Count. The King can, at his pleasure, dispose of my life.

Don Arias. Your fault is followed by too much excitement.  The King still loves you; appease his wrath.  He has said, “I desire it!”—­will you disobey?

Count. Sir, to preserve all that esteem which I retain [or, (other reading), to preserve my glory and my esteem] to disobey in a slight degree is not so great a crime, and, however great that [offence] may be, my immediate services are more than sufficient to cancel it.

Don Arias. Although one perform glorious and important deeds, a King is never beholden to his subject.  You flatter yourself much, and you ought to know that he who serves his King well only does his duty.  You will ruin yourself, sir, by this confidence.

Count. I shall not believe you until I have experience of it [lit. until after experience of it].

Don Arias. You ought to dread the power of a King.

Count. One day alone does not destroy a man such as I. Let all his greatness arm itself for my punishment; all the state shall perish, if I must perish.

Don Arias. What! do you fear so little sovereign power——?

Count. [The sovereign power] of a sceptre which, without me, would fall from his hand.  He himself has too much interest in my person, and my head in falling would cause his crown to fall.

Don Arias. Permit reason to bring back your senses.  Take good advice.

Count.  The advice [or, counsel] with regard to it is [already] taken.

Don Arias. What shall I say, after all?  I am obliged to give him an account [of this interview].

Count. [Say] that I can never consent to my own dishonor.

Don Arias. But think that kings will be absolute.

Count. The die is cast, sir.  Let us speak of the matter no more.

Don Arias. Adieu, then, sir, since in vain I try to persuade you.  Notwithstanding [lit. with] all your laurels, still dread the thunderbolt.

Count. I shall await it without fear.

Don Arias. But not without effect.

Count. We shall see by that Don Diego satisfied. [Exit Don Arias.] [Alone] He who fears not death fears not threats.  I have a heart superior to the greatest misfortunes [lit. above the proudest misfortunes]; and men may reduce me to live without happiness, but they cannot compel me to live without honor.

Scene II.—­The COUNT and DON RODRIGO.

Don Rodrigo. Here, count, a word or two.

Count. Speak.

Don Rodrigo. Relieve me from a doubt.  Dost thou know Don Diego well?

Count. Yes.

Don Rodrigo. Let us speak [in] low [tones]; listen.  Dost thou know that this old man was the very [essence of] virtue, valor, and honor in his time?  Dost thou know it?