_Don Rodrigo._ Hast thou such a dread of death?

_Count._ Come, thou art doing thy duty, and the son becomes degenerate who survives for one instant the honor of his father.

Scene III.--The INFANTA, CHIMeNE and LEONORA.

_Infanta._ Soothe, my Chimene, soothe thy grief; summon up thy firmness in this sudden misfortune. Thou shalt see a calm again after this short-lived [_lit._ feeble] storm. Thy happiness is overcast [_lit._ covered] only by a slight cloud, and thou hast lost nothing in seeing it [i.e. thine happiness] delayed.

_Chimene._ My heart, overwhelmed with sorrows, dares to hope for nothing; a storm so sudden, which agitates a calm at sea, conveys to us a threat of an inevitable [_lit._ certain] shipwreck. I cannot doubt it: I am being shipwrecked [_lit._ I am perishing], even in harbor. I was loving, I was beloved, and our fathers were consenting [_lit._ in harmony], and I was recounting to you the delightful intelligence of this at the fatal moment when this quarrel originated, the fatal recital of which, as soon as it has been given to you, has ruined the effect of such a dear [_lit._ sweet] expectation. Accursed ambition! hateful madness! whose tyranny the most generous souls are suffering. O [sense of] honor!-merciless to my dearest desires, how many tears and sighs art thou going to cost me?

_Infanta._ Thou hast, in their quarrel, no reason to be alarmed; one moment has created it, one moment will extinguish it. It has made too much noise not to be settled amicably, since already the king wishes to reconcile them; and thou knowest that my zeal [_lit._ soul], keenly alive to thy sorrows, will do its utmost [_lit._ impossibilities] to dry up their source.

_Chimene._ Reconciliations are not effected in such a feud [_or_, in this manner]; such deadly insults are not [easily] repaired; in vain one uses [_lit._ causes to act] force or prudence. If the evil be cured, it is [cured] only in appearance; the hatred which hearts preserve within feeds fires hidden, but so much the more ardent.

_Infanta._ The sacred tie which will unite Don Rodrigo and Chimene will dispel the hatred of their hostile sires, and we shall soon see the stronger [feeling], love, by a happy bridal, extinguish this discord.

_Chimene._ I desire it may be so, more than I expect it. Don Diego is too proud, and I know my father. I feel tears flow, which I wish to restrain; the past afflicts me, and I fear the future.

_Infanta._ What dost thou fear? Is it the impotent weakness of an old man?

_Chimene._ Rodrigo has courage.

_Infanta._ He is too young.

_Chimene._ Courageous men become so [i.e. courageous] at once.

_Infanta._ You ought not, however, to dread him much. He is too much enamored to wish to displease you, and two words from thy lips would arrest his rage.

_Chimene._ If he does not obey me, what a consummation of my sorrow!

And, if he can obey me, what will men say of him? being of such n.o.ble birth, to endure such an insult! Whether he yields to, or resists the pa.s.sion which binds him to me, my mind can not be otherwise than either ashamed of his too great deference, or shocked at a just refusal.

_Infanta._ Chimene has a proud soul, and, though deeply interested, she cannot endure one base [_lit._ low] thought. But, if up to the day of reconciliation I make this model lover my prisoner, and I thus prevent the effect of his courage, will thine enamored soul take no umbrage at it?

_Chimene._ Ah! dear lady, in that case I have no more anxiety.

Scene IV.--The INFANTA, CHIMeNE, LEONORA, and a PAGE.

_Infanta._ Page, seek Rodrigo, and bring him hither.

_Page._ The Count de Gormas and he----

_Chimene._ Good heavens! I tremble!

_Infanta._ Speak.

_Page._ From this palace have gone out together.

_Chimene._ Alone?

_Page._ Alone, and they seemed in low tones to be wrangling with each other.

_Chimene._ Without doubt they are fighting; there is no further need of speaking. Madame, forgive my haste [in thus departing]. [_Exeunt Chimene and Page._]

Scene V.--The INFANTA and LEONORA.

