Salome - oscar wilde

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    SALOME

    OscdTWUde>'H.M. CxUdwell Co.New Yorti-^Boston.

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    /Ph XI 190/

    Copyright, igojBy H. M. Caldwell Co.

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    TO MY FRIENDLORD ALFRED BRUCE DOUGLAS

    THE TRANSLATOR OFMY PLAY

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    THE PERSONS OF THE PLAYHEROD ANTIPAS, TETRARCH OFJUDJEA

    lOKANAAN, THE PROPHETTHE YOUNG SYRIAN, CAPTAIN OF THEGUARD

    TIGELLINUS, A YOUNG ROMANA CAPPADOCIANA NUBIANFIRST SOLDIERSECOND SOLDIERTHE PAGE OF HERODIASJEWS, NAZARENES, ETC.A SLAVENAAMAN, THE EXECUTIONERHERODIAS, WIFE OF THE TETRARCHSALOME, DAUGHTER OF HERODIASTHE SLAVES OF SALOME

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    Introduction

    QSCAR FINGAL O'FLAHERTIEWILLS WILDE was born inDublin, October i6, 1854. His father, SirWilliam Wilde, a noted oculist and otol-ogist, was one of the most distinguishedsurgeons that Great Britain has known,and is also well remembered as theauthor of several important works onIrish History and Archaeology. On theother hand, he was a man of strong, un-bridled passions, in the gratification ofwhich no sense of social or professionalresponsibility could restrain him. Hismother, Jane Francesca Elgee, was well

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    ^ Introductionknown both as a pamphleteer and apoet, writing to the Nation, Dublin,under the names of " Speranza " and" John Fenshaw ElHs " at the time ofthe political upheaval in 1848. Oscarwas their second child and son, andbecause a boy his advent was a disap-pointment to his mother, who had de-sired a girl, and for a long time he wastreated, talked to, and dressed like one.He received his education at Ennis-killen and at Trinity College, Dublin,where in 1874 he won the BerkeleyGold Medal. In October of that yearhe entered Magdalen College, Oxford,in his first term coming under the in-fluence of Ruskin, who lectured on the" Esthetic and Mathematical Schoolsof Art in Florence." In 1877 an event

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    ^ Introductionand lilies brought him a certain no-toriety. He was caricatured in Punch,good-humouredly rallied in all of thepublic prints, and satirized in Gilbertand Sullivan's comic opera " Patience."In 1 88 1 he found a publisher for hispoems, consisting mainly of reprintscontributed to various periodicals inEngland and Ireland. In the latterpart of December, 1881, he sailed forNew York, where early in January,1882, he delivered the first of a series oflectures, which afterwards he repeated inthe principal cities of the United Statesand Canada. Although the tour didnot prove a great financial success,especially towards its close, the year'stravelling in America was productive ofgreat good in the development of his

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    Introduction ^character. Brought into close contactwith the most energetic of men, hislatent energy aroused itself, and theunworthy posings were abandoned, andby the time of his return to England hismasquerade of speech, manner, anddress had disappeared. Shortly afterhis arrival in England he went to Paris,taking with him several copies of hispoems, which he sent to many well-known people. His advances were fa-vourably received and many doors wereopened to him, but he was really neverunderstood. He was labelled " Poseur "and was not taken at all seriously.Through the lack of money he wasobhged to return to England in thesummer of 1883, and entered on a lec-ture tour, visiting various provincial

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    "^ Introductiontowns, but he met with little success.On May 29, 1884, he married ConstanceLloyd, and her dower enabled them totake the lease of a good house in TiteStreet, Chelsea. Oscar Wilde thenturned to journalism, writing muchanonymously, though at the sameperiod he wrote the exquisite fairy-talespublished in 1888 under the title of" The Happy Prince and Other Tales."From October, 1887, to September,1889, he was editor of the Woman sWorld, where his personal contributionswere mainly published under the titleof " Some Literary Notes." Duringthe eight years from 1884 to 1 891 thetotal of his published work was small,consisting principally of " The Soul ofMan under Socialism," " The Picture

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    Introduction ^of Dorian Gray " and " Intentions,"a volume of essays which had alreadyappeared in monthly magazines. Onthe 20th of February, 1892, his play," Lady Windermere's Fan," was pro-duced and proved an immediate success.From then on there were three years ofprosperity and triumph for Oscar Wilde.He was counted one of the first play-wrights of the English stage and hisincome sprang from nothing to severalthousand pounds a year. In April,1893, " A Woman of No Importance "was performed; on the 3d of January,1895, came " An Ideal Husband," andon the 14th of February " The Import-ance of Being Earnest," all meetingwith extraordinary success. The strongpoint in each of these comedies lay in

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    ^ Introductionthe dialogue, which sparkled and scin-tillated with wit; it was simply OscarWilde himself talking. At this timehe frequently visited Paris, and thefollowing description of him by HenriRegnier dates from about the periodof the writing of " Salome/* " Thisforeigner was tall and of great cor-pulence. A high complexion seemedto give still greater width to his clean-shaven and proconsular face. It wasthe unbearded face that one sees oncoins. The eyes smiled. The handsseemed to be beautiful: they wererather fleshy and plump, and one ofthem was ornamented with a ring inwhich a beetle of green stone was set.The man's tall figure allowed of hiswearing ample and masterly frock-

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    Introduction ^coats, which opened out on somewhat* loud ' waistcoats of smooth velvet orflowered satins. Oriental cigaretteswith gold tips were ever consumingthemselves into smoke in his mouth.A rare blossom in his buttonhole gavea finishing touch to his rich attire inwhich every detail seemed to have beencarefully studied^ From cab to cab,from cafe to cafe, from salon to salon,he moved with the lazy gait of a stoutman who is rather weary. He carriedon his correspondence by means of tel-egrams, and his conversation by meansof apologues.*' In April, 1895, camehis downfall, it having since beenproved that he was really the scape-goat of a circle of his friends, andon May 25th he was sentenced to

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    ^ Introductiontwo years at hard labour. On hisrelease from gaol he went to France,where he dragged out the rest of hisexistence, with the exception of a shorttime spent in Italy, dying in Paris incomparative poverty on the 30th ofNovember, 1900.

    " Salome " was written in Paris aboutthe first of the year 1892 and but a shorttime before the production of " LadyWindermere's Fan " in London. Itwas composed in French and with theexception of slight revision by MarcelSchwob was entirely Oscar Wilde'swork, and the best French critics areunanimous in expressing their wonderthat any foreigner could have acquiredsuch a mastery of the French language,

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    Introduction ^The play was not written for SarahBernhardt, as so often stated, but sheasked the author to read it to her inLondon around June, 1892, and was soimpressed with its possibiHties that sheat once expressed a desire to play thetitle role. Rehearsals were imme-diately begun, costumes, scenery, andeverything had been prepared, buttoward the last of June license to pro-duce the play in London was refusedby the Lord Chamberlain on the groundthat it was unadvisable to producereligious episodes. Madame Bern-hardt, however, decided to produce itin Paris at her own theatre of the PortSt. Martin as soon as an opportunityoffered. At the time of his arrest in1895, Oscar Wilde's plays in England

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    ^ Introductionof his friends an abiding regret thathe was not spared a few years longerso that in the depth of his despairhe might have seen the wonderfultriumph that Germany has preparedfor him, might have watched thecrowds flocking to the theatre to see* Salome ' played, might have listened tothe frantic enthusiasm which this playnever fails to invoke, might a little lateron have realized that it had been givento him by this play to stimulate to thehighest expression of his wonderful artthe composer Richard Strauss, whomthe cognoscenti hail as the greatestmaestro who ever lived."* Life of Oscar Wilde, by R. H. Sherard, 1906,

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    SalomeScene A great terrace in the Palaceof Herody set above the banqueting- hall.

