TheProjectGutenbergEBookofSalom,byOscarWilde

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Title:SalomATragedyinOneAct

Author:OscarWilde

Illustrator:AubreyBeardsley

Translator:Alfred,LordDouglas

ReleaseDate:May12,2013[EBook#42704]

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKSALOM***

ProducedbyMarcD'Hoogheathttp://www.freeliterature.org(ImagesgenerouslymadeavailablebytheInternetArchive.)

SALOMATRAGEDYINONEACT:

TRANSLATEDFROMTHEFRENCHOF

OSCARWILDE,

WITHSIXTEENDRAWINGSBYAUBREYBEARDSLEY

LONDON:JOHNLANE,THEBODLEYHEAD

NEWYORK:JOHNLANECOMPANY,MCMVII

THEPERSONSOFTHEPLAY.

HERODANTIPAS,TETRARCHOFJUDA.JOKANAAN,THEPROPHET.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN,CAPTAINoftheGUARD.TIGELLINUS,AYOUNGROMAN.ACAPPADOCIAN.ANUBIAN.FIRSTSOLDIER.SECONDSOLDIER.THEPAGEOFHERODIAS.JEWS,NAZARENES,ETC.ASLAVE.NAAMAN,THEEXECUTIONER.HERODIAS,WIFEOFTHETETRARCH.SALOM,DAUGHTEROFHERODIAS.THESLAVESOFSALOM.

ANOTEON"SALOM."

"SALOM"hasmadetheauthor'snameahouseholdwordwherevertheEnglishlanguageisnotspoken.FewEnglish plays have such a peculiar history.Written inFrench in 1892 itwas in full rehearsal byMadameBernhardtatthePalaceTheatrewhenitwasprohibitedbytheCensor.OscarWildeimmediatelyannouncedhisintentionofchanginghisnationality,acharacteristicjest,whichwasonlytakenseriously,oddlyenough,inIreland.TheinterferenceoftheCensorhasseldombeenmorepopularormoreheartilyendorsed by English critics. On its publication in book form "Salom" was greeted by a chorus ofridicule,anditmaybenotedinpassingthatatleasttwoofthemoreviolentreviewswerefromthepensofunsuccessfuldramatists,whileallthosewhoseFrenchneverwentbeyondOllendorffweregladtofindinthatvenerableschoolclassicanunsuspectedassetintheireducationahandymissilewithwhichtopelt"Salom"anditsauthor.ThecorrectnessoftheFrenchwas,ofcourse,impugned,althoughthescriphadbeenpassedbyadistinguishedFrenchwriter,towhomIhaveheardthewholeworkattributed.TheTimes, while depreciating the drama, gave its author credit for a tour de force, in being capable ofwritingaFrenchplayforMadameBernhardt,andthisdrewfromhimthefollowingletter:

TheTimes,Thursday,March2,1893,p.4.

MR.OSCARWILDEON"SALOM."

TotheEditorofTheTimes.

Sir,Myattentionhasbeendrawntoareviewof"Salom"whichwaspublishedinyourcolumnslastweek.TheopinionsofEnglishcriticsonaFrenchworkofminehave,ofcourse,little,ifany,interestforme.Iwritesimplytoaskyoutoallowmetocorrectamisstatementthatappearsinthereviewinquestion.

Thefactthatthegreatesttragicactressofanystagenowlivingsawinmyplaysuchbeautythatshewas anxious to produce it, to take herself the part of the heroine, to lend to the entire poem theglamourofherpersonality,andtomyprosethemusicofherflute-likevoicethiswasnaturally,andalwayswill be, a source of pride and pleasure tome, and I look forwardwith delight to seeingMme.BernhardtpresentmyplayinParis,thatvividcentreofart,wherereligiousdramasareoftenperformed.Butmyplaywas inno senseof thewordswritten for this great actress. I haveneverwritten a play for any actor or actress, nor shall I ever do so. Such work is for the artisan inliteraturenotfortheartist.

Iremain,Sir,yourobedientservant,

OSCARWILDE.

When"Salom"was translated intoEnglishbyLordAlfredDouglas, the illustrator,AubreyBeardsley,sharedsomeoftheobloquyheapedonWilde.Itisinterestingthatheshouldhavefoundinspirationforhisfinestworkinaplayheneveradmiredandbyawriterhecordiallydisliked.Themotivesare,ofcourse,madetohishand,andneverwasthereamoresuitablematerialforthatoddtangentartinwhichtherearenotactilevalues.TheamusingcaricaturesofWildewhichappearintheFrontispiece,"EnterHerodias"and"TheEyesofHerod,"aretheonlypiecesofvraisemblanceintheseexquisitedesigns.Thecolophonisarealmasterpieceandawittycriticismoftheplayaswell.

On the production of "Salom" by the New Stage Club in May, 1905,[1] the dramatic critics againexpressed themselves vehemently, vociferating their regrets that the play had been dragged from itsobscurity.Theobscuredrama,however,hadbecomeforfiveyearspastpartoftheliteratureofEurope.Itisperformed regularlyor intermittently inHolland,Sweden, Italy,France, andRussia, and it hasbeentranslatedintoeveryEuropeanlanguage,includingtheCzech.ItformspartoftherepertoireoftheGermanstage,whereitisperformedmoreoftenthananyplaybyanyEnglishwriterexceptShakespeare.Owing,perhaps,towhatImustcallitsobscurepopularityinthecontinentaltheatres,Dr.StrausswaspreparinghisremarkableoperaattheverymomentwhenthereappearedthecriticismstowhichIrefer,andsincethe production of the opera in Dresden in December, 1905, English musical journalists andcorrespondentsalwaysrefertotheworkasfoundedonWilde'sdrama.Thatistheonlywayinwhichtheycan evade an awkward trutha palpable contravention to their ownwishes and theories. Themusic,however, has been set to the actual words of "Salom" in Madame Hedwig Lachmann's admirabletranslation.Thewordshavenotbeentransfiguredintoordinaryoperaticnonsensetosuitthescore,orthesusceptibilitiesoftheEnglishpeople.IobservethatadmirersofDr.Straussarealittlemortifiedthatthegreatmastershouldhavefoundanoccasionforcompositioninaplaywhichtheylongagoconsignedtooblivion and the shambles ofAubreyBeardsley.Wilde himself, in a rhetorical period, seems to havecontemplated the possibility of his prose drama for amusical theme. In "DeProfundis" he says: "Therefrains,whoserecurringmotifsmake'Salom'solikeapieceofmusic,andbindittogetherasaballad."

Hewas still incarcerated in 1896,whenMons. LuignePo produced the play for the first time at theThtre Libre in Paris, with LinaMuntz in the title role. A rather pathetic reference to this occasionoccursinaletterWildewrotetomefromReading:

"PleasesayhowgratifiedIwasattheperformanceofmyplay,andhavemythanksconveyedtoLuignePo.ItissomethingthatatatimeofdisgraceandshameIshouldstillberegardedasanartist.IwishIcouldfeelmorepleasure,butIseemdeadtoallemotionsexceptthoseofanguishanddespair.However,pleaseletLuignePoknowthatIamsensibleofthehonourhehasdoneme.Heisapoethimself.Writetomeinanswertothis,andtryandseewhatLemaitre,Bauer,andSarceysaidof'Salom.'"

The bias of personal friendship precludes me from praising or defending "Salom," even if it werenecessary to do so. Nothing Imight saywould add to the reputation of its detractors. Its sources areobvious; particularly Flaubert andMaeterlinck, inwhose peculiar and original style it is an essay.Acritic, forwhomIhaveagreater regard thanmanyofhiscontemporaries, says that"Salom" isonlyacatalogue;butacataloguecanbe intenselydramatic,asweknowwhen theperformance takesplaceatChristie's; few plays aremore exciting than an auction in King Street when the stars are fighting forSisera.

IthasbeenremarkedthatWildeconfusesHerodtheGreat(Mat.xi.1),HerodAntipas(Mat.xiv.3),andHerodAgrippa(Actsxiii),buttheconfusionisintentional,asinmedivalmysteryplaysHerodistakenfor a type, not an historical character, and the criticism is about as valuable as that of people who

laboriouslypointouttheanachronismsinBeardsley'sdesigns.Withreferencetothechargeofplagiarismbroughtagainst"Salom"anditsauthor,Iventuretomentionapersonalrecollection.

Wildecomplainedtomeonedaythatsomeoneinawell-knownnovelhadstolenanideaofhis.IpleadedindefenceoftheculpritthatWildehimselfwasafearlessliterarythief."Mydearfellow,"hesaid,withhisusualdrawlingemphasis,"whenIseeamonstroustulipwithfourwonderfulpetalsinsomeoneelse'sgarden, Iam impelled togrowamonstrous tulipwith fivewonderfulpetals,but that isno reasonwhysomeoneshouldgrowatulipwithonlythreepetals."THATWASOSCARWILDE.

ROBERTROSS.[1]Amorerecentperformanceof"Salom"(1906),bytheLiteraryTheatreClub,hasagainproducedanebullitionofrancouranddeliberatemisrepresentationonthepartofthedramaticcritics,themajorityofwhomareanxiousto parade their ignorance of the continental stage.The productionwas remarkable on account of the beautifuldresses and mounting, for which Mr. Charles Ricketts was responsible, and the marvellous impersonation ofHerodbyMr.RobertFarquharson.Wildeused tosay that"Salom"wasamirror inwhicheveryonecouldseehimself.Theartist,art;thedull,dulness;thevulgar,vulgarity.

1.THEWOMANINTHEMOON.2.TITLEPAGE.3.COVERDESIGN.4.LISTOFTHEPICTURES.5.THEPEACOCKSKIRT.6.THEBLACKCAPE.7.APLATONICLAMENT.8.JOHNANDSALOM.9.ENTERHERODIAS.10.THEEYESOFHEROD.11.THE STOMACH DANCE. 12. THE TOILETTE OF SALOMI. 13. THE TOILETTE OF SALOMII. 14. THE DANCER'SREWARD.15.THECLIMAX.16.CULDELAMPE.

