_A town in Galilee.... The stage represents a grass-grown prison-yard which, on the right side, is adjacent to the gardens of a Herodian Palace, divided from them by a low wall, which continues in a right-hand direction to the centre of background. On the left side of background a higher wall, and entrance with heavy doors. To the left, the clumsy pile of the prison buildings and a door. In the garden wall is a gate, over which hangs the green foliage of the garden beyond, which bounds the right side of background. On the right is a semi-circular shaped marble seat with back; on left, stones covered with moss._ SCENE I _Gaoler, Abi._ ABI [_With head thrust over the garden wall._] Master Gaoler, dost thou not hear? GAOLER What wilt thou? ABI A ball went over the wall. Hast thou seen it? GAOLER No. ABI Please look for it, and throw it back. GAOLER Look for it thyself. ABI How can I, unless thou openest the gate. GAOLER I may not open it. Let me be. ABI Listen, Gaoler. The ball belongs to Salome, our young Princess. If thou art not obliging, beware! GAOLER Oh, if it belongs to the young Princess----[_Opens the gate._] SCENE II _The Gaoler, Abi, Maecha, and later, Salome._ ABI [_Calls back, laughing._] Mistress, the door is open. GAOLER Is that the young Princess, who is daughter of his new wife? ABI [_Nods._] SALOME [_Appears in the gateway._] GAOLER Princess, if ever thou comest through again, be sure to laugh, as to-day. For this gate is full of danger for Herod's children. SALOME What does it do to Herod's children, thy gate? GAOLER The two sons of Herod the Great came through this gate before they were sentenced, and through this gate---- MAECHA Stop!... SALOME Let him alone, Maecha! His wisdom has taken a holiday. Hast thou no livelier stories, old man? GAOLER What sort dost thou mean, young Princess? SALOME Stories of yesterday. Stories that have not yet come to an end--stories that are as young [_stretches herself_] as we are. GAOLER Ah, I knew; but---- SALOME But? Tell me, hast thou a new prisoner? GAOLER Yes. SALOME What has he done? GAOLER [_Maliciously._] He stole hens, young Princess. SALOME See to it that thou dost not steal my time! ABI [_Softly to him._] With her there is no jesting. GAOLER Princess, forgive.... I did not know.... Thou meanest, perhaps, John? SALOME Which John? GAOLER The one they call the Baptist--the Prophet from Judea, who---- SALOME So he is here? GAOLER Yes; he has been here the last three days, Princess. They brought him at the end of the same cavalcade which brought thee. He lieth now safe with the salamanders and scorpions. They say he stirred up rebellion in Jerusalem, and therefore---- SALOME I wish to see John. Bring him here! GAOLER [_Horrified._] Princess, that cannot be. SALOME I wish it! Hast thou not heard? I wish it!