That is it. And thou thyself gainest thereby a dainty tit-bit for thy lonely night-dreams! It will be nothing more than that. I'll see to it. HEROD I am simple of understanding. I cannot follow thee. HERODIAS Oh, yes; very simple is thy understanding. I know. HEROD Then it seems thou refusest? HERODIAS How could I refuse, when youth smiled and consented? HEROD Ah! And what reward wilt thou claim? HERODIAS Nothing. HEROD Thou art like those priests, dearest. What didst thou ever do for nothing? Hasten then, I pray, to name thy price! HERODIAS Farewell! HEROD [_Looks after her, shaking his head._] HERODIAS [_Turning round._] Before I forget it, just tell me, my friend, what art thou going to do with that Baptist? HEROD My Baptist is nothing to thee. HERODIAS The maids tell me he wanders about loose in the gardens. HEROD Let him; he will not hurt thee. HERODIAS I only asked, because I wish to know how I am to avoid him. HEROD I'll take care, love, that he doth not meet thee. But enough of the Baptist. Once more thy price, Herodias? HERODIAS Look at me! Here is a woman that no longer adorns her own body because thou now scornest it; she therefore adorns instead the body that came from hers. Here is a woman whose breasts have withered because her eyes have shed tears of blood. Therefore she will let the budding bosom, from which the veil has never yet fallen, be exposed to thine and thy guests' lustful gaze. And for this sacrifice of unspeakable bitterness I ask nothing, for I am without wishes. One who can still hope shall ask. Salome shall ask. HEROD Salome ... I would rather it were so. HERODIAS And thou wilt grant what she asks? HEROD I know not. I will see. I will let myself be driven. For in combat with the strong that is the last resource of the weak. But take care whither thou drivest me.... Mistress! [_Exit._ SCENE III _Herodias, Salome._ SALOME [_Putting her head through the door._] Mother, am I to dance here? HERODIAS Come, softly. Art thou trembling, my dove? Art thou afraid of thy own will? SALOME Take my hand, mother. I am not trembling, because I know that thou art my will. HERODIAS Not I! thou must will. SALOME For only the one who willeth exerciseth power. [_As Herodias regards her suspiciously, she adds quickly._] I read that in the Scriptures, mother. I did not understand what it meant. HERODIAS Listen to me, thou sharpwits. A carpet of Indian wool will be spread here, there the Prince will sit with the foreign guests.... Let not thy foot touch the stone, raise not thy eyes.... Dance thy dance modestly, and when thou hast finished, wipe signs of shame from thy face; hearken narrowly to what the Tetrarch saith to thee. And if he should say, "Now ask of me, and----" SALOME What then, mother? HERODIAS