He shall be seated on this throne. He shall be clothed in scarlet and purple. In his hand he shall bear a golden cup full of his blasphemies. And the angel of the Lord shall smite him. He shall be eaten of worms. HERODIAS You hear what he says about you. He says that you will be eaten of worms. HEROD It is not of me that he speaks. He speaks never against me. It is of the King of Cappadocia that he speaks; the King of Cappadocia, who is mine enemy. It is he who shall be eaten of worms. It is not I. Never has he spoken word against me, this prophet, save that I sinned in taking to wife the wife of my brother. It may be he is right. For, of a truth, you are sterile. HERODIAS I am sterile, I? You say that, you that are ever looking at my daughter, you that would have her dance for your pleasure? It is absurd to say that. I have borne a child. You have gotten no child, no, not even from one of your slaves. It is you who are sterile, not I. HEROD Peace, woman! I say that you are sterile. You have borne me no child, and the prophet says that our marriage is not a true marriage. He says that it is an incestuous marriage, a marriage that will bring evils.... I fear he is right; I am sure that he is right. But it is not the moment to speak of such things. I would be happy at this moment. Of a truth, I am happy. There is nothing I lack. HERODIAS I am glad you are of so fair a humour to-night. It is not your custom. But it is late. Let us go within. Do not forget that we hunt at sunrise. All honours must be shown to Cæsar's ambassadors, must they not? SECOND SOLDIER What a sombre look the Tetrarch wears. FIRST SOLDIER Yes, he wears a sombre look. HEROD Salomé, Salomé, dance for me. I pray thee dance for me. I am sad to-night. Yes; I am passing sad to-night. When I came hither I slipped in blood, which is an evil omen; and I heard, I am sure I heard in the air a beating of wings, a beating of giant wings. I cannot tell what they mean ... I am sad to-night. Therefore dance for me. Dance for me, Salomé, I beseech you. If you dance for me you may ask of me what you will, and I will give it you, even unto the half of my kingdom. [Illustration: THE TOILETTE OF SALOMÉ--I] SALOMÉ [_Rising._] Will you indeed give me whatsoever I shall ask, Tetrarch? HERODIAS Do not dance, my daughter. HEROD Everything, even the half of my kingdom. SALOMÉ You swear it, Tetrarch? HEROD I swear it, Salomé. HERODIAS Do not dance, my daughter. SALOMÉ By what will you swear, Tetrarch? HEROD By my life, by my crown, by my gods. Whatsoever you desire I will give it you, even to the half of my kingdom, if you will but dance for me. O, Salomé, Salomé, dance for me! SALOMÉ You have sworn, Tetrarch. HEROD I have sworn, Salomé. SALOMÉ All this I ask, even the half of your kingdom. HERODIAS My daughter, do not dance. HEROD