The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Vi Part 57

(_Approaching her._ RACHEL, _shakes her head violently._)

Well then, my dearest child, I pray be calm!

Yes, I repeat it, thou hast pleased me well; When from this Holy War I home return To which my honor and my duty call, Then in Toledo I may ask for thee-- Where dwell you in this city?

ISAAC (_quickly_).

Jew Street, Sire-- Ben Mathes' house.

ESTHER. If not, before you come, We're driven out.

KING. My word! That shall not be.

And I can keep a promise to protect.

So if at home you are as talkative And cheerful as I hear you erstwhile were-- Not shy, as now, I'll pa.s.s the time away, And draw a breath far from the fogs of court.

But now depart; the time has long since come.

Go with them, Garceran; but, ere you go, My picture now return to where it was.

RACHEL (_rushing to the chair_).

The picture's mine!

KING. What ails thee, child? It must Go back into the frame where it belongs.

RACHEL (_to_ GARCERAN).

The picture touch not, nor the pins therein, Or I shall fix it with a deeper thrust

(_Making a motion toward the picture with a pin._)

Behold, right in the heart!

KING. By Heaven, stop!

Thou almost frightenedst me. Who art thou, girl?

Art mistress of the black and criminal arts, That I should feel in my own breast the thrust Thou aimedst at the picture?

ESTHER. n.o.ble Sire, She's but a spoiled child, and a wanton girl, And has no knowledge of forbidden arts!

KING. One ought not boldly play with things like these.

It drove my blood up to my very eyes, And still I see the world all in a haze.

(_To_ GARCERAN.)

Is she not beautiful?

GARCERAN. She is, my lord.

KING. See how the waves of light glow o'er her form!

[RACHEL _has meanwhile taken of the picture and rolled it up._]

KING. Thou absolutely wilt not give it up?

RACHEL (_to _ESTHER).

I'll take it.

KING. Well, then, in the name of G.o.d!

He will prevent that any ill befall.

But only go! Take, Garceran, The road that down behind the garden leads.

The folk's aroused; it loves, because it's weak, To test that weakness on some weaker one.

GARCERAN (_at the window_).

Behold, O Sire, where comes th' entire court,-- The Queen herself leads on her retinue.

KING. Comes here? Accursed! Is here no other door?

Let not the prying crew find here false cause To prattle!

GARCERAN (_pointing to the side door_).

Sire, this chamber

KING. Think you, then, Before my servants I should hide myself?

And yet I fear the pain 'twould give the Queen; She might believe--what I myself believe, And so I save my troubled majesty.

See to it that she very soon depart.

[_Exit into the side room._]

ESTHER. I told you so! It is misfortune's road.

_Enter the_ QUEEN _accompanied by_ MANRIQUE DE LARA _and several others._

QUEEN. They told me that the King was in this place.

GARCERAN. He was, but went away.

QUEEN. The Jewess here.

MANRIQUE. Arrayed like madness freed from every bond, With all the tinsel-state of puppet-play!

Lay off the crown, for it befits thee not, Even in jest; the mantle also doff!

[ESTHER _has taken both off._]

What has she in her hand?

RACHEL. It is my own.

MANRIQUE. But first we'll see!