THE YOUNG SYRIAN: Pardon me, Princess, but if you do not return some misfortune may happen.
SALOMÉ: Is he an old man, this prophet?
THE YOUNG SYRIAN: Princess, it were better to return. Suffer me to lead you in.
SALOMÉ: This prophet ... is he an old man?
FIRST SOLDIER: No, Princess, he is quite a young man.
SECOND SOLDIER: You cannot be sure. There are those who say he is Elias.
SALOMÉ: Who is Elias?
SECOND SOLDIER: A very ancient prophet of this country, Princess.
THE SLAVE: What answer may I give the Tetrarch from the Princess?
THE VOICE OF JOKANAAN: Rejoice not thou, Land of Palestine, because the rod of him who smote thee is broken. For from the seed of the serpent shall come forth a basilisk, and that which is born of it shall devour the birds.
SALOMÉ: What a strange voice! I would speak with him.
FIRST SOLDIER: I fear it is impossible, Princess. The Tetrarch does not wish any one to speak with him. He has forbidden the high priest to speak with him.
SALOMÉ: I desire to speak with him.
FIRST SOLDIER: It is impossible, Princess.
SALOMÉ: I will speak with him.
THE YOUNG SYRIAN: Would it not be better to return to the banquet?
SALOMÉ: Bring forth this prophet.
Exit the SLAVE.
FIRST SOLDIER: We dare not, Princess.
SALOMÉ (approaching the cistern and looking down into it): How black it is down there! It must be terrible to be in so black a pit! It is like a tomb ... (To the SOLDIERS) Did you not hear me? Bring out the prophet. I wish to see him.
SECOND SOLDIER: Princess, I beg you do not require this of us.
SALOMÉ: You keep me waiting!
FIRST SOLDIER: Princess, our lives belong to you, but we cannot do what you have asked of us. And indeed, it is not of us that you should ask this thing.
SALOMÉ (looking at the YOUNG SYRIAN): Ah!
THE PAGE OF HERODIAS: Oh! what is going to happen? I am sure that some misfortune will happen.
SALOMÉ (going up to the YOUNG SYRIAN): You will do this thing for me, will you not, Narraboth? You will do this thing for me. I have always been kind to you. You will do it for me. I would but look at this strange prophet. Men have talked so much of him. Often have I heard the Tetrarch talk of him. I think the Tetrarch is afraid of him. Are you, even you, afraid of him, Narraboth?
