John the Baptist: A Play Part 19

[_The following is accompanied by the harp, which, after playing a finale alone, dies away._]

I have entertained thee with myrrh and honey.

I bound sweet sandals on my feet.

From my waist I have loosened the girdle, I have sung with the harp, thee to greet.

Now come, let us quench The fire that consumes me ... Come!

Or thou from fear shalt blench.

For my soul will hate thee ... Come!

JOHN

[_Has looked up astonished. The hail of flowers strikes him in the face. He shrinks back._] Who playeth with me?

SALOME

[_Who has slowly descended the steps._] Master, I----

JOHN

Who art thou?

SALOME

[_Coyly trifling._] I am a rose of Sharon and a flower of the valley.

JOHN

Then play with thy mates ... Leave me in peace ... or go and call her who summoned me.

SALOME

My mother?

JOHN

Thou art Salome the----

SALOME

Yes; I am she.

JOHN

Let me look into thy eyes, maiden.

SALOME

Look, master ... No, but not like that.... If you compellest me to put my hands before my face, I shall spread my fingers apart and laugh between them; yes, I shall laugh.

JOHN

Maiden, knowst thou not how abhorred this house is? Keepest thou thy soul innocent among the guilty?

SALOME

Look at me again, master.... Am I not young among the Daughters of Israel? And I have heard say that youth knoweth nothing of the guilty and of guilt. See, they keep me confined to the upper chambers. I drew back the bolts and crept out here, because I knew thou wert here, master.

JOHN

How can I say to the storm wind: "Pa.s.s by," and to the floods, "Swallow her not"?

SALOME

Speak on, master, even if I understand nothing thou sayest. And knowest thou that we are now sinning according to the Jewish "law"? Both of us--yea, it is true. My companions are gone; and is it not forbidden for a Jewish man to be alone with a virgin?

JOHN

I am not alone with thee. Behind us standeth the shadow of those who have dragged thee with them through the foul refuse of their pleasures.

SALOME

I have my own pleasures, master. How shall the pleasures of others concern me? I read once a saying that stolen fruits are sweet, and my nurse used to tell me that undiscovered treasure was only found by those who did not seek for it.... Is it not true thou hast not sought me?

JOHN

Thy converse is confused.

SALOME

No matter. Chide me not. Think, are not our _dreams_ confused too? When I flew hither with my mother, we came at night to a field of poppies.

And the dew shone on their petals.... They looked grey, and were all closed up because it was night.... But now they are wide open, and I think my cheeks must glow red in their reflection.

JOHN

Thou art lovely among the daughters of Jerusalem. They will weep for thee.

SALOME

Why will they weep? Am I to be sacrificed? Not I, master. Protect me! I have heard of a king, master, who made a compact with the sun. Hast thou heard of him? [_John bows his head._]

SALOME

Well, I will make a compact with thee. Shall I be the sun, and thou my king? Or wilt thou be the sun, and I thy queen?

JOHN

Maiden, I cannot be either sun or king.

SALOME