soldier
We know nothing of that, Princess. It was the prophet Jokanaan who cried out.
the young syrian
Is it your pleasure that I bid them bring your litter, Princess? The night is fair in the garden.
salomé
He says terrible things about my mother, does he not?
·12· second soldier
We never understand what he says, Princess.
salomé
Yes; he says terrible things about her.
[Enter a Slave.]
the slave
Princess, the Tetrarch prays you to return to the feast.
salomé
I will not go back.
the young syrian
Pardon me, Princess, but if you do not return some misfortune may happen.
salomé
Is he an old man, this prophet?
the young syrian
Princess, it were better to return. Suffer me to lead you in.
salomé
This prophet … is he an old man?
first soldier
No, Princess, he is quite a young man.
second soldier
You cannot be sure. There are those who say he is Elias.
·13· salomé
Who is Elias?
second soldier
A very ancient prophet of this country, Princess.
the slave
What answer may I give the Tetrarch from the Princess?
the voice of jokanaan
Rejoice not thou, land of Palestine, because the rod of him who smote thee is broken. For from the seed of the serpent shall come forth a basilisk, and that which is born of it shall devour the birds.
salomé
What a strange voice! I would speak with him.
first soldier
I fear it is impossible, Princess. The Tetrarch does not wish any one to speak with him. He has even forbidden the high priest to speak with him.
salomé
I desire to speak with him.
first soldier
It is impossible, Princess.
·14· salomé
I will speak with him.
the young syrian
Would it not be better to return to the banquet?
salomé
Bring forth this prophet.
[Exit the slave.]
first soldier
We dare not, Princess.
salomé
[Approaching the cistern and looking down into it.] How black it is, down there! It must be terrible to be in so black a pit! It is like a tomb….. [To the soldiers.] Did you not hear me? Bring out the prophet. I wish to see him.
second soldier
Princess, I beg you do not require this of us.
salomé
You keep me waiting!
first soldier
Princess, our lives belong to you, but we cannot do what you have asked of us. And indeed, it is not of us that you should ask this thing.
·15· salomé
[Looking at the young Syrian.] Ah!
the page of herodias
Oh! what is going to happen? I am sure that some misfortune will happen.
salomé
[Going up to the young Syrian.] You will do this thing for me, will you not, Narraboth? You will do this thing for me. I have always been kind to you. You will do it for me. I would but look at this strange prophet. Men have talked so much of him. Often have I heard the Tetrarch talk of him. I think the Tetrarch is afraid of him. Are you, even you, also afraid of him, Narraboth?
the young syrian
I fear him not, Princess; there is no man I fear. But the Tetrarch has formally forbidden that any man should raise the cover of this well.
salomé
You will do this thing for me, Narraboth, and to-morrow when I pass in my litter beneath the gateway of the idol-sellers I will let fall for you a little flower, a little green flower.
the young syrian
Princess, I cannot, I cannot.
·16· salomé
[Smiling.] You will do this thing for me, Narraboth. You know that you will do this thing for me. And to-morrow when I pass in my litter by the bridge of the idol-buyers, I will look at you through the muslin veils, I will look at you, Narraboth, it may be I will smile at you. Look at me, Narraboth, look at me. Ah! you know that you will do what I ask of you. You know it well…. I know that you will do this thing.
the young syrian
[Signing to the third soldier.] Let the prophet come forth…. The Princess Salomé desires to see him.
salomé
Ah!
the page of herodias
Oh! How strange the moon looks. You would think it was the hand of a dead woman who is seeking to cover herself with a shroud.
the young syrian
She has a strange look! She is like a little princess, whose eyes are eyes of amber. Through the
