rward! Hasten! On!

[_As the court arranges itself on both sides and the KING goes through
the centre, the curtain falls._]

ACT II

_A drop scene showing part of the garden. At the right, a garden-house
with a balcony and a door, to which several steps lead up._

GARCERAN _enters through the door._

GARCERAN. And so before I'm caught, I'll save myself!
The girl is beautiful, and is a fool;
But love is folly; wherefore such a fool
Is more to fear than e'er the slyest was.
Besides, 'tis necessary that I bring,
While still there's time, my good repute again
To honor,--and my love for Dona Clara,
Most silent she of all that never talk;
The wise man counts escape a victory.

_A page of the_ KING _enters._

PAGE. Sir Garceran--

GARCERAN. Ah, Robert, what's a-foot?

PAGE. The King, my lord, commanded me to see
If still you were with her entrusted you--

GARCERAN. If I am here? Why, he commanded--friend!
You were to see were I, perhaps, upstairs?
Just tell him that the girl is in the house,
And I outside. That answer will suffice.

PAGE. The King himself!

GARCERAN. Your majesty!

[_The_ KING _comes wrapped in a cloak. Exit PAGE._]

KING. Well, friend!
Still here?

GARCERAN. Why, did you not yourself command
That only with the evening's first approach--

KING. Yes, yes, but now on second thought it seems
Far better that you travel while 'tis day--
They say thou'rt brave.

GARCERAN. So you believe, O Sire--

KING. Methinks thou honorest the royal word
Which would unharmed know what it protects.
But custom is the master of mankind;
Our wills will often only what they must.
And so, depart. But tell me, what doth she?

GARCERAN. At first, there was a weeping without end,
But time brings comfort, as the saying is;
And so 'twas here. Soon cheerfulness, yea jest,
Had banished all her former abject fear;
Then there was pleasure in the shining toys,
And wonder at the satin tapestries.
We measured every curtained stuff