_The same. Herod, Herodias, with train from right._
JOHN
[_John has mounted the steps and stands in the middle of the
threshold._]
HEROD
[_Pale, but smiling._] Hearest thou what they cry?
HERODIAS
Have him seized, else it means death to you and to me.
THE PEOPLE
[_Are silent and tense in expectation. Most of them have picked up
stones._]
JOSAPHAT
[_Who stands to the left of John on a lower step, hands him a stone,
and says in a low voice._] Take this stone! [_More urgently._] Take
this stone!
JOHN
[_Takes the stone._]
HEROD
Thou on the steps. Knowest thou me not?
JOSAPHAT
[_Whispers._] Hurl the stone!
JOHN
[_Firmly._] In the name of Him [_He is about to throw the stone, then
pauses, half-questioning, half-swooning._] ... Who ... commands me ...
to love thee----[_A low moaning runs through the people._]
TWO SERVANTS
[_Have approached John. They seize him and push him down from the
Temple steps._]
HEROD AND HERODIAS
[_Walk up._]
THE PEOPLE
Woe to us! He too hath forsaken us. Woe, woe!
JOSAPHAT
[_To John, who is pinioned by the servants._] Master, what hast thou
done to us?
THE PEOPLE
Woe! Woe!
[_The curtain falls._]
FOURTH ACT
FOURTH ACT
_A town in Galilee.... The stage represents a grass-grown prison-yard
which, on the right side, is adjacent to the gardens of a Herodian
Palace, divided from them by a low wall, which continues in a
right-hand direction to the centre of background. On the left side of
background a higher wall, and entrance with heavy doors. To the left,
the clumsy pile of the prison buildings and a door. In the garden wall
is a gate, over which hangs the green foliage of the garden beyond,
which bounds the right side of background. On the right is a
semi-circular shaped marble seat with back; on left, stones covered
with moss._
SCENE I
_Gaoler, Abi._
ABI
[_With head thrust over the garden wall._] Master Gaoler, dost thou not
hear?
GAOLER
What wilt thou?
ABI
A ball went over the wall. Hast thou seen it?
GAOLER
No.
ABI
Please look for it, and throw it back.
GAOLER
Look for it thyself.
ABI
How can I, unless thou openest the gate.
GAOLER
I may not open it. Let me be.
ABI
Listen, Gaoler. The ball belongs to Salome, our young Princess. If thou
art not obliging, beware!
GAOLER
Oh, if it belongs to the young Princess----[_Opens the gate._]
SCENE II
_The Gaoler, Abi, Maecha, and later, Salome._
ABI
[_Calls back, laughing._] Mistress, the door is open.
GAOLER
Is that the young Princess, who is daughter of his new wife?
ABI
[_Nods._]
SALOME
[_Appears in the gateway._]
GAOLER
Princess, if ever thou comest through again, be sure to laugh, as
to-day. For this gate is full of danger for Herod's children.
SALOME
What does it do to Herod's children, thy gate?
GAOLER
The two sons of Herod the Great came through this gate before they were
sentenced, and through this gate----
MAECHA
Stop!...
SALOME
Let him alone, Maecha! His wisdom has taken a holiday. Hast thou no
livelier stories, old man?
GAOLER
What sort dost thou mean, young Princess?
SALOME
Stories of yesterday. Stories that have not yet come to an end--stories
that are as young [_stretches herself_] as we are.
GAOLER
Ah, I knew; but----
SALOME
But? Tell me, hast thou a new prisoner?
GAOLER
Yes.
SALOME
What has he done?
GAOLER
[_Maliciously._] He stole hens, young Princess.
SALOME
See to it that thou dost not steal my time!
ABI
[_Softly to him._] With her there is no jesting.
GAOLER
Princess, forgive.... I did not know.... Thou meanest, perhaps, John?
SALOME
Which John?
GAOLER
The one they call the Baptist--the Prophet from Judea, who----
SALOME
So he is here?
GAOLER
Yes; he has been here the last three days, Princess. They brought him
at the end of the same cavalcade which brought thee. He lieth now safe
with the salamanders and scorpions. They say he stirred up rebellion in
Jerusalem, and therefore----
SALOME
I wish to see John. Bring him here!
GAOLER
[_Horrified._] Princess, that cannot be.
SALOME
I wish it! Hast thou not heard? I wish it!
GAOLER
Princess, I opened this gate for thee because thou hadst lost a
plaything. Shall I now, instead of thy plaything, lose this old head?
MAECHA
Mistress, the Tetrarch is coming.
SALOME
[_Veiling herself._] Hide yourselves! [_She stoops behind the seat;
the maidens slip into the bushes._]
[_In the gateway Herod and his attendants._]
SCENE III
_The same. Herod, Merokles, Jabad, Gabalos._
HEROD
Gaoler!
GAOLER
Sire.
HEROD
Who are the three men who linger about the door? They look morose, and
did not salute me.
GAOLER
Sire, those are the remnant of the crew which followed John, they say,
from Jerusalem. For eight days and eight nights they followed him.
HEROD
The remnant, sayest thou? Where are the rest?
