GARCERAN.  The King through me dissolves this parliament.

MANRIQUE.  And since he sent frivolity itself
He surely gave some token from his hand,
Some written word as pledge and surety?

GARCERAN.  Hot-foot he followeth.

MANRIQUE.  That is enough! 
             So in the royal name I now dissolve
             This parliament.  Ye are dismissed.  But list
             Ye to my wish and my advice:  Return
             Ye not at once unto your homes, but wait
             Ye rather, round about, till it appears
             Whether the King will take the task we leave,
             Or we must still perform it in his name.

(To GARCERAN.)

However, you, in princely service skilled,
If spying be your office ’mongst us here,
I beg you tell your King what I advised,
And that th’ estates in truth have been dissolved,
But yet are ready to unite for deeds.

GARCERAN.  Then once again, before you all, I say
             No tort have I in this mad escapade. 
             As it was chance that brought me from the camp,
             So chanced it that the King selected me
             To guard this maiden from the people’s rage;
             And what with warning, reason, argument,
             A man may do to ward off ill, although
             ’Twas fruitless, I admit,—­that have I tried. 
             I should deserve your scorn were this not so. 
             And Dona Clara, doubly destined mine,
             By parents both and by my wish as well,
             You need not hang your noble head, for though
             Unworthy of you—­never worthy,—­I
             Not less am worthy now than e’er before. 
             I stand before you here and swear:  ’Tis so.

MANRIQUE.  If this is so, and thou art still a man,
             Be a Castilian now and join with us
             To serve thy country’s cause as we it serve. 
             Thou art acquainted in the castle there;
             The captain opes the gates if thou demand. 
             Perhaps we soon shall need to enter thus,
             If deaf the King, our noble lord.

GARCERAN.  No word
             Against the King, my master!

MANRIQUE.  Thine the choice! 
             But follow for the nonce these other lords,
             The outcome may be better than we think.

[Servant entering from the left.]

SERVANT.  His Majesty, the King!

MANRIQUE (to the estates, pointing to the middle door).

This way—­withdraw!

(To the servants.)

And ye, arrange these chairs along the wall. 
Naught shall remind him that we gathered here