They shall unlearn their language, And learn the lovely speech of Antioch.
Where hast thou been to-day?
Thou comest late.
JASON.
Playing at discus with the other priests In the Gymnasium.
ANTIOCHUS.
Thou hast done well.
There's nothing better for you lazy priests Than discus-playing with the common people.
Now tell me, Jason, what these Hebrews call me When they converse together at their games.
JASON.
Antiochus Epiphanes, my Lord; Antiochus the Illustrious.
ANTIOCHUS.
O, not that; That is the public cry; I mean the name They give me when they talk among themselves, And think that no one listens; what is that?
JASON.
Antiochus Epimanes, my Lord! ANTIOCHUS.
Antiochus the Mad! Ay, that is it.
And who hath said it?
Who hath set in motion That sorry jest?
JASON.
The Seven Sons insane Of a weird woman, like themselves insane.
ANTIOCHUS.
I like their courage, but it shall not save them.
They shall be made to eat the flesh of swine, Or they shall die.

Where are they?
JASON.
In the dungeons Beneath this tower.
ANTIOCHUS.
There let them stay and starve, Till I am ready to make Greeks of them, After my fashion.
JASON.
They shall stay and starve .-- My Lord, the Ambassadors of Samaria Await thy pleasure.
ANTIOCHUS.
Why not my displeasure?
Ambassadors are tedious.

They are men Who work for their own ends, and not for mine There is no furtherance in them.

Let them go To Apollonius, my governor There in Samaria, and not trouble me.
What do they want?
JASON.
Only the royal sanction To give a name unto a nameless temple Upon Mount Gerizim.
ANTIOCHUS.
Then bid them enter.
This pleases me, and furthers my designs.
The occasion is auspicious.

Bid them enter.
SCENE II.