GAOLER
They lie somewhere by the wayside, Sire, and die of thirst, unless the
ravens give them to drink.
HEROD
Drive them away!
GAOLER
Sire, we have hunted them off several times; but they always come back.
HEROD
So, let them be.
MEROKLES
See, how mild is our ruler! He doth not order them to be cut in pieces.
JABAD
Hail to our Ruler! [_The two others join in._]
HEROD
To speak candidly, friends, I do not lay hands on sages and fools
willingly; for one can never know whether the executioner holds up the
head of a sage or a fool.
GABALOS
Thou canst do no wrong, Sire; for thou art wise, all-wise!
HEROD
When I order thee to be beheaded, I shall not be wrong; for thou art a
fool, a complete fool. [_Nearing the seat._] Bring me----[_Observes
Salome, who, listening, has raised her head a little above the edge of
the seat, then quickly dives down again._] I beg you to retire, and
await me without the gate.
[_Exeunt Gabalos, Merokles, Jabad._]
SCENE IV
_Herod, Salome. Also Abi and Maecha, hidden._
HEROD
Tell me, thou veiled one, art thou not Salome, my wife's daughter?
SALOME
Sire, so true as 'tis that thou art my protector I am Salome.
HEROD
How camest thou into this prison-yard?
SALOME
Ask me not, Sire. My soul else will blush before thee. It was
curiosity, because I heard thee coming.
HEROD
And where are thy playmates?
SALOME
They are afraid of thee, so they have crept away. Abi, Maecha, come
forth; our master commands it. [_Abi and Maecha come out hesitatingly,
and curtsey profoundly._]
HEROD
Thy eyes plead for them, therefore they shall not be scolded.
SALOME
And my lips thank thee on their behalf.
HEROD
They thank like conquerors. There is music in them. How is it, Salome,
that I have never heard thy voice?
SALOME
Thou shouldst ask my mother, Sire.
HEROD
[_Fiercely._] Thy mother! Still, I know that thou art well disposed
towards me. Thou didst deliver into my hand that maid who carried on
treason at night outside the Palace.
SALOME
Could I do less, Sire? And him to whom she betrayed thy secrets, wilt
thou not punish him too?
HEROD
I do not know. But how?
SALOME
Sire, it seemeth to me that he hath a great following among the people.
If thou sparest him, the people will like thee.
HEROD
Words of wisdom fall from thy lips, Salome.
SALOME
See how his disciples tarry at the entrance. If thou treatest him well,
they will carry praises of thee to Jerusalem.
HERODIAS
How unlike thou art to thy mother, Salome!
SALOME
And how like, too!
HEROD
I would rather think that thou wert unlike. My sweet, unveil thyself.
SALOME
Sire, if thou wert my father! But thou art not. Directly thou comest
near, my mother herself draweth my veil down deep over my breast.
HEROD
Unveil to me.
SALOME
Sire, not when I am alone with thee.
HEROD
Then if I was with others, thou wouldst?
SALOME
Perhaps. Ask my mother.
HEROD
A little now. Just a finger's length.
SALOME
No, really ... it is not seemly, Sire.
HEROD
But if I were sitting with other men ... at meat ... or over wine ...
and thou camest and unveiled, that would be more seemly?
SALOME
May be!... I can dance, Sire.
HEROD
Wouldst thou do that for me also?
SALOME
And what wouldst thou do for me?
HEROD
Salome!
SALOME
[_Rising._] No, but thou must indeed ask my mother, Sire. I am still
far too ignorant; I know not what a maiden ought to do. Only what I
would like to do. I know that well enough.
HEROD
What wouldst thou _like_ to do?
SALOME
Thy pleasure, Sire. Nothing else, nothing. Seest thou, if thou treatest
this prisoner humanely, they will sing thy praises, and I shall be so
proud, I shall say in my heart, He acted on my advice.
HEROD
[_To the gaoler._] Bring the Baptist here.... I will consider it,
Salome.
[_Exit Gaoler._
SALOME
[_From the gate, with a slight fluttering of her veil._] And I will
thank thee, Sire!
HEROD
Salome!
SALOME
[_Vanishes, with a burst of laughter. Abi and Maecha have preceded
her._]
HEROD
[_Looks after her, and then sits down on the seat._]
SCENE V
_Herod, John. The Gaoler. A Guard._
HEROD
Tell me, how should one address thee when one would show thee respect?
Thou thinkest that I mock thee? But knowest thou that in reality I am
indebted to thee? The people's meditated attack was not hidden from me,
and yet I came without the escort of warriors which Rome sent for my
protection. Thou heldest me in the hollow of thy hand, as thou heldest
the stone. Say, why didst thou let it fall? Why hast thou spared me?
JOHN
Sire, even if I spoke thou wouldst not understand me.
HEROD
That is defiance, which I cannot praise. In chains it is easy to be
defiant. Take off his chains and go. [_The Gaoler obeys. Exit with the
guard._] Now, as a free man, revile me. Art thou a preacher of
repentance? If so, preach to me!
JOHN
Sire, thou wouldst not understand me.