CastofthePerformanceof"Salom,"representedinEnglandforthefirsttime.

NEWSTAGECLUB.

"SALOM,"

BYOSCARWILDE.

May10thand13th1905.

AYOUNGSYRIANCAPTAIN MR.HERBERTALEXANDER.PAGEOFHERODIAS MRS.GWENDOLENBISHOP.FIRSTSOLDIER MR.CHARLESGEE.SECONDSOLDIER MR.RALPHDEROHAN.CAPPADOCIAN MR.CHARLESDALMON.JOKANAAN MR.VINCENTNELLO.NAAMAN,THEEXECUTIONERMR.W.EVELYNOSBORN.SALOM MissMILLICENTMURBY.SLAVE MissCARRIEKEITH.HEROD MR.ROBERTFARQUHARSON.HERODIAS MissLOUISESALOM.TIGELLINUS MR.C.L.DELPH.SLAVE MissSTANSFELD.FIRSTJEW MR.F.STANLEYSMITH.SECONDJEW MR.BERNHARDSMITH.THIRDJEW MR.JOHNBATE.FOURTHJEW STEPHENBAGEHOTFIFTHJEW FREDERICKLAWRENCE.

SceneTHEGREATTERRACEOUTSIDETHEPALACE.

SCENE.Agreat terrace in thePalaceofHerod, set above thebanqueting-hall. Some soldiersareleaning over the balcony. To the right there is a gigantic staircase, to the left, at the back, an oldcisternsurroundedbyawallofgreenbronze.Moonlight.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

HowbeautifulisthePrincessSalomto-night!

THEPAGEOFHERODIAS

Lookatthemoon!Howstrangethemoonseems!Sheislikeawomanrisingfromatomb.Sheislikeadeadwoman.Youwouldfancyshewaslookingfordeadthings.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Shehasastrangelook.Sheislikealittleprincesswhowearsayellowveil,andwhosefeetareofsilver.Sheislikeaprincesswhohaslittlewhitedovesforfeet.Youwouldfancyshewasdancing.

THEPAGEOFHERODIAS

Sheislikeawomanwhoisdead.Shemovesveryslowly.

[Noiseinthebanqueting-hall.]

FIRSTSOLDIER

Whatanuproar!Whoarethosewildbeastshowling?

SECONDSOLDIER

TheJews.Theyarealwayslikethat.Theyaredisputingabouttheirreligion.

FIRSTSOLDIER

Whydotheydisputeabouttheirreligion?

SECONDSOLDIER

I cannot tell. They are always doing it. The Pharisees, for instance, say that there are angels, and theSadduceesdeclarethatangelsdonotexist.

FIRSTSOLDIER

Ithinkitisridiculoustodisputeaboutsuchthings.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

HowbeautifulisthePrincessSalomto-night!

THEPAGEOFHERODIAS

Youarealwayslookingather.Youlookathertoomuch.Itisdangeroustolookatpeopleinsuchfashion.Somethingterriblemayhappen.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Sheisverybeautifulto-night.

FIRSTSOLDIER

TheTetrarchhasasombrelook.

SECONDSOLDIER

Yes;hehasasombrelook.

FIRSTSOLDIER

Heislookingatsomething.

SECONDSOLDIER

Heislookingatsomeone.

FIRSTSOLDIER

Atwhomishelooking?

SECONDSOLDIER

Icannottell.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Howpale thePrincess is!Neverhave I seenher sopale.She is like the shadowofawhite rose inamirrorofsilver.

THEPAGEOFHERODIAS

Youmustnotlookather.Youlooktoomuchather.

FIRSTSOLDIER

HerodiashasfilledthecupoftheTetrarch.

THECAPPADOCIAN

IsthattheQueenHerodias,shewhowearsablackmitresewnwithpearls,andwhosehairispowderedwithbluedust?

FIRSTSOLDIER

Yes;thatisHerodias,theTetrarch'swife.

SECONDSOLDIER

TheTetrarchisveryfondofwine.Hehaswineofthreesorts.OnewhichisbroughtfromtheIslandofSamothrace,andispurplelikethecloakofCsar.

THECAPPADOCIAN

IhaveneverseenCsar.

SECONDSOLDIER

AnotherthatcomesfromatowncalledCyprus,andisyellowlikegold.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Ilovegold.

SECONDSOLDIER

AndthethirdisawineofSicily.Thatwineisredlikeblood.

THENUBIAN

Thegodsofmycountryareveryfondofblood.Twicein theyearwesacrifice to themyoungmenandmaidens;fiftyyoungmenandahundredmaidens.Butitseemswenevergivethemquiteenough,fortheyareveryharshtous.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Inmycountrytherearenogodsleft.TheRomanshavedriventhemout.Therearesomewhosaythattheyhavehiddenthemselvesinthemountains,butIdonotbelieveit.ThreenightsIhavebeenonthemountainsseekingthemeverywhere.Ididnotfindthem.AndatlastIcalledthembytheirnames,andtheydidnotcome.Ithinktheyaredead.

FIRSTSOLDIER

TheJewsworshipaGodthatyoucannotsee.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Icannotunderstandthat.

FIRSTSOLDIER

Infact,theyonlybelieveinthingsthatyoucannotsee.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Thatseemstomealtogetherridiculous.

THEVOICEOFJOKANAAN

Afterme shall come anothermightier than I. I amnotworthy somuch as to unloose the latchet of hisshoes.Whenhecometh,thesolitaryplacesshallbeglad.Theyshallblossomlikethelily.Theeyesoftheblindshallseetheday,andtheearsofthedeafshallbeopened.Thenew-bornchildshallputhishanduponthedragon'slair,heshallleadthelionsbytheirmanes.

SECONDSOLDIER

Makehimbesilent.Heisalwayssayingridiculousthings.

FIRSTSOLDIER

No,no.Heisaholyman.Heisverygentle,too.Everyday,whenIgivehimtoeathethanksme.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Whoishe?

FIRSTSOLDIER

Aprophet.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Whatishisname?

FIRSTSOLDIER

Jokanaan.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Whencecomeshe?

FIRSTSOLDIER

Fromthedesert,wherehefedonlocustsandwildhoney.Hewasclothedincamel'shair,androundhisloinshehadaleathernbelt.Hewasveryterribletolookupon.Agreatmultitudeusedtofollowhim.Heevenhaddisciples.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Whatishetalkingof?

FIRSTSOLDIER

Wecannevertell.Sometimeshesaysterriblethings,butitisimpossibletounderstandwhathesays.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Mayoneseehim?

FIRSTSOLDIER

No.TheTetrarchhasforbiddenit.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

ThePrincesshashiddenherfacebehindherfan!Herlittlewhitehandsareflutteringlikedovesthatflytotheirdove-cots.Theyarelikewhitebutterflies.Theyarejustlikewhitebutterflies.

THEPAGEOFHERODIAS

Whatisthattoyou?Whydoyoulookather?Youmustnotlookather....Somethingterriblemayhappen.

THECAPPADOCIAN

[Pointingtothecistern.]

Whatastrangeprison!

SECONDSOLDIER

Itisanoldcistern.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Anoldcistern!Itmustbeveryunhealthy.

SECONDSOLDIER

Ohno!Forinstance,theTetrarch'sbrother,hiselderbrother,thefirsthusbandofHerodiastheQueen,wasimprisoned there for twelve years. It did not kill him. At the end of the twelve years he had to bestrangled.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Strangled?Whodaredtodothat?

SECONDSOLDIER

[PointingtotheExecutioner,ahugeNegro.]

Thatmanyonder,Naaman.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Hewasnotafraid?

SECONDSOLDIER

Ohno!TheTetrarchsenthimthering.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Whatring?

SECONDSOLDIER

Thedeath-ring.Sohewasnotafraid.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Yetitisaterriblethingtostrangleaking.

FIRSTSOLDIER

Why?Kingshavebutoneneck,likeotherfolk.

THECAPPADOCIAN

Ithinkitterrible.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

ThePrincessrises!Sheisleavingthetable!Shelooksverytroubled.Ah,sheiscomingthisway.Yes,sheiscomingtowardsus.Howpalesheis!NeverhaveIseenhersopale.

THEPAGEOFHERODIAS

Donotlookather.Iprayyounottolookather.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Sheislikeadovethathasstrayed....Sheislikeanarcissustremblinginthewind....Sheislikeasilverflower.

[EnterSalom.]

SALOM

Iwillnotstay.Icannotstay.WhydoestheTetrarchlookatmeallthewhilewithhismole'seyesunderhisshaking eyelids? It is strange that the husband ofmymother looks atme like that. I know notwhat itmeans.Intruth,yes,Iknowit.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Youhavejustleftthefeast,Princess?

SALOM

Howsweettheairishere!Icanbreathehere!WithinthereareJewsfromJerusalemwhoaretearingeachotherinpiecesovertheirfoolishceremonies,andbarbarianswhodrinkanddrink,andspilltheirwineonthepavement,andGreeksfromSmyrnawithpaintedeyesandpaintedcheeks,andfrizzedhaircurledintwistedcoils,andsilent,subtleEgyptians,withlongnailsofjadeandrussettcloaks,andRomansbrutalandcoarse,with theiruncouth jargon.Ah!howI loathe theRomans!Theyare roughandcommon,andtheygivethemselvestheairsofnoblelords.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Willyoubeseated,Princess?

THEPAGEOFHERODIAS

Whydoyouspeaktoher?Whydoyoulookather?Oh!somethingterriblewillhappen.

