5 He called the maiden to his side and said, Salome, you have won my heart, and you may ask and I will give you anything you wish.
6 The maiden ran in childish glee and told her mother what the ruler said.
7 Her mother said, Go back and say, Give me the head of John, the harbinger.
8 The maiden ran and told the ruler what she wished.
9 And Herod called his trusty executioner and said to him, Go to the tower and tell the keeper that by my authority you come to execute the prisoner known as John.
10 The man went forth and in a little while returned and on a platter bore the lifeless head of John, and Herod offered it unto the maiden in the presence of the guests.
11 The maiden stood aloof; her innocence was outraged when she saw the bloody gift, and she would touch it not.
12 Her mother, steeped and hardened well in crime, came up and took the head and held it up before the guests and said,
13 This is the fate of every man who dares to scorn, or criticize, the acts of him who reigns.
14 The drunken rabble gazed upon the grewsome sight with fiendish joy.