Don Fernando. You fail [lit. you are losing] in respect; but I pardon youth, and I excuse enthusiasm in a young, courageous heart.  A king, 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 which serve it.  Thus your reasoning is not reasoning for me.  You speak as a soldier—­I must act as a king; and whatever others may wish to say, or he may presume to think, the Count will not part with [lit. cannot lose] his glory by obeying me.  Besides, the insult affects myself:  he has dishonored him whom I have made the instructor of my son.  To impugn my choice is to challenge me, and to make an attempt upon the supreme power.  Let us speak of it no more.  And now, ten vessels of our old enemies have been seen to hoist their flags; near the mouth of the river they 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 this country, so beautiful, which they too long enjoyed, is always regarded by them with an envious eye.  This is the sole reason which has caused us, for the last ten years, to place the Castilian throne in Seville, in order 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; you have nothing to fear.

Don Fernando. And nothing to neglect—­too much confidence brings on danger; and you are not ignorant that, with very little difficulty, the rising tide brings them hither.  However, I should be wrong to cause a panic in the hearts [of the citizens], the news being uncertain.  The dismay which this useless alarm might produce in the night, which is approaching, might agitate the town too much.  Cause the guards to be doubled on the walls and at the fort; for this evening that is sufficient.

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

Don Alonzo. Sire, the Count is dead.  Don Diego, by his son, has avenged 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. Chimene approaches to lay her grief at your feet [lit. brings to your knees her grief]; she comes all in tears to sue for justice from you.

Don Fernando. Much though my soul compassionates her sorrows, what the Count has done seems to have deserved this just punishment of his rashness.  Yet, however just his penalty may be, I cannot lose such a warrior without regret.  After long service rendered to my state, after his blood has been shed for me a thousand times, to whatever thoughts his [stubborn] pride compels me, his loss enfeebles me, and his death afflicts me.