KING. We'll imitate Our forebears in their bravery, their worth, Not when they stumble in their weaker hours. The task is, first of all to conquer self--And then against the foreign conqueror! Retiro hight the castle?--Let me see! Oh yes, away! And be discreet! But then--Thou knowest nothing! All the better. Come! [_Exit with servant._] ACT III _Garden in the royal villa. In the background flows the Tagus. A roomy arbor toward the front at the right. At the left, several suppliants in a row, with petitions in their hands._ ISAAC _stands near them._ ISAAC. You were already told to linger not. 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_).