from you, King. I might not be coming in to
you again. I would wish to set you free from
the promise you made me a while ago, and the bond.

_King_: What does it signify now? What does
anything signify, and the world turning here and
there!

_Manus_: And another thing. I would wish to
ask pardon of the King's daughter. I ought not
to have laid any claim to her, being a stranger in
this place and without treasure or attendance.
And yet ...and yet ..._(stoops and kisses hem
of her dress)_, she was dear to me. It is a man who
never may look on her again is saying that.

_(Turns to door.)_

_Taig_: He is going to run from the Dragon!
It is kind father for a scullion to be timid!

_Queen_: It is in his blood. He is maybe not
to blame for what is according to his nature.

_Manus_: That is so. I am doing what is according
to my nature.

_(Goes, Nurse goes after him.)_

_Queen: (To Dall Glic.)_ Go throw a dishcloth
after him that the little lads may be mocking him
along the road!

_Dall Glic_: I will not. I have meddled enough
at your bidding. I am done with living under
dread. Let you blind me entirely! I am free
of you. It might be best for me the two eyes to
be withered, and I seeing nothing but the ever-living
laws!

_Prince of Marshes: (Coming to Princess.)_ It is
my grief that with all the teachers I had there was
not one to learn me the handling of weapons or
of arms. But for all that I will not run away,
but will strive to strike one blow in your defence
against that wicked beast.

_Princess_: It is a good friend that would rid
us of him. But it grieves me that you should
go into such danger.

_Prince of Marshes: (To Dall Glic.)_ Give me
some sword or casting spears.

_(Dall Glic gives him spears.)_

_Princess_: I am sorry I made fun of you a while
ago. I think you are a good kind man.

_Prince of Marshes; (Kissing her hand.)_ Having
that word of praise I will bring a good heart into
the fight.

_(Goes.)_

_(Taig is slipping out after him.)_

_Q