Page:Jesus of Nazareth the story of His life simply told (1917).djvu/239

 *tion, answered, not by words but by deeds. As the messengers stood around Him, He cured many sick, and to many that were blind He gave sight:

"Go," He said, "and relate to John what you have heard and seen."

And they went away believing in Him.

Meanwhile the wicked Herodias, who could not feel safe so long as John lived, was casting about for some means of bringing about his death. Herod's birthday brought her chance. The king kept the day with the utmost magnificence, and in the evening made a great supper for the chief men of his kingdom. The castle palace of Machaerus was brilliantly lighted up, and the sound of music mingled with the shouts of the revellers penetrated even into the dungeon where the holy Baptist lay.

When the merriment in the banqueting hall was at its height, Salome, the daughter of Herodias, came in to amuse the guests. She danced before them and was loudly applauded by all who sat at table. Then Herod, half intoxicated, and scarcely knowing what he was saying, swore to her:

"Whatsoever thou shalt ask I will give thee, though it be the half of my kingdom."

The girl, delighted, slipped out of the hall and said to her mother:

"What shall I ask?"

"The head of John the Baptist," was the answer.

Salome returned with haste to the king:

"I will," she said, "that thou forthwith give me in a dish the head of John the Baptist."

What a demand from the lips of one little more than a child! All who heard it shuddered. But what