Don Rodrigo. His existence was my shame; my honor required this deed from my [reluctant] hand.

Elvira. But to seek thy asylum in the house of the dead!  Has ever a murderer made such his refuge?

Don Rodrigo. And I come here only to yield myself to my judge.  Look no more on me with astonishment [lit. an eye amazed]; I seek death after having inflicted it.  My love is my judge; my judge is my Chimene.  I deserve death for deserving her hatred, and I am come to receive, as a supreme blessing, its decree from her lips, and its stroke from her hand.

Elvira. Fly rather from her sight, fly from her impetuosity; conceal your presence from her first excitement.  Go! do not expose yourself to the first impulses which the fiery indignation of her resentment may give 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 a hundred deaths which are going to crush me if, by dying sooner, I can redouble it [i.e. that wrath].

Elvira. Chimene is at the palace, bathed in tears, and will return but too well accompanied.  Rodrigo, fly! for mercy’s sake relieve me from my uneasiness!  What might not people say if they saw you here?  Do you wish that some slanderer, to crown her misery, should accuse her of tolerating here the slayer of her father?  She will return; she is coming—­I see her; at least, for the sake of her honor, Rodrigo, conceal thyself! [Rodrigo conceals himself.]

Scene II.—­DON SANCHO, CHIMENE, and ELVIRA.

Don Sancho. Yes, lady, you require a victim [or revenge] steeped in blood [lit. for you there is need of bleeding victims]; your wrath is just and your tears legitimate, and I do not attempt, by dint of speaking, either to soothe you or to console you.  But, if I may be capable 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.

Chimene. Unhappy that I am!

Don Sancho. I implore you, accept my services.

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

Don Sancho. You know that justice [lit. it] proceeds with such slowness, that very often crime escapes in consequence of its delay, its slow and doubtful course causes us to lose too many tears.  Permit that a cavalier may avenge you by [force of] arms; that method is more certain and more prompt in punishing.

Chimene. It is the last remedy; and if it is necessary to have recourse to it, and your pity for my misfortunes still continues, you shall 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.