 The weight and sin of the devil shall be lifted. From the wilderness end, you to make him speak to me again. How strange the moon sings! How beautiful is the princess Solomon tonight! She is like a woman rising from a tomb. She is like a dead woman. She has a strange look. She is like a little princess who wears a yellow veil whose feet are of silver. She is like a princess who has little white doubts her feet. One night, fancy, she is dancing. She is like a dead woman. She moves very slowly. She is very beautiful tonight. You're always looking at her. You look at her too much. It is dangerous to look at her. Something terrible may happen. She is so beautiful. You look too much at her. Why must I ask this again? Listen to me. Cast your gaze elsewhere. The tetra. He has a somber look. He is looking at something. Perhaps she is looking at someone. The whom is he looking at? I can't tell. It is safe to look at him. This is his. Never have I seen her so pale. She is like the shadow of a rose in a mirror of silver. You must not look at her. Look to the tetra in his new bride. See what they are doing. Looking towards them could bring you riches. Is that the queen of Rory? Is Solomon's mother? Yes. That is the tetra's new bride. Rory is just filled with a cup of the tetra. Go on. The tetra is very fond of wine. He has a wine of three sorts. One which is brought from the island of Samothris and is purple, like the cloak of Caesar. Oh, I've never seen Caesar. Another that comes from a town called Cyprus and is as yellow as gold. I love gold. The third is a wine of Sicily. The wine is as red as blood. The gods of this country are very fond of blood. Twice in a year we sacrifice to them young men and maidens. Fifty young men and a hundred maidens. In my country there are no gods left. The war with the tetra drove them out. There are some who say they have hind themselves behind the mountains. But I do not believe it. The Jews worship a god that you cannot see. That I cannot understand. In fact, they only believe in things that you cannot see. That to me seems altogether ridiculous. But when she heard about the Messiah she came behind him and touched his cloak. She thought, if I just touch his clothes, I will be healed. Immediately her twelve years of bleeding stopped. Her years of suffering that none could cure ended in a moment. She was filled with light. The Messiah turned to the crowd and asked, Who touched me? When they all denied it, his disciples said, Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you. Someone touched me. I know that power has gone out from me. Then the woman came and fell at his feet and trembling with fear told him the truth. Forgive me. I only wished to end this pain. Your faith will rebuild the old ruins and raise a city out of the wreckage. Take the rubble left behind and make it new. Silence! He's always saying ridiculous things. Who is he? A prophet. A holy man, so they say. What is his name? They call him John the Baptist. Where does he come from? From the desert. Where he fed on locusts and wild honey. He was clothed in camel's hair and around his loins he had a leather belt. That is very terrible to look upon. He had a great many that would follow him. He even had disciples. What is he speaking of? We can never tell. Well, sometimes he says things that might frighten you, but it's impossible to understand what he says. Look at her little hands. They're flying like the wings of doves. They're like butterflies. They're just like butterflies. What is that to you? Why must you look at her? You must not look at her. Something terrible may happen. Listen to me! After me shall come another, mightier than I. With his power, the heartbroken shall blossom like the rose. The dead shall wake to new life. The bleeding woman shall be healed. Silence! Strange prison. It's an old cistern. An old cistern? That must be a poisonous place in which to dwell. Oh, no. For instance, the Tetrarch's brothers was imprisoned here for 12 years, and it did not kill him. After the 12 years, he had to be strangled. It's a terrible thing to strangle a king. Why? Kings have but one neck like other men. She is like a dove that has strayed. My friend, you must not look at her. She is like an artistic trembling in the wind. This will only cause trouble. She is like a silver flower. Wait and sin of the devil shall be lifted, and your soul set free to soar like a dove, to soar high in the sky in the name of the Lord. Follow his path out from the wilderness and love, and hear the voice of he