Woe, ah woe!  Where did they go to? 
Woe, ah woe!  How find them ever?

ESTHER.  These fine jewels?  What can ail thee?

RACHEL.  Dost believe me, then, so foolish
             As to throw away possessions? 
             See, I have it in my hand here,
             Hang it in my ear again and
             On my cheek it rests in contrast.

ISAAC.  Woe!  Lost!

RACHEL.  Father come, I prithee! 
             See! the jewel is recovered. 
             I was jesting.

ISAAC.  Then may God—­
             Thus to tease me!  And now, come!

RACHEL.  Anything but this I’ll grant thee. 
             I must see his Royal Highness,
             And he me, too, yes, yes, me, too. 
             If he comes and if he asks them,
             “Who is she, that lovely Jewess?”
             “Say, how hight you?”—­“Rachel, sire! 
             Isaac’s Rachel!” I shall answer. 
             Then he’ll pinch my cheek so softly. 
             Beauteous Rachel then they’ll call me. 
             What if envy bursts to hear it,
             Shall I worry if it vexes?

ESTHER.  Father!

ISAAC.  What

ESTHER.  The court approaches.

ISAAC.  Lord of life, what’s going to happen? 
             ’Tis the tribe of Rehoboam. 
             Wilt thou go?

RACHEL.  Oh, father, listen!

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.)

And thou, no meager portion of myself,
Art welcome here in this my ancient home,
Art welcome in Toledo’s faithful walls. 
Gaze all about thee, let thy heart beat high,
For, know! thou standest at my spirit’s fount. 
There is no square, no house, no stone, no tree,
That is not witness of my childhood lot. 
An orphan child, I fled my uncle’s wrath,