Verse tragedy · 1613

The Tragedie of Mariam, the Faire Queene of Jewry

by Elizabeth Cary, Viscountess Falkland

Herod, King of Judaea, is reported dead at Rome, and his wife Mariam, who has long hated him for the murder of her brother and grandfather, finds she cannot rejoice. Her mother Alexandra and Herod's sister Salome quarrel over her, while Salome plots to be rid of her husband Constabarus so that she may marry the Arabian Silleus. Herod returns alive, a cup of poison is falsely charged against Mariam, and on Salome's scheming she is beheaded. Too late, Herod is struck with a frantic remorse. The play is the first original tragedy in English to be published by a woman, and each act ends with a Chorus.

Contents · 8 parts

• To Diana's Earthlie Deputesse15 lines
• The Argument7 lines
• The Names of the Speakers17 lines
• Act Iabout 540 lines
• Act IIabout 450 lines
• Act IIIabout 260 lines
• Act IVabout 680 lines
• Act Vabout 300 lines

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