Promise me then that you will take her life If she take not her own. Be not too hasty And not too tardy either. Go to her Soon as my messenger, for I shall send one, Reports of me “it’s over!” tell it her And mark then if she reaches hand for dirk Or makes to do aught else. You promise? JOSEPH. Yes. HEROD. I will not have you swear, for no man yet Forced any one to swear he’d use his foot To crush a snake that threatened him with death. He does it of himself if he be sane; For he could sooner practise abstinence Of meat and drink without a scathe, than this. [JOSEPH _makes a gesture_. I know you throughly and I will commend you To Antony as one in all this crew That he dare trust in. You will prove him that By showing that a woman of your blood Is not too sacred to become your victim When smothering of rebellion is the stake, For that’s the point of view will gloze the deed, That side you serve up for his eyes. ’Tis followed By a street hubbub: your despatch to him Is that an outbreak was your deed’s precursor And only by its instrument was quelled. As for the folk, ’twill have a shuddering-fit When it beholds your bloody sword, and many Will say:--“It seems I knew but half this man!” And now---- JOSEPH. I’ll see you yet, not now alone; I know for sure, as ever you’ll come back. HEROD. ’Tis not past hope: and therefore one thing more-- [_A long pause._ I swore just now an oath that touches you. [_Writes a letter and seals it._ Here ’tis! Receive in charge this letter sealed. You see the run o’ the title-- JOSEPH. To the headsman! HEROD. I’ll keep what I have therein promised you, And if, perhaps, you’ve mind to tell a tale About a King who---- JOSEPH. Come! Impose the task, To hand this note myself unto the headsman.[6] [_Exit._ SCENE 6 HEROD _alone_. HEROD. Now she lives under sword, and that’s my spur To do what I ne’er did before, to suffer What ne’er before I suffered, and find comfort If all be vain! and now, away! [_Exit._ ACT II SCENE 1 _The Castle on Zion_. ALEXANDRA’S _Apartments_. ALEXANDRA. SAMEAS. ALEXANDRA. You know it now. SAMEAS.