I
Servant
HAVE mercy upon your servant, my queen!
Queen
The assembly is over and my servants are all gone. Why do you come at this late hour?
Servant
When you have finished with others, that is my time.
I come to ask what remains for your last servant to do.
Queen
What can you expect when it is too late?
Servant
Make me the gardener of your flower garden.
Queen
What folly is this?
Servant
I will give up my other work.
I throw my swords and lances down in the dust. Do not send me to distant courts; do not bid me undertake new conquests. But make me the gardener of your flower garden.
Queen
What will your duties be?