[_Slowly rising._] What shall I say, Sire? HEROD I am a poor man. Rome--who gave Herod's son, as if in mockery, the name of Herod--Rome has not left him much of his father's heritage. Yet enough is still his wherewith to thank thee. Speak, what wilt thou have? And by that God and Lord before whom we kneel in the dust, barefoot, at Jerusalem, I swear it shall be thine. SALOME I beg and desire that thou wilt give me, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist. HEROD Herodias--thou! VITELLIUS Dear friend, whose head doth she want? HEROD The head of a man, great legate, who lies in my prison, whom I have there learnt to respect, I had almost said, to love. VITELLIUS Oh, oh!... And is he on view, this man for whose head daughters of princes dance before thee? HEROD Fetch him. [_Exit servant._] Damsel, thy mother led thee into this. Thou knowest not what thou askest.... Take back thy request. SALOME I beg and desire that thou wilt give me the head of John the Baptist on a golden dish. [_Silence._] HEROD And if I refuse? HERODIAS [_Drawing herself erect._] Thou hast sworn, Sire. VITELLIUS [_Laughing._] Of course, my friend, thou hast sworn. We are all witnesses of that. Ah! What a wood-god they are bringing in over there. SCENE VI _The same. John_ [_led in by two armed men_]. HEROD I have summoned thee, Baptist. I am sorry for thee. Prepare thyself, for the evening of thy days is come. JOHN I am ready, Sire. HEROD Understand me. I am truly sorry. But thou must meet death. Now, on the spot. JOHN [_After looking searchingly towards the door._] Sire, grant me a respite. VITELLIUS Thy hero doth not appear to be all too ready. A little more and he would whimper. HEROD Baptist, wherefore dost thou want this respite? JOHN I have sent out messengers and await their return. HEROD To whom hast thou sent these messengers?... Thou art silent.... As I said before. I am from my heart sorry. So much might have been made of thee.... Still ... [_He shrugs his shoulders._] JOHN [_Holding out his arms distressed._] I beseech thee, Sire! VITELLIUS Did not I tell you? All kinds of people struggle to live, only the Roman understands how to die. HEROD Thou must ask the maiden, Baptist. Know that in her hands rests what chance thou hast of the thing called life. SALOME Master, now see'st thou how powerful I am? Now ask me! Ask me! HERODIAS [_Prompting her, behind._] If he does ask, laugh at him. SALOME Perhaps, but who knoweth what my heart desireth?... Now, master, why dost thou not beg? JOHN Maiden ... I ... SALOME There is the stone floor, see! The stone longs for the touch of thy knees. [_Pause._] SCENE VII _The same. The Gaoler._ HEROD What brings thee here? GAOLER Forgive, Sire. Had I not known that thou wast friendly towards the prisoner ... HEROD