John the Baptist: A Play Part 20

Why not? It is only a game.

JOHN

A King cometh after me, but I wander in the wilderness and seek a path among thorns.

SALOME

And hast not found it?

JOHN

Not for myself.

SALOME

But for others?

JOHN

[_In torture, half to himself._] Who knoweth?

SALOME

Master, what harm shall wrath do one, who is a jubilation and a feast day? And if thou camest to me in flames of fire, I would not mourn my youth for the length of two moons.... I would stretch out my arms and cry, "Destroy me, flame; take me up!"

JOHN

[_After a pause._] Go!

SALOME

I am going. [_She rushes into the arms of Herodias, who enters._]

Mother!

SCENE IX

_The same. Herodias and her women._

SALOME

Forgive me, mother, and let me stay with thee.

HERODIAS

Thou who lookest at me so imperiously, art thou the man who stirreth up the people against me?

JOHN

I am he whom thou hast summoned.

HERODIAS

[_Seating herself._] Come hither to me!

JOHN

Send thy women away, and this child, so that she be not corrupted ere she is ripe.

HERODIAS

But this child, companion of my fate, shall hear what thou hast to say to me.

JOHN

She should be guarded from what I have to say to thee.

HERODIAS

Take care, prophet! At that door stand armed men, two deep. Consider thy danger, so that thou courtest not death!

JOHN

I am a servant of life, and danger never standeth in my way.

HERODIAS

I respect thy faith, prophet, and so would speak to thee in a friendly spirit.... People have told me of a man who keeps far away from human dwellings, and only descends now and then to the banks of fresh waters to bless, so it is said. That pleased me well.... The great willingly bow to greatness ... and so I bow to thee.

SALOME

[_After cowering at her feet, springs up, and throws herself on her neck._]

HERODIAS

I will not reproach thee for denouncing me in the market-place of Jerusalem, for thou dost not know me.... Yet I was _not_ well pleased that thou didst chew the cud of wormwood, which hath embittered these Judean cattle against me. I should have thought thou wast too proud, thy solitary nature too n.o.ble!

JOHN

I have not come here for thy praise or thy blame. I have but a simple question to ask. Art thou going on the first day of the Pa.s.sover to the Temple, at the Tetrarch's side?

HERODIAS

[_Mastering her scorn with difficulty._] I perceive, thou great prophet, that thy wrath strains on its chain.... Before thou lettest it loose, permit me also to ask a question; for see, I am endeavouring to approach thee, and would gladly win thee. Wert thou not a riddle to me, I should not ask it. Yet truly no man is so curiously fas.h.i.+oned as not to cherish secret wishes in his heart. Every one hath said to himself: "This were my delight, and that my desire."

JOHN

I understand thee not.