ISAAC. Yes, just like thy mother, eh? She, too, looked at handsome Christians, Sighed, too, for Egyptian flesh-pots; Had I not so closely watched her I should deem-well, God forgive me!-- That thy madness came that way, Heritage of mean, base Christians; Ah! I praise my first wife, noble! (_To_ ESTHER.) Praise thy mother, good like thee, Though not wealthy. Of the second Did the riches aught avail me? Nay, she spent them as she pleasured, Now for feasts and now for banquets, Now for finery and jewels. Look! This is indeed her daughter! Has she not bedeckt herself, Shines she not in fine apparel Like a Babel in her pride? RACHEL (_singing_). Am I not lovely, Am I not rich? See their vexation, And I don't care-la, la, la, la. ISAAC. There she goes with handsome shoes on; Wears them out--what does it matter? Every step costs me a farthing! Richest jewels are her earrings, If a thief comes, he will take them, If they're lost, who'll find them ever? RACHEL (_taking off an earring_). Lo! I take them off and hold them, How they shine and how they shimmer! Yet how little I regard them, Haply, I to thee present them (_to_ ESTHER.) Or I throw them in the bushes. [_She makes a motion as if throwing it away._] ISAAC (_running in the direction of the throw_). Woe, ah woe! Where did they go to? Woe, ah woe! How find them ever? ESTHER. These fine jewels? What can ail thee? RACHEL. Dost believe me, then, so foolish As to throw away possessions? See, I have it in my hand here, Hang it in my ear again and On my cheek it rests in contrast. ISAAC. Woe! Lost! RACHEL. Father come, I prithee! See! the jewel is recovered. I was jesting. ISAAC. Then may God-- Thus to tease me! And now, come! RACHEL. Anything but this I'll grant thee. I must see his Royal Highness, And he me, too, yes, yes, me, too. If he comes and if he asks them, "Who is she, that lovely Jewess?" "Say, how hight you?"--"Rachel, sire! Isaac's Rachel!" I shall answer. Then he'll pinch my cheek so softly. Beauteous Rachel then they'll call me. What if envy bursts to hear it, Shall I worry if it vexes? ESTHER. Father! ISAAC. What ESTHER. The court approaches.