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diff --git a/old/42704.txt b/old/42704.txt deleted file mode 100644 index b8b1ba1..0000000 --- a/old/42704.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2920 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Salome, by Oscar Wilde - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Salome - A Tragedy in One Act - -Author: Oscar Wilde - -Illustrator: Aubrey Beardsley - -Translator: Alfred, Lord Douglas - -Release Date: May 12, 2013 [EBook #42704] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SALOME *** - - - - -Produced by Marc D'Hooghe at http://www.freeliterature.org -(Images generously made available by the Internet Archive.) - - - - - -[Illustration: THE WOMAN IN THE MOON] - -[Illustration: TITLE PAGE] - - -SALOME - -A TRAGEDY IN ONE ACT: - -TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF - -OSCAR WILDE, - -WITH SIXTEEN DRAWINGS BY AUBREY BEARDSLEY - -LONDON: JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD - -NEW YORK: JOHN LANE COMPANY, MCMVII - -[Illustration: COVER DESIGN] - - - - - THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY. - - HEROD ANTIPAS, TETRARCH OF JUDAEA. - JOKANAAN, THE PROPHET. - THE YOUNG SYRIAN, CAPTAIN of the GUARD. - TIGELLINUS, A YOUNG ROMAN. - A CAPPADOCIAN. - A NUBIAN. - FIRST SOLDIER. - SECOND SOLDIER. - THE PAGE OF HERODIAS. - JEWS, NAZARENES, ETC. - A SLAVE. - NAAMAN, THE EXECUTIONER. - HERODIAS, WIFE OF THE TETRARCH. - SALOME, DAUGHTER OF HERODIAS. - THE SLAVES OF SALOME. - - - - -A NOTE ON "SALOME." - - -"SALOME" has made the author's name a household word wherever the -English language is not spoken. Few English plays have such a -peculiar history. Written in French in 1892 it was in full -rehearsal by Madame Bernhardt at the Palace Theatre when it was -prohibited by the Censor. Oscar Wilde immediately announced his -intention of changing his nationality, a characteristic jest, -which was only taken seriously, oddly enough, in Ireland. The -interference of the Censor has seldom been more popular or more -heartily endorsed by English critics. On its publication in book -form "Salome" was greeted by a chorus of ridicule, and it may be -noted in passing that at least two of the more violent reviews -were from the pens of unsuccessful dramatists, while all those -whose French never went beyond Ollendorff were glad to find in -that venerable school classic an unsuspected asset in their -education--a handy missile with which to pelt "Salome" and its -author. The correctness of the French was, of course, impugned, -although the scrip had been passed by a distinguished French -writer, to whom I have heard the whole work attributed. The -Times, while depreciating the drama, gave its author credit for -a _tour de force_, in being capable of writing a French play for -Madame Bernhardt, and this drew from him the following letter:-- - - The Times, Thursday, March 2, 1893, p. 4. - - MR. OSCAR WILDE ON "SALOME." - - To the Editor of The Times. - - Sir, My attention has been drawn to a review of - "Salome" which was published in your columns last - week. The opinions of English critics on a French work - of mine have, of course, little, if any, interest for - me. I write simply to ask you to allow me to correct a - misstatement that appears in the review in question. - - The fact that the greatest tragic actress of any stage - now living saw in my play such beauty that she was - anxious to produce it, to take herself the part of the - heroine, to lend to the entire poem the glamour of her - personality, and to my prose the music of her - flute-like voice--this was naturally, and always will - be, a source of pride and pleasure to me, and I look - forward with delight to seeing Mme. Bernhardt present - my play in Paris, that vivid centre of art, where - religious dramas are often performed. But my play was - in no sense of the words written for this great - actress. I have never written a play for any actor or - actress, nor shall I ever do so. Such work is for the - artisan in literature--not for the artist. - - I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, - - OSCAR WILDE. - - - -When "Salome" was translated into English by Lord Alfred Douglas, -the illustrator, Aubrey Beardsley, shared some of the obloquy -heaped on Wilde. It is interesting that he should have found -inspiration for his finest work in a play he never admired and by -a writer he cordially disliked. The motives are, of course, made -to his hand, and never was there a more suitable material for -that odd tangent art in which there are no tactile values. The -amusing caricatures of Wilde which appear in the _Frontispiece_, -"Enter Herodias" and "The Eyes of Herod," are the only pieces of -vraisemblance in these exquisite designs. The colophon is a real -masterpiece and a witty criticism of the play as well. - -On the production of "Salome" by the New Stage Club in May, -1905,[1] the dramatic critics again expressed themselves -vehemently, vociferating their regrets that the play had been -dragged from its obscurity. The obscure drama, however, had -become for five years past part of the literature of Europe. It -is performed regularly or intermittently in Holland, Sweden, -Italy, France, and Russia, and it has been translated into every -European language, including the Czech. It forms part of the -repertoire of the German stage, where it is performed more often -than any play by any English writer except Shakespeare. Owing, -perhaps, to what I must call its _obscure_ popularity in the -continental theatres, Dr. Strauss was preparing his remarkable -opera at the very moment when there appeared the criticisms to -which I refer, and since the production of the opera in Dresden -in December, 1905, English musical journalists and correspondents -always refer to the work as founded on Wilde's drama. That is the -only way in which they can evade an awkward truth--a palpable -contravention to their own wishes and theories. The music, -however, has been set to the actual words of "Salome" in Madame -Hedwig Lachmann's admirable translation. The words have not been -transfigured into ordinary operatic nonsense to suit the score, -or the susceptibilities of the English people. I observe that -admirers of Dr. Strauss are a little mortified that the great -master should have found an occasion for composition in a play -which they long ago consigned to oblivion and the shambles of -Aubrey Beardsley. Wilde himself, in a rhetorical period, seems to -have contemplated the possibility of his prose drama for a -musical theme. In "De Profundis" he says: "The refrains, whose -recurring motifs make 'Salome' so like a piece of music, and bind -it together as a ballad." - -He was still incarcerated in 1896, when Mons. Luigne Poe produced -the play for the first time at the Theatre Libre in Paris, with -Lina Muntz in the title role. A rather pathetic reference to this -occasion occurs in a letter Wilde wrote to me from Reading:-- - -"Please say how gratified I was at the performance of my play, -and have my thanks conveyed to Luigne Poe. It is something that -at a time of disgrace and shame I should still be regarded as an -artist. I wish I could feel more pleasure, but I seem dead to all -emotions except those of anguish and despair. However, please let -Luigne Poe know that I am sensible of the honour he has done me. -He is a poet himself. Write to me in answer to this, and try and -see what Lemaitre, Bauer, and Sarcey said of 'Salome.'" - -The bias of personal friendship precludes me from praising or -defending "Salome," even if it were necessary to do so. Nothing I -might say would add to the reputation of its detractors. Its -sources are obvious; particularly Flaubert and Maeterlinck, in -whose peculiar and original style it is an essay. A critic, for -whom I have a greater regard than many of his contemporaries, -says that "Salome" is only a catalogue; but a catalogue can be -intensely dramatic, as we know when the performance takes place -at Christie's; few plays are more exciting than an auction in -King Street when the stars are fighting _for_ Sisera. - -It has been remarked that Wilde confuses Herod the Great (_Mat._ -xi. 1), Herod Antipas (_Mat._ xiv. 3), and Herod Agrippa (Acts -xiii), but the confusion is intentional, as in mediaeval mystery -plays Herod is taken for a type, not an historical character, and -the criticism is about as valuable as that of people who -laboriously point out the anachronisms in Beardsley's designs. -With reference to the charge of plagiarism brought against -"Salome" and its author, I venture to mention a personal -recollection. - -Wilde complained to me one day that someone in a well-known novel -had stolen an idea of his. I pleaded in defence of the culprit -that Wilde himself was a fearless literary thief. "My dear -fellow," he said, with his usual drawling emphasis, "when I see a -monstrous tulip with four wonderful petals in someone else's -garden, I am impelled to grow a monstrous tulip with five -wonderful petals, but that is no reason why someone should grow a -tulip with only three petals." THAT WAS OSCAR WILDE. - -ROBERT ROSS. - - -[1] A more recent performance of "Salome" (1906), by the Literary -Theatre Club, has again produced an ebullition of rancour and -deliberate misrepresentation on the part of the dramatic critics, -the majority of whom are anxious to parade their ignorance of the -continental stage. The production was remarkable on account of -the beautiful dresses and mounting, for which Mr. Charles -Ricketts was responsible, and the marvellous impersonation of -Herod by Mr. Robert Farquharson. Wilde used to say that "Salome" -was a mirror in which everyone could see himself. The artist, -art; the dull, dulness; the vulgar, vulgarity. - - - -[Illustration] - -LIST OF THE PICTURES BY AUBREY BEARDSLEY. - -1. THE WOMAN IN THE MOON. 2. TITLE PAGE. 3. COVER DESIGN. 