SALOM

Howgoodtosee themoon!She is likea littlepieceofmoney,youwould thinkshewasa littlesilverflower.Themoon iscoldandchaste. Iamsureshe isavirgin,shehasavirgin'sbeauty.Yes,she isavirgin.Shehasneverdefiledherself.Shehasneverabandonedherselftomen,liketheothergoddesses.

THEVOICEOFJOKANAAN

TheLordhathcome.Thesonofmanhathcome.Thecentaurshavehiddenthemselvesintherivers,andthesirenshavelefttherivers,andarelyingbeneaththeleavesoftheforest.

SALOM

Whowasthatwhocriedout?

SECONDSOLDIER

Theprophet,Princess.

SALOM

Ah,theprophet!HeofwhomtheTetrarchisafraid?

SECONDSOLDIER

Weknownothingofthat,Princess.ItwastheprophetJokanaanwhocriedout.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

IsityourpleasurethatIbidthembringyourlitter,Princess?Thenightisfairinthegarden.

SALOM

Hesaysterriblethingsaboutmymother,doeshenot?

SECONDSOLDIER

Weneverunderstandwhathesays,Princess.

SALOM

Yes;hesaysterriblethingsabouther.

[EnteraSlave.]

THESLAVE

Princess,theTetrarchpraysyoutoreturntothefeast.

SALOM

Iwillnotgoback.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Pardonme,Princess,butifyoudonotreturnsomemisfortunemayhappen.

SALOM

Isheanoldman,thisprophet?

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Princess,itwerebettertoreturn.Suffermetoleadyouin.

SALOM

Thisprophet...isheanoldman?

FIRSTSOLDIER

No,Princess,heisquiteayoungman.

SECONDSOLDIER

Youcannotbesure.TherearethosewhosayheisElias.

SALOM

WhoisElias?

SECONDSOLDIER

Averyancientprophetofthiscountry,Princess.

THESLAVE

WhatanswermayIgivetheTetrarchfromthePrincess?

THEVOICEOFJOKANAAN

Rejoicenotthou,landofPalestine,becausetherodofhimwhosmotetheeisbroken.Forfromtheseedoftheserpentshallcomeforthabasilisk,andthatwhichisbornofitshalldevourthebirds.

SALOM

Whatastrangevoice!Iwouldspeakwithhim.

FIRSTSOLDIER

I fear it is impossible, Princess.TheTetrarch does notwish any one to speakwith him.He has evenforbiddenthehighpriesttospeakwithhim.

SALOM

Idesiretospeakwithhim.

FIRSTSOLDIER

Itisimpossible,Princess.

SALOM

Iwillspeakwithhim.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Woulditnotbebettertoreturntothebanquet?

SALOM

Bringforththisprophet.

[Exittheslave.]

FIRSTSOLDIER

Wedarenot,Princess.

SALOM

[Approachingthecisternandlookingdownintoit.]

How black it is, down there! It must be terrible to be in so black a pit! It is like a tomb.... [To thesoldiers.]Didyounothearme?Bringouttheprophet.Iwishtoseehim.

SECONDSOLDIER

Princess,Ibegyoudonotrequirethisofus.

SALOM

Youkeepmewaiting!

FIRSTSOLDIER

Princess,ourlivesbelongtoyou,butwecannotdowhatyouhaveaskedofus.Andindeed,itisnotofusthatyoushouldaskthisthing.

SALOM

[LookingattheyoungSyrian.]

Ah!

THEPAGEOFHERODIAS

Oh!whatisgoingtohappen?Iamsurethatsomemisfortunewillhappen.

SALOM

[GoinguptotheyoungSyrian.]

Youwilldothistilingforme,willyounot,Narraboth?Youwilldothisthingforme.Ihavealwaysbeenkindtoyou.Youwilldoitforme.Iwouldbutlookatthisstrangeprophet.Menhavetalkedsomuchofhim.OftenhaveIheardtheTetrarchtalkofhim.IthinktheTetrarchisafraidofhim.Areyou,evenyou,alsoafraidofhim,Narraboth?

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

I fear him not, Princess; there is noman I fear. But the Tetrarch has formally forbidden that anymanshouldraisethecoverofthiswell.

SALOM

Youwilldothisthingforme,Narraboth,andto-morrowwhenIpassinmylitterbeneaththegatewayoftheidol-sellersIwillletfallforyoualittleflower,alittlegreenflower.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Princess,Icannot,Icannot.

SALOM

[Smiling.]

Youwilldo this thingforme,Narraboth.Youknowthatyouwilldo this thingforme.Andto-morrowwhenIpassinmylitterbythebridgeoftheidol-buyers,Iwilllookatyouthroughthemuslinveils,Iwilllookatyou,Narraboth,itmaybeIwillsmileatyou.Lookatme,Narraboth,lookatme.Ah!youknowthatyouwilldowhatIaskofyou.Youknowitwell....Iknowthatyouwilldothisthing.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

[Signingtothethirdsoldier.]

Lettheprophetcomeforth....ThePrincessSalomdesirestoseehim.

SALOM

Ah!

THEPAGEOFHERODIAS

Oh!Howstrangethemoonlooks.Youwouldthinkitwasthehandofadeadwomanwhoisseekingtocoverherselfwithashroud.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Shehasastrangelook!Sheislikealittleprincess,whoseeyesareeyesofamber.Throughthecloudsofmuslinsheissmilinglikealittleprincess.

[Theprophetcomesoutofthecistern.Salomlooksathimandstepsslowlyback.]

JOKANAAN

Whereishewhosecupofabominationsisnowfull?Whereishe,whoinarobeofsilvershallonedaydieinthefaceofallthepeople?Bidhimcomeforth,thathemayhearthevoiceofhimwhohathcriedinthewasteplacesandinthehousesofkings.

SALOM

Ofwhomishespeaking?

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Youcannevertell,Princess.

JOKANAAN

Whereisshewhohavingseentheimagesofmenpaintedonthewalls,theimagesoftheChaldeanslimnedincolours,gaveherselfupuntothelustofhereyes,andsentambassadorsintoChaldea?

SALOM

Itisofmymotherthathespeaks.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Oh,no,Princess.

SALOM

Yes;itisofmymotherthathespeaks.

JOKANAAN

WhereisshewhogaveherselfuntotheCaptainsofAssyria,whohavebaldricksontheirloins,andtiarasofdiverscoloursontheirheads?WhereisshewhohathgivenherselftotheyoungmenofEgypt,whoareclothedinfinelinenandpurple,whoseshieldsareofgold,whosehelmetsareofsilver,whosebodiesaremighty?Bidherriseupfromthebedofherabominations,fromthebedofherincestuousness,thatshemayhear the words of himwho prepareth the way of the Lord, that shemay repent her of her iniquities.Thoughshewillneverrepent,butwillstickfastinherabominations;bidhercome,forthefanoftheLordisinHishand.

SALOM

Butheisterrible,heisterrible!

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Donotstayhere,Princess,Ibeseechyou.

SALOM

Itishiseyesaboveallthatareterrible.TheyarelikeblackholesburnedbytorchesinaTyriantapestry.Theyarelikeblackcavernswheredragonsdwell.TheyareliketheblackcavernsofEgyptinwhichthedragonsmaketheir lairs.Theyarelikeblacklakestroubledbyfantasticmoons....Doyouthinkhewillspeakagain?

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Donotstayhere,Princess.Iprayyoudonotstayhere.

SALOM

Howwastedheis!Heislikeathinivorystatue.Heislikeanimageofsilver.Iamsureheischasteasthemoonis.Heis likeamoonbeam,likeashaftofsilver.Hisfleshmustbecool likeivory.Iwouldlookcloserathim.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

No,no,Princess.

SALOM

Imustlookathimcloser.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Princess!Princess!

JOKANAAN

Whoisthiswomanwhoislookingatme?Iwillnothaveherlookatme.Whereforedothshelookatme

withhergoldeneyes,underhergildedeyelids?Iknownotwhosheis.Idonotwishtoknowwhosheis.Bidherbegone.ItisnottoherthatIwouldspeak.SALOM

IamSalom,daughterofHerodias,PrincessofJuda.

JOKANAAN

Back!daughterofBabylon!ComenotnearthechosenoftheLord.Thymotherhathfilledtheearthwiththewineofheriniquities,andthecryofhersinshathcomeuptotheearsofGod.

SALOM

Speakagain,Jokanaan.Thyvoiceiswinetome.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Princess!Princess!Princess!

SALOM

Speakagain!Speakagain,Jokanaan,andtellmewhatImustdo.

JOKANAAN

DaughterofSodom,comenotnearme!Butcoverthyfacewithaveil,andscatterashesuponthinehead,andgettheetothedesertandseekouttheSonofMan.

SALOM

Whoishe,theSonofMan?Isheasbeautifulasthouart,Jokanaan?

JOKANAAN

Gettheebehindme!Ihearinthepalacethebeatingofthewingsoftheangelofdeath.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Princess,Ibeseechtheetogowithin.

JOKANAAN

AngeloftheLordGod,whatdostthouherewiththysword?Whomseekestthouinthisfoulpalace?Thedayofhimwhoshalldieinarobeofsilverhasnotyetcome.

SALOM

Jokanaan!

JOKANAAN

Whospeaketh?

SALOM

Jokanaan,Iamamorousofthybody!Thybodyiswhiteliketheliliesofafieldthatthemowerhathnevermowed. Thy body is white like the snows that lie on the mountains, like the snows that lie on themountainsofJuda,andcomedownintothevalleys.TherosesinthegardenoftheQueenofArabiaarenotsowhiteasthybody.NeithertherosesinthegardenoftheQueenofArabia,theperfumedgardenofspicesoftheQueenofArabia,northefeetofthedawnwhentheylightontheleaves,northebreastofthemoonwhensheliesonthebreastofthesea....Thereisnothingintheworldsowhiteasthybody.Letmetouchthybody.