HEROD
So thou saidst before. Think of something new. Here in Galilee I am
inclined to be mild and tolerant of goodness. I am told that thou
hatest the Pharisees. I hate them too. I am told that thou hatest the
priests. I love them not. I am told that thou hatest the Romans.
I---- Say, why didst thou spare me?
JOHN
Sire, my heart failed me.
HEROD
Failed thee! Before me, whom thou callest "the little"! Art thou
flattering me because I have loosened thee from thy chains?
JOHN
Thou hast not laid me in chains, and canst not loosen me from them.
HEROD
What ... and yet I made thee falter?
JOHN
It was Another who threw thee in my way.... And so my heart failed me.
HEROD
Tell me, Baptist--I call thee by the name I have heard people speak of
thee by, and I hope thou wilt not be angry--tell me, Who is that King
of the Jews whose image thou danglest before the people?... See, the
guards are gone, and thy confidence shall be rewarded. Tell me, who is
it?
JOHN
Sire, I know not.
HEROD
And so thou deniest thy own creature?
JOHN
What is my own I deny.
HEROD
Ha, ha, ha! I have half a mind to summon my little Greek that he may go
to school under thee. Listen [_in a low voice_], I too have heard of a
King of the Jews who will come with a sword drawn above his head, and
he will spare no one who doth not serve him at the right moment.
JOHN
[_Eagerly._] Who is it, of whom thou speakest?
HEROD
Master, I do not know. Thou seest thus that I too have a burden of
secret anxiety oppressing me, and await the sunrise.... But let me
speak with thee seriously, Baptist. Thou hurlest thy arrows of reproach
at me on account of the woman I stole.... I could almost pity thee for
that. Thou, a great man, mightst have chosen a greater subject than a
woman. And knowest thou every day she sharpens those arrows herself for
me?... But enough of that. The smiths say that good metal rings true
even when it is cracked, and thou ringest true. How dost thou manage
it?... I pray thee teach me the way.... What, silent again?
JOHN
Methinks I know you now, ye smiling scoffers. Ye grow fat on the wit of
the market-places; but hunger seizes you, and ye then lift your eyes to
the earnest ones, walking on the mountain-tops.
HEROD
By Bacchus, there lurks some truth in that. But it's not good walking
on the mountain-tops. We wait to see you fall; then we shall not smile,
but laugh.
JOHN
But I say unto thee, Sire, thou wilt not laugh. He Who cometh requireth
me not. That is why He cast me down.... Gaze into His eyes when He
comes, and thou wilt not laugh, even at me.
HEROD
It seems to me thy reasoning is poor, and revolves in a circle.... And
yet there is something that attracts me to thee. Baptist, thou hast so
long been my enemy, couldst thou not possibly be my friend?
JOHN
Sire, meseemeth that to be nobody's enemy and nobody's friend is the
right of the lonely. It is their all. Let me keep it.
HEROD
Yet I do not give thee up as lost. If thou wert so minded we might
pursue the same paths for a spell.
JOHN
Whither, Sire?
HEROD
Whither? Upwards!
JOHN
For thee there is no upwards. Thou bearest the times that are and
were before thee, like an ulcerous evil, on thy body. Burnest thou
not from all their poisonous lusts? Art thou not weighted by their
unholy desires? And thou wouldst mount to the heights. Stay in the
market-place and smile.
HEROD
Baptist, take care. Thy chains lie not far off.
JOHN
Let me be chained, Sire; I ask for nothing better.
HEROD
[_Gnashing his teeth._] Truly thou art ruled by a broken spirit.
[_After a little reflection._] Yet tell me, Baptist, when that other
cometh, that other----Say, was it in His Name that thou didst not throw
the stone at me?
JOHN
[_Confused._] Sire, what dost thou ask?
HEROD
Was it in His Name? For if so, thy Jewish king shall not rob my nights
of sleep. Ha! ha! Here, gaoler! [_The gaoler comes._] The prisoner
shall go in and out as he pleaseth, for he is not dangerous.
GAOLER
[_Dumfounded, then in a low voice._] Sire, how shall my life be safe,
if----
HEROD
And his disciples, who loiter about the gates. Let them in and out as
often as he wishes.... Now, did this God's people ever know a more
clement master than I? [_Laughing, walks away._]
SCENE VI
_John and the Gaoler. Later, Maecha, Salome._
GAOLER
Well, thou art now thy own master. What are thy commands?
JOHN
The Tetrarch spoke of my disciples----
MAECHA
[_Appearing in the gateway to left._] He is alone.
SALOME
[_Signs to the Gaoler. Exeunt Maecha and Gaoler._]
JOHN
What wilt thou?
SALOME
Master, seest thou the sun sinking yonder between the pomegranate
boughs?
JOHN
I see it.
SALOME
Knowest thou whose doing it is that thou art able to see it ere it
goeth down, and ere thou goest down? Mine!
JOHN
May be. What dost thou want?
SALOME
Thou shalt not go down. Not thou. For my soul is thirsty. Teach me,
master.
JOHN
What shall I teach thee?
