Salomé & the Dance of the Seven Veils

Herod. Do not rise, my wife, my queen; it will avail thee nothing. I will not go within till she hath danced. Dance, Salome, dance for me.

Herodias. Do not dance, my daughter.

Salome. I am ready, Tetrarch. (Salome dances the dance of the seven veils.)

Herod. Ah! wonderful! wonderful! You see that she has danced for me, your daughter. Come near, Salome, come near, that I may give thee thy fee. Ah! I pay a royal price to those who dance for my pleasure. I will pay thee royally. I will give thee whatsover thy soul desireth. What wouldst thou have? Speak.

Salome (kneeling). I would that they presently bring me in a silver charger—

Herod (laughing). In a silver charger?

Surely yes, in a silver charger. She is charming, is she not? What is it that thou wouldst have in a silver charger, O sweet and fair Salome, thou that are fairer than all the daughters of Judaea? What wouldst thou have them bring thee in a silver charger? Tell me. Whatsoever it may be, thou shalt receive it. My treasures belong to thee. What is that thou wouldst have, Salome?

Salome (rising). The head of Iokanaan.

Herodias. Ah! that is well said, my daughter.

Herod. No, no!

Herodias. That is well said, my daughter.

Herod. No, no, Salome. It is not that thou desirest. Do not listen to thy mother’s voice. She is ever giving thee evil counsel. Do not heed her.

Salome. It is not my mother’s voice that I heed. It is for mine own pleasure that I ask the head of Iokanaan in a silver charger. You have sworn an oath, Herod. Forget not that you have sworn an oath.

= Oscar Wilde, Salomé 1906 (pg. 48-49)