The Cid | Page 8

IV.--The INFANTA, CHIMèNE, LEONORA, and a PAGE.
_Infanta._ Page, seek Rodrigo, and bring him hither.
_Page._ The Count de Gormas and he----
_Chimène._ Good heavens! I tremble!
_Infanta._ Speak.
_Page._ From this palace have gone out together.
_Chimène._ Alone?
_Page._ Alone, and they seemed in low tones to be wrangling with each other.
_Chimène._ Without doubt they are fighting; there is no further need of speaking. Madame, forgive my haste [in thus departing]. [_Exeunt Chimène and Page._]
Scene V.--The INFANTA and LEONORA.
_Infanta._ Alas! what uneasiness I feel in my mind! I weep for her sorrows, [yet still] her lover enthralls me; my calmness forsakes me, and my passion revives. That which is going to separate Rodrigo from Chimène rekindles at once my hope and my pain; and their separation, which I see with regret, infuses a secret pleasure in mine enamored soul.
_Leonora._ This noble pride which reigns in your soul, does it so soon surrender to this unworthy passion?
_Infanta._ Call it not unworthy, since, seated in my heart, proud and triumphant, it asserts its sway [_lit._ law] over me. Treat it with respect, since it is so dear to me. My pride struggles against it, but, in spite of myself--I hope; and my heart, imperfectly shielded against such a vain expectation, flies after a lover whom Chimène has lost.
_Leonora._ Do you thus let this noble resolution give way [_lit._ fall]? And does reason in your mind thus lose its influence?
_Infanta._ Ah! with how little effect do we listen to reason when the heart is assailed by a poison so delicious, and when the sick man loves his malady! We can hardly endure that any remedy should be applied to it.
_Leonora._ Your hope beguiles you, your malady is pleasant to you; but, in fact, this Rodrigo is unworthy of you.
_Infanta._ I know it only too well; but if my pride yields, learn how love flatters a heart which it possesses. If Rodrigo once [or, only] comes forth from the combat as a conqueror, if this great warrior falls beneath his valor, I may consider him worthy of me, and I may love him without shame. What may he not do, if he can conquer the Count? I dare to imagine that, as the least of his exploits, entire kingdoms will fall beneath his laws; and my fond love is already persuaded that I behold him seated on the throne of Granada, the vanquished Moors trembling while paying him homage; Arragon receiving this new conqueror, Portugal surrendering, and his victorious battles [_lit._ noble days] advancing his proud destinies beyond the seas, laving his laurels with the blood of Africans! In fine, all that is told of the most distinguished warriors I expect from Rodrigo after this victory, and I make my love for him the theme of my glory.
_Leonora._ But, madam, see how far you carry his exploits [_lit._ arm] in consequence of a combat which, perhaps, has no reality!
_Infanta._ Rodrigo has been insulted; the Count has committed the outrage; they have gone out together. Is there need of more?
_Leonora._ Ah, well! they will fight, since you will have it so; but will Rodrigo go so far as you are going?
_Infanta._ Bear with me [_lit._ what do you mean]? I am mad, and my mind wanders; thou seest by that what evils this love prepares for me. Come into my private apartment to console my anxieties, and do not desert me in the trouble I am in [at present].
Scene VI.--DON FERNANDO (the King), DON ARIAS, DON SANCHO, and DON ALONZO.
_Don Fernando._ The Count is, then, so presumptuous and so little accessible to reason? Does he still dare to believe his offence pardonable?
_Don Arias._ Sire, in your name I have long conversed with him. I have done my utmost, and I have obtained nothing.
_Don Fernando._ Just heavens! Thus, then, a rash subject has so little respect and anxiety to please me! He insults Don Diego, and despises his King! He gives laws to me in the midst of my court! Brave warrior though he be, great general though he be, I am well able [_lit._ I shall know well how] to tame such a haughty spirit! Were he incarnate valor [_lit._ valor itself], and the god of combats, he shall see what it is not to obey! Whatever punishment such insolence may have deserved, I wished at first to treat it [_or,_ him] without violence; but, since he abuses my leniency, go instantly [_lit._ this very day], and, whether he resists or not, secure his person. [_Exit Don Alonzo._]
_Don Sancho._ Perhaps a little time will render him less rebellious; they came upon him still boiling with rage, on account of his quarrel. Sire, in the heat of a first impulse, so noble a heart yields with difficulty. He sees that he has done wrong, but a soul so lofty is not so