Salomé
by Oscar Wilde
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, my lord?
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 that the veil of the Sanctuary has disappeared, do they not?
HERODIAS
It was thyself didst steal it. Thou speakest at random and without wit.
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
Peace. 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 nought 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,
Caesar, 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 mine enemy.
It may be that at Rome he will crucify him, for he is able to do all things
that he has a mind to do.
Verily, Caesar is lord. Therefore I do well to be happy.
I am very happy, never have I been so happy.
There is nothing in the world that can mar my happiness.
THE VOICE OF IOKANAAN
He shall be seated on his 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 shall 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? You speak as a fool.
I have borne a child. You have gotten no child, no, not on one of your slaves.
It is you who are sterile, not I.