Let him be who he be. See how the people surge round him! Have ye ever in your valley seen a rock bend? He doth not bend. Ha! ha! Not he! Only if--perhaps---- [_She stretches out her arms._] SCENE II _The same. Herodias_. [_Enters from centre._] MAECHA Mistress, thy mother! THE THREE MAIDENS [_Withdraw quickly from the window._] HERODIAS What are ye doing here, damsels? Salome thou! Shall we let it be said that we have brought evil manners into Jerusalem? SALOME [_Intending to wound, but outwardly meek._] Methinks it is said already. HERODIAS [_Enraged._] Go! SALOME Yes, mother. [_She crosses over, and lingers between the pillars of the balcony._] HERODIAS Ye damsels, stay! Ye are Judeans? MAECHA Yes, mistress. HERODIAS Intelligence hath reached me of one they call the Baptist stirring up rebellion in the streets. Which of you know the man? MAECHA She does. ABI She hath this moment confessed it. HERODIAS What dost thou know of him? MIRIAM That last night I sat at his feet praying. SALOME [_Coming forward_] Thou? Thou? MAECHA Pardon! A moment ago he was standing close to the Palace. HERODIAS Show him to me. MAECHA [_From the window_] Now is he gone. HERODIAS [_To Miriam_] So speed after him, and when thou hast found him, bring him privately through yonder gate. [_Points below to the right_] SALOME She shall not.... I will not ... _Not_ her! HERODIAS Why not? SALOME [_Throwing her arms round Miriam_] She is dearest to me. I will not let her go out of my sight. [_Comes over and supplicates Herodias_] Mother! HERODIAS Art thou still such a child? [_To Miriam._] Go! SALOME [_Angrily._] Miriam! [_Exit Miriam._ HERODIAS Such a child, and already hast the tooth of a serpent in thy mouth! SALOME [_Kneels on the couch before her mother and encircles her knees with her arms._] Forgive me, mother. We, thou and I, are not like others. We sting those we love. HERODIAS [_Sotto voce._] And those we hate? SALOME [_Sotto voce._] We kiss! HERODIAS [_Laughing._] Child! [_She kisses her._] SALOME [_Laughing._] Thou kissest me! SCENE III _The same. The Palace Captain._ PALACE CAPTAIN My master, the Tetrarch Herod, would see thee, mistress. HERODIAS [_In growing anxiety covers Salomes' face with her veil._] Go, make haste; go! SALOME Mother, I am dull in the upstair chambers. May I not stay near thee? HERODIAS [_Looking towards the door._] Go, instantly! SALOME [_Slowly climbs the stairs with her companions._] HERODIAS Thou art Captain in the Palace? THE PALACE CAPTAIN [_Bows._] HERODIAS Go, set watches at every door. Who entereth goeth not out again.... And keep silent. THE PALACE CAPTAIN One has but to see thee to know that thou art the mistress.... How should I not be silent? [_Goes to the door._] SCENE IV