JOKANAAN

Back!daughterofBabylon!Bywomancameevilintotheworld.Speaknottome.Iwillnotlistentothee.IlistenbuttothevoiceoftheLordGod.

SALOM

Thybodyishideous.Itislikethebodyofaleper.Itislikeaplasteredwallwherevipershavecrawled;like aplasteredwallwhere the scorpionshavemade theirnest. It is like awhitened sepulchre full ofloathsomethings.Itishorrible,thybodyishorrible.ItisofthyhairthatIamenamoured,Jokanaan.Thyhairislikeclustersofgrapes,liketheclustersofblackgrapesthathangfromthevine-treesofEdominthelandoftheEdomites.ThyhairislikethecedarsofLebanon,likethegreatcedarsofLebanonthatgivetheirshadetothelionsandtotherobberswhowouldhidethemselvesbyday.Thelongblacknights,whenthemoonhidesherface,whenthestarsareafraid,arenotsoblack.Thesilencethatdwellsintheforestisnotsoblack.Thereisnothingintheworldsoblackasthyhair....Letmetouchthyhair.

JOKANAAN

Back,daughterofSodom!Touchmenot.ProfanenotthetempleoftheLordGod.

SALOM

Thyhairishorrible.Itiscoveredwithmireanddust.Itislikeacrownofthornswhichtheyhaveplacedonthyforehead.Itislikeaknotofblackserpentswrithingroundthyneck.Ilovenotthyhair....Itisthymouth that I desire, Jokanaan. Thy mouth is like a band of scarlet on a tower of ivory. It is like apomegranatecutwithaknifeofivory.Thepomegranate-flowersthatblossominthegardensofTyre,andareredder thanroses,arenotsored.Theredblastsof trumpets thatherald theapproachofkings,andmakeafraidtheenemy,arenotsored.Thymouthisredderthanthefeetofthosewhotreadthewineinthewine-press. Thymouth is redder than the feet of the doveswho haunt the temples and are fed by thepriests. It is redder than thefeetofhimwhocomethfromaforestwherehehathslaina lion,andseengilded tigers.Thymouth is likeabranchofcoral that fishershave found in the twilightof thesea, thecoralthattheykeepforthekings!...ItislikethevermilionthattheMoabitesfindintheminesofMoab,thevermilionthatthekingstakefromthem.ItislikethebowoftheKingofthePersians,thatispaintedwithvermilion,andistippedwithcoral.Thereisnothingintheworldsoredasthymouth....Letmekissthymouth.

JOKANAAN

Never!daughterofBabylon!DaughterofSodom!Never.

SALOM

Iwillkissthymouth,Jokanaan.Iwillkissthymouth.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Princess,Princess,thouwhoartlikeagardenofmyrrh,thouwhoartthedoveofalldoves,looknotatthisman,looknotathim!Donotspeaksuchwordstohim.Icannotsufferthem....Princess,Princess,donotspeakthesethings.

SALOM

Iwillkissthymouth,Jokanaan.

THEYOUNGSYRIAN

Ah![HekillshimselfandfallsbetweenSalomandJokanaan.]

THEPAGEOFHERODIAS

TheyoungSyrianhasslainhimself!Theyoungcaptainhasslainhimself!Hehasslainhimselfwhowasmy friend! I gave him a little box of perfumes and ear-ringswrought in silver, and nowhe has killedhimself! Ah, did he not foretell that some misfortune would happen? I, too, foretold it, and it hashappened.WellIknewthatthemoonwasseekingadeadthing,butIknewnotthatitwashewhomshesought.Ah!whydidInothidehimfromthemoon?IfIhadhiddenhiminacavernshewouldnothaveseenhim.

FIRSTSOLDIER

Princess,theyoungcaptainhasjustkilledhimself.

SALOM

Letmekissthymouth,Jokanaan.

JOKANAAN

Artthounotafraid,daughterofHerodias?DidInottelltheethatIhadheardinthepalacethebeatingsofthewingsoftheangelofdeath,andhathhenotcome,theangelofdeath?

SALOM

Letmekissthymouth.

JOKANAAN

Daughterofadultery,thereisbutonewhocansavethee,itisHeofwhomIspake.GoseekHim.HeisinaboatontheseaofGalilee,andHetalkethwithHisdisciples.Kneeldownontheshoreofthesea,andcalluntoHimbyHisname.WhenHecomethtothee(andtoallwhocallonHimHecometh),bowthyselfatHisfeetandaskofHimtheremissionofthysins.

SALOM

Letmekissthymouth.

JOKANAAN

Cursedbethou!daughterofanincestuousmother,bethouaccursed!

SALOM

Iwillkissthymouth,Jokanaan.

JOKANAAN

Idonowishtolookatthee.Iwillnotlookatthee,thouartaccursed,Salom,thouartaccursed.[Hegoesdownintothecistern.]

SALOM

Iwillkissthymouth,Jokanaan;Iwillkissthymouth.

FIRSTSOLDIER

Wemustbearawaythebodytoanotherplace.TheTetrarchdoesnotcaretoseedeadbodies,savethebodiesofthosewhomhehimselfhasslain.

THEPAGEOFHERODIAS

Hewasmybrother,andnearertomethanabrother.Igavehimalittleboxfullofperfumes,andaringofagate thatheworealwaysonhishand.In theeveningweusedtowalkbytheriver,amongthealmondtrees,andhewouldtellmeofthethingsofhiscountry.Hespakeeververylow.Thesoundofhisvoicewaslikethesoundoftheflute,ofafluteplayer.Alsohemuchlovedtogazeathimselfintheriver.Iusedtoreproachhimforthat.

SECONDSOLDIER

Youareright;wemusthidethebody.TheTetrarchmustnotseeit.

FIRSTSOLDIER

TheTetrarchwillnotcome to thisplace.Henevercomeson the terrace.He is toomuchafraidof theprophet.

[EnterHerod,Herodias,andalltheCourt.]

HEROD

WhereisSalom?WhereisthePrincess?WhydidshenotreturntothebanquetasIcommandedher?Ah!theresheis!

HERODIAS

Youmustnotlookather!Youarealwayslookingather!

HEROD

Themoonhasastrangelookto-night.Hasshenotastrangelook?Sheislikeamadwoman,amadwomanwhoisseekingeverywherefor lovers.She isnaked too.She isquitenaked.Thecloudsareseeking toclothehernakedness,butshewillnotletthem.Sheshowsherselfnakedinthesky.Shereelsthroughtheclouds like a drunkenwoman.... I am sure she is looking for lovers.Does she not reel like a drunkenwoman?Sheislikeamadwoman,isshenot?

HERODIAS

No;themoonislikethemoon,thatisall.Letusgowithin....Youhavenothingtodohere.

HEROD

Iwillstayhere!Manesseh,laycarpetsthere.Lighttorches,bringforththeivorytables,andthetablesofjasper.Theairhereisdelicious.Iwilldrinkmorewinewithmyguests.WemustshowallhonourstotheambassadorsofCsar.

HERODIAS

Itisnotbecauseofthemthatyouremain.

HEROD

Yes; the air is delicious. Come,Herodias, our guests await us.Ah! I have slipped! I have slipped inblood!Itisanillomen.Itisaveryevilomen.Whereforeistherebloodhere?...andthisbody,whatdoesthisbodyhere?ThinkyouIamliketheKingofEgypt,whogivesnofeasttohisguestsbutthatheshowsthemacorpse?Whoseisit?Iwillnotlookonit.

FIRSTSOLDIER

Itisourcaptain,sire.HeistheyoungSyrianwhomyoumadecaptainonlythreedaysago.

HEROD

Igavenoorderthatheshouldbeslain.

SECONDSOLDIER

Hekilledhimself,sire.

HEROD

Forwhatreason?Ihadmadehimcaptain.

SECONDSOLDIER

Wedonotknow,sire.Buthekilledhimself.

HEROD

Thatseemsstrangetome.IthoughtitwasonlytheRomanphilosopherswhokilledthemselves.Isitnottrue,Tigellinus,thatthephilosophersatRomekillthemselves?

TIGELLINUS

Therearesomewhokill themselves,sire.Theyare theStoics.TheStoicsarecoarsepeople.Theyareridiculouspeople.Imyselfregardthemasbeingperfectlyridiculous.

HEROD

Ialso.Itisridiculoustokilloneself.

TIGELLINUS

Everybody at Rome laughs at them. The Emperor has written a satire against them. It is recitedeverywhere.

HEROD

Ah!hehaswrittenasatireagainstthem?Csariswonderful.Hecandoeverything....ItisstrangethattheyoungSyrianhaskilledhimself.Iamsorryhehaskilledhimself.Iamverysorry;forhewasfairtolookupon. He was even very fair. He had very languorous eyes. I remember that I saw that he lookedlanguorouslyatSalom.Truly,Ithoughthelookedtoomuchather.

HERODIAS

Thereareotherswholookathertoomuch.

HEROD

Hisfatherwasaking.Idrovehimfromhiskingdom.Andyoumadeaslaveofhismother,whowasaqueen,Herodias.Sohewashereasmyguest,asitwere,andforthatreasonImadehimmycaptain.Iamsorryheisdead.Ho!whyhaveyouleft thebodyhere?Iwillnot lookat itawaywith it![They takeawaythebody.]Itiscoldhere.Thereisawindblowing.Istherenotawindblowing?

HERODIAS

No;thereisnowind.

HEROD

Itellyouthereisawindthatblows....AndIhearintheairsomethingthatislikethebeatingofwings,likethebeatingofvastwings.Doyounothearit?

HERODIAS

Ihearnothing.

HEROD

Ihearitnolonger.ButIheardit.Itwastheblowingofthewind,nodoubt.Ithaspassedaway.Butno,Ihearitagain.Doyounothearit?Itisjustlikethebeatingofwings.

