The Tragedy of Mariam Act 2 Scene 1 by Elizabeth Cary Lyrics
Act 2
scene 1
[PHERORAS and GRAPHINA]
PHERORAS
’Tis true, Graphina, now the time draws nigh
Wherein the holy priest with hallowed right,
The happy long-desired knot shall tie,
Pheroras and Graphina to unite:
How oft have I with lifted hands implored
This blessed hour, till now implored in vain,
Which hath my wishèd liberty restored,
And made my subject self my own again.
Thy love, fair maid, upon mine eye doth sit,
Whose nature hot doth dry the moisture all,
Which were in nature, and in reason fit
For my monarchal brother’s death to fall:
Had Herod lived, he would have plucked my hand
From fair Graphina’s palm perforce: and tied
The same in hateful and despisèd band,
For I had had a baby to my bride:
Scarce can her infant tongue with easy voice
Her name distinguish° to another’s ear: make clear
Yet had he lived, his power, and not my choice,
Had made me solemnly the contract swear.
Have I not cause in such a change to joy?
What though she be my niece, a princess born?
Near blood’s without respect: high birth a toy,
Since love can teach us blood and kindred’s scorn.
What booted it that he did raise my head, use was it
To be his realm’s copartner, kingdom’s mate?
Withal, he kept Graphina from my bed,
More wished by me than thrice Judea’s state.
Oh, could not he be skilful judge in love,
That doted so upon his Mariam’s face?
He, for his passion, Doris did remove;
I needed not a lawful wife displace.
It could not be but he had power to judge,
But he that never grudged a kingdom’s share,
This well-known happiness to me did grudge:
And meant to be therein without compare.
Else had I been his equal in love’s host,
For though the diadem on Mariam’s head
Corrupt the vulgar judgments, I will boast
Graphina’s brow’s as white, her cheeks as red.
Why speaks thou not, fair creature? Move thy tongue,
For silence is a sign of discontent:
It were to both our loves too great a wrong
If now this hour do find thee sadly bent.
GRAPHINA
Mistake me not, my lord, too oft have I
Desired this time to come with wingèd feet,
To be enrapt with grief when ’tis too nigh.
You know my wishes ever yours did meet:
If I be silent, ’tis no more but fear
That I should say too little when I speak:
But since you will my imperfections bear,
In spite of doubt I will my silence break:
Yet might amazement tie my moving tongue,
But that I know before Pheroras’ mind.
I have admired your affection long:
And cannot yet therein a reason find.
Your hand hath lifted me from lowest state,
To highest eminency wondrous grace,
And me your handmaid have you made your mate,
Though all but you alone do count me base.
You have preserved me pure at my request,
Though you so weak a vassal might constrain
To yield to your high will; then last not best,
In my respect a princess you disdain;
Then need not all these favors study crave,
To be requited by a simple maid?
And study still, you know, must silence have.
Then be my cause for silence justly weighed,
But study cannot boot not I requite, help
Except your lowly handmaid’s steadfast love
And fast obedience may your mind delight, firm
I will not promise more than I can prove.
PHERORAS
That study needs not let Graphina smile,
And I desire no greater recompense:
I cannot vaunt me in a glorious style,
Nor show my love in far-fetch’d eloquence:
But this believe me, never Herod’s heart
Hath held his prince-born beauty-famèd wife
In nearer place than thou, fair virgin, art,
To him that holds the glory of his life.
Should Herod’s body leave the sepulchre,
And entertain the severed ghost again,
He should not be my nuptial hinderer,
Except he hindered it with dying pain.
Come, fair Graphina, let us go in state,
This wish-endearèd time to celebrate.
scene 1
[PHERORAS and GRAPHINA]
PHERORAS
’Tis true, Graphina, now the time draws nigh
Wherein the holy priest with hallowed right,
The happy long-desired knot shall tie,
Pheroras and Graphina to unite:
How oft have I with lifted hands implored
This blessed hour, till now implored in vain,
Which hath my wishèd liberty restored,
And made my subject self my own again.
Thy love, fair maid, upon mine eye doth sit,
Whose nature hot doth dry the moisture all,
Which were in nature, and in reason fit
For my monarchal brother’s death to fall:
Had Herod lived, he would have plucked my hand
From fair Graphina’s palm perforce: and tied
The same in hateful and despisèd band,
For I had had a baby to my bride:
Scarce can her infant tongue with easy voice
Her name distinguish° to another’s ear: make clear
Yet had he lived, his power, and not my choice,
Had made me solemnly the contract swear.
Have I not cause in such a change to joy?
What though she be my niece, a princess born?
Near blood’s without respect: high birth a toy,
Since love can teach us blood and kindred’s scorn.
What booted it that he did raise my head, use was it
To be his realm’s copartner, kingdom’s mate?
Withal, he kept Graphina from my bed,
More wished by me than thrice Judea’s state.
Oh, could not he be skilful judge in love,
That doted so upon his Mariam’s face?
He, for his passion, Doris did remove;
I needed not a lawful wife displace.
It could not be but he had power to judge,
But he that never grudged a kingdom’s share,
This well-known happiness to me did grudge:
And meant to be therein without compare.
Else had I been his equal in love’s host,
For though the diadem on Mariam’s head
Corrupt the vulgar judgments, I will boast
Graphina’s brow’s as white, her cheeks as red.
Why speaks thou not, fair creature? Move thy tongue,
For silence is a sign of discontent:
It were to both our loves too great a wrong
If now this hour do find thee sadly bent.
GRAPHINA
Mistake me not, my lord, too oft have I
Desired this time to come with wingèd feet,
To be enrapt with grief when ’tis too nigh.
You know my wishes ever yours did meet:
If I be silent, ’tis no more but fear
That I should say too little when I speak:
But since you will my imperfections bear,
In spite of doubt I will my silence break:
Yet might amazement tie my moving tongue,
But that I know before Pheroras’ mind.
I have admired your affection long:
And cannot yet therein a reason find.
Your hand hath lifted me from lowest state,
To highest eminency wondrous grace,
And me your handmaid have you made your mate,
Though all but you alone do count me base.
You have preserved me pure at my request,
Though you so weak a vassal might constrain
To yield to your high will; then last not best,
In my respect a princess you disdain;
Then need not all these favors study crave,
To be requited by a simple maid?
And study still, you know, must silence have.
Then be my cause for silence justly weighed,
But study cannot boot not I requite, help
Except your lowly handmaid’s steadfast love
And fast obedience may your mind delight, firm
I will not promise more than I can prove.
PHERORAS
That study needs not let Graphina smile,
And I desire no greater recompense:
I cannot vaunt me in a glorious style,
Nor show my love in far-fetch’d eloquence:
But this believe me, never Herod’s heart
Hath held his prince-born beauty-famèd wife
In nearer place than thou, fair virgin, art,
To him that holds the glory of his life.
Should Herod’s body leave the sepulchre,
And entertain the severed ghost again,
He should not be my nuptial hinderer,
Except he hindered it with dying pain.
Come, fair Graphina, let us go in state,
This wish-endearèd time to celebrate.