ESTHER. Nay, we are not so poor That we should stretch our hands for others" goods!
MANRIQUE (_going toward the side door_).
And, too, in yonder chamber let us look, If nothing missing, or perhaps if greed With impudence itself as here, has joined.
GARCERAN (_barring the way_).
Here, father, call I halt!
MANRIQUE. Know"st thou me not?
GARCERAN. Yes, and myself as well. But there be duties Which even a father"s rights do not outweigh.
MANRIQUE. Look in my eye! He cannot bear to do it!
Two sons I lose on this unhappy day.
(_To the _QUEEN.)
Will you not go?
QUEEN. I would, but cannot. Yes, I surely can, by Heaven, for I must.
(_To_ GARCERAN.)
Although your office an unknightly one, I thank you that you do it faithfully; "Twere death to see--but I can go and suffer-- If you should meet your master ere the eve, Say, to Toledo I returned--alone.
[_The QUEEN and her suite go out._]
GARCERAN. Woe worth the chance that chose this day of all, To bring me home--from war to worse than war!
RACHEL (_to_ ESTHER, _who is busied with her_).
And had my life been forfeit, I"d have stayed.
ESTHER (_to_ GARCERAN).
I pray you now to bring us quickly home.
GARCERAN. First, let me ask the King his royal will.
(_Knocking at the side door._)
Sire! What? No sign of life within? Perchance An accident? Whate"er it be--I"ll ope!
[_The_ KING _steps out and remains standing in the foreground as the others withdraw to the back of the stage._]
KING. So honor and repute in this our world Are not an even path on which the pace, Simple and forward, shows the tendency, The goal, our worth. They"re like a juggler"s rope, On which a misstep plunges from the heights, And every stumbling makes a b.u.t.t for jest.
Must I, but yesterday all virtues" model, Today shun every slave"s inquiring glance?
Begone then, eager wish to please the mob, Henceforth determine we ourselves our path!
(_Turning to the others._)
What, you still here?
GARCERAN. We wait your high command.
KING. If you had only always waited it, And had remained upon the boundary!
Examples are contagious, Garceran.
GARCERAN. A righteous prince will punish every fault, His own as well as others"; but, immune, He"s p.r.o.ne to vent his wrath on others" heads.
KING. Not such a one am I, my friend. Be calm!
We are as ever much inclined to thee; And now, take these away, forever, too.
What"s whim in others, is, in princes, sin.
(_As he sees _RACHEL _approaching._)
Let be! But first this picture lay aside, And put it in the place from whence you took "t.
It is my will! Delay not!
RACHEL (_to_ ESTHER).
Come thou, too.
(_As both approach the side door_).
Hast thou, as is thy wont, my picture on?
ESTHER. What wilt
RACHEL. My will--and should the worst betide--
[_They go to the side door._]
KING. Then to the border, straight I"ll follow thee; And there we"ll wash in Moorish blood away The equal shame that we have shared this day, That we may bear once more the gaze of men.
[_The girls return._]
RACHEL. I did it.
KING. Now away, without farewell!
ESTHER. Our thanks to thee, O Sire!
RACHEL. Not mine, I say.
KING. So be it; thankless go!
RACHEL. I"ll save it up.