John the Baptist: A Play

_The same. Herodias_ [_from right_].

Herod. [_Noticing her._] Get thee gone!

[_Gabalos and the servants withdraw to the background, where they let down the curtains which now shut in the hall._]

Herod. What hast thou decided? Will it come to pass?

Herodias. Thy countenance beams. Thy eyes betray a badly concealed desire.

Herod. [_Bewildered_] Of what desire dost thou speak?

Herodias. Do not prevaricate. I know thee, my friend. The poisonous weed which thou cultivatest with little sighs, and coverest up with thy crooked smiles, I know it!

Herod. I vow, love, that I ask this only for the sake of the Roman. And how should I ever have conceived the idea had it not been for thy half-promises and suggestion of its possibilities? Thou knowest as well as I that we must offer the Roman something immense, something that may not have faded from his tired memory when he enters Cæsar's presence.

Herodias. That is it. And thou thyself gainest thereby a dainty tit-bit for thy lonely night-dreams! It will be nothing more than that. I'll see to it.

Herod. I am simple of understanding. I cannot follow thee.

Herodias. Oh, yes; very simple is thy understanding. I know.

Herod. Then it seems thou refusest?

Herodias. How could I refuse, when youth smiled and consented?

Herod. Ah! And what reward wilt thou claim?

Herodias. Nothing.

Herod. Thou art like those priests, dearest. What didst thou ever do for nothing? Hasten then, I pray, to name thy price!

Herodias. Farewell!

Herod. [_Looks after her, shaking his head._]

Herodias. [_Turning round._] Before I forget it, just tell me, my friend, what art thou going to do with that Baptist?

Herod. My Baptist is nothing to thee.

Herodias. The maids tell me he wanders about loose in the gardens.

Herod. Let him; he will not hurt thee.

Herodias. I only asked, because I wish to know how I am to avoid him.

Herod. I'll take care, love, that he doth not meet thee. But enough of the Baptist. Once more thy price, Herodias?

Herodias. Look at me! Here is a woman that no longer adorns her own body because thou now scornest it; she therefore adorns instead the body that came from hers. Here is a woman whose breasts have withered because her eyes have shed tears of blood. Therefore she will let the budding bosom, from which the veil has never yet fallen, be exposed to thine and thy guests' lustful gaze. And for this sacrifice of unspeakable bitterness I ask nothing, for I am without wishes. One who can still hope shall ask. Salome shall ask.

Herod. Salome ... I would rather it were so.

Herodias. And thou wilt grant what she asks?

Herod. I know not. I will see. I will let myself be driven. For in combat with the strong that is the last resource of the weak. But take care whither thou drivest me.... Mistress! [_Exit._