HERODIAS

Itellyouthereisnothing.Youareill.Letusgowithin.

HEROD

Iamnotill.Itisyourdaughterwhoissick.Shehasthemienofasickperson.NeverhaveIseenhersopale.

HERODIAS

Ihavetoldyounottolookather.

HEROD

Pourmeforthwine[wineisbrought].Salom,comedrinkalittlewinewithme.Ihavehereawinethatisexquisite.Csarhimselfsentitme.Dipintoitthylittleredlips,thatImaydrainthecup.

SALOM

Iamnotthirsty,Tetrarch.

HEROD

Youhearhowsheanswersme,thisdaughterofyours?

HERODIAS

Shedoesright.Whyareyoualwaysgazingather?

HEROD

Bringmeripefruits[fruitsarebrought].Salom,comeandeatfruitwithme.Ilovetoseeinafruitthemarkofthylittleteeth.BitebutalittleofthisfruitandthenIwilleatwhatisleft.

SALOM

Iamnothungry,Tetrarch.

HEROD

[ToHerodias.]Youseehowyouhavebroughtupthisdaughterofyours.

HERODIAS

MydaughterandIcomeofaroyalrace.Asforthee,thyfatherwasacameldriver!Hewasalsoarobber!

HEROD

Thouliest!

HERODIAS

Thouknowestwellthatitistrue.

HEROD

Salom,comeandsitnexttome.Iwillgivetheethethroneofthymother.

SALOM

Iamnottired,Tetrarch.

HERODIAS

Youseewhatshethinksofyou.

HEROD

BringmewhatisitthatIdesire?Iforget.Ah!ah!Iremember.

THEVOICEOFJOKANAAN

Lo!thetimeiscome!ThatwhichIforetoldhascometopass,saiththeLordGod.Lo!thedayofwhichIspoke.

HERODIAS

Bidhimbesilent.Iwillnotlistentohisvoice.Thismanisforevervomitinginsultsagainstme.

HEROD

Hehassaidnothingagainstyou.Besides,heisaverygreatprophet.

HERODIAS

Idonotbelieveinprophets.Canamantellwhatwillcometopass?Nomanknowsit.Moreover,heisforeverinsultingme.ButIthinkyouareafraidofhim....Iknowwellthatyouareafraidofhim.

HEROD

Iamnotafraidofhim.Iamafraidofnoman.

HERODIAS

Itellyou,youareafraidofhim.IfyouarenotafraidofhimwhydoyounotdeliverhimtotheJews,whoforthesesixmonthspasthavebeenclamouringforhim?

AJEW

Truly,mylord,itwerebettertodeliverhimintoourhands.

HEROD

Enoughonthissubject.Ihavealreadygivenyoumyanswer.Iwillnotdeliverhimintoyourhands.Heisaholyman.HeisamanwhohasseenGod.

AJEW

Thatcannotbe.ThereisnomanwhohathseenGodsincetheprophetElias.HeisthelastmanwhosawGod.InthesedaysGoddothnotshowHimself.HehidethHimself.Thereforegreatevilshavecomeupontheland.

ANOTHERJEW

Verily,nomanknowethifEliastheprophetdidindeedseeGod.PeradventureitwasbuttheshadowofGodthathesaw.

ATHIRDJEW

Godisatnotimehidden.HeshowethHimselfatalltimesandineverything.GodisinwhatisevilevenasHeisinwhatisgood.

AFOURTHJEW

Thatmustnotbe said. It is averydangerousdoctrine. It is adoctrine that cometh from the schools atAlexandria,wheremen teach thephilosophyof theGreeks.And theGreeksareGentiles:Theyarenotevencircumcised.

AFIFTHJEW

NoonecantellhowGodworketh.Hiswaysareverymysterious.Itmaybethatthethingswhichwecallevilaregood,andthatthethingswhichwecallgoodareevil.Thereisnoknowledgeofanything.Wemustneedssubmittoeverything,forGodisverystrong.Hebreakethinpiecesthestrongtogetherwiththeweak,forHeregardethnotanyman.

FIRSTJEW

Thouspeakethtruly.Godisterrible;Hebreakeththestrongandtheweakasamanbrayscorninamortar.ButthismanhathneverseenGod.NomanhathseenGodsincetheprophetElias.

HERODIAS

Makethembesilent.Theywearyme.

HEROD

ButIhavehearditsaidthatJokanaanhimselfisyourprophetElias.

THEJEW

Thatcannotbe.ItismorethanthreehundredyearssincethedaysoftheprophetElias.

HEROD

TherebesomewhosaythatthismanistheprophetElias.

ANAZARENE

IamsurethatheistheprophetElias.

THEJEW

Nay,butheisnottheprophetElias.

THEVOICEOFJOKANAAN

Sothedayiscome,thedayoftheLord,andIhearuponthemountainsthefeetofHimwhoshallbetheSaviouroftheworld.

HEROD

Whatdoesthatmean?TheSaviouroftheworld.

TIGELLINUS

ItisatitlethatCsartakes.

HEROD

ButCsarisnotcomingintoJuda.OnlyyesterdayIreceivedlettersfromRome.Theycontainednothingconcerning this matter. And you, Tigellinus, who were at Rome during the winter, you heard nothingconcerningthismatter,didyou?

TIGELLINUS

Sire,Iheardnothingconcerningthematter.Iwasexplainingthetitle.ItisoneofCsar'stitles.

HEROD

ButCsarcannotcome.Heistoogouty.Theysaythathisfeetarelikethefeetofanelephant.AlsotherearereasonsofState.HewholeavesRomelosesRome.Hewillnotcome.Howbeit,Csar is lord,hewillcomeifhewishes.Nevertheless,Idonotthinkhewillcome.

FIRSTNAZARENE

ItwasnotconcerningCsarthattheprophetspakethesewords,sire.

HEROD

NotofCsar?

FIRSTNAZARENE

No,sire.

HEROD

Concerningwhomthendidhespeak?

FIRSTNAZARENE

ConcerningMessiaswhohascome.

AJEW

Messiahhathnotcome.

FIRSTNAZARENE

Hehathcome,andeverywhereHeworkethmiracles.

HERODIASHo!ho!miracles!Idonotbelieveinmiracles.Ihaveseentoomany.[Tothepage.]Myfan!

FIRSTNAZARENE

Thismanworkethtruemiracles.Thus,atamarriagewhichtookplaceinalittletownofGalilee,atownof some importance,He changedwater intowine.Certain personswhowere present related it tome.AlsoHehealedtwolepersthatwereseatedbeforetheGateofCapernaumsimplybytouchingthem.

SECONDNAZARENE

Nay,itwasblindmenthathehealedatCapernaum.

FIRSTNAZARENE

Nay;theywerelepers.ButHehathhealedblindpeoplealso,andHewasseenonamountaintalkingwithangels.

ASADDUCEE

Angelsdonotexist.

APHARISEE

Angelsexist,butIdonotbelievethatthisManhastalkedwiththem.

FIRSTNAZARENE

Hewasseenbyagreatmultitudeofpeopletalkingwithangels.

ASADDUCEE

Notwithangels.

HERODIAS

Howthesemenwearyme!Theyare ridiculous! [Tothepage.]Well!my fan! [Thepagegivesher thefan.]Youhaveadreamer'slook;youmustnotdream.Itisonlysickpeoplewhodream.[Shestrikesthepagewithherfan.]

SECONDNAZARENE

ThereisalsothemiracleofthedaughterofJairus.

FIRSTNAZARENE

Yes,thatissure.Nomancangainsayit.

HERODIAS

Thesemenaremad.Theyhavelookedtoolongonthemoon.Commandthemtobesilent.

HEROD

WhatisthismiracleofthedaughterofJairus?

FIRSTNAZARENE

ThedaughterofJairuswasdead.Heraisedherfromthedead.

HEROD

Heraisesthedead?

FIRSTNAZARENE

Yea,sire,Heraiseththedead.

HEROD

IdonotwishHimtodothat.IforbidHimtodothat.Iallownomantoraisethedead.ThisManmustbefoundandtoldthatIforbidHimtoraisethedead.WhereisthisManatpresent?

SECONDNAZARENE

Heisineveryplace,mylord,butitishardtofindHim.

FIRSTNAZARENE

ItissaidthatHeisnowinSamaria.

AJEW

ItiseasytoseethatthisisnotMessias,ifHeisinSamaria.ItisnottotheSamaritansthatMessiasshallcome.TheSamaritansareaccursed.TheybringnoofferingstotheTemple.

SECONDNAZARENE

He left Samaria a few days since. I think that at the present moment He is in the neighbourhood ofJerusalem.

FIRSTNAZARENE

No;Heisnotthere.IhavejustcomefromJerusalem.FortwomonthstheyhavehadnotidingsofHim.

HEROD

Nomatter!ButletthemfindHim,andtellHimfromme,Iwillnotallowhimtoraisethedead!Tochangewaterintowine,tohealthelepersandtheblind....HemaydothesethingsifHewill.Isaynothingagainstthesethings.IntruthIholditagooddeedtohealaleper.ButIallownomantoraisethedead.Itwouldbeterribleifthedeadcameback.

THEVOICEOFJOKANAAN

Ah!thewanton!Theharlot!Ah!thedaughterofBabylonwithhergoldeneyesandhergildedeyelids!ThussaiththeLordGod,Lettherecomeupagainstheramultitudeofmen.Letthepeopletakestonesandstoneher....

HERODIAS

Commandhimtobesilent.

THEVOICEOFJOKANAAN

Letthewarcaptainspierceherwiththeirswords,letthemcrushherbeneaththeirshields.

HERODIAS

Nay,butitisinfamous.

THEVOICEOFJOKANAAN

ItisthusthatIwillwipeoutallwickednessfromtheearth,andthatallwomenshalllearnnottoimitateherabominations.