_Infanta._ Alas! what uneasiness I feel in my mind! I weep for her sorrows, [yet still] her lover enthralls me; my calmness forsakes me, and my pa.s.sion revives. That which is going to separate Rodrigo from Chimene rekindles at once my hope and my pain; and their separation, which I see with regret, infuses a secret pleasure in mine enamored soul.

_Leonora._ This n.o.ble pride which reigns in your soul, does it so soon surrender to this unworthy pa.s.sion?

_Infanta._ Call it not unworthy, since, seated in my heart, proud and triumphant, it a.s.serts its sway [_lit._ law] over me. Treat it with respect, since it is so dear to me. My pride struggles against it, but, in spite of myself--I hope; and my heart, imperfectly shielded against such a vain expectation, flies after a lover whom Chimene has lost.

_Leonora._ Do you thus let this n.o.ble resolution give way [_lit._ fall]?

And does reason in your mind thus lose its influence?

_Infanta._ Ah! with how little effect do we listen to reason when the heart is a.s.sailed by a poison so delicious, and when the sick man loves his malady! We can hardly endure that any remedy should be applied to it.

_Leonora._ Your hope beguiles you, your malady is pleasant to you; but, in fact, this Rodrigo is unworthy of you.

_Infanta._ I know it only too well; but if my pride yields, learn how love flatters a heart which it possesses. If Rodrigo once [_or_, only]

comes forth from the combat as a conqueror, if this great warrior falls beneath his valor, I may consider him worthy of me, and I may love him without shame. What may he not do, if he can conquer the Count? I dare to imagine that, as the least of his exploits, entire kingdoms will fall beneath his laws; and my fond love is already persuaded that I behold him seated on the throne of Granada, the vanquished Moors trembling while paying him homage; Arragon receiving this new conqueror, Portugal surrendering, and his victorious battles [_lit._ n.o.ble days] advancing his proud destinies beyond the seas, laving his laurels with the blood of Africans! In fine, all that is told of the most distinguished warriors I expect from Rodrigo after this victory, and I make my love for him the theme of my glory.

_Leonora._ But, madam, see how far you carry his exploits [_lit._ arm]

in consequence of a combat which, perhaps, has no reality!

_Infanta._ Rodrigo has been insulted; the Count has committed the outrage; they have gone out together. Is there need of more?

_Leonora._ Ah, well! they will fight, since you will have it so; but will Rodrigo go so far as you are going?

_Infanta._ Bear with me [_lit._ what do you mean]? I am mad, and my mind wanders; thou seest by that what evils this love prepares for me. Come into my private apartment to console my anxieties, and do not desert me in the trouble I am in [at present].

Scene VI.--DON FERNANDO (the King), DON ARIAS, DON SANCHO, and DON ALONZO.

_Don Fernando._ The Count is, then, so presumptuous and so little accessible to reason? Does he still dare to believe his offence pardonable?

_Don Arias._ Sire, in your name I have long conversed with him. I have done my utmost, and I have obtained nothing.

_Don Fernando._ Just heavens! Thus, then, a rash subject has so little respect and anxiety to please me! He insults Don Diego, and despises his King! He gives laws to me in the midst of my court! Brave warrior though he be, great general though he be, I am well able [_lit._ I shall know well how] to tame such a haughty spirit! Were he incarnate valor [_lit._ valor itself], and the G.o.d of combats, he shall see what it is not to obey! Whatever punishment such insolence may have deserved, I wished at first to treat it [_or,_ him] without violence; but, since he abuses my leniency, go instantly [_lit._ this very day], and, whether he resists or not, secure his person. [_Exit Don Alonzo._]

_Don Sancho._ Perhaps a little time will render him less rebellious; they came upon him still boiling with rage, on account of his quarrel.

Sire, in the heat of a first impulse, so n.o.ble a heart yields with difficulty. He sees that he has done wrong, but a soul so lofty is not so soon induced to acknowledge its fault.

_Don Fernando._ Don Sancho, be silent; and be warned that he who takes his part renders himself criminal.