Chimene. Let me recover then also my enfeebled resentment; caring for him, 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 duty impotent.  Down [lit. silence], O [treacherous] love! let my resentment exert itself [lit. act]; although he has conquered two kings, he has slain my father!  These mourning robes in which I read my misfortune are the first-fruits which his valor has produced; and although others may tell of a heart so magnanimous, here all objects speak to me of his crime.  Ye who give strength to my feelings of resentment, veil, crape, robes, dismal ornaments, funeral garb in which his first victory enshrouds me, do you sustain effectually my honor in opposition to my passion, and when my love shall gain too much power, remind my spirit of my sad duty; attack, without fearing anything, a triumphant hand!

Elvira. Calm this excitement; see—­here comes the Infanta.

Scene II.—­The INFANTA, CHIMENE, LEONORA, and ELVIRA.

Infanta. I do not come here [vainly] to console thy sorrows; I come rather to mingle my sighs with thy tears.

Chimene. Far rather take part in the universal rejoicings, and taste the happiness which heaven sends you, dear lady; no one but myself has a right to sigh.  The danger from which Rodrigo has been able to rescue you, and the public safety which his arms restore to you, to me alone to-day still permit tears; he has saved the city, he has served his King, and his valiant arm is destructive only to myself.

Infanta. My Chimene, it is true that he has wrought wonders.

Chimene. Already this vexatious exclamation of joy [lit. noise] has reached [lit. struck] my ears, and I hear him everywhere proclaimed aloud as brave a warrior as he is an unfortunate lover.

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

Chimene. Every one [else] can praise it with some justice; but for me his praise is a new punishment.  They aggravate my grief by raising him so high.  I see what I lose, when I see what he is worth.  Ah! cruel tortures to the mind of a lover!  The more I understand his worth, the more 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; the struggle which thou didst make appeared so magnanimous, so worthy of a noble heart, that everyone at the court admired thy resolution and pitied thy love.  But wilt thou believe in the advice of a faithful friendship?

Chimene. Not to obey you would render me disloyal.