4. LIST -OF THE PICTURES. 5. THE PEACOCK SKIRT. 6. THE BLACK CAPE. 7. A -PLATONIC LAMENT. 8. JOHN AND SALOME. 9. ENTER HERODIAS. 10. THE -EYES OF HEROD. 11. THE STOMACH DANCE. 12. THE TOILETTE OF -SALOME--I. 13. THE TOILETTE OF SALOME--II. 14. THE DANCER'S -REWARD. 15. THE CLIMAX. 16. CUL DE LAMPE. - - - * * * * * - - - - -Cast of the Performance of "Salome," represented in England for -the first time. - -NEW STAGE CLUB. - -"SALOME," - -BY OSCAR WILDE. - -May 10th and 13th 1905. - - A YOUNG SYRIAN CAPTAIN -- MR. HERBERT ALEXANDER. - PAGE OF HERODIAS -- MRS. GWENDOLEN BISHOP. - FIRST SOLDIER -- MR. CHARLES GEE. - SECOND SOLDIER -- MR. RALPH DE ROHAN. - CAPPADOCIAN -- MR. CHARLES DALMON. - JOKANAAN -- MR. VINCENT NELLO. - NAAMAN, THE EXECUTIONER-- MR. W. EVELYN OSBORN. - SALOME -- Miss MILLICENT MURBY. - SLAVE -- Miss CARRIE KEITH. - HEROD -- MR. ROBERT FARQUHARSON. - HERODIAS -- Miss LOUISE SALOM. - TIGELLINUS -- MR. C.L. DELPH. - SLAVE -- Miss STANSFELD. - FIRST JEW -- MR. F. STANLEY SMITH. - SECOND JEW -- MR. BERNHARD SMITH. - THIRD JEW -- MR. JOHN BATE. - FOURTH JEW -- STEPHEN BAGEHOT - FIFTH JEW -- FREDERICK LAWRENCE. - -Scene--THE GREAT TERRACE OUTSIDE THE PALACE. - - - - - * * * * * - - -SCENE.--_A great terrace in the Palace of Herod, set above the -banqueting-hall. Some soldiers are leaning over the balcony. To -the right there is a gigantic staircase, to the left, at the -back, an old cistern surrounded by a wall of green bronze. -Moonlight._ - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -How beautiful is the Princess Salome to-night! - -THE PAGE OF HERODIAS - -Look at the moon! How strange the moon seems! She is like a woman -rising from a tomb. She is like a dead woman. You would fancy she -was looking for dead things. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -She has a strange look. She is like a little princess who wears a -yellow veil, and whose feet are of silver. She is like a princess -who has little white doves for feet. You would fancy she was -dancing. - -THE PAGE OF HERODIAS - -She is like a woman who is dead. She moves very slowly. - -[_Noise in the banqueting-hall._] - -FIRST SOLDIER - -What an uproar! Who are those wild beasts howling? - -SECOND SOLDIER - -The Jews. They are always like that. They are disputing about -their religion. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -Why do they dispute about their religion? - -SECOND SOLDIER - -I cannot tell. They are always doing it. The Pharisees, for -instance, say that there are angels, and the Sadducees declare -that angels do not exist. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -I think it is ridiculous to dispute about such things. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -How beautiful is the Princess Salome to-night! - -THE PAGE OF HERODIAS - -You are always looking at her. You look at her too much. It is -dangerous to look at people in such fashion. Something terrible -may happen. - - -[Illustration: THE PEACOCK SKIRT] - - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -She is very beautiful to-night. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -The Tetrarch has a sombre look. - -SECOND SOLDIER - -Yes; he has a sombre look. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -He is looking at something. - -SECOND SOLDIER - -He is looking at some one. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -At whom is he looking? - -SECOND SOLDIER - -I cannot tell. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -How pale the Princess is! Never have I seen her so pale. She is -like the shadow of a white rose in a mirror of silver. - -THE PAGE OF HERODIAS - -You must not look at her. You look too much at her. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -Herodias has filled the cup of the Tetrarch. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -Is that the Queen Herodias, she who wears a black mitre sewn with -pearls, and whose hair is powdered with blue dust? - -FIRST SOLDIER - -Yes; that is Herodias, the Tetrarch's wife. - -SECOND SOLDIER - -The Tetrarch is very fond of wine. He has wine of three sorts. -One which is brought from the Island of Samothrace, and is purple -like the cloak of Caesar. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -I have never seen Caesar. - -SECOND SOLDIER - -Another that comes from a town called Cyprus, and is yellow like -gold. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -I love gold. - -SECOND SOLDIER - -And the third is a wine of Sicily. That wine is red like blood. - -THE NUBIAN - -The gods of my country are very fond of blood. Twice in the year -we sacrifice to them young men and maidens; fifty young men and -a hundred maidens. But it seems we never give them quite enough, -for they are very harsh to us. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -In my country there are no gods left. The Romans have driven them -out. There are some who say that they have hidden themselves in -the mountains, but I do not believe it. Three nights I have been -on the mountains seeking them everywhere. I did not find them. -And at last I called them by their names, and they did not come. -I think they are dead. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -The Jews worship a God that you cannot see. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -I cannot understand that. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -In fact, they only believe in things that you cannot see. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -That seems to me altogether ridiculous. - -THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN - -After me shall come another mightier than I. I am not worthy so -much as to unloose the latchet of his shoes. When he cometh, the -solitary places shall be glad. They shall blossom like the lily. -The eyes of the blind shall see the day, and the ears of the deaf -shall be opened. The new-born child shall put his hand upon the -dragon's lair, he shall lead the lions by their manes. - -SECOND SOLDIER - -Make him be silent. He is always saying ridiculous things. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -No, no. He is a holy man. He is very gentle, too. Every day, when -I give him to eat he thanks me. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -Who is he? - -FIRST SOLDIER - -A prophet. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -What is his name? - -FIRST SOLDIER - -Jokanaan. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -Whence comes he? - -FIRST SOLDIER - -From the desert, where he fed on locusts and wild honey. He was -clothed in camel's hair, and round his loins he had a leathern -belt. He was very terrible to look upon. A great multitude used -to follow him. He even had disciples. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -What is he talking of? - -FIRST SOLDIER - -We can never tell. Sometimes he says terrible things, but it is -impossible to understand what he says. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -May one see him? - -FIRST SOLDIER - -No. The Tetrarch has forbidden it. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -The Princess has hidden her face behind her fan! Her little white -hands are fluttering like doves that fly to their dove-cots. They -are like white butterflies. They are just like white butterflies. - -THE PAGE OF HERODIAS - -What is that to you? Why do you look at her? You must not look at -her.... Something terrible may happen. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -[_Pointing to the cistern._] - -What a strange prison! - -SECOND SOLDIER - -It is an old cistern. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -An old cistern! It must be very unhealthy. - -SECOND SOLDIER - -Oh no! For instance, the Tetrarch's brother, his elder brother, -the first husband of Herodias the Queen, was imprisoned there for -twelve years. It did not kill him. At the end of the twelve years -he had to be strangled. