John the Baptist: A Play

_The same. Herod, Merokles, Jabad, Gabalos._

Herod. Gaoler!

Gaoler. Sire.

Herod. Who are the three men who linger about the door? They look morose, and did not salute me.

Gaoler. Sire, those are the remnant of the crew which followed John, they say, from Jerusalem. For eight days and eight nights they followed him.

Herod. The remnant, sayest thou? Where are the rest?

Gaoler. They lie somewhere by the wayside, Sire, and die of thirst, unless the ravens give them to drink.

Herod. Drive them away!

Gaoler. Sire, we have hunted them off several times; but they always come back.

Herod. So, let them be.

Merokles. See, how mild is our ruler! He doth not order them to be cut in pieces.

Jabad. Hail to our Ruler! [_The two others join in._]

Herod. To speak candidly, friends, I do not lay hands on sages and fools willingly; for one can never know whether the executioner holds up the head of a sage or a fool.

Gabalos. Thou canst do no wrong, Sire; for thou art wise, all-wise!

Herod. When I order thee to be beheaded, I shall not be wrong; for thou art a fool, a complete fool. [_Nearing the seat._] Bring me----[_Observes Salome, who, listening, has raised her head a little above the edge of the seat, then quickly dives down again._] I beg you to retire, and await me without the gate.

[_Exeunt Gabalos, Merokles, Jabad._]