SALOME
See, I am pious by nature, and I have a longing for salvation.... What
thou givest to the humblest by the highway, give also to me. Let me sit
at thy feet. I will be pious. Yea, I will. And if I touch thy hairy
shirt, then be not frightened. I mean thee no harm.
JOHN
Why shouldst thou mean me harm, young virgin?
SALOME
Who can say ... if thou shouldst reject me! No one knows how powerful I
am to-day. When I stretch my limbs [_she spreads out her arms_] it
seems to me as if I carried the whole world like this ... only to hug
it to my heart.
JOHN
Maiden, thou hast a playmate.
SALOME
[_Attentively._] Which playmate?
JOHN
Her name is Miriam.
SALOME
I _had_ her. Now she is dead.
JOHN
[_Bows his head. His suspicions realized._]
SALOME
I had her slain because she went to thee. No one shall go to thee
except me. Seest thou now how pious I am? Seest thou? My soul feels thy
strength, and feels it with joy; for I have never seen anyone so strong
as thou art. I have made thankofferings and secret vows like those the
Psalms sing of. Then I have been forth in the gloaming to seek thy
countenance and the light of thy eyes. And I have decked my bed with
beautiful, many-coloured rugs from Egypt, and I have sprinkled my
pillows with myrtle, aloes, and cinnamon. I will give thee my fair
young body, thou barbarian among the sons of Israel! Come, let us make
love till morning. And my playmates shall keep watch on the threshold,
and greet the dawn with their harps.
JOHN
Verily, thou art powerful; thou carriest the world in thy arms ... for
thou art sin itself.
SALOME
Yes. Sweet as sin.... That am I.
JOHN
Go!
SALOME
Thou spurnest me! Spurnest me? [_She rushes through the gate._]
SCENE VII
_John, Josaphat, Manassa, Amarja._
JOHN
[_Goes to the door, where the Gaoler is waiting._]
GAOLER
Wouldst thou see thy disciples now?
JOHN
Bring them to me.
[_Manassa, Amarja hasten to him and kiss his garment. Josaphat hangs
back._]
JOHN
Matthias is not with you?
JOSAPHAT
No.
JOHN
What, Josaphat, thou who wast ever the nearest to me, hast thou no
greeting to give?
JOSAPHAT
[_Turns away._]
JOHN
Well, then, what is it?
JOSAPHAT
Rabbi, it is written ... One knife sharpens another, and one man
another ... but thou hast made us blunt.
JOHN
And thou hast come this long way to tell me that?
JOSAPHAT
Rabbi, thou shouldst be the way that all the erring follow. Thou
shouldst strengthen weak knees and mould trembling hands to the sword's
hilt. Thy work was wrath, Rabbi, but thou hast made of it a sophistry
and a weakness.
JOHN
Thou art not to know what my work was. Had I known myself, I should not
be here. Truly the time of my fall is come, when enemies sing my
praises and friends speak ill of me. What would ye have me do? My end
must be in solitude and silence.
JOSAPHAT
Thy end, Rabbi, is no concern of ours. It is for Israel's end that I
fear. Thou tookest the law from us. What hast thou given us instead?
JOHN
Who art thou, that like a kennelled hound, thou bitest at my shanks?
_I_ took the law from you? My soul hath wrestled with the law till it
is weary; my forehead beat against its walls till it bled! But now ye
have opened your mouths wide that salvation should slip down them like
sweet crumbs. Ye gazed up at me so long as I stood erect, and now
shrink away like cowards from my fall. I have not fallen for myself, I
fell for you. To you it was a compulsion and a matter of watching. To
me it was voluntary, and a combat at the sword's point.... Look at me!
Twice to-day I have been face to face with the world's sin. But it
seemed to me almost fair, for I have yet to meet the worst. Thou art a
renegade! Thou hast ever been a renegade, and renegades will ye be to
all eternity, ye men of universal utility, who manure your acres with
the blood of those who have died for you! Go! I am weary of you!
JOSAPHAT
I am going, Rabbi, whither Matthias hath gone before me, to Jesus of
Nazareth.
JOHN
[_Startled and moved._] To Jesus of Nazareth?
JOSAPHAT
[_Turns silently to go out._] [_Exit._
SCENE VIII
_Manassa, Amarja, John._
JOHN
How Amarja, and how Manassa? Those whom I trusted the most have
forsaken me, and ye are still here!
AMARJA
Rabbi, I was at all times the least among thy disciples. What should I
be worth if I were not faithful?
MANASSA
And to me, Rabbi, thou hast given a hope.
JOHN
Yet he is gone to Jesus of Nazareth. Be ye not fools. Go with him.
MANASSA
Let us be fools, Rabbi.
JOHN
[_Sitting down on a stone._] So seat yourselves with me. Night draweth
nigh, and I am weary. Hearken! It was even as if I heard a beating of
wings above me. Did ye hear nothing?
AMARJA
Nothing, Rabbi.
JOHN
The womb of my soul is opened. I am ready for the blessing from on
high. Is there not a whispering, roundabout? Heard ye nothing?
MANASSA
Nothing, Rabbi.
