QUEEN. Is marriage not the very holiest, Since it makes right what else forbidden is, And that, which horrible to all the chaste, Exalts to duty, pleasing unto God? Other commandments of our God most high Give added strength to our regard for right, But what so strong that it ennobles sin Must be the strongest of commandments all. Against that law this woman now has sinned. But if my husband's wrong continueth, Then I myself, in all my married years, A sinner was and not a wife, our son Is but a misborn bastard-spawn, a shame Unto himself, and sore disgrace to us. If ye in me see guilt, then kill me, pray! I will not live if I be flecked with sin. Then may he from the princesses about A spouse him choose, since only his caprice, And not what is allowed, can govern him. But if she is the vilest of this earth, Then purify your King and all his land. I am ashamed to speak like this to men, It scarce becomes me, but I needs must speak. MANRIQUE. But will the King endure this? If so, how? QUEEN. He will, indeed, because he ought and must. Then on the murd'rers he can take revenge, And first of all strike me and this, my breast. [_She sits down._] MANRIQUE. There is no hope of any other way. The noblest in the battle meet their doom-- To die a bitter, yea, a cruel death-- Tortured with thirst, and under horses' hoofs, A doubler, sharper, bitt'rer meed of pain Than ever, sinner on the gallows-tree, And sickness daily takes our best away; For God is prodigal with human life; Should we be timid, then, where his command, His holy law, which he himself has giv'n, Demands, as here, that he who sins shall die? Together then, we will request the King To move from out his path this stumbling-block Which keeps him from his own, his own from him. If he refuse, blood's law be on the land, Until the law and prince be one again, And we may serve them both by serving one. _A servant comes._ SERVANT. Don Garceran! MANRIQUE. And does the traitor dare? Tell him-- SERVANT. The message is his Majesty's. MANRIQUE. That's diff'rent. An' he were my deadly foe, He has my ear, when speaks he for the King. _Enter _GARCERAN. MANRIQUE. At once your message give us; then, farewell.