Where wert thou last night? The palace guards said thou wouldst visit thy sweetheart.... Thou hast a lover? [Roguishly.] Whisper his name in my ear and I'll give thee a gold pin.
MIRIAM
I have no one that loveth me, mistress.
SALOME
The language of you Judeans hath an insipid flavour, and your eyes dissemble. Yet, I love Jerusalem. A purple haze hangs over its gables. And it seemeth to me ever as if the sun in Jerusalem kissed one secretly. But ye could not understand how that is ... ye have not the blood of the great Herod in your veins. My mother hath it, and I have it from her.... And whatever they may say in Jerusalem, my mother was wise to run away from that other husband, for the one here is of more account than he. And because she was so wise, and at the same time so sadly foolish, I love her, and will share the consequences of her folly. [She flings herself on the couch.] I am not displeasing to my uncle Herod.... I have remarked that he casts stolen glances at me.... Now when my mother scolds me I shall know how to tease her! [Trills forth.] I am the Rose of Sharon, a flower of the valley. Cometh not my friend into his garden to eat of---- Miriam, where does that window look out?
MIRIAM
I do not know, mistress. I have never been in this hall before.
SALOME
Go and see.
MIRIAM