JOHN
There is a light shining over yonder mountains. Lovely is that light,
and within me dawns the meaning of a contradiction. Who alone can
deliver the world? To obtain it as a gift is to stretch forth your
hands for the unobtainable.... We are in Galilee, know ye, where He now
teacheth, this Jesus of Nazareth!
AMARJA
We heard in the streets that He was not far off. He tarries on the
sea-coast.
MANASSA
And they say He may perhaps come into the town.
JOHN
Mayhap. Yet only mayhap! And my time is over. I must make haste, lest I
die. Will ye do me a service?
AMARJA, MANASSA
Rabbi, command us!
JOHN
Get ye up and go unto Him.
AMARJA, MANASSA
To Him?
JOHN
[_Nods._] And wheresoever ye find Him, speak to Him. Ask: "Art Thou He
Who cometh, or shall we wait for another?" So ask Him, and when He hath
answered, come back--quickly--for my longing for Him is very great. I
believe I could not die ere ye returned.
AMARJA
Master, we will not pause or rest.
JOHN
And ye will not forget my darkness in His radiance?
MANASSA
Master, why makest thou us ashamed?
JOHN
Then, farewell.
MANASSA, AMARJA
Farewell, Rabbi. [_They turn to go._]
JOHN
Go not thus; not yet. Let me clasp your hands, then ye are the least
among my disciples, and [_in great emotion_] methinks I--I--love you.
[_The Curtain falls._]
FIFTH ACT
FIFTH ACT
_Hall in Herod's Palace. A row of pillars, raised by two steps, in the
background, which lead to an open balcony with balustrade. This can be
shut off by curtains, which at first are thrown back. A street is
supposed to run at the foot of the next storey. In the middle of the
stage, raised on a dais, is a table, with couches ranged round it;
flowers and ornaments. Doors to right and left._
SCENE I
_Servants moving about arranging pictures and flowers, Gabalos
superintending them; afterwards, Herod._
A SERVANT
[_Announces from door on left._] Our governor!
HEROD
[_Following him._] Now, Gabalos, thou who hast washed in many waters,
what has thy art provided? Thou knowest our guests are spoiled
children.
GABALOS
Sire, thou needest have no anxiety about food and drink. Something
customary is best for jaded palates. Therefore I chartered the cook of
Vitellius. But for the other part of the entertainment the prospect is
bad.
HEROD
[_Smiling._] Is that thy opinion?
GABALOS
Noble Merokles will declaim a new ode, I warrant. Our Libyan
flute-players will have washed their brown legs in honour of the
occasion. Sire, mistrust those legs even when washed. As I tell thee
every day, we are sick of Judean morality. Judean morality is devouring
us like the plague.
HEROD
Say, Gabalos, dost thou think that our Legate from Syria, before whom
all the gaiety and colour of life doth shimmer, hath ever seen a young
daughter of Princes dance at table?
GABALOS
That would be grand, because it is something new.
SCENE II
_The same. Herodias_ [_from right_].
HEROD
[_Noticing her._] Get thee gone!
[_Gabalos and the servants withdraw to the background, where they let
down the curtains which now shut in the hall._]
HEROD
What hast thou decided? Will it come to pass?
HERODIAS
Thy countenance beams. Thy eyes betray a badly concealed desire.
HEROD
[_Bewildered_] Of what desire dost thou speak?
HERODIAS
Do not prevaricate. I know thee, my friend. The poisonous weed which
thou cultivatest with little sighs, and coverest up with thy crooked
smiles, I know it!
HEROD
I vow, love, that I ask this only for the sake of the Roman. And
how should I ever have conceived the idea had it not been for thy
half-promises and suggestion of its possibilities? Thou knowest as well
as I that we must offer the Roman something immense, something that may
not have faded from his tired memory when he enters Caesar's presence.
HERODIAS
That is it. And thou thyself gainest thereby a dainty tit-bit for thy
lonely night-dreams! It will be nothing more than that. I'll see to it.
HEROD
I am simple of understanding. I cannot follow thee.
HERODIAS
Oh, yes; very simple is thy understanding. I know.
HEROD
Then it seems thou refusest?
HERODIAS
How could I refuse, when youth smiled and consented?
HEROD
Ah! And what reward wilt thou claim?
HERODIAS
Nothing.
HEROD
Thou art like those priests, dearest. What didst thou ever do for
nothing? Hasten then, I pray, to name thy price!
HERODIAS
Farewell!
HEROD
[_Looks after her, shaking his head._]
HERODIAS
[_Turning round._] Before I forget it, just tell me, my friend, what
art thou going to do with that Baptist?
HEROD
My Baptist is nothing to thee.
HERODIAS
The maids tell me he wanders about loose in the gardens.
HEROD
Let him; he will not hurt thee.
HERODIAS
I only asked, because I wish to know how I am to avoid him.
HEROD
I'll take care, love, that he doth not meet thee. But enough of the
Baptist. Once more thy price, Herodias?
