[_Steps softly to the balustrade and gazes down on John, seeks in her breast for a flower, and not finding one turns back to Maecha._] Give me those thou wearest in thy girdle. [_She takes the roses which Maecha hands to her and throws them down._] He doth not see them. Bring more flowers, and thy harp. Stay, Maecha, or I shall be afraid. [_Exeunt the maids, except Maecha._] Thou fair savage, out of the wilderness of Judah! The fire of hate that flashes from thy eye shall not devour me! I will kindle another fire in it, lovely and languid like my dreams, when at night the perfume of the narcissi is wafted to my pillow. [_The maids come back._] Give them here.... Roses ... two arms' full. [_Hides her face in the flowers._] Now if I had narcissi, too! Nay, but tarry and sing the song which I taught you yesterday, the song which the dancers sang at Antioch. But sing softly, so that he be not shy of us. Where is Miriam? ABI She refuseth to come. SALOME [_Between her teeth._] She refuseth! He saw the rose. He is picking it up ... as if he had never----There are more ... and more ... and more. [_She scatters the roses down on him._] SONG OF THE MAIDENS [_The following is accompanied by the harp, which, after playing a finale alone, dies away._] I have entertained thee with myrrh and honey. I bound sweet sandals on my feet. From my waist I have loosened the girdle, I have sung with the harp, thee to greet. Now come, let us quench The fire that consumes me ... Come! Or thou from fear shalt blench. For my soul will hate thee ... Come! JOHN [_Has looked up astonished. The hail of flowers strikes him in the face. He shrinks back._] Who playeth with me? SALOME [_Who has slowly descended the steps._] Master, I---- JOHN Who art thou? SALOME [_Coyly trifling._] I am a rose of Sharon and a flower of the valley. JOHN Then play with thy mates ... Leave me in peace ... or go and call her who summoned me. SALOME My mother? JOHN Thou art Salome the---- SALOME Yes; I am she. JOHN Let me look into thy eyes, maiden. SALOME Look, master ... No, but not like that.... If you compellest me to put my hands before my face, I shall spread my fingers apart and laugh between them; yes, I shall laugh. JOHN Maiden, knowst thou not how abhorred this house is? Keepest thou thy soul innocent among the guilty? SALOME Look at me again, master.... Am I not young among the Daughters of Israel? And I have heard say that youth knoweth nothing of the guilty and of guilt. See, they keep me confined to the upper chambers. I drew back the bolts and crept out here, because I knew thou wert here, master. JOHN How can I say to the storm wind: "Pass by," and to the floods, "Swallow her not"? SALOME