The king was dazed with wine. Passion held sway, and reason was dethroned. He saw only the hall of pleasure, with its reveling guests, the banquet table, the sparkling wine and the flashing lights, and the young girl dancing before him. In the recklessness of the moment, he desired to make some display that would exalt him before the great men of his realm. With an oath he promised to give the daughter of Herodias whatever she might ask, even to the half of his kingdom.

Kongen var omtåget af vinen. Nu var det lidenskaben, der beherskede ham, og forstanden måtte vige. Han så kun den festlige sal med dens larmende gæster, det dækkede bord, den funklende vin og de glimtende lys og den unge pige, der dansede foran ham. I et anfald af øjeblikkelig letsindighed ønskede han at foretage sig noget, der ville forherlige ham over for hans riges stormænd. Han lovede med en ed at give Herodias' datter, hvad hun end ville bede ham om, ja, om det så var hans halve rige.