who loves you. Listen to him, for he is forgiving. He is full of forgiveness. He loves you. God loves you. Be they. Love is found me. Of course. Keep my words. For thine eternal good. Blessed be they who mourn. Love is found me. Of course. Keep my words. I have. Why should I mourn? For thine eternal good. Now talk is some mystery. Unfold thyself. Blessed be they who mourn. Love is found me. Thou knowest that I love thee. Keep my words. They are enshrined in me. Love is found me. Love is found me. Must thine swear to thee, while thou not cease. Love is found me. Love is found me. I heard some day that someone would come. So when she did, I just listened. The veins pumped alongside her footsteps. The hairs on my arms stood up, and followed her around the room as she paced outside myself. I can still feel her in the floor. God never felt so near. Death never felt so warm. I will speak no more. Thou so not hear my voice. The weight and sin of the devil shall be lifted and your soul set free to soar like a dove, to soar high in the sky in the name of the Lord. Follow his path out from the wilderness and love and hear the voice of he who loves you. Listen to him, for he is forgiving. He is full of forgiveness. Forgive me. Please forgive me. I stole her jewels. I had to leave the banquet. I drank his wine. He danced for him. I asked for. I made them open the cistern. I made them open the cistern. He's let me in the cistern. You, to open the cistern. I've been told not to. By who? Your mother's orders. I gave your name and all you could say was Paige. You're trembling. Mother was enraged. How even after she set you away, beaten and starving, I brought you bread. I made you bandages from old cloth. Do you remember? Look at me, sister. You told me someday someone would come. His words are ridiculous. Do not listen to him. Would it not be better to return to the banquet, princess? Please, princess. He speaks lies. Let us return you to the Tetrarch. Speak again. Do not say her, princess. I beseech you. Please, princess. Do not stay here. He will come to me and he will speak. Open the cistern. Now. Let the prophet come forth, Judea. Do not have her look at me. I know not who she is. I do not desire to know who she is. I'm Salome. Daughter of Herodias, princess of Judea. Come not near me. Your mother has filled this world with sin back. Speak again, John the Baptist. Your voice is as a music to my ears. Speak again and tell me what I must do. Come not near me. Leave this place. It is filled with abominations. Your body is beautiful like the snows that lie in the mountains of Judea and come down into the valleys. Your body is more beautiful than the stars in the heavens. It sings to me. It bathes me in awesome light. Suffer me to touch your body. My woman came evil into this world. I listen only to the voice of him who has come and will come. Salome. Salome, where are you? Your body is hideous. It's like the dry earth of the desert. It is like a plastered wall where vipers have crawled. It is horrible. Your body is horrible. The weight and sin of the devil shall be lifted and your soul set free to soar like a dove. Your eyes, John. The weight and sin of the devil shall be lifted to soar like a dove. The weight and sin of the devil shall be lifted to soar like a dove. The silence that dwells in the forest is not so black. There is nothing in the world that is so black as your eyes. The weight and sin of the devil shall be lifted to soar like a dove. No one shall profane the temple of God. Salome, your eyes are horrible. They are like the backs of dung beetles. They are like the sting of thorns. I love not your eyes or mouth that I desire, John. Your mouth is like a band of scarlet. It is like pomegranate flowers and bloom. It is redder than the blood of a slain lion. Your mouth is like a branch of coral that fishes have found in the twilight of the sea. There is nothing in the world that is so red as your mouth. Suffer me to kiss your mouth. Do not touch me. Salome. Salome. Be afraid and repent. I will kiss your mouth, John the Baptist. Did you not hear the beating of the wings and the mouths? You bring this angel to the death. But he is coming to kiss your mouth. He is the Son. Come to your mouth. He is the Light. Suffer me to kiss your mouth. Kneel on the shore and call his name to the sea when he comes to you. Bow at his feet and bend his forgiveness. Suffer me to kiss your mouth. Suffer me to kiss your mouth. Why do you not listen? Suffer me to kiss your mouth. Curs it. Be the daughter of a