318 ST. MARK’S REST

straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. iii. 16, 17).

142. h. His death is commanded by Herod (over the door into the main body of the church).

The mosaic is (according to the sacristan) entirely restored, and the letters of the legend appear to have been incorrectly treated. The words are “Puellæ saltanti imperavit mater nihil (? nichil) aliud petas nisi caput Johannis Baptistæ”-“And as the girl danced her mother commanded her, saying, Ask for nothing else, but only for the head of John the Baptist.”

Five figures are seen in the mosaic:-

I. Herod with his hand raised in horror and distress, “exceeding sorry” (Mark vi. 26).

II. Herodias, pointing at him, with a smile of triumph.

III. Herodias’ daughter dancing, with the charger on her head.

IV. Another figure, with regard to which see ante, § 94, where it is suggested that the figure is St. John at a former time, saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for thee to have her.” If this is not so, it may be that the figure represents the “lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee” (Mark vi. 21) who were at the feast.

V. A servant in attendance.

[Version 0.04: March 2008]