THE VOICE OF SALOME: Ah! I have kissed thy mouth, Iokannan, I
have kissed thy mouth. There was a bitter taste on thy lips. Was
it the taste of blood? . . . Nay; but perchance it was the taste of
love. . . . They say love hath a bitter taste. . . . But what
matter? what matter? I have kissed thy mouth, Iokannan, I have
kissed thy mouth.