Count Alarcos; a Tragedy Part 9

ACT II

SCENE 1

A Street in Burgos.

[Enter the COUNT OF SIDONIA and the COUNT OF LEON.]

II:1:1 SIDO.

Is she not fair?

II:1:2 LEON.

What then? She but fulfils Her office as a woman. For to be A woman and not fair, is, in my creed, To be a thing uns.e.xed.

II:1:3 SIDO.

Happy Alarcos!

They say she was of Aquitaine, a daughter Of the De Foix. I would I had been banished.

II:1:4 LEON.

Go and plot then. They cannot take your head, For that is gone.

II:1:5 SIDO.

But banishment from Burgos Were worse than fifty deaths. O, my good Leon, Didst ever see, didst ever dream could be, Such dazzling beauty?

II:1:6 LEON.

Dream! I never dream; Save when I've revelled over late, and then My visions are most villanous; but you, You dream when you're awake.

II:1:7 SIDO.

Wert ever, Leon, In pleasant Aquitaine?

II:1:8 LEON.

O talk of Burgos; It is my only subject--matchless town, Where all I ask are patriarchal years To feel satiety like my sad friend.

II:1:9 SIDO.

'Tis not satiety now makes me sad; So check thy mocking tongue, or cure my cares.

II:1:10 LEON.

Absence cures love. Be off to Aquitaine.

II:1:11 SIDO.

I chose a jester for my friend, and feel His value now.

II:1:12 LEON.

You share the lover's lot When you desire and you despair. What then?

You know right well that woman is but one, Though she take many forms, and can confound The young with subtle aspects. Vanity Is her sole being. Make the myriad vows That pa.s.sionate fancy prompts. At the next tourney Maintain her colours 'gainst the two Castilles And Aragon to boot. You'll have her!

II:1:13 SIDO.

Why!

This was the way I woo'd the haughty Lara, But I'll not hold such pa.s.sages approach The gentle lady of this morn.

II:1:14 LEON.

Well, then, Try silence, only sighs and hasty glances Withdrawn as soon as met. Could'st thou but blush: But there's no hope. In time our sighs become A sort of plaintive hint what hopeless rogues Our stars have made us. Would we had but met Earlier, yet still we hope she'll spare a tear To one she met too late. Trust me she'll spare it; She'll save this sinner who reveres a saint.

Pity or admiration gains them all.

You'll have her!

II:1:15 SIDO.

Well, whate'er the course pursued, Be thou a prophet!

[Enter ORAN.]

II:1:16 ORAN.

Stand, Senors, in G.o.d's name.

II:1:17 LEON.

Or the devil's.

Well, what do you want?

II:1:18 ORAN.

Many things, but one Most princ.i.p.al.

II:1:19 SIDO.

And that's--

II:1:20 ORAN.

A friend.

II:1:21 LEON.

You're right To seek one in the street, he'll prove as true As any that you're fostered with.

II:1:22 ORAN.

In brief, I'm as you see a Moor; and I have slain One of our princes. Peace exists between Our kingdom and Castille; they track my steps.

You're young, you should be brave, generous you may be.

I shall be impaled. Save me!

II:1:23 LEON.

Frankly spoken.

Will you turn Christian?

II:1:24 ORAN.

Show me Christian acts, And they may prompt to Christian thoughts.

II:1:25 SIDO.

Although The slain's an infidel, thou art the same.

The cause of this rash deed?

II:1:26 ORAN.

I am a soldier, And my sword's notched, sirs. This said Emir struck me.