[Enter servants. They bow low.]
King: Rise; what is thy message?
[They do not rise.]
First Servant: O King, be merciful unto us!
[They bow lower.]
King: What meaneth this? Speak! [in astonishment] I command thee. Where is the Queen?
Second Servant: O great King, we delivered thy message as thou didst command, but the Queen has refused to come before thy presence.
[All the princes and the King show surprise and anger.]
King: Refused to obey me? This is impossible! Are ye certain that she understood the meaning of my command?