That’s opportune! If before witnesses I bring my plaint It will be guaranteed your surer ear And crushed the harder underfoot. HEROD. You place Yourself twixt her and me? Have then a care! You may be trampled piecemeal. SALOME. This time, not! Although I know how small the sister counts When you are dealing with the Maccabean, This time---- HEROD. I tell you one thing! If, the day On which she first was given to my sight, A man were risen in accusation ’gainst her, He had not easily obtained my hearing, But yet more easily than now. Take that for warning. I am so heavy in her debt that she Can owe no debt to me. I feel that deep. SALOME. Ah, so she has free charter? HEROD. Any mask To wear that she thinks well for your hoodwinking If she would kill the drive of time with you. SALOME. Then--then I must be mute. What use in speaking? For whatsoe’er I chose to tell you, ever Your answer would be ready--mummery! At least this mummery has had good luck. Not me alone but all the world with me It’s taken by the ear; it costs you honour And me my rest, however you may swear That Joseph’s only done what duty bade When he--see to’t if any man believe you! HEROD. When he--what underdrift is lurking? End it! But no--not yet----(_To a servant._) I bid the Queen be craved To grant to us her presence. Is it not As though the whole o’ the world were spider-clean And all had nested them within my house, That when for once I see the blue of Heaven They forthwith might o’erhang it with their webs And do the work of clouds? True, strange it is That she comes not. She should, sheer-forced, have kissed me Caught in the ungoverned all-compelling moment, And then she might have vexed her lips with biting When even at that the Ghost refused its quittance. (_To_ SALOME.) Know you what you have ventured? Know you, woman? I was rejoiced! D’you understand? And now-- Once on a day the Earth when I was thirsty Spilled from my hand a goblet filled with wine Because it fell to quaking ere my lips Could drain it; I forgave it since I must; On you I could avenge me. [_Enter_ MARIAMNE. SCENE 2 HEROD. MARIAMNE. ALEXANDRA. SALOME. HEROD. Fling you down Before her, who in all these witness-eyes Have put the offending tarnish on her name, And I’ll not do it! SALOME. Ha! ALEX. What may that mean? HEROD. Well, Mariamne? MAR. What commands the King? I have been summoned and I have appeared. ALEX. Is this the wife who swore to kill herself If he returned not hither? HEROD.