The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Vi Part 50

RACHEL. Then I'll beg until they free me!

ISAAC. Yes, just like thy mother, eh?

She, too, looked at handsome Christians, Sighed, too, for Egyptian flesh-pots; Had I not so closely watched her I should deem-well, G.o.d forgive me!-- That thy madness came that way, Heritage of mean, base Christians; Ah! I praise my first wife, n.o.ble!

(_To_ ESTHER.)

Praise thy mother, good like thee, Though not wealthy. Of the second Did the riches aught avail me?

Nay, she spent them as she pleasured, Now for feasts and now for banquets, Now for finery and jewels.

Look! This is indeed her daughter!

Has she not bedeckt herself, s.h.i.+nes she not in fine apparel Like a Babel in her pride?

RACHEL (_singing_).

Am I not lovely, Am I not rich?

See their vexation, And I don't care-la, la, la, la.

ISAAC. There she goes with handsome shoes on; Wears them out--what does it matter?

Every step costs me a farthing!

Richest jewels are her earrings, If a thief comes, he will take them, If they're lost, who'll find them ever?

RACHEL (_taking off an earring_).

Lo! I take them off and hold them, How they s.h.i.+ne and how they s.h.i.+mmer!

Yet how little I regard them, Haply, I to thee present them

(_to_ ESTHER.)

Or I throw them in the bushes.

[_She makes a motion as if throwing it away._]

ISAAC (_running in the direction of the throw_).

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 G.o.d-- 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, Bereft of mother first, then fatherless, Through hostile land--it was my own--I fled.