    Some soldiers are leaning over the bal-cony. To the right there is a giganticstaircase, to the left, at the back, an oldcistern surrounded by a wall of greenbronze. The moon is shining verybrightly.

    THE YOUNG SYRIANHow beautiful is the Princess Salome

    to-nightTHE PAGE OF HERODIASLook at the moon. How strange the

    moon seems ! She is like a woman ris-

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    Salome^SECOND SOLDIERThe Jews. They are always likethat. They are disputing about theirreligion.

    FIRST SOLDIERWhy do they dispute about their re-ligion ?SECOND SOLDIER

    I cannot tell. They are always doingit. The Pharisees, for instance, say thatthere are angels, and the Sadduceesdeclare that angels do not exist.FIRST SOLDIER

    I think it is ridiculous to disputeabout such things.

    THE YOUNG SYRIANHow beautiful is the Princess Salometo-night I

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    ^ Salome

    THE PAGE OF HERODIASYou are always looking at her. Youlook at her too much. It is dangerousto look at people in such fashion. Some-thing terrible may happen.THE YOUNG SYRIAN

    She is very beautiful to-night.FIRST SOLDIERThe Tetrarch has a sombre aspect.

    SECOND SOLDIERYes; he has a sombre aspect.

    FIRST SOLDIERHe is looking at something.

    SECOND SOLDIERHe is looking at some one.

    FIRST SOLDIERAt whom is he looking ?

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    Salome ^SECOND SOLDIER

    I cannot tell.THE YOUNG SYRIANHow pale the Princess is! Never

    have I seen her so pale. She is Hke theshadow of a white rose in a mirror ofsilver.

    THE PAGE OF HERODIASYou must not look at her. You look

    too much at her.FIRST SOLDIER

    Herodias has filled the cup of theTetrarch.THE CAPPADOCIAN

    Is that the Queen Herodias, she whowears a black mitre sewed with pearls,and whose hair is powdered with bluedust ?

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    ^ SalomeFIRST SOLDIERYes; that is Herodias, the Tetrarch's

    wife.

    SECOND SOLDIERThe Tetrarch is very fond of wine.

    He has wine of three sorts. One whichis brought from the Island of Samo-thrace, and is purple Hke the cloakof Caesar.THE CAPPADOCIAN

    I have never seen Cassar.SECOND SOLDIERAnother that comes from a town

    called Cyprus, and is as yellow asgold.

    THE CAPPADOCIANI love gold.

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    Salome ^SECOND SOLDIERAnd the third is a wine of Sicily.

    That wine is as red as blood.THE NUBIANThe gods of my country are very fond

    of blood. Twice in the year we sacrificeto them young men and maidens : fiftyyoung men and a hundred maidens.But I am afraid that we never give themquite enough, for they are very harshto us.

    THE CAPPADOCIANIn my country there are no gods left.

    The Romans have driven them out.There are some who say that they havehidden themselves in the mountains,but I do not believe it. Three nights Ihave been on the mountains seeking

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    Salome ^FIRST SOLDIERWe can never tell. Sometimes he saysthings that affright one, but it is impos-sible to understand what he says.THE CAPPADOCIANMay one see him ?

    FIRST SOLDIERNo. ThexTetrarch has forbidden it.

    THE YOUNG SYRIANThe Princess has hidden her face

    behind her fan ! Her little white handsare fluttering like doves that fly to theirdove-cots. They are like white butter-flies. They are just like white but-terflies.

    THE PAGE OF HERODIASWhat is that to you ? Why do youlook at her? You must not look at

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    ^ Salomeher. . . . Something terrible may hap-pen.

    THE CAPPADOCIAN[Pointing to the cistern.^ What a

    strange prison!

    SECOND SOLDIERIt is an old cistern.

    THE CAPPADOCIANAn old cistern ! That must be a poi-

    sonous place in which to dwell

    SECOND SOLDIEROh, no ! For instance, the Tetrarch's

    brother, his elder brother, the firsthusband of Herodias the Queen, wasimprisoned there for twelve years. Itdid not kill him. At the end of twelveyears he had to be strangled.

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    ^ SalomeFIRST SOLDIERWhy? Kings have but one neck,Hke other folk.THE CAPPADOCIAN

    I think it terrible.THE YOUNG SYRIANThe Princess is getting up! She is

    leaving the table! She looks verytroubled. Ah, she is coming this way.Yes, she is coming towards us. Howpale she is! Never have I seen her sopale.THE PAGE OF HERODIASDo not look at her. I pray you not to

    look at her.

    THE YOUNG SYRIANShe is like a dove that has strayed.. . . She is like a narcissus trembling

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    Salome ^in the wind. . . . She is like a silverflower.

    [Enter Salome.]SALOME

    I will not stay. I cannot stay. Whydoes the Tetrarch look at me all thewhile with his mole's eyes under hisshaking eyelids ? It is strange that thehusband of my mother looks at me likethat. I know not what it means. Of atruth I know it too well.THE YOUNG SYRIANYou have left the feast, Princess ?

    SALOMEHow sweet is the air here! I can

    breathe here! Within there are Jewsfrom Jerusalem who are tearing eachother in pieces over their foolish cere-

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    ^ Salomemonies, and barbarians who drink anddrink and spill their wine on the pave-ment, and Greeks from Smyrna withpainted eyes and painted cheeks, andfrizzed hair curled in columns, andEgyptians silent and subtle, with longnails of jade and russet cloaks, andRomans brutal and coarse, with theiruncouth jargon. Ah ! how I loathe theRomans ! They are rough and com-mon, and they give themselves the airsof noble lords.THE YOUNG SYRIAN

    Will you be seated. Princess ?THE PAGE OF HERODIASWhy do you speak to her? Oh!something terrible will happen. Why

    do you look at her ?i6

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    Salome ^SALOMEHow good to see the moon! She is

    like a Httle piece of money, a littlesilver flower. She is cold and chaste.I am sure she is a virgin. She has thebeauty of a virgin. Yes, she is a virgin.She has never defiled herself. She hasnever abandoned herself to men, Hkethe other goddesses.

    THE VOICE OF lOKANAANBehold! the Lord hath come. The

    Son of Man is at hand. The centaurshave hidden themselves in the rivers,and the nymphs have left the rivers,and are lying beneath the leaves in theforests.

    SALOMEWho was that who cried out ?

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    ^ SalomeSECOND SOLDIERThe prophet, Princess.

    SALOMEAh, the prophet ! He of whom the

    Tetrarch is afraid ?

    SECOND SOLDIERWe know nothing of that. Princess.

    It was the prophet lokanaan who criedout.

    THE YOUNG SYRIANIs it your pleasure that I bid thembring your litter, Princess ? The night

    is fair in the garden.

    SALOMEHe says terrible things about my

    mother, does he not ?i8

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    Salome^SECOND SOLDIERWe never understand what he says,

    Princess.SALOMEYes ; he says terrible things about her.[Enter a Slave.]

