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Handy Literal Translations

CORNEILLE'S

THE CID

A Literal Translation, by

ROSCOE MONGAN

1896, BY HINDS & NOBLE

HINDS, NOBLE & ELDREDGE, Publishers, 31-33-35 West Fifteenth Street, New York City

PREFACE. 

Cid Campeador is the name given in histories, traditions and songs tothe most celebrated of Spain's national heroes. 

His real name was Rodrigo or Ruy Diaz (i. E. "son of Diego"), aCastilian noble by birth. He was born at Burgos about the year 1040. 

There is so much of the mythical in the history of this personage thathypercritical writers, such as Masdeu, have doubted his existence; butrecent researches have succeeded in separating the historical from theromantic. 

Under Sancho II, son of Ferdinand, he served as commander of the royaltroops. In a war between the two brothers, Sancho II. And Alfonso VI. OfLeon, due to some dishonorable stratagem on the part of Rodrigo, Sanchowas victorious and his brother was forced to seek refuge with theMoorish King of Toledo. 

In 1072 Sancho was assassinated at the siege of Zamora, and as he leftno heir the Castilians had to acknowledge Alfonso as King. AlthoughAlfonso never forgave the Cid for having, as leader of the Castilians, compelled him to swear that he (the Cid) had no hand in the murder ofhis brother Sancho, as a conciliatory measure, he gave his cousinXimena, daughter of the Count of Oviedo, to the Cid in marriage, butafterwards, in 1081, when he found himself firmly seated on the throne, yielding to his own feelings of resentment and incited by the Leonesenobles, he banished him from the kingdom. 

At the head of a large body of followers, the Cid joined the MoorishKing of Saragossa, in whose service he fought against both Moslems andChristians. It was probably during this exile that he was first calledthe Cid, an Arabic title, which means the _lord_. He was verysuccessful in all his battles. 

In conjunction with Mostain, grandson of Moctadir, he invaded Valenciain 1088, but afterwards carried on operations alone, and finally, aftera long siege, made himself master of the city in June, 1094. He retainedpossession of Valencia for five years and reigned like an independentsovereign over one of the richest territories in the Peninsula, but diedsuddenly in 1099 of anger and grief on hearing that his relative, AlvarFañez, had been vanquished and the army which he had sent to hisassistance had been defeated. 

After the Cid's death his wife held Valencia till 1102, when she wasobliged to yield to the Almoravides and fly to Castile, where she diedin 1104. Her remains were placed by those of her lord in the monasteryof San Pedro de Cardeña. 

THE CID. 

ACT THE FIRST. 

Scene I. --CHIMÈNE and ELVIRA. 

_Chimène. _ Elvira, have you given me a really true report? Do youconceal nothing that my father has said?

_Elvira. _ All my feelings within me are still delighted with it. Heesteems Rodrigo as much as you love him; and if I do not misread hismind, he will command you to respond to his passion. 

_Chimène. _ Tell me then, I beseech you, a second time, what makes youbelieve that he approves of my choice; tell me anew what hope I ought toentertain from it. A discourse so charming cannot be too often heard;you cannot too forcibly promise to the fervor of our love the sweetliberty of manifesting itself to the light of day. What answer has hegiven regarding the secret suit which Don Sancho and Don Rodrigo arepaying to you? Have you not too clearly shown the disparity between thetwo lovers which inclines me to the one side?

_Elvira. _ No; I have depicted your heart as filled with anindifference which elates not either of them nor destroys hope, and, without regarding them with too stern or too gentle an aspect, awaits thecommands of a father to choose a spouse. This respect has delightedhim--his lips and his countenance gave me at once a worthy testimony ofit; and, since I must again tell you the tale, this is what he hastenedto say to me of them and of you: 'She is in the right. Both are worthyof her; both are sprung from a noble, valiant, and faithful lineage;young but yet who show by their mien [_lit. _ cause to easily be readin their eyes] the brilliant valor of their brave ancestors. Don Rodrigo, above all, has no feature in his face which is not the noble [_lit. _high] representative of a man of courage [_lit. _ heart], and descendsfrom a house so prolific in warriors, that they enter into life [_lit. _take birth there] in the midst of laurels. The valor of his father, inhis time without an equal, as long as his strength endured, wasconsidered a marvel; the furrows on his brow bear witness to [_lit. _have engraved his] exploits, and tell us still what he formerly was. Ipredict of the son what I have seen of the father, and my daughter, inone word, may love him and please me. ' He was going to the council, thehour for which approaching, cut short this discourse, which he hadscarcely commenced; but from these few words, I believe that his mind[_lit. _ thoughts] is not quite decided between your two lovers. The kingis going to appoint an instructor for his son, and it is he for whom anhonor so great is designed. This choice is not doubtful, and hisunexampled valor cannot tolerate that we should fear any competition. Ashis high exploits render him without an equal, in a hope so justifiablehe will be without a rival; and since Don Rodrigo has persuaded hisfather, when going out from the council, to propose the affair. I leaveyou to judge whether he will seize this opportunity [_lit. _ whether hewill take his time well], and whether all your desires will soon begratified. 

_Chimène. _ It seems, however, that my agitated soul refuses this joy, and finds itself overwhelmed by it. One moment gives to fate differentaspects, and in this great happiness I fear a great reverse. 

_Elvira. _ You see this fear happily deceived. 

_Chimène. _ Let us go, whatever it may be, to await the issue. 

Scene II. --The INFANTA, LEONORA, and a PAGE. 

_Infanta (to Page_). Page, go, tell Chimène from me, that to-day she israther long in coming to see me, and that my friendship complains of hertardiness. [_Exit Page. _]

_Leonora. _ Dear lady, each day the same desire urges you, and at yourinterview with her, I see you every day ask her how her love proceeds. 

_Infanta. _ It is not without reason. I have almost compelled her toreceive the arrows with which her soul is wounded. She loves Rodrigo, and she holds him from my hand; and by means of me Don Rodrigo hasconquered her disdain. Thus, having forged the chains of these lovers, Iought to take an interest in seeing their troubles at an end. 

_Leonora. _ Dear lady, however, amidst their good fortune you exhibit agrief which proceeds to excess. Does this love, which fills them bothwith gladness, produce in this noble heart [of yours] profound sadness?And does this great interest which you take in them render you unhappy, whilst they are happy? But I proceed too far, and become indiscreet. 

_Infanta. _ My sadness redoubles in keeping the secret. Listen, listenat length, how I have struggled; listen what assaults my constancy[_lit. _ virtue or valor] yet braves. Love is a tyrant which spares noone. This young cavalier, this lover which I give [her]--I love him. 

_Leonora. _ You love him!

_Infanta. _ Place your hand upon my heart, and feel [_lit. _ see] how itthrobs at the name of its conqueror! how it recognizes him!

_Leonora. _ Pardon me, dear lady, if I am wanting in respect in blamingthis passion; a noble princess to so far forget herself as to admit inher heart a simple [_or_, humble] cavalier! And what would the Kingsay?--what would Castile say? Do you still remember of whom you are thedaughter?

_Infanta. _ I remember it so well, that I would shed my blood rather thandegrade my rank. I might assuredly answer to thee, that, in noble souls, worth alone ought to arouse passions; and, if my love sought to excuseitself, a thousand famous examples might sanction it. But I will notfollow these--where my honor is concerned, the captivation of myfeelings does not abate my courage, and I say to myself always, that, being the daughter of a king, all other than a monarch is unworthy ofme. When I saw that my heart could not protect itself, I myself gaveaway that which I did not dare to take; and I put, in place of my self, Chimène in its fetters, and I kindled their passions [_lit. _ fires] inorder to extinguish my own. Be then no longer surprised if my troubledsoul with impatience awaits their bridal; thou seest that my happiness[_lit. _ repose] this day depends upon it. If love lives by hope, itperishes with it; it is a fire which becomes extinguished for want offuel; and, in spite of the severity of my sad lot, if Chimène ever hasRodrigo for a husband, my hope is dead and my spirit, is healed. Meanwhile, I endure an incredible torture; even up to this bridal. Rodrigo is dear to me; I strive to lose him, and I lose him with regret, and hence my secret anxiety derives its origin. I see with sorrow thatlove compels me to utter sighs for that [object] which [as a princess] Imust disdain. I feel my spirit divided into two portions; if my courageis high, my heart is inflamed [with love]. This bridal is fatal to me, Ifear it, and [yet] I desire it; I dare to hope from it only anincomplete joy; my honor and my love have for me such attractions, thatI [shall] die whether it be accomplished, or whether it be notaccomplished. 

_Leonora. _ Dear lady, after that I have nothing more to say, exceptthat, with you, I sigh for your misfortunes; I blamed you a short timesince, now I pity you. But since in a misfortune [i. E. An ill-timedlove] so sweet and so painful, your noble spirit [_lit. _ virtue]contends against both its charm and its strength, and repulses itsassault and regrets its allurements, it will restore calmness to youragitated feelings. Hope then every [good result] from it, and from theassistance of time; hope everything from heaven; it is too just [_lit. _it has too much justice] to leave virtue in such a long continuedtorture. 

_Infanta. _ My sweetest hope is to lose hope. 

(_The Page re-enters. _)

_Page. _ By your commands, Chimène comes to see you. 

_Infanta_ (to _Leonora_). Go and converse with her in that gallery[yonder]. 

_Leonora. _ Do you wish to continue in dreamland?

_Infanta. _ No, I wish, only, in spite of my grief, to compose myself[_lit. _ to put my features a little more at leisure]. I follow you. 

[_Leonora goes out along with the Page. _]

Scene III. --The INFANTA (alone). 

Just heaven, from which I await my relief, put, at last, some limit tothe misfortune which is overcoming [_lit. _ possesses] me; secure myrepose, secure my honor. In the happiness of others I seek my own. Thisbridal is equally important to three [parties]; render its completionmore prompt, or my soul more enduring. To unite these two lovers with amarriage-tie is to break all my chains and to end all my sorrows. But Itarry a little too long; let us go to meet Chimène, and, byconversation, to relieve our grief. 

Scene IV. --COUNT DE GORMAS and DON DIEGO (meeting). 

_Count. _ At last you have gained it [_or_, prevailed], and the favor ofa King raises you to a rank which was due only to myself; he makes youGovernor of the Prince of Castile. 

_Don Diego. _ This mark of distinction with which he distinguishes[_lit. _ which he puts into] my family shows to all that he is just, andcauses it to be sufficiently understood, that he knows how to recompensebygone services. 

_Count. _ However great kings may be, they are only men [_lit. _ they arethat which we are]; they can make mistakes like other men, and thischoice serves as a proof to all courtiers that they know how to [_or_, can] badly recompense present services. 

_Don Diego. _ Let us speak no more of a choice at which your mindbecomes exasperated. Favor may have been able to do as much as merit;but we owe this respect to absolute power, to question nothing when aking has wished it. To the honor which he has done me add another--letus join by a sacred tie my house to yours. You have an only daughter, and I have an only son; their marriage may render us for ever more thanfriends. Grant us this favor, and accept, him as a son-in-law. 

_Count. _ To higher alliances this precious son ought [_or_, is likely]to aspire; and the new splendor of your dignity ought to inflate hisheart with another [higher] vanity. Exercise that [dignity], sir, andinstruct the prince. Show him how it is necessary to rule a province: tomake the people tremble everywhere under his law; to fill the good withlove, and the wicked with terror. Add to these virtues those of acommander: show him how it is necessary to inure himself to fatigue; inthe profession of a warrior [_lit. _ of Mars] to render himself withoutan equal; to pass entire days and nights on horseback; to sleepall-armed: to storm a rampart, and to owe to himself alone the winningof a battle. Instruct him by example, and render him perfect, bringingyour lessons to his notice by carrying them into effect. 

_Don Diego. _ To instruct himself by example, in spite of your jealousfeelings, he shall read only the history of my life. There, in a longsuccession of glorious deeds, he shall see how nations ought to besubdued; to attack a fortress, to marshal an army, and on great exploitsto build his renown. 

