University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Bed-chamber of Salome, in a wing of the Palace, as before. Herodias, undressing Salome.
Herodias
(wildly).
Now! now! my shrinking girl!

Salome.
What would you do?

Herodias.
Make you a true Terpsichore!

Salome.
But not
Like Greek or Roman statuary?

Herodias.
No—no!
Leave all to me. I understand the King.

Salome.
But I am now quite naked!

Herodias.
Take this veil!
This flying cloud! Hold out your wrists!—these bracelets!
The jewelled anklets now! That's well. Now fold thee
I' the lustrous serpent volumes of this scarf.
The King is mad for thee!—begone! and dance!

(Thrusts Salome out.)
Herodias
(gasping for breath).
Stoney-eyed wife and sister, how is it with thee?
And ‘concubine,’ he called me! Very soon
Herod will shower rich gifts—he will grant anything
To the enchantress.
(Dance music heard from the hall.)
Ha! the harp and flute!
Sackbut and cymbals!—now the tambourine
Beats at the heart and spins around the brain!
Now I behold my glorious naked one!
Yet not all naked—I'm too wise for that—
How the witch dances! Ha! ha! Seminuda!
She was well named, I know; for madness breeds
On expectation—pants for the next moment!
That's well! I love the changes of the dance!
Oh, it is wondrous beautiful, my girl!
My grace—my limbs—my glancing mysteries—
My jewelled anklets—rich breasts—showers of hair!
Oh, I will kiss my beautiful one all over,
And with fond bites of transport cover her!