KING

IS he so vain, has he so little reason, That he dares think his crime yet pardonable? Just heaven! can a subject be so rash To have so little care to please his Master? Has strucken Done Diego, scorned his King, In my own Court he means to give me laws: Be he never so good a soldier or commander, I'll make him know what it's to disobey. I would have treated him with all fair means, But since he has abused my patience, Go some of you and look him out, and whither He do resist, or not, make sure of him. Done Sancho, hold your peace, and let me tell you, He that shall take his partly is alike faulty. What can you say? You are too bold Sir, but your age I pardon, Thinking it to proceed from heat of youth. A prudent King knows better how to husband His Subject's blood, then so to venture they. For mine, I mean my care shall still conserve they. As the head cares for the members which do serve it. You speak Sir, as a soldier, but I must Do as a King, and whatsoever the Count Does say or think, I'm sure he cannot loose Ought of his honour in obeying me: the affront he did to him whom I have made Governor to my son, does touch me nearly, And this his insolence hath quarreled me, And the choice I made: So if he do submit, I am the man he satisfies. But no more, Done Arias, by and advice of late received, I hear the Moors mean shortly to surprise us. Their vessels are discovered At the Rivers mouth, and you know how easily At a full Sea they may come up. They cannot but with Jealouzy look on, Seeing me rule in Andalouzia, And this fair Country, which I took from them, Keeps their designs awake. It is the reason, Why here in Seville I have placed my Throne, That being neere'um I may be more ready To meet with their attempts. Nor to neglect: Too much assurance still draws danger with it: The enemy which we now think to destroy, If he can take his time, may annoy us. But yet since I'm not certain of my news, I would not stir up in my Subject's hearts Vain panic terrors, or this present night Affright the City with a false alarm: Let the haven be well guarded, and the walls, And for this night it shall suffice. I divined what would follow, when I first Herd of the affront, and would have then prevented it. Although my soul suffer with his misfortunes, the affront he did, deserved the punishment, Which though it were most just, yet can't I loose Without regret, a servant of his merit. Rise both of you, and speak without disturbance, I bear a partly, Cimena, in thy sufferings. Trouble her not, when she has done, I'll hear you. Daughter, take comfort, and be confident Thou hast a King will be a Father to thee. Worser. Diego answer. the affair is of importance, And merits to be herd in a full counsel. Done Sancho, wait upon Cimena home, Done Diego's word shall be his surety. Let his son be looked out. I'll do you justice. Daughter, take truce a little with your griefs. THou brave descendent of a noble raze, Who have been still supporters of my kingdom, (Who's valour the first proof of thine has equaled) My power is too narrow for thy merit. To free thy Country of so rude a foe As are the Moors, before my self could give Order for their repulse, is such and act As flies beyond all thought of recompense. But the two captived Kings which thou hast taken, Shall give thee thy reward, they both have named thee Their CID before me; which in their tongue sounds As much as Lord in ours, and this fair title I will not envy thee; from henceforth be Their CID, that at thy name the Moors may tremble. And that my Subject's hearing it may know Thy valve, and how much to thee I owe. Few of those whom their duty binds to serve me, Can so acquit themselves, as thou hast done, Suffer then thy just praises, and at full Relate the story of thy Victory. I must excuse the heat of thy revenge, The State defended speaks in thy defence, Henceforth Cimena moves me but in vain, Whom if I hear it's but to give her comfort; But on with your relation. What shall I do? I would not have her see thee, In stead of thanks I must dismiss thee from me, But ere thou leavest the Court, return again Unto thy Kings embraces. I'm told she is in love with him. I'll try, Make show as you were sad. At length Cimena, Content your self, for your desires have met With their success. Though Roderigo's valour Ha'got the better of the Moors. Himself Has perished with the wounds he there received, Give thanks to heaven that has given you vengeance; Her colour's changed already. No, no, he lives, And still remains thy true, and constant lover, Thou shalt enjoy him, take thy mirth again. Thou wouldst feign That to do thee a courtesy we should Believe impossibles; but here thy sadness Has showed it self too plain. Sweet heart you are too much hurried with your passion. We, when we render Justice use to cast Each thing in balance, Roderigo killed Thy Father, but he gave the first offence. Equity binds me then, to show some sweetness To the first injured. But before thou accuse him, Ask counsel of thy heart. Of which he's master. I'm sure thy love, secretly thanks thy King, Whose favour keeps so brave a Lover for thee. This Countries custom, More ancient than good, under the colour Of punishing unjust attempts, has robbed The state of its best Soldiers, and often The success does not answer the intent, The guilty escape, and kill the innocent; I must dispense with Roderigo's blood, It is more precious to me, than so flightly To be exposed to hazard, though his spirit Forced him to do and outrage, yet in freeing His Country from the Moors, h'has freed himself. Since you will have it so, let it be done, But if Roderigo be exposed to all That will come in to fight for such a prize He must be sure to want no enemies. I will have only one t'incounter him. Choose whom you will, Cimena, and choose wisely, But after this, urge me to nothing farther. What say you, Cimena, shall he be the Man? Be ready than to morrow. Shall he no sooner be returned from one, But he must enter on another fight? How ere, and hour or two let him repose, But lest I should be thought to countenance Proceedings of this bloody nature, neither My self nor any of my Court shall see it performed, Do you look to it, and take care that both Present themselves, as befits men of arms, The Combat done, bring me the Conqueror, I mean my self to give him to Cimena. Thy love dares not avow this thy complaint, If Roderigo conquer, thou must have him, Never dispute my sentence or repine, Who ere is Victor, I will make him thine. Sweet heart mistake not, Roderigo lives Done Sancho has made thee a false report. You must not be ashamed of such a love Cimena, or seek means to disavow it, Your honour's disengaged, your duty quit, Your Father satisfied; what would you more? Must you still put Roderigo in new danger, You see hea ven otherwise disposes of him. And since that it has done so much for him, Do you too something for your self, and take Him for your husband that I offer you, And whom I know you love. Time often makes that lawful, which at present Seems not to be so. Roderigo, has wone thee, And his thou must be. But though his valour Have made you his, yet I should do you wrong So soon to give him the reward he fought for. Take if you will a year, to end your mourning. In the mean time Roderigo shall take arms, And having under his command my Army, Shall carry back the War unto the Moors Which they brought hither, that they all may tremble At this brave name of CID, which they have given thee They've called thee Lord already, and they would Make thee their King. But let not (Roderigo) Thy great exploits, take off thy loyalty; Return, if possible, more worthy of her, And let thy deeds set such a price upon thee, That she may court thy Marriage as and honour. Rely upon thy valour and my promise, And now thou hast thy Mistress heart already, This point of honour (which is the last thing) Let time over come, thy valour, and thy King.