_Count. _ Living examples have a greater [_lit. _ another] power. Aprince, in a book, learns his duty but badly [_or_, imperfectly]; andwhat, after all, has this great number of years done which one of mydays cannot equal? If you have been valiant, I am so to-day, and thisarm is the strongest support of the kingdom. Granada and Arragon tremblewhen 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 haveyour enemies as [_lit. _ for] kings. Each day, each moment, to increasemy glory, adds laurels to laurels, victory to victory. The prince, by myside, would make the trial of his courage in the wars under the shadowof my arm; he would learn to conquer by seeing me do so; and, to provespeedily worthy of his high character, he would see----

_Don Diego. _ I know it; you serve the king well. I have seen you fightand command under me, when [old] age has caused its freezing currents toflow within my nerves [i. E. "when the frosts of old age had numbed mynerves"--_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 thisrivalry 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 itbest. 

_Count. _ He who can use it to the best advantage is the most worthy ofit. 

_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 doeshonor 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. _ myarm]. 

_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. [_Hegives him a slap on the face. _] _Don Diego (drawing his sword [_lit. _putting the sword in his hand_]). Finish [this outrage], and take mylife after such an insult, the first for which my race has ever hadcause to blush [_lit. _ has seen its brow grow red]. 

_Count. _ And what do you think you can do, weak us you are [_lit. _ withsuch feebleness]?

_Don Diego. _ Oh, heaven! my exhausted strength fails me in thisnecessity!

_Count. _ Thy sword is mine; but thou wouldst be too vain if thisdiscreditable trophy had laden my hand [i. E. If I had carried away atrophy so discreditable]. Farewell--adieu! Cause the prince to read, inspite of jealous feelings, for his instruction, the history of thy life. This just punishment of impertinent language will serve as no smallembellishment for it. 

Scene V. --DON DIEGO. 

O rage! O despair! O inimical old age! Have I then lived so long onlyfor this disgrace? And have I grown grey in warlike toils, only to seein 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] myarm, which has so often saved this empire, and so often strengthenedanew the throne of its king, now [_lit. _ then] betray my cause, and donothing for me? O cruel remembrance of my bygone glory! O work of alifetime [_lit. _ so many days] effaced in a day! new dignity fatal to myhappiness! lofty precipice from which mine honor falls! must I see thecount triumph over your splendor, and die without vengeance, or live inshame? Count, be now the instructor of my prince! This high rank becomes[_lit. _ admits] no man without honor, and thy jealous pride, by thisfoul [_lit. _ remarkable] insult, in spite of the choice of the king, hascontrived [_lit. _ has known how] to render me unworthy of it. And thou, glorious instrument of my exploits, but yet a useless ornament of anenfeebled body numbed by age [_lit. _ all of ice], thou sword, hithertoto be feared, and which in this insult has served me for show, and notfor defence, go, abandon henceforth the most dishonored [_lit. _ thelast] of his race; pass, to avenge me, into better hands!

Scene VI. --DON DIEGO and DON RODRIGO. 

_Don Diego. _ Rodrigo, hast thou courage [_lit. _ a heart]?

_Don Rodrigo. _ Any other than my father would have found that outinstantly. 

_Don Diego. _ Welcome wrath! worthy resentment, most pleasing to mygrief! I recognize my blood in this noble rage; my youth revives in thisardor so prompt. Come, my son, come, my blood, come to retrieve myshame--come to avenge me!

_Don Rodrigo. _ Of what?

_Don Diego. _ Of an insult so cruel that it deals a deadly strokeagainst the honor of us both--of a blow! The insolent [man] would havelost his life for it, but my age deceived my noble ambition; and thissword, which my arm can no longer wield, I give up to thine, to avengeand punish. Go against this presumptuous man, and prove thy valor: it isonly in blood that one can wash away such an insult; die or slay. Moreover, not to deceive thee, I give thee to fight a formidableantagonist [_lit. _ a man to be feared], I have seen him entirely coveredwith blood and dust, carrying everywhere dismay through an entire army. I have seen by his valor a hundred squadrons broken; and, to tell theestill something more--more than brave soldier, more than great leader, he is----

_Don Rodrigo. _ Pray, finish. 

_Don Diego. _ The father of Chimène. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ The----

_Don Diego. _ Do not reply; I know thy love. But he who lives dishonoredis unworthy of life; the dearer the offender the greater the offence. Inshort, thou knowest the insult, and thou holdest [in thy grasp the meansof] vengeance. I say no more to thee. Avenge me, avenge thyself! Showthyself a son worthy of a father such as I [am]. Overwhelmed bymisfortunes to which destiny reduces me, I go to deplore them. Go, run, fly, and avenge us!

Scene VII. --DON RODRIGO. 

Pierced even to the depth [_or, _ bottom of the heart] by a blowunexpected as well as deadly, pitiable avenger of a just quarrel andunfortunate object of an unjust severity, I remain motionless, and mydejected soul yields to the blow which is slaying me. So near seeing mylove requited! O heaven, the strange pang [_or, _ difficulty]! In thisinsult my father is the person aggrieved, and the aggressor is thefather of Chimène!

What fierce conflicts [of feelings] I experience! My love is engaged[_lit. _ interests itself] against my own honor. I must avenge a fatherand lose a mistress. The one stimulates my courage, the other restrainsmy arm. Reduced to the sad choice of either betraying my love or ofliving as a degraded [man], on both sides my situation is wretched[_lit. _ evil is infinite]. O heaven, the strange pang [_or, _difficulty]! Must I leave an insult unavenged? Must I punish the fatherof Chimène?

Father, mistress, honor, love--noble and severe restraint--a bondagestill to be beloved [_lit. _ beloved tyranny], all my pleasures are dead, or my glory is sullied. The one renders me unhappy; the other unworthyof life. Dear and cruel hope of a soul noble but still enamored, worthyenemy of my greatest happiness, thou sword which causest my painfulanxiety, hast thou been given to me to avenge my honor? Hast thou beengiven to me to lose Chimène?

It is better to rush [_lit. _ run] to death. I owe [a duty] to mymistress as well as to my father. I draw, in avenging myself, her hatredand her rage; I draw upon myself his [i. E. My father's] contempt bynot avenging myself. To my sweetest hope the one [alternative] rendersme unfaithful, and the other [alternative] renders me unworthy of her. My misfortune increases by seeking a remedy [_lit. _ by wishing to cureit]. All [supposed reliefs] redoubles my woes. Come then, my soul [or, beloved sword], and, since I must die, let us die, at least, withoutoffending Chimène!

To die without obtaining satisfaction! To seek a death so fatal to myfame! To endure that Spain should impute to my memory [the fact] ofhaving badly maintained the honor of my house! To respect a love ofwhich my distracted soul already sees the certain loss. Let us no morelisten to this insidious thought, which serves only to pain me [_or, _contributes only to my painful position]. Come, mine arm [_or, _ sword], let us save honor, at least, since, after all, we must lose Chimène. 

Yes, my spirit was deceived. I owe all to my father before my mistress. 

Whether I die in the combat or die of sadness, I shall yield up my bloodpure as I have received it. I already accuse myself of too muchnegligence; let us haste to vengeance; and quite ashamed of havingwavered so much, let us no more be in painful suspense, since to-day myfather has been insulted, even though the offender is the father ofChimène. 

ACT THE SECOND. 

Scene I. --COUNT DE GORMAS and DON ARIAS. 

_Count. _ I acknowledge, between ourselves, [that] my blood, a little toowarm, became too excited at an expression, and has carried the mattertoo far [_lit. _ too high], but, since it is done, the deed is withoutremedy. 

_Don Arias. _ To the wishes of the King let this proud spirit yield; hetakes this much to heart, and his exasperated feelings [_lit. _ heart]will act against you with full authority. And, indeed, you have noavailable defence. The [high] rank of the person offended, the greatnessof the offence, demand duties and submissions which require more thanordinary reparation. 

_Count. _ The King can, at his pleasure, dispose of my life. 

_Don Arias. _ Your fault is followed by too much excitement. The Kingstill loves you; appease his wrath. He has said, "I desire it!"--willyou disobey?

_Count. _ Sir, to preserve all that esteem which I retain [_or, _ (otherreading), to preserve my glory and my esteem] to disobey in a slightdegree is not so great a crime, and, however great that [offence] maybe, my immediate services are more than sufficient to cancel it. 

_Don Arias. _ Although one perform glorious and important deeds, a Kingis never beholden to his subject. You flatter yourself much, and youought to know that he who serves his King well only does his duty. Youwill ruin yourself, sir, by this confidence. 

_Count. _ I shall not believe you until I have experience of it [_lit. _until after experience of it]. 

_Don Arias. _ You ought to dread the power of a King. 

_Count. _ One day alone does not destroy a man such as I. Let all hisgreatness arm itself for my punishment; all the state shall perish, if Imust perish. 

_Don Arias. _ What! do you fear so little sovereign power----?

_Count. _ [The sovereign power] of a sceptre which, without me, wouldfall from his hand. He himself has too much interest in my person, andmy head in falling would cause his crown to fall. 

_Don Arias. _ Permit reason to bring back your senses. Take good advice. 

_Count_. The advice [_or, _ counsel] with regard to it is [already]taken. 

_Don Arias. _ What shall I say, after all? I am obliged to give him anaccount [of this interview]. 

_Count. _ [Say] that I can never consent to my own dishonor. 

_Don Arias. _ But think that kings will be absolute. 

_Count. _ The die is cast, sir. Let us speak of the matter no more. 

_Don Arias. _ Adieu, then, sir, since in vain I try to persuade you. Notwithstanding [_lit. _ with] all your laurels, still dread thethunderbolt. 

_Count. _ I shall await it without fear. 

_Don Arias. _ But not without effect. 

_Count. _ We shall see by that Don Diego satisfied. [_Exit Don Arias. ][Alone]_ He who fears not death fears not threats. I have a heartsuperior to the greatest misfortunes [_lit. _ above the proudestmisfortunes]; and men may reduce me to live without happiness, but theycannot compel me to live without honor. 

Scene II. --The COUNT and DON RODRIGO. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Here, count, a word or two. 

_Count. _ Speak. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Relieve me from a doubt. Dost thou know Don Diego well?

_Count. _ Yes. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Let us speak [in] low [tones]; listen. Dost thou knowthat this old man was the very [essence of] virtue, valor, and honor inhis time? Dost thou know it?

_Count. _ Perhaps so. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ This fire which I carry in mine eyes, knowest thou thatthis is his blood? Dost thou know it?

_Count. _ What matters it to me?

_Don Rodrigo. _ Four paces hence I shall cause thee to know it. 

_Count. _ Presumptuous youth!

_Don Rodrigo. _ Speak without exciting thyself. I am young, it is true;but in souls nobly born valor does not depend upon age [_lit. _ wait forthe number of years]. 

_Count. _ To measure thyself with me! Who [_or_, what] has rendered theeso presumptuous--thou, whom men have never seen with a sword [_lit. _arms] in thine hand?

_Don Rodrigo. _ Men like me do not cause themselves to be known at asecond trial, and they wish [to perform] masterly strokes for theirfirst attempt. 

_Count. _ Dost thou know well who I am?

_Don Rodrigo. _ Yes! Any other man except myself, at the mere mention ofthy name, might tremble with terror. The laurels with which I see thinehead so covered seem to bear written [upon them] the prediction of myfall. I attack, like a rash man, an arm always victorious; but bycourage I shall overcome you [_lit. _ I shall have too much strength inpossessing sufficient courage]. To him who avenges his father nothing isimpossible. Thine arm is unconquered, but not invincible. 

_Count. _ This noble courage which appears in the language you hold hasshown itself each day by your eyes; and, believing that I saw in you thehonor of Castile, my soul with pleasure was destining for you mydaughter. I know thy passion, and I am delighted to see that all itsimpulses yield to thy duty; that they have not weakened this magnanimousardor; that thy proud manliness merits my esteem; and that, desiring asa son-in-law an accomplished cavalier, I was not deceived in the choicewhich I had made. But I feel that for thee my compassion is touched. Iadmire thy courage, and I pity thy youth. Seek not to make thy firstattempt [_or_, maiden-stroke] fatal. Release my valor from an unequalconflict; too little honor for me would attend this victory. Inconquering without danger we triumph without glory. Men would alwaysbelieve that thou wert overpowered without an effort, and I should haveonly regret for thy death. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Thy presumption is followed by a despicable [_lit. _unworthy] pity! The man who dares to deprive me of honor, fears todeprive me of life!

