 | Salome : A Tragedy in One Act |  |
It was thyself didst steal it. Thou speakest at random and without wit. I will not stay here. Let us go within.
HEROD
Dance for me, Salome.
HERODIAS
I will not have her dance.
SALOME
I have no desire to dance, Tetrarch.
HEROD
Salome, daughter of Herodias, dance for me.
HERODIAS
Peace. Let her alone.
HEROD
I command thee to dance, Salome.
SALOME
I will not dance, Tetrarch.
HERODIAS
[Laughing.]
You see how she obeys you.
HEROD
What is it to me whether she dance or not?
FIRST SOLDIER
The Tetrarch has a sombre look. Has he not a sombre look?
SECOND SOLDIER
Yes, he has a sombre look.
HEROD
Wherefore should I not be happy? Cæsar, who is lord of the world, Cæsar, who is lord of all things, loves me well. He has just sent me most precious gifts. Also he has promised me to summon to Rome the King of Cappadocia, who is mine enemy. It may be that at Rome he will crucify him, for he is able to do all things that he has a mind to do. Verily, Cæsar is lord. Therefore I do well to be happy. I am very happy, never have I been so happy. There is nothing in the world that can mar my happiness.
THE VOICE OF IOKANAAN
He shall be seated on his throne. He shall be clothed in scarlet and purple. In his hand he shall bear a golden cup full of his blasphemies. And the angel of the Lord shall smite him. He shall be eaten of worms.
HERODIAS
You hear what he says about you. He says that you shall be eaten of worms.
It is not of me that he speaks. He speaks never against me. It is of the King of Cappadocia that he speaks; the King of Cappadocia who is mine enemy. It is he who shall be eaten of worms. It is not I. Never has he spoken word against me, this prophet, save that I sinned in taking to wife the wife of my brother. It may be he is right. For, of a truth, you are sterile.
HERODIAS
I am sterile, I? You say that, you that are ever looking at my daughter, you that would have her dance for your pleasure? You speak as a fool. I have borne a child. You have gotten no child, no, not on one of your slaves. It is you who are sterile, not I.
HEROD
Peace, woman! I say that you are sterile. You have borne me no child, and the prophet says that. our marriage is not a true marriage. He says that it is a marriage of incest, a marriage that will bring evils . . . . I fear he is right; I am sure that he is right. But it is not the hour to speak of these things. I would be happy at this moment. Of a truth, I am happy. There is nothing I lack.
HERODIAS
I am glad you are of so fair a humour tonight. It is not your custom. But it is late. Let us go
SECOND SOLDIER
The Tetrarch has a sombre look.
FIRST SOLDIER
Yes, he has a sombre look.
HEROD
Salome, Salome, dance for me. I pray thee dance for me. I am sad to-night. Yes, I am passing sad to-night. When I came hither I slipped in blood, which is an ill omen; also I heard in the air a beating of wings, a beating of giant wings. I cannot tell what that may mean . . . . I am sad to-night. Therefore dance for me. Dance for me, Salome, I beseech thee. If thou dancest for me thou mayest ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee. Yes, dance for me, Salome, and whatsoever thou shalt ask of me I will give it thee, even unto the half of my kingdom.
[Rising.]
Will you indeed give me whatsoever I shall ask of you, Tetrarch?
HERODIAS
Do not dance, my daughter.
HEROD
Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, even unto the half of my kingdom.
SALOME
You swear it, Tetrarch?
HEROD
I swear it, Salome.
HERODIAS
Do not dance, my daughter.
SALOME
By what will you swear this thing, Tetrarch?
HEROD
By my life, by my crown, by my gods. Whatsoever thou shalt desire I will give it thee, even to the half of my kingdom, if thou wilt but dance for me. O Salome, Salome, dance for me!
SALOME
You have sworn an oath, Tetrarch.
HEROD
I have sworn an oath.
HERODIAS
My daughter, do not dance.
| Salome : A Tragedy in One Act | |