    THE SLAVEPrincess, the Tetrarch prays you to

    return to the feast.SALOME

    I will not return.

    THE YOUNG SYRIANPardon me. Princess, but if you re-turn not some misfortune may hap-pen.SALOME

    Is he an old man, this prophet ?19

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    Salome^THE VOICE OF lOKANAAN

    Rejoice not, O land of Palestine, be-cause the rod of him who smote thee isbroken. For from the seed of the ser-pent shall come a basilisk, and thatwhich is born of it shall devour the birds.SALOMEWhat a strange voice ! I would speak

    with him.FIRST SOLDIER

    I fear it may not be, Princess. TheTetrarch does not suffer any one tospeak with him. He has even forbiddenthe high priest to speak with him.SALOME

    I desire to speak with him.FIRST SOLDIER

    It is impossible. Princess.21

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    ^ SalomeSALOME

    I will speak with him.THE YOUNG SYRIANWould it not be better to return to

    the banquet ?SALOME

    Bring forth this prophet.[Exit the Slave,]

    FIRST SOLDIERWe dare not, Princess.SALOME\Approaching the cistern and looking

    down into ?V.] How black it is, downthere! It must be terrible to be in soblack a hole! It is like a tomb. . . .\To the soldiers.^ Did you not hear me ?Bring out the prophet. I would look onhim.

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    Salome^SECOND SOLDIER

    Princess, I beg you, do not requirethis of us.SALOMEYou are making me wait upon your

    pleasure.

    FIRST SOLDIERPrincess, our lives belong to you, but

    we cannot do what you have asked ofus. And indeed, it is not of us that youshould ask this thing.

    SALOME[Looking at the young Syrian.] Ah

    THE PAGE OF HERODIASOh ! what is going to happen ? Iam sure that something terrible will

    happen.23

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    Salome ^SALOMEThou wilt do this thing for me, Nar-

    raboth, and to-morrow when I pass inmy litter beneath the gateway of theidol-sellers I will let fall for thee a littleflower, a little green flower.THE YOUNG SYRIAN

    Princess, I cannot, 1 cannot.SALOME

    [Smiling.] Thou wilt do this thingfor me, Narraboth. Thou knowestthat thou wilt do this thing for me.And on the morrow when I shall passin my litter by the bridge of the idol-buyers, I will look at thee through themuslin veils, I will look at thee, Narra-both, it may be I will smile at thee.Look at me, Narraboth, look at me.

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    -^ Salome

    Ah! thou knowest that thou wilt dowhat I ask of thee. Thou knowestit ... I know that thou wilt do thisthing.

    THE YOUNG SYRIAN[Signing to the third Soldier,^ Let

    the prophet come forth. . . . ThePrincess Salome desires to see him.SALOMEAh!

    THE PAGE OF HERODIASOh I How strange the moon looks

    Like the hand of a dead woman who isseeking to cover herself with a shroud.THE YOUNG SYRIAN

    She has a strange aspect ! She is likea little princess, whose eyes are eyes ofamber. Through the clouds of muslin

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    Salome^she is smiling like a little princess.[The prophet comes out of the cistern.Salome looks at him and steps slowlyback.]lOKANAANWhere is he whose cup of abomina-

    tions is now full ? Where is he, who ina robe of silver shall one day die in theface of all the people ? Bid him comeforth, that he may hear the voice of himwho hath cried in the waste places andin the houses of kings.SALOMEOfwhom is he speaking ?

    THE YOUNG SYRIANNo one can tell, Princess.

    lOKANAANWhere is she who saw the images of

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    Salome ^young men of the Egyptians, who areclothed in fine linen and hyacinth,whose shields are of gold, whose helmetsare of silver, whose bodies are mighty ?Go, bid her rise up from the bed of herabominations, from the bed of her in-cestuousness, that she may hear thewords of him who prepareth the way ofthe Lord, that she may repent her ofher iniquities. Though she will notrepent, but will stick fast in her abom-inations, go bid her come, for the fanof the Lord is in His hand.SALOMEAh, but he is terrible, he is terrible

    THE YOUNG SYRIANDo not stay here, Princess, I beseech

    you.29

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    ^ SalomeSALOME

    It is his eyes above all that are ter-rible. They are like black holes burnedby torches in a tapestry of Tyre. Theyare like the black caverns where thedragons live, the black caverns ofEgypt in which the dragons make theirlairs. They are like black lakestroubled by fantastic moons. . . . Doyou think he will speak again ?THE YOUNG SYRIANDo not stay here, Princess. I pray

    you do not stay here.SALOMEHow wasted he is ! He is like a thin

    ivory statue. He is like an image ofsilver. I am sure he is chaste, as themoon is. He is like a moonbeam, like

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    Salome ^a shaft of silver. His flesh must be verycold, cold as ivory. ... I w^ould lookcloser at him.THE YOUNG SYRIANNo, no. Princess.

    SALOMEI must look closer at him.

    THE YOUNG SYRIANPrincess ! Princess

    lOKANAANWho is this woman who is looking atme ? I will not have her look at me.

    Wherefore doth she look at me, with hergolden eyes, under her gilded eyelids ?I know not who she is. I do not desireto know who she is. Bid her begone.It is not to her that I would speak.

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    Salome ^lOKANAAN

    Daughter of Sodom, come not nearme ! But cover thy face with a veil, andscatter ashes upon thine head, and getthee to the desert, and seek out the Sonof Man.SALOMEWho is he, the Son of Man ? Is he

    as beautiful as thou art, lokanaan ?lOKANAANGet thee behind me! I hear in the

    palace the beating of the wings of theangel of death.THE YOUNG SYRIAN

    Princess, I beseech thee to go within.lOKANAAN

    Angel of the Lord God, what dostthou here with thy sword ? Whom

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    Salome ^of Arabia, the garden of spices of theQueen of Arabia, nor the feet of thedawn when they Hght on the leaves, northe breast of the moon when she lies onthe breast of the sea. . . . There isnothing in the world so white as thybody. Suffer me to touch thy body.lOKANAANBack ! daughter of Babylon ! By

    woman came evil into the world. Speaknot to me. I will not listen to thee.I listen but to the voice of the LordGod.SALOMEThy body is hideous. It is like the

    body of a leper. It is like a plasteredwall where vipers have crawled; like aplastered wall where the scorpions have

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    ^ Salomemade their nest. It is like a whitedsepulchre, full of loathsome things.It is horrible, thy body is horrible. Itis of thy hair that I am enamoured,lokanaan. Thy hair is like clusters ofgrapes, like the clusters of black grapesthat hang from the vine-trees of Edomin the land of the Edomites. Thy hairis like the cedars of Lebanon-, like thegreat cedars of Lebanon that give theirshade to the lions and to the robberswho would hide them by day. Thelong black nights, when the moon hidesher face, when the stars are afraid, arenot so black as thy hair. The silencethat dwells in the forest is not so black.There is nothing in the world that is soblack as thy hair. . . . Suffer me totouch thy hair.

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    Salome ^lOKANAANBack, daughter of Sodom ! Touchme not. Profane not the temple of theLord God.