_Count. _ Withdraw from this place. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Let us proceed without further parley. 

_Count. _ Art thou so tired of life?

_Don Rodrigo. _ Hast thou such a dread of death?

_Count. _ Come, thou art doing thy duty, and the son becomes degeneratewho survives for one instant the honor of his father. 

Scene III. --The INFANTA, CHIMÈNE and LEONORA. 

_Infanta. _ Soothe, my Chimène, soothe thy grief; summon up thy firmnessin this sudden misfortune. Thou shalt see a calm again after thisshort-lived [_lit. _ feeble] storm. Thy happiness is overcast [_lit. _covered] only by a slight cloud, and thou hast lost nothing in seeing it[i. E. Thine happiness] delayed. 

_Chimène. _ My heart, overwhelmed with sorrows, dares to hope fornothing; a storm so sudden, which agitates a calm at sea, conveys to usa threat of an inevitable [_lit. _ certain] shipwreck. I cannot doubt it:I am being shipwrecked [_lit. _ I am perishing], even in harbor. I wasloving, I was beloved, and our fathers were consenting [_lit. _ inharmony], and I was recounting to you the delightful intelligence ofthis at the fatal moment when this quarrel originated, the fatal recitalof which, as soon as it has been given to you, has ruined the effect ofsuch a dear [_lit. _ sweet] expectation. Accursed ambition! hatefulmadness! whose tyranny the most generous souls are suffering. O [senseof] honor!-merciless to my dearest desires, how many tears and sighs artthou going to cost me?

_Infanta. _ Thou hast, in their quarrel, no reason to be alarmed; onemoment has created it, one moment will extinguish it. It has made toomuch noise not to be settled amicably, since already the king wishes toreconcile them; and thou knowest that my zeal [_lit. _ soul], keenlyalive to thy sorrows, will do its utmost [_lit. _ impossibilities] to dryup their source. 

_Chimène. _ Reconciliations are not effected in such a feud [_or_, inthis manner]; such deadly insults are not [easily] repaired; in vain oneuses [_lit. _ causes to act] force or prudence. If the evil be cured, itis [cured] only in appearance; the hatred which hearts preserve withinfeeds fires hidden, but so much the more ardent. 

_Infanta. _ The sacred tie which will unite Don Rodrigo and Chimène willdispel the hatred of their hostile sires, and we shall soon see thestronger [feeling], love, by a happy bridal, extinguish this discord. 

_Chimène. _ I desire it may be so, more than I expect it. Don Diego istoo proud, and I know my father. I feel tears flow, which I wish torestrain; the past afflicts me, and I fear the future. 

_Infanta. _ What dost thou fear? Is it the impotent weakness of an oldman?

_Chimène. _ Rodrigo has courage. 

_Infanta. _ He is too young. 

_Chimène. _ Courageous men become so [i. E. Courageous] at once. 

_Infanta. _ You ought not, however, to dread him much. He is too muchenamored to wish to displease you, and two words from thy lips wouldarrest his rage. 

_Chimène. _ If he does not obey me, what a consummation of my sorrow!And, if he can obey me, what will men say of him? being of such noblebirth, to endure such an insult! Whether he yields to, or resists thepassion which binds him to me, my mind can not be otherwise than eitherashamed of his too great deference, or shocked at a just refusal. 

_Infanta. _ Chimène has a proud soul, and, though deeply interested, shecannot endure one base [_lit. _ low] thought. But, if up to the day ofreconciliation I make this model lover my prisoner, and I thus preventthe effect of his courage, will thine enamored soul take no umbrage atit?

_Chimène. _ Ah! dear lady, in that case I have no more anxiety. 

Scene 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 eachother. 

_Chimène. _ Without doubt they are fighting; there is no further need ofspeaking. Madame, forgive my haste [in thus departing]. [_Exeunt Chimèneand Page. _]

Scene V. --The INFANTA and LEONORA. 

_Infanta. _ Alas! what uneasiness I feel in my mind! I weep for hersorrows, [yet still] her lover enthralls me; my calmness forsakes me, and my passion revives. That which is going to separate Rodrigo fromChimène rekindles at once my hope and my pain; and their separation, which I see with regret, infuses a secret pleasure in mine enamoredsoul. 

_Leonora. _ This noble pride which reigns in your soul, does it so soonsurrender to this unworthy passion?

_Infanta. _ Call it not unworthy, since, seated in my heart, proud andtriumphant, it asserts its sway [_lit. _ law] over me. Treat it withrespect, since it is so dear to me. My pride struggles against it, but, in spite of myself--I hope; and my heart, imperfectly shielded againstsuch 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 theheart is assailed by a poison so delicious, and when the sick man loveshis malady! We can hardly endure that any remedy should be applied toit. 

_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 howlove flatters a heart which it possesses. If Rodrigo once [_or_, only]comes forth from the combat as a conqueror, if this great warrior fallsbeneath his valor, I may consider him worthy of me, and I may love himwithout shame. What may he not do, if he can conquer the Count? I dareto imagine that, as the least of his exploits, entire kingdoms will fallbeneath his laws; and my fond love is already persuaded that I beholdhim seated on the throne of Granada, the vanquished Moors tremblingwhile paying him homage; Arragon receiving this new conqueror, Portugalsurrendering, and his victorious battles [_lit. _ noble days] advancinghis proud destinies beyond the seas, laving his laurels with the bloodof Africans! In fine, all that is told of the most distinguishedwarriors I expect from Rodrigo after this victory, and I make my lovefor 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 theoutrage; they have gone out together. Is there need of more?

_Leonora. _ Ah, well! they will fight, since you will have it so; butwill Rodrigo go so far as you are going?

_Infanta. _ Bear with me [_lit. _ what do you mean]? I am mad, and my mindwanders; thou seest by that what evils this love prepares for me. Comeinto my private apartment to console my anxieties, and do not desert mein the trouble I am in [at present]. 

Scene VI. --DON FERNANDO (the King), DON ARIAS, DON SANCHO, and DONALONZO. 

_Don Fernando. _ The Count is, then, so presumptuous and so littleaccessible to reason? Does he still dare to believe his offencepardonable?

_Don Arias. _ Sire, in your name I have long conversed with him. I havedone my utmost, and I have obtained nothing. 

_Don Fernando. _ Just heavens! Thus, then, a rash subject has so littlerespect and anxiety to please me! He insults Don Diego, and despises hisKing! He gives laws to me in the midst of my court! Brave warriorthough he be, great general though he be, I am well able [_lit. _ I shallknow 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 isnot to obey! Whatever punishment such insolence may have deserved, Iwished at first to treat it [_or, _ him] without violence; but, since heabuses my leniency, go instantly [_lit. _ this very day], and, whether heresists 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 withdifficulty. He sees that he has done wrong, but a soul so lofty is notso soon induced to acknowledge its fault. 

_Don Fernando. _ Don Sancho, be silent; and be warned that he who takeshis part renders himself criminal. 

_Don Sancho. _ I obey, and am silent; but in pity, sire, [permit] twowords in his defence. 

_Don Fernando. _ And what can you say?

_Don Sancho. _ That a soul accustomed to noble actions cannot loweritself to apologies. It does not imagine any which can be expressedwithout _shame;_ and it is that word alone that the Count resists. Hefinds in his duty a little too much severity, and he would obey you ifhe had less heart. Command that his arm, trained in war's dangers, repair this injury at the point of the sword: he will give satisfaction, sire; and, come what may, until he has been made aware of your decision, here am I to answer for him. 

_Don Fernando. _ You fail [_lit. _ you are losing] in respect; but Ipardon youth, and I excuse enthusiasm in a young, courageous heart. Aking, whose prudence has better objects in view [than such quarrels], is more sparing of the blood of his subjects. I watch over mine; my[watchful] care protects them, as the head takes care of the limbs whichserve it. Thus your reasoning is not reasoning for me. You speak as asoldier--I must act as a king; and whatever others may wish to say, orhe may presume to think, the Count will not part with [_lit. _ cannotlose] his glory by obeying me. Besides, the insult affects myself: hehas dishonored him whom I have made the instructor of my son. To impugnmy choice is to challenge me, and to make an attempt upon the supremepower. Let us speak of it no more. And now, ten vessels of our oldenemies have been seen to hoist their flags; near the mouth of the riverthey have dared to appear. 

_Don Arias. _ The Moors have by force [of arms] learned to know you, and, so often vanquished, they have lost heart to risk their lives [_lit. _themselves] any more against so great a conqueror. 

_Don Fernando. _ They will never, without a certain amount of jealousy, behold my sceptre, in spite of them, ruling over Andalusia; and thiscountry, so beautiful, which they too long enjoyed, is always regardedby them with an envious eye. This is the sole reason which has causedus, for the last ten years, to place the Castilian throne in Seville, inorder to watch them more closely, and, by more prompt action, immediately to overthrow whatever [design] they might undertake. 

_Don Arias. _ They know, at the cost of their noblest leaders [_lit. _most worthy heads], how much your presence secures your conquests; youhave nothing to fear. 

_Don Fernando. _ And nothing to neglect--too much confidence brings ondanger; and you are not ignorant that, with very little difficulty, therising tide brings them hither. However, I should be wrong to cause apanic in the hearts [of the citizens], the news being uncertain. Thedismay which this useless alarm might produce in the night, which isapproaching, might agitate the town too much. Cause the guards to bedoubled on the walls and at the fort; for this evening that issufficient. 

Scene VII. --DON FERNANDO, DON ALONZO, DON SANCHO, and DON ARIAS. 

_Don Alonzo. _ Sire, the Count is dead. Don Diego, by his son, hasavenged his wrong. 

_Don Fernando. _ As soon as I knew of the insult I foresaw the vengeance, and from that moment I wished to avert this misfortune. 

_Don Alonzo. _ Chimène approaches to lay her grief at your feet [_lit. _brings to your knees her grief]; she comes all in tears to sue forjustice from you. 

_Don Fernando. _ Much though my soul compassionates her sorrows, what theCount has done seems to have deserved this just punishment of hisrashness. Yet, however just his penalty may be, I cannot lose such awarrior without regret. After long service rendered to my state, afterhis blood has been shed for me a thousand times, to whatever thoughtshis [stubborn] pride compels me, his loss enfeebles me, and his deathafflicts me. 

Scene VIII. --DON FERNANDO, DON DIEGO, CHIMÈNE, DON SANCHO, DON ARIAS, and DON ALONZO. 

_Chimène. _ Sire, sire, justice!

_Don Diego. _ Ah, sire, hear us!

_Chimène. _ I cast myself at your feet!

_Don Diego. _ I embrace your knees!

_Chimène. _ I demand justice. 

_Don Diego. _ Hear my defence. 

_Chimène. _ Punish the presumption of an audacious youth: he has struckdown the support of your sceptre--he has slain my father!

_Don Diego. _ He has avenged his own. 

_Chimène. _ To the blood of his subjects a king owes justice. 

_Don Diego. _ For just vengeance there is no punishment. 

_Don Fernando. _ Rise, both of you, and speak at leisure. Chimène, Isympathize with your sorrow; with an equal grief I feel my own soulafflicted. (_To Don Diego. _) You shall speak afterwards; do notinterrupt her complaint. 

_Chimène. _ Sire, my father is dead! My eyes have seen his blood gushforth from his noble breast--that blood which has so often secured yourwalls--that blood which has so often won your battles--that blood which, though all outpoured, still fumes with rage at seeing itself shed forany other than for you! Rodrigo, before your very palace, has just dyed[_lit. _ covered] the earth with that [blood] which in the midst ofdangers war did not dare to shed! Faint and pallid, I ran to the spot, and I found him bereft of life. Pardon my grief, sire, but my voicefails me at this terrible recital; my tears and my sighs will bettertell you the rest!

_Don Fernando. _ Take courage, my daughter, and know that from to-day thyking will serve thee as a father instead of him. 

