NOLI ME TANGERE

NOLI ME TANGERE
Elias and Salome
- the missing chapter of the Noli
- it follows Chapter XXIV - "In the Woods"
- deleted by Rizal for economic reason
(for him to save on printing cost)
 NOLI ME TANGERE
Elias and Salome
• Salome lives in a nipa hut by the lake. She sat on a bamboo batalan sewing a
camisa when Elias carrying firewood, banana and wiggling dalag arrived.
Salome noticed that her lover was sad an pensive and so she tried to
1. console him by asking about the girls at the picnic. Elias in a gay mood said
that there were many beautiful girls, among whom was Maria Clara.

• After the brief conversation Elias prepared to leave saying to Salome,

“Good-bye Salome. The sun is setting, and it won’t appear good for the
people to know that night overtook me here.” He paused for a moment and
2. continued, “But you.ve been crying. Don’t deny it with your smile. You’ve
been crying.”

• She was crying for soon she would leave the house where she grew up. She
said, “It is not right for me to live alone. I’ll go to live with my relatives in
Mindoro. Elias remained silent for a moment then he held her hands and
3. said, “Then you are tired of my friendship and want to drive me away?”
Salome answered saying, “No, I am not tired of your friendship. I don’t envy
the rich, the wealthy, but…”
 NOLI ME TANGERE
Elias and Salome
• “But what?” asked Elias. “Nothing. I don’t envy them as long as I have your
friendship,” replied Salome. Then Elias retorted, “If it were not that I don’t want
my children to suffer what my sister and I suffered, you would have been my
wife in the eyes of God. But for the sake of this future family I have sworn to
4. end with myself the misfortune that we have been inheriting from father to son.
You do well to go to the house of your relatives. Forget me. Forget a love so
mad and futile. Perhaps you’ll meet there one who is not like me.”

• “Elias,” exclaimed Salome. “You have misunderstood me.

Take my advice, go home to your relatives. Here you have
no one but me, and the day when I fall into the hands of
my pursuers, you will be left alone for the rest of your life.
5. Improve your youth and beauty to get a good husband,
such as you deserve.”
• “Well then,” Salome said, “At least when I’m gone, live here,
stay in this house. It will make you remember me. Sleep where
I have slept and dream – it will be as though I were beside
you.” After disengaging himself from her tender embrace, he
6. left with a heavy heart. She followed him with her gaze,
listening sadly to the fading footsteps in the gathering
darkness.