ACT THE SECOND.

Scene I.--COUNT DE GORMAS and DON ARIAS.

_Count._ I acknowledge, between ourselves, [that] my blood, a little too warm, became too excited at an expression, and has carried the matter too far [_lit._ too high], but, since it is done, the deed is without remedy.

_Don Arias._ To the wishes of the King let this proud spirit yield; he takes this much to heart, and his exasperated feelings [_lit._ heart]

will act against you with full authority. And, indeed, you have no available defence. The [high] rank of the person offended, the greatness of the offence, demand duties and submissions which require more than ordinary reparation.

_Count._ The King can, at his pleasure, dispose of my life.

_Don Arias._ Your fault is followed by too much excitement. The King still loves you; appease his wrath. He has said, "I desire it!"--will you disobey?

_Count._ Sir, to preserve all that esteem which I retain [_or,_ (other reading), to preserve my glory and my esteem] to disobey in a slight degree is not so great a crime, and, however great that [offence] may be, my immediate services are more than sufficient to cancel it.

_Don Arias._ Although one perform glorious and important deeds, a King is never beholden to his subject. You flatter yourself much, and you ought to know that he who serves his King well only does his duty. You will ruin yourself, sir, by this confidence.

_Count._ I shall not believe you until I have experience of it [_lit._ until after experience of it].

_Don Arias._ You ought to dread the power of a King.

_Count._ One day alone does not destroy a man such as I. Let all his greatness arm itself for my punishment; all the state shall perish, if I must perish.

_Don Arias._ What! do you fear so little sovereign power----?

_Count._ [The sovereign power] of a sceptre which, without me, would fall from his hand. He himself has too much interest in my person, and my head in falling would cause his crown to fall.

_Don Arias._ Permit reason to bring back your senses. Take good advice.

_Count_. The advice [_or,_ counsel] with regard to it is [already]

taken.

_Don Arias._ What shall I say, after all? I am obliged to give him an account [of this interview].

_Count._ [Say] that I can never consent to my own dishonor.

_Don Arias._ But think that kings will be absolute.

_Count._ The die is cast, sir. Let us speak of the matter no more.

_Don Arias._ Adieu, then, sir, since in vain I try to persuade you.

Notwithstanding [_lit._ with] all your laurels, still dread the thunderbolt.

_Count._ I shall await it without fear.

_Don Arias._ But not without effect.

_Count._ We shall see by that Don Diego satisfied. [_Exit Don Arias.]

[Alone]_ He who fears not death fears not threats. I have a heart superior to the greatest misfortunes [_lit._ above the proudest misfortunes]; and men may reduce me to live without happiness, but they cannot compel me to live without honor.

Scene II.--The COUNT and DON RODRIGO.

_Don Rodrigo._ Here, count, a word or two.

_Count._ Speak.

_Don Rodrigo._ Relieve me from a doubt. Dost thou know Don Diego well?

_Count._ Yes.

_Don Rodrigo._ Let us speak [in] low [tones]; listen. Dost thou know that this old man was the very [essence of] virtue, valor, and honor in his time? Dost thou know it?

_Count._ Perhaps so.

_Don Rodrigo._ This fire which I carry in mine eyes, knowest thou that this is his blood? Dost thou know it?

_Count._ What matters it to me?

_Don Rodrigo._ Four paces hence I shall cause thee to know it.

_Count._ Presumptuous youth!

_Don Rodrigo._ Speak without exciting thyself. I am young, it is true; but in souls n.o.bly born valor does not depend upon age [_lit._ wait for the number of years].

_Count._ To measure thyself with me! Who [_or_, what] has rendered thee so presumptuous--thou, whom men have never seen with a sword [_lit._ arms] in thine hand?

_Don Rodrigo._ Men like me do not cause themselves to be known at a second trial, and they wish [to perform] masterly strokes for their first attempt.

_Count._ Dost thou know well who I am?

_Don Rodrigo._ Yes! Any other man except myself, at the mere mention of thy name, might tremble with terror. The laurels with which I see thine head so covered seem to bear written [upon them] the prediction of my fall. I attack, like a rash man, an arm always victorious; but by courage I shall overcome you [_lit._ I shall have too much strength in possessing sufficient courage]. To him who avenges his father nothing is impossible. Thine arm is unconquered, but not invincible.

_Count._ This n.o.ble courage which appears in the language you hold has shown itself each day by your eyes; and, believing that I saw in you the honor of Castile, my soul with pleasure was destining for you my daughter. I know thy pa.s.sion, and I am delighted to see that all its impulses yield to thy duty; that they have not weakened this magnanimous ardor; that thy proud manliness merits my esteem; and that, desiring as a son-in-law an accomplished cavalier, I was not deceived in the choice which I had made. But I feel that for thee my compa.s.sion is touched. I admire thy courage, and I pity thy youth. Seek not to make thy first attempt [_or_, maiden-stroke] fatal. Release my valor from an unequal conflict; too little honor for me would attend this victory. In conquering without danger we triumph without glory. Men would always believe that thou wert overpowered without an effort, and I should have only regret for thy death.

_Don Rodrigo._ Thy presumption is followed by a despicable [_lit._ unworthy] pity! The man who dares to deprive me of honor, fears to deprive me of life!

_Count._ Withdraw from this place.

_Don Rodrigo._ Let us proceed without further parley.

_Count._ Art thou so tired of life?