HERODIAS: There are others who look at her too much.
HEROD: His father was a king. I drove him from his kingdom. And you made a slave of his mother, who was a queen, Herodias. So he was here as my guest, as it were, and for that reason I made him my captain. I am sorry he is dead. Ho! Why have you left the body here? I will not look at it--away with it. (They take away the body.) It is cold here. There is a wind blowing. Is there not a wind blowing?
HERODIAS: No, there is no wind.
HEROD: I tell you there is a wind that blows .... And I hear in the air something that is like the beating of wings, like the beating of vast wings. Do you not hear it?
HERODIAS: I hear nothing.
HEROD: I hear it no longer. But I heard it. It was the blowing of the wind, no doubt. It has passed away. But no, I hear it again. Do you not hear it? It is just like the beating of wings.
HERODIAS: I tell you there is nothing. You are ill. Let us go within.
HEROD: I am not ill. It is your daughter who is sick. She has the mien of a sick person. Never have I seen her so pale.
HERODIAS: I have told you not to look at her.
HEROD: Pour me forth wine. (Wine is brought.) Salomé, come drink a little wine with me. I have here a wine that is exquisite. Cæsar himself sent it to me. Dip into it thy little red lips, that I may drain the cup.
SALOMÉ: I am not thirsty, Tetrarch.
HEROD: You hear how she answers me, this daughter of yours?
HERODIAS: She does right. Why are you always gazing at her?
HEROD: Bring me ripe fruits. (Fruits are brought.) Salomé, come and eat fruit with me. I love to see in a fruit the mark of thy little teeth. Bite but a little of this fruit and then I will eat what is left.
SALOMÉ: I am not hungry, Tetrarch.
HEROD (to HERODIAS): You see how you have brought up this daughter of yours.
HERODIAS: My daughter and I come of a royal race. As for thee, thy father was a camel driver! He was also a robber!
HEROD: Thou liest!
HERODIAS: Thou knowest well that it is true.
HEROD: Salomé, come and sit next to me. I will give thee the throne of thy mother.
SALOMÉ: I am not tired, Tetrarch.
HERODIAS: You see what she thinks of you.
HEROD: Bring me--what is it that I desire? I forget. Ah! ah! I remember.
THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN: Lo! The time is come! That which I foretold has come to pass, saith the Lord god. Lo! the day of which I spoke.
