AMASAI
And as one that there knoweth Law and Sacrifice----
SIMON THE GALILEAN
[Interrupting.] Greater than law, greater than sacrifice, is love! [Sensation and dismay among people]
AMASAI
See ye not now that he is guilty against the law? [He continues speaking earnestly to the people]
JOHN
[Approaching the Galilean in great excitement.] Who taught thee that? [As Simon is silent, more urgently.] Who taught thee that?
MATTHIAS
[In a quick, low tone to the Galilean.] Before they capture thee, fly!
SIMON THE GALILEAN [Shakes his head.]
JOHN
This knowledge, that comes straight from thy simple and timid heart, awes me, for it cannot be thine own. [The people, hounded on by Amasai, jostle the Galilean] Back! In the Name of Him Who cometh, keep back. Leave him alone! [People retreat.]
PASUR
Thou playest with us and our great longing as if we were toys.
AMASAI
Ah, now I have caught thee! Thou who poisonest a thirsty people with foul water! Where is He Who shall come? Where is thy Messiah? Where is the King of the Jews? Aye, show Him to us!
THE PEOPLE
[Fiercely.] Yea, woe to thee if thou canst not show Him to us!
JOHN
[Firmly.] Here cometh the King of the Jews whom ye acclaim!
SCENE X
The same. Herod, Herodias, Salome and their train appear above in the background. The company of soldiers, with their officers, have posted themselves at the Palace gates. In silence the procession descends.
ONE OF THE TRAIN
Hail to Herod! [Still silence.] Now, ye dogs! Cry, Hail!
HEROD
At what are the people gaping? [To the Commander of the Guard.] Ye, who in obedience to Rome's command are here to protect me, cannot you clear them out of my way?
THE SOLDIERS
[At a sign from their Captain begin to charge the people with lowered spears.]
AMASAI
[Who is standing in the foremost row. Turns with a shrill cry.] Woe! woe! [Takes fight.]
[Jorab follows him. The people retreat with a subdued exclamation of fear. John alone stands his ground, his head held high, and measures Herod with his glance.]
SALOME
[Raising her veil.] Mother, look at that man. It is the same who stood in the market-place and at the gates and everywhere where we have passed.
HEROD
And everywhere caused dissension.
SALOME
Look! His eyes flash fire! Mother, look!
HEROD
Come along, ye women. And if the pious citizens of Jerusalem have unlearnt the way to welcome with rejoicing the representative of the great race of Herod [with a glance at the Captain of the Guard], Rome, I hope, will teach it to them again. [The Captain shrugs his shoulders with a slight smile.]
HEROD
Come, I pray. [Herod, Herodias, Salome, go with their train into the Palace; the common soldiers into the guard-room.]
SCENE XII
Johannes, Josaphat, Matthias, Manassa, Hachmoni, Pasur, the people.
HACHMONI
[At the head of a group, pressing forward] Pardon us, great prophet. The Pharisees have fled like cowards. But, see, we cling to thee. So now help us.
THE PEOPLE
Help us!
JOHN
[As if in a dream.] Tell me, whither hath the man from Galilee gone?
MANASSA
Rabbi, we know not.
JOHN
Then seek him. Bring him to me.
MANASSA
Yes, Rabbi.
ALL THE PEOPLE
Tarry with us, great prophet. Help us! We flee to thee.
JOHN
[Pondering in uncertainty.] Matthias, Josaphat, did he not say Love? [The curtain falls].
SECOND ACT
SECOND ACT
Hall in Roman style of architecture in Herod 's Palace--On the right side, a balcony upheld by pillars, which extends the whole depth of the stage, and to which a fight of steps leads--Off the balcony a door opens into Salome's room--Underneath, on the ground floor, another door--In the centre of the background is the chief entrance--On the left, a window--Near it a couch and other furniture--To the right, between the pillars of the balcony, is a divan--Carpets and tiger-skins on the floor--A mixture of Roman and Oriental luxury.
SCENE I
Maecha, Miriam, Abi [on the balcony]. After them, Salome.
