THE KING. Is she well guarded?
THE GYPSY. The soldier who conducted her from the room this morning is keeping guard at the door, your majesty. I recognized him by the black eye she gave him.
THE KING. Good. What is your news?
THE GYPSY. Your majesty, I am bidden to tell you that the Royal Archivist, whom you bade to search through the histories of your royal ancestors for some precedent to guide you in this matter, has locked himself with his forty assistants in the royal library, and cannot be roused by knocking.
THE KING. They have fallen asleep among the archives…. What else?
THE GYPSY. Your majesty, the Royal Physician has been summoned, according to your orders, to examine the young woman as to her sanity. But she refuses to answer all questions, asserting that she is in a state of abounding health, and is in no need of the services of a physician.
THE KING. How can we prove her mad if she will not answer questions!
THE GYPSY. Further, I am bidden to tell you that the watchman on the tower has seen two horsemen in the far distance galloping toward the city. They come by the eastern road, and it is believed that they are couriers from the King of Basque.
THE KING. This matter must be settled before they arrive. Is there anything else?
THE GYPSY. Yes, your majesty. The Eldest of the Wise Men has come here in answer to your summons.