    SALOMEThy hair is horrible. It is covered

    with mire and dust. It is like a crown ofthorns placed on thy head. It is like aknot of serpents coiled round thy neck.I love not thy hair. ... It is thymouth that I desire, lokanaan. Thymouth is like a band of scarlet on atower of ivory. It is like a pomegranatecut in twain with a knife of ivory. Thepomegranate flowers that blossom inthe gardens of Tyre, and are redderthan roses, are not so red. The redblasts of trumpets that herald the ap-

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    ^ Salomeproach of kings, and make afraid theenemy, are not so red. Thy mouth isredder than the feet of those who treadthe wine in the wine-press. It is redderthan the feet of the doves who inhabitthe temples and are fed by the priests.It is redder than the feet of him whoCometh from a forest where he .hathslain a lion, and seen gilded tigers.Thy mouth is like a branch of coralthat fishers have found in the twilight ofthe sea, the coral that they keep for thekings I ... It is like the vermilionthat the Moabites find in the mines ofMoab, the vermilion that the kings takefrom them. It is like the bow of theKing of the Persians, that is paintedwith vermilion and is tipped with coral.There is nothing in the world so red

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    Salome^as thy mouth. . . . Suffer me to kissthy mouth.lOKANAANNever 1 daughter of Babylon ! Daugh-

    ter of Sodom ! neverSALOME

    I will kiss thy mouth, lokanaan. Iwill kiss thy mouth.THE YOUNG SYRIAN

    Princess, Princess, thou who art likea garden of myrrh, thou who art thedove of all doves, look not at this man,look not at him ! Do not speak suchwords to him. I cannot endure it. . . .Princess, do not speak these things.SALOME

    I will kiss thy mouth, lokanaan.39

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    ^ SalomeTHE YOUNG SYRIANAh! [He kills himself and falls be-

    tween Salome and lokanaan.]

    THE PAGE OF HERODIASThe young Syrian has slain himself!The young captain has slain himself!

    He has slain himselfwho was my friend !I gave him a little box of perfumes andear-rings wrought in silver, and now hehas killed himself. Ah, did he not saythat some misfortune would happen ?I, too, said it, and it has come to pass.Well I knew that the moon was seekinga dead thing, but I knew not that it washe whom she sought. Ah ! why did Inot hide him from the moon ? If I hadhidden him in a cavern she would nothave seen him.

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    Salome^FIRST SOLDIER

    Princess, the young captain has justslain himself.

    SALOMESuffer me to kiss thy mouth, lokanaan.

    lOKANAANArt thou not afraid, daughter of

    Herodias ? Did I not tell thee that I hadheard in the palace the beatings of thewings of the angel of death, and hath henot come, the angel of death ?

    SALOMESuffer me to kiss thy mouth.lOKANAAN

    Daughter of adultery, there is but onewho can save thee. It is He of whomI spake. Go seek Him. He is in a boat

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    ^ Salomeon the sea of Galilee, and He talkethwith His disciples. Kneel down on theshore of the sea, and call unto Him byHis name. When He cometh to thee,and to all who call unto Him He cometh,bow thyself at His feet and ask ofHim the remission of thy sins.SALOME

    Suffer me to kiss thy mouth.lOKANAAN

    Cursed be thou ! daughter of an in-cestuous mother, be thou accursed!

    SALOMEI will kiss thy mouth, lokanaan.

    lOKANAANI will not look at thee. Thou art

    accursed, Salome, thou art accursed.[He goes Jozun into the cistern.^

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    Salome^SALOME

    I will kiss thy mouth, lokanaan; Iwill kiss thy mouth.FIRST SOLDIERWe must bear away the body to an-other place. The Tetrarch does not

    care to see dead bodies, save the bodiesof those whom he himself has slain.THE PAGE OF HERODIASHe was my brother, and nearer to me

    than a brother. I gave him a little boxfull of perfumes, and a ring of agate thathe always wore on his hand. In theevening we were wont to walk by theriver, and among the almond-trees, andhe used to tell me the things of his coun-try. He spake ever very low. Thesound of his voice was like the sound of

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    ^ Salomethe flute, of one who playeth upon theflute. Also he had much joy to gaze athimself in the river. I used to reproachhim for that.SECOND SOLDIERYou are right; we must hide thebody. The Tetrarch must not see it.FIRST SOLDIERThe Tetrarch will not come to this

    place. He never comes on the terrace.He is too much afraid of the prophet.

    [Enter Herody HerodiaSy and all theCourt.]HERODWhere is Salome ? Where is the

    Princess ? Why did she not return tothe banquet as I commanded her?Ah ! there she is

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    Salome ^HERODIASYou must not look at her! You are

    always looking at her

    HERODThe moon has a strange look to-

    night. Has she not a strange look ?She is like a mad woman, a madwoman who is seeking everywhere forlovers. She is naked too. She isquite naked. The clouds are seekingto clothe her nakedness, but she willnot let them. She shows herselfnaked in the sky. She reels throughthe clouds like a drunken woman. . . .I am sure she is looking for lovers.Does she not reel like a drunkenwoman ? She is hke a mad woman,is she not?

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    -^ SalomeHERODIASNo; the moon is like the moon, that

    is all. Let us go within. . . . Wehave nothing to do here.

    HERODI will stay here ! Manasseh, lay car-

    pets there. Light torches. Bring forththe ivory tables, and the tables of jasper.The air here is sweet. I will drink morewine with my guests. We must showall honours to the ambassadors ofCaesar.HERODIAS

    It is not because of them that youremain.HERODYes; the air is very sweet. Come,

    Herodias, our guests await us. Ah ! I46

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    Salome ^vvhave slipped ! I have slipped in bloodIt is an ill omen. It is a very ill omen.Wherefore is there blood here ? . . . andthis body, what does this body here .?Think you I am Hke the King of Egypt,who gives no feast to his guests but thathe shows them a corpse ? Whose is it ?I will not look on it.FIRST SOLDIER

    It is our captain, sire. It is the youngSyrian whom you made captain of theguard but three days gone.

    HERODI issued no order that he should be

    slain.

    SECOND SOLDIERHe slew himself, sire.

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    -^ Salome

    HERODFor what reason ? I had made himcaptain of my guardSECOND SOLDIERWe do not know, sire. But with hisown hand he slew himself.

    HERODThat seems strange to me. I had

    thought it was but the Roman philoso-phers who slew themselves. Is it nottrue, Tigellinus, that the philosophersat Rome slay themselves ?tigeLlinusThere be some who slay themselves,

    sire. They are the Stoics. The Stoicsare people of no cultivation. Theyare ridiculous people. I myself regardthem as being perfectly ridiculous.

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    Salome ^HEROD

    I also. It is ridiculous to kill one*s-self.

    TIGELLINUSEverybody at Rome laughs at them.

    The Emperor has written a satireagainst them. It is recited every-where.HERODAh ! he has written a satire against

    them ? Csesar is wonderful. He can doeverything. ... It is strange that theyoung Syrian has slain himself. I amsorry he has slain himself. I am verysorry. For he was fair to look upon.He was even very fair. He had verylanguorous eyes. I remember that Isaw that he looked languorously at

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    ^ SalomeSalome. Truly, I thought he lookedtoo much at her.HERODIASThere are others who look too much

    at her.

    HERODHis father was a king. I drave him

    from his kingdom. And of his mother,who was a queen, you made a slave,Herodias. So he was here as my guest,as it were, and for that reason I madehim my captain. I am sorry he is dead.Ho ! why have you left the body here ?It must be taken to some other place.I will not look at it, away with it[They take away the body.] It is coldhere. There is a wind blowing. Isthere not a wind blowing?

