SCENE II
The same. Herodias. [Enters from centre.]
MAECHA
Mistress, thy mother!
THE THREE MAIDENS
[Withdraw quickly from the window.]
HERODIAS
What are ye doing here, damsels? Salome thou! Shall we let it be said that we have brought evil manners into Jerusalem?
SALOME
[Intending to wound, but outwardly meek.] Methinks it is said already.
HERODIAS
[Enraged.] Go!
SALOME
Yes, mother. [She crosses over, and lingers between the pillars of the balcony.]
HERODIAS
Ye damsels, stay! Ye are Judeans?
MAECHA
Yes, mistress.
HERODIAS
Intelligence hath reached me of one they call the Baptist stirring up rebellion in the streets. Which of you know the man?
MAECHA
She does.
ABI
She hath this moment confessed it.
HERODIAS
What dost thou know of him?
MIRIAM
That last night I sat at his feet praying.
SALOME
[Coming forward] Thou? Thou?
MAECHA
Pardon! A moment ago he was standing close to the Palace.
HERODIAS
Show him to me.
MAECHA
[From the window] Now is he gone.
HERODIAS
[To Miriam] So speed after him, and when thou hast found him, bring him privately through yonder gate. [Points below to the right]
SALOME
She shall not.... I will not ... Not her!
HERODIAS
Why not?
SALOME
[Throwing her arms round Miriam] She is dearest to me. I will not let her go out of my sight. [Comes over and supplicates Herodias] Mother!
HERODIAS
Art thou still such a child? [To Miriam.] Go!
SALOME
[Angrily.] Miriam!
[Exit Miriam.
HERODIAS
Such a child, and already hast the tooth of a serpent in thy mouth!
SALOME
[Kneels on the couch before her mother and encircles her knees with her arms.] Forgive me, mother. We, thou and I, are not like others. We sting those we love.
HERODIAS
[Sotto voce.] And those we hate?
SALOME
[Sotto voce.] We kiss!
HERODIAS
[Laughing.] Child! [She kisses her.]
SALOME
[Laughing.] Thou kissest me!