thing until it is quite out of date. I
want to make Hell at least as attractive as it is painted; a _place_ as
well as a _condition_ within the meaning of the Act. Full of wit,
beauty, pleasure, freedom--

THE STATUE. Ugh--ugh.

SHANNON. Will you dance for us, Princess?

SALOME. Anything for you, dear Mr. Shannon, only my ankles are a little
sore to-night. How is dear Ricketts? I want new dresses so badly.

SHANNON. I suppose by this time he is in Heaven. But won't you dance
just to make things go? And then the Commander will lecture on super-
maniacs later on!

SALOME. Senor Diavolo, what will you give me if I dance to-night?

THE DEVIL. Anything you like, Salome. I swear by the dramatic critics.

HANKIN (_correcting_). You mean the Styx.

THE DEVIL. Same thing. Dance without any further nonsense, Salome.
Forget that you are in England. This is an unlicensed house.

[SALOME _dances the dance of the Seven Censors_.

THE DEVIL (_applauding_). She is charming. She is quite charming.
Salome, what shall I do for you? You who are like a purple patch in some
one else's prose. You who are like a black patch on some one else's
face. You are like an Imperialist in a Radical Cabinet. You are like a
Tariff Reformer in a Liberal-Unionist Administration. You are like the
Rokeby Velasquez in St. Paul's Cathedral. What can I do for you who are
fairer than--

SALOME. This sort of thing has been tried on me before. Let us come to
business. I want Mr. Redford's head on a four-wheel cab.

THE DEVIL. No, not that. You must not ask that. I will give you
Walkley's head. He has one of the best heads. He is not ignorant. He
really knows what he is talking about.

SALOME. I want Mr. Redford's head on a four-wheel cab.

THE DEVIL. Salome, listen to me. Be reasonable. Do not interrupt me. I
will give you William Archer's head. He is charming--a cultivated,
liberal-minded critic. He is too liberal. He admires Stephen Phillips.
I will give you his dear head if you release me from my oath.

SALOME. I want Mr. Redford's head on the top of a four-wheel cab.
Remember your oath!

THE DEVIL. I remember I swore _at_--I mean _by_--the dramatic critics.
Well, I am offering them to you. Exquisite and darling Salome, I will
give you the head of Max Beerbohm. It is unusually large, but it is full
of good things. What a charming ornament for your mantelpiece! You will
be in the movement. How ev