John the Baptist: A Play Part 18

HERODIAS

Well, these are the terms [_in a low voice_]. If we were to promise never again to aspire in Rome to the sceptre of Judea [_scoffingly_], then they might consider----

HEROD

And what answer didst thou make to such drastic, such----

HERODIAS

I promised.... What else should I do?... for thee, as well as myself.

HEROD

[_Pointing to himself._] Even before this booty was thine, thou hast betrayed it?

HERODIAS

I fancied that I heard thee crying out just now for a sword.

[_Smiling._] When thou art king, thou wilt, of course, kill all whom thou hast promised not to be king! That is the same thing as if thou hadst never promised it.

HEROD

[_Staring at her._] Woman!

HERODIAS

Believest thou still that I hurried here only for the sake of a kiss?

HEROD

I shudder at thee. But even if the priests be won over, there remains the people, the hydra-headed; thou knowest not the people. They once, it is said, hurled sacrificial victims at the head of their king, they slew Barachia's son between the Temple and the altar. And besides, dost thou not know that John the Baptist is in the town?

HERODIAS

The Baptist! Leave the Baptist to me.

HEROD

I warn thee, approach him only with a weapon in thy hand!

HERODIAS

[_Laughs._]

SCENE VI

_The same. Jabad and several servants._

JABAD

Pardon, oh master, the lamb is ready.

HEROD

First, we will hear what the priests have to say if your mistress, _our_ mistress, so pleaseth.

HERODIAS

[_a.s.sents, smiling._] [_Exeunt all._

SCENE VII

_John, Miriam_ [_come through the lower door to right_].

MIRIAM

Await her here, Rabbi.... What are thy commands to thy handmaiden?

JOHN

[_Shakes his head._]

MIRIAM

[_Kisses the hem of his garment._] [_Exit._

SCENE VIII

_John_ [_left alone for a brief s.p.a.ce_], _then Salome, and two of her damsels._

SALOME

[_Steps softly to the bal.u.s.trade and gazes down on John, seeks in her breast for a flower, and not finding one turns back to Maecha._] Give me those thou wearest in thy girdle. [_She takes the roses which Maecha hands to her and throws them down._] He doth not see them. Bring more flowers, and thy harp. Stay, Maecha, or I shall be afraid. [_Exeunt the maids, except Maecha._] Thou fair savage, out of the wilderness of Judah! The fire of hate that flashes from thy eye shall not devour me!

I will kindle another fire in it, lovely and languid like my dreams, when at night the perfume of the narcissi is wafted to my pillow. [_The maids come back._] Give them here.... Roses ... two arms' full. [_Hides her face in the flowers._] Now if I had narcissi, too! Nay, but tarry and sing the song which I taught you yesterday, the song which the dancers sang at Antioch. But sing softly, so that he be not shy of us.

Where is Miriam?

ABI

She refuseth to come.

SALOME

[_Between her teeth._] She refuseth! He saw the rose. He is picking it up ... as if he had never----There are more ... and more ... and more.

[_She scatters the roses down on him._]

SONG OF THE MAIDENS