_Enter_ HEROD, SOEMUS, _and Retinue_. HEROD. I’m home again. (_To_ SOEMUS.) Does it stil bleed? The stone, Though meant for me, hit you because in just That nick of time you came to tell me something. Your head for this time made your King a shield, But had you stayed at post---- SOEMUS. I had not then Received the wound nor rendered you the service, If it be worth the name. In Galilee That man is stoned at least who’s so foolhardy To get at loggerheads with you and me, Since I’m your shadow or your speaking-trumpet Or what you will. HEROD. Yes, there the men are true-- That is, to ends of theirs; and since these ends With mine go hand in hand, to mine as well. SOEMUS. How true this token shows you--that you find Myself in your chief city. HEROD. Ay, indeed I had not thought that I would meet you here, For when the King is far there’s double need Among the stiff-necked provinces for watchers. What was it then that drove you from your post? ’Twas sure some other impulse than the wish To prove me that it might unjeopardised Lie tenantless; or thought’s instinctive feel That a flung stone was here to intercept. SOEMUS. I was come here to advertise the viceroy Touching disclosures of a wondrous kind, And tell them orally in all due haste. I would apprise him that the Pharisees Seek even the stubborn soil of Galilee, Although their work is vain, to underburrow. But all too late my warning came; I found Jerusalem in flames by then, and could But help extinguish them. HEROD (_giving him his hand_). And that you did With blood of yours!--Ah, Joseph! you? Good-day! I thought to find you other here; but good; Yet, for the nonce, go bring me Sameas The Pharisee, who’s held by Captain Titus A prisoner in the mode the Scythians use. The ironside Roman drags him, fastly bounden Unto the tail of the war-horse he rides, Hither and thither, since the holy zealot Spat after him i’ the open market-place. Now he must run as he may ne’er before Have run if he’s no mind to have a tumble And go a-draggling. Then and there ’twere better That I had rescued him as I went past. I’ faith, ’tis sure I owe him thanks alone That all the serpents who until to-day Crawled stilly from my foot, are known to me. Now I can stamp them piecemeal when I will. [_Exit_ JOSEPH.