SALOME
Why dost thou start?
MIRIAM
Did I, mistress?
SALOME
Tell me what thou seest?
MIRIAM
There are many people standing round a fountain, and----
SALOME
And?
MIRIAM
I cannot----
SALOME
[_Stands up and goes to window._] Ah! [_Looking out for a moment in silence._] Miriam, who is that?
MIRIAM
[_Confused._] Whom dost thou mean, mistress?
SALOME
Is there anyone else but him?... Miriam, thou gentle, brown Miriam [_half threateningly_], deny him not!
MIRIAM
It is--John--the Baptist.
ABI, MAECHA
[_Hurrying up, all curiosity._] The Baptist?
SALOME
Let him be who he be. See how the people surge round him! Have ye ever in your valley seen a rock bend? He doth not bend. Ha! ha! Not he! Only if--perhaps---- [_She stretches out her arms._]
SCENE II
_The same. Herodias_. [_Enters from centre._]
MAECHA
Mistress, thy mother!
THE THREE MAIDENS
[_Withdraw quickly from the window._]
HERODIAS
What are ye doing here, damsels? Salome thou! Shall we let it be said that we have brought evil manners into Jerusalem?
SALOME
[_Intending to wound, but outwardly meek._] Methinks it is said already.
HERODIAS
[_Enraged._] Go!
SALOME
Yes, mother. [_She crosses over, and lingers between the pillars of the balcony._]
HERODIAS
Ye damsels, stay! Ye are Judeans?
MAECHA
Yes, mistress.
HERODIAS
Intelligence hath reached me of one they call the Baptist stirring up rebellion in the streets. Which of you know the man?
MAECHA
She does.
ABI
She hath this moment confessed it.
HERODIAS