_Chimène. _ Sire, my anguish is attended with too much [unavailing]horror! I found him, I have already said, bereft of life; his breast waspierced [_lit. _ open], and his blood upon the [surrounding] dustdictated [_lit. _ wrote] my duty; or rather his valor, reduced to thiscondition, spoke to me through his wound, and urged me to claim redress;and to make itself heard by the most just of kings, by these sad lips, it borrowed my voice. Sire, do not permit that, under your sway, suchlicense should reign before your [very] eyes; that the most valiant withimpunity should be exposed to the thrusts of rashness; that apresumptuous youth should triumph over their glory, should imbruehimself with their blood, and scoff at their memory! If the valiantwarrior who has just been torn from you be not avenged, the ardor forserving you becomes extinguished. In fine, my father is dead, and Idemand vengeance more for your interest than for my consolation. You area loser in the death of a man of his position. Avenge it by another's, and [have] blood for blood! Sacrifice [the victim] not to me, but toyour crown, to your greatness, to yourself! Sacrifice, I say, sire, tothe good of the state, all those whom such a daring deed would inflatewith pride. 

_Don Fernando. _ Don Diego, reply. 

_Don Diego. _ How worthy of envy is he who, in losing [life's] vigor, loses life also! And how a long life brings to nobly minded men, at theclose of their career, an unhappy destiny! I, whose long labors havegained such great renown--I, whom hitherto everywhere victory hasfollowed--I see myself to-day, in consequence of having lived too long, receiving an insult, and living vanquished. That which never battle, siege, or ambuscade could [do]--that which Arragon or Granada nevercould [effect], nor all your enemies, nor all my jealous [rivals], theCount has done in your palace, almost before your eyes, [being] jealousof your choice, and proud of the advantage which the impotence of agegave him over me. Sire, thus these hairs, grown grey in harness [i. E. Toils of war]--this blood, so often shed to serve you--this arm, formerly the terror of a hostile army, would have sunk into the grave, burdened with disgrace, if I had not begotten a son worthy of me, worthyof his country, and worthy of his king! He has lent me his hand--he hasslain the Count--he has restored my honor--he has washed away my shame!If the displaying of courage and resentment, if the avenging of a blowdeserves chastisement, upon me alone should fall the fury of the storm. When the arm has failed, the head is punished for it. Whether men callthis a crime or not requires no discussion. Sire, I am the head, he isthe arm only. If Chimène complains that he has slain her father, henever would have done that [deed] if I could have done it [myself]. Sacrifice, then, this head, which years will soon remove, and preservefor yourself the arm which can serve you. At the cost of my bloodsatisfy Chimène. I do not resist--I consent to my penalty, and, far frommurmuring at a rigorous decree, dying without dishonor, I shall diewithout regret. 

_Don Fernando. _ The matter is of importance, and, calmly considered, itdeserves to be debated in full council. Don Sancho, re-conduct Chimèneto her abode. Don Diego shall have my palace and his word of honor as aprison. Bring his son here to me. I will do you justice. 

_Chimène. _ It is just, great king, that a murderer should die. 

_Don Fernando. _ Take rest, my daughter, and calm thy sorrows. 

_Chimène. _ To order me rest is to increase my misfortunes. 

ACT THE THIRD. 

Scene I. --DON RODRIGO and ELVIRA. 

_Elvira. _ Rodrigo, what hast them done? Whence comest thou, unhappy man?

_Don Rodrigo. _ Here [i. E. To the house of Chimène], to follow out thesad course of my miserable destiny. 

_Elvira. _ Whence obtainest thou this audacity, and this new pride, ofappearing in places which thou hast filled with mourning? What! dostthou come even here to defy the shade of the Count? Hast thou not slainhim?

_Don Rodrigo. _ His existence was my shame; my honor required this deedfrom my [reluctant] hand. 

_Elvira. _ But to seek thy asylum in the house of the dead! Has ever amurderer made such his refuge?

_Don Rodrigo. _ And I come here only to yield myself to my judge. Look nomore on me with astonishment [_lit. _ an eye amazed]; I seek death afterhaving inflicted it. My love is my judge; my judge is my Chimène. Ideserve death for deserving her hatred, and I am come to receive, as asupreme blessing, its decree from her lips, and its stroke from herhand. 

_Elvira. _ Fly rather from her sight, fly from her impetuosity; concealyour presence from her first excitement. Go! do not expose yourself tothe first impulses which the fiery indignation of her resentment maygive vent to. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ No, no. This beloved one, whom I [could] so displease, cannot have too wrathful a desire for my punishment; and I avoid ahundred deaths which are going to crush me if, by dying sooner, I canredouble it [i. E. That wrath]. 

_Elvira. _ Chimène is at the palace, bathed in tears, and will return buttoo well accompanied. Rodrigo, fly! for mercy's sake relieve me from myuneasiness! What might not people say if they saw you here? Do you wishthat some slanderer, to crown her misery, should accuse her oftolerating here the slayer of her father? She will return; she iscoming--I see her; at least, for the sake of _her_ honor, Rodrigo, conceal thyself! [_Rodrigo conceals himself. _]

Scene II. --DON SANCHO, CHIMÈNE, and ELVIRA. 

_Don Sancho. _ Yes, lady, you require a victim [or revenge] steeped inblood [_lit. _ for you there is need of bleeding victims]; your wrath isjust and your tears legitimate, and I do not attempt, by dint ofspeaking, either to soothe you or to console you. But, if I may becapable of serving you, employ my sword to punish the guilty [one], employ my love to revenge this death; under your commands my arm will be[only] too strong. 

_Chimène. _ Unhappy that I am!

_Don Sancho. _ I implore you, accept my services. 

_Chimène. _ I should offend the King, who has promised me justice. 

_Don Sancho. _ You know that justice [_lit. _ it] proceeds with suchslowness, that very often crime escapes in consequence of its delay, itsslow and doubtful course causes us to lose too many tears. Permit that acavalier may avenge you by [force of] arms; that method is more certainand more prompt in punishing. 

_Chimène. _ It is the last remedy; and if it is necessary to haverecourse to it, and your pity for my misfortunes still continues, youshall then be free to avenge my injury. 

_Don Sancho. _ It is the sole happiness to which my soul aspires; and, being able to hope for it, I depart too well contented. 

Scene III. --CHIMÈNE and ELVIRA. 

_Chimène. _ At last I see myself free, and I can, without constraint, show thee the extent of my keen sorrows; I can give vent to my sadsighs; I can unbosom to thee my soul and all my griefs. My father isdead, Elvira; and the first sword with which Rodrigo armed himself hascut his thread of life. Weep, weep, mine eyes, and dissolve yourselvesinto tears! The one half of my life [i. E. Rodrigo] has laid the other[half, i. E. My father] in the grave, and compels me to revenge, afterthis fatal blow, that which I have no more [i. E. My father] on thatwhich still remains to me [i. E. Rodrigo]. 

_Elvira. _ Calm yourself, dear lady. 

_Chimène. _ Ah! how unsuitably, in a misfortune so great, thou speakestof calmness. By what means can my sorrow ever be appeased, if I cannothate the hand which has caused it? And what ought I to hope for but anever-ending anguish if I follow up a crime, still loving the criminal. 

_Elvira. _ He deprives you of a father, and you still love him?

_Chimène. _ It is too little to say love, Elvira; I adore him! My passionopposes itself to my resentment; in mine enemy I find my lover, and Ifeel that in spite of all my rage Rodrigo is still contending against mysire in my heart. He attacks it, he besieges it; it yields, it defendsitself; at one time strong, at one time weak, at another triumphant. Butin this severe struggle between wrath and love, he rends my heartwithout shaking my resolution, and although my love may have power overme, I do not consult it [_or_, hesitate] to follow my duty. I speed on[_lit. _ run] without halting [_or_, weighing the consequences] where myhonor compels me. Rodrigo is very dear to me; the interest I feel in himgrieves me; my heart takes his part, but, in spite of its struggles, Iknow what I am [i. E. A daughter], and that my father is dead. 

_Elvira. _ Do you think of pursuing [_or_, persecuting] him?

_Chimène. _ Ah! cruel thought! and cruel pursuit to which I see myselfcompelled. I demand his head [_or_, life] and I dread to obtain it; mydeath will follow his, and [yet] I wish to punish him!

_Elvira. _ Abandon, abandon, dear lady, a design so tragic, and do notimpose on yourself such a tyrannical law. 

_Chimène. _ What! my father being dead and almost in my arms--shall hisblood cry for revenge and I not obtain it? My heart, shamefully led awayby other spells, would believe that it owed him only ineffectual tears. And can I endure that an insidious love, beneath a dastardly apathy, should extinguish my resolution [_lit. _ beneath a cowardly silenceextinguish my honor]?

_Elvira. _ Dear lady, believe me, you would be excusable in having lesswrath against an object so beloved, against a lover so dear; you havedone enough, you have seen the King; do not urge on the result [of thatinterview]. Do not persist in this morbid [_lit. _ strange] humor. 

_Chimène. _ My honor is at stake; I must avenge myself; and, however thedesires of love may beguile us, all excuse [for not doing one's duty] isdisgraceful to [i. E. In the estimation of] noble-minded souls. 

_Elvira. _ But you love Rodrigo--he cannot offend you. 

_Chimène. _ I confess it. 

_Elvira. _ After all, what then do you intend to do?

_Chimène. _ To preserve my honor and to end my sorrow; to pursue him, todestroy him, and to die after him. 

Scene IV. --DON RODRIGO, CHIMÈNE, and ELVIRA. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Well then, without giving you the trouble of pursuing me, secure for yourself the honor of preventing me from living. 

_Chimène. _ Elvira, where are we, and what do I see? Rodrigo in my house!Rodrigo before me!

_Don Rodrigo. _ Spare not my blood; enjoy [_lit. _ taste], withoutresistance, the pleasure of my destruction and of your vengeance. 

_Chimène. _ Alas!

_Don Rodrigo. _ Listen to me. 

_Chimène. _ I am dying. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ One moment. 

_Chimène. _ Go, let me die!

_Don Rodrigo. _ Four words only; afterwards reply to me only with thissword!

_Chimène. _ What! still imbrued with the blood of my father!

_Don Rodrigo. _ My Chimène. 

_Chimène. _ Remove from my sight this hateful object, which brings as areproach before mine eyes thy crime and thy existence. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Look on it rather to excite thy hatred, to increase thywrath and to hasten my doom. 

_Chimène. _ It is dyed with my [father's] blood!

_Don Rodrigo. _ Plunge it in mine, and cause it thus to lose thedeath-stain of thine own. 

_Chimène. _ Ah! what cruelty, which all in one day slays the father bythe sword [itself], and the daughter by the sight of it! Remove thisobject, I cannot endure it; thou wished me to listen to thee, and thoucausest me to die!

_Don Rodrigo. _ I do what thou wishest, but without abandoning the desireof ending by thy hands my lamentable life; for, in fine, do not expect[even] from my affection a dastardly repentance of a justifiable [_lit. _good] action. The irreparable effect of a too hasty excitementdishonored my father and covered me with shame. Thou knowest how a blowaffects a man of courage. I shared in the insult, I sought out itsauthor, I saw him, I avenged my honor and my father; I would do it againif I had it to do. Not that, indeed, my passion did not long strugglefor thee against my father and myself; judge of its power--under such aninsult, I was able to deliberate whether I should take vengeance for it!Compelled to displease thee or to endure an affront, I thought that inits turn my arm was too prompt [to strike]; I accused myself of too muchimpetuosity, and thy loveliness, without doubt, would have turned thescale [_or_, prevailed overall] had I not opposed to thy strongestattractions the [thought] that a man without honor would not merit thee;that, in spite of this share which I had in thy affections, she wholoved me noble would hate me shamed; that to listen to thy love, to obeyits voice, would be to render myself unworthy of it and to condemn thychoice. I tell thee still, and although I sigh at it, even to my lastsigh I will assuredly repeat it, I have committed an offence againstthee, and I was driven to [_or_, bound to commit] it to efface my shameand to merit thee; but discharged [from my duty] as regards honor, anddischarged [from duty] towards my father, it is now to thee that I cometo give satisfaction--it is to offer to thee my blood that thou seestme in this place. I did my duty [_lit. _ that which I ought to have done]then, I still do it now. I know that a slain [_lit. _ dead] father armsthee against my offence; I have not wished to rob thee of thy victim;sacrifice with courage to the blood he has lost he who constitutes hisglory in having shed it. 

