Herodias You are looking again at my daughter. You must not look at her. I have already said so.

Herod You say nothing else.

Herodias I say it again.

Herod And that restoration of the Temple about which they have talked so much, will anything be done? They say that the veil of the sanctuary° has disappeared, do they not?

Herodias It was thyself didst steal it. Thou speakest at random and without wit. I will not stay here. Let us go within.

Herod Dance for me, Salome.

Herodias I will not have her dance.

Salome I have no desire to dance, Tetrarch.

Herod Salome, daughter of Herodias, dance for me.

Herodias Peace. Let her alone.

Herod I command thee to dance, Salome.

Salome I will not dance, Tetrarch.

Herodias (Laughing) You see how she obeys you.

Herod What is it to me whether she dance or not? It is nought to me. Tonight I am happy. I am exceeding happy. Never have I been so happy.

First Soldier The Tetrarch has a sombre look. Has he not a sombre look?

Second Soldier Yes, he has a sombre look.

Herod Wherefore should I not be happy? Caesar, who is lord of the world, Caesar, who is lord of all things, loves me well. He has just sent me most precious gifts. Also he has promised me to summon to Rome the King of Cappadocia, who is mine enemy. It may be that at Rome he will crucify him, for he is able to do all things that he has a mind to do. Verily, Caesar is lord. Therefore I do well to be happy. I am very happy, never have I been so happy. There is nothing in the world that can mar my happiness.

The Voice of Iokanaan He shall be seated on his throne. He shall be clothed in scarlet and purple. In his hand he shall bear a golden cup full of his blasphemies. And the angel of the Lord shall smite him. He shall be eaten of worms.

Herodias You hear what he says about you. He says that you shall be eaten of worms.°

Herod It is not of me that he speaks. He speaks never against me. It is of the King of Cappadocia that he speaks; the King of Cappadocia who is mine enemy. It is he who shall be eaten of worms. It is not I. Never has he spoken word against me, this prophet, save that I sinned in taking to wife the wife of my brother. It may be he is right. For, of a truth, you are sterile.

Herodias I am sterile, I? You say that, you that are ever looking at my daughter, you that would have her dance for your pleasure? You speak as a fool. I have borne a child. You have gotten no child, no, not on one of your slaves. It is you who are sterile, not I.