple word, when I had hoped of you An oath! What base is left whereon to build? MAR. And if I gave that oath, what surety yours I’d keep it? Always I and only I, My Being as you know it. Thus I think Since you must end, it seems, with hope and faith You make beginning where you end--with both! Go, go! I can no other! Not now, not yet! [_Exit._ SCENE 4 HEROD _alone_. HEROD.