_Chimène. _ Ah, Rodrigo, it is true, although thine enemy, I cannot blamethee for having shunned disgrace; and in whatever manner my griefs burstforth I do not accuse [thee], I [only] lament my misfortunes. I knowwhat honor after such an insult demanded with ardor of a generouscourage; thou hast only done the duty of a man of honor, but also indoing that [duty] thou hast taught me mine. Thy fatal valor hasinstructed me by thy victory--it has avenged thy father and maintainedthy glory. The same care concerns me, and I have to add to my infliction[_lit. _ to afflict me] my fame to sustain and my father to avenge. Alas!thy fate [_or_, your share] in this drives me to despair! If any othermisfortune had taken from me my father, my soul would have found in thehappiness of seeing thee the only relief which it could have received, and in opposition to my grief I should have felt a fond delight [_lit. _charm or a magic soothing] when a hand so dear would have wiped away mytears. But I must lose thee after having lost him. This struggle over mypassion is due to my honor, and this terrible duty, whose [imperious]command is slaying me, compels me to exert myself [_lit. _ labor or work]for thy destruction. For, in fine, do not expect from my affection anymorbid [_lit. _ cowardly] feelings as to thy punishment. However stronglymy love may plead in thy favor, my steadfast courage must respond tothine. Even in offending me, thou hast proved thyself worthy of me; Imust, by thy death, prove myself worthy of thee. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Defer, then, no longer that which honor commands. Itdemands my head [_or_, life], and I yield it to thee; make a sacrificeof it to this noble duty; the [death] stroke will be welcome [_lit. _sweet], as well as the doom. To await, after my crime, a tardy justice, is to defer thine honor as well as my punishment. I should die too happyin dying by so delightful a [death] blow!

_Chimène. _ Go [i. E. No]; I am thy prosecutor, and not thy executioner. If thou offerest me thine head, is it for me to take it; I ought toattack it, but thou oughtest to defend it. It is from another than theethat I must obtain it, and it is my duty [_lit. _ I ought] to pursuethee, but not to punish thee. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ However in my favor our love may plead, thy steadfastcourage ought to correspond to mine; and to borrow other arms to avengea father is, believe me, my Chimène, not the [method of] responding toit. My hand alone was fit [_lit. _ has understood how] to avenge theinsult offered to _my_ father; thy hand alone ought to take vengeancefor thine. 

_Chimène. _ O cruel! for what reason shouldst thou persevere on thispoint? Thou hast avenged thyself without aid, and dost thou wish to giveme thine [aid]? I shall follow thy example; and I have too much courageto endure that my glory shall be divided with thee. My father and minehonor shall owe nothing to the dictates of thy love and of thy despair. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ O cruel resolution [_lit. _ point of honor]! Alas!whatever I may do, can I by no means obtain this concession [_or_, favor]? In the name of a slain [_lit. _ dead] father, or of ourfriendship, punish me through revenge, or at least through compassion. Thy unhappy lover will have far less pain in dying by thy hand than inliving with thy hatred. 

_Chimène. _ Go; I do not hate thee. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Thou oughtest to do so. 

_Chimène. _ I cannot. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Dost thou so little fear calumny, and so little [fear]false reports? When people shall know my crime, and that thy passion[for me] still continues, what will not envy and deception spreadabroad? Compel them to silence, and, without debating more, save thyfair fame by causing me to die. 

_Chimène. _ That [fair fame] shines far more gloriously [_lit. _ better]by leaving thee life; and I wish that the voice of the blackest slandershould raise to heaven my honor, and lament my griefs, knowing that Iworship thee, and that [still] I pursue thee [as a criminal]. Go, then;present no more to my unbounded grief that which I [must] lose, althoughI love it [him]! In the shades of night carefully conceal thy departure;if they see thee going forth, my honor runs a risk. The only opportunitywhich slander can have is to know that I have tolerated thy presencehere. Give it no opportunity to assail my honor. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Let me die. 

_Chimène. _ Nay, leave me. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ On what art thou resolved?

_Chimène. _ In spite of the glorious love-fires which impede [_lit. _trouble] my wrath, I will do my utmost to avenge my father; but, inspite of the sternness of such a cruel duty, my sole desire is to beable to accomplish nothing [against thee]. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ O wondrous love [_lit. _ miracle of love]!

_Chimène. _ O accumulation of sorrows!

_Don Rodrigo. _ What misfortunes and tears will our fathers cost us!

_Chimène. _ Rodrigo, who would have believed----?

_Don Rodrigo. _ Chimène, who would have said----?

_Chimène. _ That our happiness was so near, and would so soon be ruined?

_Don Rodrigo. _ And that so near the haven, contrary to all appearances[_or_, expectation], a storm so sudden should shatter our hopes?

_Chimène. _ O deadly griefs!

_Don Rodrigo. _ O vain regrets!

_Chimène. _ Go, then, again [I beseech thee]; I can listen to thee nomore. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Adieu! I go to drag along a lingering life, until it betorn from me by thy pursuit. 

_Chimène. _ If I obtain my purpose, I pledge to thee my faith to existnot a moment after thee. Adieu! Go hence, and, above all, take good carethat you are not observed. [_Exit Don Rodrigo. _]

_Elvira. _ Dear lady, whatever sorrows heaven sends us----

_Chimène. _ Trouble me no more; let me sigh. I seek for silence and thenight in order to weep. 

Scene V. --DON DIEGO. 

Never do we experience [_lit. _ taste] perfect joy. Our most fortunatesuccesses are mingled with sadness; always some cares, [even] in the[successful] events, mar the serenity of our satisfaction. In the midstof happiness my soul feels their pang: I float in joy, and I tremblewith fear. I have seen [lying] dead the enemy who had insulted me, yet Iam unable to find [_lit. _ see] the hand which has avenged me. I exertmyself in vain, and with a useless anxiety. Feeble [_lit. _ broken down;_or_, shattered] though I am, I traverse all the city; this slightdegree of vigor, that my advanced years have left me, expends itselffruitlessly in seeking this conqueror. At every moment, at all places, in a night so dark, I think that I embrace him, and I embrace only ashadow; and my love, beguiled by this deceitful object, forms for itselfsuspicions which redouble my fear. I do not discover any traces of hisflight. I fear the dead Count's friends and retinue; their numberterrifies me, and confounds my reason. Rodrigo lives no more, orbreathes in prison! Just heavens! do I still deceive myself with ashadow only [_lit. _ an appearance], or do I see, at last, my only hope?It is he; I doubt it no more. My prayers are heard, my fear isdispelled, and my trouble ended. 

Scene VI. --DON DIEGO and DON RODRIGO. 

_Don Diego. _ Rodrigo at last heaven permits that I should behold thee!

_Don Rodrigo. _ Alas!

_Don Diego. _ Mingle not sighs with my joy; let me take breath in orderto praise thee. My valor has no reason to disown thee; thou hast wellimitated it, and thy brilliant prowess causes the heroes of my race tolive again in thee! It is from them that thou descendest, it is from methat thou art sprung. Thy first combat [_lit. _ sword-stroke] equals allof mine, and thy youth, fired with a splendid enthusiasm, by this greatproof equals [_or_, reaches to] my renown. Prop of mine age, and sum ofmy happiness, touch these white hairs, to which thou restorest honor!Come, kiss this cheek, and recognize the place on which was branded theinsult which thy courage effaces!

_Don Rodrigo. _ The honor of it belongs to you. I could not do less, being sprung from you, and trained under your careful instruction[_lit. _ cares]. I consider myself too happy [at the result], and my soulis delighted that my first combat [_or_, maiden-stroke] pleases him towhom I owe existence. But, amidst your gladness, be not jealous if, inmy turn, I dare to satisfy myself after you. Permit that in freedom mydespair may burst forth; enough and for too long your discourse hassoothed it. I do not repent having served you; but give me back theblessing which that [death] blow has deprived me of. My arms, in orderto serve you, battling against my passion, by this [otherwise] gloriousdeed have deprived me of my love. Say no more to me: for you I have lostall; what I owed you I have well repaid. 

_Don Diego. _ Carry, carry still higher the effect [_lit. _ fruit] of thyvictory. I have given thee life, and thou restorest to me my honor; andas much as honor is dearer to me than life, so much now I owe thee inreturn. But spurn this weakness from a noble heart; we have but onehonor--there are many mistresses. Love is but a pleasure; honor is aduty. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Ah! what do you say to me?

_Don Diego. _ That which you ought to know. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ My outraged honor takes vengeance on myself, and you dareto urge me to the shame of inconstancy! Disgrace is the same, andfollows equally the soldier without courage and the faithless lover. Dono wrong, then, to my fidelity; allow me [to be] brave without renderingmyself perfidious [perjured]. My bonds are too strong to be thusbroken--my faith still binds me, though I [may] hope no more; and, notbeing able to leave nor to win Chimène, the death which I seek is mymost welcome [_lit. _ sweeter] penalty. 

_Don Diego. _ It is not yet time to seek death; thy prince and thycountry have need of thine arm. The fleet, as was feared, having enteredthis great river, hopes to surprise the city and to ravage the country. The Moors are going to make a descent, and the tide and the night may, within an hour, bring them noiselessly to our walls. The court is indisorder, the people in dismay; we hear only cries, we see only tears. In this public calamity, my good fortune has so willed it that I havefound [thronging] to my house five hundred of my friends, who, knowingthe insult offered to me, impelled by a similar zeal, came all to offerthemselves to avenge my quarrel. Thou hast anticipated them; but theirvaliant hands will be more nobly steeped in the blood of Africans. Go, march at their head where honor calls thee; it is thou whom their nobleband would have as a leader. Go, resist the advance of these ancientenemies; there, if thou wishest to die, find a glorious death. Seize theopportunity, since it is presented to thee; cause your King to owe hissafety to your loss; but rather return from that battle-field [_lit. _from it] with the laurels on thy brow. Limit not thy glory to theavenging of an insult; advance that glory still further; urge by thyvalor this monarch to pardon, and Chimène to peace. If thou lovest her, learn that to return as a conqueror is the sole means of regaining herheart. But time is too precious to waste in words; I stop thee in thineattempted answer, and desire that thou fly [to the rescue]. Come, followme; go to the combat, and show the King that what he loses in the Counthe regains in thee. 

ACT THE FOURTH. 

Scene I. --CHIMÈNE and ELVIRA. 

_Chimène. _ Is it not a false report? Do you know for certain, Elvira?

_Elvira. _ You could never believe how every one admires him, and extolsto heaven, with one common voice, the glorious achievements of thisyoung hero. The Moors appeared before him only to their shame; theirapproach was very rapid, their flight more rapid still. A three hours'battle left to our warriors a complete victory, and two kings asprisoners. The valor of their leader overcame every obstacle [_lit. _found no obstacles]. 

_Chimène. _ And the hand of Rodrigo has wrought all these wonders!

_Elvira. _ Of his gallant deeds these two kings are the reward; by hishand they were conquered, and his hand captured them. 

_Chimène. _ From whom couldst thou ascertain these strange tidings?

_Elvira. _ From the people, who everywhere sing his praises, [who] callhim the object and the author of their rejoicing, their guardian angeland their deliverer. 

_Chimène. _ And the King--with what an aspect does he look upon suchvalor?

_Elvira. _ Rodrigo dares not yet appear in his presence, but Don Diego, delighted, presents to him in chains, in the name of this conqueror, these crowned captives, and asks as a favor from this generous princethat he condescend to look upon the hand which has saved the kingdom[_lit. _ province]. 

_Chimène. _ But is he not wounded?

_Elvira. _ I have learned nothing of it. You change color! Recover yourspirits. 

_Chimène. _ Let me recover then also my enfeebled resentment; caring forhim, must I forget my own feelings [_lit. _ myself]? They boast of him, they praise him, and my heart consents to it; my honor is mute, my dutyimpotent. Down [_lit. _ silence], O [treacherous] love! let my resentmentexert itself [_lit. _ act]; although he has conquered two kings, he hasslain my father! These mourning robes in which I read my misfortune arethe first-fruits which his valor has produced; and although others maytell of a heart so magnanimous, here all objects speak to me of hiscrime. Ye who give strength to my feelings of resentment, veil, crape, robes, dismal ornaments, funeral garb in which his first victoryenshrouds me, do you sustain effectually my honor in opposition to mypassion, and when my love shall gain too much power, remind my spirit ofmy sad duty; attack, without fearing anything, a triumphant hand!

