John the Baptist: A Play

_The same. Herodias_. [_Enters from centre._]

Maecha. Mistress, thy mother!

THE THREE MAIDENS

[_Withdraw quickly from the window._]

Herodias. What are ye doing here, damsels? Salome thou! Shall we let it be said that we have brought evil manners into Jerusalem?

Salome. [_Intending to wound, but outwardly meek._] Methinks it is said already.

Herodias. [_Enraged._] Go!

Salome. Yes, mother. [_She crosses over, and lingers between the pillars of the balcony._]

Herodias. Ye damsels, stay! Ye are Judeans?

Maecha. Yes, mistress.

Herodias. Intelligence hath reached me of one they call the Baptist stirring up rebellion in the streets. Which of you know the man?

Maecha. She does.

Abi. She hath this moment confessed it.

Herodias. What dost thou know of him?

Miriam. That last night I sat at his feet praying.

Salome. [_Coming forward_] Thou? Thou?

Maecha. Pardon! A moment ago he was standing close to the Palace.

Herodias. Show him to me.

Maecha. [_From the window_] Now is he gone.

Herodias. [_To Miriam_] So speed after him, and when thou hast found him, bring him privately through yonder gate. [_Points below to the right_]

Salome. She shall not.... I will not ... _Not_ her!

Herodias. Why not?

Salome. [_Throwing her arms round Miriam_] She is dearest to me. I will not let her go out of my sight. [_Comes over and supplicates Herodias_] Mother!

Herodias. Art thou still such a child? [_To Miriam._] Go!

Salome. [_Angrily._] Miriam!

[_Exit Miriam._

Herodias. Such a child, and already hast the tooth of a serpent in thy mouth!

Salome. [_Kneels on the couch before her mother and encircles her knees with her arms._] Forgive me, mother. We, thou and I, are not like others. We sting those we love.

Herodias. [_Sotto voce._] And those we hate?

Salome. [_Sotto voce._] We kiss!

Herodias. [_Laughing._] Child! [_She kisses her._]

Salome. [_Laughing._] Thou kissest me!