Await her here, Rabbi.... What are thy commands to thy handmaiden?
JOHN
[Shakes his head.]
MIRIAM
[Kisses the hem of his garment.] [Exit.
SCENE VIII
John [left alone for a brief space], then Salome, and two of her damsels.
SALOME
[Steps softly to the balustrade and gazes down on John, seeks in her breast for a flower, and not finding one turns back to Maecha.] Give me those thou wearest in thy girdle. [She takes the roses which Maecha hands to her and throws them down.] He doth not see them. Bring more flowers, and thy harp. Stay, Maecha, or I shall be afraid. [Exeunt the maids, except Maecha.] Thou fair savage, out of the wilderness of Judah! The fire of hate that flashes from thy eye shall not devour me! I will kindle another fire in it, lovely and languid like my dreams, when at night the perfume of the narcissi is wafted to my pillow. [The maids come back.] Give them here.... Roses ... two arms' full. [Hides her face in the flowers.] Now if I had narcissi, too! Nay, but tarry and sing the song which I taught you yesterday, the song which the dancers sang at Antioch. But sing softly, so that he be not shy of us. Where is Miriam?
ABI