John the Baptist: A Play

_Herod, Salome. Also Abi and Maecha, hidden._

Herod. Tell me, thou veiled one, art thou not Salome, my wife's daughter?

Salome. Sire, so true as 'tis that thou art my protector I am Salome.

Herod. How camest thou into this prison-yard?

Salome. Ask me not, Sire. My soul else will blush before thee. It was curiosity, because I heard thee coming.

Herod. And where are thy playmates?

Salome. They are afraid of thee, so they have crept away. Abi, Maecha, come forth; our master commands it. [_Abi and Maecha come out hesitatingly, and curtsey profoundly._]

Herod. Thy eyes plead for them, therefore they shall not be scolded.

Salome. And my lips thank thee on their behalf.

Herod. They thank like conquerors. There is music in them. How is it, Salome, that I have never heard thy voice?

Salome. Thou shouldst ask my mother, Sire.

Herod. [_Fiercely._] Thy mother! Still, I know that thou art well disposed towards me. Thou didst deliver into my hand that maid who carried on treason at night outside the Palace.

Salome. Could I do less, Sire? And him to whom she betrayed thy secrets, wilt thou not punish him too?

Herod. I do not know. But how?

Salome. Sire, it seemeth to me that he hath a great following among the people. If thou sparest him, the people will like thee.

Herod. Words of wisdom fall from thy lips, Salome.

Salome. See how his disciples tarry at the entrance. If thou treatest him well, they will carry praises of thee to Jerusalem.

Herodias. How unlike thou art to thy mother, Salome!

Salome. And how like, too!

Herod. I would rather think that thou wert unlike. My sweet, unveil thyself.

Salome. Sire, if thou wert my father! But thou art not. Directly thou comest near, my mother herself draweth my veil down deep over my breast.

Herod. Unveil to me.

Salome. Sire, not when I am alone with thee.

Herod. Then if I was with others, thou wouldst?

Salome. Perhaps. Ask my mother.

Herod. A little now. Just a finger's length.

Salome. No, really ... it is not seemly, Sire.

Herod. But if I were sitting with other men ... at meat ... or over wine ... and thou camest and unveiled, that would be more seemly?

Salome. May be!... I can dance, Sire.

Herod. Wouldst thou do that for me also?

Salome. And what wouldst thou do for me?

Herod. Salome!

Salome. [_Rising._] No, but thou must indeed ask my mother, Sire. I am still far too ignorant; I know not what a maiden ought to do. Only what I would like to do. I know that well enough.

Herod. What wouldst thou _like_ to do?

Salome. Thy pleasure, Sire. Nothing else, nothing. Seest thou, if thou treatest this prisoner humanely, they will sing thy praises, and I shall be so proud, I shall say in my heart, He acted on my advice.

Herod. [_To the gaoler._] Bring the Baptist here.... I will consider it, Salome.

[_Exit Gaoler._

Salome. [_From the gate, with a slight fluttering of her veil._] And I will thank thee, Sire!

Herod. Salome!

Salome. [_Vanishes, with a burst of laughter. Abi and Maecha have preceded her._]

Herod. [_Looks after her, and then sits down on the seat._]