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. It has passed away. But no, I hear it again. Do you not hear it? It is just like a 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 to death. 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 fruits with me. I love to see in a fruit the mark of thy little teeth. Bite but a little of this fruit, that I may 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 a thief and a robber to boot!

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 in what regard she holds you.

HEROD
Bring me -- What is it that I desire? I forget. Ah! ah! I remember.

THE VOICE OF IOKANAAN
Behold the time is come! That which I foretold has come to pass. The day that I spake of is at hand.

HERODIAS
Bid him be silent. I will not listen to his voice. This man is for ever hurling 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. Also 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.