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    Salome ^HERODIASNo; there is no wind.

    HERODI tell you there is a wind that blows.

    . . . And I hear in the air somethingthat is like the beating of wings, likethe beating of vast wings. Do you nothear it ?

    HERODIASI hear nothing.

    HERODI hear it no longer. But I heard it.

    It was the blowing of the wind. It haspassed away. But, no, I hear it again.Do you not hear it ? It is just like abeating of wings.

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    -^ SalomeHERODIAS

    I tell you there is nothing. You areill. Let us eo within.ll. Let us go within

    HERODI am not ill. It is your daughter who

    is sick to death. Never have I seen herso pale.

    HERODIASI have told you not to look at her.

    HERODPour me forth wine. [fFine is

    brought.] Salome, come drink a littlewine with me. I have here a wine thatis exquisite. Caesar himself sent it me.Dip into it thy Uttle red lips, that I maydrain the cup.

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    Salome ^SALOME

    I am not thirsty, Tetrarch.HERODYou hear how she answers me, this

    daughter of yours ?HERODIAS

    She does right. Why are you alwaysgazing at her ?HEROD

    Bring me ripe fruits. [Fruits arebrought.] Salome, come and eat fruitswith me. I love to see in a fruit themark of thy Httle teeth. Bite but a littleof this fruit, that I may eat what isleft.

    SALOMEI am not hungry, Tetrarch.

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    ^ SalomeHEROD

    [To Herodias.] You see how youhave brought up this daughter ofyours.

    HERODIASMy daughter and I come of a royal

    race. As for thee, thy father was acamel-driver! He was a thief and arobber to boot!

    HERODThou liest!

    HERODIASThou knowest well that it is true.

    HERODSalome, come and sit next to me. Iwill give thee the throne of thy mother.

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    Salome ^SALOME

    I am not tired, Tetrarch.HERODIASYou see in what regard she holds you.

    HERODBring me What is it that I desire ?I forget. Ah ! ah ! I remember.THE VOICE OF lOKANAAN

    Behold the time is come! Thatwhich I foretold has come to pass. Theday that I spake of is at hand.HERODIAS

    Bid him be silent. I will not listen tohis voice. This man is for ever hurlinginsults against me.HERODHe has said nothing against you.

    Besides, he is a very great prophet.55

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    ^ SalomeHERODIAS

    I do not believe in prophets. Can aman tell what will come to pass ? Noman knows it. Also he is for ever in-sulting me. But I think you are afraidof him. ... I know well that you are

    . afraid of him.

    HERODI am not afraid of him. I am afraid

    of no man.

    HERODIASI tell you you are afraid of him. If

    you are not afraid of him why do younot deliver him to the Jews who forthese six months past have been clam-ouring for him .?

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    Salome^A JEW

    Truly, my lord, it were better todeliver him into our hands.

    HERODEnough on this subject. I have al-

    ready given you my answer. I will notdeliver him into your hands. He is aholy man. He is a man who has seenGod.

    A JEWThat cannot be. There is no man

    who hath seen God since the prophetElias. He is the last man who saw Godface to face. In these days God dothnot show Himself. God hideth Himself.Therefore great evils have come uponthe land.

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    -^ SalomeANOTHER JEW

    Verily, no man knoweth if Elias theprophet did indeed see God. Perad-venture it was but the shadow of Godthat he saw.

    A THIRD JEWGod is at no time hidden. He show-

    eth Himself at all times and in all places.God is in what is evil even as He is inwhat is good.

    A FOURTH JEWThou shouldst not say that. It is a

    very dangerous doctrine. It is a doctrinethat Cometh from Alexandria, wheremen teach the philosophy of the Greeks.And the Greeks are Gentiles. Theyare not even circumcised.

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    ^ SalomeHERODIASMake them be silent. They weary

    me.HERODBut I have heard it said that lokanaan

    is in very truth your prophet Elias.THE JEWThat cannot be. It is more than three

    hundred years since the days of theprophet EHas.HERODThere be some who say that this man

    is EHas the prophet.A NAZARENE

    I am sure that he is Elias the prophet.THE JEWNay, but he is not Elias the prophet.

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    SalomeTHE VOICE OF lOKANAAN

    Behold the day is at hand, the day ofthe Lord, and I hear upon the moun-tains the feet of Him who shall be theSaviour of the world.

    HERODWhat does that mean ? The Saviour

    of the world ?

    TIGELLINUSIt is a title that Caesar adopts.

    HERODBut Caesar is not coming into Judaea.

    Only yesterday I received letters fromRome. They contained nothing con-cerning this matter. And you, Tigelli-nus, who were at Rome during the v in-

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    ^ Salometer, you heard nothing concerning thismatter, did you ?TIGELLINUS

    Sire, I heard nothing concerning thematter. I was but explaining the title.It is one of Caesar's titles.HERODBut Caesar cannot come. He is too

    gouty. They say that his feet are likethe feet of an elephant. Also there arereasons of state. He who leaves Romeloses Rome. He will not come. How-beit, Caesar is lord, he will come if suchbe his pleasure. Nevertheless, I thinkhe will not come.FIRST NAZARENE

    It was not concerning Caesar that theprophet spake these words, sire.

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    ^ SalomeFIRST NAZARENE

    This Man worketh true miracles.Thus, at a marriage which took placein a little town of Galilee, a town ofsome importance. He changed waterinto wine. Certain persons who werepresent related it to me. Also He healedtwo lepers that were seated before theGate of Capernaum simply by touchingthem.SECOND NAZARENENay; it was two blind men that He

    healed at Capernaum.FIRST NAZARENENay; they were lepers. But He

    hath healed blind people also, and Hewas seen on a mountain talking withangels.

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    Salome^A SADDUCEE

    Angels do not exist.A PHARISEE

    Angels exist, but I do not believe thatthis Man has talked with them.FIRST NAZARENEHe was seen by a great multitude of

    people talking with angels.HERODIASHow these men weary me ! They are

    ridiculous ! They are altogether ridicu-lous 1 [To the Page.^ Well ! my fan ?\The Page gives her the fan.] Youhave a dreamer's look. You must notdream. It is only sick people whodream. [She strikes the Page with herfan.] /

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    ^ SalomeSECOND NAZARENEThere is also the miracle of the

    daughter of Jairus.

    FIRST NAZARENEYea, that is sure. No man can gain-

    say it.

    HERODIASThose men are mad. They havelooked too long on the moon. Com-

    mand them to be silent.HERODWhat is this miracle of the daughter

    of Jairus ?

    FIRST NAZARENEThe daughter of Jairus was dead.

    This Man raised her from the dead.66

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    Salome^HERODHow! He raises people from the

    dead ?FIRST NAZARENE

    Yea, sire; He raiseth the dead.HEROD

    I do not wish Him to do that. I for-bid Him to do that. I suffer no man toraise the dead. This Man must befound and told that I forbid Him toraise the dead. Where is this Man atpresent ?

    SECOND NAZARENEHe is in every place, my lord, but it

    is hard to find Him.FIRST NAZARENE

    It is said that He is now in Samaria.67

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    -^ SalomeA JEW

    It is easy to see that this is notMessias, if He is in Samaria. It is notto the Samaritans that Messias shallcome. The Samaritans are accursed.They bring no offerings to the Temple.SECOND NAZARENEHe left Samaria a few days since.

