University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Festal Hall in the Palace of King Herod.
Herod, Herodias, Lords, Ladies, High Captains, and Chief Estates of Galilee seated at supper. Roman Music.
Herodias.
Fill the King's cup again!

Herod.
'Tis not yet empty!
(The King laughs.)
Thy joy is like a new and prodigal summer
That giveth not due time from flower to fruit,
But forceth consummation.

Herodias.
Then, fill all—
To the King's birthday!

Herod.
Nay, 'twas drank before!

Herodias.
His future birthdays!

Herod.
(Laughing)
Still, in life's advance!

[All drink to the King. Trumpets. Herodias brims Herod's goblet. Music of the psaltery, sackbut, harps, and cymbals.
Herodias.
Listen!—'tis for a wondrous dancing-girl!

Herod.
I guess her name—I have heard much of her,
As matchless in the dance. It is thy daughter.

Herodias.
'Tis Seminuda!—vestal of the sun!

Herod
(with delight).
Let Phœbus part with her a little while!
Where is she?—wherefore comes she not? Send for her!

Herodias
(rising hastily).
I—I will go for her! (aside)
'Twere best she came
Without me, and my promptings be not seen.

[Exit Herodias.
Herod.
My birthday should be rich as autumn's lap
With flowers and fruit. Bring more—bring heaps—
And bring, besides, the wine of my first youth!

Slaves bring in additional vases with flowers; golden chargers heaped up with fruits; and urns of incense. Dance-music as before.
The King falls into a delirium, as the colours of the incense are varied with the movements of the dance-music.
Herod.
I see a dazzling platform in the sun,
Whereon a virgin of the temple dances!
Ha! 'tis a vision!—wherefore comes she not?
My blood's on fire! where is reality?