To lull him from suspicion!

Soemus.

There you err.

I spoke the truth in all. His equal peer

I do not deem myself nor ever shall.

How many a paltry wight there is I know

Who, just because his blood’s no kin of his,

Yields muttering homage; others too, I know,

Keep troth alone for Mariamne’s sake.

But I am never bonded with that brood