_Elvira. _ Calm this excitement; see--here comes the Infanta. 

Scene II. --The INFANTA, CHIMÈNE, LEONORA, and ELVIRA. 

_Infanta. _ I do not come here [vainly] to console thy sorrows; I comerather to mingle my sighs with thy tears. 

_Chimène. _ Far rather take part in the universal rejoicings, and tastethe happiness which heaven sends you, dear lady; no one but myself has aright to sigh. The danger from which Rodrigo has been able to rescueyou, and the public safety which his arms restore to you, to me aloneto-day still permit tears; he has saved the city, he has served hisKing, and his valiant arm is destructive only to myself. 

_Infanta. _ My Chimène, it is true that he has wrought wonders. 

_Chimène. _ Already this vexatious exclamation of joy [_lit. _ noise] hasreached [_lit. _ struck] my ears, and I hear him everywhere proclaimedaloud as brave a warrior as he is an unfortunate lover. 

_Infanta. _ What annoyance can the approving shouts of the people causethee? This youthful Mars whom they praise has hitherto been able toplease thee; he possessed thy heart; he lived under thy law; and topraise his valor is to honor thy choice. 

_Chimène. _ Every one [else] can praise it with some justice; but for mehis praise is a new punishment. They aggravate my grief by raising himso high. I see what I lose, when I see what he is worth. Ah! crueltortures to the mind of a lover! The more I understand his worth, themore my passion increases; yet my duty is always the stronger [passion], and, in spite of my love, endeavors to accomplish his destruction[_lit. _ to pursue his death]. 

_Infanta. _ Yesterday, this duty placed thee in high estimation; thestruggle which thou didst make appeared so magnanimous, so worthy of anoble heart, that everyone at the court admired thy resolution andpitied thy love. But wilt thou believe in the advice of a faithfulfriendship?

_Chimène. _ Not to obey you would render me disloyal. 

_Infanta. _ What was justifiable then is not so to-day. Rodrigo now isour sole support, the hope and the idol [_lit. _ love] of a people thatworships him! The prop of Castile and the terror of the Moor! The Kinghimself recognizes [_lit. _ is in agreement with] this truth, that thyfather in him alone sees himself recalled to life: and if, in fine, thouwishest that I should explain myself briefly [_lit. _ in two words], thou art seeking in his destruction the public ruin. What! to avenge afather, is it ever lawful to surrender one's country into the hands ofenemies? Against us is thy revenge lawful? And must we be punished whohad no share in the crime? After all, it is only that thou shouldestespouse the man whom a dead father compelled thee to accuse; I myselfwould wish to relieve thee of that desire [_lit. _ take the desire ofthat from thee]; take from him thy love, but leave us his life. 

_Chimène. _ Ah! it is not in me to have so much kindness; the duty whichexcites me has no limit. Although my love pleads [_lit. _ interestsitself] for this conqueror, although a nation worships him, and a Kingpraises him, although he be surrounded with the most valiant warriors, Ishall endeavor to crush his laurels beneath my [funereal] cypress. 

_Infanta. _ It is a noble feeling when, to avenge a father, our dutyassails a head so dear; but it is duty of a still nobler order when tiesof blood are sacrificed to the public [advantage]. No, believe me, it isenough to quench thy love; he will be too severely punished if he existsno more in thy affections. Let the welfare of thy country impose uponthee this law; and, besides, what dost thou think that the King willgrant thee?

_Chimène. _ He can refuse me, but I cannot keep silent. 

_Infanta. _ Reflect well, my [dear] Chimène, on what thou wishest to do. Adieu; [when] alone thou cans't think over this at thy leisure. [_Exitthe Infanta. _]

_Chimène. _ Since my father is slain [_lit. _ after my dead father], Ihave no [alternative] to choose. 

Scene III. --DON FERNANDO (the King), DON DIEGO, DON ARIAS, DONRODRIGO, and DON SANCHO. 

_Don Fernando. _ Worthy scion of a distinguished race, which has alwaysbeen the glory and the support of Castile! Thou descendant of so manyancestors signalized by valor, whom the first attempt of thine own[prowess] has so soon equalled; my ability to recompense thee is toolimited [_lit. _ small], and I have less power than thou hast merit. Thecountry delivered from such a fierce enemy, my sceptre firmly placed inmy hand by thine own [hand], and the Moors defeated before, amid theseterrors, I could give orders for repulsing their arms; these arebrilliant services which leave not to thy King the means or the hope ofdischarging his debt of gratitude [_lit. _ acquitting himself] towardsthee. But the two kings, thy captives, shall be thy reward. Both of themin my presence have named thee their Cid--since Cid, in their language, is equivalent to lord, I shall not envy thee this glorious title ofdistinction; be thou, henceforth, the Cid; to that great name leteverything yield; let it overwhelm with terror both Granada and Toledo, and let it indicate to all those who live under my laws both howvaluable thou art to me [_lit. _ that which thou art worth to me], andthat [deep obligation] which I owe thee. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Let your majesty, sire, spare my modesty. On such anhumble service your majesty [_lit. _ it, referring to majesty] sets toohigh a value, and compels me to blush [for shame] before so great aKing, at so little deserving the honor which I have received from him. Iknow too well [the gifts] that I owe to the welfare of your empire, boththe blood which flows in my veins [_lit. _ animates me] and the air whichI breathe, and even though I should lose them in such a glorious cause[_lit. _ for an object so worthy], I should only be doing the duty of asubject. 

_Don Fernando. _ All those whom that duty enlists in my service do notdischarge it with the same courage, and when [i. E. Unless] valorattains a high degree, it never produces such rare successes; allow usthen to praise thee, and tell me more at length the true history of thisvictory. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Sire, you are aware that in this urgent danger, whichcreated in the city such a powerful alarm, a band of friends assembledat the house of my father prevailed on my spirit, still much agitated. But, sire, pardon my rashness if I dared to employ it without yourauthority; the danger was approaching; their [valiant] band was ready;by showing myself at the court I should have risked my life [_lit. _head], and, if I must lose it, it would have been far more delightfulfor me to depart from life while fighting for you. 

_Don Fernando. _ I pardon thy warmth in avenging the insult offered tothee, and the kingdom shielded [from danger] pleads [_lit. _ speaks tome] in thy defence. Be assured that henceforth Chimène will speak invain, and I shall listen to her no more except to comfort her; butcontinue. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Under me, then, this band advances, and bears in itsaspect a manly confidence. At setting out we were five hundred, but, bya speedy reinforcement, we saw ourselves [augmented to] three thousandon arriving at the port; so surely, on beholding us advance with such a[determined] aspect, did the most dismayed recover their courage. Ofthat brave host [_lit. _ of it], as soon as we had arrived, I concealtwo-thirds in the holds of the ships which were found there; the rest, whose numbers were increasing every hour, burning with impatience, remain around me; they lie down on the ground, and, without making anynoise, they pass a considerable portion of so auspicious [_lit. _beautiful] a night. By my command the guard does the same, and keepingthemselves, concealed aid my stratagem, and I boldly pretended to havereceived from you the order which they see me follow out, and which Iissue to all. This dim light which falls from the stars, at last withthe tide causes us to see thirty vessels [_lit. _ sails]; the wave[i. E. The water] swells beneath them, and, with a mutual effort, theMoors and the sea advance even to the port. We let them pass; all seemsto them lulled in repose [_lit. _ tranquil]. No soldiers at the port, none on the walls of the city. Our deep silence deceiving their minds, they no longer dare to doubt that they had taken us by surprise. Theyland without fear, they cast anchor, they disembark and rush forward todeliver themselves into the hands which are awaiting them. Then wearise, and all at the same time utter towards heaven countless ringingcheers [of defiance]. At these shouts our men from our ships answer [tothe signal]; they appear armed, the Moors are dismayed, terror seizesthose who had scarcely disembarked, before fighting they considerthemselves lost--they hastened to plunder and they meet with war. Wepress them hard on the water, we press them hard on the land, and wecause rivulets of their blood to run before any [of them] can resist orregain his position. But soon, in spite of us, their princes rally them, their courage revives, and their fears are forgotten. The disgrace ofdying without having fought rallies their disordered ranks [_lit. _ stopstheir disorder], and restores to them their valor. With firmly plantedfeet they draw their scimitars against us, and cause a fearfulintermingling of our blood with theirs; and the land, and the wave, andthe fleet, and the port are fields of carnage where death istriumphant. Oh! how many noble deeds, how many brilliant achievements, were performed unnoticed [_lit. _ have remained without renown] in themidst of the gloom, in which each [warrior], sole witness of thebrilliant strokes which he gave, could not discern to which side fortuneinclined. I went in all directions to encourage our soldiers, to causesome to advance, and to support others, to marshal those who were comingup, to urge them forward in their turn, and I could not ascertain theresult [of the conflict] until the break of day. But at last the brightdawn shows us our advantage. The Moor sees his loss and loses couragesuddenly, and, seeing a reinforcement which had come to assist us, theardor for conquest yields to the dread of death. They gain their ships, they cut their cables, they utter even to heaven terrific cries, theymake their retreat in confusion and without reflecting whether theirkings can escape with them. Their fright is too strong to admit of thisduty. The incoming tide brought them here, the outgoing tide carriesthem away. Meanwhile their kings, combating amongst us, and a few oftheir [warriors] severely wounded by our blows, still fight valiantlyand sell their lives dearly. I myself in vain urge them to surrender;scimitar in hand, they listen not to my entreaties, but seeing all theirsoldiers falling at their feet, and that henceforward alone they defendthemselves in vain, they ask for the commander; I entitle myself assuch, and they surrender. I sent you them both at the same time, and thecombat ceased for want of combatants. It is in this manner that for yourservice----

Scene IV. --DON FERNANDO, DON DIEGO, DON RODRIGO, DON ARIAS, DON ALONZO, and DON SANCHO. 

_Don Alonzo. _ Sire, Chimène comes to demand justice from you. 

_Don Fernando. _ Vexatious news and unwelcome duty! Go [Rodrigo]; I donot wish her to see thee. Instead of thanks I must drive thee away; but, before departing, come, let thy King embrace thee!

[_Exit Don Rodrigo. _]

_Don Diego. _ Chimène pursues him, [yet] she wishes to save him. 

_Don Fernando. _ They say that she loves him, and I am going to prove it. Exhibit a more sorrowful countenance [_lit. _ eye]. 

Scene V. --DON FERNANDO, DON DIEGO, DON ARIAS, DON SANCHO, DON ALONZO, CHIMÈNE, and ELVIRA. 

_Don Fernando. _ At last, be content, Chimène, success responds to yourwishes. Although Rodrigo has gained the advantage over our enemies, hehas died before our eyes of the wounds he has received; return thanks tothat heaven which has avenged you. (_To Don Diego. _) See, how alreadyher color is changed!

_Don Diego. _ But see! she swoons, and in this swoon, sire, observe theeffect of an overpowering [_lit. _ perfect] love. Her grief has betrayedthe secrets of her soul, and no longer permits you to doubt her passion. 

_Chimène. _ What, then! Is Rodrigo dead?

_Don Fernando. _ No, no, he still lives [_lit. _ he sees the day]; and hestill preserves for you an unalterable affection; calm this sorrow whichtakes such an interest in his favor. 

_Chimène. _ Sire, we swoon from joy, as well as from grief; an excess ofpleasure renders us completely exhausted, and when it takes the mind bysurprise, it overpowers the senses. 

_Don Fernando. _ Dost thou wish that in thy favor we should believe inimpossibilities? Chimène, thy grief appeared too clearly visible. 

