Infanta. What was justifiable then is not so to-day.  Rodrigo now is our sole support, the hope and the idol [lit. love] of a people that worships him!  The prop of Castile and the terror of the Moor!  The King himself recognizes [lit. is in agreement with] this truth, that thy father in him alone sees himself recalled to life:  and if, in fine, thou wishest that I should explain myself briefly [lit. in two words], thou art seeking in his destruction the public ruin.  What! to avenge a father, is it ever lawful to surrender one’s country into the hands of enemies?  Against us is thy revenge lawful?  And must we be punished who had no share in the crime?  After all, it is only that thou shouldest espouse the man whom a dead father compelled thee to accuse; I myself would wish to relieve thee of that desire [lit. take the desire of that from thee]; take from him thy love, but leave us his life.

Chimene. Ah! it is not in me to have so much kindness; the duty which excites me has no limit.  Although my love pleads [lit. interests itself] for this conqueror, although a nation worships him, and a King praises him, although he be surrounded with the most valiant warriors, I shall endeavor to crush his laurels beneath my [funereal] cypress.

Infanta. It is a noble feeling when, to avenge a father, our duty assails a head so dear; but it is duty of a still nobler order when ties of blood are sacrificed to the public [advantage].  No, believe me, it is enough to quench thy love; he will be too severely punished if he exists no more in thy affections.  Let the welfare of thy country impose upon thee this law; and, besides, what dost thou think that the King will grant thee?

Chimene. He can refuse me, but I cannot keep silent.

Infanta. Reflect well, my [dear] Chimene, on what thou wishest to do.  Adieu; [when] alone thou cans’t think over this at thy leisure. [Exit the Infanta.]

Chimene. Since my father is slain [lit. after my dead father], I have no [alternative] to choose.

Scene III.—­DON FERNANDO (the King), DON DIEGO, DON ARIAS, DON RODRIGO, and DON SANCHO.

Don Fernando. Worthy scion of a distinguished race, which has always been the glory and the support of Castile!  Thou descendant of so many ancestors signalized by valor, whom the first attempt of thine own [prowess] has so soon equalled; my ability to recompense thee is too limited [lit. small], and I have less power than thou hast merit.  The country delivered from such a fierce enemy, my sceptre firmly placed in my hand by thine own [hand], and the Moors defeated before, amid these terrors, I could give orders for repulsing their arms; these are brilliant services which leave not to thy King the means or the hope of discharging his debt of gratitude [lit. acquitting himself] towards thee.  But the two kings, thy captives, shall be thy reward.  Both