希羅底︰那是您自己偷走了。你胡言亂語。我再也不想待在這兒。我們進去吧。
希律王︰為我舞一曲吧，莎樂美。
希羅底︰我不讓她跳舞。
莎樂美︰我沒心情跳舞，陛下。
希律王︰莎樂美，希羅底之女，為我跳舞。
希羅底︰別擾她。
希律王︰我命令妳跳舞，莎樂美。
莎樂美︰我不跳，陛下。
希羅底〔大笑〕︰你看看她多麼遵從你的意思。
希律王︰她跳不跳舞對我又有何妨？我並不介意。今晚我很高興，我太高興了。我從未如此快活過。
第一士兵︰陛下看來相當憂鬱。
第二士兵︰是的；他外表憂鬱。
希律王︰我為何不快樂呢？西澤是這個世界的統治者，是萬物的統治者，他很喜歡我。他剛送我最珍貴的禮物。並且，他允諾我將召喚卡帕多西亞國王到羅馬去，他是我的敵人。可能他會在羅馬被處以釘十字架之刑，因為他有權這麼做。毫無疑問地，西澤是我的主人。於是你見到我有權快樂。的確，我很快樂。我從未如此快活。世上再也沒有什麼東西能破壞我的快樂。
約翰的聲音︰他將坐在寶座上。他將穿著紫色長袍。在他的手上握著一隻充滿褻瀆的酒杯。主的天使將重擊他。他該受萬蟲穿咬。
希羅底︰你聽到他如何說你。他說你該受萬蟲穿咬。
希律王︰他指的人並不是我。他從未出言冒犯我。他說的是卡帕多西亞的國王；卡帕多西亞王，我的敵人。是他該受萬蟲穿咬。不是我。他，這位先知，從未出言冒犯過我，除了我將我兄弟妻子取來做為妻子這件罪行之外。他可能是對的。因為，妳確實不能生育。
希羅底︰我不能生育？你難道沒見過我的女兒，你還想要她跳舞來替你取悅？你這話太荒謬了。我生過一個孩子。而你，卻連一個孩子都沒有，即使與你的女奴。是你不能生育，不是我。
希律王︰冷靜下來，女人！我說妳不能生育。妳從未為我生下一個孩子，而先知說我們的婚禮並不是真正的婚禮。他說那是個違背倫常的婚禮，會招致邪惡的婚禮……我恐怕他說的對；我確定他說的對。不過現在並不是說這些事的時候。我希望此刻能夠快樂。事實上，我現在很快樂。我什麼都不缺。
希羅底︰我很高興你今晚十分幽默。這不是你的習慣。太遲了。我們進去吧。別忘了我們明天日出時要外出狩獵。我們要將一切榮耀讓西澤的使者分享，不是嗎？
第二士兵︰陛下的臉上多麼憂鬱呀。
第一士兵︰是的，他的臉上憂鬱。
希律王︰莎樂美呀，莎樂美，為我跳一曲吧。我願意為妳的舞蹈付出代償。我今晚感到悲傷。是的；我暫時感到悲傷。我走到這兒來卻因地上的血而滑倒，這是不祥的徵兆；而且我聽到了，我確實聽到翅膀振動的聲響，一對巨大翅膀的拍動。我不清楚那是什麼意思……我今晚覺得悲傷。因此請為我跳舞。為我跳舞吧，莎樂美，我懇求妳。若妳為我跳舞，妳可以向我要求任何東西，我也將承諾妳，就算是我王國的一半也行。
莎樂美〔抬頭〕︰您真的願意給我任何我所要求的東西嗎，陛下？
希羅底︰不要跳舞，我的女兒。
希律王︰任何東西，就算是我王國的一半。
莎樂美︰您要以什麼發誓，陛下？
希律王︰以我的生命，以我的王冠，以我的神。無論妳要求什麼我都會給妳，就算是我王國的一半，只要妳願意為我跳舞。噢，莎樂美呀，莎樂美，為我跳舞吧！
莎樂美︰您已經立誓，陛下。
希律王︰我已經立誓，莎樂美。
莎樂美︰一切我所要求的，即使是您王國的一半。
希羅底︰我的女兒，不要跳。
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?
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It is nought to me. To-night 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? C?sar, who is lord of the world, C?sar, 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, C?sar 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.
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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.
HEROD
Peace, woman! I say that you are sterile. You have borne me no child, and the prophet says that. our marriage is not a true marriage. He says that it is a marriage of incest, a marriage that will bring evils . . . . I fear he is right; I am sure that he is right. But it is not the hour to speak of these things. I would be happy at this moment. Of a truth, I am happy. There is nothing I lack.
HERODIAS
I am glad you are of so fair a humour tonight. It is not your custom. But it is late. Let us go
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within. Do not forget that we hunt at sunrise. All honours must be shown to C?sars ambassadors, must they not?
SECOND SOLDIER
The Tetrarch has a sombre look.
FIRST SOLDIER
Yes, he has a sombre look.
HEROD
Salome, Salome, dance for me. I pray thee dance for me. I am sad to-night. Yes, I am passing sad to-night. When I came hither I slipped in blood, which is an ill omen; also I heard in the air a beating of wings, a beating of giant wings. I cannot tell what that may mean . . . . I am sad to-night. Therefore dance for me. Dance for me, Salome, I beseech thee. If thou dancest for me thou mayest ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee. Yes, dance for me, Salome, and whatsoever thou shalt ask of me I will give it thee, even unto the half of my kingdom.
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SALOME
[Rising.]
Will you indeed give me whatsoever I shall ask of you, Tetrarch?
HERODIAS
Do not dance, my daughter.
HEROD
Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, even unto the half of my kingdom.
SALOME
You swear it, Tetrarch?
HEROD
I swear it, Salome.
HERODIAS
Do not dance, my daughter.
SALOME
By what will you swear this thing, Tetrarch?
HEROD
By my life, by my crown, by my gods. Whatsoever thou shalt desire I will give it thee, even to the half of my kingdom, if thou wilt but dance for me. O Salome, Salome, dance for me!
SALOME
You have sworn an oath, Tetrarch.
HEROD
I have sworn an oath.
HERODIAS
My daughter, do not dance.