_Chimène. _ Well, sire! add this crown to my misfortune--call my swoonthe effect of my grief; a justifiable dissatisfaction reduced me to thatextremity; his death would have saved his head from my pursuit. If hehad died of wounds received for the benefit of his country, my revengewould have been lost, and my designs betrayed; such a brilliant end [ofhis existence] would have been too injurious to me. I demand his death, but not a glorious one, not with a glory which raises him so high, noton an honorable death-bed, but upon a scaffold. Let him die for myfather and not for his country; let his name be attainted and his memoryblighted. To die for one's country is not a sorrowful doom; it is toimmortalize one's self by a glorious death! I love then his victory, andI can do so without criminality; it [the victory] secures the kingdomand yields to me my victim. But ennobled, but illustrious amongst allwarriors, the chief crowned with laurels instead of flowers--and to sayin a word what I think--worthy of being sacrificed to the shade of myfather. Alas! by what [vain] hope do I allow myself to be carried away?Rodrigo has nothing to dread from me; what can tears which are despisedavail against him? For him your whole empire is a sanctuary [_lit. _ aplace of freedom]; there, under your power, everything is lawful forhim; he triumphs over me as [well as] over his enemies; justice stifledin their blood that has been shed, serves as a new trophy for the crimeof the conqueror. We increase its pomp, and contempt of the law causesus to follow his [triumphal] chariot between two kings. 

_Don Fernando. _ My daughter, these transports are too violent [_lit. _have too much violence]. When justice is rendered, all is put in thescale. Thy father has been slain, he was the aggressor; and justiceitself commands me [to have] mercy. Before accusing that [degree ofclemency] which I show, consult well thine heart; Rodrigo is master ofit; and thy love in secret returns thanks to thy King, whose favorpreserves such a lover for thee. 

_Chimène. _ For me! my enemy! the object of my wrath! the author of mymisfortunes? the slayer of my father! To my just pursuit [of vengeance]they pay so little attention, that they believe that they are conferringa favor on me by not listening to it. Since you refuse justice to mytears, sire, permit me to have recourse to arms; it is by that alonethat he has been able to injure me, and it is by that (means) also thatI ought to avenge myself. From all your knights I demand his head; yes, let one of them bring it to me, and I will be his prize; let them fighthim, sire, and, the combat being finished, I [will] espouse theconqueror, if Rodrigo is slain [_lit. _ punished]. Under your authority, permit this to be made public. 

_Don Fernando. _ This ancient custom established in these places, underthe guise of punishing an unjust affront, weakens a kingdom [bydepriving it] of its best warriors; the deplorable success of this abuse[of power] often crushes the innocent and shields the guilty. From this[ordeal] I release Rodrigo; he is too precious to me to expose him tothe [death] blows of capricious fate; and whatever (offence) a heart somagnanimous could commit, the Moors, in retreating, have carried awayhis crime. 

_Chimène. _ What, sire, for him alone you reverse the laws, which all thecourt has so often seen observed! What will your people think, and whatwill envy say, if he screens his life beneath your shield and he makesit a pretext not to appear [on a scene] where all men of honor seek anoble death? Such favors would too deeply tarnish his glory; let himenjoy [_lit. _ taste] without shame [_lit. _ blushing] the fruits of hisvictory. The count had audacity, he was able to punish him for it; he[i. E. Rodrigo] acted like a man of courage, and ought to maintain it[that character]. 

_Don Fernando. _ Since you wish it, I grant that he shall do so; but athousand others would take the place of a vanquished warrior, and thereward which Chimène has promised to the conqueror would render all mycavaliers his enemies; to oppose him alone to all would be too great aninjustice; it is enough, he shall enter the lists once only. Choose who[what champion] you will, Chimène, and choose well; but after thiscombat ask nothing more. 

_Don Diego. _ Release not by that those whom his valor [_lit. _ arm]terrifies; leave an open field which none will [dare to] enter. Afterwhat Rodrigo has shown us to-day, what courage sufficiently presumptuouswould dare to contend with him? Who would risk his life against such anopponent? Who will be this valiant, or rather this rash individual?

_Don Sancho. _ Open the lists, you see this assailant; I am this rash orrather this valiant [champion]. Grant this favor to the zeal which urgesme on; dear lady, you know what your promise is. 

_Don Fernando. _ Chimène, do you confide your quarrel to his hand?

_Chimène. _ Sire, I have promised it. 

_Don Fernando. _ Be ready to-morrow. 

_Don Diego. _ No, sire, there is no need to defer the contest; a man isalways ready when he possesses courage. 

_Don Fernando. _ [What!] To come forth from one battle and to (instantly)enter the lists [_lit. _ to fight]?

_Don Diego. _ Rodrigo has regained breath in relating to you this [i. E. The history of that battle]. 

_Don Fernando. _ I desire that he should rest at least an hour or two;but, for fear that such a combat may be considered as a precedent, totestify to all that I permit, with regret, a sanguinary ordeal which hasnever pleased me, it shall not have the presence either of myself or ofmy court. [_To Don Arias. _] You alone shall judge of the valor of thecombatants. Take care that both act like men of honor [_lit. _ courage], and, the combat ended, bring the victor to me. Whoever he may be, thesame reward is gained by his exertions; I desire with my own hand topresent him to Chimène, and that, as a recompense, he may receive herplighted faith. 

_Chimène. _ What, sire! [would you] impose on me so stern a law?

_Don Fernando. _ Thou complainest of it; but thy love, far fromacknowledging thy complaint, if Rodrigo be the conqueror, withoutrestraint accepts [the conditions]. Cease to murmur against such agentle decree; whichever of the two be the victor, I shall make him thyspouse. 

ACT THE FIFTH. 

Scene I. --DON RODRIGO and CHIMÈNE. 

_Chimène. _ What! Rodrigo! In broad daylight! Whence comes this audacity?Go, thou art ruining my honor; retire, I beseech thee. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ I go to die, dear lady, and I come to bid you in thisplace, before the mortal blow, a last adieu. This unchangeable love, which binds me beneath your laws, dares not to accept my death withoutpaying to you homage for it. 

_Chimène. _ Thou art going to death!

_Don Rodrigo. _ I speed to those happy moments which will deliver my lifefrom your (feelings of) resentment. 

_Chimène. _ Thou art going to death! Is Don Sancho, then, so formidable, that he can inspire terror in this invincible heart? What has renderedthee so weak? or what renders him so strong? Does Rodrigo go to fight, and believe himself already slain [_lit. _ dead]? He who has not fearedthe Moors nor my father, goes to fight Don Sancho, and already despairs?Thus, then, thy courage lowers itself in the [hour of] need. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ I speed [_lit. _ I run] to my punishment, and not to thecombat; and, since you seek my death, my faithful ardor will readilydeprive me of the desire of defending my life. I have always the samecourage, but I have not the [strong] arm, when it is needed, to preservethat which does not please you; and already this night would have beenfatal to me, if I had fought for my own private wrong; but, defending myking, his people, and my country, by carelessly defending myself, Ishould have betrayed _them_. My high-born spirit does not hate life somuch as to wish to depart from it by perfidy, now that it regards myinterests only. You demand my death--I accept its decree. Yourresentment chose the hand of another; I was unworthy [_lit. _ I did notdeserve] to die by yours. They shall not see me repel its blows; I owemore respect to him [the champion] who fights for you; and delighted tothink that it is from you these [blows] proceed--since it is your honorthat his arms sustain--I shall present to him my unprotected [_or_, defenceless] breast, worshipping through his hand thine that destroysme. 

_Chimène. _ If the just vehemence of a sad [sense of] duty, which causesme, in spite of myself, to follow after thy valiant life, prescribes tothy love a law so severe, that it surrenders thee without defence to himwho combats for me, in this infatuation [_lit. _ blindness], lose not therecollection, that, with thy life, thine honor is tarnished, and that, in whatever renown Rodrigo may have lived, when men shall know him to bedead, they will believe him conquered. Thine honor is dearer to theethan I am dear, since it steeps thine hands in the blood of my father, and causes thee to renounce, in spite of thy love, the sweet hope ofgaining me. I see thee, however, pay such little regard to it [honor], that, without fighting, thou wishest to be overcome. What inconsistency[_lit. _ unequality] mars thy valor! Why hast thou it [that valor] nomore? or why didst thou possess it [formerly]? What! art thou valiantonly to do me an injury? Unless it be to offend [_or_, injure] me, hastthou no courage at all? And dost thou treat my father with such rigor[i. E. So far disparage the memory of my father], that, after havingconquered him, thou wilt endure a conqueror? Go! without wishing to die, leave me to pursue thee, and defend thine honor, if thou wilt no longerlive. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ After the death of the count and the defeat of theMoors, will my renown still require other achievements? That [glory] mayscorn the care of defending myself; it is known that my courage dares toattempt all, that my valor can accomplish all, and that, here below[_lit. _ under the heavens], in comparison with mine honor, nothing isprecious to me. No! no! in this combat, whatever thou may'st please tothink, Rodrigo may die without risking his renown: without men daring toaccuse him of having wanted spirit: without being considered asconquered, without enduring a conqueror. They will say only: "He adoredChimène; he would not live and merit her hatred; he yielded himself tothe severity of his fate, which compelled his mistress to seek hisdeath; she wished for his life [_lit. _ head], and his magnanimous heart, had that been refused to her, would have considered it a crime. Toavenge his honor, he lost his love; to avenge his mistress, he forsooklife, preferring (whatever hope may have enslaved his soul) his honor toChimène, and Chimène to his existence. " Thus, then, you will see that mydeath in this conflict, far from obscuring my glory, will increase itsvalue; and this honor will follow my voluntary death, that no other thanmyself could have satisfied you [for the death of your father]. 

_Chimène. _ Since, to prevent thee from rushing to destruction, thy lifeand thine honor are [but] feeble inducements, if ever I loved thee, dearRodrigo, in return [for that love], defend thyself now, to rescue mefrom Don Sancho. Fight, to release me from a compact which delivers meto the object of my aversion. Shall I say more to thee? Go, think of thydefence, to overcome my sense of duty, to impose on me silence; and ifthou feelest thine heart still enamored for me, come forth, as aconqueror, from a combat of which Chimène is the reward. Adieu; thisthoughtlessly uttered [_lit. _ let slip] word causes me to blush forshame!

[_Exit Chimène. _]

_Don Rodrigo. _ Where is the foe I could not now subdue? Come forth, [warriors] of Navarre, Morocco, and Castile! and all the heroes thatSpain has produced; unite together and form an army, to contend againstone hand thus nerved [to action]. Unite all your efforts against a hopeso sweet--you have too little power to succeed in destroying it!

Scene II. --THE INFANTA. 

Shall I listen to thee still, pride of my birth, that makest a crime outof my passions? Shall I listen to thee, love, whose delicious powercauses my desires to rebel against this proud tyrant? Poor princess! towhich of the two oughtest thou to yield obedience? Rodrigo, thy valorrenders thee worthy of me; but although thou art valiant, thou art notthe son of a king. 

Pitiless fate, whose severity separates my glory and my desires! Is itdecreed [_lit. _ said], that the choice of [a warrior of] such rare meritshould cost my passion such great anguish? O heaven! for how manysorrows [_lit. _ sighs] must my heart prepare itself, if, after such along, painful struggle, it never succeeds in either extinguishing thelove, or accepting the lover!

But there are too many scruples, and my reason is alarmed at thecontempt of a choice so worthy; although to monarchs only my [proud]birth may assign me, Rodrigo, with honor I shall live under thy laws. After having conquered two kings, couldst thou fail in obtaining acrown? And this great name of Cid, which thou hast just now won--does itnot show too clearly over whom thou art destined to reign?

He is worthy of me, but he belongs to Chimène; the present which I madeof him [to her], injures me. Between them, the death of a father hasinterposed so little hatred, that the duty of blood with regret pursueshim. Thus let us hope for no advantage, either from his transgression orfrom my grief, since, to punish me, destiny has allowed that love shouldcontinue even between two enemies. 

Scene III. --THE INFANTA and LEONORA. 

_Infanta. _ Whence [i. E. For what purpose] comest thou, Leonora?

_Leonora. _ To congratulate you, dear lady, on the tranquillity which atlast your soul has recovered. 

_Infanta. _ From what quarter can tranquillity come [_lit. _ whence shouldthis tranquillity come], in an accumulation of sorrow?

