John the Baptist: A Play

_The same. Herodias and her women._

Salome. Forgive me, mother, and let me stay with thee.

Herodias. Thou who lookest at me so imperiously, art thou the man who stirreth up the people against me?

John. I am he whom thou hast summoned.

Herodias. [_Seating herself._] Come hither to me!

John. Send thy women away, and this child, so that she be not corrupted ere she is ripe.

Herodias. But this child, companion of my fate, shall hear what thou hast to say to me.

John. She should be guarded from what I have to say to thee.

Herodias. Take care, prophet! At that door stand armed men, two deep. Consider thy danger, so that thou courtest not death!

John. I am a servant of life, and danger never standeth in my way.

Herodias. I respect thy faith, prophet, and so would speak to thee in a friendly spirit.... People have told me of a man who keeps far away from human dwellings, and only descends now and then to the banks of fresh waters to bless, so it is said. That pleased me well.... The great willingly bow to greatness ... and so I bow to thee.

Salome. [_After cowering at her feet, springs up, and throws herself on her neck._]

Herodias. I will not reproach thee for denouncing me in the market-place of Jerusalem, for thou dost not know me.... Yet I was _not_ well pleased that thou didst chew the cud of wormwood, which hath embittered these Judean cattle against me. I should have thought thou wast too proud, thy solitary nature too noble!

John. I have not come here for thy praise or thy blame. I have but a simple question to ask. Art thou going on the first day of the Passover to the Temple, at the Tetrarch's side?

Herodias. [_Mastering her scorn with difficulty._] I perceive, thou great prophet, that thy wrath strains on its chain.... Before thou lettest it loose, permit me also to ask a question; for see, I am endeavouring to approach thee, and would gladly win thee. Wert thou not a riddle to me, I should not ask it. Yet truly no man is so curiously fashioned as not to cherish secret wishes in his heart. Every one hath said to himself: "This were my delight, and that my desire."

John. I understand thee not.

Herodias. Look round thee. Doth not the gleaming snow of marble attract thy eyes, nor the yellow glitter of gold?

John. [_Is silent._]

Herodias. Or ... hast thou never dreamed of the power and splendour and riches of this world?

John. [_Still silent._]

Or [_pointing to Salome, who again cowers at her feet._] has thy heart not trembled at the sight of this sweet, unveiled youth?

John. [_After further silence._] Thou wouldst sell thyself to me! Dost thou know thy own price? A grain of barley would be too dear ... for thy name is courtezan, and adulteress is written on thy brow.

Herodias. [_Infuriated._] Thou--thou----

Salome. [_Falling into her arms._] Mother!

Herodias. [_Controlling herself haughtily and contemptuously._] I should have thee seized on the instant, only thou makest sport for me. And if not quite intoxicated with thy own superiority, listen to me once more. He who thinketh himself designed to be a judge over men should take part in the life of men, should be human among human beings.

John. [_Impressed._] What ... didst thou say?

Herodias. But thou seemest to me so isolated from thy fellow-men that the throb of a human heart itself is nothing to thee.... Thou hast avoided, cowardlike, all contact with sin and guilt in thy waste places, and now creepest forth to condemn others as guilty. The scorching winds of thy desert may perhaps have taught thee hate ... but what knowest thou of love? of those who live and die for the sake of their love?

John. Thou too speakest of love ... thou too?

Herodias. See! I am laughing at thee, great prophet. [_She laughs._]

Salome. Mother, look at him ... be silent!

John. Thy poisoned arrows are well aimed, and hit their mark! But ... [_pointing to the window_] see there, the Lord's people ... they gnash their teeth against thee, for thou hast taken their bitter bread out of their mouths and dissipated their miserable joys.... Thou sayest that I know them not.... Yet I know their heart's desire ... for I have created it; I have put my life at the service of that desire, and I cry to thee, "Woe! thou that hast contaminated it for them.... Thou enervatest the strength of their young men, and exposest the shame of their young women. Thou sowest scoffings where I thought to reap faith.... And if thou bendest the High and Mighty to be the footstool of thy lusts, I will fling the poor and humble in thy path, that they may trample thee beneath their feet.... Woe to thee, and woe to him who shareth thy adulterous couch!... Woe, too, to this youthful body that cringes under the scourge of thy blood! Woe! Woe!"

Herodias. [_Springing up and going to the door on right._] The guards shall seize him.... Guards!... [_She wrenches the door open._]