VOLTAIRE: 60+ Works in One Volume - Philosophical Writings, Novels, Historical Works, Poetry, Plays & Letters. Вольтер. Читать онлайн. Newlib. NEWLIB.NET

Автор: Вольтер
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were, but now I feel,

       Nor can I break them: with what sweet demeanor,

       And lovely softness, did she chide my passion;

       Calm and unruffled, how her tranquil prudence

       Taught me my duty, and enforced her own;

       How I adored her even when she repulsed me!

       I’ve lost all hope, yet love her more than ever:

       Gods! for what dreadful trial of my faith

       Am I reserved?

      albinus.

       Wilt thou then aid her flight?

      varus.

       ’Tis a sad office.

      albinus.

       Art thou pleased so well

       With her disdain, as thus to make thyself

       Unhappy, and promote thy own destruction?

       What dost thou purpose?

      varus.

       Can I e’er forsake her?

       Can I rebel against her laws? my heart

       Were then unworthy of her. Hence my doubts.

       ’Twas Mariamne spoke, and I obey:

       Quick, let her leave the tyrant; let her seek

       Augustus; she has cause to fly, and Varus

       Has none to murmur or complain; at least

       She leaves me the sweet pleasure to reflect,

       That I have lived and acted but for her;

       Have broke her chains, have saved her precious life:

       Nay more: for I will sacrifice my love,

       Fly from those dangerous charms that would betray me,

       And imitate the virtue I adore.

      End of the Second Act.

      ACT III.

      SCENE I.

       Table of Contents

      varus, nabal, albinus, Attendants on varus.

      nabal.

       The king, my lord, the happy Herod, comes

       Triumphant, and the Hebrews flock in crowds

       To meet him: Salome, alarmed and fearful

       Of her declining interest, joins his train

       Of fawning courtiers, soothes his pride, and strives

       By every art to gain him to her purpose;

       The priests attend, and strew their palms before him.

       With Herod comes the faithful Idamas,

       Deputed by his sovereign to attend

       The noble Varus; he will soon be here.

       Still hath he proved himself the constant friend

       Of Mariamne, and by wholesome counsels

       Softened the rage of his impetuous master:

       The queen, still wavering and irresolute,

       Condemns herself; her rigid virtue fears

       To do what danger tells her must be done:

       She quits the palace, then returns; meanwhile

       Her anxious mother, falling at her feet,

       Bathes them in tears, points to her weeping children,

       And trembling begs her to depart: she stops,

       And doubts, and much I fear will stay too long:

       ’Tis thou must hasten her; on thee alone

       Depends the safety of the noblest being

       Heaven e’er gave birth to. O preserve her; save

       The race august sprung from a line of kings;

       Save Mariamne. Are your guards all ready?

       May I inform her of it?

      varus.

       All’s prepared:

       I gave them orders: she may go this moment.

      nabal.

       And wilt thou too permit a faithful servant

       To follow his loved mistress?

      varus.

       Go with her,

       Wait on her steps, and guard her as thy life:

       This hateful place deserves her not: may heaven,

       In pity to her sorrows, smile upon her;

       Light up a fairer sun to gild her journey,

       And bid the waves in smoother currents flow,

       Obedient to the sacred charge they bear!

       Thou, good old man, mayest follow and attend her;

       Thou art too happy, but thou hast deserved it.

      SCENE II.

       Table of Contents

      varus, albinus, Attendants on varus.

      varus.

       Already Herod comes; the trumpet’s sound

       Speaks his return; unwelcome sound to me!

       I dread his presence: cruel as he is,

       Instant his wrath may fall on Mariamne:

       Would she had left forever these sad seats

       Of guilt and horror! would I might partake

       Her flight! but O! the more I love, the more

       I must avoid her: ’twere in me a crime

       To follow her; and all that Varus can—

       But Idamas approaches.

      SCENE III.

       Table of Contents

      varus, idamas, albinus, Attendants on varus.

      idamas.

       Ere the king,

       My royal master, comes, with gratitude

       To pay thy bounties, and receive from thee

       The holy sceptre, say, wilt thou permit me?—

      varus.

       No more: your king may spare this idle homage,

       These practised arts of visionary friendship

       Amongst the great, drawn forth with pompous splendor

       But to amuse the gaping multitude

       And foreign to the heart: but say, at length

       Rome has consented; Herod is your king;

       Doth he deserve to reign? Is the queen safe,

       And will he spare the blood of innocence.

      idamas.

       May the just gods, who hate the perjured man,

       Open his eyes, now blinded by imposture!

       But who shall dive into his secret thoughts,

       Or trace the emotions of his troubled soul?

       Naught can we draw from him but sullen silence;