At least he were compelled To have you dead before he came a-wooing, And if you feel yourself--I were not able To think it, but I see’t--so null a nithing That you despair his scale to counterpoise With the pure metal of your manhood’s worth In your wife’s heart, what justifies you then To hold my worth so light that you could fear Myself would never spurn the murderer back? O double insult! HEROD (_breaking out_). Tell me for what price You learnt this secret! ’Twas not lightly venal! A head was pledged me for it! MAR. O Salome, How well you knew your brother!--Question him Whose treachery told me what he had received. From me expect to hear no answer more. [_She turns away._ HEROD. I’ll show you quickly how I’ll question him! Soemus! [_Enter_ SOEMUS. SCENE 3 HEROD. MARIAMNE. SOEMUS. HEROD. Is my kinsman Joseph here? SOEMUS. He’s tarrying with Sameas. HEROD. Lead him hence! I gave a letter to him. Have the letter Forthwith delivered. You afford him escort And see that all be loyally fulfilled Whatever this letter orders. SOEMUS. ’Twill be done. [_Exit._ HEROD. Whate’er you may suspect or think or know, You have misprised me. MAR. On a brother’s murder The seal you’ve planted of necessity To which the neck must bow though sharp the shudder, But you’ll ne’er have the plausible success To stamp this seal upon my murder too; That murder must remain the thing it is, An outrage that at most may be repeated But never, never can be overgone. HEROD.