THE DAMSELS
[Stepping cautiously and listening.]
SALOME
[Through the door.] Is it safe? No one there?
MAECHA
Not a sound of anyone.
SALOME
Then, come! [They skip down the stairs.]
SALOME
Ah, here it is light, and one can see oneself reflected in the walls. Do you know why we have been suddenly mewed up in the apartments above? Yesterday we were allowed to wander as we listed through all the passages, to dance unveiled in the gardens, and peep through the railings and mock the passers-by. But to-day, since my uncle came, we have had to sit moping in sackcloth and ashes. Why? Do none of you know why?
MAECHA
Mistress, the house is now filled with strangers who were not here yesterday. And, it is said that the men who are in the Tetrarch's following run after young maidens.
SALOME
Let them! I am not afraid of any men.... I take them as I find them.... I love them.
ABI
Thou knowest men, mistress?
SALOME
I mean not the men of our own people! They wear beards on their chins like forests, and before one can look round, they stand there barefooted, and then people say---- No; I mislike that. But once, when I was with my father in Antioch, I met pale youths with golden brown hair, and they wore red shoes and smelt of perfumes.... They were Greeks, my father said, real Greeks from Hellas.... They smiled, and it made me thrill.... Why dost thou stand there sulking, Miriam, and listenest not to my converse? It doth not please thee? Laugh, or I'll beat thee. If thou laughest not, I'll have thee whipped!
MIRIAM
Let me be whipped, mistress.
SALOME
Where wert thou last night? The palace guards said thou wouldst visit thy sweetheart.... Thou hast a lover? [Roguishly.] Whisper his name in my ear and I'll give thee a gold pin.
MIRIAM
I have no one that loveth me, mistress.
SALOME
The language of you Judeans hath an insipid flavour, and your eyes dissemble. Yet, I love Jerusalem. A purple haze hangs over its gables. And it seemeth to me ever as if the sun in Jerusalem kissed one secretly. But ye could not understand how that is ... ye have not the blood of the great Herod in your veins. My mother hath it, and I have it from her.... And whatever they may say in Jerusalem, my mother was wise to run away from that other husband, for the one here is of more account than he. And because she was so wise, and at the same time so sadly foolish, I love her, and will share the consequences of her folly. [She flings herself on the couch.] I am not displeasing to my uncle Herod.... I have remarked that he casts stolen glances at me.... Now when my mother scolds me I shall know how to tease her! [Trills forth.] I am the Rose of Sharon, a flower of the valley. Cometh not my friend into his garden to eat of---- Miriam, where does that window look out?
MIRIAM
I do not know, mistress. I have never been in this hall before.
SALOME
Go and see.
MIRIAM
[Looks out of the window and starts.]
SALOME
Why dost thou start?
MIRIAM
Did I, mistress?
SALOME
Tell me what thou seest?
MIRIAM
There are many people standing round a fountain, and----
SALOME
And?
MIRIAM
I cannot----
SALOME
[Stands up and goes to window.] Ah! [Looking out for a moment in silence.] Miriam, who is that?
MIRIAM
[Confused.] Whom dost thou mean, mistress?
SALOME
Is there anyone else but him?... Miriam, thou gentle, brown Miriam [half threateningly], deny him not!
MIRIAM
It is--John--the Baptist.
ABI, MAECHA
[Hurrying up, all curiosity.] The Baptist?
SALOME
Let him be who he be. See how the people surge round him! Have ye ever in your valley seen a rock bend? He doth not bend. Ha! ha! Not he! Only if--perhaps---- [She stretches out her arms.]
SCENE II
The same. Herodias. [Enters from centre.]
MAECHA
Mistress, thy mother!
THE THREE MAIDENS
[Withdraw quickly from the window.]
HERODIAS
What are ye doing here, damsels? Salome thou! Shall we let it be said that we have brought evil manners into Jerusalem?
SALOME
[Intending to wound, but outwardly meek.] Methinks it is said already.
HERODIAS
[Enraged.] Go!
SALOME
Yes, mother. [She crosses over, and lingers between the pillars of the balcony.]
