See! I am laughing at thee, great prophet. [_She laughs._] SALOME Mother, look at him ... be silent! JOHN Thy poisoned arrows are well aimed, and hit their mark! But ... [_pointing to the window_] see there, the Lord's people ... they gnash their teeth against thee, for thou hast taken their bitter bread out of their mouths and dissipated their miserable joys.... Thou sayest that I know them not.... Yet I know their heart's desire ... for I have created it; I have put my life at the service of that desire, and I cry to thee, "Woe! thou that hast contaminated it for them.... Thou enervatest the strength of their young men, and exposest the shame of their young women. Thou sowest scoffings where I thought to reap faith.... And if thou bendest the High and Mighty to be the footstool of thy lusts, I will fling the poor and humble in thy path, that they may trample thee beneath their feet.... Woe to thee, and woe to him who shareth thy adulterous couch!... Woe, too, to this youthful body that cringes under the scourge of thy blood! Woe! Woe!" HERODIAS [_Springing up and going to the door on right._] The guards shall seize him.... Guards!... [_She wrenches the door open._] SCENE X _The same. Two guards._ HERODIAS Lead this man ... . [_She hesitates as she meets John's eyes._] JOHN [_Smiling._] Now, look to it, what thou dost with me! HERODIAS Lead this man ... out ... into the street.... [_She staggers to the divan._] SALOME Thou camest in flames of fire!... JOHN [_Walks to the door._] [_The Curtain falls._] THIRD ACT THIRD ACT _A room in Josaphat's house. In the background a door, which leads into the street. Near it a barred window. On the left side is a door to another living room. A door also on the right. In the foreground to left a cobbler's tools. Towards centre, a table and two or three benches. To the right, a couch, a small table, and chair beside it. The room is poor, but not bare; lighted by two clay lamps._ SCENE I JAEL [_With a child at her breast._] [_Two other children and several women standing near door on left listening to a psalm sung by men's voices, which is heard in subdued strains coming through the door._] THE BOY What are they singing now, mother? JAEL [_Pale and troubled._] They sing the great Hallelujah, my child. THE BOY Is the prophet singing with them, mother? JAEL That I cannot hear, my child. [_Two more women come through middle door._] FIRST WOMAN Jael, we have heard that the Great Prophet eateth the passover in thy house. Wilt thou permit us to see him? JAEL Come in! ONE OF THE OTHER WOMEN That is he, the last there on the left. FIRST WOMAN He that sitteth there looking so heavy of spirit? THE SECOND WOMAN I should be frightened of him. [_The singing has meanwhile ceased._] FIRST WOMAN