KING. Lay down thy arms! No ill approacheth thee!
(Taking both of her hands.)
Enter ESTHER from the left rear.
RACHEL. Ah thou, my little sister! Welcome, here!
Away with all this mummery, but quick!
Don't take my head off, too! How clumsy, ye!
(Running to her.)
Once more be welcome, O thou sister mine!
How I have long'd to have thee here with me!
And hast thou brought my bracelets and my jewels,
My ointments and my perfumes, with thee now,
As from Toledo's shops I ordered them?
ESTHER. I bring them and more weighty things besides—
Unwelcome news, a bitter ornament.
Most mighty Sire and Prince! The Queen has from
Toledo's walls withdrawn, and now remains
In yonder castle where ill-fortune first
Decreed that you and we should meet.
(To GARCERAN.)
With her,
Your noble father, Don Manrique Lara,
Who summons all the kingdom's high grandees
From everywhere, in open letters, to
Discuss the common good, as if the land
Were masterless and you had died, O King.
KING. I think you dream!