Salomé

First published in French in 1893, this one-act tragedy is set at Herod Antipas's court. Salome, the tetrarch's stepdaughter, becomes obsessed with the imprisoned prophet Jokanaan, who refuses her and condemns the household. Herod, lusting after Salome, offers her anything if she will dance; she names her price as the prophet's head. The play proceeds by incantation and repetition rather than by realistic talk, with the moon, the cistern, and the look of desire as its emblems. It is a symbolist drama, not a historical chronicle of Judaea.

Bound in blue cloth with a design in gold. Pale blue-green endleaves. Transparent plastic dust-jacket. • Some copies were issued in a dark blue slipcase. Folio Press and J.M. Dent.