(Approaching her. RACHEL, shakes her head violently.)

Well then, my dearest child, I pray be calm! 
Yes, I repeat it, thou hast pleased me well;
When from this Holy War I home return
To which my honor and my duty call,
Then in Toledo I may ask for thee—­
Where dwell you in this city?

ISAAC (quickly).

Jew Street, Sire—­
Ben Mathes’ house.

ESTHER.  If not, before you come,
             We’re driven out.

KING.  My word!  That shall not be. 
             And I can keep a promise to protect. 
             So if at home you are as talkative
             And cheerful as I hear you erstwhile were—­
             Not shy, as now, I’ll pass the time away,
             And draw a breath far from the fogs of court. 
             But now depart; the time has long since come. 
             Go with them, Garceran; but, ere you go,
             My picture now return to where it was.

RACHEL (rushing to the chair).

The picture’s mine!

KING.  What ails thee, child?  It must
             Go back into the frame where it belongs.

RACHEL (to GARCERAN).

The picture touch not, nor the pins therein,
Or I shall fix it with a deeper thrust

(Making a motion toward the picture with a pin.)

Behold, right in the heart!

KING.  By Heaven, stop! 
             Thou almost frightenedst me.  Who art thou,
             girl? 
             Art mistress of the black and criminal arts,
             That I should feel in my own breast the thrust
             Thou aimedst at the picture?

ESTHER.  Noble Sire,
             She’s but a spoiled child, and a wanton girl,
             And has no knowledge of forbidden arts!

KING.  One ought not boldly play with things like these. 
             It drove my blood up to my very eyes,
             And still I see the world all in a haze.

(To GARCERAN.)

Is she not beautiful?

GARCERAN.  She is, my lord.

KING.  See how the waves of light glow o’er her form!

[RACHEL has meanwhile taken of the picture and rolled it up.]

KING.  Thou absolutely wilt not give it up?

RACHEL (to ESTHER).

I’ll take it.

KING.  Well, then, in the name of God! 
             He will prevent that any ill befall. 
             But only go!  Take, Garceran,
             The road that down behind the garden leads. 
             The folk’s aroused; it loves, because it’s weak,
             To test that weakness on some weaker one.

GARCERAN (at the window).

Behold, O Sire, where comes th’ entire court,—­
The Queen herself leads on her retinue.