HERODIAS
Ye damsels, stay! Ye are Judeans?
MAECHA
Yes, mistress.
HERODIAS
Intelligence hath reached me of one they call the Baptist stirring up rebellion in the streets. Which of you know the man?
MAECHA
She does.
ABI
She hath this moment confessed it.
HERODIAS
What dost thou know of him?
MIRIAM
That last night I sat at his feet praying.
SALOME
[Coming forward] Thou? Thou?
MAECHA
Pardon! A moment ago he was standing close to the Palace.
HERODIAS
Show him to me.
MAECHA
[From the window] Now is he gone.
HERODIAS
[To Miriam] So speed after him, and when thou hast found him, bring him privately through yonder gate. [Points below to the right]
SALOME
She shall not.... I will not ... Not her!
HERODIAS
Why not?
SALOME
[Throwing her arms round Miriam] She is dearest to me. I will not let her go out of my sight. [Comes over and supplicates Herodias] Mother!
HERODIAS
Art thou still such a child? [To Miriam.] Go!
SALOME
[Angrily.] Miriam!
[Exit Miriam.
HERODIAS
Such a child, and already hast the tooth of a serpent in thy mouth!
SALOME
[Kneels on the couch before her mother and encircles her knees with her arms.] Forgive me, mother. We, thou and I, are not like others. We sting those we love.
HERODIAS
[Sotto voce.] And those we hate?
SALOME
[Sotto voce.] We kiss!
HERODIAS
[Laughing.] Child! [She kisses her.]
SALOME
[Laughing.] Thou kissest me!
SCENE III
The same. The Palace Captain.
PALACE CAPTAIN
My master, the Tetrarch Herod, would see thee, mistress.
HERODIAS
[In growing anxiety covers Salomes' face with her veil.] Go, make haste; go!
SALOME
Mother, I am dull in the upstair chambers. May I not stay near thee?
HERODIAS
[Looking towards the door.] Go, instantly!
SALOME
[Slowly climbs the stairs with her companions.]
HERODIAS
Thou art Captain in the Palace?
THE PALACE CAPTAIN
[Bows.]
HERODIAS
Go, set watches at every door. Who entereth goeth not out again.... And keep silent.
THE PALACE CAPTAIN
One has but to see thee to know that thou art the mistress.... How should I not be silent? [Goes to the door.]
SCENE IV
The same. Herod, Gabalos, Merokles, Jabad. The Palace Captain [exit when the others enter].
HEROD
Princess, after waiting even the space of a moment, a man will enjoy his favours to the full.... Therefore ... [Kisses her on brow and mouth.] Pardon!
HERODIAS
Thou hast rested; art refreshed?
HEROD
That question thou oughtst not to ask me. My father was one of those men who never knew what weariness was. So his son, likewise, parts company with his pillow betimes, and---- [He observes Salome who, with her veil slightly lifted, looks down from the balcony, and after she sees that he has noticed her, vanishes.]
HERODIAS
Thou art silent.
HEROD
Thy daughter is not with thee?
HERODIAS
[Dryly.] No.
HEROD
[Bows his head, smiling.] Allow me, Princess ... to present these friends.... I will not call them servants, for such they are not.
MEROKLES
Oh, mistress, they are servants whom thou mayest safely make thy friends.
JABAD
And they are friends in order that they may serve thee.
GABALOS
And are amply rewarded for both, great mistress.
HEROD
[Smiling.] This rascal, whose Syrian dialect thou art now acquainted with for the first time, is Gabalos from Antioch. Thou seest, I tolerate his jesting.
GABALOS
For Herod the Great also kept a Fool.
HERODIAS
And people say that he acquired a second Fool before he let the first drown.
GABALOS
[Bows, smiling, then turns aside with a grimace.]
HEROD
This is Merokles, the rhetorician. His voice carries far. It is heard in Rome, when folks there would overhear my own.
MEROKLES
But I shall take no satisfaction in that voice till it may greet thee, mistress, with the cry "Hail to thee, O Queen!"
HERODIAS
[Winces, then smiles and exchanges a glance with Herod.]
