half, yes all, a man--
It is their faults that make them woman-kind.
And that resistance, which the oft deceived
Gains through experience, the King has not;
A light disport he takes for bitter earn'st.
But this shall not endure, I warrant thee!
The foe is at the borders, and the King
Shall hie him where long since he ought to be;
Myself shall lead him hence. And so an end.

ISAAC. Try what you can! And if not with us, then
You are against us, and will break your neck
In vain attempt to clear the wide abyss.

(_The sound of flutes._)

But hark! With cymbals and with horns they come,
As Esther with King Ahasuerus came,
Who raised the Jews to fame and high estate.

GARCERAN. Must I, then, see in this my King's debauch
A picture of myself from early days,
And be ashamed for both of us at once?

[_A boat upon which are the_ KING, RACHEL _and suite, appears on the
river._]

KING. Lay to! Here is the place--the arbor here.

RACHEL. The skiff is rocking--hold me, lest I fall.

[_The_ KING _has jumped to the shore._]

RACHEL. And must I walk to shore upon this board
So thin and weak?

KING. Here, take my hand, I pray!

RACHEL. No, no, I'm dizzy.

GARCERAN (_to himself_).

Dizzy are you? Humph!

KING (_who has conducted her to the shore_).

It is accomplished now--this mighty task!

RACHEL. No, never will I enter more a ship.

(_Taking the_ KING's _arm._)

Permit me, noble Sire, I am so weak!
Pray feel my heart, how fev'rishly it beats!

KING. To fear, is woman's right; but you abuse it.

RACHEL. You now, hard-hearted, take away your aid!
And, oh, these garden walks, how hard they are!
With stones, and not with sand, they're roughly strewn
For men to walk on, not for women's feet.

KING. Put down a carpet, ye, that we have peace.

RACHEL. I feel it well--I merely burden you!
Oh, were my sister only here with me,
For I am sick and tired unto death!
Naught but these pillows here?

(_Throwing the pillows in the arbor violently about._)

No,