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 the close of their career, an unhappy destiny!  I, whose long labors have gained such great renown—­I, whom hitherto everywhere victory has followed—­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 never could [effect], nor all your enemies, nor all my jealous [rivals], the Count has done in your palace, almost before your eyes, [being] jealous of your choice, and proud of the advantage which the impotence of age gave 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, worthy of his country, and worthy of his king!  He has lent me his hand—­he has slain 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 blow deserves chastisement, upon me alone should fall the fury of the storm.  When the arm has failed, the head is punished for it.  Whether men call this a crime or not requires no discussion.  Sire, I am the head, he is the arm only.  If Chimene complains that he has slain her father, he never would have done that [deed] if I could have done it [myself].  Sacrifice, then, this head, which years will soon remove, and preserve for yourself the arm which can serve you.  At the cost of my blood satisfy Chimene.  I do not resist—­I consent to my penalty, and, far from murmuring at a rigorous decree, dying without dishonor, I shall die without regret.

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

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

Don Fernando. Take rest, my daughter, and calm thy sorrows.

Chimene. 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 Chimene], to follow out the sad course of my miserable destiny.

Elvira. Whence obtainest thou this audacity, and this new pride, of appearing in places which thou hast filled with mourning?  What! dost thou come even here to defy the shade of the Count?  Hast thou not slain him?