John the Baptist: A Play Part 16

[_Sotto voce._] For by so doing he thinks he will the more resemble his father.

HEROD

As an example, what ought I to be doing at this sacred moment?

JABAD

The sun is sinking, oh master. Thy Pa.s.sover lamb, one year old and flawless, hath been slaughtered in the Temple. It is now in the yard to be blessed. Thou, as the lord and master of this house----

HEROD

Must do it myself?

JABAD

Thine ill.u.s.trious father did not, and there was, on that account, grumbling amongst the people.

HEROD

Blessing is cleaner work than slaughter. I will do it. See, ye wise Greeks, that we must serve the G.o.ds in order to rule over men! And in the end we serve to no purpose. [_He motions them away. To Jabad._] Go and make ready, and I will follow thee. [_Exeunt Gabalos, Merokles, and Jabad._]

SCENE V

_Herod, Herodias_ [_later Salome with Maecha, on the balcony. Herod and Herodias stand together a few moments in silence._]

HERODIAS

Art thou content?

HEROD

Thy kindness oppresses me. Whether thou art content seemeth to me of more importance.

HERODIAS

[_Feeling his tone of contempt._] I have had no roof over my head for three nights. Like a tramp I have wandered in the dust of the roads. My serving-women one by one deserted me. Only Salome hath not forsaken me.

I have robbed her of her father; the father I have robbed of his child.

And what I have robbed my husband of thou canst estimate better than it beseemeth me. See, all this I have done for thee!

HEROD

I have abandoned my wife, who also said she loved me. She flew to her father. He now maketh ready for war to avenge his child's wrong. Only a trifle is lacking: I have no army. In Rome I am threatened with disgrace; my brother curses me; Judea points the finger of scorn at me.... So little have I done for thee----

HERODIAS

And thou repentest this little already?

HEROD

No! only forgive me if I blame thy coming too soon.

HERODIAS

Too soon! Was warmer welcome ever heard than this "too soon"?

HEROD

Take not my words amiss, I entreat thee!

HERODIAS

I dare not say that longing drove me here.

HEROD

[_With an embarra.s.sed smile._] Say it ... by all means!

HERODIAS

Then thou hast not forgotten the days--of eloquent looks and silent vows--when every breath was a longing desire and every word a feast?

HEROD

How should I forget? Love, how should I----?

HERODIAS

And thou rememberest no more the nights when wandering footsteps stole their way to the fragrant gardens, where, in the feverish blossoming around them, two sleepless ones mingled their sighs?

HEROD

How could I not remember; Love, how could I not?

HERODIAS

I have clothed myself in Indian draperies; I have put pomegranate blossoms in my bosom, and gold dust in my hair ... but thou seest nothing!... My converse is bridal, but thou hearest it not.

[_Salome has appeared on the balcony with Maecha. Herod notices her._]

SALOME

Wait; let me see whether he has already come. [_She looks over, and after her eyes have met Herod's she vanishes._]

HERODIAS

[_Observing his absence of mind, with an exclamation._] No! thou hearest nothing.

HEROD