HERODIAS
Look at me! Here is a woman that no longer adorns her own body because
thou now scornest it; she therefore adorns instead the body that came
from hers. Here is a woman whose breasts have withered because her eyes
have shed tears of blood. Therefore she will let the budding bosom,
from which the veil has never yet fallen, be exposed to thine and thy
guests' lustful gaze. And for this sacrifice of unspeakable bitterness
I ask nothing, for I am without wishes. One who can still hope shall
ask. Salome shall ask.
HEROD
Salome ... I would rather it were so.
HERODIAS
And thou wilt grant what she asks?
HEROD
I know not. I will see. I will let myself be driven. For in combat with
the strong that is the last resource of the weak. But take care whither
thou drivest me.... Mistress! [_Exit._
SCENE III
_Herodias, Salome._
SALOME
[_Putting her head through the door._] Mother, am I to dance here?
HERODIAS
Come, softly. Art thou trembling, my dove? Art thou afraid of thy own
will?
SALOME
Take my hand, mother. I am not trembling, because I know that thou art
my will.
HERODIAS
Not I! thou must will.
SALOME
For only the one who willeth exerciseth power. [_As Herodias regards
her suspiciously, she adds quickly._] I read that in the Scriptures,
mother. I did not understand what it meant.
HERODIAS
Listen to me, thou sharpwits. A carpet of Indian wool will be spread
here, there the Prince will sit with the foreign guests.... Let not thy
foot touch the stone, raise not thy eyes.... Dance thy dance modestly,
and when thou hast finished, wipe signs of shame from thy face; hearken
narrowly to what the Tetrarch saith to thee. And if he should say, "Now
ask of me, and----"
SALOME
What then, mother?
HERODIAS
Ask nothing.... Then look at him for the first time a long, smiling
look, and ... ask nothing. After that thou mayest demand.
SALOME
[_Attentive._] What shall I demand, mother? A gold hair-ornament, or
shoes of velvet? No; I know what I'll demand--a mirror.
HERODIAS
[_Passing her hand through Salome's hair._] Verily thou hast never felt
hate to boil in thy breast, like love on a night in May?
SALOME
[_Feigning innocence._] No, mother. How should I?
HERODIAS
Thou hast never felt an insult coursing through thee, like burning,
liquid fire?
SALOME
[_In the same tone._] No, mother; really I have not.
HERODIAS
Thou shalt demand no mirror, no hair-ornament, and no velvet shoes. But
that the head of him they call John the Baptist shall be brought to
thee on a dish.
SALOME
[_Setting her teeth, and controlling herself with difficulty._] On a
golden dish?
HERODIAS
What dost thou say? Understandest thou me not or--who----
SALOME
There's something else. One thing more I want to be sure of! Will _he_
know--that ... that Baptist, from whom the request cometh?
HERODIAS
[_Breaking out_] Certainly, he shall know! I will stand behind thy
bloody trophy as thy will.
SALOME
[_Half to herself._] As the will of my will?
HERODIAS
I will grow over him, as the sword groweth forth from the sleeve of the
executioner ... [_Trumpets sound._] Come!
SALOME
And I will grow over him like a sweet grapevine. [_Exeunt both, to
right._]
SCENE IV
_Herod. Vitellius. Marcellus_ (_and other Romans of the Legate and
suite_), _Merokles, Gabalos, Jabad._
HEROD
Welcome to my table, exalted Vitellius, who bringest on the soles of
thy feet the sacred soil of Rome into my poor dwelling. Welcome to you
also, ye who follow him, according to Rome's command. She, our august
mother, but ordereth what my soul desireth.
VITELLIUS
Thou hast my thanks, excellent prince.
HEROD
Repose now at thy pleasure, exalted one. [_They lie on the couches._]
GABALOS
[_Low._] Say, my brave Marcellus, how dost thou like this Jewish
ear-wig?
MARCELLUS
It doth not find its way to our ears.
HEROD
And if thou wilt consent to crown thy brow with this wreath, as our
Lord and Master, I shall be able to persuade myself that I am thy
guest, instead of thou being mine.
VITELLIUS
Thou art _Rome's_ guest, Highness. Thus I will accept what befitteth
me. [_Puts on the wreath which a servant hands to him._]
GABALOS
There was a sting in that speech.
HEROD
[_Quickly collecting himself._] My good Merokles, begin.
MEROKLES
[_Stands up and reads from a roll of parchment._]
"Cooled by Hebron's far-gleaming snow,
The fiery soul, concealed in ice,
Favours with its flickering smile
Us the worshippers.
"So thou sendest forth twofold beams of silent light,
So flames for us shoot forth from thy coldness,
So we prize as sacred thy flickering smile, mighty Vitellius--
Till we----"
VITELLIUS
My dear friend, what is this man talking about?
HEROD
Doth it displease thee, Exalted One?
VITELLIUS
It seemed to me that he called my name. In the case of his desiring a
favour, it shall be immediately granted if he promises to keep silent
for the future!
GABALOS
Oh, friends, what a success!
VITELLIUS
Nevertheless, thy peacock's liver is good, very good, my dear Herod.
HEROD
Thou rejoicest me, Exalted Highness. Wilt thou not now command thy
Libyan flute-players to come and charm thy ear?
