My daughter soon will come to take the air.
And _he_ is with her--_he_; I say not who.
So tremble and depart, and your requests
Take to the King's advisers in Toledo.

[_He takes the petition from one of them._]

Let's see! 'Twon't do.

PETITIONER. You hold it upside down.

ISAAC. Because the whole request is topsy-turvy turvy--And
you are, too. Disturb no more--depart.

2D PETIT. Sir Isaac, in Toledo me you knew.

ISAAC. I know you not. In these last days my eyes
Have suddenly grown very, very weak.

2D PETIT. But I know you! Here is the purse of gold
You lost, which I herewith restore to you.

ISAAC. The purse I lost? I recognize it! Yea,
'Twas greenish silk--with ten piasters in't!

2D PETIT. Nay, twenty.

ISAAC. Twenty? Well, my eye is good;
My mem'ry fails me, though, from time to time!
This sheet, no doubt, explains the circumstance--Just
where you found the purse, perhaps, and how.
There is no further need that this report
Should go on file. And yet, just let me have't!
We will convey it to the proper place,
That every one may know your honesty!

[_The petitioners present their petitions; he takes one in each hand and
throws them to the ground._]

No matter what it be, your answer's there.

(_To a third._)

I see you have a ring upon your hand.
The stone is good, let's see!

[_The suppliant hands over the ring._]

That flaw, of course,
Destroys its perfect water! Take it back.

[_He puts the ring on his own finger._]

3D PETIT. You've put it on your own hand!

ISAAC. What, on mine?
Why so I have! I thought I'd given it back.
It is so tight I cannot get it off.

3D PETIT. Keep it, but, pray, take my petition too.

ISAAC (_busy with the ring_).

I'll take them both in memory of you.
The King shall weigh the ring--I mean, of course,
Your words--although the flaw is evident--The
flaw that's in the stone--you understand.
Begone now, all of you! Have I no club?
Must I be bothered with th