    I think that at the present moment Heis in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem.FIRST NAZARENENo; He is not there. I have just

    come from Jerusalem. For two monthsthey have had no tidings of Him.HERODNo matter ! But let them find Him,

    and tell Him, thus saith Herod theKing, ' I will not suffer Thee to raise

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    Salome ^the dead.' To change water into wine,to heal the lepers and blind . . .He may do these things if He will. Isay nothing against these things. Intruth, I hold it a kindly deed to heal aleper. But no man shall raise the dead.... It would be terrible if the deadcame back.THE VOICE OF lOKANAANAh ! The wanton one ! The harlotAh ! the daughter of Babylon with hergolden eyes and her gilded eyelidsThus saith the Lord God, Let therecome up against her a multitude ofmen. Let the people take stones andstone her. . . .

    HERODIASCommand him to be silent!

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    ^ SalomeTHE VOICE OF lOKANAAN

    Let the captains of the hosts pierceher with their swords, let them crushher beneath their shields.HERODIASNay, but it is infamous.

    THE VOICE OF lOKANAANIt is thus that I will wipe out allwickedness from the earth, and that all

    women shall learn not to imitate herabominations.HERODIASYou hear what he says against me ?

    You suffer him to revile her who is yourwife!HERODHe did not speak your name.

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    Salome^HERODIASWhat does that matter? You know

    well that it is I whom he seeks to revile.And I am your wife, am I not ?HERODOf a truth, dear and noble Herodias,you are my wife, and before that youwere the wife of my brother.HERODIAS

    It was thou didst snatch me from hisarms.HERODOf a truth I was stronger than he

    wa3. . . . But let us not talk of thatmatter. I do not desire to talk of it.It is the cause of the terrible wordsthat the prophet has spoken. Perad-venture on account of it misfortune will

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    -^ Salomecome. Let us not speak of this matter.Noble Herodias, we are not mindfulof our guests. Fill thou my cup, mywell-beloved. Ho! fill with wine thegreat goblets of silver, and the greatgoblets of glass. I will drink to Caesar.There are Romans here, we must drinkto Caesan

    ALLCaesar ! Caesar

    HERODDo you not see your daughter, how

    pale she is ?HERODIASWhat is it to you if she be pale or

    not?HERODNever have I seen her so pale.

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    Salome^HERODIASYou must not look at her.

    THE VOICE OF lOKANAANIn that day the sun shall become

    black Hke sackcloth of hair, and themoon shall become like blood, and thestars of the heaven shall fall upon theearth like unripe figs that fall from thefig-tree, and the kings of the earth shallbe afraid.HERODIASAh ! ah ! I should like to see that day

    of which he speaks, when the moonshall become like blood, and when thestars shall fall upon the earth like un-ripe figs. This prophet talks like adrunken man, . . . but I cannot suf-fer the sound of his voice. I hate

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    ^ Salomehis voice. Command him to be si-lent.

    HERODI will not. I cannot understand what

    it is that he saith, but it may be anomen.HERODIAS

    I do not believe in omens. He speakslike a drunken manHEROD

    It may be he is drunk with the wineof God.HERODIASWhat wine is that, the wine of

    God ? From what vineyards is it gath-ered ? In what wine-press may one findit?

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    Salome ?-4L

    HEROD[From this point he looks all the while

    at Salome.^ Tigellinus, when you wereat Rome of late, did the Emperor speakwith you on the subject of . . . ?TIGELLINUSOn what subject, my lord ?

    HERODOn what subject ? Ah ! I asked you

    a question, did I not ? I have forgottenwhat I would have asked you.

    HERODIASYou are looking again at my daugh-ter. You must not look at her. I havealready said so.

    HERODYou say nothing else.

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    Salome ^HEROD

    Salome, daughter of Herodias, dancefor me.HERODIAS

    Peace. Let her alone.HEROD

    I command thee to dance, Salome.SALOME

    I will not dance, Tetrarch.HERODIAS

    [Laughing.] You see how she obeysyou.HERODWhat is it to me whether she dance or

    not ? It is nought to me. To-night Iam happy. I am exceeding happy.Never have I been so happy.

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    ^ SalomeFIRST SOLDIERThe Tetrarch has a sombre look.

    Has he not a sombre look ?SECOND SOLDIER

    Yes, he has a sombre look.HEROD

    Wherefore should I not be happy?Caesar, who is lord of the world,Caesar, who is lord of all things, lovesme well. He has just sent me mostprecious gifts. Also he has promisedme to summon to Rome the King ofCappadocia, who is mine enemy. Itmay be that at Rome he will crucifyhim, for he is able to do all things thathe has a mind to do. Verily, Caesar islord. Therefore I do well to be happy.I am very happy, never have I been so

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    Salome^happy. There is nothing in the worldthat can mar my happiness.THE VOICE OF lOKANAANHe shall be seated on his throne. He

    shall be clothed in scarlet and purple.In his hand he shall bear a golden cupfull of his blasphemies. And the angelof the Lord shall smite him. He shallbe eaten of worms.HERODIASYou hear what he says about you.

    He says that you shall be eaten ofworms.HEROD

    It is not of me that he speaks. Hespeaks never against me. It is of theKing of Cappadocia that he speaks;the King of Cappadocia who is mine

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    -^ Salome

    enemy. It is he who shall be eaten ofworms. It is not I. Never has hespoken word against me, this prophet,save that I sinned in taking to wifethe wife of my brother. It may behe is right. For, of a truth, you aresterile.

    HERODIASI am sterile, I ? You say that, you

    that are ever looking at my daughter,you that would have her dance for yourpleasure ? You speak as a fool. Ihave borne a child. You have gottenno child, no, not on one of your slaves.It is you who are sterile, not I.HEROD

    Peace, woman ! I say that you aresterile. You have borne me no child,

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    ^ SalomeFIRST SOLDIER

    Yes, he has a sombre look.HEROD

    Salome, Salome, dance for me. Ipray 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; also I heard inthe air a beating of wings, a beating ofgiant wings. I cannot tell what thatmay mean. ... I am sad to-night.Therefore dance for me. Dance forme, Salome, I beseech thee. If thoudancest for me thou mayest ask of mewhat thou wilt, and I will give itthee. Yes, dance for me, Salome,and whatsoever thou shalt ask of meI will give it thee, even unto the halfof my kingdom.

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    Salome fvSALOME

    [Rising.] Will you indeed give mewhatsoever I shall ask of you, Te-trarch ?HERODIASDo not dance, my daughter.

    HERODWhatsoever thou shalt ask of me,

    even unto the half of my kingdom.SALOMEYou swear it, Tetrarch ?

    HERODI swear it, Salome.

    HERODIASDo not dance, my daughter.

    SALOMEBy what will you swear this thing,

    Tetrarch ?83

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    ^ SalomeHERODBy my life, by my crown, by my gods.

    Whatsoever thou shalt desire I willgive it thee, even to the half of mykingdom, if thou wilt but dance forme. O Salome, Salome, dance forme!SALOMEYou have sworn an oath, Tetrarch.

    HERODI have sworn an oath.

    HERODIASMy daughter, do not dance.

    HERODEven to the half of my kingdom.