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -Strangled? Who dared to do that? - -SECOND SOLDIER - -[_Pointing to the Executioner, a huge Negro._] - -That man yonder, Naaman. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -He was not afraid? - -SECOND SOLDIER - -Oh no! The Tetrarch sent him the ring. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -What ring? - -[Illustration: THE BLACK CAPE] - -SECOND SOLDIER - -The death-ring. So he was not afraid. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -Yet it is a terrible thing to strangle a king. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -Why? Kings have but one neck, like other folk. - -THE CAPPADOCIAN - -I think it terrible. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -The Princess rises! She is leaving the table! She looks very -troubled. Ah, she is coming this way. Yes, she is coming towards -us. How pale she is! Never have I seen her so pale. - -THE PAGE OF HERODIAS - -Do not look at her. I pray you not to look at her. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -She is like a dove that has strayed.... She is like a narcissus -trembling in the wind.... She is like a silver flower. - -[_Enter Salome_.] - -SALOME - -I will not stay. I cannot stay. Why does the Tetrarch look at me -all the while with his mole's eyes under his shaking eyelids? It -is strange that the husband of my mother looks at me like that. -I know not what it means. In truth, yes, I know it. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -You have just left the feast, Princess? - -SALOME - -How sweet the air is here! I can breathe here! Within there are -Jews from Jerusalem who are tearing each other in pieces over -their foolish ceremonies, and barbarians who drink and drink, and -spill their wine on the pavement, and Greeks from Smyrna with -painted eyes and painted cheeks, and frizzed hair curled in -twisted coils, and silent, subtle Egyptians, with long nails of -jade and russett cloaks, and Romans brutal and coarse, with their -uncouth jargon. Ah! how I loathe the Romans! They are rough and -common, and they give themselves the airs of noble lords. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -Will you be seated, Princess? - -THE PAGE OF HERODIAS - -Why do you speak to her? Why do you look at her? Oh! something -terrible will happen. - -SALOME - -How good to see the moon! She is like a little piece of money, -you would think she was a little silver flower. The moon is cold -and chaste. I am sure she is a virgin, she has a virgin's beauty. -Yes, she is a virgin. She has never defiled herself. She has -never abandoned herself to men, like the other goddesses. - -THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN - -The Lord hath come. The son of man hath come. The centaurs have -hidden themselves in the rivers, and the sirens have left the -rivers, and are lying beneath the leaves of the forest. - -SALOME - -Who was that who cried out? - -SECOND SOLDIER - -The prophet, Princess. - -SALOME - -Ah, the prophet! He of whom the Tetrarch is afraid? - -SECOND 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. - -SALOME - -He says terrible things about my mother, does he not? - -SECOND SOLDIER - -We never understand what he says, Princess. - -SALOME - -Yes; he says terrible things about her. - -[_Enter a Slave_.] - -THE SLAVE - -Princess, the Tetrarch prays you to return to the feast. - -SALOME - -I will not go back. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -Pardon me, Princess, but if you do not return some misfortune may -happen. - -SALOME - -Is he an old man, this prophet? - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -Princess, it were better to return. Suffer me to lead you in. - -SALOME - -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. - -SALOME - -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. - -SALOME - -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. - -SALOME - -I desire to speak with him. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -It is impossible, Princess. - -SALOME - -I will speak with him. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -Would it not be better to return to the banquet? - -SALOME - -Bring forth this prophet. - - [_Exit the slave._] - -FIRST SOLDIER - -We dare not, Princess. - -SALOME - -[_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. - -SALOME - -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. - -SALOME - -[_Looking at the young Syrian._] - -Ah! - -THE PAGE OF HERODIAS - -Oh! what is going to happen? I am sure that some misfortune will -happen. - -SALOME - -[_Going up to the young Syrian._] - -You will do this tiling 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. - -SALOME - -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. - -SALOME - -[_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 Salome desires to see -him. - -SALOME - -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 clouds of muslin she is smiling -like a little princess. - -[_The prophet comes out of the cistern. Salome looks at him and -steps slowly back._] - -[Illustration: A PLATONIC LAMENT] - -JOKANAAN - -Where is he whose cup of abominations is now full? Where is he, -who in a robe of silver shall one day die in the face of all the -people? Bid him come forth, that he may hear the voice of him who -hath cried in the waste places and in the houses of kings. - -SALOME - -Of whom is he speaking? - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -You can never tell, Princess. - -JOKANAAN - -Where is she who having seen the images of men painted on the -walls, the images of the Chaldeans limned in colours, gave -herself up unto the lust of her eyes, and sent ambassadors into -Chaldea? - -SALOME - -It is of my mother that he speaks. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -Oh, no, Princess. - -SALOME - -Yes; it is of my mother that he speaks. - -JOKANAAN - -Where is she who gave herself unto the Captains of Assyria, who -have baldricks on their loins, and tiaras of divers colours on -their heads? Where is she who hath given herself to the young men -of Egypt, who are clothed in fine linen and purple, whose shields -are of gold, whose helmets are of silver, whose bodies are -mighty? Bid her rise up from the bed of her abominations, from -the bed of her incestuousness, that she may hear the words of him -who prepareth the way of the Lord, that she may repent her of her -iniquities. Though she will never repent, but will stick fast in -her abominations; bid her come, for the fan of the Lord is in His -hand. - -SALOME - -But he is terrible, he is terrible! - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -Do not stay here, Princess, I beseech you. - -SALOME - -It is his eyes above all that are terrible. They are like black -holes burned by torches in a Tyrian tapestry. They are like black -caverns where dragons dwell. They are like the black caverns of -Egypt in which the dragons make their lairs. They are like black -lakes troubled by fantastic moons.... Do you think he will speak -again? - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -Do not stay here, Princess. I pray you do not stay here. - -SALOME - -How wasted he is! He is like a thin ivory statue. He is like an -image of silver. I am sure he is chaste as the moon is. He is -like a moonbeam, like a shaft of silver. His flesh must be cool -like ivory. I would look closer at him. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -No, no, Princess. - -SALOME - -I must look at him closer. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -Princess! Princess! - -JOKANAAN - -Who is this woman who is looking at me? I will not have her look -at me. Wherefore doth she look at me with her golden eyes, under -her gilded eyelids? I know not who she is. I do not wish to know -who she is. Bid her begone. It is not to her that I would speak. - -SALOME - -I am Salome, daughter of Herodias, Princess of Judaea. - -JOKANAAN - -Back! daughter of Babylon! Come not near the chosen of the Lord. -Thy mother hath filled the earth with the wine of her iniquities, -and the cry of her sins hath come up to the ears of God. - -SALOME - -Speak again, Jokanaan. Thy voice is wine to me. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -Princess! Princess! Princess! - -SALOME - -Speak again! Speak again, Jokanaan, and tell me what I must do. - -JOKANAAN - -Daughter of Sodom, come not near me! But cover thy face with a -veil, and scatter ashes upon thine head, and get thee to the -desert and seek out the Son of Man. - -SALOME - -Who is he, the Son of Man? Is he as beautiful as thou art, -Jokanaan? - -JOKANAAN - -Get thee behind me! I hear in the palace the beating of the wings -of the angel of death. