Count Alarcos | Page 9

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 At the back of the Scene the Curtains of a large Jalousie withdrawn.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 days! The world Is now our home, and we must worldly be, Like its bold stirrers. I sup with the King. There is no feast, and yet to do me honour, Some chiefs will meet. I stand right well at Court, And with thine aid will stand e'en better.
II:2:18 COUN. Mine! I have no joy but in thy joy, no thought But for thy honour, and yet, how to aid Thee in these plans or hopes, indeed, Alarcos, Indeed, I am perplexed.
II:2:19 ALAR. Art not my wife? Is not this Burgos? And this pile, the palace Of my great fathers? They did raise these halls To be the symbols of their high estate, The fit and haught metropolis of all Their force and faction. Fill them, fill them, wife, With those who'll serve me well. Make this the centre Of all that's great in Burgos. Let it be The eye of the town, whereby we may perceive What passes in his heart: the clustering point Of all convergence. Here be troops of friends And ready instruments. Wear that sweet smile, That wins a partisan quicker than power; Speak in that tone gives each a special share In thy regard, and what is general Let all deem private. O! thou'lt play it rarely.
II:2:20 COUN. I would do all that may become thy wife.
II:2:21 ALAR. I know it, I know it. Thou art a treasure, Florimonde, And this same singer -- thou hast not asked his name. Didst guess it? Ah! upon thy gentle cheek I see a smile.
II:2:22 COUN. My lord -- indeed --
II:2:23 ALAR. Thou playest Thy game less like a novice than I deemed. Thou canst not say thou didst not catch the voice Of the Sidonia?
II:2:24 COUN. My good lord, indeed His voice to me is as unknown as mine Must be to him.
II:2:25 ALAR. Whose should the voice but his, Whose stricken sight left not thy face an instant, But gazed as if some new-born star had risen To