HERODIAS

Youhearwhathesaysagainstme?Youallowhimtorevileyourwife?

HEROD

Hedidnotspeakyourname.

HERODIAS

Whatdoesthatmatter?YouknowwellthatitisIwhomheseekstorevile.AndIamyourwife,amInot?

HEROD

Ofatruth,dearandnobleHerodias,youaremywife,andbeforethatyouwerethewifeofmybrother.

HERODIAS

Itwasyouwhotoremefromhisarms.

HEROD

OfatruthIwasstronger....Butletusnottalkofthatmatter.Idonotdesiretotalkofit.Itisthecauseoftheterriblewordsthattheprophethasspoken.Peradventureonaccountofitamisfortunewillcome.Letusnotspeakofthismatter.NobleHerodias,wearenotmindfulofourguests.Fillthoumycup,mywell-beloved.Fillwithwinethegreatgobletsofsilver,andthegreatgobletsofglass.IwilldrinktoCsar.ThereareRomanshere,wemustdrinktoCsar.

ALL

Csar!Csar!

HEROD

Doyounotseeyourdaughter,howpalesheis?

HERODIAS

Whatisittoyouifshebepaleornot?

HEROD

NeverhaveIseenhersopale.

HERODIAS

Youmustnotlookather.

THEVOICEOFJOKANAAN

Inthatdaythesunshallbecomeblacklikesackclothofhair,andthemoonshallbecomelikeblood,andthestarsoftheheavensshallfallupontheearthlikeripefigsthatfallfromthefig-tree,andthekingsoftheearthshallbeafraid.

HERODIAS

Ah!Ah!Ishouldlike toseethatdayofwhichhespeaks,whenthemoonshallbecomelikeblood,andwhenthestarsshallfallupontheearthlikeripefigs.Thisprophettalkslikeadrunkenman...butIcannotsufferthesoundofhisvoice.Ihatehisvoice.Commandhimtobesilent.

HEROD

Iwillnot.Icannotunderstandwhatitisthathesaith,butitmaybeanomen.

HERODIAS

Idonotbelieveinomens.Hespeakslikeadrunkenman.

HEROD

ItmaybeheisdrunkwiththewineofGod.

HERODIAS

Whatwineisthat,thewineofGod?Fromwhatvineyardsisitgathered?Inwhatwine-pressmayonefindit?

HEROD

[FromthispointhelooksallthewhileatSalom.]

Tigellinus,whenyouwereatRomeoflate,didtheEmperorspeakwithyouonthesubjectof...?

TIGELLINUS

Onwhatsubject,sire?

HEROD

Onwhatsubject?Ah!Iaskedyouaquestion,didInot?IhaveforgottenwhatIwouldhaveaskedyou.

HERODIAS

Youarelookingagainatmydaughter.Youmustnotlookather.Ihavealreadysaidso.

HEROD

Yousaynothingelse.

HERODIAS

Isayitagain.

HEROD

AndthatrestorationoftheTempleaboutwhichtheyhavetalkedsomuch,willanythingbedone?TheysaytheveiloftheSanctuaryhasdisappeared,dotheynot?

HERODIAS

Itwasthyselfdidststealit.Thouspeakestatrandom.Iwillnotstayhere.Letusgowithin.

HEROD

Danceforme,Salom.

HERODIAS

Iwillnothaveherdance.

SALOM

Ihavenodesiretodance,Tetrarch.

HEROD

Salom,daughterofHerodias,danceforme.

HERODIAS

Letheralone.

HEROD

Icommandtheetodance,Salom.

SALOM

Iwillnotdance,Tetrarch.

HERODIAS

[Laughing].

Youseehowsheobeysyou.

HEROD

Whatisittomewhethershedanceornot?Itisnaughttome.To-nightIamhappy,Iamexceedinghappy.NeverhaveIbeensohappy.

FIRSTSOLDIER

TheTetrarchhasasombrelook.Hashenotasombrelook?

SECONDSOLDIER

Yes,hehasasombrelook.

HEROD

WhereforeshouldInotbehappy?Csar,whoislordoftheworld,whoislordofallthings,lovesmewell.Hehasjustsentmemostpreciousgifts.AlsohehaspromisedmetosummontoRometheKingofCappadocia,whoismyenemy.ItmaybethatatRomehewillcrucifyhim,forheisabletodoallthingsthathewishes.Verily,Csarislord.ThusyouseeIhavearighttobehappy.Indeed,Iamhappy.Ihaveneverbeensohappy.Thereisnothingintheworldthatcanmarmyhappiness.

THEVOICEOFJOKANAAN

Heshallbeseatedonthisthrone.Heshallbeclothedinscarletandpurple.Inhishandheshallbearagoldencupfullofhisblasphemies.AndtheangeloftheLordshallsmitehim.Heshallbeeatenofworms.

HERODIAS

Youhearwhathesaysaboutyou.Hesaysthatyouwillbeeatenofworms.

HEROD

Itisnotofmethathespeaks.Hespeaksneveragainstme.ItisoftheKingofCappadociathathespeaks;theKingofCappadocia,whoismineenemy.Itishewhoshallbeeatenofworms.ItisnotI.Neverhashespokenwordagainstme,thisprophet,savethatIsinnedintakingtowifethewifeofmybrother.Itmaybeheisright.For,ofatruth,youaresterile.

HERODIAS

Iamsterile,I?Yousaythat,youthatareeverlookingatmydaughter,youthatwouldhaveherdanceforyourpleasure?Itisabsurdtosaythat.Ihaveborneachild.Youhavegottennochild,no,notevenfromoneofyourslaves.Itisyouwhoaresterile,notI.

HEROD

Peace, woman! I say that you are sterile. You have borneme no child, and the prophet says that ourmarriage is not a truemarriage. He says that it is an incestuousmarriage, amarriage that will bringevils....Ifearheisright;Iamsurethatheisright.Butitisnotthemomenttospeakofsuchthings.Iwouldbehappyatthismoment.Ofatruth,Iamhappy.ThereisnothingIlack.

HERODIAS

Iamgladyouareofsofairahumourto-night.Itisnotyourcustom.Butitislate.Letusgowithin.Donotforgetthatwehuntatsunrise.AllhonoursmustbeshowntoCsar'sambassadors,musttheynot?

SECONDSOLDIER

WhatasombrelooktheTetrarchwears.

FIRSTSOLDIER

Yes,hewearsasombrelook.

HEROD

Salom,Salom,danceforme.Ipraytheedanceforme.Iamsadto-night.Yes;Iampassingsadto-night.WhenIcamehitherIslippedinblood,whichisanevilomen;andIheard,IamsureIheardintheairabeatingofwings,abeatingofgiantwings. Icannot tellwhat theymean ... Iamsadto-night.Thereforedanceforme.Danceforme,Salom,Ibeseechyou.Ifyoudanceformeyoumayaskofmewhatyouwill,andIwillgiveityou,evenuntothehalfofmykingdom.

SALOM

[Rising.]WillyouindeedgivemewhatsoeverIshallask,Tetrarch?

HERODIAS

Donotdance,mydaughter.

HEROD

Everything,eventhehalfofmykingdom.

SALOM

Youswearit,Tetrarch?

HEROD

Iswearit,Salom.

HERODIAS

Donotdance,mydaughter.

SALOM

Bywhatwillyouswear,Tetrarch?

HEROD

Bymylife,bymycrown,bymygods.WhatsoeveryoudesireIwillgiveityou,eventothehalfofmykingdom,ifyouwillbutdanceforme.O,Salom,Salom,danceforme!

SALOM

Youhavesworn,Tetrarch.

HEROD

Ihavesworn,Salom.

SALOM

AllthisIask,eventhehalfofyourkingdom.

HERODIAS

Mydaughter,donotdance.

HEROD

Eventothehalfofmykingdom.Thouwiltbepassingfairasaqueen,Salom,ifitpleasetheetoaskforthehalfofmykingdom.Willshenotbefairasaqueen?Ah!itiscoldhere!Thereisanicywind,andIhear...whereforedoIhearintheairthisbeatingofwings?Ah!onemightfancyabird,ahugeblackbirdthathoversovertheterrace.WhycanInotseeit,thisbird?Thebeatofitswingsisterrible.Thebreathofthewindofitswingsis terrible.It isachillwind.Nay,but it isnotcold, it ishot.Iamchoking.Pourwateronmyhands.Givemesnowtoeat.Loosenmymantle.Quick!quick!loosenmymantle.Nay,butleaveit.Itismygarlandthathurtsme,mygarlandofroses.Theflowersarelikefire.Theyhaveburnedmyforehead. [He tears thewreath fromhisheadand throws iton the table.]Ah! Icanbreathenow.Howredthosepetalsare!Theyarelikestainsofbloodonthecloth.Thatdoesnotmatter.Youmustnotfindsymbolsineverythingyousee.Itmakeslifeimpossible.Itwerebettertosaythatstainsofbloodareaslovelyasrosepetals.Itwerebetterfartosaythat....Butwewillnotspeakofthis.NowIamhappy,Iampassinghappy.HaveInottherighttobehappy?Yourdaughterisgoingtodanceforme.Willyounotdanceforme,Salom?Youhavepromisedtodanceforme.

THETOILETTEOFSALOMII

HERODIAS

Iwillnothaveherdance.

SALOM

Iwilldanceforyou,Tetrarch.

HEROD

Youhearwhatyourdaughtersays.Sheisgoingtodanceforme.Youdowelltodanceforme,Salom.Andwhenyouhavedancedforme,forgetnottoaskofmewhatsoeveryouwish.WhatsoeveryouwishIwillgiveityou,eventothehalfofmykingdom.Ihaveswornit,haveInot?

SALOM

Youhaveswornit,Tetrarch.