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -Princess, I beseech thee to go within. - -JOKANAAN - -Angel of the Lord God, what dost thou here with thy sword? Whom -seekest thou in this foul palace? The day of him who shall die in -a robe of silver has not yet come. - -[Illustration: JOHN AND SALOME] - -SALOME - -Jokanaan! - -JOKANAAN - -Who speaketh? - -SALOME - -Jokanaan, I am amorous of thy body! Thy body is white like the -lilies of a field that the mower hath never mowed. Thy body is -white like the snows that lie on the mountains, like the snows -that lie on the mountains of Judaea, and come down into the -valleys. The roses in the garden of the Queen of Arabia are not -so white as thy body. Neither the roses in the garden of the -Queen of Arabia, the perfumed garden of spices of the Queen of -Arabia, nor the feet of the dawn when they light on the leaves, -nor the breast of the moon when she lies on the breast of the -sea.... There is nothing in the world so white as thy body. Let -me touch thy body. - -JOKANAAN - -Back! daughter of Babylon! By woman came evil into the world. -Speak not to me. I will not listen to thee. I listen but to the -voice of the Lord God. - -SALOME - -Thy body is hideous. It is like the body of a leper. It is like a -plastered wall where vipers have crawled; like a plastered wall -where the scorpions have made their nest. It is like a whitened -sepulchre full of loathsome things. It is horrible, thy body is -horrible. It is of thy hair that I am enamoured, Jokanaan. Thy -hair is like clusters of grapes, like the clusters of black -grapes that hang from the vine-trees of Edom in the land of the -Edomites. Thy hair is like the cedars of Lebanon, like the great -cedars of Lebanon that give their shade to the lions and to the -robbers who would hide themselves by day. The long black nights, -when the moon hides her face, when the stars are afraid, are not -so black. The silence that dwells in the forest is not so black. -There is nothing in the world so black as thy hair.... Let me -touch thy hair. - -JOKANAAN - -Back, daughter of Sodom! Touch me not. Profane not the temple of -the Lord God. - -SALOME - -Thy hair is horrible. It is covered with mire and dust. It is -like a crown of thorns which they have placed on thy forehead. It -is like a knot of black serpents writhing round thy neck. I love -not thy hair.... It is thy mouth that I desire, Jokanaan. Thy -mouth is like a band of scarlet on a tower of ivory. It is like a -pomegranate cut with a knife of ivory. The pomegranate-flowers -that blossom in the gardens of Tyre, and are redder than roses, -are not so red. The red blasts of trumpets that herald the -approach of kings, and make afraid the enemy, are not so red. -Thy mouth is redder than the feet of those who tread the wine in -the wine-press. Thy mouth is redder than the feet of the doves -who haunt the temples and are fed by the priests. It is redder -than the feet of him who cometh from a forest where he hath slain -a lion, and seen gilded tigers. Thy mouth is like a branch of -coral that fishers have found in the twilight of the sea, the -coral that they keep for the kings!... It is like the vermilion -that the Moabites find in the mines of Moab, the vermilion that -the kings take from them. It is like the bow of the King of the -Persians, that is painted with vermilion, and is tipped with -coral. There is nothing in the world so red as thy mouth.... Let -me kiss thy mouth. - -JOKANAAN - -Never! daughter of Babylon! Daughter of Sodom! Never. - -SALOME - -I will kiss thy mouth, Jokanaan. I will kiss thy mouth. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -Princess, Princess, thou who art like a garden of myrrh, thou who -art the dove of all doves, look not at this man, look not at him! -Do not speak such words to him. I cannot suffer them.... -Princess, Princess, do not speak these things. - -SALOME - -I will kiss thy mouth, Jokanaan. - -THE YOUNG SYRIAN - -Ah! [_He kills himself and falls between Salome and Jokanaan._] - -THE PAGE OF HERODIAS - -The young Syrian has slain himself! The young captain has slain -himself! He has slain himself who was my friend! I gave him a -little box of perfumes and ear-rings wrought in silver, and now -he has killed himself! Ah, did he not foretell that some -misfortune would happen? I, too, foretold it, and it has -happened. Well I knew that the moon was seeking a dead thing, but -I knew not that it was he whom she sought. Ah! why did I not hide -him from the moon? If I had hidden him in a cavern she would not -have seen him. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -Princess, the young captain has just killed himself. - -SALOME - -Let me kiss thy mouth, Jokanaan. - -JOKANAAN - -Art thou not afraid, daughter of Herodias? Did I not tell thee -that I had heard in the palace the beatings of the wings of the -angel of death, and hath he not come, the angel of death? - -[Illustration: ENTER HERODIAS] - -SALOME - -Let me kiss thy mouth. - -JOKANAAN - -Daughter of adultery, there is but one who can save thee, it is -He of whom I spake. Go seek Him. He is in a boat on the sea of -Galilee, and He talketh with His disciples. Kneel down on the -shore of the sea, and call unto Him by His name. When He cometh -to thee (and to all who call on Him He cometh), bow thyself at -His feet and ask of Him the remission of thy sins. - -SALOME - -Let me kiss thy mouth. - -JOKANAAN - -Cursed be thou! daughter of an incestuous mother, be thou -accursed! - -SALOME - -I will kiss thy mouth, Jokanaan. - -JOKANAAN - -I do no wish to look at thee. I will not look at thee, thou art -accursed, Salome, thou art accursed. [_He goes down into the -cistern._] - -SALOME - -I will kiss thy mouth, Jokanaan; I will kiss thy mouth. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -We must bear away the body to another place. The Tetrarch does -not care to see dead bodies, save the bodies of those whom he -himself has slain. - -THE PAGE OF HERODIAS - -He was my brother, and nearer to me than a brother. I gave him a -little box full of perfumes, and a ring of agate that he wore -always on his hand. In the evening we used to walk by the river, -among the almond trees, and he would tell me of the things of his -country. He spake ever very low. The sound of his voice was like -the sound of the flute, of a flute player. Also he much loved to -gaze at himself in the river. I used to reproach him for that. - -SECOND SOLDIER - -You are right; we must hide the body. The Tetrarch must not see -it. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -The Tetrarch will not come to this place. He never comes on the -terrace. He is too much afraid of the prophet. - -[_Enter Herod, Herodias, and all the Court._] - -HEROD - -Where is Salome? Where is the Princess? Why did she not return to -the banquet as I commanded her? Ah! there she is! - -HERODIAS - -You must not look at her! You are always looking at her! - -HEROD - -The moon has a strange look to-night. Has she not a strange look? -She is like a mad woman, a mad woman who is seeking everywhere -for lovers. She is naked too. She is quite naked. The clouds are -seeking to clothe her nakedness, but she will not let them. She -shows herself naked in the sky. She reels through the clouds like -a drunken woman.... I am sure she is looking for lovers. Does she -not reel like a drunken woman? She is like a mad woman, is she -not? - -HERODIAS - -No; the moon is like the moon, that is all. Let us go within.... -You have nothing to do here. - -HEROD - -I will stay here! Manesseh, lay carpets there. Light torches, -bring forth the ivory tables, and the tables of jasper. The air -here is delicious. I will drink more wine with my guests. We must -show all honours to the ambassadors of Caesar. - -HERODIAS - -It is not because of them that you remain. - -HEROD - -Yes; the air is delicious. Come, Herodias, our guests await us. -Ah! I have slipped! I have slipped in blood! It is an ill omen. -It is a very evil omen. Wherefore is there blood here?... and -this body, what does this body here? Think you I am like the King -of Egypt, who gives no feast to his guests but that he shows them -a corpse? Whose is it? I will not look on it. