as if asleep, in the armchair. Then he goes
forward._]

ESTHER (_to her father_).

Behold thy foes are trembling! Art thou glad?
Not I. For Rachel wakes not from the dead.

[_The_ KING, _in the front, gazes at his hands, and rubs them, as though
washing them, one over the other. Then the same motion over his body. At
last he feels his throat, moving his hands around it. In this last
position, with his hands at his throat, he remains motionless, staring
fixedly before him._]

MANRIQUE. Most noble Prince and King. Most gracious Sire!

KING (_starting violently_).

Ye here? 'Tis good ye come! I sought for you--
And all of you. Ye spare me further search.

[_He steps before them, measuring them with angry glances._]

MANRIQUE (_pointing to the weapons lying on the floor_).

We have disarmed ourselves, laid down our swords.

KING. I see the swords. Come ye to slay me, then?
I pray, complete your work. Here is my breast!

[_He opens his robe._]

QUEEN. He has't no more!

KING. How mean you, lady fair?

QUEEN. Gone is the evil picture from his neck.

KING. I'll fetch it, then.

[_He takes a few steps toward the door at the side, and then stands
still._]

QUEEN. O God, this madness still!

MANRIQUE. We know full well, how much we, Sire, have erred--
Most greatly, that we did not leave to thee
And thine own honor thy return to self!
But, Sire, the time more pressing was than we.
The country trembled, and at all frontiers
The foemen challenged us to ward our land.

KING. And foemen must be punished--is't not so?
Ye warn me rightly; I am in their midst.
Ho, Garceran!

GARCERAN. Thou meanest me, O Sire?

KING. Yea, I mean thee! Though me thou hast betrayed,
Thou wert my friend. Come to me then, I say,
And tell me what thou think'st of her within!
Her--whom thou help'dst to slay--of that anon.
What thoughtst thou of her while she still did live?

GARCERAN. O Sire, I thought her fair.

KING. What more was she?

GARCERAN. But wanton, too, and light, with evil wiles.

KING. And that thou hidst from me while still