Salome monologue (Act 3) — John the Baptist: A Play

[_Steps softly to the balustrade 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?