And you will find that all we Pharisees Have not forgot the stigma that we suffered, As you would seem to reckon. Hear then now What only through the deed was meant to reach you-- We have been sworn against him long ere now, We’ve dug our burrows under all Judaea, And in Jerusalem, that you may see How sure the count we have upon the folk, There’s even a blind adherent to our band! ALEX. What boots he? SAMEAS. Naught. He knows as much himself, But he’s so crammed with hate, so grim with grudge, That he’ll be joined with us in our emprise And rather perish if it should miscarry Than drag his life in such a world as this. I have a notion that’s a promising sign! [_Exit._ SCENE 2 ALEXANDRA _alone_. ALEX. The folk’s already struck him dead in thought! I know, I know! and by that token see How sore the wish that he no more returns. A lucky juncture that the locust-swarm Settled on him as he went forth! It stands For omen that it is no futile wish. It may be, too, by now an actual thing That, less his head--Not that! Speak as you think! No eavesdrop Pharisee’s before the door. An Antony is sure an Antony, Ay, but a Roman, and a Roman gives His verdict slow as the fulfilment’s swift. Prisoner he may be though he sit not yet Within the dungeon: and a coaxing deft Can lead it further. Therefore it is good If now rebellion come, albeit I know What in itself’s its import, and not less What aftermath it trammels up if he Return in Fate’s despite. If! It can happen! Think well upon’t! He sent you as he left A severed head for a farewell-reminder. That shows you--Pah! I speak just like my father! It shows me that he’s swift to the deed, as tyrants Are wont; and further that he’s fain to fright me. The one I long have known, the other shall Slip his intent; and if the worst should come, If all o’erleap its target and if he, Spite his infatuate love for Mariamne Which sooner mounts than falls and which protects me, Should dare his fellest once her will is won-- What of it? On revenge is all my stake And that revenge would follow me in death, Revenge on him who did it and on her Who let it happen. Never would the folk And never Rome look on indulgent-slack, And then, what touches me myself, I would In an event so bloody all the better Be mated with my forebears. They were forced, The greater number of my stem, th’ Eld-Mothers As the Eld-Fathers, to forsake the world Short of a head because they would not bend it. I would but share their fate; what were it more? SCENE 3 ALEXANDRA. MARIAMNE. ALEXANDRA (_aside_).