Count Alarcos | Page 3

and Castille!' The shout will dull their feasts.
I:2:31 COUN. There was a time Thou didst look back as on a turbulent
dream On this same life.
I:2:32 ALAR. I was an exile then. This stirring Burgos has revived my
vein. Yea, as I glanced from off the Citadel This very morn, and at my
feet outspread Its amphitheatre of solemn towers And groves of golden
pinnacles, and marked Turrets of friends and foes; or traced the range,
Spread since my exile, of our city's walls Washed by the swift
Arlanzon: all around The flash of lances, blaze of banners, rush Of
hurrying horsemen, and the haughty blast Of the soul-stirring trumpet, I
renounced My old philosophy, and gazed as gazes The falcon on his
quarry!
I:2:33 COUN. Jesu grant The lure will bear no harm!
[A trumpet sounds.]
I:2:34 ALAR. Whose note is that? I hear the tramp of horsemen in the
court; We have some guests.
I:2:35 COUN. Indeed!
[Enter the COUNT OF SIDONIA and the COUNT OF LEON.]
I:2:36 ALAR. My noble friends, My Countess greets ye!
I:2:37 SIDO. And indeed we pay To her our homage.
I:2:38 LEON. Proud our city boasts So fair a presence.
I:2:39 COUN. Count Alarcos' friends Are ever welcome here.

I:2:40 ALAR. No common wife. Who welcomes with a smile her
husband's friends.
I:2:41 SIDO. Indeed a treasure! When I marry, Count, I'll claim your
counsel.
I:2:42 COUN. 'Tis not then your lot?
I:2:43 SIDO. Not yet, sweet dame; tho' sooth to say, full often I dream
such things may be.
I:2:44 COUN. Your friend is free?
I:2:45 LEON. And values freedom: with a rosy chain I still should feel
a captive.
I:2:46 SIDO. Noble Leon Is proof against the gentle passion, lady, And
will ere long, my rapier for a gage, Marry a scold.
I:2:47 LEON. In Burgos now, methinks, Marriage is scarce the mode.
Our princess frowns, It seems, upon her suitors.
I:2:48 SIDO. Is it true The match is off?
I:2:49 LEON. 'Tis said.
I:2:50 COUN. The match is off You did not tell me this strange news,
Alarcos.
I:2:51 SIDO. Did he not tell you how --
I:2:52 ALAR. In truth, good sirs, My wife and I are somewhat
strangers here, And things that are of moment to the minds That long
have dwelt on them, to us are nought.
[To the Countess.]
There was a sort of scene to-day at Court; The Princess fainted: we
were all dismissed, Somewhat abruptly; but, in truth, I deem These
rumours have no source but in the tongues Of curious idlers.
I:2:53 SIDO. Faith, I hold them true. Indeed they're very rife.
I:2:54 LEON. Poor man, methinks His is a lot forlorn, at once to lose A
mistress and a crown!
I:2:55 COUN. Yet both may bring Sorrow and cares. But little joy, I
ween, Dwells with a royal bride, too apt to claim The homage she
should yield.
I:2:56 SIDO. I would all wives Hold with your Countess in this
pleasing creed.
I:2:57 ALAR. She has her way: it is a cunning wench That knows to
wheedle. Burgos still maintains Its fame for noble fabrics. Since my
time The city's spread.

I:2:58 SIDO. Ah! you're a traveller, Count. And yet we have not
lagged.
I:2:59 COUN. The Infanta, sirs, Was it a kind of swoon?
I:2:60 ALAR. Old Lara lives Still in his ancient quarter?
I:2:61 LEON. With the rats That share his palace. You spoke, Madam?
I:2:62 COUN. She Has dainty health, perhaps?
I:2:63 LEON. All ladies have. And yet as little of the fainting mood As
one could fix on --
I:2:64 ALAR. Mendola left treasure?
I:2:65 SIDO. Wedges of gold, a chamber of sequins Sealed up for ages,
flocks of Barbary sheep Might ransom princes, tapestry so rare The
King straight purchased, covering for the price Each piece with
pistoles.
I:2:66 COUN. Is she very fair
I:2:67 LEON. As future queens must ever be, and yet Her face might
charm uncrowned.
I:2:68 COUN. It grieves me much To hear the Prince departs. 'Tis not
the first Among her suitors
I:2:69 ALAR. Your good uncle lives -- Nunez de Leon?
I:2:70 LEON. To my cost, Alarcos; He owes me much.
I:2:71 SIDO. Some promises his heir Would wish fulfilled.
I:2:72 COUN. In Gascony, they said, Navarre had sought her hand.
I:2:73 LEON. He loitered here But could not pluck the fruit: it was too
high. Sidonia threw him in a tilt one day. The Infanta has her fancies;
unhorsed knights Count not among them.
[Enter a CHAMBERLAIN who whispers COUNT ALARCOS.]
I:2:74 ALAR. Urgent, and me alone Will commune with! A Page!
Kind guests, your pardon, I'll find you here anon. My Florimonde, Our
friends will not desert you, like your spouse.
[Exit ALARCOS.]
I:2:75 COUN. My Lords, will