Don Diego. This mark of distinction with which he distinguishes [lit. which he puts into] my family shows to all that he is just, and causes it to be sufficiently understood, that he knows how to recompense bygone services.

Count. However great kings may be, they are only men [lit. they are that which we are]; they can make mistakes like other men, and this choice serves as a proof to all courtiers that they know how to [or, can] badly recompense present services.

Don Diego. Let us speak no more of a choice at which your mind becomes exasperated.  Favor may have been able to do as much as merit; but we owe this respect to absolute power, to question nothing when a king has wished it.  To the honor which he has done me add another—­let us join by a sacred tie my house to yours.  You have an only daughter, and I have an only son; their marriage may render us for ever more than friends.  Grant us this favor, and accept, him as a son-in-law.

Count. To higher alliances this precious son ought [or, is likely] to aspire; and the new splendor of your dignity ought to inflate his heart with another [higher] vanity.  Exercise that [dignity], sir, and instruct the prince.  Show him how it is necessary to rule a province:  to make the people tremble everywhere under his law; to fill the good with love, and the wicked with terror.  Add to these virtues those of a commander:  show him how it is necessary to inure himself to fatigue; in the profession of a warrior [lit. of Mars] to render himself without an equal; to pass entire days and nights on horseback; to sleep all-armed:  to storm a rampart, and to owe to himself alone the winning of a battle.  Instruct him by example, and render him perfect, bringing your lessons to his notice by carrying them into effect.

Don Diego. To instruct himself by example, in spite of your jealous feelings, he shall read only the history of my life.  There, in a long succession of glorious deeds, he shall see how nations ought to be subdued; to attack a fortress, to marshal an army, and on great exploits to build his renown.

Count. Living examples have a greater [lit. another] power.  A prince, in a book, learns his duty but badly [or, imperfectly]; and what, after all, has this great number of years done which one of my days cannot equal?  If you have been valiant, I am so to-day, and this arm is the strongest support of the kingdom.  Granada and Arragon tremble when this sword flashes; my name serves as a rampart to all Castile; without me you would soon pass under other laws, and you would soon have your enemies as [lit. for] kings.  Each day, each moment, to increase my glory, adds laurels to laurels, victory to victory.  The prince, by my side, would make the trial of his courage in the wars under the shadow of my arm; he would learn to conquer by seeing me do so; and, to prove speedily worthy of his high character, he would see——­