I cannot walk.
KING (as Garceran is about to offer his arm).
And why your arm? The woman can assist.
And do thou, gaffer, watch thy daughter well,
The world is ill! Do thou protect thy hoard.
[Exeunt RACHEL and her kin, led by GARCERAN.]
KING (watching them).
She totters still in walking. All her soul
A sea of fear in e'er-renewing waves.
(Putting down his foot)
She held my foot so tightly in her grasp,
It almost pains me. Strange it is, a man
When cowardly, with justice is despised—
A woman shows her strength when she is weak.
Ah, Almirante, what say you to this?
MANRIQUE. I think, the punishment you gave my son,
Is, noble Sire, both subtle and severe.
KING. The punishment?
MANRIQUE. To guard this common trash.
KING. Methinks the punishment is not so hard.
Myself have never toyed with women much,
(Pointing to his suite.)
But these, perchance, think otherwise than you.
But now, avaunt all pictures so confused!
And dine we, for my body needs new strength,
And with the first glad draught this festal day,
Let each one think—of what he wants to think.
No ceremony! Forward! Hasten! On!
[As the court arranges itself on both sides and the KING goes through the centre, the curtain falls.]