sexless mother. I will not hold thee. Suffer me to kiss your mouth. Suffer me to kiss your mouth. I will not love thee. I will not love thee. Suffer me to kiss your mouth. Suffer me to kiss your mouth, John. I will kiss your mouth. Miss Salome. Where is the princess? Why did she not return to the banquet? I commanded her. You must not look at her. You're always looking at her. The moon has a strange look tonight. Has she not a strange look? She is like a mad woman seeking everywhere for lovers. She is naked too. Clouds are seeking to close her nakedness, but she will not let them. She shows herself freely to the sky. She reels through the clouds like a drunken woman. I am sure she is looking for lovers. No. The moon is like the moon. That is all. Leave her alone. I will stay here. Lake Apatier, light torches bring forth the ivory tables. The air here is sweet. I will drink more wine. We will celebrate and behold the beautiful Salome. We will be glad, family. Why do you remain? I know I. You are foul. Is this not what you begged for? My kingdom? Salome. Come, sit close to us. Why will you not sit with us? It's cold here. Is there a wind blowing? No, there is no wind. I say there is a wind that blows, and the air beating of wings. Do you not hear it? I hear nothing. How can you not hear it? I tell you, there is nothing. You are ill. I am not ill. It is your daughter who is sick. Never have I seen her so pale. I told you not to look at her. Bring me more wine. Salome. Oh, Salome. Come celebrate with me. It's time for us to be happy. Come drink a little wine with me. Caesar himself has sent me a wine that is exquisite. Let me taste it with thy little red lips. I am not thirsty, Tetra. Bring me ripe fruit, Salome. Come eat with me. I love to see the marks of thy little teeth. Bite a little of this fruit so I may eat what is left. I am not hungry, Tetra. You see how you have brought up this daughter of yours. She does right. Salome, come and rest next to me. I will give thee the throne of thy mother. You see in what regard she holds you. Bring me. What is it that I desire? Behold! The time has come. That which I foretold has come to pass. I have tried to baptize you with water. Behind me follows one more powerful than I. He will baptize you with flames. Be silent. I will not listen to his voice. He is forever hurling. Insult at me. He is a very great prophet. I do not believe in prophets. You suffer in delay because you are afraid of him. I am not afraid of him. I am afraid of no man. They deliver him to the Jews. Enough! I will not deliver him to anyone. He is a holy man. He is a man who has seen God. That cannot be. There is no man who has seen God. God does not show himself. You are truly a plague on this world. Behold, the day is at hand. The day of the Lord. I hear upon the mountains the feet of him who shall be the savior of the world. What does that mean, savior of the world? He must speak of Caesar. It was not concerning Caesar that the prophets spoke these words, sir. He speaks of another man, a Messiah who hath come. No Messiah hath come. They say he works miracles. Miracles? I do not believe in miracles. He was seen by a great multitude of people speaking with the angels. Angels do not exist. It is true, my queen. He would serve you, close your mouth, and listen to these men. You are all ridiculous. Then how do you know? I am sheep. I know who I am. You are a wicked woman, and the moon shall not cast her light on you. You have looked too long on the moon. It is only sick men who dream. It is thus she will wipe out all wickedness from the earth. All shall learn not to imitate this queen's abomination. Do hero, he says. You suffer under a vial, your own wife. John! Here? There are very few street prophets who are so revered. I mean that as a compliment. I am sure. I am more than a street prophet. Of course. I do not mean to offend. It is not me whom you have offended. I came here to give you an offer. You do have King Herod's ear. I know that you have a message that you want to spread. I think that I can help you do that. Spread my message? Yes. I can give you avenues to the greatest ears in this land. Get you out of the cistern. Get you into the court. What makes you think I don't like it here? I believe you. But do you believe? Do you believe in more than this palace? Do you believe in more than yourself? Do I believe in... You can say it. In what? In goodness and... No, I do not believe in any of your gods or gods. As for her, I do not follow me stuck in that sort of thing, but