Woman ... what ... [his words choke in his throat.]
HERODIAS
[Laughing.] Speak out what thou hast to say. If thou no longer needest me for love, thou mayest still require me as a listener and adviser.
HEROD
[After he has walked up and down several times in great excitement.] Never resemble.... What is the man who smiles amiably in wrath? A coward?... What is the man, who has two faces? Insincere?... Who fawns on those in power. Servile? No; because the great Herod also did these things. But sometimes, when the blood throbbed to bursting in his veins, he snatched his sword from the sheath and slashed at friend and enemy alike who stood in his way ... till the blood of his victim washed him calm and cool again ... till the mighty at Rome experienced a thrill at such a display of strength.... I, too, feel the blood hammering in my veins.... I, too, would ... but I have no sword ... and so I must continue to smile amiably ... continue showing two faces, and licking the sandals of the priests.... I, the son of Herod; I, his ape!
HERODIAS
And suppose that the priests of the Temple adopted the attitude of shield and barrier betwixt thee and the fury of the people, wouldst thou doubt thyself less?
HEROD
I doubt myself not. And what thou sayest can never happen.
HERODIAS