I take them where they’re missed, The widow-woman’s lamb, the poor man’s sheep. What is your ox to God? [_Exit._ _Enter_ SOEMUS. SCENE 3 MARIAMNE. ALEXANDRA. SOEMUS. SOEMUS. Pardon! MAR. Indeed, I wished even now to have you called. Come in! SOEMUS. ’Tis the first time you had such wish. MAR. Ay, true! SOEMUS. You’ve parried me till now. MAR. And have you then Sought for me? Have you aught to seek from me? I cannot think it so. SOEMUS. At least the former; Behold in me the truest of your servants. MAR. I did, but do so now no more. SOEMUS. No more? MAR. How could you let that rebel, him whom Herod Ordered to prison, have his dungeon opened? Is he still King, or is he King no more? SOEMUS. The answer’s not so easy as you think. MAR. And if you find it hard you’ll pay it dearly. SOEMUS. You’ve not yet heard the news the fight is lost? MAR. The fight at Actium’s reported lost? SOEMUS. Yes. Antony is fallen by his own hand, With like death Cleopatra. MAR. What, could she Have such fine nerve? Time was she could not bear A sword to sight, and shuddered back at his Whene’er he held it toward her for a mirror. SOEMUS. Titus the Captain had these very tidings. Octavian curses that no means were used To hinder them. Myself I read the letter. MAR. Then Death for some long time has had his share And every head stands firmer than it stood Ere then. SOEMUS. You think so? MAR. Why that riddling smile? SOEMUS. You do not know Octavian, it would seem. He will not ask Death if his maw be queasy; He’ll find the friends of Antony of use To serve him yet another meal, and one Where tasty tit-bits will not be so scarce. MAR. That touches Herod? SOEMUS. Well, if he should hold To what he purposed---- MAR. What was that? SOEMUS. He said:-- “I have no further love for Antony, Far sooner do I hate him; but I will Stand at his side unto the latest hour Although I fear that he is doomed to fall. I owe it to myself if not to him.” MAR. Right kingly spoke! SOEMUS. Ay, true, right kingly spoke! Only Octavian’s not the man t’admire it, And Herod if he do so---- MAR. Who dares doubt it? SOEMUS. Then he’s a lost man too, or black affront Has smirched Octavian’s name when rumour said The mighty slaughter following Caesar’s death Was written on his reckoning. MAR.