KING. Think you, then, Before my servants I should hide myself? And yet I fear the pain 'twould give the Queen; She might believe--what I myself believe, And so I save my troubled majesty. See to it that she very soon depart. [_Exit into the side room._] ESTHER. I told you so! It is misfortune's road. _Enter the_ QUEEN _accompanied by_ MANRIQUE DE LARA _and several others._ QUEEN. They told me that the King was in this place. GARCERAN. He was, but went away. QUEEN. The Jewess here. MANRIQUE. Arrayed like madness freed from every bond, With all the tinsel-state of puppet-play! Lay off the crown, for it befits thee not, Even in jest; the mantle also doff! [ESTHER _has taken both off._] What has she in her hand? RACHEL. It is my own. MANRIQUE. But first we'll see! ESTHER. Nay, we are not so poor That we should stretch our hands for others' goods! MANRIQUE (_going toward the side door_). And, too, in yonder chamber let us look, If nothing missing, or perhaps if greed With impudence itself as here, has joined. GARCERAN (_barring the way_). Here, father, call I halt! MANRIQUE. Know'st thou me not? GARCERAN. Yes, and myself as well. But there be duties Which even a father's rights do not outweigh. MANRIQUE. Look in my eye! He cannot bear to do it! Two sons I lose on this unhappy day. (_To the _QUEEN.) Will you not go? QUEEN. I would, but cannot. Yes, I surely can, by Heaven, for I must. (_To_ GARCERAN.) Although your office an unknightly one, I thank you that you do it faithfully; 'Twere death to see--but I can go and suffer-- If you should meet your master ere the eve, Say, to Toledo I returned--alone. [_The QUEEN and her suite go out._] GARCERAN. Woe worth the chance that chose this day of all, To bring me home--from war to worse than war! RACHEL (_to_ ESTHER, _who is busied with her_). And had my life been forfeit, I'd have stayed. ESTHER (_to_ GARCERAN). I pray you now to bring us quickly home. GARCERAN. First, let me ask the King his royal will. (_Knocking at the side door._) Sire! What? No sign of life within? Perchance An accident? Whate'er it be--I'll ope! [_The_ KING _steps out and remains standing in the foreground as the others withdraw to the back of the stage._]