Yet, since an oath thy wish must seal,—by Judah’s hopes, I swear!”
Herodias stooped,—one whisper brief!—was it a serpent’s hiss,
That thus the maiden starts and shrinks beneath the woman’s kiss?
A moment’s pause of doubt and dread!—then wild the victim knelt,—
“Take, take my worthless life instead! Oh! if thou e’er hast felt
A mother’s love,—thou canst not doom—no, no! ’twas but a jest!
Speak!—speak! and let me fly once more, confiding, to thy breast!”
A hollow and sepulchral tone was hers who made reply:
“The oath! the oath!—remember, girl! ’tis registered on high!”
Salomé rose,—mute, moveless stood as marble, save in breath,