    Thou wilt be passing fair as a queen,Salome, if it please thee to ask for thehalf of my kingdom. Will she not be

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    SalomeHow red those petals are ! They arelike stains of blood on the cloth. Thatdoes not matter. It is not wise to findsymbols in everything that one sees.It makes life too full of terrors. It werebetter to say that stains of blood are aslovely as rose-petals. It were better farto say that . . . But we will not speakof this. Now I am happy. I am pass-ing happy. Have I not the right to behappy ? Your daughter is going todance for me. Wilt thou not dance forme, Salome ? Thou hast promised todance for me.HERODIAS

    I will not have her dance.SALOME

    I will dance for you, Tetrarch.86

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    Salome^HERODYou hear what your daughter says.

    She is going to dance for me. Thoudost well to dance for me, Salome.And when thou hast danced for me,forget not to ask of me whatsoever thouhast a mind to ask. Whatsoever thoushalt desire I will give it thee, even tothe half of my kingdom. I have swornit, have I not ?SALOMEThou hast sworn it, Tetrarch.

    HERODAnd I have never failed of my word.

    I am not of those who break their oaths.I know not how to lie. I am the slaveof my word, and my word is the wordof a king. The King of Cappadocia

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    AAU> Salomehad ever a lying tongue, but he is notrue king. He is a coward. Also heowes me money that he will not repay.He has even insulted my ambassadors.He has spoken words that were wound-ing. But Caesar will crucify him whenhe comes to Rome. I know that Caesarwill crucify him. And if he crucifyhim not, yet will he die, being eatenof worms. The prophet has prophesiedit. Well! Wherefore dost thou tarry,Salome ?SALOME

    I am waiting until my slaves bringperfumes to me and the seven veils,and take from off my feet my sandals.[Slaves bring perfumes and the sevenveils, and take off the sandals ofSalome.]

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    Salome H^-HERODAh, thou art to dance with naked

    feet ! 'Tis well ! 'Tis well ! Thy littlefeet will be like white doves. Theywill be like little white flowers thatdance upon the trees. . . . No, no,she is going to dance on blood ! Thereis blood spilt on the ground. She mustnot dance on blood. It were an evilomen.HERODIASWhat is it to thee if she dance on

    blood ? Thou hast waded deep enoughin it. . . .

    HERODWhat is it to me ? Ah ! look at the

    moon! She has become red. She hasbecome red as blood. Ah ! the prophet

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    ^ Salomeprophesied truly. He prophesied thatthe moon would become as blood.Did he not prophesy it ? All of ye heardhim prophesying it. And now themoon has become as blood. Do yenot see it?

    HERODIASOh yes, I see it well, and the stars

    are falling like unripe figs, are they not ?and the sun is becoming black likesackcloth of hair, and the kings of theearth are afraid. That at least one cansee. The prophet is justified of hiswords in that at least, for truly the kingsof the earth are afraid. . . . Let usgo within. You are sick. They willsay at Rome that you are mad. Letus go within, I tell you.

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    Salome^THE VOICE OF lOKANAANWho is this who cometh from Edom,

    who is this who cometh from Bozra,whose raiment is dyed with purple,who shineth in the beauty of his gar-ments, who walketh mighty in his great-ness ? Wherefore is thy raiment stainedwith scarlet ?

    HERODIASLet us go within. The voice of thatman maddens me. I will not have mydaughter dance while he is continuallycrying out. I will not have her dancewhile you look at her in this fashion.In a word, I will not have her dance.HERODDo not rise, my wife, my queen, it

    will avail thee nothing. I will not go91

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    ^ Salomewithin till she hath danced. Dance,Salome, dance for me.HERODIASDo not dance, my daughter.

    SALOMEI am ready, Tetrarch.

    [Salome dances the dance of theseven veils.

    HERODAh ! wonderful ! wonderful ! Yousee that she has danced for me, yourdaughter. Come near, Salome, comenear, that I may give thee thy fee. AhI pay a royal price to those who dancefor my pleasure. I will pay thee roy-ally. I will give thee whatsoever thysoul desireth. What wouldst thouhave ? Speak.

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    Salome ^SALOME

    [Kneeling.] I would that they pres-ently bring me in a silver charger . . ,HEROD

    [Laughing.] In a silver charger ?Surely yes, in a silver charger. She ischarming, is she not ? What is it thouwouldst have in a silver charger, Osweet and fair Salome, thou that artfairer than all the daughters of Judaea ?What wouldst thou have them bringthee in a silver charger? Tell me.Whatsoever it may be, thou shalt re-ceive it. My treasures belong to thee.What is it that thou wouldst have,Salome ?SALOME

    [Rising.] The head of lokanaan.93

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    ^ SalomeHERODIASAh ! that is well said, my daughter.

    HERODNo, no!

    HERODIASThat is well said, my daughter.HERODNo, no, Salome. It is not that thou

    desirest. Do not listen to thy mother*svoice. She is ever giving thee evilcounsel. Do not heed her.SALOME

    It is not my mother's voice that Iheed. It is for my own pleasure that Iask the head of lokanaan in a silvercharger. You have sworn an oath,Herod. Forget not that you have swornan oath.

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    Salome^ %HEROD

    I know it. I have sworn an oath bymy gods. I know it well. But I praythee, Salome, ask of me something else.Ask of me the half of my kingdom, andI will give it thee. But ask not of mewhat thy lips have asked.SALOME

    I ask of you the head of lokanaan.HERODNo, no, I will not give it thee.

    SALOMEYou have sworn an oath, Herod.

    HERODIASYes, you have sworn an oath. Every-body heard you. You swore it before

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    ^ SalomeHEROD

    Peace, woman! It is not to you Ispeak.HERODIASMy daughter has done well to ask the

    head of lokanaan. He has covered mewith insults. He has said unspeakablethings against me. One can see thatshe loves her mother well. Do notyield, my daughter. He has sworn anoath, he has sworn an oath.HEROD

    Peace! Speak not to me! . . .Salome, I pray thee be not stub-born. I have ever been kind to-ward thee. I have ever loved thee.... It may be that I have loved theetoo much. Therefore ask not this thing

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    Salome^them not. Thou wouldst not that someevil should befall me, Salome ? Listento me again.SALOMEGive me the head of lokanaan.

    HERODAh! thou art not listening to me.

    Be calm. As for me, as for me, am Inot calm ? I am altogether calm. Lis-ten. I have jewels hidden in this place jewels that thy mother even hasnever seen; jewels that are marvellousto look at. I have a collar of pearls,set in four rows. They are like untomoons chained with rays of silver.They are even as half a hundred moonscaught in a golden net. On the ivorybreast of a queen they have rested.

