The Oath and the Dance

…Do you wish to be called the child of Herod? But the field is not yours, and the plot sown unlawfully beside you belongs to another.

Nevertheless, the council’s tyrant does not put up with it; instead, he pays the bondsman’s wage to the teacher.

He sent John the Baptist to the guard and agonized over the murder.

He wanted to draw the sword and had practiced the chasm earth and the people ashamed he delayed.

Therefore, as seemed likely, he looked for a moment to carry out the unlawful deed and imagined an opportune day for the untimely killing.

When Herod’s birthdays came, having been born into the world, he owed nothing, nor did he dare to enter the common life, this of the human stadium, nor enjoy the elements, nor bless creation, nor indulge in licentiousness by using the moon, nor change the sun, nor insult the stars’ course, nor smear the measures of day and night.

He did not blush at lawlessly passing the day, nor did he hold back from nightly indulgence, nor did he turn back the solar path, nor transgress the Maker’s bounds.

Yet when birthdays proceeded despite the one who had harmed the nations and arrogantly begotten royal offspring, Herodias’ daughter danced in the midst and pleased Herod.

Thus, by oath, he swore to give her whatever she might ask.

Having been instructed by her mother, she said, ‘Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.’

The king was grieved.

But because of the oaths and those present, he ordered it given, and having sent, he beheaded John in prison.

Then his head was lifted upon a platter and given to the maiden.

And he brought it to his mother.

The disciples came and took up the body and buried it, and having come they reported to Jesus.

Woe, how many evils women have filled the life of men, as many thorns they have sown for us and thistles they have cultivated.

Woman closed paradise to the first-formed man (Genesis 3:6), women brought the flood upon the race of giants (Genesis 6:2-4).

For seeing the sons of God the daughters of men that they are fair, they went in to them and the Lord was angered in wrath and he said: I repent that I made man and I will wipe away every dwelling from the face of the earth (Genesis 6:7).

Woman tested the great patriarch Joseph, and she caused the prophet to speak in bonds, and she prepared the God-bearer to sit in prison as an adulteress, as a corruptor to carry a heavy chain around the neck.

Woman gave Samson as captive to the Philistines.

Woman compelled Elijah to flee the whole land of Israel.

Woman now dances and blinds the feast and she courts the tyrannical spectacle to the tyrant.

For she had a braid of three locks ensnaring the young, an outline of eyes lowering those who see, causing them to stumble.

…Seaweed to the virtues.