I can help you. I need you to talk to the king about our marriage. I am aware of the things you have said about us, but we are still married under the law. Your laws have no word. I can offer you the company of my daughter. On this day, the sun shall become black like smoke, and the moon shall become like blood, and the stars of the heavens shall fall, and all kings of the earth shall be afraid. This prophet talks like a drunken man. I can't suffer the sound of his voice. Command him to be silent. I will not. You are the cause of the terrible words the prophet speaks. Maybe an omen. It cannot be. You are looking again at my daughter. You must not look at her. You say nothing else. Do not listen. Dance for me, Salome. I will not have her dance. Salome, daughter of Herodias. Dance for me. That's a lone beast. You are her father. I am not. I command thee to dance, Salome. What is it to me whether she dances or not? Tonight I am happy. I am exceedingly happy. Never have I been so happy. The tetrarch has a somber look. Yes, he has a somber look. He shall be seated on his throne. He shall be clothed in scarlet and ermine. In his hand he shall bear a golden cup full of his blasphemies. He shall be eaten by worms. Do you hear what he says about you? It is not of me who he speaks. Never has he spoken a word against me, this prophet. Save that I have sinned in taking you with my wife. You are unclean. And you are sterile. I am sterile. You say that you look at my child and then her dance. You speak as a fool. It is you who are sterile, not I. Woman, I say you are sterile. The prophet says that our marriage will bring evils. I am sure he is right. But now is not the hour to speak of these things. I would be happy at this moment. Salome. Salome. Salome, dance for me. I am sad tonight. When I came here, I heard the beating of giant wings. I cannot tell what they mean. Suffer me to dance for me. Yes, dance for me, Salome. Whatever thou shalt ask of me, I will give. Even under half my kingdom. Do not dance, my daughter. Whatever thou ask, I swear it, Salome. Do not dance, my daughter. I swear by my gods, by my crown, by my life. Whatever thou desire, I will give thee. Even under half my kingdom, if thou will dance for me. Oh, Salome. Salome, dance for me. Do not dance, my daughter. If thou ask for half my kingdom, thou will be loved more than a queen. Will she not be fair as queen? There is an icy wind. And I hear in the air this beating of wings. Is there a huge black bird that hovers over the terrace? Why can I not see it? It blows a chill wind. It is hot. Like choking. No water on my hands. Give me snow to eat. My garland hurts me. My garland of roses, the flowers are like fire that have burned my forehead. Pills are. They're like blood stains. Look at the moon. She is red as the petals. She has become red as blood. His story was true. Your daughter will dance for me, Salome. Thou hath promised to dance for me. Daughter, do not dance. Not for this man. Prove yourself like your sex. Do strong for weakness, too weak for strength. Dance for me, Salome. Dance for me, Salome. Dance for me, Salome. Dance for me, Salome. Dance for me, Salome. Dance for me, Salome. Dance for me, Salome. The weight and sin of the devil shall be lifted. And your soul set free to soar like a dove. To soar high in the sky in the name of the Lord. Follow his path out from the wilderness and love. And hear the voice of he who loves you. Listen to him for he is forgiving. He is full of forgiveness. He loves you. God loves you. I love you. I love you. I love you. Dance for you, Tetrarch. Surely, yes, on a silver platter, she is charming. What would you have us bring on a silver platter? Oh, sweet and fair Salome, thou art lovelier than all the queens of Judea. What would you have me bring on a silver platter? Whatever it may be, you will receive it. My treasures belong to you. What is it you would have, Salome? The Baptist. Well said, my daughter. I do not think I heard what you spoke. Tell me again. What is it you will have, Salome? Give me the hand, John the Baptist! Princess of Judea. Perodius, Princess of Judea. I am Salome, daughter of Perodius. Princess of Judea. I am Salome, daughter of Perodius. Princess of Judea. I am Salome, Princess of Judea. I am Princess of Judea. I stole her jewels. I drank his wine. I danced for him. I made him open the cistern. I asked for his head. I washed his blood off my hands. I don't want my stomach to burst. I don't want to give you anything else. I don't want to stay here. I want...