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -It is our captain, sire. He is the young Syrian whom you made -captain only three days ago. - -HEROD - -I gave no order that he should be slain. - -SECOND SOLDIER - -He killed himself, sire. - -HEROD - -For what reason? I had made him captain. - -SECOND SOLDIER - -We do not know, sire. But he killed himself. - -HEROD - -That seems strange to me. I thought it was only the Roman -philosophers who killed themselves. Is it not true, Tigellinus, -that the philosophers at Rome kill themselves? - -TIGELLINUS - -There are some who kill themselves, sire. They are the Stoics. -The Stoics are coarse people. They are ridiculous people. I -myself regard them as being perfectly ridiculous. - -HEROD - -I also. It is ridiculous to kill oneself. - -TIGELLINUS - -Everybody at Rome laughs at them. The Emperor has written a -satire against them. It is recited everywhere. - -HEROD - -Ah! he has written a satire against them? Caesar is wonderful. He -can do everything.... It is strange that the young Syrian has -killed himself. I am sorry he has killed himself. I am very -sorry; for he was fair to look upon. He was even very fair. He -had very languorous eyes. I remember that I saw that he looked -languorously at Salome. Truly, I thought he looked too much at -her. - -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_]. Salome, come drink a -little wine with me. I have here a wine that is exquisite. Caesar -himself sent it me. Dip into it thy little red lips, that I may -drain the cup. - -SALOME - -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_]. Salome, 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. - -SALOME - -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 - -Salome, come and sit next to me. I will give thee the throne of -thy mother. - -SALOME - -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. - -[Illustration: THE EYES OF HEROD] - -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. - -HERODIAS - -Bid him be silent. I will not listen to his voice. This man is -for ever vomiting insults against me. - -HEROD - -He has said nothing against you. Besides, he is a very great -prophet. - -HERODIAS - -I do not believe in prophets. Can a man tell what will come to -pass? No man knows it. Moreover, he is for ever insulting me. But -I think you are afraid of him.... I know well that you are afraid -of him. - -HEROD - -I am not afraid of him. I am afraid of no man. - -HERODIAS - -I tell you, you are afraid of him. If you are not afraid of him -why do you not deliver him to the Jews, who for these six months -past have been clamouring for him? - -A JEW - -Truly, my lord, it were better to deliver him into our hands. - -HEROD - -Enough on this subject. I have already given you my answer. I -will not deliver him into your hands. He is a holy man. He is a -man who has seen God. - -A JEW - -That cannot be. There is no man who hath seen God since the -prophet Elias. He is the last man who saw God. In these days God -doth not show Himself. He hideth Himself. Therefore great evils -have come upon the land. - -ANOTHER JEW - -Verily, no man knoweth if Elias the prophet did indeed see God. -Peradventure it was but the shadow of God that he saw. - -A THIRD JEW - -God is at no time hidden. He showeth Himself at all times and in -everything. God is in what is evil even as He is in what is good. - -A FOURTH JEW - -That must not be said. It is a very dangerous doctrine. It is a -doctrine that cometh from the schools at Alexandria, where men -teach the philosophy of the Greeks. And the Greeks are Gentiles: -They are not even circumcised. - -A FIFTH JEW - -No one can tell how God worketh. His ways are very mysterious. It -may be that the things which we call evil are good, and that the -things which we call good are evil. There is no knowledge of any -thing. We must needs submit to everything, for God is very -strong. He breaketh in pieces the strong together with the weak, -for He regardeth not any man. - -FIRST JEW - -Thou speaketh truly. God is terrible; He breaketh the strong and -the weak as a man brays corn in a mortar. But this man hath never -seen God. No man hath seen God since the prophet Elias. - -HERODIAS - -Make them be silent. They weary me. - -HEROD - -But I have heard it said that Jokanaan himself is your prophet -Elias. - -THE JEW - -That cannot be. It is more than three hundred years since the -days of the prophet Elias. - -HEROD - -There be some who say that this man is the prophet Elias.. - -A NAZARENE - -I am sure that he is the prophet Elias. - -THE JEW - -Nay, but he is not the prophet Elias. - -THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN - -So the day is come, the day of the Lord, and I hear upon the -mountains the feet of Him who shall be the Saviour of the world. - -HEROD - -What does that mean? The Saviour of the world. - -TIGELLINUS - -It is a title that Caesar takes. - -HEROD - -But Caesar is not coming into Judaea. Only yesterday I received -letters from Rome. They contained nothing concerning this matter. -And you, Tigellinus, who were at Rome during the winter, you -heard nothing concerning this matter, did you? - -TIGELLINUS - -Sire, I heard nothing concerning the matter. I was explaining the -title. It is one of Caesar's titles. - -HEROD - -But Caesar cannot come. He is too gouty. They say that his feet -are like the feet of an elephant. Also there are reasons of -State. He who leaves Rome loses Rome. He will not come. Howbeit, -Caesar is lord, he will come if he wishes. Nevertheless, I do not -think he will come. - -FIRST NAZARENE - -It was not concerning Caesar that the prophet spake these words, -sire. - -HEROD - -Not of Caesar? - -FIRST NAZARENE - -No, sire. - -HEROD - -Concerning whom then did he speak? - -FIRST NAZARENE - -Concerning Messias who has come. - -A JEW - -Messiah hath not come. - -FIRST NAZARENE - -He hath come, and everywhere He worketh miracles. - -HERODIAS Ho! ho! miracles! I do not believe in miracles. I have -seen too many. [_To the page._] My fan! - -FIRST NAZARENE - -This man worketh true miracles. Thus, at a marriage which took -place in a little town of Galilee, a town of some importance, He -changed water into wine. Certain persons who were present related -it to me. Also He healed two lepers that were seated before the -Gate of Capernaum simply by touching them. - -SECOND NAZARENE - -Nay, it was blind men that he healed at Capernaum. - -FIRST NAZARENE - -Nay; they were lepers. But He hath healed blind people also, and -He was seen on a mountain talking with angels. - -A SADDUCEE - -Angels do not exist. - -A PHARISEE - -Angels exist, but I do not believe that this Man has talked with -them. - -FIRST NAZARENE - -He was seen by a great multitude of people talking with angels. - -A SADDUCEE - -Not with angels. - -HERODIAS - -How these men weary me! They are ridiculous! [_To the page._] -Well! my fan! [_The page gives her the fan._] You have a -dreamer's look; you must not dream. It is only sick people who -dream. [_She strikes the page with her fan._] - -SECOND NAZARENE - -There is also the miracle of the daughter of Jairus. - -FIRST NAZARENE - -Yes, that is sure. No man can gainsay it. - -HERODIAS - -These men are mad. They have looked too long on the moon. Command -them to be silent. - -HEROD - -What is this miracle of the daughter of Jairus? - -FIRST NAZARENE - -The daughter of Jairus was dead. He raised her from the dead. - -HEROD - -He raises the dead? - -FIRST NAZARENE - -Yea, sire, He raiseth the dead. - -HEROD - -I do not wish Him to do that. I forbid Him to do that. I allow no -man to raise the dead. This Man must be found and told that I -forbid Him to raise the dead. Where is this Man at present? - -SECOND NAZARENE - -He is in every place, my lord, but it is hard to find Him. - -FIRST NAZARENE - -It is said that He is now in Samaria. - -A JEW - -It is easy to see that this is not Messias, if He is in Samaria. -It is not to the Samaritans that Messias shall come. The -Samaritans are accursed. They bring no offerings to the Temple. - -SECOND NAZARENE - -He left Samaria a few days since. I think that at the present -moment He is in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem. - -FIRST NAZARENE - -No; He is not there. I have just come from Jerusalem. For two -months they have had no tidings of Him. - -HEROD - -No matter! But let them find Him, and tell Him from me, I will -not allow him to raise the dead! To change water into wine, to -heal the lepers and the blind.... He may do these things if He -will. I say nothing against these things. In truth I hold it a -good deed to heal a leper. But I allow no man to raise the dead. -It would be terrible if the dead came back. - -[Illustration: THE STOMACH DANCE] - -THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN - -Ah! the wanton! The harlot! Ah! the daughter of Babylon with her -golden eyes and her gilded eyelids!