The Cid | Page 4

bringing your lessons to his notice by carrying them into effect.
_Don Diego._ To instruct himself by example, in spite of your jealous feelings, he shall read only the history of my life. There, in a long succession of glorious deeds, he shall see how nations ought to be subdued; to attack a fortress, to marshal an army, and on great exploits to build his renown.
_Count._ Living examples have a greater [_lit._ another] power. A prince, in a book, learns his duty but badly [or, imperfectly]; and what, after all, has this great number of years done which one of my days cannot equal? If you have been valiant, I am so to-day, and this arm is the strongest support of the kingdom. Granada and Arragon tremble when this sword flashes; my name serves as a rampart to all Castile; without me you would soon pass under other laws, and you would soon have your enemies as [_lit._ for] kings. Each day, each moment, to increase my glory, adds laurels to laurels, victory to victory. The prince, by my side, would make the trial of his courage in the wars under the shadow of my arm; he would learn to conquer by seeing me do so; and, to prove speedily worthy of his high character, he would see----
_Don Diego._ I know it; you serve the king well. I have seen you fight and command under me, when [old] age has caused its freezing currents to flow within my nerves [i.e. "when the frosts of old age had numbed my nerves"--_Jules Bue_], your unexampled [_lit._ rare] valor has worthily [_lit._ well] supplied my place; in fine, to spare unnecessary words, you are to-day what I used to be. You see, nevertheless, that in this rivalry a monarch places some distinction between us.
_Count._ That prize which I deserved you have carried off.
_Don Diego._ He who has gained that [advantage] over you has deserved it best.
_Count._ He who can use it to the best advantage is the most worthy of it.
_Don Diego._ To be refused that prize [_lit._ it] is not a good sign.
_Count._ You have gained it by intrigue, being an old courtier.
_Don Diego._ The brilliancy of my noble deeds was my only recommendation [_lit._ support].
_Count._ Let us speak better of it [i.e. more plainly]: the king does honor to your age.
_Don Diego._ The king, when he does it [i.e. that honor], gives it [_lit._ measures it] to courage.
_Count._ And for that reason this honor was due only to me [_lit._ my arm].
_Don Diego._ He who has not been able to obtain it did not deserve it.
_Count._ Did not deserve it? I!
_Don Diego._ You.
_Count._ Thy impudence, rash old man, shall have its recompense. [_He gives him a slap on the face._] _Don Diego (drawing his sword [_lit._ putting the sword in his hand_]). Finish [this outrage], and take my life after such an insult, the first for which my race has ever had cause to blush [_lit._ has seen its brow grow red].
_Count._ And what do you think you can do, weak us you are [_lit._ with such feebleness]?
_Don Diego._ Oh, heaven! my exhausted strength fails me in this necessity!
_Count._ Thy sword is mine; but thou wouldst be too vain if this discreditable trophy had laden my hand [i.e. if I had carried away a trophy so discreditable]. Farewell--adieu! Cause the prince to read, in spite of jealous feelings, for his instruction, the history of thy life. This just punishment of impertinent language will serve as no small embellishment for it.
Scene V.--DON DIEGO.
O rage! O despair! O inimical old age! Have I then lived so long only for this disgrace? And have I grown grey in warlike toils, only to see in one day so many of my laurels wither? Does my arm [i.e. my valor], which all Spain admires and looks up to [_lit._ with respect]--[does] my arm, which has so often saved this empire, and so often strengthened anew the throne of its king, now [_lit._ then] betray my cause, and do nothing for me? O cruel remembrance of my bygone glory! O work of a lifetime [_lit._ so many days] effaced in a day! new dignity fatal to my happiness! lofty precipice from which mine honor falls! must I see the count triumph over your splendor, and die without vengeance, or live in shame? Count, be now the instructor of my prince! This high rank becomes [_lit._ admits] no man without honor, and thy jealous pride, by this foul [_lit._ remarkable] insult, in spite of the choice of the king, has contrived [_lit._ has known how] to render me unworthy of it. And thou, glorious instrument of my exploits, but yet a useless ornament of an enfeebled body numbed by age [_lit._ all of ice], thou sword, hitherto to be