How good to see the moon! She is like a little piece of money, you would think she was a little silver flower. The moon is cold and chaste. I am sure she is a virgin, she has a virgin's beauty. Yes, she is a virgin. She has never defiled herself. She has never abandoned herself to men, like the other goddesses. THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN The Lord hath come. The son of man hath come. The centaurs have hidden themselves in the rivers, and the sirens have left the rivers, and are lying beneath the leaves of the forest. SALOMÉ Who was that who cried out? SECOND SOLDIER The prophet, Princess. SALOMÉ Ah, the prophet! He of whom the Tetrarch is afraid? SECOND SOLDIER We know nothing of that, Princess. It was the prophet Jokanaan who cried out. THE YOUNG SYRIAN Is it your pleasure that I bid them bring your litter, Princess? The night is fair in the garden. SALOMÉ He says terrible things about my mother, does he not? SECOND SOLDIER We never understand what he says, Princess. SALOMÉ Yes; he says terrible things about her. [_Enter a Slave_.] THE SLAVE Princess, the Tetrarch prays you to return to the feast. SALOMÉ I will not go back. THE YOUNG SYRIAN Pardon me, Princess, but if you do not return some misfortune may happen. SALOMÉ Is he an old man, this prophet? THE YOUNG SYRIAN Princess, it were better to return. Suffer me to lead you in. SALOMÉ This prophet ... is he an old man? FIRST SOLDIER No, Princess, he is quite a young man. SECOND SOLDIER You cannot be sure. There are those who say he is Elias. SALOMÉ Who is Elias? SECOND SOLDIER A very ancient prophet of this country, Princess. THE SLAVE What answer may I give the Tetrarch from the Princess? THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN Rejoice not thou, land of Palestine, because the rod of him who smote thee is broken. For from the seed of the serpent shall come forth a basilisk, and that which is born of it shall devour the birds. SALOMÉ What a strange voice! I would speak with him. FIRST SOLDIER I fear it is impossible, Princess. The Tetrarch does not wish any one to speak with him. He has even forbidden the high priest to speak with him. SALOMÉ I desire to speak with him. FIRST SOLDIER It is impossible, Princess. SALOMÉ I will speak with him. THE YOUNG SYRIAN Would it not be better to return to the banquet? SALOMÉ Bring forth this prophet. [_Exit the slave._] FIRST SOLDIER We dare not, Princess. SALOMÉ [_Approaching the cistern and looking down into it._] How black it is, down there! It must be terrible to be in so black a pit! It is like a tomb.... [_To the soldiers._] Did you not hear me? Bring out the prophet. I wish to see him. SECOND SOLDIER Princess, I beg you do not require this of us. SALOMÉ You keep me waiting! FIRST SOLDIER Princess, our lives belong to you, but we cannot do what you have asked of us. And indeed, it is not of us that you should ask this thing. SALOMÉ [_Looking at the young Syrian._] Ah!