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

Its greatness: thou hast seen my weakness for thee,

       Take heed that thou abuse it not; for love

       And rage, thou knowest, by turns possess my soul;

       O give it ease; thou turnest aside thine eyes,

       Speak, Mariamne—

      mariamne.

       Such tumultuous transports

       Can never spring, I fear, from true repentance:

       Art thou sincere, and may I trust thee, Herod?

      herod.

       Thou mayest: what is there which thou canst not do

       If thou wilt cease to hate me? ’twas thy scorn

       That raised such furious tempests in my soul;

       It was the loss of Mariamne’s heart

       That made me savage, barbarous, and inhuman:

       My tears shall wash away the mutual stain

       Of both our faults: and here I swear—