HERODIAS
You must not look at her! You are always looking at her!
HEROD
The moon has a strange look to-night. Has she not a strange look? She is like a mad woman who is seeking everywhere for lovers. She is naked too. She is quite naked. The clouds are seeking to clothe her nakedness, but she will not let them. She shows herself naked in the sky. She reels through the clouds like a drunken woman. . . . I am sure she is looking for lovers. Does she not reel like a drunken woman? She is like a mad woman, is she not?
HERODIAS
No; the moon is like the moon, that is all. Let us go within. . . . We have nothing to do here.
HEROD
I will stay here! Manesseh, lay carpets there. Light torches, bring forth the ivory table, and the tables of jasper. The air here is sweet. I will drink more wine with my guests. We must show all honours to the ambassadors of Cæsar.
HERODIAS
It is not because of them that you remain.
37
