Count Alarcos; a Tragedy Part 22

III:3:52 ORAN.

Once he screened my life, And this was my return.

III:3:53 ALAR.

What if I spare Thy life even now? Wilt thou accord to me The same devotion?

III:3:54 ORAN.

Yea; the life thou givest Thou shouldst command.

III:3:55 ALAR.

If I, too, have a foe Crossing my path and blighting all my life?

III:3:56 ORAN.

This sword should strive to reach him.

III:3:57 ALAR.

Him! thy bond Shall know no s.e.x or nation. Limitless Shall be thy pledge. I'll claim from thee a life For that I spare. How now, wilt live?

III:3:58 ORAN.

To pay A life for that now spared.

III:3:59 ALAR.

Swear to thy truth; Swear by Mahound, and swear by all thy G.o.ds, If thou hast any; swear it by the stars, In which we all believe; and by thy hopes Of thy false paradise; swear it by thy soul, And by thy sword!

III:3:60 ORAN.

I swear.

III:3:61 ALAR.

Arise and live.

THE END OF THE THIRD ACT.

ACT IV

SCENE 1

Interior of a Posada frequented by BRAVOs, in an obscure quarter of Burgos. FLIX at the fire, frying eggs. Men seated at small tables drinking; others lying on benches. At the side, but in the front of the Scene, some Beggars squatted on the ground, thrumming a Mandolin; a Gipsy Girl dancing.

IV:1:1 A BRAVO.

Come, mother, dost take us for Saracens? I say we are true Christians, and so must drink wine.

IV:1:2 ANOTHER BRAVO.

Mother Flix is sour to-night. Keep the evil eye from the olla!

IV:1:3 3RD BRAVO.

[advancing to her]

Thou beauty of Burgos, what are dimples unless seen? Smile! wench.

IV:1:4 FLIX.

A frying egg will not wait for the King of Cordova.

IV:1:5 1ST BRAVO.

Will have her way. Graus knows a pretty wife's worth. A handsome hostess is bad for the guest's purse.

IV:1:6 1ST BRAVO.

[rising]

Good companions make good company. Graus, Graus! another flagon.

IV:1:7 2ND BRAVO.

Of the right Catalan.

IV:1:8 3RD BRAVO.

Nay, for my omelette.

IV:1:9 FLIX.

Hungry men think the cook lazy.

[Enter GRAUS with a Flagon of wine.]

IV:1:10 1ST BRAVO.

'Tis mine.

IV:1:11 2ND BRAVO.

No, mine.

IV:1:12 1ST BRAVO.

We'll share.

IV:1:13 2ND BRAVO.

No, each man his own beaker; he who shares has the worst half.

IV:1:14 3RD BRAVO.

[to FLIX, who brings the omelette]

An egg and to bed.

IV:1:15 GRAUS.