memory blighted.  To die for one’s country is not a sorrowful doom; it is to immortalize one’s self by a glorious death!  I love then his victory, and I can do so without criminality; it [the victory] secures the kingdom and yields to me my victim.  But ennobled, but illustrious amongst all warriors, the chief crowned with laurels instead of flowers—­and to say in a word what I think—­worthy of being sacrificed to the shade of my father.  Alas! by what [vain] hope do I allow myself to be carried away?  Rodrigo has nothing to dread from me; what can tears which are despised avail against him?  For him your whole empire is a sanctuary [lit. a place of freedom]; there, under your power, everything is lawful for him; he triumphs over me as [well as] over his enemies; justice stifled in their blood that has been shed, serves as a new trophy for the crime of the conqueror.  We increase its pomp, and contempt of the law causes us to follow his [triumphal] chariot between two kings.

Don Fernando. My daughter, these transports are too violent [lit. have too much violence].  When justice is rendered, all is put in the scale.  Thy father has been slain, he was the aggressor; and justice itself commands me [to have] mercy.  Before accusing that [degree of clemency] which I show, consult well thine heart; Rodrigo is master of it; and thy love in secret returns thanks to thy King, whose favor preserves such a lover for thee.

Chimene. For me! my enemy! the object of my wrath! the author of my misfortunes? the slayer of my father!  To my just pursuit [of vengeance] they pay so little attention, that they believe that they are conferring a favor on me by not listening to it.  Since you refuse justice to my tears, sire, permit me to have recourse to arms; it is by that alone that he has been able to injure me, and it is by that (means) also that I ought to avenge myself.  From all your knights I demand his head; yes, let one of them bring it to me, and I will be his prize; let them fight him, sire, and, the combat being finished, I [will] espouse the conqueror, if Rodrigo is slain [lit. punished].  Under your authority, permit this to be made public.

Don Fernando. This ancient custom established in these places, under the guise of punishing an unjust affront, weakens a kingdom [by depriving it] of its best warriors; the deplorable success of this abuse [of power] often crushes the innocent and shields the guilty.  From this [ordeal] I release Rodrigo; he is too precious to me to expose him to the [death] blows of capricious fate; and whatever (offence) a heart so magnanimous could commit, the Moors, in retreating, have carried away his crime.

Chimene. What, sire, for him alone you reverse the laws, which all the court has so often seen observed!  What will your people think, and what will envy say, if he screens his life beneath your shield and he makes it a pretext not to appear [on a scene] where all men of honor seek a noble death?  Such favors would too deeply tarnish his glory; let him enjoy [lit. taste] without shame [lit. blushing] the fruits of his victory.  The count had audacity, he was able to punish him for it; he [i.e.  Rodrigo] acted like a man of courage, and ought to maintain it [that character].