--Thus saith the Lord God, Let -there come up against her a multitude of men. Let the people take -stones and stone her.... - -HERODIAS - -Command him to be silent. - -THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN - -Let the war captains pierce her with their swords, let them crush -her beneath their shields. - -HERODIAS - -Nay, but it is infamous. - -THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN - -It is thus that I will wipe out all wickedness from the earth, -and that all women shall learn not to imitate her abominations. - -HERODIAS - -You hear what he says against me? You allow him to revile your -wife? - -HEROD - -He did not speak your name. - -HERODIAS - -What does that matter? You know well that it is I whom he seeks -to revile. And I am your wife, am I not? - -HEROD - -Of a truth, dear and noble Herodias, you are my wife, and before -that you were the wife of my brother. - -HERODIAS - -It was you who tore me from his arms. - -HEROD - -Of a truth I was stronger.... But let us not talk of that matter. -I do not desire to talk of it. It is the cause of the terrible -words that the prophet has spoken. Peradventure on account of it -a misfortune will come. Let us not speak of this matter. Noble -Herodias, we are not mindful of our guests. Fill thou my cup, my -well-beloved. Fill with wine the great goblets of silver, and the -great goblets of glass. I will drink to Caesar. There are Romans -here, we must drink to Caesar. - -ALL - -Caesar! Caesar! - -HEROD - -Do you not see your daughter, how pale she is? - -HERODIAS - -What is it to you if she be pale or not? - -HEROD - -Never have I seen her so pale. - -HERODIAS - -You must not look at her. - -THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN - -In that day the sun shall become black like sackcloth of hair, -and the moon shall become like blood, and the stars of the -heavens shall fall upon the earth like ripe figs that fall from -the fig-tree, and the kings of the earth shall be afraid. - -HERODIAS - -Ah! Ah! I should like to see that day of which he speaks, when -the moon shall become like blood, and when the stars shall fall -upon the earth like ripe figs. This prophet talks like a drunken -man ... but I cannot suffer the sound of his voice. I hate his -voice. Command him to be silent. - -HEROD - -I will not. I cannot understand what it is that he saith, but it -may be an omen. - -HERODIAS - -I do not believe in omens. He speaks like a drunken man. - -HEROD - -It may be he is drunk with the wine of God. - -HERODIAS - -What wine is that, the wine of God? From what vineyards is it -gathered? In what wine-press may one find it? - -HEROD - -[_From this point he looks all the while at Salome._] - -Tigellinus, when you were at Rome of late, did the Emperor speak -with you: on the subject of...? - -TIGELLINUS - -On what subject, sire? - -HEROD - -On what subject? Ah! I asked you a question, did I not? I have -forgotten what I would have asked you. - -HERODIAS - -You are looking again at my daughter. You must not look at her. I -have already said so. - -HEROD - -You say nothing else. - -HERODIAS - -I say it again. - -HEROD - -And that restoration of the Temple about which they have talked -so much, will anything be done? They say the veil of the -Sanctuary has disappeared, do they not? - -HERODIAS - -It was thyself didst steal it. Thou speakest at random. I will -not stay here. Let us go within. - -HEROD - -Dance for me, Salome. - -HERODIAS - -I will not have her dance. - -SALOME - -I have no desire to dance, Tetrarch. - -HEROD - -Salome, daughter of Herodias, dance for me. - -HERODIAS - -Let her alone. - -HEROD - -I command thee to dance, Salome. - -SALOME - -I will not dance, Tetrarch. - -HERODIAS - -[_Laughing_]. - -You see how she obeys you. - -HEROD - -What is it to me whether she dance or not? It is naught to me. -To-night I am happy, I am exceeding happy. Never have I been so -happy. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -The Tetrarch has a sombre look. Has he not a sombre look? - -SECOND SOLDIER - -Yes, he has a sombre look. - -HEROD - -Wherefore should I not be happy? Caesar, who is lord of the world, -who is lord of all things, loves me well. He has just sent me -most precious gifts. Also he has promised me to summon to Rome -the King of Cappadocia, who is my enemy. It may be that at Rome -he will crucify him, for he is able to do all things that he -wishes. Verily, Caesar is lord. Thus you see I have a right to be -happy. Indeed, I am happy. I have never been so happy. There is -nothing in the world that can mar my happiness. - -THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN - -He shall be seated on this throne. He shall be clothed in scarlet -and purple. In his hand he shall bear a golden cup full of his -blasphemies. And the angel of the Lord shall smite him. He shall -be eaten of worms. - -HERODIAS - -You hear what he says about you. He says that you will be eaten -of worms. - -HEROD - -It is not of me that he speaks. He speaks never against me. It is -of the King of Cappadocia that he speaks; the King of Cappadocia, -who is mine enemy. It is he who shall be eaten of worms. It is -not I. Never has he spoken word against me, this prophet, save -that I sinned in taking to wife the wife of my brother. It may be -he is right. For, of a truth, you are sterile. - -HERODIAS - -I am sterile, I? You say that, you that are ever looking at my -daughter, you that would have her dance for your pleasure? It is -absurd to say that. I have borne a child. You have gotten no -child, no, not even from one of your slaves. It is you who are -sterile, not I. - -HEROD - -Peace, woman! I say that you are sterile. You have borne me no -child, and the prophet says that our marriage is not a true -marriage. He says that it is an incestuous marriage, a marriage -that will bring evils.... I fear he is right; I am sure that he -is right. But it is not the moment to speak of such things. I -would be happy at this moment. Of a truth, I am happy. There is -nothing I lack. - -HERODIAS - -I am glad you are of so fair a humour to-night. It is not your -custom. But it is late. Let us go within. Do not forget that we -hunt at sunrise. All honours must be shown to Caesar's -ambassadors, must they not? - -SECOND SOLDIER - -What a sombre look the Tetrarch wears. - -FIRST SOLDIER - -Yes, he wears a sombre look. - -HEROD - -Salome, Salome, dance for me. I pray thee dance for me. I am sad -to-night. Yes; I am passing sad to-night. When I came hither I -slipped in blood, which is an evil omen; and I heard, I am sure I -heard in the air a beating of wings, a beating of giant wings. I -cannot tell what they mean ... I am sad to-night. Therefore dance -for me. Dance for me, Salome, I beseech you. If you dance for me -you may ask of me what you will, and I will give it you, even -unto the half of my kingdom. - -[Illustration: THE TOILETTE OF SALOME--I] - -SALOME - -[_Rising._] Will you indeed give me whatsoever I shall ask, -Tetrarch? - -HERODIAS - -Do not dance, my daughter. - -HEROD - -Everything, even the half of my kingdom. - -SALOME - -You swear it, Tetrarch? - -HEROD - -I swear it, Salome. - -HERODIAS - -Do not dance, my daughter. - -SALOME - -By what will you swear, Tetrarch? - -HEROD - -By my life, by my crown, by my gods. Whatsoever you desire I will -give it you, even to the half of my kingdom, if you will but -dance for me. O, Salome, Salome, dance for me! - -SALOME - -You have sworn, Tetrarch. - -HEROD - -I have sworn, Salome. - -SALOME - -All this I ask, even the half of your kingdom. - -HERODIAS - -My daughter, do not dance. - -HEROD - -Even to the half of my kingdom. Thou wilt be passing fair as a -queen, Salome, if it please thee to ask for the half of my -kingdom. Will she not be fair as a queen? Ah! it is cold here! -There is an icy wind, and I hear ... wherefore do I hear in the -air this beating of wings? Ah! one might fancy a bird, a huge -black bird that hovers over the terrace. Why can I not see it, -this bird? The beat of its wings is terrible. The breath of the -wind of its wings is terrible. It is a chill wind. Nay, but it is -not cold, it is hot. I am choking. Pour water on my hands. Give -me snow to eat. Loosen my mantle. Quick! quick! loosen my mantle. -Nay, but leave it. It is my garland that hurts me, my garland of -roses. The flowers are like fire. They have burned my forehead. -[_He tears the wreath from his head and throws it on the table._] -Ah! I can breathe now. How red those petals are! They are like -stains of blood on the cloth. That does not matter. You must not -find symbols in everything you see. It makes life impossible. It -were better to say that stains of blood are as lovely as rose -petals. It were better far to say that.... But we will not speak -of this. Now I am happy, I am passing happy. Have I not the -right to be happy? Your daughter is going to dance for me. Will -you not dance for me, Salome? You have promised to dance for me. - -[Illustration: THE TOILETTE OF SALOME--II] - -HERODIAS - -I will not have her dance. - -SALOME - -I will dance for you, Tetrarch. - -HEROD - -You hear what your daughter says. She is going to dance for me. -You do well to dance for me, Salome. And when you have danced for -me, forget not to ask of me whatsoever you wish. Whatsoever you -wish I will give it you, even to the half of my kingdom. I have -sworn it, have I not? - -SALOME - -You have sworn it, Tetrarch. - -HEROD - -And I have never broken my word. I am not of those who break -their oaths. I know not how to lie. I am the slave of my word, -and my word is the word of a king. The King of Cappadocia always -lies, but he is no true king. He is a coward. Also he owes me -money that he will not repay. He has even insulted my -ambassadors. He has spoken words that were wounding. But Caesar -will crucify him when he comes to Rome. I am sure that Caesar will -crucify him. And if not, yet will he die, being eaten of worms. -The prophet has prophesied it. Well! wherefore dost thou tarry, -Salome? - -SALOME - -I am awaiting until my slaves bring perfumes to me and the seven -veils, and take off my sandals. [_Slaves bring perfumes and the -seven veils, and take off the sandals of Salome._] - -HEROD - -Ah, you are going to dance with naked feet. 