MEROKLES
[Sotto voce, joining Gabalos.] Thou madest a good hit; I a better.
HEROD
And in contrast to this cool flatterer, here is Jabad the Levite, my guide and my conscience ever since I set foot on Jewish soil. For, by Bacchus, he knows exactly what I have to do, every moment, in order to be pious, after the manner of my pious people.
GABALOS
[Sotto voce.] He acts as if he had forgotten the way.
MEROKLES
[Sotto voce.] For by so doing he thinks he will the more resemble his father.
HEROD
As an example, what ought I to be doing at this sacred moment?
JABAD
The sun is sinking, oh master. Thy Passover lamb, one year old and flawless, hath been slaughtered in the Temple. It is now in the yard to be blessed. Thou, as the lord and master of this house----
HEROD
Must do it myself?
JABAD
Thine illustrious father did not, and there was, on that account, grumbling amongst the people.
HEROD
Blessing is cleaner work than slaughter. I will do it. See, ye wise Greeks, that we must serve the gods in order to rule over men! And in the end we serve to no purpose. [He motions them away. To Jabad.] Go and make ready, and I will follow thee. [Exeunt Gabalos, Merokles, and Jabad.]
SCENE V
Herod, Herodias [later Salome with Maecha, on the balcony. Herod and Herodias stand together a few moments in silence.]
HERODIAS
Art thou content?
HEROD
Thy kindness oppresses me. Whether thou art content seemeth to me of more importance.
HERODIAS
[Feeling his tone of contempt.] I have had no roof over my head for three nights. Like a tramp I have wandered in the dust of the roads. My serving-women one by one deserted me. Only Salome hath not forsaken me. I have robbed her of her father; the father I have robbed of his child. And what I have robbed my husband of thou canst estimate better than it beseemeth me. See, all this I have done for thee!
HEROD
I have abandoned my wife, who also said she loved me. She flew to her father. He now maketh ready for war to avenge his child's wrong. Only a trifle is lacking: I have no army. In Rome I am threatened with disgrace; my brother curses me; Judea points the finger of scorn at me.... So little have I done for thee----
HERODIAS
And thou repentest this little already?
HEROD
No! only forgive me if I blame thy coming too soon.
HERODIAS
Too soon! Was warmer welcome ever heard than this "too soon"?
HEROD
Take not my words amiss, I entreat thee!
HERODIAS
I dare not say that longing drove me here.
HEROD
[With an embarrassed smile.] Say it ... by all means!
HERODIAS
Then thou hast not forgotten the days--of eloquent looks and silent vows--when every breath was a longing desire and every word a feast?
HEROD
How should I forget? Love, how should I----?
HERODIAS
And thou rememberest no more the nights when wandering footsteps stole their way to the fragrant gardens, where, in the feverish blossoming around them, two sleepless ones mingled their sighs?
HEROD
How could I not remember; Love, how could I not?
HERODIAS
I have clothed myself in Indian draperies; I have put pomegranate blossoms in my bosom, and gold dust in my hair ... but thou seest nothing!... My converse is bridal, but thou hearest it not.
[Salome has appeared on the balcony with Maecha. Herod notices her.]
SALOME
Wait; let me see whether he has already come. [She looks over, and after her eyes have met Herod's she vanishes.]
HERODIAS
[Observing his absence of mind, with an exclamation.] No! thou hearest nothing.
HEROD
[Quickly recovering himself?] Well; what if it is so? The language of our soul, which thou art kind enough to call bridal, was fitting to the delight of those fragrant gardens. To-day, methinks, we have another task before us!
HERODIAS
Thinkest thou that I have been idle? Am I a woman who cometh to beg of you a nightly dole of caresses? Look at me.... Not thy beloved.... She exists no longer.... See in me thy ruling mistress!
HEROD
I am looking, and I see a woman who raves.
HERODIAS
As real as the ambition of thy mistress, as real as the secret resentment which gnaws beneath thy own; despite thy ever-ready smiles.
HEROD
[Horrified.] Who told thee ... whence ...?