THE KING. You? What are you doing here?
THE GYPSY. Your majesty, the palace is in a turmoil. The attendants are
helping the soldiers keep order among the crowd in the courtyard--the
gentlemen-in-waiting are receiving deputations with wedding presents--
the women are distributing medals bearing the image of the bride. All
the city is celebrating her unexpected arrival, and rejoicing with you
in your presumed happiness. In this disturbed state of affairs, _I_
have been drafted into your majesty's service, and come to bring you a
message.
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_.