Act 1, Scene 3 Summary

In the Portuguese court, the Viceroy (king) confirms with two warrior/courtiers, Alexandro and Villuppo, that an ambassador has been sent to Spain with the tribute money. In emotionally extravagant language, he talks at length about how miserable he is at being defeated, at having spent so much money on the war, at his country having lost so many lives, and at Balthazar being seemingly lost to him. Alexandro tells him Balthazar still lives. The Viceroy doesn't believe him, they argue, and Villuppo offers to tell him the truth. The Viceroy promises to reward him, and Villuppo says that in the midst of his efforts to win the day for the Portuguese, Balthazar was shot in the back by Alexandro and killed. Alexandro immediately protests that he's lying, the Viceroy tells him to be quiet. Villuppo says he saw Balthazar's body...