'Tis well!--'Tis -well. Your little feet will be like white doves. They will be -like little white flowers that dance upon the trees.... No, no, -she is going to dance on blood. There is blood spilt on the -ground. She must not dance on blood. It were an evil omen. - -HERODIAS - -What is it to you if she dance on blood? Thou hast waded deep -enough therein.... - -HEROD - -What is it to me? Ah! look at the moon! She has become red. She -has become red as blood. Ah! the prophet prophesied truly. He -prophesied that the moon would become red as blood. Did he not -prophesy it? All of you heard him. And now the moon has become -red as blood. Do ye not see it? - -HERODIAS - -Oh, yes, I see it well, and the stars are falling like ripe figs, -are they not? and the sun is becoming black like sackcloth of -hair, and the kings of the earth are afraid. That at least one -can see. The prophet, for once in his life, was right, the kings -of the earth are afraid.... Let us go within. You are sick. They -will say at Rome that you are mad. Let us go within, I tell you. - -THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN - -Who is this who cometh from Edom, who is this who cometh from -Bozra, whose raiment is dyed with purple, who shineth in the -beauty of his garments, who walketh mighty in his greatness? -Wherefore is thy raiment stained with scarlet? - -HERODIAS - -Let us go within. The voice of that man maddens me. I will not -have my daughter dance while he is continually crying out. I will -not have her dance while you look at her in this fashion. In a -word, I will not have her dance. - -HEROD - -Do not rise, my wife, my queen, it will avail thee nothing. I -will not go within till she hath danced. Dance, Salome, dance for -me. - -HERODIAS - -Do not dance, my daughter. - -SALOME - -I am ready, Tetrarch. - -[_Salome dances the dance of the seven veils._] - -HEROD - -Ah! wonderful! wonderful! You see that she has danced for me, -your daughter. Come near, Salome, come near, that I may give you -your reward. Ah! I pay the dancers well. I will pay thee royally. -I will give thee whatsoever thy soul desireth. What wouldst thou -have? Speak. - -SALOME - -[_Kneeling_]. - -I would that they presently bring me in a silver charger.... - -HEROD - -[Laughing.] - -In a silver charger? Surely yes, in a silver charger. She is -charming, is she not? What is it you would have in a silver -charger, O sweet and fair Salome, you who are fairer than all the -daughters of Judaea? What would you have them bring thee in a -silver charger? Tell me. Whatsoever it may be, they shall give it -you. My treasures belong to thee. What is it, Salome? - -SALOME - -[_Rising_]. - -The head of Jokanaan. - -HERODIAS - -Ah! that is well said, my daughter. - -HEROD - -No, no! - -HERODIAS - -That is well said, my daughter. - -HEROD - -No, no, Salome. You do not ask me that. Do not listen to your -mother's voice. She is ever giving you evil counsel. Do not heed -her. - -SALOME - -I do not heed my mother. It is for mine own pleasure that I ask -the head of Jokanaan in a silver charger. You hath sworn, Herod. -Forget not that you have sworn an oath. - -HEROD - -I know it. I have sworn by my gods. I know it well. But I pray -you, Salome, ask of me something else. Ask of me the half of my -kingdom, and I will give it you. But ask not of me what you have -asked. - -SALOME - -I ask of you the head of Jokanaan. - -HEROD - -No, no, I do not wish it. - -SALOME - -You have sworn, Herod. - -HERODIAS - -Yes, you have sworn. Everybody heard you. You swore it before -everybody. - -HEROD - -Be silent! It is not to you I speak. - -HERODIAS - -My daughter has done well to ask the head of Jokanaan. He has -covered me with insults. He has said monstrous things against me. -One can see that she loves her mother well. Do not yield, my -daughter. He has sworn, he has sworn. - -HEROD - -Be silent, speak not to me!... Come, Salome, be reasonable. I -have never been hard to you. I have ever loved you.... It may be -that I have loved you too much. Therefore ask not this thing of -me. This is a terrible thing, an awful thing to ask of me. -Surely, I think thou art jesting. The head of a man that is cut -from his body is ill to look upon, is it not? It is not meet -that the eyes of a virgin should look upon such a thing. What -pleasure could you have in it? None. No, no, it is not what you -desire. Hearken to me. I have an emerald, a great round emerald, -which Caesar's minion sent me. If you look through this emerald -you can see things which happen at a great distance. Caesar -himself carries such an emerald when he goes to the circus. But -my emerald is larger. I know well that it is larger. It is the -largest emerald in the whole world. You would like that, would -you not? Ask it of me and I will give it you. - -[Illustration: THE DANCER'S REWARD] - -SALOME - -I demand the head of Jokanaan. - -HEROD - -You are not listening. You are not listening. Suffer me to speak, -Salome. - -SALOME - -The head of Jokanaan. - -HEROD - -No, no, you would not have that. You say that to trouble me, -because I have looked at you all this evening. It is true, I have -looked at you all this evening. Your beauty troubled me. Your -beauty has grievously troubled me, and I have looked at you too -much. But I will look at you no more. Neither at things, nor at -people should one look. Only in mirrors should one look, for -mirrors do but show us masks. Oh! oh! bring wine! I thirst.... -Salome, Salome, let us be friends. Come now!... Ah! what would I -say? What was't? Ah! I remember!... Salome--nay, but come nearer -to me; I fear you will not hear me--Salome, you know my white -peacocks, my beautiful white peacocks, that walk in the garden -between the myrtles and the tall cypress trees. Their beaks are -gilded with gold, and the grains that they eat are gilded with -gold also, and their feet are stained with purple. When they cry -out the rain comes, and the moon shows herself in the heavens -when they spread their tails. Two by two they walk between the -cypress trees and the black myrtles, and each has a slave to tend -it. Sometimes they fly across the trees, and anon they crouch in -the grass, and round the lake. There are not in all the world -birds so wonderful. There is no king in all the world who -possesses such wonderful birds. I am sure that Caesar himself has -no birds so fair as my birds. I will give you fifty of my -peacocks. They will follow you whithersoever you go, and in the -midst of them you will be like the moon in the midst of a great -white cloud.... I will give them all to you. I have but a -hundred, and in the whole world there is no king who has peacocks -like unto my peacocks. But I will give them all to you. Only you -must loose me from my oath, and must not ask of me that which you -have asked of me. - - [_He empties the cup of wine._] - -SALOME - -Give me the head of Jokanaan. - -HERODIAS - -Well said, my daughter! As for you, you are ridiculous with your -peacocks. - -HEROD - -Be silent! You cry out always; you cry out like a beast of prey. -You must not. Your voice wearies me. Be silent, I say Salome, -think of what you are doing. This man comes perchance from God. -He is a holy man. The finger of God has touched him. God has put -into his mouth terrible words. In the palace as in the desert God -is always with him.... At least it is possible. One does not -know. It is possible that God is for him and with him. -Furthermore, if he died some misfortune might happen to me. In -any case, he said that the day he dies a misfortune will happen -to some one. That could only be to me. Remember, I slipped in -blood when I entered. Also, I heard a beating of wings in the -air, a beating of mighty wings. These are very evil omens, and -there were others. I am sure there were others though I did not -see them. Well, Salome, you do not wish a misfortune to happen to -me? You do not wish that. Listen to me, then. - -SALOME - -Give me the head of Jokanaan. - -HEROD - -Ah! you are not listening to me. Be calm. I--I am calm. I am -quite calm. Listen. I have jewels hidden in this place--jewels -that your mother even has never seen; jewels that are marvellous. -I have a collar of pearls, set in four rows. They are like unto -moons chained with rays of silver. They are like fifty moons -caught in a golden net. On the ivory of her breast a queen has -worn it. Thou shalt be as fair as a queen when thou wearest it. I -have amethysts of two kinds, one that is black like wine, and one -that is red like wine which has been coloured with water. I have -topazes, yellow as are the eyes of tigers, and topazes that are -pink as the eyes of a wood-pigeon, and green topazes that are