Act 1, Scenes 4 and 5 Summary

Act 1, Scene 4 - Back in the Spanish court, Bel-Imperia pleads with Horatio to tell her more about the circumstances of Andrea's death, referring poetically to how much she loved him. Protesting that he cared so much about Andrea that telling the story will be painful to him, Horatio eventually talks at length about how well Andrea fought, how vicious Balthazar was. Horatio goes on to tell home he captured Balthazar and insisted upon bringing Andrea's body back for a respectful burial. He gives Bel-Imperia a scarf that Andrea wore. Bel-Imperia says she had bestowed it as a token of her love, and then tells Horatio he can keep it as a token of her respect and gratitude. Horatio thanks her, and then goes out to join Balthazar as, he says, the King ordered him to.

After Horatio has gone...