SALOME
[Slowly rising.] What shall I say, Sire?
HEROD
I am a poor man. Rome--who gave Herod's son, as if in mockery, the name of Herod--Rome has not left him much of his father's heritage. Yet enough is still his wherewith to thank thee. Speak, what wilt thou have? And by that God and Lord before whom we kneel in the dust, barefoot, at Jerusalem, I swear it shall be thine.
SALOME
I beg and desire that thou wilt give me, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist.
HEROD
Herodias--thou!
VITELLIUS
Dear friend, whose head doth she want?