Es wär’ genug den Cäsar zu bezahlen
Und schätzt er selbst sich ab vorm Tode.
The words seem to mean “The tribute would be enough to pay Caesar if he (Herod) were assessing his own value to save himself from death.” The passage proved too much for me, and I owe this explanation to Mr. Nicholson. I translate:—
It were enough to quit his debt to Caesar
Were he himself to rate his worth ’gainst death.
[8.] Insert:—
Herod, if it were mine with one mere word
To pluck me from my death, never would I
Seek such abjection as that word to utter;
If I were strong to tell me that my life,