THE TRAGEDY OF MARIAM

The Argument : Cary's Synopsis of the Tragedy

Herod, the son of Antipater (an Idumean), having crept by the favour of the Romans, into the Jewish monarchy, married Mariam, the [grand-daughter] of Hircanus, the rightful king and priest, and for her (besides her high blood, being of singular beauty) he repudiated Doris, his former wife, by whom he had three children.

This Mariam had a brother called Aristobulus, and next him and Hircanus, his grandfather, Herod in his wife's right had the best title.  Therefore to remove them, he charged the [second] with treason: and put him to death; and drowned the [first] under colour of sport.  Alexandra, daughter to the one, and mother to the other, accused him for their deaths before Anthony. 

So when he was forced to go answer with this accusation at Rome, he left the custody of his wife to Josephus, his uncle, that had married his sister Salome, and out of violent affection (unwilling that any should enjoy her after him) he gave strict and private commandment, that if he were slain, she should be put to death.  But he returned with much honour, yet found his wife extremely discontented, to whom Josephus had (meaning it for the best, to prove Herod loved her) revealed his charge. 

So by Salome's accusation he put Josephus to death, but was reconciled to Mariam, who still bare the death of her friends exceedingly hardly. 

In this meantime Herod was again necessarily to revisit Rome, for Caesar, having overthrown Anthony, his great friend, was likely to make an alteration of his fortune. 

In his absense, news came to Jerusalem that Caesar had put him to death; their willingness it should be so, together with the likelihood, gave this rumour so good credit, as Sohemus, that had succeeded Josephus' charge, succeeded him likewise in revealing it.  So at Herod's return, which was speedy and unexpected, he found Mariam so far from joy, that she showed signs of sorrow.  He still desiring to win her to a better humour, she being very unable to conceal her passion, fell to upbraiding him with her brother's death.  As they were thus debating, came in a fellow with a cup of wine, who, hired by Salome, said first, it was a love potion, which Mariam desired to deliver to the king: but afterwards he affirmed that it was a poison, and that Sohemus had told her somewhat, which procured the vehement hate in her. 

The king hearing this, more moved with jealousy of Sohemus, than with this intent of poison, sent her away, and presently after by the instigation of Salome, she was beheaded.  Which rashness was afterward punished in him, with an intolerable and almost frantic passion for her death.
 

Continuing pages on Elizabeth Cary's Tragedy of Mariam: