FullReads

THE KING.
( bitterly )

I hoped I would never see you again. It all began with you. If I were a superstitious person I would say you brought misfortune with you into this house. Before you came this morning, everything was as it had always been–orderly and regular. What is your message? That madwoman has not escaped, has she?

THE GYPSY.
The young woman who calls herself the Princess of Basque
is safe under lock and key, according to your majesty’s orders.

THE KING.
Is she well guarded?

THE GYPSY.
The soldier who conducted her from the room this morning is keeping guard at the door, your majesty. I recognized him by the black eye she gave him.

THE KING.
Good. What is your news?

THE GYPSY.
Your majesty, I am bidden to tell you that the Royal Archivist, whom you bade to search through the histories of your royal ancestors for some precedent to guide you in this matter, has locked himself with his forty assistants in the royal library, and cannot be roused by knocking.

THE KING.
They have fallen asleep among the archives…. What else?

THE GYPSY.
Your majesty, the Royal Physician has been summoned, according to your orders, to examine the young woman as to her sanity. But she refuses to answer all questions, asserting that she is in a state of abounding health, and is in no need of the services of a physician.

THE KING.
How can we prove her mad if she will not answer questions!

THE GYPSY.
Further, I am bidden to tell you that the watchman on the tower has seen two horsemen in the far distance galloping toward the city. They come by the eastern road, and it is believed that they are couriers from the King of Basque.

THE KING.
This matter must be settled before they arrive. Is there anything else?

THE GYPSY.
Yes, your majesty.
The Eldest of the Wise Men has come here in answer to your summons.

THE KING.
Bring him in. And do you remain here in attendance.

THE GYPSY.
Yes, your majesty.

He goes to the door.

THE KING.
This would never have happened to my ancestors. Not to Otho, nor Magnus, nor Carolus, nor Gavaine. Am I less than these? Perhaps I am, but the same blood flows in my veins, and while it flows I shall rule as they ruled.

The Gypsy ushers in the Eldest of the Wise Men.

THE WISE MAN.
Your majesty–

THE KING.
I have sent for you, O Eldest of the Wise Men, in an hour of extreme perplexity. Not lightly would I have torn you from your meditations. I have need of your wisdom.

THE WISE MAN.
Whatever your majesty wishes to know, I shall answer out of the fulness of knowledge born of long study and deep reflection. Speak, O King! Is it of Infinity that you would ask? or of Eternity?– or of the Absolute?

THE KING.
Nothing so simple. I want to know what to do with a madwoman who climbed in at my window an hour since, asserting herself to be the daughter of the King of Basque, and my affianced bride–and with a misguided populace which insists upon celebrating my alleged happiness. ( The tumult is heard outside, this time with a harsh note in it. The King starts, turning to the Gypsy.) Is that a sound of rejoicing?