_Leonora. _ If love lives on hope, and if it dies with it, Rodrigo can nomore charm your heart; you know of the combat in which Chimène involveshim; since he must die in it, or become her husband, your hope is deadand your spirit is healed. 

_Infanta. _ Ah! how far from it!

_Leonora. _ What more can you expect?

_Infanta. _ Nay, rather, what hope canst thou forbid me [to entertain]?If Rodrigo fights under these conditions, to counteract the effect of it[that conflict], I have too many resources. Love, this sweet author ofmy cruel punishments, puts into [_lit. _ teaches] the minds of lovers toomany stratagems. 

_Leonora. _ Can _you_ [accomplish] anything, since a dead father has notbeen able to kindle discord in their minds? For Chimène clearly shows byher behavior that hatred to-day does not cause her pursuit. She obtainsthe [privilege of a] combat, and for her champion, she accepts on themoment the first that offers. She has not recourse to those renownedknights [_lit. _ noble hands] whom so many famous exploits render soglorious; Don Sancho suffices her, and merits her choice, because he isgoing to arm himself for the first time; she loves in this duel his wantof experience; as he is without renown, [so] is she withoutapprehension; and her readiness [to accept him], ought to make youclearly see that she seeks for a combat which her duty demands, butwhich yields her Rodrigo an easy victory, and authorizes her at lengthto seem appeased. 

_Infanta. _ I observe it clearly; and nevertheless my heart, in rivalrywith Chimène, adores this conqueror. On what shall I resolve, hopelesslover that I am?

_Leonora. _ To remember better from whom you are sprung. Heaven owes youa king; you love a subject!

_Infanta. _ The object of my attachment has completely changed: I nolonger love Rodrigo as a mere nobleman. No; it is not thus that my loveentitles him. If I love him, it is [as] the author of so many brilliantdeeds; it is [as] the valiant Cid, the master of two kings. I shallconquer myself, however; not from dread of any censure, but in orderthat I may not disturb so glorious a love; and even though, to favor me, they should crown him, I will not accept again [_lit. _ take back] a giftwhich I have given. Since in such a combat his triumph is certain, letus go once more to give him [_or_, that gift] to Chimène. And thou, whoseest the love-arrows with which my heart is pierced; come see me finishas I have begun. 

Scene IV. --CHIMÈNE and ELVIRA. 

_Chimène. _ Elvira, how greatly I suffer; and how much I am to be pitied!I know not what to hope, and I see everything to be dreaded. No wishescapes me to which I dare consent. I desire nothing without quicklyrepenting of it [_lit. _ a quick repentance]. I have caused two rivals totake up arms for me: the most happy result will cause me tears; andthough fate may decree in my favor, my father is without revenge, or mylover is dead. 

_Elvira. _ On the one side and the other I see you consoled; either youhave Rodrigo, or you are avenged. And however fate may ordain for you, it maintains your honor and gives you a spouse. 

_Chimène. _ What! the object of my hatred or of such resentment!--theslayer of Rodrigo, or that of my father! In either case [_lit. _ on allsides] they give me a husband, still [all] stained with the blood that Icherished most; in either case my soul revolts, and I fear more thandeath the ending of my quarrel. Away! vengeance, love--which agitate myfeelings. Ye have no gratifications for me at such a price; and Thou, Powerful Controller of the destiny which afflicts me, terminate thiscombat without any advantage, without rendering either of the twoconquered or conqueror. 

_Elvira. _ This would be treating you with too much severity. This combatis a new punishment for your feelings, if it leaves you [still]compelled to demand justice, to exhibit always this proud resentment, and continually to seek after the death of your lover. Dear lady, it isfar better that his unequalled valor, crowning his brow, should imposesilence upon you; that the conditions of the combat should extinguishyour sighs; and that the King should compel you to follow yourinclinations. 

_Chimène. _ If he be conqueror, dost thou believe that I shallsurrender? My strong [sense of] duty is too strong and my loss toogreat; and this [law of] combat and the will of the King are not strongenough to dictate conditions to them [i. E. To my duty and sorrow formy loss]. He may conquer Don Sancho with very little difficulty, but heshall not with him [conquer] the sense of duty of Chimène; and whatever[reward] a monarch may have promised to his victory, my self-respectwill raise against him a thousand other enemies. 

_Elvira. _ Beware lest, to punish this strange pride, heaven may at lastpermit you to revenge yourself. What!--you will still reject thehappiness of being able now to be reconciled [_lit. _ to be silent] withhonor? What means this duty, and what does it hope for? Will the deathof your lover restore to you a father? Is one [fatal] stroke ofmisfortune insufficient for you? Is there need of loss upon loss, andsorrow upon sorrow? Come, in the caprice in which your humor persists, you do not deserve the lover that is destined for you, and we may[_lit. _ shall] see the just wrath of heaven, by his death, leaving youDon Sancho as a spouse. 

_Chimène. _ Elvira, the griefs which I endure are sufficient: do notredouble them by this fatal augury. I wish, if I can, to avoid both; butif not, in this conflict Rodrigo has all my prayers; not because a weak[_lit. _ foolish] affection inclines me to his side, but because, if hewere conquered, I should become [the bride] of Don Sancho. This fearcreates [_lit. _ causes to be born] my desire----

 [_Enter Don Sancho. _]

What do I see, unhappy [woman that I am]! Elvira, all is lost!

Scene V. --DON SANCHO, CHIMÈNE, and ELVIRA. 

_Don Sancho. _ Compelled to bring this sword to thy feet----

_Chimène. _ What! still [all] reeking with the blood of Rodrigo! Traitor, dost thou dare to show thyself before mine eyes, after having taken fromme that [being] whom I love the best? Declare thyself my love, and thouhast no more to fear. My father is satisfied; cease to restrain thyself. The same [death] stroke has placed my honor in safety, my soul indespair, and my passion at liberty!

_Don Sancho. _ With a mind more calmly collected----

_Chimène. _ Dost thou still speak to me, detestable assassin of a herowhom I adore? Go; you fell upon him treacherously. A warrior so valiantwould never have sunk beneath such an assailant! Hope nothing from me. Thou hast not served me; and believing that thou wert avenging me, thouhast deprived me of life. 

_Don Sancho. _ Strange delusion, which, far from listening to me----

_Chimène. _ Wilt thou that I should listen to thee while boasting of hisdeath?--that I should patiently hear with what haughty pride thou wiltdescribe his misfortune, my own crime, and thy prowess?

Scene VI. --DON FERNANDO, DON DIEGO, DON ARIAS, DON SANCHO, DON ALONZO, CHIMÈNE, and ELVIRA. 

_Chimène. _ Sire, there is no further need to dissemble that which all mystruggles have not been able to conceal from you. I loved, you knew it;but, to avenge my father, I even wished to sacrifice so dear a being [asRodrigo]. Sire, your majesty may have seen how I have made love yield toduty. At last, Rodrigo is dead; and his death has converted me from anunrelenting foe into an afflicted lover. I owed this revenge to him whogave me existence; and to my love I now owe these tears. Don Sancho hasdestroyed me in undertaking my defence; and I am the reward of the armwhich destroys me. Sire, if compassion can influence a king, for mercy'ssake revoke a law so severe. As the reward of a victory by which I losethat which I love, I leave him my possessions; let him leave me tomyself, that in a sacred cloister I may weep continually, even to mylast sigh, for my father and my lover. 

_Don Diego. _ In brief, she loves, sire, and no longer believes it acrime to acknowledge with her own lips a lawful affection. 

_Don Fernando. _ Chimène, be undeceived [_lit. _ come out from thineerror]; thy lover is not dead, and the vanquished Don Sancho has giventhee a false report. 

_Don Sancho. _ Sire, a little too much eagerness, in spite of me, hasmisled her; I came from the combat to tell her the result. This noblewarrior of whom her heart is enamored, when he had disarmed me, spoke tome thus: "Fear nothing--I would rather leave the victory uncertain, thanshed blood risked in defence of Chimène; but, since my duty calls me tothe King, go, tell her of our combat [on my behalf]; on the part of theconqueror, carry her thy sword. " Sire, I came; this weapon deceived her;seeing me return, she believed me to be conqueror, and her resentmentsuddenly betrayed her love, with such excitement and so much impatience, that I could not obtain a moment's hearing. As for me, althoughconquered, I consider myself fortunate; and in spite of the interests ofmy enamored heart, [though] losing infinitely, I still love my defeat, which causes the triumph of a love so perfect. 

_Don Fernando. _ My daughter, there is no need to blush for a passion soglorious, nor to seek means of making a disavowal of it; a laudable[sense of] shame in vain solicits thee; thy honor is redeemed, and thyduty performed; thy father is satisfied, and it was to avenge him thatthou didst so often place thy Rodrigo in danger. Thou seest how heavenotherwise ordains. Having done so much for him [i. E. Thy father], dosomething for thyself; and be not rebellious against my command, whichgives thee a spouse beloved so dearly. 

Scene VII. --DON FERNANDO, DON DIEGO, DON ARIAS, DON RODRIGO, DONALONZO, DON SANCHO, THE INFANTA, CHIMÈNE, LEONORA, and ELVIRA. 

_Infanta. _ Dry thy tears, Chimène, and receive without sadness thisnoble conqueror from the hands of thy princess. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ Be not offended, sire, if in your presence an impassionedhomage causes me to kneel before her [_lit. _ casts me before her knees]. I come not here to ask for [the reward of] my victory; I come once more[_or_, anew] to offer you my head, dear lady. My love shall not employin my own favor either the law of the combat or the will of the King. Ifall that has been done is too little for a father, say by what means youmust be satisfied. Must I still contend against a thousand and athousand rivals, and to the two ends of the earth extend my labors, myself alone storm a camp, put to flight an army, surpass the renown offabulous heroes? If my deep offence can be by that means washed away, Idare undertake all, and can accomplish all. But if this proud honor, always inexorable, cannot be appeased without the death of the guilty[offender], arm no more against me the power of mortals; mine head is atthy feet, avenge thyself by thine own hands; thine hands alone have theright to vanquish the invincible. Take thou a vengeance to all othersimpossible. But at least let my death suffice to punish me; banish menot from thy remembrance, and, since my doom preserves your honor, torecompense yourself for this, preserve my memory, and say sometimes, when deploring my fate: "Had he not loved me, he would not have died. "

_Chimène. _ Rise, Rodrigo. I must confess it, sire, I have said too muchto be able to unsay it. Rodrigo has noble qualities which I cannot hate;and, when a king commands, he ought to be obeyed. But to whatever [fate]you may have already doomed me, can you, before your eyes, tolerate thisunion? And when you desire this effort from my feeling of duty, is itentirely in accord with your sense of justice? If Rodrigo becomes soindispensable to the state, of that which he has done for you ought I tobe the reward, and surrender myself to the everlasting reproach ofhaving imbrued my hands in the blood of a father?

_Don Fernando. _ Time has often rendered lawful that which at firstseemed impossible, without being a crime. Rodrigo has won thee, and thouart justly his. But, although his valor has by conquest obtained theeto-day, it would need that I should become the enemy of thyself-respect, to give him so soon the reward of his victory. This bridaldeferred does not break a law, which, without specifying the time, devotes thy faith to him. Take a year, if thou wilt, to dry thy tears;Rodrigo, in the mean time, must take up arms. After having vanquishedthe Moors on our borders, overthrown their plans, and repulsed theirattacks, go, carry the war even into their country, command my army, and ravage their territory. At the mere name of Cid they will tremblewith dismay. They have named thee lord! they will desire thee as theirking! But, amidst thy brilliant [_lit. _ high] achievements, be thou toher always faithful; return, if it be possible, still more worthy ofher, and by thy great exploits acquire such renown, that it may beglorious for her to espouse thee then. 

_Don Rodrigo. _ To gain Chimène, and for your service, what command canbe issued to me that mine arm cannot accomplish? Yet, though absent fromher [dear] eyes, I must suffer grief, sire, I have too much happiness inbeing able--to hope!

_Don Fernando. _ Hope in thy manly resolution; hope in my promise, andalready possessing the heart of thy mistress, let time, thy valor, andthy king exert themselves [_lit. _ do, or act], to overcome a scrupulousfeeling of honor which is contending against thee. 

THE END.