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 pass 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. Noble 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 God!
He will prevent that any ill befall.
But only go! Take, Garceran,
The road that down behind the