as -the eyes of cats. I have opals that burn always, with an icelike -flame, opals that make sad men's minds, and are fearful of the -shadows. I have onyxes like the eyeballs of a dead woman. I have -moonstones that change when the moon changes, and are wan when -they see the sun. I have sapphires big like eggs, and as blue as -blue flowers. The sea wanders within them and the moon comes -never to trouble the blue of their waves. I have chrysolites and -beryls and chrysoprases and rubies. I have sardonyx and hyacinth -stones, and stones of chalcedony, and I will give them all to -you, all, and other things will I add to them. The King of the -Indies has but even now sent me four fans fashioned from the -feathers of parrots, and the King of Numidia a garment of ostrich -feathers. I have a crystal, into which it is not lawful for a -woman to look, nor may young men behold it until they have been -beaten with rods. In a coffer of nacre I have three wondrous -turquoises. He who wears them on his forehead can imagine things -which are not, and he who carries them in his hand can make women -sterile. These are great treasures above all price. They are -treasures without price. But this is not all. In an ebony coffer -I have two cups of amber, that are like apples of gold. If an -enemy pour poison into these cups, they become like an apple of -silver. In a coffer incrusted with amber I have sandals incrusted -with glass. I have mantles that have been brought from the land -of the Seres, and bracelets decked about with carbuncles and with -jade that come from the city of Euphrates.... What desirest thou -more than this, Salome? Tell me the thing that thou desirest, and -I will give it thee. All that thou askest I will give thee, save -one thing. I will give thee all that is mine, save one life. I -will give thee the mantle of the high priest. I will give thee -the veil of the sanctuary. - -THE JEWS - -Oh! oh! - -SALOME - -Give me the head of Jokanaan. - -HEROD - -[_Sinking back in his seat_]. Let her be given what she asks! Of -a truth she is her mother's child! [_The first Soldier -approaches. Herodias draws from the hand of the Tetrarch the ring -of death and gives it to the Soldier, who straightway bears it to -the Executioner. The Executioner looks scared._] Who has taken my -ring? There was a ring on my right hand. Who has drunk my wine? -There was wine in my cup. It was full of wine. Someone has drunk -it! Oh! surely some evil will befall some one. [_The Executioner -goes down into the cistern._] Ah! Wherefore did I give my oath? -Kings ought never to pledge their word. If they keep it not, it -is terrible, and if they keep it, it is terrible also. - -HERODIAS - -My daughter has done well. - -HEROD - -I am sure that some misfortune will happen. - -SALOME - -[_She leans over the cistern and listens._] - -There is no sound. I hear nothing. Why does he not cry out, this -man? Ah! if any man sought to kill me, I would cry out, I would -struggle, I would not suffer.... Strike, strike, Naaman, strike, -I tell you.... No, I hear nothing. There is a silence, a terrible -silence. Ah! something has fallen upon the ground. I heard -something fall. It is the sword of the headsman. He is afraid, -this slave. He has let his sword fall. He dare not kill him. He -is a coward, this slave! Let soldiers be sent. [_She sees the -Page of Herodias and addresses him._] Come hither, thou wert the -friend of him who is dead, is it not so? Well, I tell thee, there -are not dead men enough. Go to the soldiers and bid them go down -and bring me the thing I ask, the thing the Tetrarch has promised -me, the thing that is mine. [_The Page recoils. She turns to the -soldiers._] Hither, ye soldiers. Get ye down into this cistern -and bring me the head of this man. [_The Soldiers recoil._] -Tetrarch, Tetrarch, command your soldiers that they bring me the -head of Jokanaan. - -[_A huge black arm, the arm of the Executioner, comes forth from -the cistern, bearing on a silver shield the head of Jokanaan. -Salome seizes it. Herod hides his face with his cloak. Herodias -smiles and fans herself. The Nazarenes fall on their knees and -begin to pray._] - -Ah! thou wouldst not suffer me to kiss thy mouth, Jokanaan. Well! -I will kiss it now. I will bite it with my teeth as one bites a -ripe fruit. Yes, I will kiss thy mouth, Jokanaan. I said it; did -I not say it? I said it. Ah! I will kiss it now.... But, -wherefore dost thou not look at me, Jokanaan? Thine eyes that -were so terrible, so full of rage and scorn, are shut now. -Wherefore are they shut? Open thine eyes! Lift up thine eyelids, -Jokanaan! Wherefore dost thou not look at me? Art thou afraid of -me, Jokanaan, that thou wilt not look at me?... And thy tongue, -that was like a red snake darting poison, it moves no more, it -says nothing now, Jokanaan, that scarlet viper that spat its -venom upon me. It is strange, is it not? How is it that the red -viper stirs no longer?... Thou wouldst have none of me, Jokanaan. -Thou didst reject me. Thou didst speak evil words against me. -Thou didst treat me as a harlot, as a wanton, me, Salome, -daughter of Herodias, Princess of Judaea! Well, Jokanaan, I still -live, but thou, thou art dead, and thy head belongs to me. I can -do with it what I will. I can throw it to the dogs and to the -birds of the air. That which the dogs leave, the birds of the air -shall devour.... Ah, Jokanaan, Jokanaan, thou wert the only man -that I have loved. All other men are hateful to me. But thou, -thou wert beautiful! Thy body was a column of ivory set on a -silver socket. It was a garden full of doves and of silver -lilies. It was a tower of silver decked with shields of ivory. -There was nothing in the world so white as thy body. There was -nothing in the world so black as thy hair. In the whole world -there was nothing so red as thy mouth. Thy voice was a censer -that scattered strange perfumes, and when I looked on thee I -heard a strange music. Ah! wherefore didst thou not look at me, -Jokanaan? Behind thine hands and thy curses thou didst hide thy -face. Thou didst put upon thine eyes the covering of him who -would see his God. Well, thou hast seen thy God, Jokanaan, but -me, me, thou didst never see. If thou hadst seen me thou wouldst -have loved me. I, I saw thee, Jokanaan, and I loved thee. Oh, how -I loved thee! I love thee yet, Jokanaan, I love thee only.... I -am athirst for thy beauty; I am hungry for thy body; and neither -wine nor fruits can appease my desire. What shall I do now, -Jokanaan? Neither the floods nor the great waters can quench my -passion. I was a princess, and thou didst scorn me. I was a -virgin, and thou didst take my virginity from me. I was chaste, -and thou didst fill my veins with fire.... Ah! ah! wherefore -didst thou not look at me, Jokanaan? If thou hadst looked at me -thou hadst loved me. Well I know that thou wouldst have loved me, -and the mystery of love is greater than the mystery of death. -Love only should one consider. - -[Illustration: THE CLIMAX] - -HEROD - -She is monstrous, thy daughter, she is altogether monstrous. In -truth, what she has done is a great crime. I am sure that it was -a crime against an unknown God. - -HERODIAS - -I approve of what my daughter has done. And I will stay here now. - -HEROD - -[_Rising_]. - -Ah! There speaks the incestuous wife! Come! I will not stay here. -Come, I tell thee. Surely some terrible thing will befall. -Manasseh, Issachar, Ozias, put out the torches. I will not look -at things, I will not suffer things to look at me. Put out the -torches! Hide the moon! Hide the stars! Let us hide ourselves in -our palace, Herodias. I begin to be afraid. - -[_The slaves put out the torches. The stars disappear. A great -black cloud crosses the moon and conceals it completely. The -stage becomes very dark. The Tetrarch begins to climb the -staircase._] - -THE VOICE OF SALOME - -Ah! I have kissed thy mouth, Jokanaan, I have kissed thy mouth. -There was a bitter taste on thy lips. Was it the taste of -blood?... But perchance it is the taste of love.... They say that -love hath a bitter taste.... But what of that? what of that? I -have kissed thy mouth, Jokanaan. - -[_A moonbeam falls on Salome covering her with light._] - -HEROD - -[_Turning round and seeing Salome_.] - -Kill that woman! - -[_The soldiers rush forward and crush beneath their shields -Salome, daughter of Herodias, Princess of Judaea._] - -CURTAIN. - - -[Illustration: CUL DE LAMPE] - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Salome, by Oscar Wilde - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SALOME *** - -***** This file should be named 42704.txt or 42704.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/2/7/0/42704/ - -Produced by Marc D'Hooghe at http://www.freeliterature.org -(Images generously made available by the Internet Archive.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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