HEROD

AndIhaveneverbrokenmyword.Iamnotofthosewhobreaktheiroaths.Iknownothowtolie.Iamtheslaveofmyword,andmywordisthewordofaking.TheKingofCappadociaalwayslies,butheisnotrue king. He is a coward. Also he owesmemoney that hewill not repay. He has even insultedmyambassadors.Hehasspokenwordsthatwerewounding.ButCsarwillcrucifyhimwhenhecomestoRome. I am sure thatCsarwill crucify him.And if not, yetwill he die, being eaten ofworms. Theprophethasprophesiedit.Well!whereforedostthoutarry,Salom?

SALOM

Iamawaitinguntilmyslavesbringperfumestomeandthesevenveils,andtakeoffmysandals.[Slavesbringperfumesandthesevenveils,andtakeoffthesandalsofSalom.]

HEROD

Ah, you are going to dancewith naked feet. 'Tiswell!'Tiswell. Your little feet will be likewhitedoves.Theywillbelikelittlewhiteflowersthatdanceuponthetrees....No,no,sheisgoingtodanceonblood.Thereisbloodspiltontheground.Shemustnotdanceonblood.Itwereanevilomen.

HERODIAS

Whatisittoyouifshedanceonblood?Thouhastwadeddeepenoughtherein....

HEROD

What is it tome?Ah! look at themoon! She has become red. She has become red as blood.Ah! theprophetprophesiedtruly.Heprophesiedthatthemoonwouldbecomeredasblood.Didhenotprophesyit?Allofyouheardhim.Andnowthemoonhasbecomeredasblood.Doyenotseeit?

HERODIAS

Oh,yes,Iseeitwell,andthestarsarefallinglikeripefigs,aretheynot?andthesunisbecomingblacklikesackclothofhair,andthekingsoftheearthareafraid.Thatatleastonecansee.Theprophet,foronceinhislife,wasright,thekingsoftheearthareafraid....Letusgowithin.Youaresick.TheywillsayatRomethatyouaremad.Letusgowithin,Itellyou.

THEVOICEOFJOKANAAN

Whois thiswhocomethfromEdom,who is thiswhocomethfromBozra,whose raiment isdyedwithpurple,whoshinethinthebeautyofhisgarments,whowalkethmightyinhisgreatness?Whereforeisthyraimentstainedwithscarlet?

HERODIAS

Let us gowithin. The voice of thatmanmaddensme. Iwill not havemy daughter dancewhile he iscontinuallycryingout.Iwillnothaveherdancewhileyoulookatherinthisfashion.Inaword,Iwillnothaveherdance.

HEROD

Donotrise,mywife,myqueen,itwillavailtheenothing.Iwillnotgowithintillshehathdanced.Dance,Salom,danceforme.

HERODIAS

Donotdance,mydaughter.

SALOM

Iamready,Tetrarch.

[Salomdancesthedanceofthesevenveils.]

HEROD

Ah!wonderful!wonderful!Youseethatshehasdancedforme,yourdaughter.Comenear,Salom,comenear,thatImaygiveyouyourreward.Ah!Ipaythedancerswell.Iwillpaytheeroyally.Iwillgivetheewhatsoeverthysouldesireth.Whatwouldstthouhave?Speak.

SALOM

[Kneeling].

Iwouldthattheypresentlybringmeinasilvercharger....

HEROD

[Laughing.]

Inasilvercharger?Surelyyes,inasilvercharger.Sheischarming,isshenot?Whatisityouwouldhaveinasilvercharger,OsweetandfairSalom,youwhoarefairerthanallthedaughtersofJuda?Whatwouldyouhavethembringtheeinasilvercharger?Tellme.Whatsoeveritmaybe,theyshallgiveityou.Mytreasuresbelongtothee.Whatisit,Salom?

SALOM

[Rising].

TheheadofJokanaan.

HERODIAS

Ah!thatiswellsaid,mydaughter.

HEROD

No,no!

HERODIAS

Thatiswellsaid,mydaughter.

HEROD

No,no,Salom.Youdonotaskmethat.Donotlistentoyourmother'svoice.Sheisevergivingyouevilcounsel.Donotheedher.

SALOM

Idonotheedmymother.ItisformineownpleasurethatIasktheheadofJokanaaninasilvercharger.Youhathsworn,Herod.Forgetnotthatyouhaveswornanoath.

HEROD

Iknowit.Ihaveswornbymygods.Iknowitwell.ButIprayyou,Salom,askofmesomethingelse.Askofmethehalfofmykingdom,andIwillgiveityou.Butasknotofmewhatyouhaveasked.

SALOM

IaskofyoutheheadofJokanaan.

HEROD

No,no,Idonotwishit.

SALOM

Youhavesworn,Herod.

HERODIAS

Yes,youhavesworn.Everybodyheardyou.Yousworeitbeforeeverybody.

HEROD

Besilent!ItisnottoyouIspeak.

HERODIAS

Mydaughterhasdonewell to ask theheadof Jokanaan.Hehas coveredmewith insults.Hehas saidmonstrousthingsagainstme.Onecanseethatsheloveshermotherwell.Donotyield,mydaughter.Hehassworn,hehassworn.

HEROD

Besilent,speaknottome!...Come,Salom,bereasonable.Ihaveneverbeenhardtoyou.Ihaveeverlovedyou....ItmaybethatIhavelovedyoutoomuch.Thereforeasknotthisthingofme.Thisisaterriblething,anawfulthingtoaskofme.Surely,Ithinkthouartjesting.Theheadofamanthatiscutfromhisbodyisilltolookupon,isitnot?Itisnotmeetthattheeyesofavirginshouldlookuponsuchathing.Whatpleasurecouldyouhave in it?None.No,no, it isnotwhatyoudesire.Hearkentome.Ihaveanemerald,agreatroundemerald,whichCsar'sminionsentme.Ifyoulookthroughthisemeraldyoucanseethingswhichhappenatagreatdistance.Csarhimselfcarriessuchanemeraldwhenhegoestothecircus.Butmyemeraldislarger.Iknowwellthatitislarger.Itisthelargestemeraldinthewholeworld.Youwouldlikethat,wouldyounot?AskitofmeandIwillgiveityou.

SALOM

IdemandtheheadofJokanaan.

HEROD

Youarenotlistening.Youarenotlistening.Suffermetospeak,Salom.

SALOM

TheheadofJokanaan.

HEROD

No,no,youwouldnothavethat.Yousaythattotroubleme,becauseIhavelookedatyouallthisevening.It is true, I have looked at you all this evening.Your beauty troubledme.Your beauty has grievouslytroubledme,andIhavelookedatyoutoomuch.ButIwilllookatyounomore.Neitheratthings,noratpeopleshouldonelook.Onlyinmirrorsshouldonelook,formirrorsdobutshowusmasks.Oh!oh!bringwine!Ithirst....Salom,Salom,letusbefriends.Comenow!...Ah!whatwouldIsay?Whatwas't?Ah!Iremember!...Salomnay,butcomenearer tome;I fearyouwillnothearmeSalom,youknowmywhitepeacocks,mybeautifulwhitepeacocks, thatwalk in thegardenbetween themyrtles and the tallcypresstrees.Theirbeaksaregildedwithgold,andthegrainsthattheyeataregildedwithgoldalso,andtheirfeetarestainedwithpurple.Whentheycryouttheraincomes,andthemoonshowsherself intheheavenswhen they spread their tails. Two by two theywalk between the cypress trees and the blackmyrtles,andeachhasaslavetotendit.Sometimestheyflyacrossthetrees,andanontheycrouchinthegrass,androundthelake.Therearenotinalltheworldbirdssowonderful.Thereisnokinginalltheworldwhopossessessuchwonderfulbirds.IamsurethatCsarhimselfhasnobirdssofairasmybirds.Iwillgiveyoufiftyofmypeacocks.Theywillfollowyouwhithersoeveryougo,andinthemidstofthemyouwillbelikethemooninthemidstofagreatwhitecloud....Iwillgivethemalltoyou.Ihavebutahundred,andinthewholeworldthereisnokingwhohaspeacockslikeuntomypeacocks.ButIwillgivethemalltoyou.Onlyyoumustloosemefrommyoath,andmustnotaskofmethatwhichyouhaveaskedofme.

[Heemptiesthecupofwine.]

SALOM

GivemetheheadofJokanaan.

HERODIAS

Wellsaid,mydaughter!Asforyou,youareridiculouswithyourpeacocks.

HEROD

Besilent!Youcryoutalways;youcryoutlikeabeastofprey.Youmustnot.Yourvoiceweariesme.Besilent,IsaySalom,thinkofwhatyouaredoing.ThismancomesperchancefromGod.Heisaholyman.The fingerofGodhas touchedhim.Godhasput intohismouth terriblewords. In thepalaceas in thedesertGodisalwayswithhim....Atleastitispossible.Onedoesnotknow.ItispossiblethatGodisforhimandwithhim.Furthermore,ifhediedsomemisfortunemighthappentome.Inanycase,hesaidthatthedayhediesamisfortunewillhappentosomeone.Thatcouldonlybetome.Remember,IslippedinbloodwhenIentered.Also,Iheardabeatingofwingsintheair,abeatingofmightywings.Thesearevery evil omens, and therewere others. I am sure therewere others though I did not see them.Well,Salom,youdonotwishamisfortunetohappentome?Youdonotwishthat.Listentome,then.

SALOM

GivemetheheadofJokanaan.