VITELLIUS
My ear is obedient. Let them come.
SCENE V
[_The same. Salome_ (_thickly veiled_) _led in by Herodias while the
harps are tuned. A murmur of astonishment runs round the table._]
VITELLIUS
Are these thy Libyan----
HEROD
[_Who has risen._] This is my wife, Exalted Highness.
VITELLIUS
[_Also rising._] Mistress, if thou wouldst grace this feast with thy
smiles, I bid thee welcome.
HERODIAS
Pardon, noble Vitellius. The custom of the East, over which thou
reignest so gloriously, doth not permit of my sitting beside thee at
table. Yet we know how to entertain even when we are not merry. My lord
and consort, zealous to please thee, hath commanded me to adorn myself
and my little daughter to enter thy presence, therewith she may delight
thy eyes with her maidenly art, trembling in maidenly modesty.
VITELLIUS
Hail to thee, Prince, and to thy noble wife! Rome will not be grudging
where thou art so lavish. Hearest thou not?
HEROD
[_With his eyes fixed on Salome._] Exalted, look!
VITELLIUS
Truly, he is right; let us look, Romans. Open your eyes wide, for what
is coming is the art of all arts. And if thou tremblest, maiden,
remember that thou rulest because thou tremblest.
MARCELLUS
One is obliged to say that, Gabalos, to encourage her.
GABALOS
Ah, my brave Marcellus, see to it, is it fast on its neck?
MARCELLUS
Who? What?
GABALOS
The head! the head! Look at Herodias. That will cost some one his head!
Only _whose_ has not yet transpired.
MARCELLUS
[_Pointing to Salome._] Silence!... See!...
SALOME
[_Has extricated herself from the arms of Herodias and, accompanied by
exclamations of admiration and delight, has begun to dance. Her dance
becomes wilder and more abandoned; she gradually loosens her veil, then
covers herself with it again in voluptuous playfulness, till at last,
quite unveiled, she stands with the upper part of her body apparently
unclothed. She sinks on her knees half exhausted, half in homage,
before Herod, who stands on the right side of the table._]
[_All break into ecstasies of applause._]
HEROD
[_Rushes forward to raise her._]
HERODIAS
[_Who has retreated as far as the proscenium on right, and has watched
everything intently with a harassed expression playing on her face, now
intervenes to prevent him. She and Herod exchange hostile glances._]
HEROD
[_Hoarsely._] Salome!
SALOME
Sire!
HEROD
Stand up and speak.
SALOME
[_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
What dost thou want with him?
GAOLER
Two of his friends who were with him yesterday, the same thou sawest
outside the gate, have come back, and learning that his life is now
in jeopardy--thy servant hath told me, and I have got everything
ready--they became like creatures possessed, and implored me to lead
them to him wheresoever he might be.
HEROD
Dost thou approve, Mighty Legate?
VITELLIUS
Dear friend, this is the most enjoyable entertainment that has ever
been provided for me at meat. Let them come! Let them come!
HEROD
[_Signs._]
GAOLER
[_Retires behind curtain of door and beckons._]
SCENE VIII
_The same. Manassa. Amarja._
[_They seem at first as if they would rush to John, but overcome by
shyness stand still._]
JOHN
What have ye to tell me?
MANASSA
Master!
HEROD
Speak louder, my good men! Unless ye let us participate in the news, I
will have you carried off through separate doors.
MANASSA
May we, Master?
JOHN
Speak freely, for methinks we are alone together.
MANASSA
We took the road in all haste to Bethesda, and at break of day we found
Him there.
JOHN
Ye found him there?
MANASSA
And many people were gathered about him resting in the olive gardens,
and praised the Lord for the miracle which had been done to them at
that hour. And behold there was a light in every eye, and in every
mouth the music of thanksgiving.
JOHN
And He? How looked His countenance? What were His gestures?
MANASSA
Master, I know not.
JOHN
But ye saw Him?
AMARJA
Rabbi, thou mightest as well ask, What is the face of the sun, and what
the gestures of light?... As we beheld His smile we sank to the ground,
and in our souls was a great peace.
JOHN
And when ye had questioned Him, and He began to speak, tell me what was
His manner of speech? Say; I stand here awaiting His wrath.
AMARJA
Rabbi.... He spoke to us like a brother. His speech was simple.
MANASSA
And it was beautiful ... like the voice of the wind which blows from
the sea towards evening.
AMARJA
And this is what He spake. "Go and tell John what ye have seen and
heard. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf
hear, the dead rise, and the poor have the gospel preached to them."
JOHN
The poor--He said the poor?
MANASSA
And when He prepared to come hither to this town with the people who
were gathered about Him, we accompanied Him as far as the gate, and
then hurried on before, according to thy wish.
JOHN
And said He nothing else to you? Reflect well.
AMARJA
Yes; yet one more thing. He said, "Blessed be he who hath not been
offended at me." But this we could not understand.
