ISAAC. Well then stay! But come thou, Esther,
Leave the fool here to her folly.
Let the unclean-handed see her,
Let him touch her, let him kill her,
She herself hath idly willed it.
Esther, come!
RACHEL. Oh, father, tarry!
ISAAC. Hasten, hasten; come, then, Esther!
[Exit with ESTHER.]
RACHEL. Not alone will I remain here!
Listen! Stay! Alas, they leave me.
Not alone will I remain here.
Ah! they come—Oh, sister, father!
[She hastens after them.]
Enter the KING, the QUEEN, MANTRIQUE DE LARA and suite.
KING (entering).
Allow the folk to stay! It harms me not;
For he who calleth me a King denotes
As highest among many me, and so
The people is a part of my own self.
(Turning to the QUEEN.)