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    ^ SalomeThou shalt be as fair as a queen whenthou wearest them. I have amethystsof two kinds; one that is black likewine, and one that is red like winethat one has coloured with water.I have topazes yellow as are the eyesof tigers, and topazes that are pinkas the eyes of a wood-pigeon, and greentopazes that are as the eyes of cats.I have opals that burn always, with aflame that is cold as ice, opals thatmake sad men's minds, and are afraidof the shadows. I have onyxes likethe eyeballs of a dead woman. I havemoonstones that change when the moonchanges, and are wan when they seethe sun. I have sapphires big likeeggs, and as blue as blue flowers. Thesea wanders within them, and the moon

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    Salome^comes never to trouble the blue oftheir waves. I have chrysolites andberyls, and chrysoprases and rubies;I have sardonyx and hyacinth stones,and stones of chalcedony, and I willgive them all unto thee, all, and otherthings will I add to them. The Kingof the Indies has but even now sentme four fans fashioned from the feathersof parrots, and the King of Numidiaa garment of ostrich feathers. I havea crystal, into which it is not lawfulfor a woman to look, nor may youngmen behold it until they have beenbeaten with rods. In a coffer of nacreI have three wondrous turquoises. Hewho wears them on his forehead canimagine things which are not, and hewho carries them in his hand can turn

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    ^ Salomethe fruitful woman into a woman thatis barren. These are great treasures.They are treasures above all price.But this is not all. In an ebonycoflFer I have two cups of amber thatare like apples of pure gold. If anenemy pour poison into these cups theybecome like apples of silver. In acoffer incrusted with amber I have san-dals incrusted with glass. I havemantles that have been brought fromthe land of the Seres, and braceletsdecked about with carbuncles and withjade that come from the city of Eu-phrates. . . . What desirest thou morethan this, Salome ? Tell me the thingthat thou desirest, and I will give itthee. All that thou askest I will givethee, save one thing only. I will give thee

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    Salome ^all that is mine, save only the life ofone man. I will give thee the mantleof the high priest. I will give thee theveil of the sanctuary.THE JEWSOh! Oh!

    SALOMEGive me the head of lokanaan

    HEROD[Sinking back in his seat.] Let her

    be given what she asks I Of a truthshe is her mother's child! [The firstSoldier approaches. Herodias drawsfrom the hand of the Tetrarch the ringof death, and gives it to the Soldier, whostraightway hears it to the Executioner.The Executioner looks scared."] Whohas taken, my ring ? There was a ring

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    ^ Salomeon my right hand. Who has drunkmy wine ? There was wine in my cup.It was full of wine. Some one hasdrunk it ! Oh ! surely some evil willbefall some one. [The Executionergoes down into the cistern.] Ah ! where-fore did I give my oath ? Hereafter letno king swear an oath. If he keep itnot, it is terrible, and if he keep it, itis terrible also.

    HERODIASMy daughter has done well.

    HERODI am sure that some misfortune will

    happen.SALOME

    [She leans over the cistern and listens.]There is no sound. I hear nothing.

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    Salome ^Why does he not cry out, this man ?Ah! if any man sought to kill me, Iwould cry out, I would struggle, I wouldnot suffer. . . . Strike, strike, Naaman,strike, I tell you. . . . No, I hearnothing. There is a silence, a terriblesilence. Ah ! something has fallenupon the ground. I heard somethingfall. It was the sword of the execu-tioner. He is afraid, this slave. Hehas dropped his sword. He dares notkill him. He is a coward, this slave!Let soldiers be sent. [She sees the Pageof Herodias and addresses him.] Comehither. Thou wert the friend of himwho is dead, wert thou not ? Well, Itell thee, there are not dead men enough.Go to the soldiers and bid them godown and bring me the thing I ask, the

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    ^ Salomething the Tetrarch has promised me, thething that is mine. [The Page recoils.She turns to the soldiers.] Hither, yesoldierso Get ye down into this cisternand bring me the head of this man.Tetrarch, Tetrarch, command yoursoldiers that they bring me the head oflokanaan.

    [A huge black arm, the arm of theExecutionery comes forth from the cts-terriy hearing on a silver shield the headof lokanaan. Salome seizes it. Herodhides his face with his cloak. He-rodias smiles and fans herself. TheNazarenes fall on their knees and beginto pray.]

    Ah ! thou wouldst not suffer me to kissthy mouth, lokanaan. Well! I willkiss it now. I will bite it with my teethno

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    Salome^as one bites a ripe fruit. Yes, I willkiss thy mouth, lokanaan. I said it, didI not say it ? I said it. Ah ! I will kissit now. . . . But wherefore dost thounot look at me, lokanaan ? Thine eyesthat were so terrible, so full of rage andscorn, are shut now. Wherefore arethey shut ? Open thine eyes ! Lift upthine eyelids, lokanaan! Whereforedost thou not look at me ? Art thouafraid of me, lokanaan, that thou wiltnot look at me ? . . . And thy tongue,that was like a red snake darting poison,it moves no more, it speaks no words,lokanaan, that scarlet viper that spatits venom upon me. It is strange, is itnot ? How is it that the red viper stirsno longer? . . . Thou wouldst havenone of me, lokanaan. Thou rejectedst

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    jA-> Salomeme. Thou didst speak evil wordsagainst me. Thou didst bear thyselftoward me as to a harlot, as to a womanthat is a wanton, to me, Salome, daugh-ter of Herodias, Princess of JudaeaWell, I still live, but thou art dead, andthy head belongs to me. I can do withit what I will. I can throw it to the dogsand to the birds of the air. That whichthe dogs leave, the birds of the air shalldevour. . . . Ah, lokanaan, lokanaan,thou wert the man that I loved aloneamong men! All other men werehateful to me. But thou wert beauti-ful ! Thy body was a column of ivoryset upon feet of silver. It was a gardenfull of doves and lilies of silver. It wasa tower of silver decked with shields ofivory. There was nothing in the world

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    Salome^so white as thy body. There was noth-ing in the world so black as thy hair.In the whole world there was nothingso red as thy mouth. Thy voice was acenser that scattered strange perfumes,and when I looked on thee I heard astrange music. Ah ! wherefore didstthou not look at me, lokanaan ? Withthe cloak of thine hands and with thecloak of thy blasphemies thou didst hidethy face. Thou didst put upon thineeyes the covering of him who would seehis God. Well, thou hast seen thy God,lokanaan, but me, me, thou didst neversee. If thou hadst seen me thou hadstloved me. I saw thee, and I loved thee.Oh, how I loved thee ! I love thee yet,lokanaan. I love only thee. ... Iam athirst for thy beauty; I am hungry

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    ^ Salomefor thy body; and neither wine norapples can appease my desire. Whatshall I do now, lokanaan ? Neitherthe floods nor the great waters canquench my passion. I was a princess,and thou didst scorn me. I was a virgin,and thou didst take my virginity fromme. I was chaste, and thou didst fillmy veins with fireo Ah! ah! where-fore didst thou not look at me ? Ifthou hadst looked at me thou hadstloved me. Well I know that thouwouldst have loved me, and the mysteryof Love is greater than the mystery ofDeath.HEROD

    She is monstrous, thy daughter; Itell thee she is monstrous. In truth,what she has done is a great crime.

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    Salome ^I am sure that it is a crime against someunknown God.HERODIAS

    I am well pleased with my daughter.She has done well. And I would stayhere now.HEROD

    [Rising.] Ah! There speaks mybrother's wife ! Come ! I will not stayin this place. Come, I tell thee. Surelysome terrible thing will befall. Manas-seh, Issachar, Ozias, put out thetorches. I will not look at things, I willnot suffer things to look at me. Putout the torches ! Hide the moon ! Hidethe stars ! Let us hide ourselves in ourpalace, Herodias. I begin to be afraid.

    [The slaves put out the torches. The"5

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    Salome^[The soldiers rush forward and crush

    beneath their shields Salome, daughter ofHerodias, Princess of Judcea.]

    Curtain

    "7

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