JOHN
But I understand it well and to whom He spoke. I have been offended,
for I have not recognized Him. And my anger filled the world, for I
knew Him not. Ye yourselves are my witnesses that I have said, "I am
not the Christ, but one sent to prepare the way for Him that cometh." A
man can take nothing to himself that is not given him by Heaven. And
unto me nothing was given. The key of death ... I held it not ... the
scales of sin were not confided to me. For out of no man's mouth may
the name of sin sound, save out of the mouth of the one that loveth.
But I would have scourged you with iron rods. Therefore is my kingdom
come to shame, and my lips are sealed. I hear roundabout a rushing
noise, as of many waters, and the divine radiance is near me.... A
throne hath descended out of heaven amidst darts of fire. The King of
Peace sitteth thereon in white robes. And His sword is called Love, and
His watchword is mercy.... Behold He hath the bride, He is the
bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom standeth and listeneth,
and rejoiceth over the voice that is coming. The same is my joy. Now is
it fulfilled. [_He stands with his arms outspread and his eyes turned
towards heaven. Manassa and Amarja sink at his feet._]
VITELLIUS
Dear friend, it seems to me that we have had enough of this maniac.
HEROD
[_Between emotion and scorn._] John, I am truly grieved on thy account.
And when He cometh of whom thou dreamest, I will greet Him as I have
greeted thee. Ha! ha! ha! Lead him to execution.
SALOME
Now, ask me! [_As John smilingly looks beyond her._] Mother, will he
not ask?
SCENE IX
_Vitellius, his suite, Herod, Herodias, Salome, Merokles, Gabalos,
Jabad._
VITELLIUS
My friend, thy banquet has been somewhat disturbed. [_As Herod stares
at the door through which John has disappeared._] No matter what I say,
he does not hear me.
HEROD
Exalted highness, pardon!
SALOME
[_Has crossed over the stage and goes stealthily to the door on left.
In great curiosity she draws back the curtain, and after gazing eagerly
through it, reels backwards into the arms of Herodias. Outside, behind
the middle curtain, an ever-increasing tumult and murmur of many voices
has arisen._]
VITELLIUS
Bid the women to sit down. Thou hast an ill-conducted people. They
brawl in the street while we dine.
HEROD
Are they already muttering about the Baptist? Gabalos, look to it, and
tell them to be quiet.
GABALOS
It shall be done, Sire. [_Exit._
SALOME
[_Pointing to the door, the curtains of which are open._] Mother, see
what they are bringing. See! [_She rushes out._]
HEROD
[_Descending the steps of the dais._] What does she want there?
HERODIAS
Sire, thou art of simple understanding. I advise thee to look the other
way.
HEROD
What is she doing?
HERODIAS
She is dancing! She holds the charger with the Prophet's head high in
her arms, and dances.
JABAD
See, she dances!
HEROD
So thou hast corrupted thy own flesh and blood. So thou wilt corrupt us
all.
HERODIAS
[_Smiling, shrugs her shoulders._]
MEROKLES
She sways. She will fall!
HERODIAS
[_Goes out composedly._]
MEROKLES
The head is rolling on the floor!
MARCELLUS
Oh, horror!
HERODIAS
[_Comes back supporting Salome in her arms._]
SALOME
Mother, where is the dish? Where is the head?
HERODIAS
Make obeisance. Speak thy thanks.
SALOME
[_Before Herod._] Sire, I am a rose of Sharon. A flower of the valley
... Who would thank me should pluck me ... Oh, look at the head!
HEROD
Take the women away!
HERODIAS
[_Curtseys, and leads, smiling; the half-swooning Salome off to
right._]
SCENE X
_The same_. [_Without Herodias and Salome._]
_Gabalos_ [_has re-entered from left_].
HEROD
Well, what is the matter?
GABALOS
Sire, the people will not be restrained. Men and women in holiday
raiment fill the streets and crowd on the roofs. They carry palms in
their hands, and sing and shout for joy.
HEROD
What are they singing?
GABALOS
Thou knowest, Sire, I am not servile, but I scarcely like to say.
HEROD
Speak!
GABALOS
Hosannah! to Him Who shall come. Hosannah to the King of the Jews! So
they sing.
HEROD
[_Grinding his teeth._] I have had John beheaded. Who may this one be?
GABALOS
If thou wouldst see Him, Sire, they say He is coming this way.
HEROD
I will see Him. I will greet Him as I promised. Ha! ha! ha! Open!
SCENE XI
[_The curtains are drawn aside. One sees the roofs crowded with women
waving palms. Others, with palms in their hands, climb the hilly street
below. The shouting swells in volume and becomes an orderly, harmonious
song._]
VITELLIUS
[_Who has continued sitting, turns round indignantly._] What is going
on there again?
HEROD
[_Has grasped a goblet, and springs on the topmost step._]
Greeting to thee, my King ---- of the ----
[_He looks, stops short ... the goblet slips from his hand, he turns
away and hides his face in his mantle._]
THE OTHERS
[_Also stand, looking down in silent amazement. The Hosannahs rise from
the street._]
[_The Curtain falls._]
FINIS
End of Project Gutenberg's John the Baptist: A Play, by Hermann Sudermann