Count Alarcos | Page 9

woo'd the haughty Lara, But
I'll not hold such passages 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Withdrawn as soon as met.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 God's name.
II:1:17 LEON. Or the devil's. Well, what do you want?
II:1:18 ORAN. Many things, but one Most principal.
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. Before the people too, in the great square Of our chief
place, Granada, and forsooth, Because I would not yield the way at
mosque. His life has soothed my honour: if I die, I die content; but with
your gracious aid I would live happy.
II:1:27 LEON. You love life?
II:1:28 ORAN. Most dearly.
II:1:29 LEON. Sensible Moor, although he be impaled For mobbing in
a mosque. I like this fellow; His bearing suits my humour. He shall live
To do more murders. Come, bold infidel, Follow to the Leon Palace;
and, sir, prithee Don't stab us in the back.
[Exeunt omnes.]

SCENE 2
Chamber in the Palace of COUNT ALARCOS. At the back of the
Scene the Curtains of a large Jalousie withdrawn.
[Enter COUNT ALARCOS.]
II:2:1 ALAR. 'Tis circumstance makes conduct; life's a ship, The sport
of every wind. And yet men tack Against the adverse blast. How shall I
steer, Who am the pilot of Necessity? But whether it be fair or foul, I
know not; Sunny or terrible. Why let her wed him? What care I if the
pageant's weight may fall On Hungary's ermined shoulders, if the
spring Of all her life be mine? The tiar'd brow Alone makes not a King.
Would that my wife Confessed a worldlier mood! Her recluse fancy
Haunts still our castled bowers. Then civic air Inflame her thoughts!
Teach her to vie and revel, Find sport in peerless robes, the pomp of
feasts And ambling of a genet --
[A serenade is heard.] Hah! that voice Should not be strange. A tribute
to her charms. 'Tis music sweeter to a spouse's ear Than gallants dream
of. Ay, she'll find adorers. Or Burgos is right changed.
[Enter the COUNTESS.] Listen, child.
[Again the serenade is heard.]
II:2:2 COUN. 'Tis very sweet.
II:2:3 ALAR. It is inspired by thee.
II:2:4 COUN. Alarcos!
II:2:5 ALAR. Why dost look so grave? Nay, now, There's not a dame

in Burgos would not give Her jewels for such songs.
II:2:6 COUN. Inspired by me!
II:2:7 ALAR. And who so fit to fire a lover's breast? He's clearly
captive.
II:2:8 COUN. O! thou knowest I love not Such jests, Alarcos.
II:2:9 ALAR. Jest! I do not jest. I am right proud the partner of my
state Should count the chief of our Castillian knights Among her train.
II:2:10 COUN. I pray thee let me close These blinds.
II:2:11 ALAR. Poh, poh! what, baulk a serenade? 'Twould be an
outrage to the courtesies Of this great city. Faith! his voice is sweet.
II:2:12 COUN. Would that he had not sung! It is a sport In which I find
no pastime.
II:2:13 ALAR. Marry, come, It gives me great delight. 'Tis well for
thee, On thy first entrance to our world, to find So high a follower.
II:2:14 COUN. Wherefore should I need His following?
II:2:15 ALAR. Nought's more excellent for woman, Than to be fixed
on as the cynosure Of one whom all do gaze on. 'Tis a stamp Whose
currency, not wealth, rank, blood, can match; These are raw ingots, till
they are impressed With fashion's picture.
II:2:16 COUN. Would I were once more Within our castle!
II:2:17 ALAR. Nursery