HEROD

Ah!youarenotlisteningtome.Becalm.IIamcalm.Iamquitecalm.Listen.Ihavejewelshiddeninthisplacejewelsthatyourmotherevenhasneverseen;jewelsthataremarvellous.Ihaveacollarofpearls,setinfourrows.Theyarelikeuntomoonschainedwithraysofsilver.Theyarelikefiftymoonscaughtinagoldennet.Ontheivoryofherbreastaqueenhaswornit.Thoushaltbeasfairasaqueenwhenthouwearestit.Ihaveamethystsoftwokinds,onethatisblacklikewine,andonethatisredlikewinewhichhasbeencolouredwithwater.Ihavetopazes,yellowasaretheeyesoftigers,andtopazesthatarepinkastheeyesofawood-pigeon,andgreentopazesthatareastheeyesofcats.Ihaveopalsthatburnalways,withan icelikeflame,opals thatmakesadmen'sminds,andarefearfulof theshadows. Ihaveonyxesliketheeyeballsofadeadwoman.Ihavemoonstonesthatchangewhenthemoonchanges,andarewanwhentheyseethesun.Ihavesapphiresbiglikeeggs,andasblueasblueflowers.Theseawanderswithinthemandthemooncomesnevertotroubletheblueoftheirwaves.Ihavechrysolitesandberylsandchrysoprasesandrubies.Ihavesardonyxandhyacinthstones,andstonesofchalcedony,andIwillgivethemalltoyou,all,andotherthingswillIaddtothem.TheKingoftheIndieshasbutevennowsentme four fans fashioned from the feathersofparrots,and theKingofNumidiaagarmentofostrichfeathers.Ihaveacrystal,intowhichitisnotlawfulforawomantolook,normayyoungmenbeholdituntil theyhavebeenbeatenwith rods. In a coffer of nacre I have threewondrous turquoises.Hewhowearsthemonhisforeheadcanimaginethingswhicharenot,andhewhocarries theminhishandcanmakewomensterile.Thesearegreattreasuresaboveallprice.Theyaretreasureswithoutprice.Butthisisnot all. Inanebonycoffer Ihave twocupsofamber, that are likeapplesofgold. If anenemypourpoison into these cups, they become like an apple of silver. In a coffer incrusted with amber I havesandals incrusted with glass. I have mantles that have been brought from the land of the Seres, andbracelets decked about with carbuncles and with jade that come from the city of Euphrates.... Whatdesirestthoumorethanthis,Salom?Tellmethethingthatthoudesirest,andIwillgiveitthee.AllthatthouaskestIwillgivethee,saveonething.Iwillgivetheeallthatismine,saveonelife.Iwillgivetheethemantleofthehighpriest.Iwillgivetheetheveilofthesanctuary.

THEJEWS

Oh!oh!

SALOM

GivemetheheadofJokanaan.

HEROD

[Sinkingbackinhisseat].Letherbegivenwhatsheasks!Ofatruthsheishermother'schild![ThefirstSoldierapproaches.HerodiasdrawsfromthehandoftheTetrarchtheringofdeathandgivesittotheSoldier,whostraightwaybearsittotheExecutioner.TheExecutionerlooksscared.]Whohastakenmyring?Therewasaringonmyrighthand.Whohasdrunkmywine?Therewaswineinmycup.Itwasfullofwine.Someonehasdrunkit!Oh!surelysomeevilwillbefallsomeone.[TheExecutionergoesdownintothecistern.]Ah!WhereforedidIgivemyoath?Kingsoughtnevertopledgetheirword.Iftheykeepitnot,itisterrible,andiftheykeepit,itisterriblealso.

HERODIAS

Mydaughterhasdonewell.

HEROD

Iamsurethatsomemisfortunewillhappen.

SALOM

[Sheleansoverthecisternandlistens.]

Thereisnosound.Ihearnothing.Whydoeshenotcryout,thisman?Ah!ifanymansoughttokillme,Iwouldcryout,Iwouldstruggle,Iwouldnotsuffer....Strike,strike,Naaman,strike,Itellyou....No,Ihearnothing.Thereisasilence,aterriblesilence.Ah!somethinghasfallenupontheground.Iheardsomethingfall.Itistheswordoftheheadsman.Heisafraid,thisslave.Hehaslethisswordfall.Hedarenotkillhim.He is a coward, this slave!Let soldiers be sent. [She sees thePage ofHerodias andaddresseshim.]Comehither, thouwert thefriendofhimwhoisdead, is itnotso?Well,I tell thee, therearenotdeadmenenough.Go to the soldiersandbid themgodownandbringme the thing I ask, the thing theTetrarchhaspromisedme,thethingthatismine.[ThePagerecoils.Sheturnstothesoldiers.]Hither,yesoldiers.Getyedownintothiscisternandbringmetheheadofthisman.[TheSoldiersrecoil.]Tetrarch,Tetrarch,commandyoursoldiersthattheybringmetheheadofJokanaan.

[Ahugeblackarm,thearmoftheExecutioner,comesforthfromthecistern,bearingonasilvershieldtheheadofJokanaan.Salomseizesit.Herodhideshisfacewithhiscloak.Herodiassmilesandfansherself.TheNazarenesfallontheirkneesandbegintopray.]

Ah!thouwouldstnotsuffermetokissthymouth,Jokanaan.Well!Iwillkissitnow.Iwillbiteitwithmyteethasonebitesaripefruit.Yes,Iwillkissthymouth,Jokanaan.Isaidit;didInotsayit?Isaidit.Ah!Iwillkissitnow....But,whereforedostthounotlookatme,Jokanaan?Thineeyesthatweresoterrible,sofull of rage and scorn, are shut now.Wherefore are they shut?Open thine eyes! Lift up thine eyelids,Jokanaan!Whereforedostthounotlookatme?Artthouafraidofme,Jokanaan,thatthouwiltnotlookatme?...Andthytongue, thatwaslikearedsnakedartingpoison, itmovesnomore, itsaysnothingnow,Jokanaan,thatscarletviperthatspatitsvenomuponme.Itisstrange,isitnot?Howisitthattheredviperstirsnolonger?...Thouwouldsthavenoneofme,Jokanaan.Thoudidstrejectme.Thoudidstspeakevilwords against me. Thou didst treat me as a harlot, as a wanton, me, Salom, daughter of Herodias,PrincessofJuda!Well,Jokanaan,Istilllive,butthou,thouartdead,andthyheadbelongstome.IcandowithitwhatIwill.Icanthrowittothedogsandtothebirdsoftheair.Thatwhichthedogsleave,thebirdsoftheairshalldevour....Ah,Jokanaan,Jokanaan,thouwerttheonlymanthatIhaveloved.Allothermen are hateful tome.But thou, thouwert beautiful!Thy bodywas a columnof ivory set on a silversocket.Itwasagardenfullofdovesandofsilverlilies.Itwasatowerofsilverdeckedwithshieldsofivory.Therewasnothingintheworldsowhiteasthybody.Therewasnothingintheworldsoblackasthyhair.Inthewholeworldtherewasnothingsoredasthymouth.Thyvoicewasacenserthatscatteredstrangeperfumes,andwhenIlookedontheeIheardastrangemusic.Ah!whereforedidstthounotlookatme,Jokanaan?Behindthinehandsandthycursesthoudidsthidethyface.ThoudidstputuponthineeyesthecoveringofhimwhowouldseehisGod.Well, thouhastseen thyGod,Jokanaan,butme,me, thoudidstneversee.Ifthouhadstseenmethouwouldsthavelovedme.I,Isawthee,Jokanaan,andIlovedthee.Oh,howIlovedthee!Ilovetheeyet,Jokanaan,Ilovetheeonly....Iamathirstforthybeauty;Iamhungryforthybody;andneitherwinenorfruitscanappeasemydesire.WhatshallIdonow,Jokanaan?Neitherthefloodsnorthegreatwaterscanquenchmypassion.Iwasaprincess,andthoudidstscornme.Iwasavirgin,andthoudidsttakemyvirginityfromme.Iwaschaste,andthoudidstfillmyveinswithfire....Ah!ah!whereforedidstthounotlookatme,Jokanaan?Ifthouhadstlookedatmethouhadstlovedme.WellIknowthatthouwouldsthavelovedme,andthemysteryofloveisgreaterthanthemysteryofdeath.Loveonlyshouldoneconsider.

HEROD

Sheismonstrous,thydaughter,sheisaltogethermonstrous.Intruth,whatshehasdoneisagreatcrime.IamsurethatitwasacrimeagainstanunknownGod.

HERODIAS

Iapproveofwhatmydaughterhasdone.AndIwillstayherenow.

HEROD

[Rising].

Ah!Therespeakstheincestuouswife!Come!Iwillnotstayhere.Come,Itellthee.Surelysometerriblethingwillbefall.Manasseh,Issachar,Ozias,putoutthetorches.Iwillnotlookatthings,Iwillnotsufferthings to look atme. Put out the torches!Hide themoon!Hide the stars!Let us hide ourselves in ourpalace,Herodias.Ibegintobeafraid.

[The slaves put out the torches. The stars disappear. A great black cloud crosses the moon andconcealsitcompletely.Thestagebecomesverydark.TheTetrarchbeginstoclimbthestaircase.]

THEVOICEOFSALOM

Ah!Ihavekissedthymouth,Jokanaan,Ihavekissedthymouth.Therewasabittertasteonthylips.Wasitthetasteofblood?...Butperchanceit is thetasteoflove....Theysaythat lovehathabitter taste....Butwhatofthat?whatofthat?Ihavekissedthymouth,Jokanaan.

[AmoonbeamfallsonSalomcoveringherwithlight.]

HEROD

[TurningroundandseeingSalom.]

Killthatwoman!

[ThesoldiersrushforwardandcrushbeneaththeirshieldsSalom,daughterofHerodias,PrincessofJuda.]

CURTAIN.

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SALOMA TRAGEDY IN ONE ACT:TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF

OSCAR WILDE,WITH SIXTEEN DRAWINGS BY AUBREY BEARDSLEYA NOTE ON "SALOM."NEW STAGE CLUB."SALOM,"May 10th and 13th 1905.